god-in-a-bottle

There's this tendency in me to treat God as though he's a genie in a bottle. I carry the bottle around with me and if I ever get in a tough spot, or if the weight of my sin becomes too great, I rub the bottle and out pops God--ready and willing to grant me my wish...bailing me out or giving me yet another fresh start.

And then, of course, he must go back in the bottle until next time.
After all, if he were always outside of the bottle, well, it might cramp my style.

See, I want him near--I need him near. That's why I always keep the bottle with me. That, and I want everybody to see me carrying the bottle...I want everyone to know that I'm a guy who keeps God with me all the time. Image is important to me.

As I think this through, the bottle really tells my story: God, how 'bout you come along with me. God, I'm going to head this way, and yes, you're important enough to me that I want you to come along, I want you in on my gig. But ultimately, I guess all too often God is not important enough to me for me to say, "God, I'm coming with you. God, I want to be on your plan, your agenda...I want your way. You lead. I'll follow."

May today be the end of the God-in-a-bottle era of my life.

blake wood is my hero

So Blake is back from Egypt. He got in last night...wants to golf with me ASAP. We decide to get a quick nine in tonight. Dude has been in EGYPT for almost a year. Hasn't even swung a golf club since last summer. And he strolls into town and promptly shoots a 41 (as evidenced below).


Blake's putter was really working for him tonight. Mine...notsomuch. But it was fun. And it's great to have Blake back. I'm expecting a lot of golf, motorcycling, basketball, and movies with him (he'll only be here for about 2 months). And yes, Mrs. Bunn is preprared for this.

poreuomai

I love going to Aqua. What an incredible night we had last night. The spirit of worship was truly awesome. I love the people who come to Aqua. They are truly some of my favorite people on earth.

In case you missed it (or in case you're not "eligible" for Aqua, but would still like to be in 'the know'), here's what happened:

We talked about how as followers of Christ, we are called to go.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Matthew 28:19-20a

The Greek word for "go" is poreuomai. It means to travel, depart, go, take a journey, walk.

The point? Here it is: we cannot stay where we are and fulfill the Great Commission. You and I are called, literally, to go.

So we issued the challenge: Let's (Aqua) go change the world. I told the crowd that we are sending Aqua--as many as we can accommodate--to Egypt in January to "Aquify" a thirsty desert. We're going to go do a vbs and teacher training for 10 days.

Wanna hear something cool? At least 20 people came up afterwards and said, "Count me in." I want to go rock Egypt with the love of Jesus Christ." 20+ people! How cool is that?

20 people who said, "I'm willing to step outside my comfort zone. I'm willing to trust God to provide me with the courage, finances, and time to be able to go. I want to go touch a life in Egypt."

I'm stoked. And there's still room. If you're a part of Aqua (or even if you wish you were), and you'd like to explore the possibility of traveling with us to Egypt this winter, e-mail me. I'll get you in the loop.

If you were at Aqua last night and fear or obstacles kept you from saying yes to going, e-mail me. We'll do our best to make room for you.

See, we believe that you can't be a follower of Christ and be comfortable. He will always take you to a place of faith.

Maybe he wants to take you to Egypt.

chadillac almost takes a dive

We all love Chad...so I had to post this video on YouTube (sorry Chadillac).

Here it is...our own Chad Stutzman baptizing someone yesterday (and almost baptizing himself in the process).



(a film by Jeff Conn) :)

sunday's scuds (june 24, 2007)

Today was another stand-alone message from Dwight. He led us in what was basically a "family talk" about what we value here at NewPointe. The message was titled "More Than Words." In it, Dwight talked about 10 specific words or phrases that are sacred to NewPointe.

Dwight began with the three i's. He said that if you'll be diligent in growing in these three areas, you will grow in Christ. He said you cannot not do these three things and be mature.

He said that when there's a team or group of people all speaking the same language, they can accomplish anything. So he opened the NewPointe dictionary...and here's the language:

• "If we have one word that describes NewPointe, it would be 'relational'."
• "We believe that every person needs to be part of a small group."

