I just finished my personal bible study in Ephesians recently and decided to take a road less traveled and hit up some of the minor prophets. They are very difficult to understand, and one really does need some sort of reference tool like a study bible or commentary to really understand what’s happening. That’s just the price we pay for being 21st century Gentiles. But that’s fine with me: I don’t think I would fare too well back in the ‘old days.’

Anyhow, I came across a verse that seemed very relevant and comforting for a 21st century Bradentonian (or anyone living in Florida) during the months of November through March. Check it out:

Joel 2:20 “I will remove the northerner far from you, and drive him into a parched and desolate land…

Here was my first thought, “Great, traffic will finally be better now in Bradenton!” Now I have nothing against the Northerners being down here during winter time per se. They keep our economy floating, I think. But for traffic purposes-and the hope of waiting under an hour to be seated at Olive Garden-most residents here would be glad when the Lord ‘removes’ them from us.

It would be fairly ludicrous to interpret this verse to refer to Florida’s winter residents. I think all of you would agree (though many Floridians begrudgingly, as though you wish I were on to something). While this example is hyperbolic, folks do like to pick and choose isolated verses to support personal agendas that have nothing to do with the context.

God’s word is a sword. But we must be careful and responsible in interpreting it. Improper interpretation of God’s word can cut people in a bad way: either by weighing them down with pharisaical burdens or moving them away from the church.

This morning I was reading an article in my ever-s0-informative Florida Sportsman (I actually got one SAT answer correct because I knew what the word ‘burly’ meant as I saw it describing some big redfish-true story). Usually the magazine lasts about 5 minutes, but today it outlived its normal shelf-life and provided some actual useful insight (when I say useful, I don’t mean that it actually helped me catch a fish; I’m not sure I’ve caught one fish because of that magazine).

Let me explain. The article discussed a family of fish called Grunts. Grunts (which obviously ‘grunt’) hang around Grouper and they are the other species of fish most caught when targeting Grouper. My family doesn’t like to eat them because they are 90% head and 10% rest of body. Not good odds for getting meat. Of course party boats (those with 20-50 anglers on them) catch the heck out of them and bring back long stringers. Again, not my bag.

So I was strangely intrigued why someone would write an article about “Grunts.” I succumbed to my curiosity and proceeded to read until I found this Grunt ‘fun fact.’ The juvenile Porkfish, a member of the Grunt family (what an honor) spend time cleaning the mouths of large grouper. To clean a grouper’s mouth, these young porkfish have to actually swim inside the mouth. Obviously. And yet they do so without ‘fear.’ They don’t get eaten. How crazy is that?

Grouper, in case you don’t know or care, eat ANYTHING that they can fit in their mouth. That’s why they are terrible for aquariums. They eat all the fish, because all the fish can fit in their huge mouths. You can catch Grouper on fried chicken sometimes. They are not picky. I’ve caught many a grouper on several different species of Grunt before. But I’ll never try to use small porkfish if given the opportunity.

This is actually going somewhere, believe it or not. How do Grouper know that the juvenlie porkfish are there to clean? How many were eaten before they understood that you just don’t eat ‘the maid?’ How could this process evolve on its own? I mean Grouper suck down everything. They suck down every other fish. Bigger members of the grouper family (called Jewfish or Goliath Grouper to be P.C.) suck down other Grouper.

Its a fish-eat-fish world out there, at least in most cases. But not this one. I applaud God on His creation. I’ll try not to look at Grunts (at least some Grunts) in the same light anymore.

I remember the first time I heard the word ‘hermeneutic:’ I was a junior in a college bible study. I didn’t like the sound of it. But I later learned it simply means the science/method of interpretation. That sounds more like me.

Several weeks ago the bookkeeper at my church went on vacation. At the hotel she received a complimentary USA Today newspaper and came across this article. The article is certainly sad, but it is quite helpful. It really is worth your 5 minutes.

The gist of the article is this: in a religion class, college students create and present their own religions. Most of the religions created were nothing more than individualistic, atheistic, relativistic attempts to be free from authority. That was sad. But the article was quite helpful in revealing some of the questions and idols people are truly seeking.

Christianity as the true religion does deal with the real questions people are asking. And as Christians, we need to be aware what questions people are actually asking. We are notorious for trying to answer the wrong question. For instance, in the 80’s, Evangelism Explosion’s question “What would you say if God asked you ‘Why should I let you into heaven?'” was appropriate and effective.

But heaven, as evidenced by this article, is not even on the radar of college students. Thus this is not the approach to take with them. If their idol is freedom and autonomy, we need to ask questions like “Is anyone really self-made” and “Is it really freedom when you are enslaved to doing your own will all the time?” The goal is to take their questions, expose their false answers, and point them to the true answer: Christ. Jesus is the one who sets us free, and we can feel unbelievable freedom in living without shame, guilt, fear within the parameters he sets in His word. That’s freedom, not slavery to whatever someone else has determined is cool or kosher.

