swiss festival random thoughts

It's Swiss Festival week in Sugarcreek. Here's my take:

• Naomi and two of her fourth-grade friends competed in the Sugarcreek Got Talent contest yesterday. They did a KidStuf song and dance routine...and brought home the 1st runner-up trophy. Very cool.
• Andrew must have ridden the giant fun slide 40 times yesterday. He slept like a rock last night after having climbed all those stairs all day long.
• I've been eating healthy at the Swiss Festival: had my veggies and fruit last night (albeit fried veggies and fruit in the form of an apple dumpling a-la-mode).
• I don't know which name I had to answer to more often this weekend: "John" or "Bubba Joe" (there were a lot of kids at the festival...and apparently a lot of them go to KidStuf).
• Jenny and Naomi just left to walk back down to the festival. Jenny promised to bring me some Lerch's donuts.
• Small town life is good. I love going to events like Swiss Fest and seeing lots of friends, watching their kids have fun, and just chillin' with my fam in a place where we feel welcomed and safe. Life is good.

on these...there's no negotiating

This post still has me thinking. This quote from Andy Stanley, in particular, really has my wheels turning:

To be a leader worth following, we must pre-decide to prioritize our integrity over our quest for progress.

So I've been thinking about what it means to pre-decide. To me, that means that I've made up my mind in advance about certain things and nothing is going to trump those decisions. I call them non-negotiables. They're the things that are the lead pipe, stone cold locks that I will not deviate from. Want some examples?

My family will be in church on Sundays. It's a non-negotiable. There's nothing that's going to trump going to church on Sunday mornings. Not ballgames or golf outings or (fill in the blank). You might say, "John isn't that a hard line, legalistic approach? Maybe. But Jenny and I have decided that for our family, church rates extremely high. It's important to us that our kids grow up knowing that heart issues--our spiritual well-being is the most important thing in life. So we don't bend on this one. If we bend so our kids can play in a sports league or do whatever on Sunday mornings--as important as it may seem, what we'd basically be conveying to our kids is, "Yeah, church is important...until a new or better opportunity comes along."

Another non-negotiable for us is tithing. This is one that you absolutely must pre-decide on. Because there WILL be other opportunities to spend your money. The tithe check is the first check written in our house. So we're saying God gets the first day of the week in our lives--church...always. And God gets the first 10% of our income--the tithe...always. And you know what. It's not as difficult when you've pre-decided that this is going to be a non-negotiable.

One more (there are many but I'll limit it to three here). My marriage. Jenny and I have decided to remove the "D" word from our vocabulary. Divorce is not an option for us. We have pre-decided that this is a non-negotiable. We're in the marriage thing for the long haul...no matter what.

How huge is it for my kids to grow up understanding the principle of pre-deciding? How 'bout when it comes to staying sexually pure till marriage? How 'bout when it comes to peer-pressure situations? How about in their marriages...their finances...raising kids?

Well, I hope this has primed your pump a bit. Leave a comment...I want to know...what are the non-negotiables in your life?

sunday's scuds (september 23, 2007)

Dwight continued the Secret Revealed series. It's all about character. Here are the scuds:

• "We have a tendency to lower the standard on character but God says, 'Here's the standard.'"
• "Character means doing what is right as God defines what is right, regardless of the cost or the consequences."
• "I don't have the ability to produce Christ-like character in myself. I don't have what it takes to be truthful...or loving...or faithful...or kind...I just don't have it in me."
• "God says: What is impossible for you is possible for me to do through you."
• "We're (people) are more interested in commitment than surrender."
• "It's one thing to be set free, it's another thing to be free."
• "The secret to a life of no regrets is to have the character of Jesus Christ."
• "If most of us were to evaluate our prayers, we'd see that we really don't believe God is at work in us. We believe he's at work 'out there.'"
• "As you mature in your faith, you'll move from asking, 'Why God,' to, 'What, God, are you trying to teach me?'"
• "God says, 'I'm not interested in you becoming a better you, I'm interested in you becoming like Christ.'"

Be careful what you think because your thoughts run your life. Proverbs 4:23 ncv

• "The question to ask is not, "Does this feel good?' The question is, 'Is this pleasing to God?'"
• "You cannot act in a way that is inconsistent with how you think."
• "God says to us: Don't focus on being more committed...don't focus on rededicating your life...focus on renewing your mind."
• "The reason we don't know God's will is because our minds have not been renewed."

service with a smile

This is Natalie, my 7th grade volley-baller (camera phone at last night's game...not the best quality). This is her first year playing organized volleyball. I love watching her play. One, because she's my kid...two, because she works hard.

