Series on Philippians has begun at Covenant-First Presbyterian

Pastor Russell Smith of Covenant-First Presbyterian in Cincinnati started a new series on the study of the Epistle to the Philippians. The first sermon is posted on the church’s Web site.

The series will continue each Sunday morning at 717 Elm Street, Cincinnati. Subsequent sermons will also be posted on the Web site.

Preparing for Significant Challenges While Traveling

There are many possible challenges any traveler can face on a business trip or personal excursion. Delays, accidents, mechanical failure and weather represent just a few of the possible challenges to travel. When weather conditions are at the heart of your travel challenge it is important to know some key things that can help you through the challenge more successfully.

I recently learned a few lessons and discovered some valuable resources while impacted by the weather during a recent business trip.

1 – Prepare for possible power outages. If the power goes out in a hotel, there will be no heat (or a/c), hot water, lights, phone, etc. If power lines are brought down by ice it could be days before power is restored. If power outages are possible, call the hotels in the area to locate those with back up generators. The best scenario is a back up generator that is gas powered rather than battery powered. When the ice storm impacted Oklahoma City last week after trying to reschedule a flight home earlier, the next move I made was to move to a hotel with a back-up generator.

2 – Locate ready to eat food. Once again if power goes out for a long period of time, restaurants will be impacted too. You will need to be able to provide your own food and water. When you are in your own neighborhood with friends and family close by, the impact of a power outage can be minimal but when you are out of town you may be on your own. Nutrition is the key here, junk food won’t sustain you or give you the energy you will need to think clearly and work hard if needed. Many of the lessons taught by Les Stroud, “the Survivor Man,”  apply to this situation as well.

3 – Good resources of information are important. Quickly evaluate information outlets to discover if they are timely and accurate. Local news and weather will likely be more accurate and specific about your location than national news or weather. When searching for information about flights however, local resources may not be the best. Local airports may not be staffed to provide the information you need. FlightStats.com proved to be very helpful during my recent travel challenges. This site offered information about all airports and their delays as well as all flights in and out of them and the number of seats available on the flights.

4 – Twitter. Another good information resource is Twitter. Follow the local news outlets on Twitter while you are away. Also discover the hashtags being used for the challenge you face. During my stay in Oklahoma last week the hashtag was #okice. Following this on Twitter helped me to know where the biggest problems were, how others were dealing with the problems and ideas for my own challenges.

5 – Departments of Transportation (DOT) Web sites provide information about road conditions. If your plans or strategies to navigate the challenge you face involves driving, look at the DOT sites for surrounding states too.

6 – Connect with others who are facing the same challenges. If you are traveling by air, a good relationship with a premier elite traveler will be helpful. Those with VIP travel status on airlines may have access to phone numbers that can be more accessible than those provided to the general travel public.

7 – Make sure your rental car is properly equipped. Before leaving the rental car lot get an ice scraper and/or snow brush. Also check the windshield wipers to be sure they are working properly. During a stay in Texas, a rental car I was given had windshield wipers that didn’t work. The car company refused to bring me a car so I had to drive back to their lot to exchange the car. I’ve not rented from that company again.

8 – Proper clothing. When facing a storm at home you have access to all of your hats, gloves, shoes and boots. But when you are out of town you may not have everything you need. Proper clothing can be essential to successfully navigating a weather related travel challenge. Cheap substitutes for the stuff you have at home is better than nothing. You can always donate the items to someone else if you don’t need them later.

9 – Cell phone. Of course a cell phone is vital in an emergency but don’t forget to get all of your important phone numbers stored before your trip. And if you can, also store your loyalty program numbers. If you forget your charger, ask the hotel if they have any chargers that were left behind by other travelers. In Oklahoma City, the hotel had two boxes full of these chargers. But if there are power outages you will also need to have old fashioned paper copies of the numbers you need. Or at least a way to get them from someone when you call home.