Now it may happen that someone’s main question is What happens when we die, or how can Christianity be true when Evolution says it isn’t? But these, with some exceptions of course, are NOT the questions my generation is asking. So trying answering them and trying to prove evolution false will inevitably get you the response so what? What questions are people asking? You have to spend the time and figure out. But its not that hard. Just ask questions and listen.

Not too many things in this life last as long as we’d hope. Enter the tattoo. Psychologically speaking, I think they serve several purposes, with the foremost being that they provide stability. And keep in mind that I’m not bashing them; I do want one someday, thought the doors of opportunity are quickly closing-probably not a good use of resources at this time in my life.

Anyway, nothing lasts forever (even Cold November rain, according to Guns-N-Roses), but tattoos last as long as we do. Sometimes people will express the depth of their love with tattoos of loved ones. But deep down I think it really exposes the desire for relational stability. We’re serious now, and this tattoo proves it. You wouldn’t leave any time soon would you? It didn’t work for Angelina Jolie, although it may have bought her a few extra months with Billy Bob Thorton. Hard to tell at this point.

Personally, I stick to the airbrush license plates that say something like Geoff-N-Amy 4 Eva. When the relationship is over (not referring to mine), one can just take the plate off the front and get ready for the next relationship plate. Fairly inexpensive way to express your love.

But since divorce rates are very high these days, one thing you can surely count on staying this same in this transient world is NASCAR. Right? Well I saw a woman at Sweetbay’s Supermarket the other day who thought so; she tattooed Dale Jr’s number on the outside of her shoulder. The problem came when Dale Jr left DEI and changed numbers.

Although we have to applaud his sensitivity to his fans: his new number is 88. So that woman at Sweetbay’s can add an 8 and not miss a beat. The tattoo ‘addendum’ may be a little off-centered, but beggars can’t be choosers.

I apologize for this longer entry. Hopefully it will be a quick read.

During our Comm group this past Wed we did something a little different. Our senior pastor every so often ‘interviews’ folks to give them a chance to share how they came to Christ and what difference that has made in their lives.

So instead of continuing our 4 part video series on relational outreach called “Just Walk Across the Room,” I figured I’d steal a page out of an older coach’s play-book and interview someone who spent the last week involved in relational outreach. Staci and John, who deserve their own Wikipedia page in my opinion, have hosted week long reunions the last several years. You could call them family reunions of sorts, for several different families who adopted children out of the same orphanage in Vietnam reunite once a year down in sunny Florida (pronounced Flar-ida of course).

Largely successful and quite anti-Christian, these families have built a strong bond with John and Staci over the last several years. They already have planned a trip for next year.

Since I didn’t podcast my interview with Staci and John (interviewing someone is harder than it sounds on the radio-I have to give that to Jim Rome, who is the best I’ve heard), I’d like to just conclude with some of her concluding points, encouragement and challenges to our group.

1.) Hospitality-Having people in your homes opens up a new level of trust, intimacy, friendship. After several years, one woman quite hostile to Christianity allowed Staci to talk with her about the gospel. In addition, having folks in your homes allows people to see your strengths as well as your weaknesses-which gives you a chance to model repentance. Weaknesses probably give us more of an opportunity for the gospel, so there is nothing to fear (like screwing up or accidentally saying something you shouldn’t) for the repentant person! There is simply a deeper level of intimacy when people come into our homes. Staci mentioned that it is different than just being out in public or hanging at a coffeehouse.

2.) Intentionality-Staci specifically mentioned being convicted about being intentional with her neighbors. The Vietnam gang takes the initiative with this whole deal each year. While Staci has been involved in bringing several folks to Hope and even more into her house, she still felt a need to continually be intentional in seeking to bring folks into their homes. She has seen the gospel go forth in the context of hospitality over the years. Obviously a very hospitable woman already, we all felt challenged/encouraged to keep pressing forward to advance His Kingdom, not our own. I love it when ‘non-professional Christians’ (I’m being facetious of course) communicate my vision and live it even better than myself. I left encouraged, and excited to continue moving forward.

First of all, I do need to make reference to an earlier post. I left early from the Casting Crowns concert on Sunday night, and apparently the lead singer chose a later time to encourage people to find a church home. And one of the folks whom I thought didn’t attend a church, apparently, has been visiting a church. It takes a big man to admit he’s wrong, and sometimes I’m big. I’m being big now. Big and humble.

I chose not to attach an image to this post. You’ll understand why very shortly.

When one is an expectant father, he will find himself doing things he never would have seen himself doing. Here’s an example. Yesterday I made a few phone calls during my lunch break to doctor’s offices. Why? Our OBGYN doesn’t do circumcisions anymore. And neither does our desired pediatrician. I’m not going to do it, so I realized I would have to ‘hire out’ or ‘subcontract’ (not really sure what the correct term is) out this procedure.

The two offices I talked to yesterday both informed me of their prices. So I was trying to find the cheapest circumciser in the area (the strange thing is that we don’t know what we’re having so it all might be a moot point). Not sure if that’s really wise. The cheapest circumciser? One place told me they take cash only. 200 dollars as opposed to 250; but they take cash only. Not sure if that was a good option either.