Word #1: Biblical Worldview

• "We believe that every man or woman, apart from Christ, is eternally lost."
• "God himself has provided a way to redeem us through the person of Jesus Christ."

Word #2: Scriptural Authority

• "The Word of God is the final authority on everything we do and say."
• "Maximum freedom is found under God's authority."
• "Most churches are not scriptural. Most churches are run on tradition."
• "NewPointe is not (and will never be) a club or a museum...it's a movement."

Word #3: Environments

• "We can't force people to do anything...we can't make them grow spiritually...but we can create environments that are conducive to spiritual growth."
• "Most people believe in God...but they don't believe in the church. They think that because church is irrelevant, God must also be irrelevant."

Word #4: Serve

• "We expect everyone here to serve. Don't be a pew-potato. Don't become just a 'taker'."
• "People of like-minded faith + the Spirit of God moving = priorities beginning to change--that's what happens in a small group."
• "Our ultimate goal as a church is not to meet your needs. Our goal is to help you take your next step."
• "The only way you can serve God is by serving other people."
• "If you want to 'go deep,' you don't need another Bible study, you need to serve.
• "Through serving God will change your heart and your mind."

Word #5: Community

• "Faith is a personal thing...but it was never meant to be private."

Word #6: Stewardship

• God owns everything...and we are stewards...and one day each of us will give an account."

Word #7: Invest & Invite

Word #8: Spiritual Leadership

• "Are you doing anything big with your life? If you would die, would anyone other than your immediate family miss you?

Word #9: Change

• "We will always be changing at NewPointe."
• "The church is not an organization--it is an organism...that means that it's always changing."

Word #10: Journey

• "We are called to accept one another where they're at, and encourage them to take their next steps."

more "signs" that this blog is outta control

Apparently it's not just churches that are promoting http://www.johnbunn.net/ on their exterior signs. Businesses from all over North America are also jumping on the Thinking-Outside-the-Bunn bandwagon.

Here are some recent photographs sent in:

Thanks for the love, guys. I'm especially honored and impressed by the Cubs marquee (I'm not even a Cubs fan). I guess they just recognize a good blog when they see one.

cross one (and thirteen) off the list

Last week I wrote about three things that I have never done. You can read about it here.

Well, cross one off the list. Yesterday the fam and I actually went to Cedar Point! Unbelievable day!

As most of you know, Cedar Point is generally considered one of the best amusement parks in the world and it currently holds the world record for having the most roller coasters (17).

We (meaning mainly my 12-year-old daughter Natalie and I) rode 13 of the 17 (not bad for a day's work). Here's the list of the ones we rode...from worst to first:

13. Cedar Creek Mine Ride. Yawn. Even if there's no line for it (and there wasn't), skip it.

12. Iron Dragon. Looks fun...but that's about it. Hanging coaster that just doesn't go fast enough. Maybe at a lesser theme park it would seem like more of a thrill but at CP, it just doesn't measure up.

11. Corkscrew. Just okay. The kids, even the 9-year-olds, like it. They rode it three times...no line...that's an indicator of how good (or not good) a coaster is.

10. Disaster Transport. Indoor coaster. First one we rode. Kinda fun...but the line was a bit too long for what it delivered. But we had to ride it, of course, to cross it off our list.

9. Gemini. This was probably the big kahuna back in the day. Nowadays, it's just another throw-back wooden coaster. When you ride, prepare for whiplash (and a back-crack). Ouch.

8. Blue Streak. Small wooden coaster built in 1964. More fun than I expected.

7. Mantis. Stand-up coaster. Good ride. At any park other than CP, this would probably be one of the main attractions. At CP, it's just one of many good ones. Lots of loops. Made me a little queasy (partly because we'd already been riding coasters for several hours).

6. Raptor. Suspended (hanging) coaster. Recently voted the 11th best steel coaster in the world.

5. Magnum XL-200. Another great coaster (72 mph). At one time, it was the tallest, fastest coaster in the world (by a long way). Again, at most parks, this would be the tops. Great ride. No line. Rode back-to-back without waiting. Amazing.