10 – Apps. The new cell phones have many apps available that may be helpful during travel. I know many are available for iPhone and Blackberry, I’m sure Palm has apps available too. Search the app store before you travel to find out what may be most helpful. For example, Viigo not only gives you access to Twitter but also news feeds and flight status updates.

Travel safe.

To Make or Redeem Culutre?

Jonathan Dodson at the Creation Project blog wrote an excellent article called “To Make or Redeem Culture?” Jonathan does a great job of synthesizing Crouch’s Culture Making with Edgar’s article about Paul’s teaching at Mars Hill and other works on the topic.

Dodson writes,

Instead of choosing between the two, what would it look like for you to bring a redemptive worldview into your workplace, where you bring a gospel perspective upon a problem or person, while also working well to generate new solutions and answers. When you gain success, redemptive engagment calls you to make much of God not of yourself. Instead or bemoaning the failing copier, you take the time to fix it and then use it to make copies of your new ideas to better your company! Instead of bragging that you fixed the seemingly unfixable copier, you remain humble and rejoice in the fact that it is working! Instead of just making new innovative music, make music that gives proceeds to relieve poverty and rest in Christ for your significance, not in your notoriety. Be credemptive!

LEGO Advent Calendar

LEGO has an Advent calendar.

Celebrate 24 days of festive building with the LEGO City Advent Calendar! This holiday set includes lots of minifigures and accessories, all leading up to the biggest model of all on the last day. A wonderful gift for any LEGO builder or the whole family to enjoy!

• Each day open a new window in the specially designed Advent Calendar box!
• Includes 24 city-themed surprises for the season, including LEGO minifigures, accessories and more!
• Includes 10 minifigures!

 

Smoke on the Mountain Review

Russell Smith over at The Eagle and The Child blog, wrote an interesting review of the Playhouse in the Park production of Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming.

My wife and I saw this play in 2007 and recently saw the latest production in the series Sanders Family Christmas. Comparatively, the Homecoming version had better musicians overall but the story of the current production is also a tribute to America’s veterans. Any plays in this series is worth seeing, especially if Tess Hartman is on stage as June. She is very funny in the role and is once again back at Playhouse in the Park.

Be Still, My Soul

My friend John sang this song in chapel yesterday. I don’t know if his was recorded but I’m hoping to track it down. The video below is not his rendition but this one is also very good.

What a great hymn.

Club conduct in Covington impacts city’s children

The political, business, and community leaders of Covington are working very hard to make the city a great place to live and work. The Center for Great Neighborhoods and the Covington Business Council along with those in City Hall and many others have encouraged the growth of small businesses including many in the areas of technology, arts and wedding planning.

The growth of these businesses is great for the city not only in tax revenue (one of the highest local tax rates in the area) but also in the support these organizations provide for the other sectors of the city. The restaurants, schools and non-profits all benefit from the small businesses in the city. Many of the local technology-focused businesses work with the local schools, hosting students in their office to learn about careers and business in the city.

However, Covington also has several clubs in the city that are having a different impact on the other businesses in the area. It is unfortunate that the city planners have not seen fit to keep these gentleman’s clubs away from schools. But that’s not going to change. What does need to change however, is the way these businesses conduct themselves. The windows on these businesses are blacked out for obvious reasons. But Club Venus on 5th Street, frequently has many of its dancers on the sidewalk or standing just inside the clear glass door, in full view for all passersby. These dancers are not completely clothed and often call out for people passing by, with inappropriate, unwelcome solicitations. Some of the dancers have also been seen conducting illegal transactions in cars and vans in the parking lot across the street.

Not only does this negatively impact businesses nearby but it also negatively impacts the children in the middle school less than one block away. Club Venus and Two Rivers Middle School are separated by a street and a parking garage. Often students walking home after school pass by the club and are exposed to the inappropriate conduct of the Club Venus employees.

