A Spilling of Hudson's Mind

New Book(let) Published

2007-05-11T16:42:00.000-07:00

I've been away from blogging for a while doing various time-consuming, but hopefully productive, things. One of these activities includes publishing a new booklet called A Simple Bible Study Method. Jesus seems to have led me to help call back the church to read the scriptures correctly. I developed a simple method and have implemented it in every personal and communal Bible study I'm a part of. Interestingly, the crowd that has been most eager to learn and implement the study method is pastors. When they use it, it's as if years of dust is being blown off their scriptures and life is being breathed into them again. Not to be confused with the work of the Holy Spirit, I merely believe God allows tools such as this study method to discipline us toward correctly hearing what He's saying.

If you're interested, here's the link where it's being sold on Lulu.com. Also, the money earned from this book will help in three areas: 1) to raise the money necessary to distribute the book worldwide through outlets such as Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com, 2) to help establish funds for publication and distribution of several other "simple" booklets on various topics, such as prayer, discipleship, missional living, etc., and 3) to help my family afford to buy a home in the neighborhood where God has called us to live.

So, buy a booklet if your interested and/or pass on the word to your friends. The book is available as a PDF download as well. Thanks!

Time Off for the Sake of a Prophet

2006-11-20T17:13:00.000-08:00

I've been away from this blog for quite some time because I've been directing my typing time to another website, that of my newborn son, Elijah Keith Hudson. Elijah was born on November 3rd, weighing in at 7lbs. 4oz. So, to catch up on what's been going on in my family's life, visit Elijah's page.

Additionally, if you like the look of Elijah's website, then tell your friends about my new business, Ground Floored, which powers the site. Ground Floored offers simple and affordable websites for small business, churches, and babys!

The Prophet is Coming

2006-09-26T10:53:00.000-07:00

In just six weeks (if the doctor's estimate is correct), our first child will be born. Elijah Keith Hudson is due November 7th. To track all the fun events, we reserved his domain name and created a website...far more fun than keeping an actual journal, for me at least. Take a peek: www.elijahhudson.com

Sleeping in Righteousness

2006-08-31T17:46:00.000-07:00

One of my new favorite websites, Woot.com, clued me in to these amazing Armor of God PJ's. If anyone's wondering, my birthday's in October. (Is that a pillow being used for a shield? Amazing!)

Hip Hop for Jesus

2006-08-24T11:18:00.000-07:00

Katie and I spent last week at a Nazarene youth camp I was speaking at in Long Beach, WA. My nephew, soon-to-be-8-years-old Kade Hudson, performed a "hip-hop" routine to raise money for the House of James project. He performed what is known as a "Slap Dance," where the audience "slaps" money on the stage as the performance is in progress. His dance alone brought in more than double what the youth had given the entire week up until then...almost $800! He's definitely got better moves than me. Take a look...

Too Much to Blog to Even Blog

2006-07-29T15:31:00.000-07:00

LIFE HAS BEEN CRAZY!!! Church on the Hill continues to be flung forward like David's stone from his slingshot. My prayer is that the speed will be directed by God towards the forehead of the Giant Evil. I'll try to write a bit more on this shortly.

I've also been creating, planning and advertising our 3rd annual Blockparty, which takes place next Tuesday, August 1st.

Coincidently, the website business I'm starting with my brother and a friend, Ground Floored, launches the same day as the Blockparty.

Neighborhood Spy - Part 2

2006-07-12T21:48:00.000-07:00

OLD DOG-WALKER, NEW TRICK
This picture I took brings me great joy. The owner of this schnauzer used to let his dog poop in our yard and wouldn't pick it up. My shoes seem to be manufactured with crap magnets, so I was mad about his negligence. I had confronted him face to face a couple times, but to no avail. Finally I resorted to other tactics.

After watching him leave another pile in my lawn and walk away, I carefully retrieved the poop in a ziplock baggy. I knew which car parked on the street was his, so I tucked the loaded baggy under his windshield wiper with the following note:

"Dear Sir, I do not care if your dog craps in my lawn. However, the next time you don't use a bag to pick it up, I'm not going to use a bag to return it."

It's been two years since then, and as you can see, he has changed his dog-walking ways for the better...at least my shoes think so.