4. Wicked Twister. Second ride of the day for us. Amazing...and kinda scary (but aren't those the best kind?). It's the world's tallest, fastest double-twisting impulse coaster. Wicked good.

3. Millennium Force. If you've ridden it, you might be saying, "What...#3?" See, the Millennium Force is often ranked as the world's absolute best coaster. And it is awesome. 93 mph. 310 feet high. Simply amazing.

2. Maverick. Brand new. Opened less than a month ago. Waited 52 minutes to ride. AND MAN, WAS IT WORTH THE WAIT! Its 95 degree drop is one of the steepest drops on any roller coaster. It boasts eight “airtime” hills (where riders experience weightlessness), and an absolutely unreal second launch halfway through the ride. If you go to CP, don't miss this one.

1. Top Thrill Dragster. There was some debate in our family over the top three. Most agreed that they could all be interchangeable. Since it's my blog, I have the final say. This ride lasts less than 30 seconds but, YIKES, WHAT A CRAZY 30 SECONDS! Zero to 120 mph in FOUR SECONDS!



Unbelievable day. Cross one off the list.

oxygen

Last week I golfed with a friend who told me he hasn't golfed in about five years. He said that when he was asked to come along, his first reaction was: I'd like to, but I'm too busy. Then he told me that as he thought it through, he realized that he could come up with a thousand reasons not to golf. But he had one really good reason to say yes: doing something he enjoys with people he enjoys. So he decided to golf with us. I'm glad he did.

It reminded me of how easy it can be to say "no" to things that don't seem productive.

I received some good advice from a leader I respect. He told me that it's immensely important to actually DO the things that revive you and give you energy. This doesn't mean "wasting" time on mindless junk...it means that we all have stuff that we really enjoy doing and it actually gives us energy. This leader compared it to oxygen, indicating that if you don't have enough of it in your life, you're actually not going to be as productive as you could/should be.

He told me to make a list of 20 things I love to do and then look over the list and take note of how often I'm participating in those activities. He asked, "Are your oxygen tanks full or dangerously low?"

Too often...they are low. So I made the list. I won't bore you with all of it...so how 'bout 10 of them?

Here's my list of ten:

1. Yes, golf. Duh.
2. Ride my motorcycle (which is cool because I can ride it to work, thus accomplishing two things at once).
3. Just hanging out with my family.
4. Getting away...I mean AWAY...with my family.
5. Reading.
6. Movies.
7. Coaching my kids in sports.
8. Hanging out with friends.
9. Basketball.
10. Roller coasters.

As you can see, my list is heavy on summer-time activities. So my oxygen tanks are most likely to get low during the winter. I have to watch this stuff. I can be like my golf-buddy who can always find reasons to NOT engage in many of these activities.

Do you have a list? Leave a comment and share it. If you don't have one, make one and share it here. I'd love to know the things that energize YOU!

johnny the bagger

This is Johnny. He's a nineteen-year-old bagger at a supermarket.

This is his story: The Simple Truths of Service

father's day ride to dresden

We had another great ride on Sunday. This time we visited Dresden, Ohio to have lunch at Popeye's (a 50's diner). It was great fun...and a great route.

We had 16 bikes in all (pretty good considering it was Father's Day). My kids had been trying to make Father's Day plans for me prior to the ride and then they decided that what they'd really like to do is have Mommy follow the bikes in the minivan while each of the girls took turns riding with me on the back of my bike.


Naomi LOVED her portion of the trip. Natalie would probably tell you that her portion lasted about a half-hour too long. But she says she still had fun and wants to do it again. It was a great day with my biker friends and my family. What more could a guy want for Father's Day?