At the beginning of the season, Natalie struggled with her serves. In fact, the coach used to remove her from the lineup at strategic moments so as to avoid having her serve. But she's worked hard and practiced hard to the point where not only does she never come out of the lineup now, she's the starting server. She doesn't serve hard or fast...but she's amazingly consistent. She's like a machine...never misses. Last night, in beating Stasburg, Natalie didn't miss a single serve. And at one point in game one, served ten consecutive points for her team.

Darn right I'm proud. :)

the man i want to be vs. getting things done

The Group Life team at NewPointe meets once a month for what we call a "power lunch." We usually take this time for leadership development and growth. Yesterday we got together to watch Andy Stanley on DVD. His talk was from the 2003 Catalyst Conference. It was on character. Amazing talk. Here are some of the notes I took:

• There is a constant struggle in me between the man I want to be (the character I want to have) and getting things done.
• The most direct path to success is generally not the most ethical one (this made me think of Bill Belichick).
• The most direct path to maintain success as a leader is not the most ethical one either (made me think of athletes using steroids).
• To be a leader worth following, we must pre-decide to prioritize our integrity over our quest for progress. (See Daniel 1:8)
• You cannot maintain the blessings of God if you choose to violate the principles of God. (Made me examine my own life and my own character flaws.)
• Prayer to pray every day: God give me the wisdom to know what's right, give me the courage to do what's right, even when it's hard.

I'm going to the 2007 Catalyst Conference in about two weeks. Can't wait.

stuff worth checking out...

I read the first chapter of Jim and Casper Go To Church...and I ordered the book. I'm completely intrigued by the idea of this book. In it, the authors visit a bunch of megachurches and write about their experiences...what they learned, what they liked, didn't like, etc. And, oh, yeah, one of the authors is an atheist. Very interesting. You can read the first chapter by clicking here.

Last week I read a phenomenal essay by Dallas Willard. Every pastor, ministry leader, and key volunteer needs to read this essay on sustaining vision. Powerful. Here's the link.

A guy named Gary Lamb pastors Revolution Church in Canton, GA. He recently blogged about 10 things he wishes he would have known when he started the church. Good stuff. Check out this post titled 10 Things I Wish I would have known...

Jenny and I started reading a book together: Kissed The Girls and Made Them Cry. Jenny and I are entering a new chapter in the life of our family. It's called having a daughter in the 7th grade. Everything is changing...and challenging. All I can say is that if you have a pre-teen or teenage daughter, this book is a must read. Jenny and I read the first two chapters together Sunday night and just cried together. Why did we cry? Mainly because we so desperately don't want our kids to make the same mistakes we made growing up.

sunday's scuds (september 16, 2007)

Dwight continued the series The Secret Revealed. We're discovering that the secret is living a life of character. Today's message title: Settling for Imitation. Here are the scuds:

• "Not everybody's willing to pay the price to have character."
• "So we opt for success (or satisfaction) instead."
• "It's doesn't really bother us what others know about us. What bothers us is what we know about ourselves and what God knows about us."
• "When people ask me, 'How can I pray for you?' I always give them three things: pray that I would have wisdom, courage, and purity."
• "The quickest and best way to learn anything is by following a model. Fortunately, God gave us a model to learn from: Jesus Christ."
• "God's ultimate plan for you and me is not that we realize the American dream. His ultimate plan is that you and I would be like Jesus."
• "God didn't send us a book to learn from, he didn't send us a seminar, he sent a person, a model to learn from and follow."
• "'I just need to be more committed,' doesn't cut it. You and are aren't competent enough to rely on commitment alone."

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

• "'Oh, well, God understands...this is just the way I am,' doesn't cut it. God understands but he doesn't approve."
• "God has not only given us a model but he's given us a means: abiding in Christ."
• "Character is not produced by us. It's produced through us."
• "Believing in God won't change you. Going to church won't change you. Abiding in Christ will change you."
• "Adopt this attitude: I can't...but He can through me."
• "It's not about trying harder...it's not about doing more. It's about abiding in Christ."

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

street preachin' and disciple makin'

I had lunch with a friend in downtown New Phila yesterday. The weather was gorgeous so we decided to eat outside. We were part-way in to a very enjoyable meal when the street-corner preachers showed up and began shouting the "good news" at the top of their voices.

I told my friend, "You know, those guys make my job as a pastor more difficult."

