No... and ...Yes

Today is a typical day in my unemployment journey... it was first a NO... then a YES.

The NO: I had a great interview yesterday. The kind that got me thinking through what it would look like for me to have the job. I pictured myself with business card in hand walking in on sales calls. Then I got the call... It always goes the same. "You have a lot of energy, passion and potential" (the butter-up)... "BUT" (I hate the but)... (now the real truth comes out) "this other candidate has more blah-blah-blah that would be a better fit for our organization. One door shut.

...then... the YES: I'm walking in from lunch and the phone rings from a number I do not recognize. It is a manager who received my resume from a colleague and wants to set up a face-to-face interview. I ask some probing questions to clarify the opportunity then hang up. I do a dance and say "Thank you God." Another door opens.

Life is a roller-coaster (see a related post of mine). God will shut some doors... and open others. And whether he is shutting or opening... he has his best interest (which involves my best interest) in mind. Just another day in my unemployment journey.

Is your God GREEN?

There is a new issue on the agenda for some churches these days... being eco-friendly. That is right... some who call themselves Christians have heard Al Gore's call for repentance and are preaching and practicing a lifestyle which is friendlier to the earth. Some even suggesting that our ever-increasing consumption of natural resources is sinful at worst and devastatingly ignorant at best.

I just listened to a 5 week series from Mars Hill Bible Church entitled God is Green. The content ranged from a theology of creation care to practical ways to live a simpler, less consumptive lifestyle. One Sunday they invited Dr. Matt Sleeth author of Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action. Rob Bell even suggested that this issue of green-ness is the new seatbelt.

Then yesterday I saw that Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas was written up in the Dallas Morning News as going green. The article did not so much focus on caring for the environment as saving money wasted on energy consumption to free it up for "real ministry." Christine and I visited Preston-"world" for a few months when we lived in Dallas. If Southern Baptists are going green... does that mean it is becoming a mainstream evangelical issue?

So what do you think.
Is God Green?
Does Jesus care how we consume or care-for the environment?
Should the church lead this charge or leave it liberal, tree-huggers?

Who Leads the Leaders????

So I'm listening to the recent edition of the Catalyst podcast... in which Mr. Leadership Guru... John Maxwell is being interviewed. And it comes up that he has been strongly influenced to write his most recent book.... Talent Is Never Enough by a certain local football coach.

...how firm thy friendship O-hi-o!

Keep Rowing....

This past Sunday... we went to our church away from home.. APEX. When we are in Dayton visiting Christine folks (on the left)... we love going to Apex. As you can see by my shorts, flip-flops and coffee-in-hand... I feel right at home.

But look who we ran into... the George's. One month ago Denny (on the far right) and I were both on staff at the same church in Columbus. And now... exactly one month later... we are both no longer on staff and both are looking for new employment. The crazy thing is... we did not plan to meet up at Apex yesterday... we just both independently ended up there. It was great to see familiar faces in a strange land! We are not meant to journey alone.

The message was from Nehemiah 5 and was on the heart of a leader. The pastor challenged us all to have a leaders heart. And there are two things that will challenge your heart.

You find out how good a leader you are by how you handle failure... but you find out how great a leader you are by how you handle success.

Nehemiah... had great success... but he did not let it get in the way of a sacrificial... merciful... worshipful... determined... heart.

At the end of the service I wept. I sensed the reality of the presence of God that challenged me to keep going... and encouraged me to not give up.

Keep Rowing!!

Have voice... will speak

I got a cool phone call last week... but let me set it up.

There is one thing that every seminary students dreams of... their first Sunday morning sermon (at least let me speak for this seminary student). After putting in 4 years of blood, sweat and tears struggling with Greek & Hebrew and things that you can't even spell like Eschatology and Supra-Lapsarianism... you dream of the day when you can stand before the congregation and communicate God's Word to the flock.

I just got that call... last week. You see 10 days ago... I walked away from my first full-time ministry position at a church. And while I taught within my ministry a number of times... I never had the honor of speaking to the wider body. So when I left my ministry... I gave that dream back to God and thought... "I guess it wasn't meant to be."

Then just days later... a friend mine... who is a pastor... a leader... a church planter... and a dear brother... called me and invited me to come preach at his church. It was the breath of fresh air that I needed... which let me know that God is not done with me yet. And really... it is not about me... but it encourages me to know that God has not put me on the shelf.

So pray with me... and for me.. as I will have the humbling privilege of speaking forth God's Word on Sunday, August 26 at Crew Community Church in Huntington, WV.

I KNOW THAT GOD IS NOT DONE WITH ME YET!

How has God shown you that he is not done with you yet?

Sunday's Goodbye Speech

This past Sunday I took the pulpit and said goodbye to my first full-time pastoral role. I put the video here (I hope not for self-promotion) but for my friends who were out of town and missed the announcement.



Watching this again... is a bit of an out of body experience for me. I came across a lot more serious than I really intended. I wanted it to be light... but it seemed a bit heavy. I wanted it to by joyful... but it seemed a bit tense.

But it was a real joy and even fun to look the church in the eyes and share this news with them. It is really an entirely different view from the stage. And for many close friends... although we won't be worshipping together... this is not good-bye... just until next time.

I believe I can fly...

...well not really... but when I was a kid I used to daydream about it. I wondered what it felt like to soar above the trees and houses and cars. How I would take off... how I would land... It really fascinated me... but alas it was just a dream.

