Starbucks Gospel

I'm almost finished reading Leonard Sweet's book "The Gospel According to Starbucks: Living with a Grande Passion." He uses the word EPIC as an acrostic for E-experiential; P-participatory; I-image; and C-connected. I like how Dr. Sweet examines our culture and give ideas on how to effectively communicate Jesus. You can either minister to the world in the way you wish it was or you can minister to it the way it is. I especially am amazed at how our culture is so participatory. Examples: American Idol is huge, partly because you participate by voting for your favorite. My wife Pat loves to vote for who she thinks is the next Taylor Hicks. (By the way, Pat never voted for Taylor) In our culture you can choose what you want your license plate to say. Many businesses today ask customers what kind of products they want rather then spending millions in research and development. It's all about participating. Even in ministry, teaching is not enough, it's actually doing what you teach. In the next few weeks at Breakfast Club, we're going to look at prayer. Not only will there be teaching, but we'll actually be participating by praying in different ways. Karaoke is another example of participating by making your own music. Even blogging and Facebook is participatory. Participation is in the air we breathe! These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Rap or Rape Music?

I just finished reading several articles about rap or hip hop music. Juan Williams, a black man who works for NPR and a Fox news analyst, says this about rap, "Gangsta rap appeals to kids across racial and class lines. In fact, middle-class white kids are the biggest consumers. The middle-class kids identify with the rebellion, the defiance of norms, the outrageous excess. But the real damage is to black kids, especially poor black kids told that their place in America is limited to playing out the stereotype of the black criminal, black clown, and black stud." (World Magazine - 2/3/07) A Christian website stated all (meaning even Christian rap)as "rape set to music." (World Magazine; "Holy Hip-Hop 2/3/07) I appreciate the articles because at Mars Hill on Friday, we're going to take a look at Super Bowl entertainment. Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Mash held on Thursday before the big game features Fergie. Fergie is a 31 year old woman who sings with the Black Eyed Peas. Her song "Fergalicious" is a huge hit and is the one we'll explore lyrically and visually at Mars Hill. We'll discuss the comments stated above, plus try and figure out the meaning of her rap song. The visuals include "Girl Scout" uniforms, used in a typical postmodern way. People my age would never associate a "Girl Scout" uniform used the way it is in the music video. So what do you think about rap? "Rape set to music" is strong statement that I don't agree with, especially in light of Christian artists who use that musical genre. Rap is huge and is the music of choice for millions. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Antiques Roadshow

This past weekend I watched Antiques Roadshow on PBS. Antiques Roadshow features people bringing in antiques to be inspected by experts. In this one scene, a man brings in a painting, wondering if it has any value. In fact his wife thinks it's worthless and makes him keep it in the basement. Soon the expert begins to examine the painting and tells the man the painting he has is extremely valuable. In fact, in an auction it could be worth $150,000 or more. The man is speechless an exclaims that his wife will now allow him to bring the painting up from the basement. This scene reminds me of Ephesians 2:10a which says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.." That word "workmanship" means valuable art piece or a valuable painting. All to often we let others keep us in the basement, making us think we are worthless. Yet in Jesus we are valuable works of art. May you get out of the basement and realize your worth in Jesus Christ. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Little Miss Sunshine

This week the Oscar nominations came out. Little Miss Sunshine, a small 8 million dollar production, garnered 4 nominations. The movie's nominations are for best picture, original screenplay, best supporting actor in Alan Arkin, and best supporting actress with Abigail Breslin. After seeing the film a few weeks ago, I will not be surprised if it wins best picture and more. The story revolves around seven year old wanna be beauty queen Olive, played by Abigail Breslin. The family is dysfunctional to the max and is symbolized by the VW van they drive to take Olive to a beauty contest. The movie is rated R for the grandpa (played by Alan Arkin) who snorts cocaine and uses the F word. What's interesting is to see the family pull together for each other. What's weird for me is to see little girls look all grown up in beauty contests. It's just not right! But Olive enters and breaks the mold. If you haven't seen this flick, it's worth an evening of your time. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Dead or Alive

I love this passage in Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV)...

