Lord Jesus,
This most holy of nights brings me
Gladness,
Grief,
and Joy.
Gladness,
Because you left the splendor of Heaven’s glory
To come to a dark and cold world,
To bring the light and warmth of your Kingdom
To a world so in need of
Your Love,
Your Peace,
Your Joy.
Grief,
Because you came into the world,
Yet the world did not receive You.
You came to Your own,
And your own did not welcome you.
And still today, people turn away from you.
I turn away from you.
Sin still scars your creation
And the hearts of your own people.
and Joy,
Because you offer perfect forgiveness and full cleansing to all who acknowledge their need of you.
Cleanse my heart tonight, Lord Jesus,
so that I may welcome you as I long to,
certain that I am also welcomed by You.
Amen.
© R Lindholtz 2008
Tuesday
Tuesday 12-16
This is a verse of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" written for a complement to a service with an emphasis on Christ as Light of the World:
O Come now, light for all humankind
and over all your people shine.
in every dark and lonely place
we long to see your radiant face.
Come light of life
into our days
and show us your ama-zing grace.
words by Rick Lindholtz and Susan Senechal
O Come now, light for all humankind
and over all your people shine.
in every dark and lonely place
we long to see your radiant face.
Come light of life
into our days
and show us your ama-zing grace.
words by Rick Lindholtz and Susan Senechal
If you are invested at all in the stock market, either directly in stocks, or in mutual funds, or via a 401(k) or a pension; and if you have paid any attention to the ups and downs of the stock market in the last couple months; then this may be of interest.
Stock market volatility is the extent to which prices go up or down from day to day. Using the S&P 500 as a market index, and using a 4% price change in a single day as a big move, just how volatile is the recent market activity?
Over the past 60 years there have only been 68 days in which the market has moved up or down by 4% or more, A 60-year average of slightly more than once per year. However.....
Of those 68 days, 28 days have ocurred since September, 2008. In other words, until just recently we averaged about 7 of those days per decade; far less than once a year. But in the last couple months we've been getting bumped up or down at a rate of about once every 2-3 days.
That's why it seems like the markets are so shakey. They are.
Stock market volatility is the extent to which prices go up or down from day to day. Using the S&P 500 as a market index, and using a 4% price change in a single day as a big move, just how volatile is the recent market activity?
Over the past 60 years there have only been 68 days in which the market has moved up or down by 4% or more, A 60-year average of slightly more than once per year. However.....
Of those 68 days, 28 days have ocurred since September, 2008. In other words, until just recently we averaged about 7 of those days per decade; far less than once a year. But in the last couple months we've been getting bumped up or down at a rate of about once every 2-3 days.
That's why it seems like the markets are so shakey. They are.
Tuesday Morning Update
The physician who saw EC yesterday reviewed the blood tests which show what we both hoped and suspected. There is an imbalance in her bloodwork of at least two items - one of which is only 5% of normal levels. This absence in the bloodwork can cause almost every symptom from which EC has been suffering. This is good news because this can be corrected, and this Dr. has had good success with treating patients who present with these symptoms. We've started the new medications which are naturally derived and not synthetic; and have been told that over the next 2-3 weeks we might expect to see considerable improvement.
EC ate pretty well yesterday and kept everything down, I think, and slept fairly well last night with only a couple minor wakeups that were easily resolved.
This morning one of her two instructors with as-yet-unfinished work said that he would give EC her present grade pre-final, even though she cannot finish the final. Her current grade is an A.
baby steps out of the woods continue...
EC ate pretty well yesterday and kept everything down, I think, and slept fairly well last night with only a couple minor wakeups that were easily resolved.
This morning one of her two instructors with as-yet-unfinished work said that he would give EC her present grade pre-final, even though she cannot finish the final. Her current grade is an A.
baby steps out of the woods continue...
Sunday
Sunday Night Update
We are seeing improvement on most levels. It is incremental improvement, aka baby steps.
-EC is receiving more nutrition which is a result of improved control over nausea and a fair amount of time and energy just helping her by distracting her when feelings of impending nausea have heretofore caused anxiety, which caused more feelings of nausea, and more anxiety etc. on and on. She is, it can probably be said accurately, eating two very light meals a day. Doesn’t sound like much for a girl in her condition but taken in context of what her health has been like for the last month or two it is a dramatic turnaround.
-We feel she is in a better position in regard to panic/anxiety attacks, both in frequency, severity, and duration… all diminishing.
-She is getting less interruptions in her sleep, but is still not able to be left alone at night, so one or the other of us is with her every night. (We have seen what we consider manifestations that we consider are evidence of a spiritual warfare dimension to all this and invite you to pray against the enemy of our souls.)
-She is still not eating enough (as noted above); still have feelings of nausea and still having anxiety attacks, and probably one of her biggest complaints is that she feels weak and tired too much. Some of the tiredness is probably the result of the combined sedative side effects of several medications.
-She is beginning to anticipate good things for her future such as working for some friends in a low-stress job as they prepare to open their restaurant; and further down the road, going to North Park.
-She has terminated her employment with Randalls (Safeway) Pharmacy, which removes a major source of stress, and they have made it clear that they adore her and that the door is open anytime she wants to return to work.
-She has finished all assignments for 1 of her 3 classes at Lone Star College-Kingwood, and for the other 2, a letter from her and from her Dr. have been delivered and the resulting options are: a) take whatever grade would be represented by her acquired grade so far as reduced by not taking the final; or b) an “Incomplete agreement” according to which she must take the final between now and June 1st, or else accept an F for the class. So when we know what her grade would be according to the first option, we/she will be able to make a decision on whether or not to accept that or to enter the second option.
-She has appointments Monday with the medical Dr. to get the blood test results; and with her counselor, which we will attend with her. She needs to make a follow up appt with the Psychiatrist who is adjusting the psychotropic meds for further evaluation.
-EC is receiving more nutrition which is a result of improved control over nausea and a fair amount of time and energy just helping her by distracting her when feelings of impending nausea have heretofore caused anxiety, which caused more feelings of nausea, and more anxiety etc. on and on. She is, it can probably be said accurately, eating two very light meals a day. Doesn’t sound like much for a girl in her condition but taken in context of what her health has been like for the last month or two it is a dramatic turnaround.
-We feel she is in a better position in regard to panic/anxiety attacks, both in frequency, severity, and duration… all diminishing.
-She is getting less interruptions in her sleep, but is still not able to be left alone at night, so one or the other of us is with her every night. (We have seen what we consider manifestations that we consider are evidence of a spiritual warfare dimension to all this and invite you to pray against the enemy of our souls.)
-She is still not eating enough (as noted above); still have feelings of nausea and still having anxiety attacks, and probably one of her biggest complaints is that she feels weak and tired too much. Some of the tiredness is probably the result of the combined sedative side effects of several medications.
-She is beginning to anticipate good things for her future such as working for some friends in a low-stress job as they prepare to open their restaurant; and further down the road, going to North Park.
-She has terminated her employment with Randalls (Safeway) Pharmacy, which removes a major source of stress, and they have made it clear that they adore her and that the door is open anytime she wants to return to work.
-She has finished all assignments for 1 of her 3 classes at Lone Star College-Kingwood, and for the other 2, a letter from her and from her Dr. have been delivered and the resulting options are: a) take whatever grade would be represented by her acquired grade so far as reduced by not taking the final; or b) an “Incomplete agreement” according to which she must take the final between now and June 1st, or else accept an F for the class. So when we know what her grade would be according to the first option, we/she will be able to make a decision on whether or not to accept that or to enter the second option.
-She has appointments Monday with the medical Dr. to get the blood test results; and with her counselor, which we will attend with her. She needs to make a follow up appt with the Psychiatrist who is adjusting the psychotropic meds for further evaluation.
Friday
You can't have been raised in California in the 60s and not love the Beach Boys. Especially the tunes that predominantly feature the sunwashed vocals of the Wilson Brothers. (I have never been fond of the guy who currently fronts the touring version of the band - cousin of the Wilsons.)