A Breath of New (Wounded) Life

2006-07-05T17:40:00.000-07:00

Church on the Hill's attendance has doubled the last month. This is specifically due to the Mars Hill Church inheritance of Doxa Church in West Seattle. The quick adjustment has left many wounded and searching. A number of folks have floated our way.

In this situation there is great excitement on the part of Church on the Hill and myself. Who doesn't like to see their church expand with faithful disciples of Christ? However, there is a period of grieving and rest needed for the former Doxa folks. I don't know if they will be lasting or temporary, but in either case I pray they're hearts will be protected from roots of bitterness, doubt and distrust growing deeper.

Please pray that I will know how to best pastor both those who have been with us faithfully for a long time and those who have been recently gifted to us. Also pray for the new folks that remain, that there may be a feeling of unity, trust and purpose within the vision of Church on the Hill.

Expanding My Coffee Addiction

2006-07-02T23:53:00.000-07:00

I love coffee. I'm not addicted -- I just love it. During the summers I have traditionally continued to drink hot coffee as I do throughout the other months. But now I'm desiring cold, iced mochas and whatnot, and I don't want to pay the price at the local coffee shops.

The solution: Coffee extract using the cold brewing method. A couple shots of refrigerated coffee extract mixed with milk, chocolate syrup and ice makes an amazing afternoon cooler. In fact, Seattle's Best Coffee used this method for years when making their iced drinks.

Here's how to make coffee extract for yourself: Grind up a pound of coffee. Place in a sealable jug or bottle with 2 quarts water. Stir it up and let it sit for 12-24 hours (the longer the stronger, which I suggest). Find a way to strain the grounds from the liquid. Presto! You have coffee extract. It doesn't look like a lot, but remember, you're only using a couple shots at a time. Plus, it will keep in the fridge for a couple weeks.

Enjoy!

Funny Article

2006-06-24T12:45:00.000-07:00

This article made me laugh.

For a different approach to the Global Warming hype, read Michael Crighton's State of Fear.

New King on the Block

2006-06-20T23:40:00.000-07:00

Being a basketball nut, I like to keep track of important games. And tonight was a pretty important game, I guess. (hmmm...I think that's an understatement).

Anyway, the most incredible thing about the Miami Heat winning the series isn't that Dallas choked 4 games-in-a-row, but that Dwayne Wade became one of the top two NBA stars in the course of a week. He now sits in a throne next to LeBron James, with Kobe, McGrady and Dirk being their jokers.

Welcome to the top, Wade. You were amazing and deserve the title.

Jesus Had No Penis

2006-06-20T10:12:00.000-07:00

Now before you read that heading and call my wife to have her pull the plug on my computer, you must know that I'm only referencing what one denomination is saying. I'm merely paraphrasing the possibly-soon-to-be-adopted policy within the Presbyterian USA denomination allowing local congregations the option of stripping any language of the Trinity of male-gender references. Instead of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the triune Godhead could even be referred to as "Mother, Child and Womb."

Many churches are dangerously promoting a low-view of scripture, which elevates the authority of man's thoughts and feelings over that of God and his Holy Revelation in and of the Word, Jesus Christ. If anyone starts whining about their feelings being hurt or a socially imposed lack of self-esteem, these churches will dump loads of perceived grace while starving people of truth. Ever been in Wal-Mart and seen a child who's been given every toy and treat but no boundaries or discipline? The kids are bratty, spoiled, and still have low self-esteem.

John 1 says that Jesus came full of grace and truth. And it was Jesus who took on the titles Son of God, Son of Man, Prince of Peace, and King of the Jews. He addressed God as Father and referred to Him as such. Jesus' language never foreshadowed a gender-neutral translation of the scriptures, but clearly used masculine pronouns when referring to the Father and the Holy Spirit. Did Jesus take on the names Child of God, Beautiful Person of Man, Princess Pony or Queen of the Desert? The Presbyterians might was well write "Wonder Woman" on the tag in the back of all Jesus' undies.

Here is what I'm not saying: I am not saying God hates women. I am not saying that God loves women any less than men. I'm not saying men should in any way be elevated above women. What I am saying is that while men and women are equals, God differentiates between roles. And when choosing what role to reveal himself in, He chose to identify Himself as a man, penis and all.

I guess it's no surprise that the PCUSA is not only dealing with the revelation of God Himself, but also as He chose to reveal Himself in the marriage between a man and woman -- they are also currently voting on a policy to allow congregations the right to ordain gay ministers.