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Note that we were dead but brought to life by God. It reminds me of the scene in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, where Aslan breathes on those creatures turned to stone by the Witch. Aslan brings the dead to life. Then they join Aslan in battling the forces of evil. That also is our role. Note the last verse-"Created in Christ Jesus to do good works." May you experience the life giving breath of Jesus to join Him in advancing His cause in the world. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Super Bowl will be Super

Da Bears and the Colts from Indy will play in the Super Bowl in two Sundays. The game will feature for the first time, not one, but two African American head football coaches. We'll hear a lot about that. But what about the game? Who do you think will win? Who will you root for? Not only is there a game to be played, but I'm always fascinated by the commericals. Then there's the halftime show. In the days ahead we'll look not only at the game, but the advetising and the entertainers that are a huge part of the Super Bowl. In the meantime here's my prediction for the game- Colts 35 Bears 14. But I'll be rooting for the Bears!!! These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Home of the Hamburger

The states of "Don't Mess with Texas" and the "Cheeseheads of Wisconsin" are having a food fight over hamburgers. Each state declares it first made the hamburger. Even Akron, Ohio claims to be the birthplace of the burger. The hamburger orgin points to, of course, immigrants from Hamburg, Germany. For me, I don't care. Give me a Kewpee hamburger anyday. Just last week I ordered coupons from LCC that allow you to buy one Kewpee hamburger and get one free. You can't beat that. What about you? A Big Mac? Wilson's? Wendy's bacon cheeseburger? I'll make mine a single with onion, pickle, ketchup, and green olives. Now that's a hamburger! These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

American Idol

Season 6 of American Idol begins tonight. I'm not much of a fan, but my wife Pat is. She won't miss a one. And she's not alone. Last season 31 million people watched on Tuesday's and 30 million watched on Wednesday's. For other tv networks, American Idol is known as the "Death Star." No other show in primetime can compete against it. For me, I'll be at Campus Life Club most Tuesday's. Hopefully someone will show up who's not addicted to AI. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

In remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, here is an portion of his famous "I Have a Dream Speech." The words are powerful and for many of us today, we can't imagine what it was like in the '60's, especially in the South. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

I Have A Dream...
I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest -- quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."²

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:

My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,

From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.



And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.

Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.

Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of
Pennsylvania.

Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that:

Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.

From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

Free at last! Free at last!

Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

NFL

The NFL Conference games are set. I must admit, I'm not as excited about the playoffs this year like I was last year. Yes, I live in Ohio and root for the Pittsburg Steelers!! It's not because of Big Ben being from Findlay either. I was a fan since the Steelers drafted Terry Bradshaw to be their quarterback. This year I like either the Bears (Chris Boisvert's favorite team) or the Saints. So whoever wins that game, I'll be rooting for an NFC team in the Super Bowl. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Spiritual Formation

Tommorrow morning at 9:30 am. at Ebenezer Mennonite Church, I'm doing a presentation on "Spiritual Formation." We'll be looking at the cultural water temperature found in the "Bathtub," what the "Birthing" process looks like, and how to help new followers of Christ take "Baby Steps" I'm excited to do this in prepartion for the Power Team arriving at Ebenezer February 7th - 11th. If you're looking for a fast paced teaching on Sunday morning, come join us! These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

An Apple a Day

Apple unveiled Tuesday its new all-in-one iphone. For $499 to $599 you can get this Apple. It doesn't have skin or seeds, but it does have a phone, ipod, camera, and web acess. The tech guys absolutely love the concept. However the price and the five hour battery life my prevent a lot of people from purchasing this. What about you? Would you pick this "Apple?" These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Rich and Famous

In a poll released this week by the Pew Research Center, 81% of 18 to 25 year olds said getting rich is their generation's most important or second-most-important life goal. 51% said the same about being famous. What will this mean to those who ask young people to surrender all to Jesus? This reminds me of something I read in Carpe Manna by Leonard Sweet. "This was modernity: You are nothing unless you have everything. This is postmodernity; You can have everything and still have nothing." We'll have to point the young people of today to the Old Testament and the book of Ecclesiastes. This is the story of a man who had everything and yet nothing. What was really needed was that vital connection to the Lord of the universe. May we help point young people to the One who truly gives life. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

