Out the Door

Blog-cation

I've decided to take a little vacation from blogging.  I'm going to be out of the office 4 of the next six weeks and rather than writing intermittently, I'm not going to write anything. 

I don't like checking a site that hasn't been updated for weeks or even months and I don't want to lead anyone on thinking they could find something new here when there isn't. 

I'll be back shortly after the first of August.  Until then may God's grace and peace abide in your life.

John

Exercise kick

I've been on an exercise kick lately.  After not doing much of anything other than working my finger on a keyboard, I've decided I have to do something so that I'm not a fabby old man.  Maybe I'm having some sort of delayed midlife crisis.  I passed midlife a long time ago.  Now that I'm looking at putting a 5 at the beginning of my age in a few months, I'm more aware than ever of my own mortality.

In the words of Casting Crowns:
     I am a flower quickly fading, Here today and gone tomorrow
         A wave tossed in the ocean, a vapor in the wind

But as much as I long to see my Lord face to face, I'm not ready to hang it up yet.  So I'm working at getting back into some kind of physical shape (besides round).  I've been lifting weights, riding bike, doing aerobics and walking almost every day for about 6 weeks.  It hasn't had much of an impact on my weight yet, but I don't jiggle quite as much as I did before.

I'm not a patient person, however, and I want to see results right now.  I'm trying to remember that I didn't get into the shape I'm in in just a couple of months and I'm not going to be able to get back into condition overnight.

My big goal is to be able to water ski by Labor Day weekend.  I haven't been able to ski for 4 or 5 years, and I'm determined to get there.  Usually when I set my mind to something, I accomplish it.  I don't see why it can't happen.

Better go get on the bike for a while.   

Church Media Network Convention; Days 2 & 3

Things started popping on the second day of the Convention.  Two of my ministry heroes, Len Wilson & Jason Moore of Midnight Oil Productions were the keynote speakers for the morning session.  They spoke about how to effectively use images in worship and did a short sample worship service to model their teachings.  Len & Jason taught me the importance of visual metaphors.  It's a lesson I've tried to pass on to others.  It amazes me how much of the Christian graphic world is simply pretty pictures which don't tie into any type of theme.  I can see how generic images are easier to use.  Slap a nice looking one up onto the screen, put the words on it and you're ready for worship.  Easy isn't always the best way.

My afternoon was spent learning about video production.  That's after I had lunch with a couple of young men from Barbados.  Living in NE Iowa doesn't provide for much opportunity to interact with people from other cultures, so that was cool.  I had gone to the Convention hoping to learn more about producing quality videos.  I think I can do that now, though I probably will need to purchase some new software before that happens and will have to definitely recruit some help.

Thursday was a good day.  I picked up some tips on web design and photoshop.  Checked out early and headed west by the middle of the afternoon.  Made it home and now I just need to find some time to assimilate all I've learned.

CMN Convention, Day 1

After three sessions, well 2 1/2 really I arrived a little late to the first one, I haven't had any "Oh, Wow!" moments.  Maybe my expectations were too high.  It's been good, and there's been helpful information shared, but nothing that has grabbed me.  But it's early in the Convention and I'm hopeful that something will click.

I do have to say that the hotel room I'm in is impressive.  First time I've ever seen a plasma TV in a hotel room.  Now, I'm certainly not one the last of the big spenders.  The Days Inn I stayed at last night didn't even have a phone in the room.

Back to the Convention, the session I attended on Adobe Premier Elements was interesting.  It introduced me to a far better software than what I've been using for video editing.  I told someone in my congregation not long ago that video editing is the next step our church needs to take in bringing 21st century technology into the work of the gospel.

One unexpected surprise was running into one of my cohorts from my Certificate in Ministry & Technology course here at the Convention.  We went out to supper together and had a nice conversation.  She's a Presbyterian pastor from Illinois.

Well, it's about time to head to the evening plenary.  More from Indianapolis later.

Church Media Network Convention

I'm leaving later today for Indianapolis and the 2nd Annual Church Media Convention.  I tend to see myself as somewhat of an expert when it comes to ministry & technology.  That is until I get around those who are a part of the Network.  Then I realize how little I really know. 

Still, I'm committed to doing what I can to stay on the forefront of the use of technology for spreading the good news about Jesus.  I want to be the "go to guy" for Iowa UM's.  And at least for a few I am.  If that's going to continue, I have to keep learning.  Technology is changing so rapidly that it's impossible for me, a pastor in an active congregation to be a true expert.  I do hope I can keep up-to-date enough to be helpful to other congregations as well as my own.

I plan on blogging from the Convention and sharing some of the insights I pick up from those who really are experts.

Superman is an Iowan

I bet you always thought that Superman barely escaped Krypton in a rocketship which his parents sped on its way to Earth landing in a Kansas field.  And that this "strange visitor from another planet" got his superpowers from Earth's yellow sun.

I recently learn the truth.  Superman is actually from Iowa.  The small town of Woolstock is hosting a festival in honor of Superman (George Reeves, the original Superman) this coming weekend, June 16-18. 

If that's not enough proof that Superman's an Iowan, here's more.  In Superman Returns, Superman is another Iowan, Brandon Routh. 

It's not the rays of the sun that give Superman his power, it's being raised on good corn-fed Iowa beef.  So the next time you need a superhero, don't go looking for one in a big city, check out the great state of Iowa.

As an additional note, Superman is also a Methodist.  This is according to Elliot S! Maggin, an observant Jew who is one of Superman's most popular and influential contemporary chroniclers.  This is further confirmed by Rev. Charles Curl, pastor of the Norwalk, IA UMC, where Brandon Routh and his family have been faithful members for years.

Prayer

After blogging about Annual Conference for the past week, it's good to move on to something different.

I'm going to be the Spiritual Director for an upcoming Women's Walk to Emmaus in Spencer.  As the Spiritual Director, I have the responsibility to deliver the "Means of Grace" talk.  As I was working on it yesterday, I came across this cartoon. 

It got me thinking about my own prayer life.  I know that prayer isn't primarily about asking God to do things for me or others, but more often than not that's what my prayers are made up of.

What kind of relationship would we have with other people if the only time we talked to them we were asking for something?  Not much of one, that's for sure.  You'd think God must get awful tired of listening to our whiny requests.

I guess this says something about the immaturity of my faith.  Too often I'm like a bratty 3 year old who want his dad to buy him something.  God forgive me. 

Irreplaceable, NOT!

When Julie & I drove into town last night after a week away, we placed by the church on our way home.  Lo, and behold it was still standing!  How can this be?  Is is possible that the church can survive without my presence?  Now there's a blow to the old ego, but a good one.

I think it's important that we're all reminded from time to time that we're not irreplaceable.  Oh sure, if we die or move away we will be missed, but life goes on.  It has for thousands of years before the doctor ever spanked my bare behind and I let out my first cry and it will for thousands more after I've breathed my last.  (Of course, that's assuming that Jesus Christ hasn't returned, which could happen at anytime.)

Millions of people have walked this earth.  Most valued their lives.  They loved and laughed, struggled and worried, lived and died and were forgotten.  I know the same thing describes my life. 

While I'm here, I will do the best I can, hoping to make this community and the world a little better place because of my existence and my faith in Christ.  But someday, one way or another, I will leave this place never to return.  When that happens, the bishop will appoint someone new and the church will go on. 

It's a humbling thought, which is okay.  After all, the Bible says, "God sustains the humble" (Psalm 147:6).  It makes me glad that I'm not irreplaceable.