My First Double Date

Reading Pete Wilson’s post entitled Double the Fun inspired me to write this. Check out his blog and comment about your first double date.

My first double date also happened to be my first driving date (I had just turned 16 and gotten my license that week!). Well, my friend Jason and I were going to double with two girls named Jennifer and Wendy, respectively; but, Jennifer ended up not being able to go. So, instead of saying to Jason, “Maybe next time, pal.” I said, “Go ahead and join us! We’ll have fun!” So the three of us piled into my mom’s sports car where I was going to impress Wendy with my smooth driving skills. Well, I don’t remember what we did that night, but I do remember that my date Wendy and my friend Jason really hit it off. They discovered that they had a lot in common! They were both in karate. They were both artists. So, the bulk of the conversation that night was between Wendy and Jason! At the end of the night, we get back to Wendy’s house and she says to Jason, “Can I show you my paintings?” And, while they’re in her bedroom finishing “their” date, I’m sitting on the couch with her junior high sister (who’s on the phone), watching TV and petting her dog. Jason and Wendy never went out again after that; but, it was clear that neither would Wendy and I.

Fortunately, eight years later, I went out on my first date with the love of my life, Audra. I made sure not to double date that time around.

I get a little angry…

I don’t know why, but I woke up Monday morning thinking about the news stories I’ve heard recently about parents beating their children—particularly one about a mother beating her 4 year old daughter to death! Then, this morning, I read about a Florida man slamming his 7 week old son to the ground for not drinking his formula! The boy died and the man was sentenced to 50 years in prison. I thought, “Just 50 years?” If ever there was an argument for the death penalty, this is it!

There are very few things that light my fire. Seriously, I’m just not the kind of person to go on rampages about topics. But this…this starts a raging inferno in my heart. Having a son of my own and a wife who has lived in an abusive home, I get a little angry when I hear parents beating and killing their own children. I don’t think I am sinning in my anger (Ephesians 4:26)–in fact, I know I’m not. I just want God’s justice to be done…and for the children who do survive–I pray that they can find refuge and healing. However, I will admit that it’s hard for me to feel mercy and extend grace to the abusive parents.

What is it that lights your fire and makes you cry out for God’s justice? And what do you do in those moments?

Another Good Worship Song

I just added Hosanna (the mp3 and the chord charts) by Hillsong (sung by Brooke Fraser) to the Box.net widget on the right side of this page. Just an FYI, the Passion version in God of this City is NOT the original version. I think it came out originally in the Hillsong United album titled All of the Above.

I won’t try to review this song. I’m not a music reviewer–never have been. But I will say that the song has an almost angelic and heavenly feel to it. Yet, it has that strong, driving, rock beat behind it. Listen to it for yourself (if you’ve never heard it) and tell me what you think.

Friday Five

Here are few quick thoughts before we go into the weekend…

1. I’m officially addicted to blogging.
2. I just listened to an NRP podcast about Kristen Byrnes–someone who is taking on Al Gore and scientists around the world regarding global warming. Oh, and did I mention that she’s 16 years old? Listen to the broadcast here. (Her views do not necessarily reflect my views.)
3. Garage sale tomorrow…I don’t mind putting on a garage sale because of the $$ potential. But I hate going to garage sales! I’m not sure what’s worse: going to garage sales or going to the flea market.
4. If you haven’t heard of StoryCorps, you need to check it out! I usually listen to StoryCorps through the NPR podcast. In particular, I love this story about a guy who gets robbed and does something few people would do. I could really learn something from this guy.
5. Introducing below: a future lead worshiper…Aaron Nguyen!

Relevance vs. Authenticity

Our pastor at Westside Christian Church spoke last week on the post-modern worldview and it got me thinking (and reading!). I thought about the many churches that are missing the boat when it comes to reaching post-moderns. But I also thought about the many churches that are culturally relevant. My question to those churches and those pastors is this:

What is more important? Relevance or authenticity?

Most would say “both.” It is not an either/or but a both/and. And that is probably right…I’d rather have both! But if a post-modern had to choose between a relevant, “cool” church that is not authentic and a traditional/liturgical (non-culturally relevant) church that is authentic to the core, which would he/she choose? Which would you choose?

