Sunday, September 21, 2008
AC
Well, the new site is up and running...things will piece together over the coming weeks and months more and more but it's definately a go to check out. As a result, I will no longer be posting to this site. Check out http://agapecommunities.org and join the conversation. Jon Green is spearheading the front and the site will have my blogs as well as a cornucopia of thoughts, video, fun, etc. from a collection of peeps. There's also updates and info on both the AC in OKC and KC.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Revealing
"In Catholic school as vicious as Roman rule
I got my knuckles brusied by a lady in black
And I held my toungue as she told me
"Son fear is the heart of love"
So I never went back"
-Death Cab For Cutie "Follow You Into The Dark"
"But time is on your side
It's on your side now
Not pushing you down and all around
It's no cause for concern
Come on, oh my star is fading
And I see no chance of release
And I know I'm dead on the surface
But I am screaming underneath
And time is on your side
It's on your side now
Not pushing you down and all around
No it's no cause for concern
Stuck on the end of this ball and chain
And I'm on my way back down again
Stood on a bridge, tied to a noose
Sick to the stomach
You can say what you mean
But it won't change a thing
I'm sick of the secrets
Stood on the edge, tied to a noose
You came along and you cut me loose
You came along and you cut me loose
You came along and you cut me loose."
-Coldplay "Amsterdam"
"What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by.
The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn't put it out.
The Life-Light was the real thing: Every person entering Life he brings into Light.
He came to his own people but they didn't want him. But whoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, He made to be their true selves, their child-of-God selves.
No one has ever seen God, not so much as a glimpse. This one-of-a-kind God-Expression, who exists at the very heart of the Father, has made him plain as day."
John 1 (The Message)
I've been captivated by those phrases lately. "He made them to be their true selves". So many times we aren't aware of all of the clothes and things we've acquired over the years to make us think we need to get value or acceptance or status or image or whatever. Most of us wouldn't know what to say if asked "What's on your heart these days? What do you dream about?" Passion...life...love...all of these things flow from the relentless self-aware pursuit of those questions. When's the last time you dreamed? Maybe it's the blood-thinners, I'm not sure(he he), but I've been dreaming again. Who are you? Don't tell me what you do (job, parent, social status, husband, wife)...tell me who you are...how you believe (or hope) God sees you....who....are....you? We get so entrenched in life that we forget how to really live...don't we. It matters to discover that. To reveal what's God's always known and is waiting for you to discover. It's a beautiful thing to become who you are.
"Take these hands
Teach them what to carry
Take these hands
Don't make a fist
Take this mouth
So quick to criticise
Take this mouth
Give it a kiss
Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, Yahweh
Still I'm waiting for the dawn
Still waiting for the dawn, the sun is coming up
The sun is coming up on the ocean
This love is like a drop in the ocean
This love is like a drop in the ocean."
-U2 "Yahweh"
I got my knuckles brusied by a lady in black
And I held my toungue as she told me
"Son fear is the heart of love"
So I never went back"
-Death Cab For Cutie "Follow You Into The Dark"
"But time is on your side
It's on your side now
Not pushing you down and all around
It's no cause for concern
Come on, oh my star is fading
And I see no chance of release
And I know I'm dead on the surface
But I am screaming underneath
And time is on your side
It's on your side now
Not pushing you down and all around
No it's no cause for concern
Stuck on the end of this ball and chain
And I'm on my way back down again
Stood on a bridge, tied to a noose
Sick to the stomach
You can say what you mean
But it won't change a thing
I'm sick of the secrets
Stood on the edge, tied to a noose
You came along and you cut me loose
You came along and you cut me loose
You came along and you cut me loose."
-Coldplay "Amsterdam"
"What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by.
The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn't put it out.
The Life-Light was the real thing: Every person entering Life he brings into Light.
He came to his own people but they didn't want him. But whoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, He made to be their true selves, their child-of-God selves.
No one has ever seen God, not so much as a glimpse. This one-of-a-kind God-Expression, who exists at the very heart of the Father, has made him plain as day."