I couldn't help but see some irony in the scene. Here I am, sitting at the street corner, having lunch--and a spiritual conversation with someone who I care about...someone I'm investing in, because I want to see him grow in his relationship with Jesus. Guy on the corner thinks the best way to share the good news is to wear signs and yell at people as they go by.

My friend asked me, "Do you think these guys really believe they're doing the right thing?" I said, "Unfortunately, I think they really believe that."

Here's a question. Who do you supposed accomplished more for the kingdom of God on the street corner yesterday? Three street preachers who hollered at a few hundred people as they passed by, or one guy (me) who spent the hour investing in a guy who's trying to figure out what it means to live out his faith?

It reminds me of this Tim Sanders quote:

You will accomplish more in the next two months developing a sincere interest in two people than you'll accomplish in the next two years, trying to get two people interested in you.

I just think the street preachers are well-intended but severely misinformed.

Agree? Disagree?

say goodbye to anonymous comments

Thinking Outside the Bunn has decided to no longer allow anonymous comments.

The reason for the decision is because it really doesn't make sense to allow random strangers, who are not courageous enough to stand behind their comments, to come in here and drop "scuds" and then slink away.

Basically, the way I see it, is that if someone doesn't have the guts to sign their name to a comment, they've forfeited their right to comment at all.

I think it's true in life, too. If you're not willing to talk to the person you have issues with--face to face--then you forfeit your right to talk to anyone else about the situation. Unfortunately, few people have the personal character to operate this way. It's easier and more fun to gripe and complain to everyone but the person they have an issue with.

Comments are welcomed and encouraged on Thinking Outside the Bunn. I'm all for legitimate, honest, thoughtful comments--even if they disagree with my point of view. Even if the person leaving a comment has a problem with me or my posts. That's cool. I'm just not allowing anyone to do it the cowardly way anymore.

Your thoughts?

sunday's scuds (september 9, 2007)

We kicked of a new series at NewPointe Sunday. If the first message was any indication of what we can expect for the rest of the series...well, it's going to be a good one. Here are the scuds Dwight delivered in the first message from The Secret Revealed series:

• "What is the secret to life? Character."


• "The definition of character: Doing what is right (as God defines right) regardless of the cost or the consequences."


• "Character is the ability to meet the demands of reality."


• "Most people don't deal in reality. That's why we have so many addictions."


• "You can't make good decisions on bad information."


• "God wants to form you into someone who has the character it takes to face the reality in your life."

Four things fight against our character:

• Success (What I do is more important than who I am).


• Satisfaction (What I feel is more important than who I am).


• Security (What I have is more important than who I am).


• Status (How I look is more important than who I am).

When we choose these over character, our relationships suffer. Dwight continued...

• "God is more interested in your holiness than your happiness."


• "There is a standard of right and wrong and God's the One who sets it. He says, 'Here is the standard, adjust your life to it.'"


• "We all value character but we're always more interested in seeing character developed in other people's life than we are in seeing it developed in our own lives."


• "We say this: Your lack of character bothers me more than my lack of character does."
  

...what is it the Lord requires of you: only to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 hbc

• "Integrity is the basis of all success. If you don't have integrity, it's not true success."


• "Faithfulness is the secret to God's blessing in your life."


• "Humility is not denying your strenghts, it's acknowledging your weaknesses."


• "When we are committed to developing integrity in our lives it's then that God says, 'Now I can work with that.'"


• "The bad news: you can't say a prayer and instantly become a person of character."


• "The good news: We have a Heavenly Father who says, 'If you'll get on the (potter's) wheel--submit yourself to me, I'll begin to transform you.'"
  

Prayer: God give me the wisdom to know what is right and the courage to do it.

what i learned about life on the high ropes

Last weekend Aqua went on a retreat. It was a blast. Man, I love those guys. We stayed up way late on Friday night and got up early on Saturday to head out to take on a high-ropes course.

High ropes is a challenging, team-building, personal-development activity consisting of ropes elements and obstacles usually 30 to 40 feet above the ground.

This was my third time to do a high-ropes course. It's scary...and fun...[kinda]. The thing I love most about the high ropes course are the lessons I learn about life. Here are a few things our team learned Saturday:

• Community. You can't do ropes [life] alone. On the ropes, you're accountable to and for your teammates. If you're not accountable, you're in danger. Also, everyone was interesting in seeing every other person succeed. It wasn't about individual success. So we cheered, encouraged, and congratulated our teammates all the way.


• Trust. You have to trust your teammates. You have to trust the equipment. If you can't trust, you can't move.



• Perspective. Everything changes when you're 40 feet high. But those on the ground have different perspective. They can see things you can't. They can help you which brings me to...


