"you're gonna be somebody" Part 1

"you're gonna be somebody" Part 1


Our pastor is teaching through a series where he is casting the vision for our church to move from "success to significance". Significance is a hot button word in our culture as well as the term success.
Who doesn't want to matter? I know I do. I have dreams and desires about changing the world. I also think about the significant people in my life that through small acts and words impacted my life for good. Significance comes in all shapes and sizes.
The real challenge is "Selfless Significance". How will we be signifcant without being self-serving? And how does God's significance in our lives fit into our definitions?
I remember being at a certain concert listening to a certain Irish band. The certain band leader with his dark sunglasses looked out into the crowd. He pulled this young man up on the stage to play guitar on the next song. The place went bananas as this 20-something guy jammed out to a sold-out crowd in a packed arena. Next, the unknown bandmate made his way up to the mic and belted out the lyrics like he wrote the tune. Immediately the lead singer walked up to this guy and he took off his shades. He looked him straight in the eyes and he[lead singer] said, "Do you know the blues, kid?" The place was dead silent as the veteran musician sized the youngster up and down as if he were looking into his soul. Then he pulled the mic back to his mouth and declared, "You're gonna be somebody!" The place erupted into what I can only describe as a "unified joy". I am still getting goosebumps.
You're gonna be somebody. The words every person would love to hear from a certified "Somebody". In that moment, I wish I could tell you that my confidence was elevated because I follow Jesus and I am already somebody because of Him. That was not my reaction. I immediately began devising a plan on how I could achieve the so-called "Somebody" status. I began to chase after that plan with everything I knew to run with. I ran after that seemingly significant status up until about a year ago.
I was coming home after picking my daughter up from day care (who was 3 at the time). I was feeling especially "nobody-ish" that day. Ideas had faded. Dreams had diminished. Not one passion was really getting off the ground. I didn't see any larger than life rockstars coming up to me and speaking prophetic words of greatness. I only heard a very small voice from the backseat. My daughter said to me, "Daddy".
"Yeah baby", I called back in my best Eeyore impression.
"Daddy, I think you're great!" Immediately my eyes filled with tears and I looked down at this beatuiful little face and I smiled. She was probably extremely confused, nonetheless she hugged back. I said thank you and we walked together inside the house.
What prompted that from my toddler? She thinks I'm great?! All I did was take her home. It didn't make the front page. It didn't top the Billboard charts. It didn't even make our family's Christmas newsletter. However, in that moment I felt significant. And I can honestly say there is nothing that would make me trade places with the guy on the stage. I'm right where I need to be. That's significant.

You're gonna be somebody, but who?

Where did all the chocolate come from?

Where did all the chocolate come from?
Nearly half the world's chocolate is made from cocoa grown in the Cote D'Ivoire, in Africa.
12,000 children have been trafficked into cocoa farms in Cote D'Ivoire
When we buy chocolate we are being forced to be oppressors ourselves as we have no guarantee that the chocolate we eat is 'traffik free'

Traffik Free Guarantee
We want all chocolate companies to be able to stamp onto their chocolate wrappers a guarantee that the cocoa beans have not been harvested by trafficked labour. We can then choose to eat chocolate with a Traffik Free Guarantee.

Diabate and Traoré had left their village in Mali to go to Ivory Coast looking for enough money to afford a bicycle, but they were sold to a man who had paid 50,000 West African Francs (about £50) for the two boys and he wanted the money back—in labour. The boys from Sirkasso met about twenty others in the same predicament and learned that no one was ever paid. They slept in a rectangle-shaped mud hut that initially had windows but when some boys found they could escape during the night, the windows were sealed shut. Diabate and Traoré remember eating mostly bananas, though they would gobble up the cocoa beans, as others did, whenever they got the chance. Many months passed, and the boys forgot what the purpose had once been for this adventure. Life became a struggle to exist, then hardened to despair.

They gave up thinking of escape. They were under constant threat of beatings if they were caught trying to flee—and they had seen several boys treated savagely—they were actually spooked by a belief that they were under a spell. Read more in Carol Off's book "Bitter Chocolate". - stopthetraffik.org

underneath the shade

underneath the shade
by jeff semple

keep me underneath the shade
protected from all the hate
so that i can serenade
without the noise
the glass walls begin to break
the open room is more than i can take
what will become of the window pane
without a voice

everyone is coming this way
everyone is coming this way

reach through the broken space
touch the cracks on the slate
it's been so long since it's looked this way
heal the sores
lift my eyes to see the place
the place we saw the other day
the place you said they couldn't take
so much more

everyone is coming this way
everyone is coming this way

i didn't notice the black rain
it came as a silent pain
though now it has gone away
a closed door
today is a new day
yesterday has no more to say
i'll stay underneath the shade
just like before

everyone is coming this way
everyone is coming this way

planet earth as you've never seen it before

There is finally something on television worth watching (besides 24). The Discovery Channel and the BBC have teamed up to show eleven episodes of mezmorizing beauty and magnificence called, Planet Earth.

