As we prepare to officially kickoff Centerpoint September 7th and we turn the page on a new chapter in life, I want to reflect on the previous chapter. For about two years, we have been small group leaders at Church Triumphant and while it’s been a challenge with the insanity of our group that we call a baby boom, something like 8 new baby additions on top of the 6 children we already had or so. And sprinkle in a broken ankle during that time as well, our group in about 6 months managed to feed 8 families; providing like 70 meals during that time. A JOB WELL DONE by the way. We have been deeply impacted by such a group and is actually sad to leave them in that capacity but also know our friendships run deep (even for Colts & Bengals fans & future Brown babies). Thank you all for letting us be a part of your life.
Archive for August, 2008
Centerpoint is coming
August 27, 2008
More important than Ohio State football, Centerpoint hosts its first preview service Sunday, September 7th @ 6 PM. Wow, that’s all we all can really say at this point. To date, the journey has been fun, inspiring, a lot of work, and wow. Christopher & I begain sharing thoughts and our hearts way back last fall and things naturally progressed. Over time, Amber & I were introduced to the centerpoint team consisting of Mr. Johnny Ropple (creative guy, no really creative guy) and Mr. Nate Turner (ridiculously organized). Our hearts beat as one as we attempt to find ways to redeem our culture, one that views the church as a political machine filled with hypcrites (or would Jesus say brood of vipers) who show total discontent for anyone in its way. Centerpoint hopes to restore the compassion of Christ in our area. Please join us!
something fun
August 26, 2008
As promised last week, I said I’d venture away from political issues and do something fun.
For those who know me, or probably even just heard about me, know that I’m a big Ohio State football fan. I’ll admit, I’m probably not as hardcore as I used to be. I remember in high school, and even shortly after, if OSU lost a game, I would seriously let it ruin the rest of my weekend. In fact, Amber, my wife, (not back then, we weren’t into marriage when I was in high school or shortly after) knew better than to even talk to me. Crazy sad I agree, but it was the truth.
Perhaps now though, as an OSU fan, we’re ridiculously spoiled and if I really can’t remember the last time we didn’t make a BCS Championship game or at least a BCS bowl game. But I do remember the last time OSU lost to Michigan; as a matter of fact it has been 1739 days ago. Now that I think about it, it was the last time I watched an OSU vs. Michigan game w/out a Michigan fan in the room (hmmm interesting). We were living in VA Beach at the time of that loss and we decided to go pout at Wal-Mart and I ran into a classmate from Michigan and naturally a fan of them, he made some comment and I nearly wanted to kick his teeth in right there (funny considering we’re both learning how to be pastors).
Anyway, this Saturday Ohio State opens up another season and this one should be like previous years except hopefully we pull it out this time. O-H-I-O
on politics (then I’m doing something fun)
August 19, 2008Below is an email I sent to a friend recently.. Followed by an Op-ed from cnn.com (dare I visit that site?)
I just don’t trust his [John McCain] sincerity. I believed in Bush and I think he may be a good man that might know God, I no longer trust his deep convictions. Rather I lean to the fact that he needed 19% of the Christian electorate to win. I think Karl Rove is a political genius, a guru and McCain needs most, if not all of that 19%.
If only we were really active and as passionate about really serving Christ as we are politics, maybe the world would be better? (by we, not just you and I but the Body of Christ)
I like Obama on social issues – but I don’t like his way of getting those funds or even redistribution of wealth but I think he’s more genuine in taking care of poor people.
I like Obama on the war in Iraq but I think McCain is way more qualified to handle the military (but so was John Kerry). It’s a dilemma.
It’s a tough call for me but I don’t think it’s the end of the world and the best part about this previous 8 years and this election is that people Christians on both sides of partisan politics are awaken to the fact that we need to participate in changing the world in our own communities and that change doesn’t come only from one vote every four years. It’s a small, small part of the process.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/18/cafferty.mccain/index.html
foreign, domestic, or just less oil dependence?
August 15, 2008I created a datasheet showing oil consumption ranking countries 1-20 and also a column showing that country’s population. U.S. ranks third in population, a far cry below China & India yet we consume 4 x the amount of oil per day than China and 10 x the amount of India.
You say, let’s just drill at home and reduce our dependence on oil. I say, okay that’s a bandaid but practically speaking, China, India and the rest of the world will only increase their oil production over time so it really does nothing, if only in the short term (meaning 3-5 years after we start producing oil).
The real issue isn’t where we find oil but completely reducing our oil consumption. I agree we should use our resources but if we’re stubborn and unwilling to change our grossly greedy American ways, then I really believe what’s happening with oil right now is a prophetic movement of reeping and sowing. We should learn not that we must rely on ourselves, but rather repent for living erroneous lifestyles and consumerism and find ways to help eliminate so much usage of oil.