Brian's story is inspiring. The guy survived against all odds and is still making sweet music. John Fischer wrote a very good article about him, found here.
Here's a video of Brian doing a number from his new CD, "That Lucky Old Sun". He's still got it. Even if it's just nostalgia music, he's still got it.
Brian's story is inspiring. The guy survived against all odds and is still making sweet music. John Fischer wrote a very good article about him, found here.
Here's a video of Brian doing a number from his new CD, "That Lucky Old Sun". He's still got it. Even if it's just nostalgia music, he's still got it.
Thursday
Thursday
• How's EC? It has been a very long week of caring for her. Prayers were answered in the securing of 2 medical appointments on Monday. Medications are being adjusted as are doses. A blood test has been taken and we are awaiting results. We invite you to pray Romans 15:13 for her in specific, and for all of us.
• A birth Announcement from Hawaii, 1961
• Dr. Barb Orlowski has posted her thesis online - about church exiters - people who have left the church because of spiritual abuse. Worthwhile reading for church leaders.
Saturday
Saturday
This is a shout out to the occasional readers of this blog asking for your prayers for ElenaClaire, who is facing profoundly challenging health complications with both physical and emotional manifestations. It is a very, very serious situation and we need wisdom. Pray specifically that she can receive nutrition, rest, and that we can get to medical professionals early on Monday. Read Romans 15:13 and let that also direct your prayers:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Wednesday
Wednesday before Thanksgiving
Tuesday at 5:50, ElenaClaire was found collapsed on the floor of the rest room at the Pharmacy where she worked. She was taken by ambulance to the ER on a stabilizer board. She was released late last night.
Her Dx as of last Saturday is Clinical Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. This manifests itself in acute panic/anxiety attacks with nausea leading to vomiting. This has been going on longer than I have been aware, leaving her in a weakened and dehydrated condition.
She had an attack at work and went to the ladies' room feeling nauseous and was found there on the floor a few minutes later.
She was discharged last night after a full check-over and they added an anti-nausea to her anti-depressent and anti-anxiety meds.
Her Dx as of last Saturday is Clinical Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. This manifests itself in acute panic/anxiety attacks with nausea leading to vomiting. This has been going on longer than I have been aware, leaving her in a weakened and dehydrated condition.
She had an attack at work and went to the ladies' room feeling nauseous and was found there on the floor a few minutes later.
She was discharged last night after a full check-over and they added an anti-nausea to her anti-depressent and anti-anxiety meds.
Tuesday
Monday
The most hopeful news I've seen in 10 years
Two common cancer drugs have been shown to both prevent and reverse type 1 diabetes in a mouse model of the disease, according to research conducted at the University of California, San Francisco. The drugs – imatinib (marketed as Gleevec) and sunitinib (marketed as Sutent) – were found to put type 1 diabetes into remission in 80 percent of the test mice and work permanently in 80 percent of those that go into remission.
Monday 11/17
Pictures from the Tea Fire in Montecito - from my friend Bill Groeneveld. This is outside the Westmont College Post Office. How does someone get a picture like this?
Saturday
Fire in Montecito
I've been watching the news from Montecito and Westmont College with sadness.
I started at Westmont in September of 1977, about 3 weeks after a terrible fire. The first weekend I was in town students went out to help dig out houses that were totally lost. Shoveling a family's posessions that were now nothing but ash.
You know how sometimes a page burns, but if it hasn't been crumbled, you can still read the ink on the sheet of ash? I remember picking up a sheet of ash that had been printed music. I could still see the staff and the notes. Then I tapped it and it dissolved into powder. Being a musician myself I felt a moment of the family's loss.
We all know underneath the veneer that "you can't take it with you", but loss through fire strikes something primal.
All of the dorm buildings that were lost, to my knowledge, were in the Clark complex, including Clark S. I roomed in Clark R - a few feet from the destroyed building.
My heart aches for the campus, faculty, staff and students. And I am praying for my friend Don Johnson and his congregation at Montecito Covenant Church just down the hill. Church members lost 10 homes.
Friday
I'm Back...
...after nearly a month-long sabbatical from blogging. Sometimes one needs to step away.
-The Houston Walk to Cure Diabetes was Saturday, November 8. Some ten thousand people showed up to walk. Our MILES FOR MILES team was the largest we've ever had in this, our tenth walk.
ElenaClaire couldn't make it but here are the rest of us. The "10" on the shirt refers to Miles' ten years living with diabetes, and our tenth walk. It also happily declares that we surpassed our goal of raising ten thousand dollars for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation!
Tuesday
Monday
an MPD day
...or at least that's what Sunday felt like: multiple personalities all over.
At 8:20 I was a tenor in a Contemporary Praise and Worship Choir
At 9:30 I was a keyboard leader of a Traditional Worship Service
At 11:00 I was doing 8:20 again
At noon I was a singer in a rock band for the All-Church BBQ picnic
At 4 pm I was a pastor officiating at the funeral of a 25 year old woman who was our babysitter 10 years ago
At 6 pm I was a husband out to dinner with his wife and some friends
At 8 pm I was a Dad consoling a daughter who was feeling overwhelmed by stress.
This morning I was a guy with a muscle spasm in his lower back.
and wondering if the muscle spasm was related to the previous day?
At 8:20 I was a tenor in a Contemporary Praise and Worship Choir
At 9:30 I was a keyboard leader of a Traditional Worship Service
At 11:00 I was doing 8:20 again
At noon I was a singer in a rock band for the All-Church BBQ picnic
At 4 pm I was a pastor officiating at the funeral of a 25 year old woman who was our babysitter 10 years ago
At 6 pm I was a husband out to dinner with his wife and some friends
At 8 pm I was a Dad consoling a daughter who was feeling overwhelmed by stress.
This morning I was a guy with a muscle spasm in his lower back.
and wondering if the muscle spasm was related to the previous day?
SMILES
Friday evening was SMILES FOR MILES, our annual evening benefitting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. With Ike and the economic downturn, we figured our $10,000 goal might need to be revised a bit downward. I thought maybe $7,000 was reachable.
We wound up hitting just barely over $8,000 in cash, checks, online donations and confirmed pledges. We were delighted. Subsequently we realized that some 25 students plan on walking with us at the November 8 Walk to Cure Diabetes, and each of them is committed to raise a minimum of $20 - that gets us well within striking distance of our $10,000 goal.
If you have not looked at our webpage and especially the video of ElenaClaire, please take a look. And we invite, encourage, and request you to make an online, tax-deductible donation to JDRF using this link.• John Williams, our Youth minister, is undergoing bypass surgery today. (Our youth guy is the oldest guy on the called staff) Prayers appreciated.
Wednesday
Affirmation
My Faith is in You, Almighty Father,
as I live on this world You created –
revolving, bringing morning after night -
this world that speaks with so much eloquence
of love and faithfulness, and of your grace.
My Faith is in You, Jesus, Holy Lord:
As I recognize my own brokenness
And then remember how You came to earth,
My heart is filled with gratitude and joy,
that You would give Your life upon the cross
And rise again in glorious victory!
My Faith is in You, Spirit from above,
and sent down by the Father and the Son,
You help me to remember whose I am:
For I am Yours: the one eternal God
still reaching out to claim me as Your own.
My King, I will forever sing Your praise!
© Rick Lindholtz 0908
as I live on this world You created –
revolving, bringing morning after night -
this world that speaks with so much eloquence
of love and faithfulness, and of your grace.
My Faith is in You, Jesus, Holy Lord:
As I recognize my own brokenness
And then remember how You came to earth,
My heart is filled with gratitude and joy,
that You would give Your life upon the cross
And rise again in glorious victory!
My Faith is in You, Spirit from above,
and sent down by the Father and the Son,
You help me to remember whose I am:
For I am Yours: the one eternal God
still reaching out to claim me as Your own.
My King, I will forever sing Your praise!
© Rick Lindholtz 0908
Wednesday...