I would encourage those in City Hall to consider how they can help these children more effectively. It is important that the boys and girls in Two Rivers Middle School learn without the distractions of illegal conduct and under-dressed parades on the sidewalk. It is important that the boys and girls of Two Rivers Middle School learn that the city cares about their complete well-being and the examples that are available for them. It is important tha the parents of those children know what their children are exposed to. It is important that the churches in the community take a stand against illegal conduct that impacts the emotional and spiritual health of our community’s children.

Club Venus can be a better neighbor by effecting its own change for the protection of the children.

I would like to challenge:

• political leaders to investigate the conduct of Club Venus employees
• parents to speak out against the conduct and its impact on their children
• churches to pray for the spiritual health in our community
• business leaders to work together to document the issues they have witnessed
• neighborhood leaders to strive for a community improvement that go beyond flower boxes to also include protection of the children from exposure to illicit activities like those described here
• Club Venus to be a better neighbor

We know that when we work together, city’s can be improved. Covington needs to continue its improvement not only in the support of small business growth but also in changes that will protect the children of the city.

Prayer for families affected by suicide

In the article Refocusing the Lens, I wrote about how  I have been impacted by a man I didn’t know who jumped from the Roebling Suspension Bridge a few years ago. Unfortunately, I have also known some other men who chose to take their own life.

On Saturday January 31, 2009 at 10:00 AM I’m going to be on the West sidewalk of the Roebling Suspension Bridge (in the middle of the bridge) to pray for families who have been impacted by suicide and to pray for those who are fighting every day with the temptation of suicide. It’s not a formal event and won’t be a long event but if you are interested in joining me feel free to come to the Covington Riverfront or drop me a note.

Update: Due to ice and snow, I’m going to change the location. Instead of being on the bridge I will be on Riverside Drive near the Mike Fink Restaurant.

Dr. Walter Brueggemann to speak in Cincinnati

Dr. Walter Brueggemann, author many books including The Creative Word: Canon as Model for Biblical Education, is scheduled to speak at Christ Church Cathedral in Cincinnati March 4, 11 & 27, April 1, 7:00 p.m as part of the church’s Lenten program.

According to the church’s Web site:

Dr. Brueggemann looks at lessons from Hebrew Scripture on community, social ethic and economic justice and finds parallels with society today.

March 4: The System of Pharaoh and the System of Sinai
Pharaohs Egypt was founded on the assumption of scarcity. In a society based on scarcity, its inhabitants live in fear and anxiety about needs that cannot be met, and its leaders conduct public policy based on manipulation, power and domination in an effort to maintain the state. The result is a society of anxiety. An alternative is found in the society of the God of liberation, as Moses found on Mt. Sinai. What lessons can we in contemporary society draw from these images?

March 11: Unpacking Sinai
The Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai laid down a different principle from that which governed Pharaoh, a principle based on Gods abundant provision. Deuteronomy then broadened their focus on the common good into a social ethic. From Old Testament times to contemporary times, how do Gods acts of generosity break the anxiety of scarcity? How can we affirm a life of Gods generosity rather than nightmare of Pharaohs scarcity?

March 25: Jeremiahs Truth
As history unfolds in the Old Testament, the prophets of Israel come to advocate for a return to the integrity and truth embodied in the law of Sinai and Deuteronomy. Jeremiah in particular summons the people of God to renewed faithfulness. He calls them to challenge the states claims of domination and power. How is the justice of Sinai and Deuteronomy relevant to our own day?

April 1: Finding Jeremiah Today
How can we expand the prophetic voice to answer the needs of the world today? What would be the implications for truth and faithful living? What would be the implications for a culture of domination and power when faced with a hope for life beyond the demands of empire?

Chistmas Time’s a Comin’

Tim O’Brien and Bryan Sutton with Danny Barnes performing Christmas Time’s a Comin’ at Cumberland Caverns.

Learning to be content, choosing not to complain

While reading Exodus and Numbers earlier this year, I was stopped in my tracks as I read about God’s reaction when people complained. Exodus 16:2-3 says, “The entire Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by pots of meat and ate all the bread we wanted. Instead, you brought us into this wilderness to make this whole assembly die of hunger!’” While the community aimed their complaints at Moses and Aaron, throughout the OT God repeatedly says that it was him who brought Israel out of Egypt. In v. 8, part of Moses response is “Who are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the LORD.”

