March 26, 2010 in
MISCELLANY with
Uploaded to Flickr on November 5, 2009 by fraew
Okay, it’s probably not as dramatic as my headline, and definitely not as dramatic as the picture, but we’re getting rid of Dish Network. And we’re moving to a basic cable plan that offers six local stations and that’s it. The only reason we’re even doing that is because that’s what is required in order to get the price we need on Internet (which we are decidedly NOT ditching).
This is step 1 in my plan to move my family off the grid. Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t plan on selling our home and building a yert.
We’re not going to invest in solar panels, or power our home with wind (at least not yet). And I don’t see this becoming our means of transportation any time soon.
photo by Tim Wood
It’s not like that. I’m not against modern conveniences. What I’m against is the way they have taken over my life, and the way we have all become convinced that we cannot live without them. What are you paying every month for TV? When I found out we were “getting cable” in the early 80′s, and that it would be $20/month, I was both excited and appalled.
“We’re going to pay for something we can get free?”
“Well, yes, but there’ll be even more.”
And so there was. More channels. More providers. More choices. And much, much more money. Not since Starbucks convinced people to pay $4.50 to drink what used to cost them 25 cents have we witnessed such an extraordinary conversion in consumer consciousness. (Disclaimer: As an avowed coffee lover, I have to be clear that I’m not saying you don’t get a far better product at Starbucks compared to the 25 cent bottomless cup of coffee at the local diner.)
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February 17, 2010 in
MISCELLANY, REFLECTIONS with
I have always desired to be on a continual journey of growth in my life. But I’m sick of finding at the end of every year that my various ideas to lead toward growth haven’t led to very much. This happens because I get ideas, get excited about them, and then forget them. This time I’m writing it down. Here’s the plan for this year, September 2007-August 2008.
Abandon Annually
Oct. 4-6 – Catalyst Conference in Atlanta, GA
Nov. 16/17 – Good Sense training at Willow Creek
Jan. 7-12; 14-19 — Take classes in Indianapolis
Feb. – Anniversary getaway (2/22-24 or 2/29-3/2)
March 28-30 – A Weekend To Remember marriage conference
June/July – Family trip to DC
Aug. 7-9 – Leadership Summit at Willow Creek
Measure Monthly
Church consultation meetings with Ralph Funk, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. monthly
Spend remainder of day at The Hills evaluating myself and the church each month
Withdraw Weekly
Monday – Day off. Do at least one activity specifically for me.
Weekly fast day
Weekly refocusing and accountability with Brent at staff meeting
Divert daily
Daily PSD (personal and spiritual disciplines)
Physical fitness five days/week (cardio and basic strength training)
Read one book every other week, which will require daily time set aside for reading
February 17, 2010 in
MISCELLANY with
I try to stay out of politics. This is not because I do not have political opinions, but because most people who are involved with politics freak me out. Seriously — you guys who are always furiously posting links to political articles all over Facebook — you are scary people. Of course not all of you. No, scratch that. Every last one of you is scary. Okay, if you’re the kind of person Continue Reading…
February 17, 2010 in
GODSTUFF, MISCELLANY with
I came late to Francis Chan’s Crazy Love party. I heard about it a couple of years ago, and more and more people I love and respect were beginning to talk about it. Which is why I have been hesitant to be in the least critical of the book.
I finally gave in and decided to read it about nine months ago. I loved the first few chapters. I didn’t think they were revolutionary or anything, but Chan didn’t write as if he was saying something revolutionary. He wrote with an earnestness, reminding us of basic but important things, like the big, huge, amazing love of God, our constant vulnerability to death and other unexpected things (how small we are), and God’s right to run the world the way he chooses.
So far so good. But after the first few chapters, the tone of the book began to change. Crazy Love moves into a discussion of what is wrong with Christians today, taking on the perennial pastor’s-favorite-topic — apathy and lack of vitality in the expression of American Christian faith. As a pastor myself for 15 years, I do not dispute that the American church is languishing and have no problem with Chan pointing out the problem. It is the solution that bothers me.
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February 17, 2010 in
MISCELLANY with
photo by Michael Goodin
I am making sweeping changes to my blog. Focus is not on content, but rather on design during the next few weeks. I hope to come back with a better blog than ever. Thank you for your patience.