...back from Fredericksburg. It was a nice respite from post-Ike reality. We heard from EC that our power came back on late Monday night. There was a section of Kingwood that lost power Tuesday and we almost cancelled our return drive, but a friend drove by and saw our ligths on so we drove home, arriving about midnight last night.
Fredericksburg was really a pleasant break and I especially enjoyed seeing the National Museum of the Pacific War (housed in and around the property owned and 
operated from way back in the 1850s by Admiral Nimitz' family - hence the unusual location in a tiny hill country town) and the LBJ Ranch about 20 miles east of town. Johnson's "Texas White House" only opened for tours about a month ago and the only portion open to tours is the office area. But it was quite interesting.
operated from way back in the 1850s by Admiral Nimitz' family - hence the unusual location in a tiny hill country town) and the LBJ Ranch about 20 miles east of town. Johnson's "Texas White House" only opened for tours about a month ago and the only portion open to tours is the office area. But it was quite interesting.Saturday
Top Ten Reasons Why Hurricane Season is JUST like Christmas
10. Decorating the house (boarding up windows).
9. Dragging out boxes that haven't been used since last season
(camping gear, flashlights).
8. Last minute shopping in crowded stores.
7. Regular TV shows pre-empted for "specials".
6. Family coming to stay with you.
5. Family and friends calling from out-of-state
4. Buying food you don't normally buy ... And in large quantities.
3. Days off from work.
2. Candles.
And the number one reason Hurricane Season is like Christmas?
1. ...At some point you know you're going to have a tree in your house!
9. Dragging out boxes that haven't been used since last season
(camping gear, flashlights).
8. Last minute shopping in crowded stores.
7. Regular TV shows pre-empted for "specials".
6. Family coming to stay with you.
5. Family and friends calling from out-of-state
4. Buying food you don't normally buy ... And in large quantities.
3. Days off from work.
2. Candles.
And the number one reason Hurricane Season is like Christmas?
1. ...At some point you know you're going to have a tree in your house!
Friday
Hurrication
...that's the word that has evolved this week to describe what we're in. It's not like vacation at all. In fact I think the kids would just as soon get back in school. But Kingwood schools won't re-open until next Thursday according to current schedule. Which means they've been out of schools a day shy of 2 weeks. That gets old when there's no power for your Wii and all the other stuff kids are used to.
I saw a map of the hurricane track for the first time today. Probably old news to those of you who have power and regular newscasts, but the eye of the hurricane went right over Kingwood and our house was in it. It was quite unusual to go to absolute stillness about 6:30 last Saturday morning, and then back into the storm about an hour later.
We're getting away after church on Sunday. We're going to Fredericksburg, where Alicia's cousin lives. We just need a breather.
I saw a map of the hurricane track for the first time today. Probably old news to those of you who have power and regular newscasts, but the eye of the hurricane went right over Kingwood and our house was in it. It was quite unusual to go to absolute stillness about 6:30 last Saturday morning, and then back into the storm about an hour later.
We're getting away after church on Sunday. We're going to Fredericksburg, where Alicia's cousin lives. We just need a breather.
Wednesday
SMILES FOR MILES
Once a year we throw a party called SMILES FOR MILES, an evening benefiting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. It's a great evening of live music, food from three area restaurants, comedians and magicians, raffles and auctions, and donations towards a truly worthwhile cause.
I know that many of my readers live elsewhere and won't be able to join us; but I invite you to surf over to http://miles.lindholtz.net/. Enjoy the poster there - the third in our series of posters honoring a certain four musicians we're partial to - and also click to watch the 3 minute video featuring ElenaClaire. Then, if you like, click to make a secure online donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. You'll be part of millions of dollars raised, including our goal of $10,000 in this,
Miles' tenth year of living with diabetes. We want to see this thing cured before he graduates from High School, which was the prediction of his endocrinologist back when Miles was 2 years old.
I know that many of my readers live elsewhere and won't be able to join us; but I invite you to surf over to http://miles.lindholtz.net/. Enjoy the poster there - the third in our series of posters honoring a certain four musicians we're partial to - and also click to watch the 3 minute video featuring ElenaClaire. Then, if you like, click to make a secure online donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. You'll be part of millions of dollars raised, including our goal of $10,000 in this,
Miles' tenth year of living with diabetes. We want to see this thing cured before he graduates from High School, which was the prediction of his endocrinologist back when Miles was 2 years old.
Wednesday post-Hurricane
We continue to work our way through recovery from Hurricane Ike. We have it SO much easier than many – especially those in Galveston. We are without power into our 5th day now, but we have power at church – it’s on the same grid as the Fire and police Stations, by happy circumstance – and our water supply is fine in Kingwood, as opposed to greater Houston. And we also have a few friends who are on that same grid. Grocery stores are open, though without refrigerated foods, and even though gas station lines are half a mile long, we live within a mile or two of everything we need, so we can stay out of those lines and let others who really need the fuel have it. So our circumstances, though wearying, are not at all desperate as many people are.
I have to keep in mind our blessedness, because my little exposure to media features people whining and getting angry because someone else is not taking care of their needs. I do not intend to get government assistance for anything I am going through. But I realize there are those far worse off than I who do need help.
Last time (Katrina and Rita) churches and individuals all over the country sent gift cards from Target, WalMart, gas stations etc. to us and we distributed them to those in need. That worked well and we are prepared to do that again, though we will probably do it through ministry partners closer to the areas of real need. But we suggest sending checks and letting us purchase the cards here, for security reasons. You can find our mailing address here (bottom left corner).
I have to keep in mind our blessedness, because my little exposure to media features people whining and getting angry because someone else is not taking care of their needs. I do not intend to get government assistance for anything I am going through. But I realize there are those far worse off than I who do need help.
Last time (Katrina and Rita) churches and individuals all over the country sent gift cards from Target, WalMart, gas stations etc. to us and we distributed them to those in need. That worked well and we are prepared to do that again, though we will probably do it through ministry partners closer to the areas of real need. But we suggest sending checks and letting us purchase the cards here, for security reasons. You can find our mailing address here (bottom left corner).
Tuesday
Tuesday after Ike
Well, actually, first the rest of Monday. We sat down as a staff and went through the entire list of people with connection to CTK. "Were they here at church yesterday?" If yes, consider them in contact. "Has anyone heard from or seen them, or know someone who has heard they're OK?" Scratch them. That left us with about 300 households from whom we had no info, and as we'd gone through the names we sorted them by neighborhood. We then sent staff and other volunteers to phone them and confirm they were OK or if they had needs they needed help with; and if we could not make phone contact we drove past their homes (it was quite a task to map out a plan to go these homes in sensible order so as not to burn up too much gas, which is a rare commodity - lines at open stations are 5 blocks long); if no one was home, we left notes. If they were home, we'd see how they and their home was; were there needs; if not, were they of a mind to help others? It was a good day of ministry in a hands-on way - people were touched to know that their church was reaching directly out to them.
Now Tuesday. We reviewed needs and prioritized them, and then assigned staff to meet needs, but not to do it alone - to recruit those who said they were available. So I went to the home of a single woman who actually is out of town - she ditched Houston before the storm - and with a crew of 10 adults and children, cleaned up her yard, raking debris and large branches from the lot and off the roof. Happily we had few people with huge pressing needs.
The church has power, being on the same grid as the Fire and Police station, and we have Wi-Fi, so that's being made available to anyone who needs it. Though this is not publicly announced - our strategy is to connect with the "person of peace" - the one who has connections to someone in our church or who approaches us because they see us in the community - i.e., the receptive person.
This afternoon after we cleared that yard, Alicia and I cleaned the last of the food out of our fridges and freezer. We've seen some power trucks around the area in the last day or two so we're hopeful that we'll have power before the week is out.
Now Tuesday. We reviewed needs and prioritized them, and then assigned staff to meet needs, but not to do it alone - to recruit those who said they were available. So I went to the home of a single woman who actually is out of town - she ditched Houston before the storm - and with a crew of 10 adults and children, cleaned up her yard, raking debris and large branches from the lot and off the roof. Happily we had few people with huge pressing needs.