 In chapter 16, God hears their complaints and provides for their needs with quail and manna. Verse 11 says, “The LORD spoke to Moses, ‘I have heard the complaints of the Israelites. Tell them: At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will eat bread until you are full. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’” God chose to hear this complaint as a prayer and meet their need.

But in Numbers 21:4-9, the complaint is against the very sustenance God provided in Exodus 16 and God’s reaction is different. Verses 5-6, “The people spoke against God and Moses: ‘Why have you led us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!’ Then the LORD sent poisonous snakes among the people, and they bit them so that many Israelites died.”

While in Exodus, the complaints to God were sin, God had mercy on the complainers and provided them the sustennace they needed for the next 40 years. Here, the people complain again (and it’s not the first time since the Exodus complaint) and God does not have mercy this time. Now he sends poisonous snakes.

I am struck deeply by the Word of God here when I see that complaining about the blessings God has given is sin against him. Rather than complain about what God has given us, we are called to give thanks. 1 Chronicles 16:8 says, “Give thanks to the LORD; call on His name; proclaim His deeds among the peoples.”

Looking back at Exodus 16 (manna) and Numbers 21 (snakes), I’m also reminded of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:9-12 where he says, “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

As I think about these passages and others like Galatians 5:22-23 and Isaiah 9:6 (in Isaiah, Jesus is called the “Prince of Peace” and in Galatians one of the items listed as the “fruit of the Spirit” is peace), I am stopped in my tracks and deeply convicted about my own complaints. I find myself in the habit of complaining about problems at work, problems with my house, problems in friendships and business relationships. And now that I read this I am bowed before God to get out of this habitual complaining … to find peace with God and peace with myself.

As those who are obiedent to Christ, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, it is important for us to have peace in our lives. Peace with God is discovering that the road we are on is the exact road that he has put us on. Ps 139:16 says, “Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all [my] days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began.”

Paul says in Phillippians 4:11 that he has learned to be content in whatever circumstances he’s in. I think it is interesting and important he doesn’t say that God has made him to be content but that he has learned to be content. I believe the Holy Spirit is his teacher, but while Peace is part of the fruit of the Spirit, we have to learn to seek God first and to trust him completely (cf. Joshua 1:9).

Impact of Spiritual Leaders on a Community

Earlier this year, Dr. Joan Gray, moderator of the PC(USA), spoke at Covenant-First Presbyterian Church, in Cincinnati. During her presentation she said, “A church can never rise above the spiritual growth of its elders.” I think this is an important point for any church leader, elder or otherwise, to consider.

As I’ve participated in many churches and denominations across the U.S. and Canada (probably not nearly as many as Dr. Gray), I’ve noticed that typically it is not the pastoral staff that stagnates or stimulates the spiritual growth of a congregation but it is the elders and lay leaders that have the most impact.

When invited into leadership positions, each individual should consider the responsibility that comes with the position and if they are equipped for the position. It may be prestigious to be in leadership, but the roles and responsibilities that come with the position are sometimes less than prestigious. Spiritual maturity is often evidenced by how the leaders handle difficult situations.

Consider the example of Nehemiah, who recognized sin in his community. Immediately he  “sat down and wept and mourned for days, and continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven….” And when he prayed, he repented of the sins of the community. He sought God in repentance and then followed God for the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

When the Bible provides examples of Godly-leadership, the examples are those of servant-leaders who are not seeking their own prestige but are seeking the well-being of the community for the glory of God. When church leaders, lay or ordained, take on the role of a servant-leader they will be called to lead communities to repentance as well as to proclaim the Word of God.