"More than five years in the making, Planet Earth redefines blue-chip natural history filmmaking and continues the Discovery Channel mission to provide the highest quality programming in the world." - Discovery.com

Episodes take viewers into arctic temperatures, wild hunting trips, and deep watery wonderlands. Planet Earth is coming at a great time in television history. The choices of great TV shows seem to grow each year. Now with shows like, "The Search for the Next Pussycat Doll" and "Are you smarter than a Fifth Grader", we are really saturated with too many decisions. Let me further dissect my sarcasm, Planet Earth is literally a breath of fresh air. The show airs on The Discovery Channel Sundays at 7pm/CT. You can also order the DVD here. My four year old loves it, and I have to admit even Dora the Explorer cannot top the exploration into the depths of our planet.

hope

hope



This morning I was reflecting on the idea of hope. What is "Hope in God"?
Lately I have been struggling with the reality of my own lack of understanding regarding hope in God. I want it, but sometimes the distance from the things I hope for clouds my perspective in being able to see God at work.
The Psalmist says "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."
A downcast soul is easily acquired in my opinion. The greater loves in life are squashed under the professional pursuits during the demanding daytime hours. Quickly, a deep breath is converted to a sigh. A gut-busting laugh is diminished to a grin, and ours eyes are glued to the clock with no time to catch a glimpse of the new blooms of spring. Our souls become disturbed and distant.
When should hope enter the picture? At what moment will we allow hope to take the stage?
"I will yet praise him". The phrase suggests "praise" no matter what. I think a friend of mine said it best when he encouraged me to only ask God about the "next step". Our present concern should be our literal next step. What does Jesus want us to do or where should we go? Hope lies in the next step. Hope is in the movement of my foot placed in front of the other. Hope is in the inhale before the exhale. Hope is the lingering kiss with my wife. Hope is in the next word, the next room, and the next line.
My brother is getting married in June. He and his fiancee have made "Hope" a very large part of their journey together. The word has deep meaning to who they are individually and who they are as "one".

Hope in God.

coming summer 2007

I'm very excited for this years "Summer Movies". I'm not about to hide my enthusiasm over Hollywood's over indulgence of "Geek Flicks". I have picked a few that I think are worth swinging over to movietickets.com and purchasing a (way overpriced) ticket. Let's all go to the movies!

12. The Simpsons Movie - July 27
11. Oceans 13 - June 8
10. Fanstastic Four - Rise of the Silver Surfer - June 15
9. The Bourne Ultimatum - Aug 8
8. Live Free or Die Hard - June 27
7. Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix - July 13
6. Ratatouille - June 29
5. Shrek the Third - May 18
4. Evan Almighty - June 22
3. Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End - May 26
2. Spiderman 3 - May 4
1. Transformers - July 4

bono on american idol

It had to happen. The world's greatest rock star colliding with America's most watched TV show. What could possibly bring American Idol (who gave us Sanjaya and Simon Cowell) together with the charismatic Irish rocker of U2? I can tell you in one word, "Justice". Bono has been quoted more than once saying that the needs in Africa are not about charity, but they are about justice. American Idol will air it's "Idol Gives Back" show tomorrow night on Fox. Click here to find out more about how you can partner with Bono and American Idol to help end poverty.

write it down

The Dead Sea Scrolls our on display at Union Station here in Kansas City. A group from our church went to see the ancient artifacts this past Saturday. The fascinating part about the experience for me was the intentional effort from these folks to write down and preserve scriptures, stories, and communal bylaws. I like to journal. I have a journal that I write in for each of my kids. I write in a personal journal. I also have numerous post-it notes that I have used to write poems, or prayers. I value the art of "writing it down". Blogs are a perfect example of the passing down of our experiences, failures, and hopes.
It is also worthy to note the Bible's ongoing proof of existence and relevance. I mean, there are countless used book stores around the world where one might find a copy of ancient literary works. But how many books will you find in a cave dating back 2000 years. I just think it's remarkable.
I know that the debate still continues regarding the fallacy and inherency of the Bible. I think it should continue and it probably will. I love the scriptures. I feel a deep connection to them. I don't think they have always been taught properly, but not at the fault of the authors. I look forward to many more years of studying the Holy book. I also look forward to many more discussions and debates about it's role in the church and our lives.

living outside the limitations

This video is a profound teaching tool to those of us bound by our own set limitations. We immediately find faults in our self-determined weaknesses that we use to chart our life course. We are capable or we are not capable depending on the amount of rejection that lies ahead. Living life this way only ensures a life never knowing the depth, width, and height of God. Live outside the limitations.