You know the older I've become the more I've lost the art of dreaming. I'm too caught up in the practical... in the real... in the must be's. And I've lost track of the what if's... what might's... and what could be's...

That is why I enjoyed the breakfast I shared with a good friend this morning. It was more of a dream session. Just being with this friend sparks my imagination to wonder and question and to... well... dream.

I've found that dreaming about... my marriage... my kids... my career... my church... in some way invigorates me to approach each area of life on a higher plane. It feeds my ideals and frees me to see obstacles as opportunities to grow and improve.

So today I was encouraged to DREAM... and I want to invite you to do the same. You are free to dream about your family... your faith... your church... your job... your next job... your community. What if you could not only dream... but could make those dreams a reality.

You may not fly... but you will attack life with a hope and excitement that is reserved for dreamers.

Prayer Request

Calling all saints... A close friend and neighbor of mine (Stef) has just been shockingly diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. He is 36 (that is my age) with 3 kids. He just shared the news on his blog today... here's a taste:

... Sandi and I are not running. We are facing this head on. We are usually people that do things ourselves and handle things on our own. Not this time. We will need to reach out and ask for help. Here is what you can do for us, PRAY!! Pray for patience, strength (mental and physical), wisdom of physicians, and COMPLETE HEALING!!!

He is a leader at church, in the community, at work and at home. But he has been stripped of self-reliance and is reaching out to the body for support. Would you please visit his blog and leave an encouraging comment and then keep him and his family in your prayers!!

(In a related matter I posted Don't Waste Your Cancer from John Piper over at AC180).

The Grace Effect

An uber creative guy in my former ministry put this video discussion starter together. Check it out. Oh and if you know someone who needs a creative guy... have them hire Brendan. He just graduated from school and is wicked talented.

What is a Catholic?

This question has been recently defined... thanks to some work by Pope Benedict XVI. So what is a catholic, you might ask? Why don't we ask a Jew... or should I say a completed Jew. A seminary pal of mine... Hirsh Chizever... (whom I studied Hebrew with... go figure) and strong Christian brother... recently blogged on the base-line difference between Evangelicals and Catholics. Enjoy!

Wow!!!

I was nearly moved to tears by the recent Baptism by the Bay 07 at NCC in DC. You've got to peep this video. Now that is what baptism should be!!! I want to be part of that!!

The video captures the emotion and story of life-changing transformation that is only possible from the inside out... through the new birth of Jesus Christ.

And the track by Jeremy Hopkins... "Time Never Let's Go"... is over the top.

The first turn...bedrest

I am quite unexpectedly sitting in a local Panera... after having dropped Caden off at zoo preschool, with a grocery list in my hands. It started this morning with a regular OB visit to check on the pregnancy. Our doctor triple confirmed we are having a girl (yay)... then noticed that Christine's cervix is on the thin-side (huh).

She nearly sent us to the hospital for more monitoring.... at 24 weeks... and definitely put Christine on strict bed rest.... indefinitely for the next 3 months. So what is up with that? Sunday was my last day at Northwest. I cleaned out my office yesterday (it was supposed to be today... but got moved to yesterday). And now I am indefinitely "not busy" for the next couple of months (besides the finding a job thing).

My only response is to thank God for coming behind us! You know I've been praying that God would go before us... but I've never asked him to come behind us.

I came across the idea when reading in Exodus 13 & 14 this morning. The Israelites are promised that God will lead them with a cloud by day & fire by night. A visible sign that the Lord was going before them. But in these two chapters... where the Egyptians are hot on their tails... the cloud of God moves behind them to protect them by confusing the Egyptians.

For the past few weeks all I have thought about is saying good-bye to the people that I have served with for the past 3 years. I knew it would be a challenge. I could see it coming. But I could only see as far as Sunday... my BIG GOOD-BYE. And all the time I was asking God to go before me and make the path straight.

So this morning I awoke thinking that a big part of this transition was behind me. And we go to the doctor... and get this unexpected news... that will change the way we live for the next 3 months. And I can look back and see that God had provided for us to take on this new challenge with a fresh focus. He knew that something (Christine's pregnancy) was sneaking up on us from behind and he freed me up to more a more hands on... more supportive... more stay-at-homeish... more focused Dad... for our upcoming hi-risk pregnancy.

God went behind us. Thank you God.

Good-bye Letter

I spent all day cleaning out my office, clearing up some last minute expenses and turning in my laptop. In the process the reality of the end of my ministry here has slowly begun to sunk in.

I've also heard from a number of people who were not at church on Sunday and have heard "through the grape-vine" about our leaving Northwest. I must say that I have been overwhelmed by the love and support that we have received.

So for those who missed my memorable good-bye speech at church (sshhhh.... aawwwww... grrrrr...), here is a copy of the letter that I sent out last week to the young adults in my ministry.

**********************

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Dear Seven27 Family,

This summer is a season of new beginnings for the Burkle family. As you may have heard, we are expecting our first girl (to say Christine is excited is the understatement of the year). So around November 12, 2007 we are expecting and praying for the healthy birth of Arley Christine Burkle. Yay!

New beginnings are often both exciting and scary… that is where faith comes in. There is lyric in the song “Closing Time” by the band Semisonic which says… “every new beginning comes with some other beginning’s end.” And in line with that, I am writing to share with you that our time on staff with Northwest Bible Church is coming to a close, and God is slowly revealing where he wants us to be.