Dr. Douglas Kelly, of Reformed Theological Seminary, says that each of us are called to be priest, prophet and king. He says that too much emphasis on any one of these roles in the life of a believer is dangerous. I would assert, too much emphasis on any one of these roles in the life a leader is dangerous to a congregation or a denomination. A servant-leader is one who understands the difference between these three roles and knows when to appropriately apply the right principles. In case its not clear:

• A prophet proclaims the Word of God
• A priest comforts the hurting
• A king cares for the administrative needs of the community

The New Testament is clear that all followers of Christ are called to these roles but not all are called to be elders and deacons. But I also think the example of Amos is an important one, when there is not a leader to proclaim the truth, sometimes a vine-dresser is called to do that job. So when leaders sin, God can, and does, raise up someone to keep them accountable.

Leaders must also keep one another accountable. If pastor or professor disavows the diety of Christ, it is the responsibility of the leadership (moderator, president, pastor, elder or deacon) to deal with the heresy in a biblical manner, a servant-leader sometimes gently prods (Jesus and Peter) and sometimes tears down (Jesus and the temple).  If a leader puts too much emphasis on the administrative needs of the community, those who are hurting are not comforted and the Word of God is not proclaimed.

But servant-leadership doesn’t come naturally to us, we must learn it through study of the life of Christ, deep levels of Bible study, and mentoring from good Christian leadership.  Churches must strive to pass on the faith, as well as the models of leadership that are found in Scripture. As new generations come into leadership, they must know that there will be many voices calling to them to respond in certain ways, but the call of God is to a Biblical approach to the issues that face us in our daily lives.

When leaders are unprepared for the challenges they will face, lacking the foundational knowledge and maturity in faith, the damage they can leave on the community can last for generations.

Escher’s Perspectives

Back in college my friend Byron introduced me to M.C. Escher, the artist famous for some unique perspectives on symmetry and his mathematical prints. Some of his most popular works include Belvedere, Waterfall and Ascending and Descending. These three (and many of his other works) provide unique perspectives of a 3D world on a 2D canvas.

The M.C. Escher Web site has provided some interesting “Virtual Rides” through these three works to help see the perspective Escher brings out in his work. The Virtual Ride through Belvedere gave me a new appreciation for this work, which I never gave much thought to before. And the Virtual Ride through Waterfall is equally interesting. As for the Virtual Ride through Ascending and Descending, I thought it was somewhat less interesting, but maybe you will see something in it I haven’t yet seen.

If you have any interest in Escher, these Virtual Rides are worth a few minutes of exploration.

How do you think different unique perspectives like these from Escher, help us to see real life differently?

Humility of Christ

Reprinted from Called by the King, published by Covenant-First Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati

Read Philippians 2:1-11

No doubt as you drive through most any neighborhood this week you will notice bright lights and plastic figures adorning most of the yards. We know that Jesus wasn’t born in the midst of bright lights or plastic figures. No, he was born in a barn, in the dark, among living, breathing, snorting animals. Matthew and Luke also tell us there was: a special star, kings bearing gifts, an angelic proclamation to shepherds, singing and worship. Angels are proclaiming his coming to shepherds as all of heaven watches and here on earth, there is not even a room for him.

Even as the gospels paint this vibrant picture for us, there is still more happening behind the scene as God comes to earth to participate in humanity. Paul has that in view here in Philippians 2 as he describes Jesus humility. Paul’s description of Jesus’ humility in verses 5-8 feels like a downward spiral. You can almost see Jesus putting on layers of humility as this song builds towards its center.

Paul’s song of Jesus’ humility challenges us in many ways, not only to see Christmas in a different light but also reveal the depth of Jesus’ obedient sacrifice in the light of eternity and the nature of God. The humble beginnings of the Incarnate Jesus in a barn are not just to add flavor to an interesting tale of a man who rises above his circumstances. But the humility of Jesus is part of his work, the work that is not complete until he dies on a cross.

While the work of Jesus is complete, the song in our passage does not end here. The obedient humility of Jesus and his work has a purpose that includes the exaltation of Christ and the glory of the Father.