God wrote a pretty long personal ad. We should read it as if He really wants to be who He said He is. Let's pray for the leaders of the PCUSA to surrender to God and His revelation of Himself.

Latest Evil Nemesis

2006-06-16T07:47:00.000-07:00

Katie and I try often to get to the beach at Golden Gardens so we can watch the sunset together. It's a good thing we bring cards to play or books to read, because the last 3-4 times when we get there we see pretty clear skies accept for a huge, lone cloud mass that sits off in the West hiding the sun's path beyond the horizon. But, I have to tell you, there are some amazing shades of grey I've never noticed before.

End of an Era

2006-06-14T08:47:00.000-07:00

Every Wednesday morning I teach a Bible study at New Vision, a Christian recovery house for drug and alcohol users. I have the best time there seeing men go from apathetic to eager disciples. Each week we are all amazed by what God shows us in His word as we study together.

While I am teaching, the core of what I do is teach a Bible study method so the guys know how to read their own Bibles correctly. We use a book of the Bible to be our training ground, each week taking the next short section that comes along.

Today we are finishing the book of Luke, which has taken us roughly two years to complete. Phew! It's been great. I love Luke as a writer and can't scour through Luke/Acts enough.

Prayer Request for Wisdom and Vision

2006-06-12T08:31:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow Jim (my regional superitendant) and I are making an initial presentation to a Strategy Committee about how to begin a church planting multiplication system. This includes how to recruit, assess, train and deploy potential church planters, how much money we need to finance each of these new church planters and their plants, and how our existing churches and new churches will be networked together to continue supporting one another while strategically planting more churches.

Please pray that today would be an inspired day of planning. This proposal has HUGE implications. Thanks.

Potlucks Are My Friends

2006-06-11T22:59:00.000-07:00

So, I love potlucks! Everyone prepares the very best of what they can make, which is a great showing for some, and otherwise a prayer concern for others. Some folks should just keep to boiling romen noodles.

But the best part of potlucks is hanging out with people. Today we had a potluck after church, both with old and new faces. And as if that wasn't great enough, Granny and Papa hosted. Now, many of you may have never met Granny and Papa, nor have you had the opportunity of visiting their home (which could double as a museum for the eclectic). They are the type of grandparents that are more like friends you can hangout with than merely title-holders in the family tree. Granny does her very best to make everyone happy and full, and as can be seen in the picture, she just as the cutest way of being a sweet Granny.

The only drawback was that Katie wasn't able to come cause she was at a bridal shower. But she just got home and I'm going to leave my blogging to go spend time with her... (like all of you husbands reading my blog instead of spending time with your wives should be doing!)

Road Trip

2006-06-10T00:17:00.000-07:00

We couldn't let the Marlows do all the driving (Seattle to Dallas in 3 days). So off to Spokane we went for my cousin, Katie's, wedding. Ahhh, the beautiful town of Spokane. I can't believe this place actually hosted a World's Fair, but it's true.

I have fond memories of Spokane. We used to play in the STATE "B" basketball tournament in high school here at the old Spokane Coliseum. Good times.

Tonight we're staying with my parents in a hotel room...better than just sleeping in the car, but hopefully Katie can sleep through Dad's snoring. We played cards for a while, and thankfully I didn't lose my temper besides coming in next to last. Earlier in the evening we listened to Uncle Linden tell stories of his missionary life in Mexico...very inspirational since they were planting churches there -- even had his life threatened on several occasions and almost got stoned to death...crazy stuff!

Baby Pictures

2006-06-06T09:37:00.000-07:00

Here are more adorable (if you can make him out) shots of our baby boy. I will try to post video soon.

Granny loses another $100

2006-06-06T00:14:00.000-07:00

Every time one of her grandsons has a wife who's pregnant, Granny places $100 bets regarding the sex of the child. So far she is 0-for-3. Granny bet me a hundred dollars our child would be a girl. Make that 0-for-4...She owes me a hundred dollars.

We went and had an ultrasound done today, and the picture proves WE ARE HAVING A BOY! This view is of the legs, butt, and special anatomy setting him apart (circled). More pictures and video to come soon.

Wild Beast

2006-06-05T11:49:00.000-07:00

Katie and I were leaving the house this morning. She opened the door. Suddenly she was screaming her head off and slamming the door. I didn't know if there was a man with a knife or a pig head on the front porch or something. "There's something on the door," she said excitedly.