The next ride is Sunday, July 22 @ 12:30 p.m. Hope you can make it! (If you don't have a bike, hurry and go buy one before the next ride).

sunday's scuds (6-17-07)

Currently at NewPointe, we're taking a couple of weeks in between series with "stand-alone" messages from Dwight. Yesterday's message: Elephant Wisdom. He looked at our responsibilities as adults as it relates to one of our greatest treasures: our kids. Here are the scuds:

• "Adolescence is a cultural invention of Western society."
• "The duration of adolescence lengthens with cultural and individual trauma."
• "The greatest trauma of all is abandonment."
• "Today, instead of parents worrying about their kids, kids worry about their parents."
• "Kids haven't changed...their needs haven't changed...mom and dad are the ones who've changed."

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned
like a child. When I became a man, I put the childish ways behind me." 1
Corinthians 13:11

• "As parents, we tend to prioritize our needs ahead of the needs of those whose needs we are called to meet."
• "Our sacred treasure: Our young people. Our sacred responsibility: To guide them and assure safe passage."
• Adults, you need to come on Sundays and sit in one of these chairs and then you need to go serve our kids...because our kids are our sacred treasure."
• "When does a person become an adult? When he/she has the understanding, skills, and courage to willingly take responsibility for his/her life and choices and is able and willing to live interdependently with others in a wide community."
• "Our responsibility: lifelong intentional mentoring."
• "Jesus grew in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and man...because he was mentored."
• "I'm calling every dad in here to invest in his kids. Because if you miss it with your kids--you missed it!"
• "Mom, if you've got a career and your kids don't make it, it wasn't worth it."

Dwight explained to us the phenomenon of orphaned elephants...fatherless bulls who need mentored...and how male elephants instinctively know when and how to mentor the abandoned within the herd. The technical term he used is musth.

He wrapped things up by challenging us and encouraging us to do two things, first be a mentor (like the elephant, find the person who's languishing and come along side them in a mentoring relationship). And secondly, find someone who's a couple of steps ahead of you and then humble yourself by asking to be mentored.

Bottom line: Be a mentor...and be mentored.

happy father's day to me!

Today was a great day! There are bunch of reasons. My family being the #1 reason that makes any day great.

But the image on the left is icing on the cake. That's right...for Father's Day my kids gave me something I've been wanting for a couple of years. I just assumed I'd never get one because I've not been willing to shell out the dough for ye olde TaylorMade r7 driver.

But they all saved for it and presented it to me just moments ago.

You know what this means...two things...#1: no excuses for poor drives anymore (If I only had an r7...). #2: I'm going to have to golf more often to make good use of it.

Happy Father's Day indeed!

increasing in popularity...

You guys, my blog is blowing up! Unbelievable. People from all over the country have been emailing me these photos of church signs they've seen promoting www.johnbunn.net. I'm truly humbled and honored...

And my personal fave:

jeep rides, andy stanley, and andrew

I love my Jeep. Andrew, my soon-to-be five-year-old LOVES riding in the Jeep. He just thinks it's cool...and he thinks his dad is cool. Who am I to disagree?

I have a CD-changer in my Jeep. Ten Cd's. No music. I know, weird, huh? All ten slots in the magazine have teaching Cd's in them (Hybels, Mike Breaux, Ed Young, Erwin McManus, Rob Bell). And, oh yeah, I keep Cd's of my own messages around so I can listen, critique (and cringe) while in my Jeep. One of my favorites, and most frequently listened to speakers is Andy Stanley.

Andrew knows this by now. And he knows there's no chance for music when he rides with me. But he wants something playing through the speakers...so a few months ago, he began asking me...not, "Daddy, can we listen to some music?" But rather, "Daddy, can we listen to Andy Stanley?"

Yup. Andrew ASKS to listen to Andy Stanley. How many four-year-old do you know that specifically request Andy Stanley Cd's? Funny though, he never asks to listen to a Cd of me preaching.

next series at newpointe

Miracles. I'm stoked. I dig miracles.

We read about miracles in the Bible all the time. Jesus got a lot of attention and stirred up a bunch of controversy with the miracles he performed. He turned water into wine, raised the dead, healed people, even calmed the raging sea.