If Jesus can spread the gospel in an entire region in a few short years followed by the disciples on a donkey, surely we can find ways to live in our culture.
| Country | Barrells/day (millions) | Population | less than U.S. | % less than U.S. | % of what U.S. uses |
| United States: | 20,730,000 | 301,000,000 | 0 | ||
| China: | 6,534,000 | 1,321,851,000 | 14,196,000 | 68.48% | 31.52% |
| Japan: | 5,578,000 | 127,433,000 | 15,152,000 | 73.09% | 26.91% |
| Germany: | 2,650,000 | 82,400,000 | 18,080,000 | 87.22% | 12.78% |
| Russia: | 2,500,000 | 141,377,000 | 18,230,000 | 87.94% | 12.06% |
| India: | 2,450,000 | 1,129,000,000 | 18,280,000 | 88.18% | 11.82% |
| Canada: | 2,294,000 | 33,390,000 | 18,436,000 | 88.93% | 11.07% |
| Korea, South: | 2,149,000 | 49,000,000 | 18,581,000 | 89.63% | 10.37% |
| Brazil: | 2,100,000 | 179,000,000 | 18,630,000 | 89.87% | 10.13% |
| Mexico: | 1,970,000 | 109,000,000 | 18,760,000 | 90.50% | 9.50% |
| France: | 1,970,000 | 60,000,000 | 18,760,000 | 90.50% | 9.50% |
| Italy: | 1,881,000 | 58,000,000 | 18,849,000 | 90.93% | 9.07% |
| United Kingdom: | 1,827,000 | 61,000,000 | 18,903,000 | 91.19% | 8.81% |
| Spain: | 1,573,000 | 40,440,000 | 19,157,000 | 91.19% | 8.81% |
| Iran: | 1,510,000 | 65,000,000 | 19,220,000 | 92.72% | 7.28% |
| Indonesia: | 1,168,000 | 235,000,000 | 19,562,000 | 94.37% | 5.63% |
| Taiwan: | 965,000 | 23,000,000 | 19,765,000 | 95.34% | 4.66% |
| Netherlands: | 946,700 | 17,000,000 | 19,783,300 | 95.43% | 4.57% |
| Thailand: | 900,000 | 65,000,000 | 19,830,000 | 95.66% | 4.34% |
| Saudi Arabia: | 184,500 | 27,000,000 | 20,545,500 | 99.11% | 0.89% |
assignments
August 11, 2008Late Saturday night, early Sunday morning, I was flipping through dish tv’s various religious channels when the guide showed that a “camp meeting” was airing. I decided to click enter & watch the show. Sure like many of you I intended to turn it on to see what was happening and how critical I could be with the camp meeting.
A dark bearded man was standing at the podium, with a chorus behind him. This wasn’t a typical camp meeting, or what I anticipated. Nor was the speaker a vibrant, in your face type guy. He also wasn’t someone I would typically watch, and the more I read about him today, I probably wouldn’t watch much more of him.
But he caught my attention for a few minutes when he began talking about being where God places you. At one point he shared a story about a man claiming he planned on “reaching the entire world for Christ,” a rather ambitious goal we’d all like to achieve. The pastor rebutted, “wow that’s good, I guess the rest of us will take a vacation to Hawaii.” What he was getting at was we all have a role to play in sharing the love of Christ to our neighbors. He went further saying God places us in geographical places we’re to reach. While that may or may not be true, I firmly believe God places a desire within us to demonstrate the same love Christ gave to us. The rest of the story really is up to us in terms of when/how/where. That’s the beauty of it, we have a part to play.
For me, that part to play is in Chillicothe, Ohio. Beginning in September (wow just a few weeks from now) CENTERPOINT will host preview services leading up to a January start date to really focus on sharing grace, mercy, and compassion to a generaton of young adults who have been hurt by church or by christians. CENTERPOINTS focus is none other than to give hope & love to this, our demographic.
This is my blog, or else.
August 4, 2008There are few times in life when we embark on uncharted territories; this blog happens to be one of those occasions in my life. Months ago a friend asked me to begin writing a blog and I denied the opportunity. Questions arose in my mind like, “do I have time?; will I say things I shouldn’t?; will I offend anyone?” Last week, the same friend & Centerpoint pastor, Christopher VanBuskirk repeated his earlier request, only this time in a different format. I’m not exactly sure what he said, but this is what I heard, “create a blog or else!”
So without any further ado, this is my blog, or else. To answer the above questions, no I don’t have the time, yes I’ll say things I shouldn’t and yes, I will offend someone. However it’s my hope that this blog will capture your interest as I share my faith journey with you.
