tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57917586909940474012024-03-21T07:20:02.906-04:00Head, Heart, HandsDavid McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331751581174335101noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-2020990271067974502012-06-11T23:08:00.001-04:002012-06-11T23:08:24.017-04:00Welcome James Thad McCune!!<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">James Thad McCune graced us with his presence at 1:45 this morning, June 11th. He weighs 9lbs 4oz (!!) and is 21 in long. Everybody's doing great- praise the Lord. We can't believe we're a family of 4!</span><br />
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Not only that, but now I'm a dad with SON!! Some more responsibility just got put into my life.</div>
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Lord - what an opportunity - remove the anxiety that comes with raising kids. Open our hearts to receive this little one and to love him as we've loved Hannah and as you love us. </div>
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It was a WILD day!! I can't believe that even as I write this at 10:45pm only 24 hours ago we didn't even know James would be here!</div>
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At 11:15 on the 10th Virginia felt the first pangs. We we're sure if this was it as she had been having braxton-hocks contractions for the past week. These felt a little harder so we paid attention.</div>
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Rewind a little...my mom had come into town on the 9th, the official due date according to our only sonogram. We really though James would be here by then as Hannah came on her due date. Alas...But we did have a great Saturday and Sunday taking it easy as we had no plans whatsoever. In fact, on Sunday we even tried a few things to speed labor along. We had egg plant parmesan for lunch. Virginia did the elliptical. She walked up and down stairs. Apparently it worked!</div>
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She passed the mucous plug at 10:45 or so, though, according to our Bradley Childbirth book, "this is the least trustworthy of all indicators." So we didn't get our hopes up.</div>
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By midnight we called Charlotte, our midwife. Being in Alpharetta, she understandably wanted to be sure this was it before making the drive. At this point we were at minute long contractions, 6-10 minutes apart. In other words, nothing to hurry for.</div>
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however, within 15 minutes we were at 90 second contractions 5 minutes apart. This baby was coming!</div>
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I split time coaching Virginia through contractions and setting up the family room. With my mom, we covered windows and started filling the birthing tub. Ya, we were't going to have to to fill that 150 gallon thing!</div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">While I was out, Virginia's was burst - and I do mean BURST!! There was a puddle in the bed. Not only could we have not made it to a hospital, Virginia couldn't have even made it to the family room! With the water breaking, contractions immediately increased in length and intensity, going longer than 2 minutes and coming 2-3 minutes apart. This baby was coming!! Good thing Charlotte arrived at 1:15 or so.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I would have helped her carry her instruments in through the rain but for Virginia having what we know know were pushing contractions. Charlotte thought she was kidding when she called out, "I'm ready to start pushing!" The next few moments are a blur that flew by. Hair appeared. We tried to hold V back so as not to tear. I dug through Charlotte's bag to find the heart rate monitor as she held James in. Turns out his heart rate was dropping. Charlotte yelled for V to push wether she wanted to or not. A head appeared, cord was around the neck but Charlotte easily removed it. One more push and James came into the world!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It was unbelievable and I had a front row participatory seat. After some tense moments, we learned we had a boy, James Thad, and that he was doing great! All this, two and a half hours start to finish in our bed!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I told my mom to go downstairs but she understandably disregarded this and ended up being an incredible help. So she immediately came in. Thad and Suzanne arrived shortly thereafter and went out to Walmart at 3am to get us diapers because we forgot. Meanwhile Hannah, whose room is across the hall, slept through the entire ordeal. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Unreal. A wild experience and we can only thank God for arranging all the pieces to fall into place. Should we have decided to give birth in a hospital, I'm not sure we would have made it - after about an hour, Virginia was a place where she couldn't even stand. We are grateful for this experience.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The real hero though is Virginia. She was incredibly brave, taking no meds and relaxing unbelievably through a series of intense contractions. Her pushing when she didn't have a contraction potentially saved James life at the cost of several sutures to her. I am so lucky to be married to such a strong, yet loving woman.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Well it's now just past 11 on the 11th. Just about 24 hours from when our birth story began. Virginia sleeps soundly next to me and James is sleeping in the family room with Nonee, who has been an incredible servant to us this week. I have slept 2 hours in the last 48 so am signing off for now!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Welcome James Thad McCune - we love you!!