What about now? Do miracles still happen? Is the impossible really possible in our lives?

During this series, we're going to be looking at five specific miracles of Jesus. And we'll see how each of those miracles matters to our lives--right now.

Expect some amazingly creative stuff (musically, visually, communicatively) It's going to be taught by yours truly with a little Blake Wood mixed in for good measure. Here's the rundown:

• July 1 :: Calming the Storm
• July 8 :: Water into Wine
• July 15 :: Opening Blinded Eyes
• July 22 :: Casting Out the Evil Spirit
• July 29 :: Raising Lazarus from the Dead

Who couldn't use a miracle in their life?

See you a the 'pointe!

funny

i have never...

Believe it or not, I have never...

• Been to Cedar Point
• Seen the Movie Braveheart
• Been stung by a bee

Your turn.

I have never __________________ (leave a comment).

sunday's scuds (june 10, 2007)

Yesterday we wrapped up the Adventures In Missing the Point series. I thought the whole series was strong. Yesterday, yours truly had the privilege of teaching. We talked about how we so often miss the point when it comes to pursuits in life. Here are some of the scuds:

• "Most of us wouldn't sell our soul for any amount of money, but many of us give it away one day at a time."


• "If I'd ask you, 'Is your life about things?' Most of you would say, intellectually, 'No.' But the reality is that the way many of us live reflects the core belief that life really is about things."


• "The next time you go out and buy something you don't need with money you don't have to impress people you don't know, you've just made a statement that your life really does consist of the abundance of things."


• "It's not a sin to have nice things. It's not bad to have a lot of money...it's bad when those things have us."


• "Much more than stealing our possessions, our spiritual enemy loves to steal our contentment...and divert us into pursuing things that do not last."


• "When we begin to compare, we lose our gratitude...and we become discontent."


• "Paul found the secret to being content in every situation. Here it is: I can do everything through him who gives me strength."


• "If I can do everything through Christ, then at this moment, he has given me everything I need to do what he wants me to do. I lack nothing to accomplish his perfect will. And if I lack nothing to do what he wants me to do, then what more should I desire at this moment?"


• "When you look over at your neighbor's yard and the grass looks greener...maybe it's time to water your own yard."
  
• "If their grass looks greener, part of the reason is that from your vantage point, you can't see the dog poop that's all over their yard...Because it's there."
  
• "The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus said, "I have come that you may have life...and not just that but the fullest, most satisfying kind of life possible."
  
• "If you're searching, what you're really searching for is Jesus."
  


• 

the wisdom of andrew bunn

I had a very cool conversation today with my son Andrew, who will be five in less than three weeks. Here's how it went:

Andrew: Daddy, why does God love you?

Me: He loves me because he made me. And he made me special. Just like you. Because God made you...and he made you special...he loves you soooo much.

Andrew: Yeah...I think God made me so I could snuggle with people. And so I could say "thank you" when somebody gives me something. And so I can be friends with people.

Me: I think you're right, buddy.

Andrew: I think God loves me because he likes to take care of me.

Man, I hope he never forgets that stuff.

my fourth post in one day (and baptism videos)

That's a new record for me...I've never posted four times in one day before. So that's one reason for this post right here...just wanted to set a new Bunn record.

The second reason is this: We shot another Baptism video yesterday...Tom Troyer. Tom's a great dude and it's been a blast getting to know him over the past few months. Tom and his wife Elsie were in the most recent Starting Pointe group that I led. The significance of that is this: Tom is the fifth person from that Starting Pointe group of 12 people that is going to be baptized. How cool is that? Five people!

Hey, if you haven't gotten into a Starting Pointe group yet, what are you waiting for? It'll rock your world.