In fact, our last Sunday on staff at Northwest is this Sunday, July 22. It might seem quick or sudden to you, but let me assure you that this is a journey that God has been guiding both us and the leaders of Northwest through for a while.

I want you to know that it is not just one thing that has sprung up… but that God has worked in a multitude of ways to make it clear to us and to the leadership of Northwest that now is the best time for this decision. In this process we have seen how God has been faithful to us and to Northwest and that in this decision we expect him to do great things in each of our lives.

We do not yet know what we will be doing or where we will be heading, but we are comforted by God’s presence and the graciousness of the leadership at Northwest to help us during this time of transition. We feel an amazing sense of peace that this is exactly what God wants for us and that this is best for Northwest and our family.

Finally, I want to thank you…. our extended family here at Northwest… for making our lives richer and fuller during these past three years. The memories we have with you and the ways in which you have loved and supported us will impact us forever.

I would have rather shared this with you in person, but this was just not possible. We will share this news with the rest of the church this Sunday… but wanted you to be the first to hear what God is doing in our lives.

Please feel free to call us or stop by anytime. We do have a Seven27 Open House scheduled at Bob Hart’s place on Tuesday, July 24 at 6:30pm so that we can share one last time together.

We have found that the Lord has quieted our fears and rested our troubled hearts during this time of God ordained transition. May this same God give you comfort as you face the transitions of your life.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

We will miss you dearly,

Clay, Christine, Caden, Griffin and Arley Burkle

Happy Anniversary

Today is our seventh wedding anniversary. In light of the big transition in our lives (leaving my job... our church... our life), we haven't had much time this week to really celebrate. There will be time for celebration. But right now we are settling for a hug & a kiss.

A New Chapter...

Today was my last day as a pastor on staff at Northwest Bible Church. It has been a move that Christine and I have been feeling for a while and the decision really sped up in last few weeks.

And now after 3 1/2 years on staff... we are done. I've got nothing lined up... other than a bunch of dreams and lot of energy. The timing is crazy. No sooner had I seen my friend & mentor Denny leave with nothing lined up... then it was my turn.

I had the chance to share the news with the church this morning... and some were hearing it for the first time. It was hard to say "Hey, by the way, this is our last day here." But the people were gracious and made the day a very positive experience.

Tomorrow I will wake up... attack the day... and see what God has waiting for me.

Perspective

I got a dose of perspective today. I had the chance to spend time with a friend of mine, Bill. He is actually old enough to be my grandfather... but we still call each other friends. And since I never really knew my own grandfathers... he sort of fills a bit of that role in my life.

Bill lost his wife, Faye, to alzheimers after a long battle. And strangely enough he likes to talk to me and lean on me for some sort of support. I honestly do not know what to say to make him feel better... so I normally just listen and tell him that I can see how much he loved her.

Today he shared that he often struggles with doubt... doubt about whether he did everything within his power to care for her. Tears welled in his eyes as he recounted some of the medical decisions that he made and he wondered if he had done the right thing.

Like I said... I normally listen... but today I shared some words of encouragement that God has been speaking to me lately. I said... Bill, God knows how much you love your wife and he doesn't want you to live with doubt about whether you did enough. He wants you take your pain to him... to trust him with your pain... and he will take that burden from you and will replace it with his peace.

He thanked me for encouraging him... and for my friendship... then apologized for taking too much of my time (which he didn't).

Bill shows me old hearts still break... that love goes beyond the grave... and that we are never too old to need friends we can talk to.

I'm not satisfied...

...living in yesterday's hour.

Sorry, it is a song by HillSong that I've been singing ever since I saw the video over on Aaron's blog. For an inspirational break take 5 minutes to check out Believe.

Life is a Roller Coaster

There is no two ways around it... life is full of ups and downs. That is just the way our 70 years in the world are designed. From dates... to jobs... to deaths... to births... to accidents... to illness... to rejections... to mistakes...

One moment you are on the top of the hill and the next you are at the bottom of the valley. And from my experience... those extremes often follow closely after one another.

When it comes to the roller coaster of life... I think there are two kinds of people in the world... the hands-on-the-bar type and the hands-in-the-air-type.

The hands-on-the-bar type hate the ride because they aren't in control. So they white-knuckle it and grit their teeth through every hill and valley. They don't trust the track or the car because they don't feel in control. And when the ride is over and they step off the car they sigh in relief as they regain a sense of control.

A good bible example is Jacob (Gen. 25-35). He was a crooked guy. He was constantly trying to take advantage of someone else and control the situation for his benefit. He tricked his brother twice (Gen 25,27)... he deceives his dying father (27)... he deceives his father-in-law (30)... he lies again to his brother (33). His life is a Big Brother episode... where he is scheming and scamming others for his own benefit. He experienced the ups and downs... but was always struggling to gain control.

The hands-in-the-air type enjoy the ride because they aren't in control. They lift their hands boldly to the sky and let the car and track do its work. They trust the structure realizing that no amount of bar holding will change the ups and downs of life. And when the ride is over and they step off the car they breathe a sigh of excitement and get back in line.

A good bible example is Joseph (Gen. 37-50), Jacob's son. Joseph is the only really good guy in Genesis. He is the only guy who never stumbles and who always does what is right in the eyes of the Lord. From running from sexual immorality (39)... to being bushwhacked by his brothers (37)... rising to power (39)... to falling from power (39)... and to once again facing his traitor brothers (43-46). In each situation he obeys God and leaves the results to God.

I want to enjoy the ride and let God control the ups and downs.