I opened the door slow to find what looked like a small bat attached to the bottom of it. It looked freaky! But we realized that it was only a moth the size of a small bird. Since it was a moth that could easily suck our faces off, we shimmied a broom out and knocked it away before exiting.

After returning home, we found him in our jasmine plant and snapped some pictures of the wild beast that almost killed us.

Neighbothood Spy - Part 1

2006-06-02T05:55:00.000-07:00

I've decided to begin a new column on my blog: Neighborhood Spy. I feel a little like a Desparate Housewife admitting this, but I LOVE to look out of our house's windows to watch what the rest of the neighborhood is doing. People are weird, and weird tends to be interesting. Since it's not as fun if I don't share this information -- and since Katie is probably tired of being the only one to hear my stories -- I'm going to post them here for the rest of the world to read.

I'm going to name this one "Finders-Keepers."

The other day I heard this strange, erratic beeping noise. With it's irregular pattern, I immediately ruled out the possibility of it being another one of those cars-that-would-never-in-a-million-years-need-a-car-alarm situations. My guess was that this was something much more serious, and I was right.

I peered out the window to find a man feverishly digging in the grass in an area just beside our parking lot. A few moments later he popped to his feet and re-engaged the lawn with his metel detector.

With such a device you would expect an old man in sweatpants or something. But no, this was an artsy looking twentysomething probably trying to find treasure to pay for college. He would wave what looked like a UFO fastened to the end of a stick over the ground, with the beeping sound intensifying until he located a precise location of an unearthed valuable.

(remember how choice a cleanly-removed pop can pull tab was in Jr. High? I recall dudes even making necklaces full of those. Maybe this guy might be as lucky to find one without needing the talent to remove it himself!)

After finding the exact point, he immediately flopped to his hands and knees, frantically digging with a little garden spade. He would eventually find the treasure, brush it off, and hold it carefully in the sunlight to examine its immense worth.

When I ran to grab the camera, he was gone.

The next day Katie walked into the room. "There's some guy digging holes in the grass outside," she exclaimed.

"He's back!" I shouted as a snagged the camera. And, as the picture bears witness, I photographed the Treasure Hunter on his way home from another secret and suspenseful day of finders-keepers.

At Home Date-Night

2006-05-30T21:52:00.000-07:00

Katie and I have decided to stay at home, make some coffee and play cards. The thing is, cards are the ONE THING in the world that make me angry. Not that they're sinful or anything. It's just for some reason they make my temper rise up. In fact, once when Katie and I were playing cards while we were dating, I lost and threw the cards across the room. Yeah, anyway, if anybody's out there reading this right now, send up some prayers for me to display the fruits of the Spirit, especially self-control.

UPDATE: All went well. I won some and lost some, but mostly we had a good time (and nothing got thrown).

Finally, Summer B-Ball (maybe)

2006-05-30T21:02:00.000-07:00

So, the court I play on doesn't look quite as fancy as the one from the old Nintendo game "Double Dribble," but it is a nice new court in the park. I've been trying to show up when other players might, but no one's really been showing up. Tonight there was finally enough to play some decent 5-on-5. The only problem, rain's in the forecast. Sun, will you PLEASE consistently come out to play, too!

Discovery: I Can Fly!

2006-05-29T18:36:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I can't fly. I can't even jump very high. But through the use of trick photography, it sure looks like I can, huh?

Katie and I went to Discovery Park in Magnolia. The park has acres upon acres of woods and meadows that sit next to bluffs and a beach on the Puget Sound. After practicing our jumping and flying, we when for a hike around the Loop Trail...almost 3 miles long! Phew! This may lead to more exercise...

Where Does My Help Come From?

2006-05-27T12:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was talking with a new, good friend of mine, Chris Marlow. We like to talk about church, and specifically church planting. Both of us are church planters who seemingly have had more failure than success, at least in our own hopes and dreams. But really, we continually ask the question of how to see fruit, that is, how the freak are we going to make more disciples?!

My answer yesterday, while we talked at Caffe Vita, was that we simply needed to keep talking about Jesus, telling and showing everyone how Christ brings hope in a world of despair. That was my answer...before I read some scriptures this morning.

