Tsunamis in Asia (videos)

Click here to go to three videos you can download. The first one is the most dramatic. Scary.

Reeling

I am arrogant. Really. Everyday on my way into work from the parking lot I pass a USA Today newspaper dispenser. Well, the other day I saw a headline, something like “Region hit by natural disaster”. Well I naturally thought, “Oh, they must mean us. We got hit with a crap load of snow and after all we’re the center of the universe.” (ok, not the last part) Upon finding out that it was not us and some far away country I glibbly pasted by without so much as a second thought.

Since then I’ve come to realize just what the story is about. Ashamed at my own self-centeredness and self-absorption, I humbly submit to you, faithful reader, the real deal. Please pray. Give money if you can.

NPR : Sri Lanka, Indonesia Reeling from Tsunami

Messy Christian’s Virtual prayer room: Asian tsunami crisis

Articles: Models and Disciples

ARE THERE MODELS AT ALL?

by Craig Morton & Gary Waller

Often as we travel we are asked, “does the attractional model of church growth still work?” “If not then what model does work?” Many churches are participating in “40 Days of Purpose,” using “The Jabez Principle,” or trying to be “seeker sensitive.” These are just a few of the “models” available to stimulate growth, numerically and spiritually within congregations. Sometimes these models work and sometimes they don’t. There are certain questions that this topic stirs up. And the question that arises is “are models what are really needed?”

BELIEVERS or DISCIPES?

by Adam Ellis

What if the way that we present “becoming a Christian” or “getting saved” is acutally producing people who are MORE self centered than less? What if all our focus on an event that makes it possible for you to go to Heaven (or “not Hell”) when you die is producing people who embrace that fact but coundn’t care less about becoming like Jesus? Is it possible that we’ve made mental agreement with certain propositional ideas our highest goal at the expense of the apprenticeship (discipleship) of Jesus and the mission of the Kingdom of God?

BTW – I got that thing out of my teeth. Thanks for all your cards and letters of support. They really meant a lot.

hum

I have something stuck in my teeth. Its like a popcorn kernel, except I haven’t had any popcorn. It may be from the granola. It is really annoying and yea, tho I floss it persists.

Which reminds me. I have a sneaky suspicion that Paul’s “thorn in his side” was a lisp. I know, I know, not nearly spiritual enough. But for someone who spoke a lot… and the Paul I read about was a real talker, then a lisp would be quite the annoyance.

Or perhaps it was an actual thorn in his side. We read it metaphorically when, in fact, he originated the idea from an actual thorn implanted in his side from a bad run in with a rose bush. This could hurt.

Great AllGroup, Art Show, Gallery Talk, Christmas Party this weekend. Good family time with our VC family.

That is all. As you were.

wright and brueggemann talking

mp3s of talks by tom wright and walter brueggemann available to download. (thanks jonny)

“the script of military consumerism cannot make us safe and it cannot make us happy”

“health for our society depends on a disengagement and reliquishment of this script”

“it is the task of ministry to de-script that script among us”

there’s lots more… but my brain can’t keep up… listen well.

Sold.Bought.Anticipate

Front Porch
Originally uploaded by aaronklinefelter.

We Closed!!! Its a lonnnnnng story, but we made it. It is officially ours… well the bank owns 99.992% of it, but you know.

We move in on the 30th (and we need help). We’re hosting a house-blessing-worship-in-the-new-year-in-our-new-house-party on the 31st, 9 PM till whenever. Come One, Come All!

Still awaiting job details, but some good things are in the works. Nothing definite, but God is active (He has been all along, but we’re more aware of it now). I anticipate something of a sea-change afloat for we 3 Klinefelters. Not sure what it will develop into, but I sense the shift from waiting to _________. Stability? Settledness? Soaking-in? Not sure. But God is doing a new thing. Its fun to be part of it.

Less Is More

IT Conversations: Grant McCracken – Less Is More

“Grant McCracken holds a PhD in anthropology from The University of Chicago. He is the author of Culture and Consumption, The Long Interview and Big Hair. He was the founding director of the Institute of Contemporary Culture at the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) and has recently taught at McGill University and Harvard Business School. Born and raised in Vancouver, BC, Grant’s resume also includes stints as a phonebook proofreader and chauffeur to a Hollywood star.”

Go to the link above and listen to clip from Pop!Tech 2004 held in Camden, Maine, October 21-23, 2004. This is good stuff and applicable to how we’re doing church. From Chaos to Order, from Alternative to Mainstream to Has-been, and here we are doing this “simple church” thing and that’s pretty alternative….and it will likely go to mainstream at some point, not sure how but it will. That may be good or bad. I’m not entirely sure… but I am sure that we are called to be counter-cultural and an alternative to the ways of power, aggression, oppression, and violence – in all its various forms (physical, social, emotional, and spiritual).

The Incredible Morphing Jesus

jonnybaker: worship trick 8 [second series] – jesus morph – very very cool. thanks jonny.

Lots afoot, part 2

I’ve teased, so I oughta come clean – a bit. Details are still filtering in and together…. but:

1) we close on the house tomorrow, 1:00 PM

2) one job opportunity on the table

3) one possible job opportunity pending

God does this thing… he provides… odd, I know. It seems that I would have caught on by now, but nevertheless. We’ll see what happens. Prayers for wisdom muchly needed!

LeTreat Pics

VC Leaders
Originally uploaded by aaronklinefelter.

Click the pic see more pics. Our annual VC Leaders Retreat (LeTreat) was awesome. It was a wonderful time of celebrating and bonding and envisioning and listening and…