According to Caden: how to enjoy baseball

I had the pleasure of taking my oldest, Caden, to his first baseball game along with my dad. We went to see our local AAA ballclub, the Columbus Clippers. We actually made it through the 7th inning stretch... when my Dad and I had reached our limit.

I actually thought that we were there to watch the game. And I was even hoping to teach him some of the finer points of "enjoying" baseball. But once again I became the learner. How much I have forgotten in my old age?!

So here are the 5 coolest things about a night at the Clippers according to a 4 year old.

5. A $5 mini-bat is a much better souvenir than a $20 replica hat.
4. The best view of the field is from the jump house and the bouncy slide near the parking lot (did you see that air!).
3. Two words.... cotton candy.
2. Second best view of the field is running around at the top of the stairs behind the top row.
1. Keeping track of Krash and Louseal (the mascots)

A silly song about creativity

Have I said in a while how much I have thoroughly enjoyed the silly little book by Gordon MacKenzie, Orbiting the Giant Hairball? Now along with reading it you can sing it...



Now I love the Church more than Creativity. But...
Can a church be creative?
Can a church orbit the giant hairball?

Are you willing to take chances?
Are you letting yourself fail?

This post was inspired by my own creative-mentor (although we've never met), Kevin Carroll.

peaceful

Life is like an Unfinished Bus

Right after my post on the "f" word... FEAR... I went over to my friend Derek's blog and read on how life is like an Unfinished Bus. It said in a fresh way... what I am experiencing in my own life in the area of dealing with fear. Here's a good taste:

"Often times I want my life to be whole, fully restored and complete now. Not tomorrow. Not next week, but today. I don't want to have to go through the hard restorative process of the soul work, often needing to take place for wholeness and full restoration to be completed. I want my own interior world to healed and at peace. Yet, I know it is a process and it takes time. I'm just thankful God himself is the restorer of my soul as I plod ahead, following after Jesus."

So whether you like buses... or restoring things... or realize you're not fully restored... I think you'll relate to my monk in a bus friend.

What do you fear?

From time to time I face fear… which in my life often stems uncertainty or doubt about the outcome of a certain situation. Fear keeps me from sleeping at night and from focusing during the day. It can be a horrible cloud that engulfs my entire world. Can anyone identify?

So how can we get out this fear funk… and where does this ugly beast come from. Well here are 3 things to consider.

A quote from David Powlison: (in Reinterpreting Life) “Sinful fears are inverted cravings. If I want to avoid something at all costs - loss of reputation, loss of control, poverty, ill health, rejection, etc. – I am ruled by lustful fear.”

This tells me that often fear that leads to worry or anxiety is at its heart sinful and therefore not necessary for a Christian. Which leads me to 2 thoughts on how I’m trying to kill fear in my life:

Trust in God’s Presence: I need to realize that God is right here with me in this situation, and therefore why should I fear a person or situation which is smaller than Him. I’ve been encouraged by the story of Joseph (Gen 37-50) where we constantly reminded that whether David was in the pit or in the palace that “the Lord was with him”.

“When I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust.
I shall not be afraid,
what can flesh do to me.”
Psalm 56:34

When I realize that God is with me in the situation… it turns my focus ON Him and OFF the scariness of the uncertainty and doubt.

Trust in God’s Provision: I also need to realize that God will provide all of my needs… maybe not my wants, but my needs. As a good Father, he wants the best for me and when I put my trust in his provision he reduces my fear.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD,
and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.
Proverbs 3:5-8

I can get almost physically sick with fear… uncertainty… doubt… anxiety… worry. But if I can truly trust in God’s provision… with all my heart… even when I don’t understand. He can deliver me from fear and fearful feelings. He can. I’m just taking him at his word. Peace in fearful situations is a battle for me… I’ll be honest. But I’m fighting it with trusting more in God’s presence and God’s provision.

My Girl

Forgive me while I dote on my wife. She turned 30 this year... and the rash of surprise 30th parties that I've been to lately reminds me of the Surprise Bash I threw for her on Jan 11. It was great to surprise her and was a truly memorable night. Somehow I pulled together this 5:35 video highlighting our lives together over the past 7 years.... and even showed it to her at the party. But now I'd like to share it with you... This one is for her.



I believe it is important to have some big celebrations in life.

It is important to stop long enough to surround yourself with friends and family and say I love you and why.

It is important to remember where you've been and how far you've come. Then realize that each day you are making memories.

Church Reorg...

When you visit the Mars Hill Church website the image on your left is what you will see. This 12 year old, 6000 member, emerging Church in Seattle is going through a corporate reorg (they are taking the gates of hell with a squirt gun... cute picture, huh). Watching from afar... I've been quite impressed at how open & public they are with their challenges and their changes.

Upon reading this 6 page letter from the elders this is what stood out to me:

(1) Plant more campuses: They currently have 3 campuses and desire to start more sites... not as just "additional services"... but more like church plants, yet still connected to mama church. While requiring more training and sending, they consider this approach as more sustainable for the body and the leaders over the long haul.

(2) Distributed Leadership: They are very open about their need to give each campus more authority and autonomy to flesh out the mission and vision of the church in their local context. This will require more communication and trust and distribution of power.

(3) More Preachers:Their main teaching Pastor, Mark Driscoll, will now be out of the pulpit for 3 full months a year. Not only is the move to save the man (Mark) from burnout... but to allow others to express their preaching gift to the benefit of the church.