It's not that I was wrong. I was only half right though. Paul tells the Thessalonians, "...our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction" (1 Thess. 1:5). As well, I was reading about people's response to Jesus' ministry in Mark: "The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law" (Mark 1:22).

A bike is a bike, but is only a bike unless powered. Then it becomes a moving vehicle. A word is a word, but is only a word unless powered. Then it becomes a moving of the soul.

Words are just words unless spoken with the power and authority of the Holy Spirit. Jesus knew this. Paul knew this. Mark Driscoll knows this. Each one's fruit is different as God grows it, but each preaches with deep conviction and a powerful authority of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, help us to preach and live in truth, grace, conviction and the power of Your Holy Spirit. Bring us fruit in accordance with Your will, which desires that no one should parish but that all might be saved.

Unexpected (Crucial) Partners in Ministry

2006-05-26T22:54:00.000-07:00

This morning I had breakfast with Willy. Willy is in her 80s but has a youthful liveliness to her eyes. Two years ago I had spoken at the chapel where she lives in retirement living. She had put myself and an unbelieving friend of mine on her prayer list. Everyday she earnestly prays for us both.

A year ago she looked at her prayer list and thought, "Maybe I should take Jason's friend off my list. I haven't heard anything, and maybe I should pray for other things." The very next day she heard through my Mom that I had the chance to share the Gospel with my friend during a very unique, impromptu opportunity. Again, for the last year she has spent countless hours in prayer on behalf of my friend and myself, and has even added my wife and soon-to-be-born baby.

It was a great breakfast with Willy, catching up on all that God has been doing to answer her prayers. And it is a great thought, knowing God has provided me with some vital warriors in the fight. Though they be fighting in secret, they wage war on the front lines.

Day Off: A Bit of Culture

2006-05-25T18:28:00.000-07:00

With the weather as it is (overcast and rainy), Katie and I decided to take in some art. We went down to the Frye Art Museum. Not only is the art at the Frye world-class, but it's also free. That's right, free admission, free parking, free everything...except the temporary tattoos of the art available in the gift shop.

Tricked into Jogging?

2006-05-23T09:40:00.000-07:00

I've tried numerous times to start a jogging for exercise. But I just can't seem to get into it. I need a bouncy orange ball to chase in order to trick my mind into running. Small, repetative incentives on a court seems to work. Could the new Nike+iPod work for me? I don't think so.

Complex Aromas

2006-05-23T09:26:00.000-07:00

Ahhh! We have a smell in our house! You know those one's I speak of. It smells like a dead horse, but we can't figure out where it's coming from. We've checked every possible suspect...the cats' litter, the fridge, etc. Nothing. I'm afraid it's a dead rodent in the walls or something.

If this is what sin smells like to God, then no wonder He hates it.

Good Fellowship

2006-05-22T12:21:00.000-07:00

Chris Marlow, his wife, Necole, and their two cute daughters, Bailey and Kenzie, visited Church on the Hill yesterday. The Marlows were previously planting a church in Raleigh, NC, and have now come to Seattle to search for the same possiblity in this churchless city. A friend of theirs, Tre, also came with them to church.

Afterwards we came back to the house and grilled some cheap hot dogs. As the picture shows, Chris could hardly wait to bite into the delicious grub!

Please keep the Marlows in prayer as they settle in and discern God's direction for ministry. No doubt they will be great partners of ours during their time in Seattle.

Jim and Jan

2006-05-22T12:05:00.000-07:00

Jim and Jan Crouse hungout Saturday night and stayed for church Sunday morning. Jim is my Western Region Superintendent...this basically means he's a stud. After some Mediterranean food, we shopped at Value Village and then introduced the Crouses to Ticket to Ride, my favorite board game.

Thank God for good mentors like Jim who know how to just hang out.

What I'm listening to...

2006-05-21T00:06:00.000-07:00

A buddy-slash-business-partner of mine, Jason Powers, is a graphic designer for Tooth and Nail Records here in Seattle. Knowing my tastes as a huge Coldplay fan, he often introduces me to good music from his record label.

He tipped me off to the CD of a new band named Fair, who's debut CD doesn't even come out until June 6th. But you can preview it on their site...and they sound amazing. I think this is going to be a good one to pick up.