If you'd like to be there when Tom and the other four SP folks take the plunge (along with many others) don't miss church on July 8. It'll be a day to remember!

more burger chef

Okay...I had to post these. I've gotten a lot of feedback and great conversations from this post. In the post I mentioned how as a kid, I liked going to Burger Chef. Well, someone directed me to these vintage Burger Chef commercials, so here you go...enjoy.

things most people can do that i can't

1. Put my fingers in my mouth and do one of those really loud whistles.
2. Hula hoop...I'm hopeless.
3. Spin a basketball on my finger for more than 15 seconds.
4. Zip something up on the first try (I'm terrible with zippers...I don't know why).
5. Raise just my right eyebrow by itself. I can raise my right one by itself but not the left.
6. Make my chewing gum crackle and pop while chewing it.
7. Make myself belch. Can you believe that? Everybody I know can swallow air in a certain way as to conjure up a belch but I've never been able to do it.

I'm sure there's more stuff. But that's my list for now.

What are the things that most people can do that you can't?

first wednesday and second sunday

First Wednesday was amazing. I hope you were able to be there. I've had many, many people comment to me or email me about how meaningful it was for them. It was just one of those nights where the Holy Spirit showed up in an unbelievable way. I know that God healed some hurts at First Wednesday. Again, I hope you were able to make it.

The music was simply incredible. Strong opening bluesy-jazz song by the band. Jody's guitar solo was crazy-good.

The worship set during communion time was truly amazing. Thanks to Danny and the band for bringing excellence to First Wednesdays.

Here's something you'll want to be aware of: There will be no First Wednesday in July (because of the July 4 holiday). First Wednesday will be back in August. We've already begun planning and this I know: you will NOT want to miss it.

Oh, one more thing...do NOT miss this Sunday...we're concluding the Adventures in Missing the Point series and it's going to be one of those days that gets talked about at the water cooler at work the next day. Don't be the guy who stands at the water cooler saying, "Dang! I missed it!" We're going to be talking about how we have moments of wants and mistake them for needs. AND...we're going to be asking the question: What would you do for a million dollars?

See you Sunday.

blogging NewPointers

Here are the blogs of NewPointers (the ones that I know have blogs). Thought you might be interested in checking some of them out.

• Rhonda Lowe :: Let The Song Out
• The Hamsher Family :: Hamsher Family Adventures
• Tina Lawver :: The Artful Life
• Ted Lawver :: My Ramblings
• Eric Durbin :: Durby's Politically Incorrect Insights
• Lee Ann Miller :: Stik a Fork in It
• Tricia Newsome :: Organized Confusion
• Rita Hershberger :: Java Junkie
• Lisa Troyer :: Keep It Simple Sister
• Leslie Holloway :: Music From the Heart

If you're a NewPointer and you've got a blog that I don't know about, leave a comment and I'll spread the word!

i wanna be full of it!

I'm reading the Book of Acts right now. Man, it is a blast to read through the beginnings of the church. I'm so inspired by the courage of the early Christians. One guy in particular fascinates me...Barnabas. Check out what Acts 11:24 says about Barnabas:

for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many
people were added to the Lord.

Man! That's the kind of guy I want to be! That's what I want people to say about me: he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and full of faith! And because of him, many people came to know Jesus!

i can't even think of a good title for this blog...just read it and rejoice

We just finished shooting five baptism videos this evening. Five incredible stories of life-change. Five people who love Jesus so much that they're making a public declaration of their new association with him.

We're going to be baptizing a whole bunch of people later this month and early next month. I love it.

Four of the people whose videos we shot today were in the Starting Pointe group I recently led. I can't tell you how proud I am of those guys. All four of them had concerns/reservations about doing the video and then being on stage in front of so many people on Sunday morning. But they each decided that baptism was something they absolutely needed to do. I'm pumped.

Mostly I pumped because I got to hear each of their stories first-hand tonight. Most people wouldn't know this but when the baptism candidates are talking on video, they're actually talking to me (I sit right next to the camera). Everyone else leaves the room and then it's usually just the two of us having a conversation about how Jesus has changed their life. I love my job!