John 1 (The Message)
I've been captivated by those phrases lately. "He made them to be their true selves". So many times we aren't aware of all of the clothes and things we've acquired over the years to make us think we need to get value or acceptance or status or image or whatever. Most of us wouldn't know what to say if asked "What's on your heart these days? What do you dream about?" Passion...life...love...all of these things flow from the relentless self-aware pursuit of those questions. When's the last time you dreamed? Maybe it's the blood-thinners, I'm not sure(he he), but I've been dreaming again. Who are you? Don't tell me what you do (job, parent, social status, husband, wife)...tell me who you are...how you believe (or hope) God sees you....who....are....you? We get so entrenched in life that we forget how to really live...don't we. It matters to discover that. To reveal what's God's always known and is waiting for you to discover. It's a beautiful thing to become who you are.
"Take these hands
Teach them what to carry
Take these hands
Don't make a fist
Take this mouth
So quick to criticise
Take this mouth
Give it a kiss
Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, Yahweh
Still I'm waiting for the dawn
Still waiting for the dawn, the sun is coming up
The sun is coming up on the ocean
This love is like a drop in the ocean
This love is like a drop in the ocean."
-U2 "Yahweh"
Monday, September 8, 2008
"The God's Aren't Angry" AC Thursday Nights
This Thursday Night we're starting a 3 week series based off the dvd teaching of Rob Bell entitled "The God's Aren't Angry". Here's the details.
What: AC Series "The God's Aren't Angry"
When: Thursday Nights (3 Weeks Starting This Week) 7 PM (Snack and Coffee @ 6:45)
Where: Henry's Home (14606 S Alden St, Olathe, KS 66062)
View Larger Map
Where did the first caveman or cavewoman get the idea that somebody, somewhere existed who needed to be worshipped, appeased, and followed?
And how did the idea evolve that if you didn't say, do, or offer the right things, this being would be upset, agitated, or even angry with you?
Where did religion come from?
Video, Processing, Discussion, Music, Teaching, and Coffee will encapsulate the nights of this series. Anyone is welcome to dive into the community and conversation.
Here's a glimpse for you.
What: AC Series "The God's Aren't Angry"
When: Thursday Nights (3 Weeks Starting This Week) 7 PM (Snack and Coffee @ 6:45)
Where: Henry's Home (14606 S Alden St, Olathe, KS 66062)
View Larger Map
Where did the first caveman or cavewoman get the idea that somebody, somewhere existed who needed to be worshipped, appeased, and followed?
And how did the idea evolve that if you didn't say, do, or offer the right things, this being would be upset, agitated, or even angry with you?
Where did religion come from?
Video, Processing, Discussion, Music, Teaching, and Coffee will encapsulate the nights of this series. Anyone is welcome to dive into the community and conversation.
Here's a glimpse for you.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Craziness
First of all thanks so much to many many of you for your thoughts, prayers, help, food, texts, calls, visits, etc. during the last week. Amazing to be doing life with so many of you guys in a variety of ways and avenues.
I was coming back from OKC Sunday and my right calf/leg felt tight and hurt. I didn't think much of it...just thought cramp, or muscle strain. It'll go away tomorrow. Woke up Monday and it didn't go away. It was worse. Went to work early and was stretching it a good bit to get the "muscle strain" out. Told Greg, my supervisor, I think it would be good to take an extended lunch and head to the walk-in clinic to see what's up and get muscle relaxers or something. Went there...doctor checked it out...said it could be a strain or pull...could also be a blood clot...needed to rule that out. So I went to get a sonogram. I was waiting in the waiting room...of course...to see what was up...no worries at this point. Tech calls me in to the talk to the doctor. "That's weird" I thought. He told me that I had a blood clot behind the right knee and would be admitted immediately. Wow. "Okay, I'll get admitted and then we'll be good to go Tuesday or something." He said the main dr. would be waiting for me in the registration area. I walked over there and he was running down.
Moments of clarity are what a lot of people call them. You never know when they happen. You never know when you'll hear words or see something that leaves you in tears, or makes you reevaluate everything, or leaves you more determined about your life and heart, or leaves you incredibly grateful. Sometimes you can feel it coming on. Most of the time you know it after the fact.