The church has power, being on the same grid as the Fire and Police station, and we have Wi-Fi, so that's being made available to anyone who needs it. Though this is not publicly announced - our strategy is to connect with the "person of peace" - the one who has connections to someone in our church or who approaches us because they see us in the community - i.e., the receptive person.
This afternoon after we cleared that yard, Alicia and I cleaned the last of the food out of our fridges and freezer. We've seen some power trucks around the area in the last day or two so we're hopeful that we'll have power before the week is out.
Monday
Monday Morning Post-Ike
It is blissfully cool and dry this morning. Yesterday was a productive day of cleaning up the yard. I'll post some pics later, but we have several large piles of debris raked into piles for crews to haul away eventually, including a number of very large branches, lots of smaller stuff, and of course 80 feet of fencing.
We are thankful to have a couple friends who have power. They (and the church) are on the same power grid as the local fire station and police station, so they get back online fast. We're hoping for some time today.
We know we have it much better than a lot of people, especially down in Galveston, but even here in Kingwood there are people whose houses were sliced in two by falling trees. And the fact that we have friends like the Burkes whom we stayed with last night - it's amazing how a good night's sleep in air conditioning can improve one's attitude.
Grocery stores are pretty empty and most gas stations are gasless. More updates are being posted on my site each day. Click here.
We are thankful to have a couple friends who have power. They (and the church) are on the same power grid as the local fire station and police station, so they get back online fast. We're hoping for some time today.
We know we have it much better than a lot of people, especially down in Galveston, but even here in Kingwood there are people whose houses were sliced in two by falling trees. And the fact that we have friends like the Burkes whom we stayed with last night - it's amazing how a good night's sleep in air conditioning can improve one's attitude.
Grocery stores are pretty empty and most gas stations are gasless. More updates are being posted on my site each day. Click here.
Thursday
...and now, Ike
…and once again we’re bracing for a storm. In our area (northeast corner of
Wednesday
Random Notes
• Needless to say, as I sit here in suburban
• The Wall Street Journal features this assessment of the economy during 2001-2007. It’s not what the news media would have you believe.
• In the “strictly for fun” category, I browse through offbeat music blogs looking for interesting rarities, and found the master tracks for Marvin Gaye’s “Heard it thru the grapevine”. Individual tracks for bass, drums, guitars, lead vocal, keys, orchestra, percussion, and BG vocals. Load these individual tracks into audacity, and you’ve got your own mixing board to re-mix a true classic. My favorite, remixed yesterday: Lead vocal on one side, Harmony vocals on the other, and bass guitar in the center, That’s all. The same music blog had already provided me with the master tracks for 4 Sgt. Pepper songs as well.
Sunday
First Responder
Christ the King is a base for first responders who are coming into the area in preparation for Hurricane Gustav. Obviously no one knows for sure where it’s going to hit or how hard, or who will be most deeply impacted. Keep us in your prayers in these days.
August 17
• Last night was awesome. These Guys Here performed at Berryhill under the name "The Reese Foster Experience". Here's the back story. When our drummer Reese was in 9th grade, there was a 9th grade dance at which the bands would be composed of 9th graders. Reese said he had a band but the other 3 guys were old. We got to play and that is the name we played under. Last night was Reese's last night before leaving for college. His Dad, our guitarist Raymond, had about 50 shirts printed up with the R.F.E. band name, and we wore them along with a LOT of people in the house. And lots of other band supporters and friends of Reese were there as well. The owner loves the crowd we draw. Anyway with that kind of enthusiasm in the house, we had a GREAT night.
• Miles and I are 15 chapters from the end of book 7. We started Book one last July, right when everyone else was finishing Book 7. We've been reading about a chapter a night since then and I am enjoying the books SO much - we both are - major Dad-Son bonding - but I am also grieving that I am nearing the end of the series. Still,we have three movies left (we watched the first 5 movies after reading the first 5 books) - but learning that movie 6's release has been pushed back to next July was a downer. Miles and I were looking forward to that.• Michael Phelps is awesome. He won #8 during a band break last night, which was very considerate of him. Everyone in the restaurant was gathered around the TVs in the place cheering him on. I know he'll appreciate knowing that.
• Alicia and I had purchased one of those digital converters for the TV, and at first it didn't get a strong enough signal to work. But I discovered quite by accident last week that the antennae line needed to be well away from power lines, and suddenly we're getting very good reception on about 5 channels in our area. Having quit the cable habit about 5 years ago, we've gotten used to unsatisfactory, fuzzy reception. Now we're enjoying crystal clear images and audio almost all the time.
• How did Thrivent afford that? Thrivent Financial hosted a splash day at Schlitterbahn Galveston, which normally costs about $33. We got in for $5 each. And the price included a BBQ brisket lunch that was worth about $7.
Thursday
You are the One
Our 7 week fall series will be called "Every Breath: God". Its goal is that disciples learn the joy of God's powerful presence and leading in every minute of their lives.
Mark suggested that I write something for the song "You are the One", by Lincoln Brewster and Paul Baloche. Here's the original song (PDF):
You're the One who made the heavens
You're the One who shaped the earth
You're the One who form'd my heart
Long before my birth
I believe You'll always lead me
All my days have been ordain'd
All Your thoughts toward me are holy
Full of love and grace
Chorus
You are the One You are holy
You are the One You are worthy
You are the One, You are the One
Everlasting
You are the One I will worship
You are the One I will serve all my days
You are the One, You are the One
Everlasting
You are the One
Jesus You're the One
Brewster/Baloche © 2002 Integrity's Hosanna! Music
Here's the piece I wrote:
Every second, every moment,
Every minute, every hour,
I rely upon Your presence,
Stand upon Your power.
You have called my heart to follow
You’re my Savior and my friend
You surround my life with goodness,
Faithful to the end…
©2008 Rick Lindholtz
P.S. By happy coincidence, if you add "I will" to line 4 and "You are" to line 8, you get a verse that will work with the traditional hymn tune "Hyfrydol", which is often sung with the lyric "Jesus, what a friend for sinners".
Mark suggested that I write something for the song "You are the One", by Lincoln Brewster and Paul Baloche. Here's the original song (PDF):
You're the One who made the heavens
You're the One who shaped the earth
You're the One who form'd my heart
Long before my birth
I believe You'll always lead me
All my days have been ordain'd
All Your thoughts toward me are holy
Full of love and grace
Chorus
You are the One You are holy
You are the One You are worthy
You are the One, You are the One
Everlasting
You are the One I will worship
You are the One I will serve all my days
You are the One, You are the One
Everlasting
You are the One
Jesus You're the One
Brewster/Baloche © 2002 Integrity's Hosanna! Music
Here's the piece I wrote:
Every second, every moment,
Every minute, every hour,
I rely upon Your presence,
Stand upon Your power.
You have called my heart to follow
You’re my Savior and my friend
You surround my life with goodness,
Faithful to the end…
©2008 Rick Lindholtz
P.S. By happy coincidence, if you add "I will" to line 4 and "You are" to line 8, you get a verse that will work with the traditional hymn tune "Hyfrydol", which is often sung with the lyric "Jesus, what a friend for sinners".
August 8
• Sherwood Pictures, the church that produced the films
"Flywheel" and "Facing the Giants", has a new film coming out September 26, called
"Fireproof". Sure looks good. Firefighting is the backdrop, but the hard work of building a good marriage is the storyline.
-
• I am so glad to have Alicia and Miles back home from their weeklong visit to Cape Cod. Wish I could've been there with them...sigh...maybe next year... there are few places that mean more to our family than 44 Nyes Neck Road, Centerville.
Tuesday
August 5
Worship was powerful this past weekend. One of several highlights was Sara singing "We will Cry". (The file is hosted on www.drop.io, a very cool utility. Bookmark it.)
I wrote this confession for Sunday. For some reason it was overlooked at 8:20, and at 11:00 there was some kind of technical problem, but here it is:
Lord, You call us to a life of faith and faithfulness – of living with trust that the life revealed in Your Word is
Your best design for our lives.