(4) Open about conflict: It is pretty clear that one of their pastors/elders had a rough time with this change... so they share the story. Go to the top of page 5 and read the paragraph about Lief Moi.

It is pretty clear that leadership requires difficult decision making... even with the help of the Holy Spirit... and here is one church that is letting their people inside the situation as much as possible.

Significance....

My full inbox makes me feel so needed... so loved... so significant.

(Comment: sad... but... often true)

What makes you feel significant?

More Free Lunch

I'm just sharing the love....

Five sessions from the 2007 Buzz Conference... with thoughts on leading the church in the 21st century from Mark Batterson (host pastor), Craig Groeschel and Tim Stevens.

Five Sessions from the Gospel Coalition... a fellowship of evangelical churches deeply committed to renewing our faith in the gospel of Christ and to reforming our ministry practices to conform fully to the Scriptures... You get straight up exquisite theological teaching from D.A. Carson, John Piper, Tim Keller and Crawford Loritts.

Play & Pray

Here's some wisdom from Mark Batterson... as they head off to their annual staff Pray & Play Retreat.

"It's very difficult to minister together if you're not building relationships together.... Part of doing ministry is doing life together."

Good Stuff Mark...

The Waves of Leadership

(Here is my third of 3 posts on Denny. One was I Got the Blues. Two was Saying Goodbye.)

Motorboats… especially ski-boats are known for their power by the wake they create… that is by the waves they leave behind. A slow boat makes few waves.

And I think that leadership in one sense can be measured the same way…. by the waves a leader leaves behind. In that sense… you won’t know really feel the impact of the leader until they aren’t there. Whether it is the mood they leave after the big staff meeting or the hole they leave behind when they move on to pursue their next challenge.

So I’ve been reflecting on the waves that Denny has left behind as God has released him to pursue his next challenge. These lessons… are the lasting Denny-isms… the waves that will keep me afloat as I strive to be a better leader.

So here are five leadership lessons that I’ve learned from Denny:

1. Make time for people: He didn’t preach it… he just did it. He always made time for people. If you needed 2 minutes… he gave you 5. He was always interruptible… and that communicated that he cared and you mattered. Good leaders make time for people.

2. It is OK to laugh: He loved to laugh… and often confessed that when stressed he went out of his way to laugh. That is why he spent time learning bad jokes and dropping obscure puns into tense conversations… to lighten the mood. We laughed in staff meetings… we laughed in the office… and we laughed in church. Not that church is a laughing matter… but that it is OK to laugh in church.

3. Together is better: Doing church is more fun together. Working on projects is more fun together. Living life is healthier… more enjoyable… more sustainable… together. Denny didn’t just tell others that they need others… he needed others. It was quite strange (at first) when he would tell me that he needed my friendship. But you know… he was just putting into words what I (also) felt in my heart. Even leaders realize together is better.

4. Break some rules: Especially in church. The rules that don’t really mean much… like the order of things… who says what… and when… and how they say it. This keeps you from getting in a rut… and from being too predictable… or boring. Catch people off guard… not because you don’t take what you do seriously… just the opposite… because what you are doing is SO IMPORTANT…that you are willing to try fresh things to drive the point home.

5. You are not there yet: That is you haven’t arrived. You don’t have all the answers. Keep asking questions… because you don’t have the answers. Be a learner. Be a reader. Be an experimenter. Denny always asked questions and he was always reading a new book. Even after 31 years in the ministry… he didn’t have all the answers.

Thanks for the lessons... Denny.

Doubt

We excitedly started sharing the news with some friends last weekend. And don't you know it but everyone had a story about someone who had received the same news and it turned up being wrong.

So as the night wore on my wife's excitement slowly turned into doubt. It crept up like a storm cloud.... slowly.

Maybe they were right.

Maybe the doctor was wrong.

maybe.... maybe... maybe....

And the doubt stole her joy. Doubt can really have a devastating effect, can't it. It leads some to apathy... "I can't control the outcome so I won't do anything." It leads some to despair... "If this won't come true, then I can't go on." It leads some to control... "I will make this outcome happen, or die trying." How should we respond to doubt?

May I suggest to dependence upon God to control the things that we can't. This attitude says "God I'm not in control... you are. Here is what I want... but I'll accept what you give me." Jesus taught us to pray this way... Matt 6:9-13.

So how did we respond?... we got ourselves another sono. We went back in a few days later and had another doc... take another look... and to our joy... confirm the news... we're having a girl. Thank you God.

Theology Matters.... FLUSHED

I had an interesting conversation with Caden the other night. He was juiced up by his involvement in Vacation Bible School and he guided our nightly debriefing to the topic of "how you get to heaven."

I was intrigued and a bit excited that my son was so interested in such things. He proudly shared that he knew how one gets to heaven.... through the toilet.

What?! When I asked him to clarify. He confidently recalled the story of how Uncle Doug had flushed a dead fish to heaven by means of the toilet. (Oh be careful little mouth what you say...)

At this point my concern is not so much theological as it is practical. I'm afraid that in a moment of spiritual zeal and strong desire to go to heaven... that he might try to flush himself down the toilet. And who said Theology doesn't matter?

American Idols

While stripping and refinishing a piece of furniture we picked up from Craig's list this weekend.... I took my own advice and began working my way through the New Attitude 2007 messages. And I've got to say that C.J. Mahaney's talk in on "Discerning Your Heart" is it.