Tonight I got to hear Paul and Sharon W.'s story. You can see the video on July 8 but here are some highlights:

They moved to our area a few years ago because Sharon has rheumatoid arthritis and M.S. and is confined to a wheelchair...and they just wanted to be closer to the Cleveland Clinic. Shortly thereafter they discovered NewPointe. What she had to say rocked me: She said (as she began to weep), that she considers her handicap a blessing...because if it weren't for that she would have never found NewPointe and wouldn't have met Jesus. All I can say is, "Wow!" Is that unbelievable or what?

Her husband, Paul, shared that Starting Pointe was the catalyst that caused him to become a Christ-follower.

Dave C. also shared his testimony with me. Dave came to NewPointe one Sunday in January and got in a Starting Pointe group the next week. Now he's getting baptized because, as he said, he wants the whole world to know that he loves Jesus. Dave was extremely reluctant to do the video and be baptized on stage but he's going through with it because of what Jesus did for him.

His sister, Cheryl W. is also being baptized. Cheryl was also in our SP group. She's one of the quietest, most reserved and unassuming people I know. She said she gets nervous around people, even just a few people. But when I asked her about how she met Jesus and what her life is like now, I couldn't get her to shut up! You can see her video and baptism on July 8 as well.

I can't wait.

defining your calling

Last winter I read Leading With A Limp by Dan Allender. Strong. In chapter 10 he asks the question: What words best describe a leader? He says the list you create will shape both what you do and what you will become. Here is a list of words mentioned by leaders when they were asked, "What is the single best word to describe you as leader.": hero, sage, seer, hearer, mouthpiece, fund-raiser, coach, catalyst, optimist, truth-teller, surgeon, consultant, midwife, shepherd, visionary, CEO, general, parent, friend

He thought the list was fine...but he says none of the leaders offered the words he hopes we will consider:

• broken


• foolish
  
• reluctant


• hungry
  
• disillusioned

He points out that the words in the first list are all nouns--solid and understandable. The words he asks us to consider are adjectives--fluid and foreign.

He says a leader might be a fund-raiser or a field general, but what type of leader is she? Is she foolish, broken, reluctant? Nouns describe objective roles, parts to play, scripts to follow. Adjectives are more amorphous and qualitative, describing how we put our unique mark on an unexpected role. He says that both nouns and adjectives are necessary.

His point? We need to consider not only what is expected of us as leaders but also how we lead.

the worship industry

Check out this video from Brian McClaren on worship.



First saw it on Joshua Case's blog. Thought it was worth posting here.

sunday's scuds (june 3, 2007)

Today Dwight continued the Adventures in Missing the Point series. His point? That often times we have moments of desire and mistake it for love. The crux of is message really dealt with lust...and not just lust as a sexual desire, although that's a big one, but that there are many things we lust after. And that we all have this tendency within us to choose the immediate over the important. Anyway, here are the scuds:

• "When we choose the immediate over the important, it affects many people."
• "If you believe your choices affect you and only you, you're believing a lie."
• "God has given us all things for our enjoyment. God is not a killjoy."
• "When I choose the immediate over the important, I'm choosing to act independently of God."
• "Temptation never delivers what it promises."
• "We choose the immediate over the important when we lack confidence in God."
• "Our tendency is to think if something's going to happen in my life then it's up to me to make it happen."
• "The definition of lust: the insatiable desire to fill legitimate needs in illegitmate ways."
• "The person who struggles with lust is always the other guy, right? It's never me."
• "Lust causes us to do stupid things that injure the people we say we love."
• "There's a lot of promiscuity within the church."
• "Whenever we choose the immediate over the important, there are always consequences."

The consequences:

1. My future is impacted
2. My family is impacted
3. My faith is impacted

• "Whatever it is that you lust after...it will never satisfy you."
• "The only thing that can fully satisfy you is Jesus Christ."
• "The Bible tells us that God will not withhold any good thing from those who love him."
• "Love is a choice, not a feeling."
• "Do you believe that God knows about your needs? Do you believe he cares about them? Do you believe he will meet the legitmate needs he gives you?"

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. Philippians 1:9-10

tina turner @ newpointe today!?!