Dr. McGinnis met me in one of the registration booths. He asked the registration lady to leave b/c he needed to talk with me now. Doors closed.
"Do you know what's happening to you?"
"I know I have a blood clot behind the right knee."
"Do you know how serious that is and could be?"
"Not really"
"Do you know who Derrick Thomas is?"
"Yep" (He was a great defensive player for the Chiefs that died tragically and quickly a few years ago.)
"This is how he died."
"Are you saying I could die from this?"
"If not treated...yes"
I've never had someone tell me anything like that before. Maybe you have. Maybe most of you have. I never have. Never been admitted to the hospital. Never had an IV. Never broke a bone. On and on. Wanna know the first thing that came to mind? This may seem obvious, but it's an incredibly deep thought. "I really don't want to die." I've rarely felt more certain about something in my life. It's a really powerful thing to, in your depths, realize that. At least, it has been for me. I feel like I'm really starting to live and pursue the things on my heart more than ever. I love my wife...incredibly. Love my relationships. Community of friends and family. Job....most of the time...he he! The depth of that realization is pretty strong. To ask, "Do I really want to live?" For some, it's tough to answer that honestly just from a physical life perspective. "I wanna live, I don't wanna die." For some, it's tough to answer that from a emotional and relational perspective. "Life not working for me...I'm dying on the inside...I want to really live life!" Whatever the place for someone. It matters to be honest about the answer. It's powerful to be honest about the answer. It has been for me.
"Well, I know I don't wanna die! So I'll do whatever you tell me to do."
"You will likely be fine because you came here. Who knows what might have happened if you hadn't. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Completely."
I can't think him enough for being so laser with me. I appreciate that with people so much. The threat is for the blood clot to break off and then shoot up the vein to either the heart, lungs, or brain. In either case, if the clot is large enough, it's likely fatal. So I was admitted. My routine over the next few days consisted of 2 stomach shots a day along with oral blood-thinners, which I'm still on and will be for the next 4-6 months. No more stomach shots...woo-hoo! I got released from Olathe Med Thursday afternoon. Right now, I'm sitting on my couch...leg extended and resting...preparing to head back to work Wednesday. It's 11:30 as I write this...on Monday...1 week ago...you get the picture...crazy. There you go. You may find value in this. Maybe not. I just thought I would share. Again, thanks to so many of you for your visits, conversations, food, gifts, texts, etc. Nina, thanks so much for helping Raegen and I out last week in a moment's notice...you are a great friend. So many others of you that are on this journey together. Thanks. It matters. You matter.
"Mack, if anything matters then everything matters. Because you are important, everything you do is important. Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes; with every kindness and service, seen or unseen, my purposes are accomplished and nothing will ever be the same again."
-taken from "The Shack"
"Now everyone dreams of a love lasting and true
But you and I know what this world can do
So let's make our steps clear that the other may see
And I'll wait for you
If I should fall behind
Wait for me."
-Bruce Springsteen "If I Should Fall Behind"
"I don't want you to die."
"That the most beautiful thing anyone's ever said to me"
-taken from "V for Vendetta"
I was coming back from OKC Sunday and my right calf/leg felt tight and hurt. I didn't think much of it...just thought cramp, or muscle strain. It'll go away tomorrow. Woke up Monday and it didn't go away. It was worse. Went to work early and was stretching it a good bit to get the "muscle strain" out. Told Greg, my supervisor, I think it would be good to take an extended lunch and head to the walk-in clinic to see what's up and get muscle relaxers or something. Went there...doctor checked it out...said it could be a strain or pull...could also be a blood clot...needed to rule that out. So I went to get a sonogram. I was waiting in the waiting room...of course...to see what was up...no worries at this point. Tech calls me in to the talk to the doctor. "That's weird" I thought. He told me that I had a blood clot behind the right knee and would be admitted immediately. Wow. "Okay, I'll get admitted and then we'll be good to go Tuesday or something." He said the main dr. would be waiting for me in the registration area. I walked over there and he was running down.