We confess our weak obedience to Your call. We drift far from Your path for us. We are often distracted by
other voices around us. And when the journey includes hard times, we struggle even to believe that You
have our good at heart.
But here and now, we declare yet again our faith in You.
We confess our sins, confident that Your promise of forgiveness is true.
We ask once again for the filling of Your Holy Spirit, to empower our life in You.
We thank You for your many gifts of grace. Amen.
The sermon, "Grace for the Hard Times", was excellent. It can be heard here. Afterward, Raymond sang "Healing Rain" - also archived at www.drop.io/mp3s080308. It was very powerful.
• Alicia and Miles flew home from Cape Cod yesterday. It's good to have the whole family under one roof again.
• Tropical Storm Edouard was a blowout. When I was a kid we used to call these "rainy days", and they didn't cancel all regular television programming so the news guys could talk it up all day long. They didn't send some poor sap of a reporter out to a street corner so that he could say on local network television "There is a puddle of water here on the side of the road". Literally!
I wrote this confession for Sunday. For some reason it was overlooked at 8:20, and at 11:00 there was some kind of technical problem, but here it is:
Lord, You call us to a life of faith and faithfulness – of living with trust that the life revealed in Your Word is
Your best design for our lives.
We confess our weak obedience to Your call. We drift far from Your path for us. We are often distracted by
other voices around us. And when the journey includes hard times, we struggle even to believe that You
have our good at heart.
But here and now, we declare yet again our faith in You.
We confess our sins, confident that Your promise of forgiveness is true.
We ask once again for the filling of Your Holy Spirit, to empower our life in You.
We thank You for your many gifts of grace. Amen.
The sermon, "Grace for the Hard Times", was excellent. It can be heard here. Afterward, Raymond sang "Healing Rain" - also archived at www.drop.io/mp3s080308. It was very powerful.
• Alicia and Miles flew home from Cape Cod yesterday. It's good to have the whole family under one roof again.
• Tropical Storm Edouard was a blowout. When I was a kid we used to call these "rainy days", and they didn't cancel all regular television programming so the news guys could talk it up all day long. They didn't send some poor sap of a reporter out to a street corner so that he could say on local network television "There is a puddle of water here on the side of the road". Literally!
Sunday
Back to the Tracks
This blog is entitled "On the tracks" because of the picture above, taken near Mount Hermon Conference Center in the Santa Cruz Mountains. There as a child of 5 or so, my heart said yes to the God who had already said yes to me, and the faith in which my parents raised me became my own.
12 days ago I fulfilled a longtime wish and revisited that place with my family. I took a walk on the tracks with ElenaClaire and with Miles.
Before we left I knelt in prayer on those tracks, and only two things tumbled out of my heart: "Thank you" and "Yes". Yes to Christ; to His gospel; to His call and plan for mylife; to whatever the future may hold.
Friday
July 25
Having returned from a very nice vacation in California, I've uploaded pics to a drop site for those of you who might enjoy seeing the Lindholtz gang's family pics. There were too many to put on the family pic blog. I just discovered this site from a friend and it's a good way to share stuff. No sign ups, no email requested.
Next week Alicia and Miles head to Cape Cod for a week with her family. I am jealous. But I'll be busy every evening working on the score for a movie.
Next week Alicia and Miles head to Cape Cod for a week with her family. I am jealous. But I'll be busy every evening working on the score for a movie.
Sunday
Sunday, July 13
• I preached at CTK for the first time today. Here's the link to the podcast page.
• Tomorrow morning we're off for 10 days in California. Looking forward to time with all of my family; with some of my friends from High School; and with other friends as well.
• The link is up at Miles' page for SMILES FOR MILES on October 3.
• Tomorrow morning we're off for 10 days in California. Looking forward to time with all of my family; with some of my friends from High School; and with other friends as well.
• The link is up at Miles' page for SMILES FOR MILES on October 3.
Tuesday
Declaring Faith
As Mark and I are preparing worship for Sunday, we wanted to come out of Covenant Pastor Andrew Thompson's "We've Come to Worship", which includes the line "Trading our shame for your holiness", include a short confessional piece, and move into the song "Trading my Sorrows".
Here's the confession component:
Leader: All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
People: I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.
Leader: But You are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love.
People: In Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.
Leader: You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make us rich:
All: Beauty for ashes,a joyous blessing instead of mourning,festive praise instead of despair. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Isaiah 53:6 Psalm 51:3 Nehemiah 9:17 Ephesians 1:7, 2 Corinthians 8:9, 9:15, Isaiah 61:3
(into "Trading my Sorrows")
Then after "Trading my Sorrows", we wanted a brief affirmation of faith that would connect the repetition of "Yes Lord" in the song with biblical truth:
Leader: The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. (Isaiah 40:28)
People: Yes, Lord! Amen!
Leader: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. (1 Timothy 1:15)
People: Yes, Lord! Amen!
Leader: He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. (Romans 8:11)
People: Yes, Lord! Amen!
Leader: All of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” ascends to God for his glory.
(2 Cor. 1:20)
(return to song: Yes Lord, Yes Lord, Yes Yes Lord…)
Here's the confession component:
Leader: All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
People: I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.
Leader: But You are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love.
People: In Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.
Leader: You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make us rich:
All: Beauty for ashes,a joyous blessing instead of mourning,festive praise instead of despair. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Isaiah 53:6 Psalm 51:3 Nehemiah 9:17 Ephesians 1:7, 2 Corinthians 8:9, 9:15, Isaiah 61:3
(into "Trading my Sorrows")
Then after "Trading my Sorrows", we wanted a brief affirmation of faith that would connect the repetition of "Yes Lord" in the song with biblical truth:
Leader: The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. (Isaiah 40:28)
People: Yes, Lord! Amen!
Leader: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. (1 Timothy 1:15)
People: Yes, Lord! Amen!
Leader: He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. (Romans 8:11)
People: Yes, Lord! Amen!
Leader: All of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” ascends to God for his glory.
(2 Cor. 1:20)
(return to song: Yes Lord, Yes Lord, Yes Yes Lord…)
Monday
Monday, July 7
Miles and ElenaClaire are at Camp Rainbow Camp Rainbow Camp Rainbow is fully staffed by medical professionals and volunteers from Texas Medical Center Camp Rainbow
We’re beginning to “gear up” for our annual JDRF fundraiser, SMILES FOR MILES. Every year we do a poster based on an album cover by a well-known band dear to our hearts. Here’s this year’s poster.
Our trip to
My last ministry assignment before vacation is to preach here at Christ the King – a privilege I have never been afforded. Not out of lack of confidence; but we have three pastors on staff, plus an accredited Director of Christian Education, all of whom are excellent communicators. There’s rarely a time when one of them is not available. But our Senior Pastor invited me to preach here – I regularly preach on a monthly basis at a struggling little church plant about 10 miles south of us. So it’s a blessing to have this opportunity. (I’ll also be preaching at a Vespers Service the following Sunday at University retirement Community in
As I was writing this, a little spider came down on a web not more than 3 inches from my nose. THAT was interesting!
Friday
June 27
What’s happening these days in the
Meanwhile, I am watching the news from a distance, both geographically and – I struggle to find the right word... Ecclesiastically? No – sounds too hierarchical and theological. I really am a Covenanter at heart – but one who has been deeply touched by being reconnected to the roots of the Covenant in the Lutheran tradition. Relationally? Not really. There’s no relational break between myself and anyone in the Covenant on a personal level, and every time I attend a meeting there are those among the pastors and Superintendents who ask when I will be returning or if I am open to conversations with churches. On the other hand I ache for missing many good friends who serve in the Covenant. Emotionally? Perhaps. Part of my heart is permanently lodged in the Covenant, but an equal part of my heart is lodged in Kingwood and in the friends I have and the church I serve here. If / When I ever should leave here, I will take a confirmed Lutheran daughter and a baptized Lutheran son with me (and if I stay 3 more years, he’ll be confirmed as well). These two parts are often – almost always - at odds with what they hope for and long for. I stay because I love the people and church I am serving, because my family needs the stability, and mostly because God called me here (even if, technically, the church didn't) and God has not at all said “go” nor even given my heart the freedom to seriously consider another ministry assignment.
