Like a sour sponge

Don't you hate it when you pick up a sponge to wipe down the counter, or do some other cleaning and after you're done you realize your hands smell sour? There's hardly any way to get all of that smell off your hands! It's especially bad when you don't notice the smell until you pick up something to eat and as you bring it to your mouth -- well you get the picture...

Today at staff meeting at Coast we were reading and discussing Philippians 2. We talked a little bit about Paul's description of being "poured out as a drink offering".

It was then I remembered the first sermon I ever preached, back in high school, lo these many years ago (almost 30!). In that message, I used the illustration of the sour sponge. Goes something like this:

We are like a sponge. If we choose to simply sit and soak in all that God pours into us, we will eventually become like said sponge -- dank, smelly and basically unusable.

However, should we choose to pour ourselves out "as a drink offering", benefiting those around us with what God has been pouring into us, we will remain pliable, fresh and continually usable.

So now I have to ask myself, "What have I done today in the way of pouring out to the benefit of those in my little world?"

Mail from Ireland

Very odd to get snail mail from Ireland, especially something in a window envelope with our name and address printed as if by a computer. I had no idea what it could be.

So I opened it.

Duh. It's a bank statement. I mean who doesn't get bank statements from overseas on a regular basis?

No, here's the deal. During our latest trip to Ireland, after jumping through many proverbial hoops to prove that we weren't money launderers, we opened an account in Dublin. It will make it much easier to deal with our expenses while we're there, should we happen to be there anytime before we actually move. Plus, when we do move, that will be one less thing we'll have to deal with while getting settled.

It was really remarkable experience getting this account opened. Last April we stopped by AIB (Allied Irish Bank) to see about opening an account. We were helped by a young man by the name of Stewart. He was very friendly and helpful, giving us a list of the documentation we needed to get from our bank in Florida, as well as proof of our US residency.

When we returned in September, 5 months later, he remembered us and our situation right away and spent the next few weeks helping us work through the red tape. He then contacted us after we were back in the US to let us know that our account had, in fact, been approves and opened.

I have no idea why we haven't received any statements before now, but I guess that's not important. I mean there isn't any money in the account right now anyway...

Since we're kind of stuck here for now (until we get more funds raised), it does our hearts good to receive little serendipitous reminders of Ireland like this.

Molly's recital

Molly and another student are doing a joint recital this coming Tuesday. Now, you need to understand -- this isn't a requirement. They just wanted to do it.

If you want to come, send me a message with your email address and I'll give you the particulars.

Here's a sample of Molly playing, along with her friend and harpist, Stephanie:

Back home

Okay, so I didn't let you know that we were going out of town.

Sorry.

Can we still be friends?

Just got back this evening from Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif, AL where we attended "All Access 2008", a conference by (Association of Related Churches).

We were there with 6 others from Coast. Coast is a member of ARC, a remarkable group of churches from all across the US from numerous denominations as well as independent non-denoms who are dedicated to church planting.

We were very encouraged and challenged personally, gathered a lot of inspiration for the future of Coast, and gained new motivation for our work in Ireland.

I'm really tired right now, and I think I'm fighting off a cold, so I'll say more about all this later.

Nighty night.

I'm so happy

One of our all-time favorite restaurants went out of business a couple of years ago.

But now there is a new sign up at a local strip: "Niki's Restaurant". In the window is a hand-written sign: "Opening Soon".

Woo hoo -- it's coming back! This is a great little Greek place that has the best gyro meat, roasted on a spit and then sliced off fresh and grilled until it has crispy edges. Man, oh man, is it good!

I can't wait for the grand re-opening.

Okay, I guess I'll have to...

Warp Speed

So, say you could actually travel faster than the speed of light without the use of any vehicle...

Set up a super powerful telescope on earth that can focus on you standing on the moon. Stand there, on the moon, for a few moments. Then speed back to earth (faster than the speed of light), look through the telescope and you'll see yourself standing on the moon.

In this next exercise, you can utilize a warp-capable spaceship. If you are traveling just over the speed of light and then slow to just under the speed of light, you can look in your rear-view mirror and see yourself coming up on your tail.

Have fun!

Through Walls

You've all seen 'em. Superheroes or ghosts or other life forms that can walk through walls.

I remember a particular scene on Star Trek: The Next Generation, where two persons, chasing one another through Enterprise were out of phase with the rest of the crew and because of this, they could walk (or run) through the walls.

Now think about it. The walls aren't solid to them and allow them to pass right through, but the floors are still solid.

What's up with that?

sign o' the times

Just read this headline:

"Americans prefer energy fix to cancer cure: poll"

The article goes on to detail the results of a survey of "nearly 700 people", suggesting that "Americans would prefer more money be invested in technology to solve the nation's energy ailments than to cure cancer or other diseases."*

If this isn't a sign of the times, I don't know what is.

Definitely a symptom of the "need" so pervasive in today's society wherein the immediate holds more sway in our decision making than the eventual.

The majority of the population today has grown up with an ever-increasing ability to have their desires met at a moment's notice. And I dare say that this mindset has infiltrated the church, making it difficult for those of us who sometimes find ourselves in the role of "counselor" to offer guidance that will be heeded. Most significant change that occurs in the life of a believer comes through perseverance over time and not in the form of a vending machine. But few are willing to stick with it.

Consider this: "...we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Rom 5:3-5)

Thanks for listening.


*Reuters

American Idol Gospel Night!

So, I wasn't surprised to see Ramiele go home. I think it was definitely her time. I hated seeing Brooke in the bottom three. She'll probably end up with a good career, but I don't see her winning AI.

I appreciated the feature they did on past non-winners who have made a good career.

BTW -- Loved David Cook again this week. I had been interested in seeing him do an original arrangement.

But the highlight for me was getting to see the Clark Brothers again. I don't know of anyone else who could take "This Little Light of Mine" and do that with it! We loved these guys on The Next Great American Band last summer. Full-on Christians, who made an obvious positive impact in the lives of others on TNGAB.

Then Dolly steps out there and testifies! I'm afraid her voice is lacking these days, but she still has the spunk.

However, to hear two songs on AI in one night that basically say "Put your faith in Jesus", was pretty astounding.

Loved it.

hmmm

We have a local exotic bird shop called:

Bird House of Montague

So I thought it might be cool to open a shop next door called:

Cat House of Capulet

Then reason overtook me and I realized that "Cat House" might be misconstrued.

I would also fear that a lack of general knowledge of things Shakespearian might cause the irony to be lost on most people.