Moments of clarity are what a lot of people call them. You never know when they happen. You never know when you'll hear words or see something that leaves you in tears, or makes you reevaluate everything, or leaves you more determined about your life and heart, or leaves you incredibly grateful. Sometimes you can feel it coming on. Most of the time you know it after the fact.
Dr. McGinnis met me in one of the registration booths. He asked the registration lady to leave b/c he needed to talk with me now. Doors closed.
"Do you know what's happening to you?"
"I know I have a blood clot behind the right knee."
"Do you know how serious that is and could be?"
"Not really"
"Do you know who Derrick Thomas is?"
"Yep" (He was a great defensive player for the Chiefs that died tragically and quickly a few years ago.)
"This is how he died."
"Are you saying I could die from this?"
"If not treated...yes"
I've never had someone tell me anything like that before. Maybe you have. Maybe most of you have. I never have. Never been admitted to the hospital. Never had an IV. Never broke a bone. On and on. Wanna know the first thing that came to mind? This may seem obvious, but it's an incredibly deep thought. "I really don't want to die." I've rarely felt more certain about something in my life. It's a really powerful thing to, in your depths, realize that. At least, it has been for me. I feel like I'm really starting to live and pursue the things on my heart more than ever. I love my wife...incredibly. Love my relationships. Community of friends and family. Job....most of the time...he he! The depth of that realization is pretty strong. To ask, "Do I really want to live?" For some, it's tough to answer that honestly just from a physical life perspective. "I wanna live, I don't wanna die." For some, it's tough to answer that from a emotional and relational perspective. "Life not working for me...I'm dying on the inside...I want to really live life!" Whatever the place for someone. It matters to be honest about the answer. It's powerful to be honest about the answer. It has been for me.
"Well, I know I don't wanna die! So I'll do whatever you tell me to do."
"You will likely be fine because you came here. Who knows what might have happened if you hadn't. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Completely."
I can't think him enough for being so laser with me. I appreciate that with people so much. The threat is for the blood clot to break off and then shoot up the vein to either the heart, lungs, or brain. In either case, if the clot is large enough, it's likely fatal. So I was admitted. My routine over the next few days consisted of 2 stomach shots a day along with oral blood-thinners, which I'm still on and will be for the next 4-6 months. No more stomach shots...woo-hoo! I got released from Olathe Med Thursday afternoon. Right now, I'm sitting on my couch...leg extended and resting...preparing to head back to work Wednesday. It's 11:30 as I write this...on Monday...1 week ago...you get the picture...crazy. There you go. You may find value in this. Maybe not. I just thought I would share. Again, thanks to so many of you for your visits, conversations, food, gifts, texts, etc. Nina, thanks so much for helping Raegen and I out last week in a moment's notice...you are a great friend. So many others of you that are on this journey together. Thanks. It matters. You matter.
"Mack, if anything matters then everything matters. Because you are important, everything you do is important. Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes; with every kindness and service, seen or unseen, my purposes are accomplished and nothing will ever be the same again."
-taken from "The Shack"
"Now everyone dreams of a love lasting and true
But you and I know what this world can do
So let's make our steps clear that the other may see
And I'll wait for you
If I should fall behind
Wait for me."
-Bruce Springsteen "If I Should Fall Behind"
"I don't want you to die."
"That the most beautiful thing anyone's ever said to me"
-taken from "V for Vendetta"
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
William Paul Young speaking at Mariner's Church
Really really great stuff from the writer of "The Shack". Particularly him sharing his story. Enjoy.
http://www.marinerschurch.org/theshack/av/index.html##
http://www.marinerschurch.org/theshack/av/index.html##
Dr. Paul Fitzgerald-Living Loved
Paul is a friend and sojourner and a formative voice in this community of conversations and gatherings. Great stuff on his blog. Check out the recent post.
http://pauldfitzgerald.typepad.com/graceconnexion/2008/08/post.html
http://pauldfitzgerald.typepad.com/graceconnexion/2008/08/post.html
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