In just 74 minutes he turns the bright light of the scripture on the very thing that can undo us... our wandering hearts. And he suggests... rather biblically that the greatest temptress that seduces our hearts is idolatry.

So what is an idol? Well its not the little wooden statues like Peter Brady found in Hawaii but any person or thing which we desire more than God himself.... a job.... a relationship... security... an iPhone... success... acceptance... anything.

If you can suck it up and listen to all 74 minutes... I think you will hear a bit of a manifesto for living the Christian life. In addition he offers some helpful tools (from David Powlison) for working on your heart... 35 X-ray questions... and Personal Reflections on 3 of Life's Common Problems.

5 things I dig about Jesus...

I was tagged by Matt. I already hate the question... maybe it's just the dig part. It sounds way to cool, hip, consumer Christian for me.... but I do love Jesus as God and as Man and am in utter awe of his life and death and resurrection. So here is my five:

1. He loved people. (Jn 11:33-35)
2. He was strong. (Lk 19:45)
3. He was a genius story-teller. (Mark 4)
4. He elevated women. (Lk 10:38-42)
5. He gave horrible people a chance. (Lk 19:5)

I'm tagging:
Craig
Peep
Stef
Mike
Josh

OK boys... step it up for me. Let's put Jesus center stage and shine the light on him.

Doc says it's a girl !!!!

We're at 20 weeks with Baby Burkle #3. Caden thought it was boy... Griffey thought it was a girl... but the doctors vote won... it's a girl.

Christine is taking the news OK... after crying for joy... then calling all her friends... then staying up all night figuring out how make a nursery as pink as possible (seriously)... she has settled back down to a normal routine.

We are excited and wanted to share your joy with you. Now back to the name book for some girl names.

Don't be stupid!

Get discernment. Ha... like it is that easy. But let me point you to where you can get a FREE LUNCH.

You can now download the New Attitude 2007 Conference which tackled discernment.

You can expect clear, strong bible teaching from some great men of God. I commend their work to you. I am currently listening through it... and appreciate the challenge.

Saying Goodbye

I've heard that behind every good book, there is a twisted mind... I'm not sure if that applies but I thought I would throw it out.

I'm working through how to say good-bye this week. I posted here about my friend... mentor... and co-pastor... Denny. Right now he is just a few doors down from my office and the door is always open. We will often have a running conversation... that carries throughout a whole week. It's a blast!

But next Monday... that office will be vacant. So I'm working through how to say good-bye. Anyway... here is how I'm trying to do it.

Remember: I think it is important to look back and remember how someone has impacted you. Remember the victories. Remember the obstacles overcome. Remember the fun times and the growing that you've done together. Tell the stories. Look at the pictures. Let the emotions of those experience flood back and enjoy. There is no wasted time... only opportunities to grow and learn. Remembering helps me to redeem the time.

Grieve: When you say good-bye it is natural to feel sad about the loss. Anytime that we lose something or someone that we are fond of... it hurts... and that is OK. So I allow my feelings of sorrow to bubble to the surface and get out. I like to tell the person that I will miss them and what they have meant to me... that is part of grieving... identifying and naming the loss.

Pray: This helps me to turn the situation over to God... it helps me come to a holy closure of the event. I turn my grief over to the Lord. And I ask God to bless and lead whoever is leaving. That way I can see their leaving... more as a going... and can join in the joy and excitement of what God has in store for them.

God, Thank you for bringing Denny & Carol across my path. Thank you for their investment in my life and their example of following you. Now I pray that you will shine the light brightly before them and prepare them for the exciting new beginning you have in store for them. Amen

"...every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."
SuperSonic, "Closing Time"

I'm PG...

While my boy Stef and pally John are both G's... watchout Mom's and Dad's... I'm a screaming PG. Due to 4 mentions of death and one of sex.

Andfter my upcoming post about a friend who died shortly after having sex with a drug dealer... I'm sure I'll be firmly planted in PG-13 land (oooops.... I think I'm already there).

Is Heaven a Carnival?

Yesterday I took my boys to meet their cousin at a FREE carnival. You could say that my boys were in heaven. They bounced... quite literally... from ride to ride with unbounded excitement. I now understand what the phrase "jumping for joy" looks like. I'm certain it was coined by the father of a 4-year old at a carnival.

You know sometimes I think we tend to think of heaven as a bit of free carnival. It is a place where we hope that we can enjoy our favorite people, our favorite foods and our favorite entertainment.... forever. But that type of heaven is all about us.

And now... we are simply looking in on the FREE carnival... quite sad... just waiting for the whole eternity thing to get started.

But as I read Jesus I get an entirely different view of the good news (aka gospel) of the kingdom. One of longest collections of Jesus kingdom teachings is in Matthew 5-7.

When reading here you find Jesus describing how citizens of his kingdom should live... now. He talks about normal life (like: lust, retaliation, loving enemies, praying, judging others, and the golden rule) but life lived in a righteous way. It is almost as if he is describing a world or a society that is perfect and just and good. A redeemed world.

Jesus call to repentance is not a ticket to an eternal carnival but a call to live like we are citizens of the perfect world that will one day come. So we are not just waiting for redemption we are working out redemption. Heaven is not an otherworldly free carnival... it is a whole new world where everything is in order. A redeemed world.

Boys to Men

When do boys become men?

How do boys become men?

I've got the questions but I could some help on the answers... and I'm profoundly interested because I am responsible for helping 2 boys become men.