Short and Sweet

2006-05-21T00:04:00.000-07:00

I'm realizing that blogs often -- very often -- need to be quick and to the point. This is for two reasons: 1) People don't have time to read long blogs, and 2) I don't have time to write long blogs everytime.

This is all new to me, so sorry for the novels I've been leaving.

DANGER: Without Knowing It, You May Suffer From Abuse of This Readily Available Substance

2006-05-19T17:31:00.000-07:00

You may be one of millions in Western culture heavily addicted to a substance that is being made available at an ever-increasing speed. This addiction often times goes unnoticed by not only you, but also by everyone around you. If you were hooked on alcohol or drugs, everyone might recognize it. If porn's your problem, you may be the only one to know. But with an addiction to INFORMATION, you and everyone else may see you partaking without anyone, including yourself, ever knowing there is even a problem!

That's right, "information" is the latest craze. Not only is it sold on every street corner (newspaper racks, magazine stands), but our social, economic, political and even spiritual frameworks are now intrinsically tied to the exchange of information. Even more scary is the fact that as the demand increases, the supply also exponentially grows. John L. King, dean of Michigan's School of Information, estimates that electronic information doubles every 60 minutes! This means, for example, every bit of information you could find on the internet would double in the next hour.

Somehow we feel the need to keep up with all this information being created and processed. We've been bred to behave like this. Ever watch CNN and notice how many different messages are being thrown at your senses simultaneously? The screen has two or three headlines scrolling and flashing. The time, date, weather, logos etc. are stamped in the corners. All the while the reporter is squawking in your ears. The same is true of your favorite websites. There are headlines, advertisements, calendars, logos littering every pixel of your browser.

The goofiest part of the matter is that we are addicted to this stuff. We have been sucked right into it! Why do news corporations keep firing information our way? Cause we can't get enough. We crave it. We have to have it. I know I certainly do, or I think I certainly do. My web browser is full of tools to help me keep on top of every bit of information I feel is necessary to my survival. My bookmarks, favorites menu, RSS reader -- these are the electronic equivalent of a bong, constantly serving up my drug of choice: Information.

And mainstream information is only the beginning. Personal information passed between friends, family and co-workers also becomes addictive. I have to check up on my friends' blogs because God forbid if I don't read the poem they just wrote telling me how they've been feeling over the last hour (thanks for checking on me...right now I'm feeling like I could use some coffee). I'm always looking at my e-mail cause I can't wait another five minutes to see if anyone forwarded me a junker full of old blonde jokes. If there's not one there when I check, then I'll just have to check after another five minutes. Actually, I had better make it four minutes.

Do you have an addiction to information? You might if you answer yes to any of the following questions:

1. If your computer checks your e-mail automatically, is it more frequent then every 10 minutes?
2. How many separate news websites to you check during the same sitting?
3. Do you go crazy if you don't read the newspaper before you leave for work?
4. If you are having dinner with your family and your cell phone rings, do you answer it?
5. Do you listen to talk radio at work, when driving, and while preparing dinner?
6. If you are busy reading your RSS feeds and your spouse asks you a question, are you angry or snippy towards him/her for interrupting?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you may be a glutton of information. This is really nothing new. In Solomon's book of Ecclesiastes, he tells us nothing under the sun is new. While we may think this problem is isolated to the current Information Age, it isn't. It has only expanded to new forms and continues to do so. What these new forms are cloaking is the ancient art of gossiping. Gossiping is simply the feeling that we must have information. It used to be more relegated to those we were in direct contact with, but now we have allowed gossip to be required when scavenging for information about the latest celebrity pregnancy or teen pop idol's breast enhancements. Who cares?! It's not going to change the world directly around me. It's not going to threaten my survival. I'm not going to lose all I have by opting to disregard one phone call during a coffee break with some friends.

Interestingly enough, the coffee shops around my neighborhood have begun to wage war against his addiction. Instead of forming support groups, they are attempting to help cut off supply lines. Many of the coffee shops don't allow you to talk on your cell phone while inside. Additionally, many have cut off access to their wireless internet connection on the weekends to help foster the conversations taking place around the tables. However, they still seem to be willing to enable those of us with caffeine addictions. Hmmmm....

While we each have various things warring for our undivided attention, let us resolve to be addicted only to information which brings us to know Jesus and people more, and only in such a way that we are spurred on to act in love towards them. We must carefully give them our attention when in conversation, but never for the purpose of mere information retrieval. Rather, our exchange of information should be characterized by loyalty, unselfishness, kindness and self-control.

