The Kindness of God at a K Mets Game

So I get out the phone number of some one I feel I need / ought to call - pastorally. A troubled, deeply-in-crisis last time we talked person (trying to be nondescript here). This soul is not part of our church, nor have they called me in a while. Were they better or was it over, too late, beyond remedy...

So, I have the number in hand & don't call... too tired, its late in the day. Not feeling up to handling what I expect to be bad news. Not sure they still live there... Just can't, don't... not sure if I am coping out or being honest...

So, we go to see Roger Clemens & his son at the K Mets game again.
Who else do I see at the game?
Who do I get to visit with & do some checking up on?
Who do I find out is doing better than I would have guessed?
Who do I get to breifly challenge / exhort, encourage?

Thank You LORD!
And as weak as this is, forgive me for where in this I did not follow you.

Rocket Man - near miss

Went to a Kingsport Mets game tonight with the older three. Three stories:

1. A guy - 5'11" - pitched in the mid 90's

2. Roger Clemens' kid (Kody?) played - one of his first pro games.

3. Roger Clemens was at the game. We, and a 100+ others, tried & failed to get his autograph. A few lucky ones got it before he left the stadium. FYI: He is a big guy.

We did get his kid's autograph. Fun time & a free game.

Proof I don't get it ... maybe

I have more than once wondered . . . could it be that many of us are funtionally emergent, even if we are not so labled? But due to age, hipness factor, lingo, technology... we are not seen as such in the - here I go, watch me here - conversation ;-)

We are straddled with a traditional building, within a denom. & so are the old wineskins, by default... Frankly, much of what I read about in Emrg. is stuff I have done / espoused for years (a decade & a half). I am sure I am missing some key pieces, & don't get it, but there is an element in emer. conversation of a seeming strong need to make a "we / them", even if at times it does not exist...

Oh well, I probably just proved "I don't get it" - like the any one who turns down a opportunity to sale Amway ;-)

I have been out of or at least not doing traditional ministry for so long, I forget the proponderance of churches can seem / be tradition driven. Maybe that is the snag.

Hope this makes sense... go easy on me, I am an older white male geiser, the very picture of "the system". Sorry, did I slide into political jargon there?

A poem about Heaven - from a friend

An e-mail I was sent. Is cute too trite a description?
It is indeed By Grace, or Else...


A poem about Heaven
- unknown -

I was shocked, confused, bewildered
as I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
by the lights or its decor.
But it was the folks in Heaven
who made me sputter and gasp--
the thieves, the liars, the sinners,
the alcoholics, the trash.
There stood the kid from seventh grade
who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
who never said anything nice.
Uncle Bill, who I always thought
was rotting away in hell,
was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
looking incredibly well.
I nudged Jesus, "What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.
And why's everyone so quiet,
so somber? Give me a clue."
"Hush, child," said He.
"They're all in shock.
No one thought they'd see you."

Stolen from Scot McKnight

http://jesuscreed.blogspot.com/


That alternative is this: the Christian faith or following Jesus, whichever linguistic turn you prefer, is a meta-narrative. But it is not a modernist meta-narrative that is the result of scientific research, objectivist analysis, and indubitable certainties. Nor is it a postmodernist construction, but a "proper confidence" in the work of God in and through Jesus Christ who invites each of us to walk into the story of God and become a character in God's story in this world. One could say the postmodernists have taught us that modernist truth claims might be more gently expressed today, by the Christian, as truth proclaims. One comes into contact with this "noumena," not be science but by seeing it performed by the community of Jesus, and that all of this is work of the Holy Spirit, grasped by a faith commitment.

Pray for Mom - please & thanks

We are again honored to have my Mom with us. Maybe until late Aug.

Pray for her as feels that since she is unable to stay alone, in her own house, she is stupid. She knows her new limits and they slap her in her face. It is so sad. Not a matter of logic or weak faith, but very real.

Pray for her to feel at home here again. Due to her worrying, we did not tell her she was coming to TN with us until an hour before we packed her up. Thankfully, she takes it overall very well. She - praise God - knows we are doing what we think is best for her & she trusts us in that.

My brother is having a her a room built & the construction process would start to be invasive on the house & worrisome to Mom, so it was great timing to be in GA & bring her up. We are hoping it is "out of sight, out of mind" as far as construction concerns. Unfortunately, it will be new things here, or where ever she is.

Please pray for her / us. Please speak to her when you see her - if she comes to church. Maybe drop her a card. Give her a call here at the house...

You are her extended family here. Please give that some thot. That is no small statement, not one I make lightly.

The mega church she is a memeber of in GA - one of the denomination's biggest - continues to send her offering envelopes & that is it. No calls, visits, cards... There was a meal after dad died & a card or two. Do you sense some bitterness on my part? YES! If this lesson is wasted on me (us), woe be to us. And may God forgive any self-righteousness or unfairness on my part.

As believers, we are family, not just co-worshippers & co-laborers. This is not a "guilt you" statement, but a reminder to each of us of our duties towards each of us. We need to break even more cultural bonds and step more deeply into each other's lives, even if not invited. Yes, even if not invited (read 1 Thess.).