Farewell

“We’ve done our part. And as I walk off into the city streets, a final word to the men and women of the Reagan revolution, the men and women across America who for 8 years did the work that brought America back. My friends: We did it. We weren’t just marking time. We made a difference. We made the city stronger, we made the city freer, and we left her in good hands. All in all, not bad, not bad at all.

And so, goodbye, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.”
-President Ronald Reagan, Farewell Address

Farewell



“We’ve done our part. And as I walk off into the city streets, a final word to the men and women of the Reagan revolution, the men and women across America who for 8 years did the work that brought America back. My friends: We did it. We weren’t just marking time. We made a difference. We made the city stronger, we made the city freer, and we left her in good hands. All in all, not bad, not bad at all.

And so, goodbye, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.”

-President Ronald Reagan, Farewell Address

Joe College, Day 1
I mentioned earlier that “The Boy” is now a college freshman. Today was his first day.

He ran into that age-old dilemma, “How long do you have to wait if the professor doesn’t show up?” It was the first day of his second class, and no professor! Ya really gotta love that!

Anyway, he stayed in the classroom (surprise!) and actually did his homework from the other class! (Big, big surprise!)

Oh, he got a “date” out of the deal, too. For coffee at Starbucks. With an “older” woman. (She’s all of 19 – a sophomore! Robbing the cradle already!)

I’m reminded of this other Joe College…uh, Joe COOL…

I’m reminded of this other Joe College…uh, Joe COOL…

I’m reminded of this other Joe College…uh, Joe COOL…

Busted!
OK, so I’m not taking a perp walk with my head bowed down and my jacket covering my handcuffs. They didn’t seize my computer – although there may be some “incriminating” data on there. I’m not on some post office bulletin board somewhere, but I may be busted just the same.

Chris Monroe wonders if there are too many “emerging church voyeurs” out there…

“In fact, for the last 2-1/2 years, I’ve become increasingly concerned about the growing number of Emerging Church Voyeurs — men and women who are fascinated with this emphasis, this paradigm, this movement — but who persist in “watching” others instead of rolling up their sleeves and getting personally involved. In some instances, they are people who lurk anonymously around EC-related message boards. In others, they’re the host of people who join book discussion groups and attend workshops and conferences, but never launch out themselves. The Emerging Church experience, for these folks, is tantalizing, titillating, and even addictive. They love this stuff!”

“Religious and ecclesiological voyeurism is certainly nothing new. The modern-era church (especially in the last several decades) has been filled with who those in the real estate business call “lookie-loos” — people who act like serious buyers, but really have no intention of doing so.”

“The emerging church needs more voyageurs, not more voyeurs! On the surface, the difference may seem incidental — but don’t be fooled! The (French) voyageur was a hearty explorer and guide (especially cir. 1650-1750), usually through unknown and unexplored territory — a trailblazer extraordinaire!”

“May God therefore help us to discourage emerging church voyeurism, and instead — empower women and men to step out and take risks and be the voyageurs that following generations will thank God for.”

Thanks to Stephen Shields for pointing the way to Chris’ indictment.

Busted!

OK, so I’m not taking a perp walk with my head bowed down and my jacket covering my handcuffs. They didn’t seize my computer – although there may be some “incriminating” data on there. I’m not on some post office bulletin board somewhere, but I may be busted just the same.

Chris Monroe wonders if there are too many “emerging church voyeurs” out there…

“In fact, for the last 2-1/2 years, I’ve become increasingly concerned about the growing number of Emerging Church Voyeurs — men and women who are fascinated with this emphasis, this paradigm, this movement — but who persist in “watching” others instead of rolling up their sleeves and getting personally involved. In some instances, they are people who lurk anonymously around EC-related message boards. In others, they’re the host of people who join book discussion groups and attend workshops and conferences, but never launch out themselves. The Emerging Church experience, for these folks, is tantalizing, titillating, and even addictive. They love this stuff!”

“Religious and ecclesiological voyeurism is certainly nothing new. The modern-era church (especially in the last several decades) has been filled with who those in the real estate business call “lookie-loos” — people who act like serious buyers, but really have no intention of doing so.”

“The emerging church needs more voyageurs, not more voyeurs! On the surface, the difference may seem incidental — but don’t be fooled! The (French) voyageur was a hearty explorer and guide (especially cir. 1650-1750), usually through unknown and unexplored territory — a trailblazer extraordinaire!”

“May God therefore help us to discourage emerging church voyeurism, and instead — empower women and men to step out and take risks and be the voyageurs that following generations will thank God for.”

Thanks to Stephen Shields for pointing the way to Chris’ indictment.

Oh, About “The Boy”…
He’s now Joe College. Signed up here today for the summer semester. Gettin’ his feet wet for here in the fall!

Oh, and he’s got a new passion now, too!

Where Dreams Go to Die
I found an old CD of the late, great Harry Chapin I’d burned back in the “free Napster” days.

Most of his songs are powerful and poignant, but one in particular grabs me in these days. It’s about the cleaner from Ohio who loves to sing and is encouraged to give it a shot on the professional stage. He’s the best singer in Dayton, but it’s an entirely different story when he goes to New York for his big debut. In one succinct review, Mr. Tanner’s dreams are shattered, and his life is sucked out of him.

He came home to Dayton and was questioned by his friends.
Then he smiled and just said nothing and he never sang again,
Excepting very late at night when the shop was dark and closed.
He sang softly to himself as he sorted through the clothes.
Music was his life, it was not his livelihood,
And it made him feel so happy and it made him feel so good.
And he sang from his heart and he sang from his soul.
He did not know how well he sang; It just made him whole.

Ever feel like that?

Out of the Big Box Church and Into the Real World
Did you catch this quote from Alan Roxburgh via Karen Neudorf via Jordon Cooper?

“Our culture does not need any more churches run like corporations; it needs local communities empowered by the gospel vision of a transforming Christ who addresses the needs of the context and changes the polis into a place of hope and wholeness.”

Kind of reminds me of the story where Jesus gathers His disciples together and, walking through the communities among the people, He tells them to pray that God would send harvesters into the ready fields. The very next verse…He sends the disciples themselves out into that world!

I’ve been kind of discouraged about our church folks’ response – or lack of response – to our annual Vacation Bible School. But, in the middle of my discouragement and disappointment, God is opening up a door for us to move out into our ready harvest! We’re taking the show on the road to a nearby trailer park, where there are some real needs. Exciting!