I really wanted a boy at first (I would be happy with whoever God will bless us with-so don’t go nuts on me please) so I could take him fishing, coach his sports, etc….But I actually think we’re going to have a girl, which I will be plenty and JUST AS thankful for. And I really want a girl some time. Maybe sooner rather than later, especially after these strange conversations!

One of my favorite things to do (well that is probably an exaggeration) is to pronounce myself a “Good Samaritan.” Amy and I do it all the time if we do anything decently nice or nicely. On the way to the concert on Sunday, I did so again, and explained to those in the car that anyone who does anything good or semi-good automatically becomes a Good Samaritan. Especially on the evening news.

Just last night it was reported that a homeless man turned in a wallet he found with a hundred dollars in it. Now honestly that is amazing, and probably news worthy. But when he was interviewed, his ‘title’ was “Good Samaritan.” I’ve seen dozens of similar interviews where the person in question somehow garners that title. If you do something good, you’re a Good Samaritan.

This title has been used so haphazardly that it no longer means what it used to mean. A Good Samaritan was originally an oxy-moron. It originally referred to someone who risked his life and spent his time and money to save a clear cut enemy: the person he saved actually despised him (or Samaritans as a race).

Probably a more relevant term would be “The Good Talibani.” That might capture the hostility and the risk, cost, and grace shown by the parable of the Good Samaritan.

I don’t really like it when folks no longer use the word “Christian” (substituting ‘Christ-follower’) to define themselves-I think we should just redefine the term biblically. However, I understand why they do so. Just like Good Samaritan, “Christian” doesn’t mean a whole lot anymore. Anyone who does something ‘good’ could be interviewed by the news with the subtitle “Christian.”

And a Christian is a disciple (Matt 28:19-20) or ‘Christ-follower.’ So I guess I could get used to it; though I do think its a little too trendy for me to start using it! I wonder how long that term will last; I’m betting a century or less. Too bad I won’t be around to collect the money.

As a pastor, my calendar is usually filled with stuff. So being flexible is usually not an option. I usually have to plan flexibility, if that makes any sense (leave days open to be flexible). If my mother-in-law is a schedule ‘Bloodhound,’ my Mother has nasal blockages. My family is a last minute family. Because of Amy’s mother, they are a first minute family. Just for the record, I think both have good points.

On Thursday night my mother left a voicemail explaining that someone had given her a bunch of tickets to the Casting Crown’s concert on Sunday night. After an interchange of yes and no, wait-and-see phone calls, I felt led on Saturday to take the youth group, and a random spattering of others (friends, in-laws, roommate of friends and boyfriend, etc…). I usually hate to cancel normal youth group due to lack of momentum, but I’m glad I did this time. Change of pace is good some times.

The concert was great, the musicians skillful, and worshipful (Lyrics on the screen), and Christ centered. We were fortunate just to get there in time (I had to run to the ticket counter, arriving there 5 minutes before it closed-which would have precluded us from getting in). God providentially worked out several things of which I have neither the time to tell nor can afford the embarrassment of telling.

One thing I’ve noticed over the years: if you’re a Christian artist in a concert setting, you can say no wrong. People just go nuts. But at least the lead singer promoted the sponsorship of World Vision kids-and the line at the table was WAY LONG.

My only real critique of the evening was that he ASSUMED everyone attending had a church home. Unfortunately that is not always the case, and sometimes regularly not the case. You’d be surprised at how many people simply don’t go to church, or don’t go on a regular basis. With the affect he had on World Vision recruiting, I only wish he would have said: “Get thee to a church home and stay there, worship, connect, and serve.” I had folks with me who don’t go to church at all, or go off-and-on. It would have been nice for them to be challenged by someone else other than me.

Other than that, a late, but great, fun, and bonding filled evening. And flexible too.

As a father to be, I wonder how my own junk will affect my child. No father is perfect, and so all of us who were at one time children, deal in some way with junk passed down from our parents. One family I knew at a previous church always blamed others and never took any personal responsibility. It was passed down from father to all of his children. In Billy Madison, the O’Doyle family continually proclaimed “O’Doyles rule!” until the whole family drove off a cliff in their station wagon. I see it all around me. Even at the gym.

Let me explain. On Friday, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a beautiful Mulletino (aka the Latin Mullet). The long part in the back was bleached and permed, while the rest was dark brown. As I left the gym, I spotted one of his kids. The sides of his head were shaved, while the top was short, and the back was long, flowing, and pristine. Another Mulletino. Like father, like son. Sorry I didn’t get a picture with my cell phone. Maybe another day.

Since no father is perfect, it just reminds me of the need to be a repentant father and to regularly point my child to the Heavenly Father. Otherwise he might try to look a little bit TOO much like me. Although I’m not worried about him/her trying to copy my hair style: balding brown is not really ‘in’ right now.