The New Mathematics of Ministry

This blog is about to take a turn…

In its infancy (first 2 weeks) of existence, I struggled with the direction of where I wanted this blog to go. I’ve made entries regarding my family with cute pictures of Aaron. I’ve posted entries on worship music. I’ve posted entries on daily musings—things that I’ve noticed or what’s going on in our lives. But I didn’t really know where else to go with this. Then, it hit me…

After joining Facebook and re-connecting with friends from the past, I’ve received the same question a few times: You’re not in ministry anymore? What are you doing now and why?

Thus, I’ve decided to tailor this blog for people like me…and probably, people like many of you—people who have chosen a different route of ministry. We are not full-time paid ministers at a church. We are not vocational pastors. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that!) We have own our own businesses or we work in “regular” jobs, and yet, we love God and want to make an impact for his kingdom. Are we less a minister of the gospel than the senior pastor of First Baptist Church? I don’t think so. And that’s what I want to focus my posts on. Sure, I’ll continue to post pictures of Aaron and update you on his latest accomplishments. I’ll still talk about American Idol and how I’m glad that Kristy Lee Cook is finally gone. I’ll even keep sharing a worship song (or even a secular one!) here and there. But, for the most part, I want to encourage everyday ministers who are not paid to do ministry, but do it anyway!

I’ve thought about this and I’ve come up with (it may not be new) a new mathematics of ministry. When I first became a Christian back in the late 80s and felt a calling to be a pastor in 1990, the math of ministry was simple:

Full-time church position + a seminary education + God = Ministry

Well, my new mathematical formula goes like this…

(Life + Family + Work) x God = Ministry

As God infuses your daily life, your family life and your work life, you become an effective minister for God. So, in this blog, I’ll share my insights as I try to flesh out this new math in my own life. I hope that you’ll share yours too.

What do you think about the new mathematics of ministry compared to the old math?

Zoo Pictures

Aaron had fun with his buddies Evie & Ian. Getting three toddlers to sit/stand still for a picture was a challenge—as you can see, Ian was on the go!

Weekend Recap

Five quick hits regarding the weekend…

1. After church yesterday, we went to Golden Corral for the last time. I always leave there feeling worse than when I came–and yet, we always go back. Like a dog returning to his vomit…
2. Speaking of church…we’ve pretty much decided to give Westside Christian Church a few months of dedicated involvement. I think my friend, Rob, is right to say that you have to give a church about 6 months before you know it’s the right one. There are a few things I don’t like about the church, but I think I can live with it—because it’s SO CLOSE TO HOME!
3. If you think your child sleeps too much, think again.
4. Busy weekend: installed gutters and garage organizers, went to the zoo, mowed the lawn, hung a swing for Aaron…now I’m rested and ready for work!
5. We went to the zoo with the Huntleys and Cherneskis. I’ll post pictures tomorrow.

Quick Hits

Here is an update on what’s been going on this week…

• Aaron is still fighting the toilet training. I think if it were up to me, I wouldn’t mind “pooping on the go” either! Too much time is wasted on the toilet.
• Audra is still battling a sinus infection–but she’s getting better. She’s now moved to the REAL Sudafed and it seems to be knocking it out. No wonder they keep track of who buys it and how many you buy!
• I will no longer eat food from Jason’s Deli. A few months ago, our company brought breakfast from there, and I got sick that day. This past Tuesday, they brought breakfast from there AGAIN, and I ONCE AGAIN, ate the food and got sick. While Richard Gere protests the Olympics, I’m protesting Jason’s Deli.
• We thought the American Idol results would be on last night, but instead we had to sit and watch a boring show about giving back to the needy, homeless, impoverished, less-fortunate, blah, blah, blah! Hmm, maybe my priorities are wrong…
• Speaking of Idol, I think it is time for Kristy Lee Cook to go. I’m sure she’s a nice person and she actually chose a good song Tuesday night, but she is obviously the least talented one left. If Carly Smithson is booted out (because of a bad song choice), I’m protesting Idol. Well, maybe not, but I won’t be happy!

Aaron and Mommy having fun…

Aaron definitely gets his looks from Audra! Aren’t they beautiful?