Redundant Repetition!

While washing my hands in the restroom just moments ago, a question popped into my head. “What if I wore the same clothes to work each day for a week?” Now, I don’t know why I thought this. Maybe I’m just strange. You don’t have to answer that.

I wonder if people are getting so P.C. that they won’t even tell a co-worker that he stinks and should changes his clothes. Days one and two wouldn’t be too bad, but by the end of day three there has to be some stench permeating the atmosphere. I pity anyone who has a meeting with this person on day four. UGH!
I know I’m strange, but it’s something to think about.

NEW MUSIC
I picked up my latest Youth Pastor Perk box at Mardel yesterday. It wasn’t as full as usual, but it had several CDs of bands I’d never heard. My favorite so far is Echoing Angels. They have a great sound!

Pillar was featured in this quarter’s box. There’s even a Pillar sweatshirt. I guess they are coming to OKC in April.

My favorite band of all time is still Casting Crowns. I love how they speak the Truth in every song. What’s your favorite band?

Posted by beefcomm at 10:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So, when I said on Friday, "See you Monday," I sure didn't think it would be Thursday before I blogged again. It's been a crazy couple of days. The last two days have been spent working on a 5 hour video for my day job. I finished editing it today and am now compressing. So far, the compression has been running for 20 minutes and I have another 3 hours to go. Looks like it will be running through the night.

 

Isn't it strange how things happen sometimes. For those of you that know me and my wife, we have a desire to sell our house and move to town. We had it on the market for about 6 months or so and nobody even offered. Now that it's been off the market for three weeks, someone leaves a note in the mailbox asking to look at the house on Sunday. To top that off, we are in the middle of painting and decorating our master bath, the second room we've done this to in a week. UGH! BUT, I'm open to God's timing. History tells me He has a good idea of what He's doing.

 

Tomorrow evening our youth group travels to Owasso, Okla., for "Fun on the Run." It's an all-night youth rally. It will be fun, but I'm not looking forward to the drive home. I'm thankful that I have enough adult help that I can crash somewhere for a few hours. We should be home around 9 am on Saturday. After a few hours of catch-up sleep, it's back to painting and getting ready for our home showing. 

 

I'm trying to think of sermon topics that would allow for some really great video opportunities. I'd like to make some videos for Bro. Steve's messages. If you have any ideas, let me know.

 

Have a great day! I'll see you tomorrow. 

Posted by beefcomm at 03:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

You know that something is going on when your pastor answers the phone while trying to catch his breath. As was the case today. The conversation was short and went something like this:

Me:    "Hi Pastor. What's going on?"

Him:    "I'm just (huff) on the roof (puff) of the church (huff and puff) pushing off ice."

Me:    "Has Jim had a chance to clear the parking lot?"

Him:    "He's working on it right now."

Me:    "Great. Have a good day and enjoy your pastorly duties!"

 

I think it's funny how a pastor, who's called be a shepherd, ends up being a carpenter, plumber, electrician, maid, and parking lot attendant. Don't forget that he still has to make visits to hospitals, the shut-ins, the elderly, the angry, the absent and the prospect. Oh! He's also expected to bring riveting messages 1-3 times per week. You know, the ones that are memorable and life-changing.

Most pastors don't mind doing these things because they love the church and their flock. Sometimes I wonder if it just wouldn't be easier to cut a hole in their roof and lower the sick into their house with a helicopter.

WHAT? That's already been done?

 

Have a great weekend! I'll see you Monday! 

Posted by beefcomm at 03:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Nobody's asked it, but I know you are dieing to know...what is redundant repetition?

Well, I was looking for a name for this blog when I began to think about our spiritual lives [insert contemplative stare into the sky here]. 

The truth is that I just thought it was a cool name. But, then I  did wonder what those two words mean in this context and I found something interesting.

Redundant, as defined by dictionary.com, can mean repetition; however, I found another meaning for it that intrigued me. Redundant: 2.being in excess; exceeding what is usual or natural: a redundant part.
How much of our lives are made up of excessive repetition? Now, if you are talking about brushing your teeth or taking a shower...those are good things.

But, is redundant repetition a good thing in our spiritual lives? When you sit down for a meal do you pray the same thing every time? If you do, does it have meaning in your heart or is it just a tradition. Often our walk with Christ becomes redundant repetition. We do it because it fits nicely into our schedule and we can't deviate from our schedule. There are many traditions in nearly every church and those are fine as long as you are not driven by the tradition but by the very reason for the tradition.

Communion is a tradition often cited during a debate of this kind. Jesus told His disciples that as often as they shall partake of the cup and the bread that they should remember Him. He didn't tell them to do it for traditions sake. He said REMEMBER ME! The Bible tells us that we need to inspect and correct our lives before we participate in Communion. Taking Communion as a tradition doesn't allow that introspective reflection.

Communion isn't the only tradition that we hold in the church. This arguement can be applied to prayer, singing, activities and so forth.

So, as you go about your day think on this. What part of your walk with Christ is needless redundant repetition? What part of your walk with Christ can you make redundant (excessive) worship?
 

Posted by beefcomm at 10:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Life is busy! Apple debutted the new iPhone this week and I wasn't surprised at it's design. Apple seems to have a way of designing consumer electronics in such a manner that it looks (and usually is) simple. It's almost deceiving when you begin to understand the power and ability of their devices. For example, the iPhone fits in the palm of your hand just like any other phone. However, this unique device is actually three devices in one: a phone, a widescreen iPod and an internet communications tool. The fact that it doesn't have any buttons also makes it unique (all functions are accessed through a multi-touch screen).

This new device now means you don't have to carry a phone, a PDA, and an iPod or MP3 player. It's just simplified your life. But, has it? Nearly two years ago, I had a business meeting in my office with the general manager of a sports advertising firm. The company just bought him a new leash...actually it was the Blackberry. Within five minutes of leaving my office he had emailed me the information I needed. Knowing that it took 20 minutes to return to his office, I realize that he sat in my parking lot and wrote out my email.

LIFE IS BUSY! But I've had a question in my head for a long time that isn't getting answered. Is our obsession with doing more and producing more having a negative impact on our relationship with Christ? Don't misunderstand me...technology is great and I love to implement it in a church setting. But isn't our speeding here and there causing our faith to falter?

Case in point: How many times do you get gas and not speak to the person filling the car next to you? I do it all the time because I'm in too big of a hurry. It's as if the gas pump will not operate unless I sit there and watch the gallons add up! Guess what! Gas pump technology usually allows us to set the lever on the handle and walk away. Why not invite that person across the pump to your church? Why not tell them what God has done for you? Because LIFE IS BUSY!

On numerous occasions this week from numerous sources, I've heard the same message. Demonstrating and growing in faith is reliant upon risk. Abraham didn't demonstrate his faith by keeping Isaac at home while he went to Moriah. He had to take his son and the wood for the burnt offering...an offering that required the life of his son. Once Abraham's faith was revealed, God's messenger halted Abraham and God provided the ram as an offering instead. Abraham named that place Jehovah-jirah, meaning God will provide.

So is life as busy as it seems or are our lives lacking the faith we need to see growth in our church? 

Posted by beefcomm at 10:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)