So, from this distance, I wish the Covenant and it’s new President-elect well, and I say to the retiring President, “Go color outside the lines”. He knows what that means – it refers back to a conversation he had with ElenaClaire when she was 5 years old and had a handful of crayons at the restaurant table. She offered him a crayon and told him it was OK if he didn’t stay inside the lines.
Meanwhile, it has been a restful week of vacation for me after finishing up a most successful run of “Annie Get your Gun” – 4 shows at the Nathaniel Center in Kingwood, and 4 more at the crown jewel of Houston’s downtown theatre District, the Hobby Center. And so life carries on.
Thursday
Annie Get Your Gun TV Commercial
...and if you just HAVE to see more, I've posted the opening number "THere's no Business like Show Business" and its reprise here.
Saturday
May ends and June begins
...and that makes it time for days and days of rehearsals preparing for ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. We had 4 ½ hours last night and we’ll have about 9 hours on Sunday night. Next week we’ll have Wednesday; tentative Thursday and Friday rehearsals; 8 or 9 hours on Saturday; and then Sunday is load-in day, moving into the Oh, and did I mention – during that week between Nathaniel and Hobby, I am also directing all the dramatic Bible teaching at VBS? It’s very improvisational and fun, but it’s going to make for a busy week.
Saturday night at the Hobby, June 21, I have 80 friends coming to enjoy the show, as well as my sister, her husband, and Alicia’s sister.
Monday, after the wrap the show, the family is taking a well-earned short vacation to
Monday
May 19
This from our Director of Student Ministries:Tyson Hendrickson is one of the greatest kids I’ve ever worked with. Over the past decade we have stayed in touch as he has been living and working in the
1) Help people use discount coupon codes (those things you always see at the bottom when you order something online. 20% off, free shipping, etc.) when ordering things online.
2) At the same time you provide funding to 3rd world entrepreneurs. Giving small loans to people to start their own businesses in order to escape the cycle of poverty. This is not charity but low or no interest loans that hopefully get paid back so that they money can be used again and again.
Please check it out. The site only came online today. So any suggestions to how to make it better are welcomed.
Annie Get your Gun is 25 days away from opening. If you’re in the
JDRF HOUSTON held the annual Gala Fundraiser on Saturday night, in which all four of us volunteered. It was a great evening with over 900 in attendance and 1.2 million raised.
Friday
Tickets now Available
ANNIE GET YOUR GUNthe Crown Jewel of Houston's Theatre District
June 20-22
Hope to see you there!
Monday
A Song for Pentecost Sunday
This is set for a tune called "Beach Spring", from the Sacred Harp (1844), the source of many well-loved hymns that feel like "early American" hymns. "Sacred Harp Singing" also goes by the name "Shape Note Singing" because of the unusual notation used:
(That's not the melody for this song that's pictured above, just an example of shape notation).
(That's not the melody for this song that's pictured above, just an example of shape notation).The melody I wrote te text for is set to the text "As we Gather at Your Table" in the Covenant Hymnal: A Worship Book, and has also been used for the text "Come ye Sinners poor and needy". (If it doesn't ring a bell, you can hear a pretty cheesy and slightly fast MIDI arrangement of it here.) I arranged it with block chords in the key of F.
Anyway the idea here was to write a text for Pentecost Sunday that placed the ministry of the Holy Spirit in a biblical context.
Holy Spirit, sent to fill us by the Father and the Son,
You were promised by our Savior, He who died to make us one.
Come and make your home within us; come and claim us as your own,
Come reveal to all your people Jesus reigning on His throne.
Come and teach us how to follow and upon you to rely.
Show to us the face of Jesus, Christ our Savior, born to die.
He came down to dwell among us, with His mighty power to save,
Gave His life for our salvation, and is risen from the grave.
In the faith may we be guided, to the truth may we be led.
Spirit cause us to remember all the words that Jesus said.
May the Love of God our father come to us and never part;
May the beauty of the Savior enter into every heart.
© 2008 Rick Lindholtz
Sunday
April 27
Chris Forbes has published an e-book called “Facebook for Pastors”, advocating that ministry leaders should be on Facebook. I agree with his premise.
I am in the thick of writing a seminar that combines the best parts of “Bringing my World to Christ”, which I taught for 15 years, with “Living a Life with a
By Mike Breen with Bob and Mary Hopkins”. Mike, a mentor of our staff, developed “LifeShapes”, a set of ministry tools that are very useful. The key concept in the “Octagon”, his primary evangelistic teaching tool, is the concept of identifying the “Person of Peace”.
Thursday
April 24
• A case can be made, and in fact has been made, that the Christian faith most Christians profess today — its creedal affirmations — comes from Africa. (read more on Scot's blog.)
• "America may not yet be ready to elect a black President...The fact that Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton are both such impressive candidates, intelligent, sincere, articulate and in command of the issues, while John McCain does not qualify on any of these criteria only makes matters worse." (The Times)
• "America may not yet be ready to elect a black President...The fact that Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton are both such impressive candidates, intelligent, sincere, articulate and in command of the issues, while John McCain does not qualify on any of these criteria only makes matters worse." (The Times)
• The new Insulin pump promotional brochure arrived yesterday from Accu-Check. It features a DVD with comments from Alicia and Miles, as well as a printed remark from Miles.
• My backyard landscaping project is moving forward.
Friday
I went with Vonage
• After fooling around with Magic Jack (which had some pretty cool features but in the end proved too much trouble) I went with Vonage. I had to re-locate a cable line so that it was right with a phone jack, which involved fishing a cable through a wall from up in the attic, but that wasn't hard. Now our phones are set up and it's pretty pleasing. It's fairly easy to set up so that if we ever experience interruption of internet service, calls are sent to one of our cell numbers; we can also set it up to relay calls to one of our phones after a given number of seconds. So it has some flexibility and it saves us 50% over what we were paying. Plus we got 2 free months - double their usual offer. And if you tell them I referred you, we'll both get 2 free months. So if you decide to make the jump, contact me and we'll both benefit.
• I spent most of the late morning and early afternoon doing landscaping in the backyard. I am tired but satisfied.
• I spent most of the late morning and early afternoon doing landscaping in the backyard. I am tired but satisfied.
Thursday
Stylin'...
We did a review of several numbers from "Annie Get Your Gun" for a group called the Madhatters - who also held a silent auction, the entire proceeds going to Centrestage. That probably brought in enough to pay for the union orchestra. Anyway, here's a snap someone took. There's no Business like Show Business!
in the order of worship this weekend
This text was written out of a desire to set the work of God in creation alongside the completed work of Christ. It is set to a very old song dating back to at least the early 1700s in Scotland, entitled "O Waly Waly". Sarah Brightman recorded a version; James Taylor (among others)recorded it under a more familiar Americanized version entitled "The Water is Wide". Many hymnals contain Hal Hopson's lyric "Though I may speak with bravest fire" set to the same melody.
I see your work, your mighty hand
as breaking waves crash on the sand,
but marvel more, thinking on when
you came, a child in Bethlehem.
I see your work as I arise
and sunrise paints the morning skies,
yet greater still, as from above,
you came to teach us how to love.
I see your work in sunsets fair.
then, lost in wonder, kneel in prayer
when thinking on your bitter loss:
you gave your life upon the cross.
I see your work as through the trees,
the eagle rises on the breeze,
then watch in awe, as from the grave,
you rose, my shattered soul to save.
Just as a sculptor's work of art,
your Spirit works yet in my heart.
I lift my hands for all my days,
and come to offer songs of praise.
© Rick Lindholtz, 2004
I see your work, your mighty hand
as breaking waves crash on the sand,
but marvel more, thinking on when
you came, a child in Bethlehem.