But I think one of the rites of passage along the way has to do with haircuts.... the summer buzz. So on our recent family vacation to Florida I coaxed my wife into letting her babies become boys. And with a $10 pair of clippers we initiated them into boydom with their first summer buzz... a close #2 shave.... and wala... the journey to manhood has begun.

Are their any rites of passage for the boys-to-men journey that you have experienced growing up or will experience with your boys? I'm all ears.

What do you value?

A seminary friend of mine... Duce... aka "The Ambassador"...is part of the rap group the Cross Movement... and is a pastor at Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia. I recently came across the church's core values music video. That's right... I said music video because it is a rap video... performed by some of the Cross Movement guys.

I first heard of CM in the mid-90's and was immediately intrigued not only by their hot sound but by their theologically informed lyrics.

What I love about what Duce is doing is that he realizes that the gospel is not just about redeeming individuals but about redeeming culture. You could say he is calling his urban/rap culture to reform to repent and to return to Christ. He doesn't preach about the sin of rap... he preaches about sin through rap.

His incarnational approach to ministry is right on... and to that I give Duce a Vanilla Ice "Word to your mutha!".



So from the looks of it... the core values of Epiphany Fellowship are... Commitment... Community... Culturally Relevant... Conversion... Christo-Centrism... but I'm just a suburban white kid, so something might have been lost in translation. Peace Out!

I got the Blues

The mailman brought the official news yesterday…. Denny… my friend… mentor… partner… encourager…. cheerleader… dreamer… fellow pastor… is leaving our church. And while I’m inspired that he is chasing daylight in response to God’s call… I’ve got the blues today…. because I will miss him. So I hit play on my Keb’ Mo playlist today… and now I’ll reflect on what I’ll miss about Denny.

His wisdom: I have spent hundreds of hours one-on-one with him over the past three years peppering him with questions about church, life, ministry, fathering, husbanding… everything. He has given me sage, biblical advice learned through 31 years of ministry and 54 years of life. He always answered his cell phone, and his door was always open.

His presence: He was always present in the moment. He was always interested in what I wanted to talk about and really cared for me. I remember when he visited us in the hospital after Griffin was born. He walked in the room as Griffin was turning blue from choking on milk. The nurse rushed in and cleared Griffin’s throat and whisked him away. Denny sensed our panic… and in response he comforted us, hugged us and prayed with us. After he left, my non-Christian father-in-law (who had witnessed the entire event) commented, “When I think of what Jesus would be like today… I think he would be just like Denny.” I agree.

His questions: Denny was fun because he seemed to have more questions about Church than he had answers. Not that he didn’t have answers… but he wasn’t afraid of questioning things about church. He invited questions and was willing to question how we do church, how we don’t do church, what makes us tick and what should make us tick. His questions led him to be open to new ideas and new answers. He constantly read new books and had some new insight.

His vision: Denny was a dreamer. I tend to think he is a bit like Gordon MacKenzie in “Orbiting the Giant Hairball”. It was like church weighed him down from freely flying as he dreamed. He dreamed about what the church could be…. could try… should try… And he invited others to dream with him. And sometimes he allowed your dreams to take center-stage…. His dream didn’t always have to win. His vision allowed him to think and re-think church with a great degree of hope and risk and willingness to try new things.

His support: He really cared about what I was doing and he wanted me to succeed. He helped me rename my ministry and he showed up to my big events. He prepped me before them and called afterwards to debrief. He lifted my spirits when they were down and put the small things into a bigger perspective. His support more than once filled up my cup.

God puts lots of twists and turns in our life. I thank God that he allowed me to have the joy of working under and along side a man like Denny for the past 3 years. I will dreadfully miss his daily presence in our office but I hope that our relationship will continue on… wherever our futures take us.

Red Paint

I had a moment yesterday... that I am now referring to as a red paint moment. You have had one... I'm sure. Here's how it happened.

It all started with the idea to put our boys into the same room to make way for the upcoming baby. Such a move must require some sort of painting (right guys). So the plan became relayed to me from my lovely wife that we must tear down the wallpaper on the east wall and we must paint it red. OK so far. She rips down the paper... we pick up with paint... OK so far.

So yesterday I get home and, with work clothes still on, I help her load a few items into the car. I accidentally bumped into the can... it topples... top of can pops off... and 1 gallon of red paint pours out onto the garage floor. Now this is not good... but it could be worse. So for the next hour I drop all my plans and clean up the red paint.

That my friends is a red paint moment. It is when something unplanned happened that requires you to stop all your doing and to clean up the mess. There is no other way around a red paint moment. These won't kill and often don't seriously hurt you... but they require immediate action and often involve the learning of a life lesson.

I've experience all sorts of red paint moments that have taught me lots of lessons:

...like when 2 guys sat down with me to talk about something they saw in my life... red paint.
...like when my wife shared her loneliness during my first year of grad school... red paint.
...or right after college when my credit card was rejected for overdraft... red paint.

Do you have any share-able red paint moments? I've come to realize that red can go with just about anything and the lessons learned are a valuable part of the life we've been given.

VBS ROCKS!

I got an inside look at our Vacation Bible School this week... in two new ways... first, my two boys participated for the first time every... and second, my wife and I taught (first-graders) for the first time ever. (Griffin - frowning in the picture - did warm up to the idea after the first day).