Today we continued the Adventures in Missing the Point series at NewPointe. Dwight...unbelievable job. Powerful. If you missed it, you can listen to part 4 here.

Danny and the band kicked it big-time today with their 5-song set of songs about love. See, today we were talking about how we have moments of desire and mistake them for love. So, to set the mood, and to get us all in the right frame of mind, Danny and I took everyone on a little musical journey. Here is the set list in case you missed it:

1. I Want To Know What Love Is (Foreigner)
2. I Got You Babe (Sonny & Cher)
3. How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You (James Taylor)...yes, I sang it to Jenny Bunn in the second service...but I think they muted my mic. Whatever...you butcher Desperado on stage once and they never let you forget it.
4. What's Love Got To Do With It (Tina Turner)...just let me say: Beka...wow.
5. Love Is A Wonderful Thing (Michael Bolton)

I said it on the stage and I'll say it again now...how many churches in America can you attend and get Foreigner and Tina Turner in the same service? Only one that I know of.

The Bunn fam had lunch with the Bunnelle clan and Danny and I talked about how every time we do one of those "musical montages" people come up to us with songs they wish we'd have done or songs they think we should have included. Immediately following the second service a lady hunted me down suggesting that we should have done Rod Stewart's Have I Told You Lately That I Love You. Well...we can't do 'em all. But here's your chance. Leave a comment with your favorite songs about love and who knows, maybe next time we'll use yours!

the memorial tournament's fashion critic

Yesterday Jenny and I spent the day the at the Memorial Tournament in Columbus. We had an excellent time. Just the two of us. We love going to the Memorial and seeing guys like Tiger, Ernie Els, Brad Faxon, and Stewart Cink up close. Those dudes are ridiculously good...sick even.

When we first arrived, we walked a bit, followed Kenny Perry (Natalie's favorite golfer) for a bit and then we headed off to have lunch in a VIP tent (yeah...we had a sweet hook-up).

After lunch we planted ourselves in a great spot on #16 (a par 3) and watched nearly every grouping play through.

I give Mrs. Bunn a ton of credit for A. wanting to go and B. hanging in there. She likes to see the guys. And she had plenty of questions/observations about golf. But I must tell you...at least 50% of the conversation was about fashion. Yup, Jenny Bunn, apparently, is a PGA Tour fashion critic.

So, I thought you all might like to know some of what she had to say...

This is Sergio Garcia putting his socks on after playing a ball out of the creek at #15. His pants were still wet by the time he got to us at #16 but Jenny didn't know he had just been in the water. She was wondering what was up with his two-toned pants. Tacky.

She did, however, give him credit for wearing color. She says earth tones and neutrals are out...color is in. So Sergio gets some credit but not a ton.

Aaron Baddeley needs to lose the white belt...according to Mrs. Bunn. Then she noticed it was a quite popular look among the Australian and European players. But she's still not sold on it. Again, she likes the color...his overall look needs "tweaked" though.

Side note here...As Aaron Baddeley played through, Jenny and I had a chuckle together as we considered what would happen if our daughter Natalie married Aaron Baddeley's son....Natalie Baddeley. Well...we thought it was funny.

Jesper Parnevik. Jesper, Jesper, Jesper. European. Enough said, I guess. The hat, well...you know...that's his thing. Mrs. Bunn gives him credit for having a unique thing going for him...but overall, she was not impressed.

By the way, she was particularly critical of each golfer's shoe choice. Jesper's was okay. She was especially tough on the guys who wore white or cream-colored pants with black shoes. I guess that's a no-no.

She thinks Tiger generally does very well. Nothing flashy or attention-grabbing, but always fairly classy. But again, she likes color so Tiger didn't rate especially high with her on Friday.

If you ever get the chance to go watch pro golf with Jenny Bunn...you're in for a treat. Play-by-play fashion commentary. Very fun. Very cool.

I asked her what the golfers might have to say about what she was wearing yesterday. She thought they might say to her: "Honey, you need a bigger budget for clothing."

Yeah...easy for them to say.