I see your work as I arise
and sunrise paints the morning skies,
yet greater still, as from above,
you came to teach us how to love.
I see your work in sunsets fair.
then, lost in wonder, kneel in prayer
when thinking on your bitter loss:
you gave your life upon the cross.
I see your work as through the trees,
the eagle rises on the breeze,
then watch in awe, as from the grave,
you rose, my shattered soul to save.
Just as a sculptor's work of art,
your Spirit works yet in my heart.
I lift my hands for all my days,
and come to offer songs of praise.
© Rick Lindholtz, 2004
Wednesday
Incidentally...
You know, you do this blog thing where you try to write something that is of interest to you. Some are quite focused on topic, like Scot’s or Don’s; other are, as Brad says, “desultory” (“marked by lack of definite plan”). As I noted in the post on lyrics, I started out by posting the kinds of worship resources I was developing – at a time when, frankly, I thought I was entering the job market again.
So it’s just interesting to review the stats and discover that my more desultory posts (about Elephant Painting and Magic Jack) are responsible for the vast majority of traffic in the last 2-3 months. Hundreds of hits about each. Reminds me of when Brad offered an early link to a tsunami video and was getting a tsunami of hits within a few days. Bizarre thing, this…
on voting
I’m not one to wax on politics, but I began having some thoughts back in January and even before, when one heard a lot of the farthest right of evangelical leaders saying things about how they could not support or vote for John McCain for reasons of conscience. I did some thinking on that.
At one point I mentioned to my brother Tom my consideration of the strategy of simply not voting. He pointed out to me that (in my paraphrase) no one has laid down their life for my right to refrain from voting, but plenty have laid down their lives to protect my right to vote; and that further, I am not now, never have been and never will be presented with the option of voting for the perfect candidate; I am presented with selecting the person closest to my values.
As I thought about that I went back to the talk about "voting their conscience", especially this year among the conservative opponents of McCain. And I realized that elections are not and never were about, or designed for, "expressing one's conscience"; they are about selecting an imperfect candidate from a field of two or more imperfect candidates for the office.
The final reflection came as I considered (spurred by a op-ed piece in the Houston Chronicle) that Reagan (whom all self-described conservatives seemed to be looking for this year) was the one who authored the so- called 11th commandment – “thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow republican”...words that many of McCain's critics seemed to have forgotten during the primary season - along with the fact that Reagan himself compromised with the other party on a number of issues both before and during his presidency.
McCain's not the guy I would have chosen from an ideal list of potential candidates, nor from the smaller number of actual candidates who were available on January 1 of this year, whose number were fewer still when the Texas primary occurred. I would not have voted for him in a primary under the best of circumstances, but he'll all but certainly have my vote in November, because for any disagreements I have with him, in my opinion he represents less danger to the long term character of the nation than the candidate of the other party - whomever that will be.
Just a thought. As we used to say on a list I was part of for many years, I got my flameproof jammies on in case I receive some blistering comments.
Sunday
Jibstay: Bad Lyrics?
Don has a wonderful post about the struggle to address the great worship music that may have lyrical "issues". His test case is "In Christ Alone" (Getty/Townend) , and the line
Til on the cross as Jesus died,
the wrath of God was satisfied.
(He asks other good questions of the text as well.)
For years we've been using the words
"My sin with him was crucified".
I haven't got anything for the "scheme of man" part.
But once a song has entered a congregation's collective memory it's pretty hard to make a change, so we vet songs pretty thoroughly before introducing a new song, and I am usually the de facto text writer if we want a change. In fact my blog was originally started 3 years ago last month, initally just to post the texts, litanies and other worship resources I wrote.
It's a matter of emphasis and priority I think. Wrath language is not totally foreign to scripture, but the emphasis is on grace and love, not wrath.
However, I think the phrase "dumbing down" is unfortunate and offensive (though I did not and do not take offense) - I find it equivalent to and on the flipside of the charge of "intellectual/cultural snobbery".
Those advocating adjustments are not necessarily dumb or removing intellectual vigor from the content of the faith; nor are those preferring the original language necassarily snobs of the intellectual or cultural variety.
In my judgment each side is advocating something I value - on the one hand, making the faith easily understandable and accessible to the exploring mind, and on the other, inviting a deep and stimulating exploration of where the truths of faith can lead.
To those who object to "lyric tampering", I often recall Charles Wesley's Christmas classic, whose original line runs thus:
"Hark, how all the welkin rings: Glory to the newborn King!"
If you've never sung that;
if you prefer "Hark the herald angels sing";
if you don't know what "the welkin" refers to (and you can look it up at merriamwebster.com)
- have you been "dumbed down"?
And if you prefer "Hark the herald angels sing", why is that?
Intellectual snobbery?
"Dumbing down"?
Preference for the familiar (to yourself or to those who will be worshiping or listening)?
In the end, does it really matter?
Thanks Don - good topic.
Til on the cross as Jesus died,
the wrath of God was satisfied.
(He asks other good questions of the text as well.)
For years we've been using the words
"My sin with him was crucified".
I haven't got anything for the "scheme of man" part.
But once a song has entered a congregation's collective memory it's pretty hard to make a change, so we vet songs pretty thoroughly before introducing a new song, and I am usually the de facto text writer if we want a change. In fact my blog was originally started 3 years ago last month, initally just to post the texts, litanies and other worship resources I wrote.
It's a matter of emphasis and priority I think. Wrath language is not totally foreign to scripture, but the emphasis is on grace and love, not wrath.
However, I think the phrase "dumbing down" is unfortunate and offensive (though I did not and do not take offense) - I find it equivalent to and on the flipside of the charge of "intellectual/cultural snobbery".
Those advocating adjustments are not necessarily dumb or removing intellectual vigor from the content of the faith; nor are those preferring the original language necassarily snobs of the intellectual or cultural variety.
In my judgment each side is advocating something I value - on the one hand, making the faith easily understandable and accessible to the exploring mind, and on the other, inviting a deep and stimulating exploration of where the truths of faith can lead.
To those who object to "lyric tampering", I often recall Charles Wesley's Christmas classic, whose original line runs thus:
"Hark, how all the welkin rings: Glory to the newborn King!"
If you've never sung that;
if you prefer "Hark the herald angels sing";
if you don't know what "the welkin" refers to (and you can look it up at merriamwebster.com)
- have you been "dumbed down"?
And if you prefer "Hark the herald angels sing", why is that?
Intellectual snobbery?
"Dumbing down"?
Preference for the familiar (to yourself or to those who will be worshiping or listening)?
In the end, does it really matter?
Thanks Don - good topic.
Monday
Friday
April 4
• OK, I'm a late bloomer. But we rented 
"Bee Movie" tonight and I cannot remember the last time I laughed out loud at a cartoon - or any other movie for that matter. This is a brilliantly written and delightful movie. Alicia and I loved it and Miles did too. ElenaClaire wasn't home but she'll love it.
• I've been customizing my PC with MAC features. I realize Apple purists like Steve and Don would be unimpressed. But I've just added a program called RocketDock and I think it's fabulous.
It gives us PC users the groovy little icon dock that rolls like a deck of cards as you mouse over them. It, along with the suggestions found here, have given me a much more satisfying interface desktop. I selected this grassy background, which may or may not be a real Mac wallpaper, but I like it.
"Bee Movie" tonight and I cannot remember the last time I laughed out loud at a cartoon - or any other movie for that matter. This is a brilliantly written and delightful movie. Alicia and I loved it and Miles did too. ElenaClaire wasn't home but she'll love it.• I've been customizing my PC with MAC features. I realize Apple purists like Steve and Don would be unimpressed. But I've just added a program called RocketDock and I think it's fabulous.
It gives us PC users the groovy little icon dock that rolls like a deck of cards as you mouse over them. It, along with the suggestions found here, have given me a much more satisfying interface desktop. I selected this grassy background, which may or may not be a real Mac wallpaper, but I like it.