Vacation Bible School is the biggest thing that our church does... so I thought I'd unpack a few thoughts as to why this thing blows up every summer:

buzz...Our VBS has created a buzz on our side of town. It is because they execute every year and kids (and parents love it). Months in advance people start getting VBS-crazy.... it never fails. They have perfected the art of creating buzz.

focus... They stay on their task. Make a 1-week program that will teach the bible to kids (4yrs-6th grade) in a creative, fun and
memorable way. That's it. They know their goal and they stick to it.

creativity... They do the most creative things every year to engage kids (and parents). There live drama is hilarious. Our boys favorite part this year was when "Mulligan" fell into the waterfall (yah they had a real waterfall in the set) while looking for his butterfly net. Every year they outdo themselves in drama, music, games, snacks. This year they ran a carnival at church on the Sunday after... to get families to come to church that day. Cotton Candy anyone?

basics... They keep the program simple and stick to they basics. At one level it like every other boring vbs: songs, bible lessons, memory verses, games, drama not too mention the weekly missionary offering. But at the same time it is on steroids... it is big and bright and loud and .... you get the idea.

loyalty... They create brand loyalty. Each kid leaves with a CD singing the songs and a t-shirt (covered in signatures from the week) that reminds them of the best week of their summer. Kids want to come back... and bring friends. They are kid-tested, mother-approved.

Check out some pics.

Good Friends

We all need good friends. You know the type that are with you through thick and thin. They want the best for you but don't expect the world from you. They are on your side. They are in your corner. They put up with your quirks and they help you to round off your rough edges. Thank God I've got some of those in my life.

On our way back from vacation in Florida we visited such friends, the Keevers (Jeremy, Kelly, Calahan & Harper) in Greenville, SC. We met the Keevers in our first week at Dallas Seminary 6 years ago. We became fast friends and even joined their Spiritual Formation Group.

Our friendship was forged through the co-misery of tough seminary years and the challenges of adjusting to post-seminary life and new churches. But even though we hadn't seen them in 4 years... we picked up right where we left off.

Since our Dallas days we've collectively added 3 1/2 kids to the litter, but much is the same. Jeremy serves as Directional Pastor to Students at Grace Church, a position that took him 2 years to land after seminary. We enjoyed the sweet tea and southern hospitality.

Is your church relevant?

Here is Ed Stetzer, author of Breaking the Missional Code, addressing the Southern Baptist Convention last week. I saw it over on Steve McKoy's blog.

Get Rich Quick

Okay... I might be looking at an offer that I can't refuse... but I need your help. I would really like to get rich... and if I can do it quickly... all the better.

I did not get e-mail by the "son of the deposed prime ministry of Nigeria"... but I did get a "formal business offer" from Mr. Jonny Okonkwo, the Chief Accountant of a Nigerian Oil Exploration company.

He asked me to help them move a small portion of a $15mil omission in their 2006 books from a Nigerian bank to a local bank in my area. He has assured (in his e-mail) that this is legal according to Nigeria Laws of Money Laundering.... at least we're keeping it legal. He has even received approval from his Bank Manager to transfer the funds to a foreign account (in the States).

I don't see anything close to a pyramid in this scheme... so I think I'm okay... anyone want in on the deal? Here comes early retirement.

caution grumpy

I walked in on Monday morning to an email with the title "Caution Grumpy". I was taken back abit by someone who had the audacity to send me an email with such a title... but to my relief it was just spam.

But it got me thinking about some of the things that make me grumpy:
... no clean undershirts in the morning,
... when the sink gets clogged,
... my son dropping his full cup of chocolate milk, in the morning
... my song poking me in the face at 6:30 am asking for "donuts for breakfast"

I'm generally a nice guy... but in the morning... the fewer bumps in the road the better.

Leap of Faith

On our recent family vacation in Florida... the boys got their first taste of the joy of jumping into the pool. I'm not sure who was more excited... them or me. It is fun to see them take on new challenges and take previously unconquered land.

Excellent Meetings

If I'm talking staff/team/business meetings does the phrase "excellent meeting" seem like an oxymoron? Depending on your experience or your situation it might.

So today I found myself watching a video journal of recent staff meeting at Fellowship Church. And they may be lying through their teeth about how good their staff is (we are all liars to a degree)... but here is their regular team meeting agenda:

*What is...
*Delegation...
*What if...
*Investigation...

What secrets to excellent team meetings have you found? I'm all ears...

I'm Back

I'm breaking my blog fast. I had the shakes the first few days of vacation... but when I realized that we only had dial-in access on an ancient laptop I embraced my vacation from keeping you updated on me.

While I was gone: In short we had a great time. I enjoyed the chance to be away from work, our normal routine, our normal sites and our normal responsibilities. It was great to rest, to play, to read and to really give myself the freedom to relax. For me that means forgetting about the stress, the pressure, the expectations, the things left undone... back home.

And in that state of mind I have freedom to think new thoughts... to dream new dreams or to pick back up long forgotten ones. So I hope to share some of those with you along with some new family pics in the weeks ahead.

Upon my return: I walked in to 80 e-mails (I'm really depressed it is only in the double digits) and I flipped ahead 10 days in my planner. Do you know what it is like to flip over 10 blank days in a planner? I'm partly relieved and partly grieved. If it is not in the planner... did it really happen?

My wife and I are teaching first graders this week in our church's vacation bible school. As "Crocodile Clay" ("Croc" for short).... I'm an Amazon River guide who is guiding kids into the fun of Creation Science. Today in just 25 fun-filled minutes I debunked Evolution... I'm good. And you should hear my Australian accent... g'day.