Epic

So, today two amazing things have happened. The U.S. won their World Cup soccer match with a thrilling goal in the 91st minute. And then, half a world away in England, two tennis players played a match that lasted 10 hours (and still isn't even done yet.) Two epic sports events on the same day. One matters a whole lot to an entire nation. One probably matters most to those of us who love and play Tennis (although playing Wimbledon-level tennis for 10 hours is mind-boggling.) For both events, however, I come back to the same image: Don't give up.

In the World Cup match, the U.S. team wouldn't give up. After bad calls, and near misses, they never hung their heads, they never gave up. When the game moved into bonus time, 4 minutes to go before the end of their quest was over, they still didn't give up. And those Tennis players? Forget about it. It would have been so easy for one of the players to drop a game after, say, 7 hours of tennis. But neither did. They just would not give up.

Where does that strength come from? Where do you see that kind of resolve? From our Creator. The original "Don't give up", guy. No matter how many times we fall away from Him, no matter how many ways we seem to run far from Him, God just doesn't give up on us. He's always loving, always pursuing, always coming for us, until we're right where we're supposed to be, in His grip. Congrats to U.S. Soccer. Congrats to Isner and Mahut. And thanks be to God, for never, ever giving up on us.

Don't go to Church, Be the Church

Bill

Swagger Wagon

For any Dad, or Mom, who's out there driving something slightly less than their dream car, this video is for you. Check it out here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql-N3F1FhW4

Happy Father's Week!

Bill

Dads and Quail

So, there's been a family of quail that have lived outside of my office for the better part of the last year. Not being a hunter, I don't really know that much about quail, but seeing this family nearly every week for months, I've observed something about their behavior. The dad of the family is very, very protective of his wife and kids.

As a group they'll wander through the grass, all hunting for food. Except Dad. More often than not he hops up onto the BBQ in the middle of our grassy area and he looks for danger. When he's not up in the "high ground" he's down among the family, running from front to back, always checking for predators, always keeping his guard up so that everyone else can have lunch with a sense of peace. I see him every now and then grab a bug, or worm while he's on the job, but he never lets down his guard while the family is out in the open.

I admit, I'm humbled by this bird. What a roel model to being a caring and protective dad. Sacrificing of himself to make sure that his family is okay. I hope that if someone were to observe me from afar they might see a similar committment to my family, but would they? This week, I'm inspired to try and be more like this father quail I see. And, I'm more committed than ever to not go hunting :)

Don't go to Church, be the Church

Bill

Father's Week

Leading up to Father's day, I thought I'd take advantage of the situation and focus on Dad's for a bit. I'm biased on this, of course. I trying hard to be a good Dad for my own kids, and I've got some great role models to follow as well. Sarah's Dad, my Father-in-law, was a wonderful man, and we miss him terribly 7 years after his Homecoming with Jesus. We always say he's up in Heaven, patiently having some Ice Cream waiting for the rest of us to join him someday. And, of course, my own Dad has been an incredible role model and influence on my life. He's so encouraging, and really just a big cheerleader for me and my family, I'm very thankful to be able to call him whenever I need him.
But, all of us earthly Dads have one more model as well. Our Father in heaven, who actually is perfect in ways that the rest of us can only strive to be. That can be intimidating, but it should also be encouraging. We were made in His image, after all. So, if we're striving to be like him, we're doing something right. So, for all the Dads out there, and for anybody who's got a Dad, I encourage you to check back in this week as we celebrate the Dads here in this world, and the greatest Dad of all as well.

Don't go to church, Be the church

Bill

Sun then Rain then Sun then Rain then. . .

First off, I'm thinking we might actually get Sun for Maple Valley Days. Now wouldn't that be something! I don't want to jinx it, but it would be kinda fabulous.

And, on a somewhat related note, it's on days like this that we can be thankful Jesus is here today, and tomorrow. He's here in the great days, and here in the dark days. He's here no matter the weather, no matter the circumstances of life. Lots of stuff changes in our life, most of it well outside of our control. But Jesus loving us and forgiving us, that's one thing we can't change or control that is very, very good. Have a great Wednesday.

Don't go to Church, Be the Church

Bill

Story

So today, for the Sermon, I was emphasizing the wonderful gift that the Gospels are because they're more than "just" History but they're Story. What I mean is, in a time and place when stories really resonate with people, what a blessing that the Gospels fit that genre. You see, I love the Lord of the Rings books, and the Harry Potter books, and Watership Down is one of my favorite books of all time. Those stories strike me, they change me even. They affect how I see courage, and brotherhood, and Faith. Are those stories true? Not factually, of course, they're fiction. But what they say is really true to me.
The Gospels work on a similar level, only better. Because those stories also change me and affect me. When I read them for the "facts" I find that pretty interesting. But when I just read them, as stories, that's when they really come alive. And, in the case of the Bible stories, they really are true, factually as well as subjectively. What a gift. I hope you get a chance to read one of your favorite Bible stories this week. And enjoy it as a story. Who knows how it might change you.

Don't go to church, Be the church!

Bill