• Snopes has ruled that the elephant painting video is real, but that the elephant has been trained to make the drawings and is probably not self-aware as to the significance of the drawing. Which is still pretty amazing. I'll go along with their conclusion, though I won't be surprised if someday this is proven to be a fake.
• Last year the "Madhatters" held an event and all the proceeds went to Houston Grand Opera. This year their chosen beneficiary was CentreStage Theatre School and Company, the group with whom I am doing "Annie Get your Gun" in June. So the principals of Annie went to their luncheon today along with the kids who are performing "101 Dalmatians" and "AristoCats" in May. It was fun to try out a couple numbers before and audience.
• My comments box got spammed by a puff piece about Magic Jack (which spam has now been deleted). I guess someone's job is to look for less-than-glowing reviews and spam the comments with an obviously scripted comment. Whatever "Tim L." is getting paid for doing that, it's probably not enough. Chill, Tim. I think Magic Jack is a pretty good product. It just wasn't the perfect fit for me.
• Drop by and say hi to my friends Paul & Laura Dokken, who are in the final stages of preparation to go to Papua New Guinea as translators. P & L were attenders of the church I served when we lived for all too brief a period of time in Washington state.
• My niece Bekah and her husband Jon, for whom I was blessed to co-officiate at their wedding in November 2005, are on their first real vacation, in Hawaii. Unfortunately their reservations were on ATA airlines, which declared bankruptcy yesterday. So my sister called knowing I had friends in the industry. Well, of course, "buddy passes" are only good where there are vacant seats, and all the other ATA passengers are scrambling to get those vacant seats too. So there aren't going to be many vacant seats. I also learned that if you're flying over water or internationally, buddy passes are only good if there's a family member of the airline employee accompanying you. My firned, the wife of a pilot, said that if there was a good likelihood, she'd fly over and accompany them back. Which was sweet. But then her husband said that the other airlines would be honoring ATA tickets. My guess is they want to increase their slice of the creditor pie so that they'll be more likely to get a piece of the settlement.
Wednesday
Elephant Painting
So the day after April 1 this video hits the morning TV news, and initially I am thinking, come on, hoax. And the clip shown on the news is primarily (after a long shot) mainly the trunk. You never actually see a full shot of the whole elephant while he’s painting a picture of an elephant. And I’m thinking, surely snopes will answer this one. Obviously it’s a hoax. And for the first time in my life I see a snopes page that says “research in progress”. So what do you think?
If it is real, it must be a female elephant. She makes herself look slimmer than she really is.
The Untold Story
Joel Rosenberg wrote “The Last Jihad”, a great work of fiction, and several sequels. Here’s a worthwhile read about muslims converting to faith in Jesus.
What sticks?
Don posted recently, asking "What do we do in the church that sticks? Maybe not like gum on a shoe, but then, maybe so." He went on to recount "a dinner-time discussion with Martha about what we remember "sticking" from our days in our childhood and youth? We both remembered clearly the behaviors and attitudes of the adults around us; parents, teachers and prominent church leaders (for both good and bad). We remembered teaching incidents; while on mission trips, camping, serving, and during times of crises. We remembered learning some skills about reverence, respect, silence, prayer, Bible reading."
Let me tell the story of the single most memorable experiecne I had in Sunday School.
Classes met in various homes because our comparatively new church had no classrooms. This was probably when I was a HS sophomore and the class was in my living room.
Perhaps 12-14 of us settled down when the leader, 10 years older than ourselves, began his prayer which ran roughly as follows. I am numbering the prayer because it was very articulate and I don’t want to take up the space to write it out, but here is where it went:
1. Thank you Lord that you love us.
2. Thank you that you love us so much.
3. Thank you that you love us more than others.
4. That’s because we know you and your word and believe.
5. That makes us so much better than others.
6. We pray for those whose belief is not like ours.
7. We know that you are not pleased with them.
8. We know that we are the only ones who please you.
9. We pray that judge them for their wrongs.
10. We pray that you would pour out your wrath on them.
11. He started listing denominations. I mean, it was really outrageous.
I don’t know how much more was prepared, because I had started getting uncomfortable by abaout point 3, seriously disturbed at about point 5, and by 9 and 10, I thought “This is my house, I can’t let this go on”. So I interrupted the prayer with “Hold, it, hold it, you can’t do this” … which is exactly the response the leader had intended.
While I was the one who’d spoken up, once the disussion started virtually every other kid said they’d had the same feelings of discomfort. The particulars of the ensuing hour are lost to my memory, but what I remember is that by pushing our envelope of comfort with something like that, we were really pressed to articulate what we believed about faith and prayer, etc.
(The leader told me later that writing that prayer was the most fun he’d had in a long time, but delivering it without laughing was next to impossible.)
Let me tell the story of the single most memorable experiecne I had in Sunday School.
Classes met in various homes because our comparatively new church had no classrooms. This was probably when I was a HS sophomore and the class was in my living room.
Perhaps 12-14 of us settled down when the leader, 10 years older than ourselves, began his prayer which ran roughly as follows. I am numbering the prayer because it was very articulate and I don’t want to take up the space to write it out, but here is where it went:
1. Thank you Lord that you love us.
2. Thank you that you love us so much.
3. Thank you that you love us more than others.
4. That’s because we know you and your word and believe.
5. That makes us so much better than others.
6. We pray for those whose belief is not like ours.
7. We know that you are not pleased with them.
8. We know that we are the only ones who please you.
9. We pray that judge them for their wrongs.
10. We pray that you would pour out your wrath on them.
11. He started listing denominations. I mean, it was really outrageous.
I don’t know how much more was prepared, because I had started getting uncomfortable by abaout point 3, seriously disturbed at about point 5, and by 9 and 10, I thought “This is my house, I can’t let this go on”. So I interrupted the prayer with “Hold, it, hold it, you can’t do this” … which is exactly the response the leader had intended.
While I was the one who’d spoken up, once the disussion started virtually every other kid said they’d had the same feelings of discomfort. The particulars of the ensuing hour are lost to my memory, but what I remember is that by pushing our envelope of comfort with something like that, we were really pressed to articulate what we believed about faith and prayer, etc.
(The leader told me later that writing that prayer was the most fun he’d had in a long time, but delivering it without laughing was next to impossible.)
Tuesday
Wednesday April 1, 2008
• I am recalling April 1, 1978 – thirty years ago today. I was young and stupid and in college. (I’m not young or in college any more). I had finally decided that the long distance relationship that I foolishly considered a viable romance was neither viable nor romantic. It’s a shame I didn’t figure that out before the previous summer, when I spent $1352 for an airplane ticket to South Africa Westmont ”. So thirty years ago today I asked one out on a date.
Nobody ever tells you “Listen, this is the woman you will one day marry. You might want to reconsider on this idea of asking her out on April Fools’ Day. Or at least make it something better than going to a Marx Brothers Film Festival. After all, this is going to be the story she tells her children.”
As my beloved has said many times – it sort of set the tone for the whole relationship.
• Google has announced its partnership with Virgin on the Virgle project to establish a thriving colony on Mars. And the Abbeyrd page has revealed a secret clause in the McCartney/Mills divorce agreement which gives Heather a say in forthcoming Beatles reissues. Elsewhere, Pacific Islands Bible College has acquired the University of Southern California. In other news, our senior pastor told the staff this morning that he was preparing to accept a call to a
• Brad (who also authors crazy4Citrus.com) asked me about Magic Jack, about which he and I blogged, and for which I took the plunge and bought one. So Brad and everyone else: here’s the update.
Magic Jack is a device that plugs into your USB port on your computer and gives you free phone service across the
Thursday
March 27
N.T. Wright has a great article about what comes after heaven. There’s been a lot of buzz about the fact that most American Christians thinking that heaven is the end of the story, but as Wright points out, that’s not the biblical end of the story.
This is another one of those great videos that assign you to watch for something, and get you to miss something that later seems obvious. Another favorite of mine is the amazing color changing card trick.
HEMA is a Dutch department store. Go to their page and wait to see the unique way their product page comes to life.
http://producten.hema.nl/
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