IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

The first time I walked into The Log Cabin Gallery in Peninsula a few years ago, I felt like I was home. It’s one of those places that just refreshes my soul every time I visit. Maybe it’s the rustic log cabin with it’s earthy, warm feel. Or it might be the ever-changing creativity by local artists beautifully displayed by it’s director, Diane Seskes. This afternoon, I had the privilege of providing Christmas music with my travel size Martin guitar as part of their OVER THE RIVER WINTER 2008 EXHIBIT. Santa and his elves showed up as well as the Tin Soldier and a few customers hummed along.

I was able to select a charity of my choice for donations that came in. My friend, Cathy Monnin (a member of Rockside Church) helps lead a missions organization that, among other things, cares for orphans in Madagascar. So Worldview International was the charity of my choice. They are set up to accept donations online at www.worldviewinternational.org if you’re looking for some children in need of a Merry Christmas.

It was a very fun afternoon and, I don’t know about you, but I’m thinking …. it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

GRAB THE CAMERA, THE TABLE IS SET!

I was sharing with our church last Sunday that our family has this strange tradition. When we gather for holidays and special occasions, prior to saying the prayer over the meal, we grab a camera and take a picture… not of the people… of the food! I’m not exactly sure why we do that. Maybe it’s because we work so hard to prepare the meal and it’s really quite a culinary masterpiece that evokes a response of pausing to admire our collective efforts and to permanently capture a snapshot so we can remember.

Sharing this really DID have something to do with the sermon. We were talking about God creating for 6 days, then resting on the 7th day. (Genesis 2:2-3) Why did he do that? Maybe that seventh day was about God stepping back to admire his beautiful creation. So when we work 6 rest 1, when we remember the sabbath, we pause to admire God, to worship Him, and admire His handiwork saying, “yes, this is an incredible God of all creation!” It’s the only command with “remember” before it. (Exodus 20:9-11)

Today I had the privilege of hosting Thanksgiving dinner at my home. And in keeping with tradition, we reached for our cameras. So here’s a picture of our table, this time with people in the scene. (my sister, Debbie, brother-in-law, Rick and my mom). I'm very thankful. I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!

The more I’m around the folks from CORNERSTONE OF HOPE here in Independence, the more I respect and appreciate this organization and what they represent. I’ve wanted the congregation at ROCKSIDE CHURCH to become acquainted with this organization, and vice versa, for some time now and it finally happened last Sunday! Author Henri Nouwen talks about the choice each of must make regarding what we do with PAIN in our lives. Will we take our pain under the curse of satan or under the BLESSINGS OF GOD? When Christi and Mark Tripodi (pictured here) lost their little boy sudden, they had a choice to make. They could have permitted their grief to envelop them. Many marriages do not even survive the death of a child. Instead, they took their pain under the BLESSINGS OF GOD and founded CORNERSTONE OF HOPE that is now a place of healing and restoration for others in the pain of grief. This past Sunday, Cornerstone of Hope’s spiritual director, Matt Williams, along with Bre and Megan, two interns, came to share at Rockside Church. I love this practical, entrepreneurial, local example of a Biblical theology of pain … and I love it when my friends meet my other friends!

What IS our best work?

“Our greatest asset on earth is to touch Heaven in prayer” I heard a pastor say recently, while quoting another pastor. But pastors are busy people. Is it the best use of our time to drive across town to the City Mission to pray with a room of people from all over Cleveland?
http://agreatercleveland.org/
We’ve all been to prayer meetings before, some that disappoint us. What if they only talk about prayer, but don’t ever pray? What if it’s not lead well? What will I not get done while I’m at this prayer meeting?

Those are all legitimate questions. When I took my associate and attended the prayer meeting last month, I found a room full of loving people who care deeply about what God is doing in the city. The meeting was lead with excellence. We were given good direction for our prayer time. The meeting started and ended promptly, with helpful hand-outs (which I brought home) to guide us in prayer. To maximize our time, a boxed lunch was provided to either take with you or to fellowship and network for a few minutes before leaving.

I can’t tell you a month later what I didn’t get done in order to attend. What I can tell you is that I left there feeling like I did the most important “work” a pastor can do and that is join with other Christians to talk to the One who has the power to make a difference in this city we all love.

That’s why I’m signed up to attend the next prayer meeting on Friday, September 26. I might just be the “best work” I do all month! Everyone is welcome to attend. Hope to see YOU there!

A Special Day at Rockside Church!

Today was our Fifth Anniversary at Rockside Church! Guest Speaker, Matt Anderson challenged us to celebrate what God alone can do, what God can do through me, and what God can do through us. We began by thanking God through worship with an incredible reunion band lead by (former staff) Lydia Travnik and Bryan Karas, (present worship leader) Dan O’Keefe, Brad Link, Londa Churchill and Jason Winkler. We saw a video of testimonies and enjoyed a great dinner complete with birthday cake.

At the end of the day, I want to solute a special group of people and that's the scores of hardworking volunteers, the laypeople. I celebrate the people who have hosted and lead Journey Groups, our volunteer youth director who has been faithful and hardworking from day one, the set up and tear down guys, those who process offerings, bake pastries, host missionary dinners and events, print bulletins, care for babies, work Kids Church, usher, come early for prayer, organize events, run sound, create PowerPoint and videos, make schedules, teach Bible studies, work city events, the list is endless. I celebrate the awesome laypeople that keep the Church of Jesus Christ moving forward. Happy Birthday, Rockside Church!

Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, do it heartily as unto the Lord..."

TAKING MY BOAT OUT ON LAKE ERIE

“I didn’t know you had a boat!” you say? Well, technically, I don't. I’ve heard it said that the two best days of owning a boat are the day you buy it and the day you sell it. How many times a year do you suppose a person could actually get out on their boat in Cleveland, Ohio when they’re working a full time job – maybe 5 times at best? It would cost quite a bit for those 5 trips when you add it all up. So I simply purchase a ticket about 5 times a year and take the GOODTIME III out on Lake Erie, head for the top deck with a good book and occasionally enjoy a box of popcorn and ginger ale. Yep, they even have a concession stand on “my boat”! Dr. Richard Dobbins said, "we don’t live with our reality but rather the story we tell ourselves about our reality.” So what’s the story you’re telling yourself about your reality?

The gift of ALONE

I’ll admit, I was a little nervous snapping this picture with my cell phone. What if I drop it to the bottom of… oh, just don’t think about that. On my day off this week, I rented a kayak, one of my favorite “day off” things to do.

Paddling furiously across the open lake, I can get a great work out. Then moments later, I will put my feet up, lean back and sit very quietly, sort of becoming one with the water. I feel God’s presence in the wind, in the bounce of the water, the glow of the sunshine dancing on the water and the serenity of nature. In a single seated kayak in the middle of the lake, it’s a place where alone seems natural. It's a place where alone is wrapped as a beautiful gift that pulls my heart in close to Jesus in a way that just can’t happen quite the same amidst the noise of life, in the presence of people. When was the last time you experienced the gift of alone?