Questions for Reflection

1. (v 3) How does Paul direct us to apply Christ’s humility to our own lives?

2. (vv 5-7) How should our attitude mimic Jesus’ attitude?

3. (v 7) How did Christ take on the nature of a servant?

4. (vv 8-9) To whom was Jesus obedient?

5. (v 11) What is the purpose of Christ’s humility?

6. How have you followed Christ’s example by being a servant to others?

7. How does the humility of Christ challenge you at work and in your family?

8. What purpose does humility serve in your life?

Prayer

Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus you are the highly exalted King who is seated at the right hand of the Father. Thank you for the humility of the Incarnation and the sacrifice for our sins on the cross. As the day approaches on which we observe the celebration of the Incarnation, filter out the bright plastic and blinking lights and give me eyes to see the humility of Christ Jesus and the glory of God this Advent season. Give me a willingness to be a servant and to look out for the interest of others that you might receive glory and praise. Amen.

Related Posts

http://rodford.wordpress.com/2008/11/07/advent-devotional-for-2008/

Banjo Cheer

“Banjo Cheer,” written by John Douglas, first appeared in the December 1911 issue of The Cadenza, a string instrument magazine of the time. These are his words.

Christmas seems to be a good and appropriate time to discourse on banjo cheer, for all the instruments the banjo is par-excellence the one most strikingly adapted to moments of comfortable joviality.

Happy is he who with the magic light of the open fire shining on his face, and the cracking of nuts sounding in his ears, can nurse his old JO and draw from its strings the lovely strains of Annie Lori.

Talking about banjo cheer, my biggest experience of it happened some fifteen years ago in Northwest Canada a few miles above Medicine Hat.

As a solitary homesteader with only a horse for company and the nearest neighbor nine miles away, I set out one Christmas eve to visit the homestead of a friend, some good distance across the snow blanked prairie. My horse had unfortunately gone lame, so I had to force to walk, a decide ling foolish thing to do in the far North West in the dead of winter, with the skies portending to snow. I had not traveled more than five miles when the wind began to rise, the thermometer stood no doubt at about nine below zero, and it was destine to go lower before the morning.

Soon snow began to fall, and near my journey’s end I found myself in as blinding a blizzard as ever struck the land. I felt the piercing cold all the more keenly on account of the storming wind, and I became afraid that I would never see the end of my trip, I staggered blindly forward in what I thought the right direction, but at the end of an hour I had to acknowledge that I was hopelessly lost.

Over the darkness the raging blizzard and the stinging cold I began to feel stupid and tired. I had begun to long to take a rest that I knew would be dangerous to me when I suddenly ran head-first into what was clearly a straw stack, I was very thankful for this piece of luck, for I could burrow into the stack to windward and thus save my precious life.

The stack might be only fifty yards away from some settler’s cabin, or it might be half a mile away. The straw stacks are left wherever the trashing is done. I knew better than to go wandering in search of something I could not see, and it was not long before I had burrowed into the huge pile of straw eight feet or more, sheltered completely from the wind I lay and listened to the raging of the storm without. By kicking my feet together and beating my hands vigorously, I managed to keep from actually become frozen.

But, towards morning I must have slept I dreamt I was at home with my old banjo on my knee and somehow it seemed to be playing itself in a light ethereal tone, then I became aware of something pricking my face, it was the straw. I open my eyes and saw that the sun was shining brightly outside the stack, and yes, but no I must be still dreaming was that a real banjo I heard.

Faintly to be sure, but a banjo never-the-less it must be.

I scrambled out of the stack and there but a few yards away stood a sod shanty and a stable, and sure enough, as I stumbled forward through snowdrifts coming faintly to my ears I heard the dear old melody of “Come All Ye Faithful,” and a banjo, a good old banjo, a real one, truly banjo cheer par excellence.

Yes perhaps you can get good cheer out of other mediums but for banjoists a banjo every time.

So saying, I wish everyone a right merry Christmas