OSU Buckeyes

Now this is a difficult blog for me to write. OSU in the National Championship game tonight! Who do you think will win? Here's my prediction...
Jim "Sweater Vest" Tressel's Bugeyes, (whoops! Buckeyes)- 34 to Urban "Legend" Meyer's Florida Gator Bites - 10. As a side note, I did hear that Brinkman's in Findlay couldn't supply enough Gator meat for the hungry Buckeye fans to devour. I think you can substitute chicken and call it gator bites. Go Buckeyes! Go Blue!! These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Moving Mark

This morning, David Glick, Wade Slecther, Cory Huber, and I helped move Mark Pratt and his dad, to Findlay. We have a connection with Mark through his involvement in Club 56. After Mark's mom died in early December, Mark has been living with his dad at the Riley View Apartments. Unfortunately you cannot house a child at Riley View, so they needed to look for new place to live. Our prayer was for them to find a place in Bluffton, but instead they found a house to rent in Findlay near Glenwood school. So this morning we helped move the heavy furnishing to their new abode. We're going to miss Mark and his involvement in Club 56. We now pray that Mark can get involved with middle school Campus Life in Findlay. Mark has seen a lot of changes happen in his life and if you could pray for him, that would be great. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Facebook

Yes, I'm now one of the thousands who have a "Facebook" entry. The "techie" crew, better known as Seventy8 Productions, told me this was an important thing to do in our internet world. So I've taken the plunge and dove right into Facebook. In case you don't know what Facebook is, here's what Wikipedia says, "Facebook is an English-language social networking website, popular among college students. It was originally developed for university students, faculty and staff, but has since been expanded to include everyone, including high school, corporate and geographic communities.
As of December 2005, the website had the largest number of registered users among college-focused sites (at over 7.5 million US college student accounts created with an additional 20,000 new accounts being created daily). It is the number one site for photos, ahead of public sites such as Flickr, with 2.3 million photos uploaded daily...
The name of the site is based on the paper facebooks that colleges give to incoming students, faculty, and staff depicting members of the campus community."
So checkout my preliminary venture into Facebook. Won't you be my friend? You can also "poke" me. I'll know more about that later. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Weird Airplane Stories

I don't fly that often, but I have heard of weird airport and airplane stories. Once when leaving Detroit Airport for France, a man right before us tried to get a chain saw and gasoline onto the plane. He did not succeed. I have read some funny airplane stories for 2006. Imagine this one...a Dallas bound American Airlines jet makes an emergency landing in Nashville when a gassy woman tried to mask the smell by lighting matches. Of course the smell of burning matches causes alarm an embarrasment for the woman. It took three hours to sort out the mess. Then there's the story about the smuggled hamster that got loose on the plane. The plane had to make an emergency landing to catch the runaway animal and to make sure it didn't chew through any wiring. It's stories like this that makes me feel confident to fly. If airplanes will take care of flatulencing women and fuury critters, they certainly will look out for my safety. Snakes on a plane? No way!! Until you catch your next flight, these are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Happy New Year!

New Year's Eve included a dinner date with David and Mary Glick at Applebee's. Then Pat and I went to the movies to see "We Are Marshall." If you like sports movies, you'll love this one. It's based on the true story of the 1970 Marshall football team and fans who died on a flight back from East Carolina game. All 75 people died in the plane crash. See www.marshall.edu/library/speccoll/virtual_museum/memorial/crew/ for more details. The story then revolves trying to bring back a football program after this tragedy. We then brought in the New Year with a kiss. New Year's Day involves having family and some friends over for a Rose Bowl Dinner Party. Michigan plays USC at 5 pm. I can't wait to see the Big Blue play football again. With all the talent returning next season, Michigan will probably be the preseason #1 football team. Go Blue! May you have a blessed New Year in which grow more and more in love with Jesus. These are the days my friend. Happy New Year!
Jim "Train"