• Humility. It's humbling when you can't climb the centipede pole [that'd be me]. It's humbling to admit you need help. But nobody cared. We all wanted to see each other succeed. So on the ropes [and in life] you can't be afraid to ask for help.


• Courage. I heard Amy say this: "I'm trying to get my balance so I can take my next step but I can't get my balance...I'm not sure I ever will, so I guess I'm just going to have to go for it." I love that! Isn't that true in life? If we wait until things "calm down" before we take big steps, we'll never do it. The reality is, things aren't going to calm down anyway so sometimes we just have to go for it.
  
• Faith. While I was sitting on a platform 45 feet above the ground trying to muster the courage to jump off and go screaming down the zip line, a hundred thoughts were running through my mind: Is my harness secure? Will this fabric loop hold my weight? What if the line is rusty? What if something goes wrong? Am I hooked on correctly? Finally I just had to say, "Enough, I'm just going to take a leap of faith and trust in the equipment and God and let the chips fall where they may. [I'm still alive...and really glad I took the risk.]


• Overcoming. I heard David say this: "I'm going on that obstacle because it's the one that scares me the most. I love that attitude.
  
• Communication. With out it, someone dies.

What an experience. What a great time. I'm looking forward to our next Aqua retreat!

would you buy it?

My kids had an idea for a t-shirt. Here it is. Is it marketable? Would you buy one (at a reasonable price)? Leave a comment.

my gourmet life

On our recent trip to Florida, the airline we flew served us the usual half-can of coke and a snack. The snack on this trip? Nothing less than GOURMET pretzels. Yep, not just any ole pretzels...these were gourmet pretzels. As I examined them and subsequently tasted them, I concluded that they tasted no different from regular ole pretzels that were not of the "gourmet" variety. So the question arose in my, what is it about these particular pretzels that makes them "gourmet?" The only thing I could come up with: they're small. Apparently small translates into gourmet.

I began thinking, if small = gourmet, there are probably a lot of things in my life that are gourmet (or I wish were gourmet). Here's a partial list of each:

Things about my life that are gourmet:

• I live in a gourmet town.
• I drive a gourmet vehicle.
• I lead a gourmet group that meets at my house on Sunday evenings.
• I have a gourmet son named Andrew.
• I have a gourmet wife.

Things that are not gourmet:

• The church I work at is not gourmet.
• I do not have gourmet appetite...consequently my belly is not gourmet.
• My golf scores are typically not gourmet.

What about you? What's gourmet or not-so-gourmet in your life? Can't come up with anything? Maybe you have a gourmet brain. ;)

sunday's scuds (september 2, 2007)

Dave D'Angelo delivered the goods Sunday. It was strong. I expected it to be strong and Dave didn't disappoint. He talked about focus and direction...moving toward the things of God. Here are the scuds:

• "Whatever grabs or holds our attention influences our direction."
• "Have you been giving attention to the direction you want your life to go?"
• "The interesting thing about direction and focus is that you are the one who decides what gets your attention. No one decides it for you."
• "When our attention is focused on Jesus, good things emerge."
• Where should we direct our attention? The kingdom of God is the brightest option."

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. Hebrews 2:1

• "It's tough to keep our attention on Christ. Jesus offers two key disciplines to help us do it: Confrontation and Confession."
• "The definition of confrontation: a face-to-face presentation for consideration."
• "It's so much easier to see where others are missing the mark than it is to see it in our own lives."
• "We see things in other people's lives that need addressed but we rarely tell them. In fact, we're a lot more likely to tell everyone but that person."
• "If you want to realize your potential in life, you need to be confronted."
• "Confession is awkward. But if we're willing to push through the awkwardness, on the other side of it, we find God."
• "The definition of confession: presenting your real self to God and to others."
• "The moment we confess is the moment we get back on track."
• "Confession frees us to be ourselves."

saturday's trifecta

As most of you know, I'm a huge Ohio State Buckeyes fan. And, being a Buckeye fan, it doesn't get much better than than this past Saturday when the Buckeyes won, Michigan lost (embarrassingly), and Notre Dame got spanked. I call it the trifecta. It was a great football Saturday.

Speaking of that school up north...check out the t-shirts that are selling like hotcakes at Appalachian State...

Yeah, App St...that's what we Buckeye fans have been wondering for the past six years. Order your Michigan Who? t-shirt here.

i just can't help myself

...I had to post this...I'm sorry...I shouldn't laugh...but I can't help it.



Thank you, Miss South Carolina.