So now that you've just read all this information, send me some love! :-)

Day Off: Mt. Rainier and Reading

2006-05-18T22:25:00.000-07:00

Thursdays are my day off. With only one day off, Katie and I have to plan very carefully how we can best use this valuable time. Day trips to Mt. Rainier are always a great choice.

We headed up towards the mountain in our little blue VW Golf ("Nina") with the intention of picnicking at Silver Springs, a campground we stayed at last summer. However, Silver Springs was closed, and we had to find a second option. Everything else seemed to be closed off, too. So we backtracked down the mountain to a little state park called Federation Forest located on the edge of the White River. The park not only consists of trails through the forest, but also has a grassy field on the bank of the river.

There was plenty to do (in the category of "rest"). We ate food, played frisbee, talked and read. I'm continuing to read through Experiencing Prayer by Henry and Norman Blackaby. Chapter three was a breakthrough read for me. The overall theme was to come to God with an attitude of reverence, ready to give an unqualified yes to whatever agenda God may reveal for our lives.

Katie and I talked about this for a while, and I concluded that I have not been doing that with every decision in my life -- as a husband, pastor, and even a father. I've been allowing fear to control me, and so I approach God with only certain things which may be adjusted by Him. Other certain things have been off limits for an assortment of reasons. But as I viewed Jesus' approach to openly accepting the agenda the Father had set for everything in His life, it filled me with a confidence and peace that the Father's agenda is also the best for every area of my life.

Hellooooo Sunshine!

2006-05-17T15:47:00.000-07:00

For the third day in a row the weather in Seattle has been perfect. No rain. No clouds. Much sun and warmth. Light breeze. Absolutely PERFECT! (If you're from California, then I'm lying. Don't move here!)

On days like these, there is no way to stay cooped up inside doing work. I've been taking my books to the park, the porch, anywhere I can soak in God's grace through the Seattle sun.

I'm currently reading two books. One is Blink by Malcolm Gladwell, the author of the Tipping Point (a must-read!). Gladwell's basic argument is that we think and analyze too much before making decisions. One of his main illustration was a massive $250k war game conducted by the Pentagon before the first Persian Gulf War. The Blue Team ("America") waged a mock war versus the Red Team, a rogue terrorist dictator in the Middle East. Within a day the Red Team had crippled the Blue Team, though the Blue Team had every conceivable ounce of information available to them. What went wrong (or for the Red Team, what went right)? Instead of allowing war instincts make decisions in the "blink" of an eye, the Blue Team burdened themselves with too much information, too many policies, too many procedures, whereas the Red Team used stripped down, in-the-moment decision making and war strategy. The main point being that our brain computes enough information to make a sound decision immediately, but we usually allow more information and analysis to cloud the decision-making process.

I'm really considering whether this could be a breakthrough approach to how I pastor Church on the Hill. Like most pastors, I spend a lot of time strategizing culture, church models, organizing data to present a pretty vision to the congregation. But really, Jesus' style in His Middle Eastern War was to be like the rouge commander of the Red Team. Would Capitol Hill be more effectively reached by being engaged by a "blink" type of ministry. It seems this would give much more permission to everyone being poured into relationships and seeking training based on real-time missional living.

The second book is Experiencing Prayer by Henry and Norman Blackaby. I've just begun this book, but I can say that I love the approach they are taking. Instead of randomly ripping off a prayer from an obscure passage in the Old Testament (sorry, I just had to take a shot at the Prayer of Jabez), their foundation is a rich examination and emulation of Jesus' prayer life. After one chapter, I'm already finding my heart being called to deeper prayer with the Father.

Soaking up sun, reading, downing Otter Pops...the only thing that could add to this moment is a latte from Espresso Vivace!

Everybody's Blogging

2006-05-16T22:02:00.000-07:00

Everybody seems to be blogging these days. I've always wondered why anyone would want to read or write other people's blogs.

But one day I found myself reading a couple blogs. I read the same blogs the next day, and the next day, and now everyday.

So I don't know if I will have anything to add to the internet world, but I may have stuff that other people want to read. If not, then the worst that can happen is that I get my thoughts out in black and white. Actually, I guess even worse would be if I end up boring myself with endless chatter.

Let's hope none of us get bored.