U2 in the news

The legendary Irish rockers are not slowing down a bit. This month U2 is everywhere in the news. Bono is presenting "U2-3D" at the Cannes Film Festival. You can watch the trailer below. Bono and The Edge are also reportedly providing music and lyrics for the new broadway musical, "Spider-Man". And hurry over to ebay to start bidding on various photographs to benefit the African Well Fund's "Build A Well For Bono's Birthday".

wake up to change

wake up to change
by jeff semple

i woke up to change the world today
to make it a better place
it’s why i am awake
it is why i was made

what can I do to make a change?
i can listen
i can learn
i can lead
i can dream
i can laugh
i can weep
i can build
i can reach
change can happen through these things

i woke up to change the world today
to make it a better place
it’s why i am awake
it is why i was made

the girl sold for $10 a day
that needs to change
children fighting wars with guns
preventable disease taking our daughters and sons
men with no god
killing those who claim one
we must love others the way we are loved
change can happen, and it begins with us

i woke up to change the world today
to make it a better place
it’s why i am awake
it is why i was made

some say things will never change
the world will always be the same
and i think that seems true somedays
days like tomorrow and yesterday
but what about today

today is the day we are alive
today is the day we celebrate
today is the day we open our eyes
today is the day that we can change

what can we do to make a change?
we can teach our kids
to love their neighbor
we can forget the debts
and forgive the debtor
we can give more now
and not save for later
we can use our voices
for good not for slander
change can happen now and forever.

change your life, change your dinner
change your clock, change where your living,
change your clothes, change the channel,
change the view, change the label,
change your job, change the subject,
change in private, change in public,
change your words, change the color,
change yourself before you criticize others.

one soul, one life,
one body, and one mind
live well together
eat meals together
share stories together
praise God together
change the world, and make it better

so now that you’re awake
what in the world will you change

What's Next "HisSpace.com"...

I came across this interesting piece of Chrisian web culture. God Tube. I will admit that I feel disappointed whenever I see the brands and products of our culture being ripped off and "Christified" by the evangelical community. I turned my nose up at this new discovery. However, I will say that the following video made me chuckle. (I just don't know why it has to be on a separate site.)
I don't mean to sound cynical, but I long for the day that the church is driving the culture and not the other way around. Nevertheless, I will stop picking on the Godtube and let you watch, what I thought to be a fairly clever "ripoff".

Church Father Test

Thanks to Josh Case for helping me find this little bit of info. Take the test to find out what early church father you reflect most.

You’re Origen! You do nothing by half-measures. If you’re going to read the Bible, you want to read it in the original languages. If you’re going to teach, you’re going to reach as many souls as possible, through a proliferation of lectures and books. If you’re a guy and you’re going to fight for purity … well, you’d better hide the kitchen shears. Find out which Church Father you are at The Way of the Fathers!

in mourning

It's hard to watch. It's hard to understand. There is really nothing easy about the tragedy that Virginia Tech faced on Monday, April 16, 2007. I have (like many of you) watched and read the testimonies and stories that the survivors are telling.
"He had no expression" one student said.
"He just came in and started shooting" another recounted.
The gun control debate has regained steam and once again leadership decision during a crisis are at the center of attention. What do we do with our grief? Who should feel our rage? What place does the media have in all of this?
I think these are great questions to be asked. I don't think I have the answers. I can only say that my thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the victims.

Ten Observations from Churches who "Get It"

I thought this was an interesting article, as well as some good discussion regarding the characteristics of a healthy church staff.


Ten Observations from Churches who "Get It"
1. Each church has a pastor with a vision.
2. Each church hires almost exclusively from within.
3. Speaking of staff, the staff of these churches ‘get it’ too.
4. A larger percentage of their staff (or staff wives) are pregnant.
5. These churches and pastors don’t have a clue what they’re doing.
6. Since they don’t have it all figured out, these pastors all shared with me their desire to connect with other leaders who can help mentor them.
7. These churches are not shy about sharing resources.
8. Most all of these pastors are bloggers.
9. These churches are not afraid to make tough calls.
10. Numbers are important to them.

Read the full article here

The Red Lights of Slavery