</span></div>David McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04092307331744991223noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-29031136319812169082011-04-29T16:13:00.001-04:002011-04-29T16:16:44.459-04:00Crazy Talk #1<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >What Does it Mean to be Blessed?</span><br />~ Matthew 5:1-12<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Key Questions:</span><br />- What does it mean to be blessed?<br />- Who is blessed that you know?<br /><br />We had a great discussion covering these questions before diving in. "Blessed people" we came up with ranged from athletes, to singers, to people we know in school...how would you answer?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Book:</span><br />Then we read the passage. What a surprise! As we said, Jesus says some surprising things. He says the poor are blessed, as are the losers, the meek, and the peacemakers. This sure isn't what comes to mind first, eh? This doesn't mean we're wrong, this is just a different perspective.<br /><br />We really zeroed in on one passage in particular. After several says of "blessed are those", Jesus gets personal and says <span style="font-style: italic;">"blessed are YOU..."</span> Here's what it says:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Matt. 5:11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Challenge:</span><br />Ya right, so I'm supposed to "be glad" when people make fun of me?! What is this all about?<br /><br />We had a great discussion about why people (people who sometimes includes us if we're honest) make fun of other people. what we came to was this:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"We only make fun of other people because we are insecure...we steal someone else's security to give ourselves some"</span><br /><br />Wow this was tough to realize - but we all agreed!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Apply</span>:<br />So why rejoice? If someone is insulting us, we should really feel sorry for them! We have the opportunity to pray for them, that they would feel more secure. Not that this is easy...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bottom Line:</span><br />We are blessed in unlikely circumstance...including when insultedDavid McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04092307331744991223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-64027377812581105532011-03-07T21:46:00.003-05:002011-03-07T21:59:33.907-05:00A Tension: Free Grace vs Lordship SalvationOver a year ago a friend sent me this note about her church that was unfortunately splitting over a theological issue. For me it highlights one of my favorite aspects of the faith to discuss: staying "in the center of Biblical tension" also called "the radical middle" in Vineyard churches.<br /><br />Essentially, several ideas in scripture might seem contradictory, having two seemingly contrary sides that are clearly supported. This can be a great test of faith for some - for me it has been an exercise in humility and trust as I explain later<br /><br />First is the note I received from my friend, followed by my response...<br /><br />*******<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Dave,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Our church has basically divided and split due to this debate over free grace vs. lordship salvation. I think that I won't tell you what side of the fence I am own because I don't want to sway your opinion. To me, from what I have studied, there is one view that is clearly leaving out some important points. However, I, of course, am no theologian. I would appreciate your unbiased opinion on the subject matter.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> The bottom line is that it is Satan. Our church was growing and growing and growing. We built it up (literally from the ground up in a 3 day quick build) from about 20 people to over 300. Satan got a little scared and started causing trouble. It is an unfortunate situation. The Bible tells us to seek many counselors, and so that is what I am doing. </span><br /><br />*******<br /><br />I'll try to give some thoughts off the top of my head.<br /><br />First - it breaks my heart when churches divide. The church is the bride of Christ, His special organism for bringing the Kingdom on earth. Look at Mt 16:15-18. The church is built on one rock - the confession that Jesus is the Christ. If we can agree on that, we should be able to do church together.<br /><br />Second - there are many tensions in scripture. In any tension it is easier to fall off on one side or the other. For example, work and family. Neither is wrong, but if you spend all your time at work, somethings wrong. If you spend all your time with family, well somethings wrong because you aren't supporting them! It's the same with predestination and free will - both are in scripture - it's a mystery how it all works and really should lead us to worship God all the more.<br /><br />So it is with free grace and Lordship salvation. Indeed we are saved by grace through faith (Eph 2:8), a free gift of God (Rom 6:23). At the same time Jesus says to "be perfect" (Mt 5:48). Also, check out 1 Jn 1:5-2:6 for an interesting defense of the Lordship side of things, particularly 1 Jn 2:4 "whoever says 'I know Him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him...". Then there's always James 2:14-26 which clearly says in 2:24 "a person is justified by works and not by faith alone". What the...?!<br /><br />For humans it is easier to fall off on one side of the fence. As Christians we are called to live in the "center of Biblical tension" or "the radical middle" as my last church called it. I think it keeps us humble...from ever thinking we have it all figured out. It leads me to worship a God who is both imminent and accessible yet concurrently transcendent and mysterious.<br /><br />So what of a conclusion? As I said - to me the big issue is the Lordship of Christ. This is certainly nuanced, but in your church I think all should agree with this. From there, what should a church be doing? Should it be dividing on unclear theology or should it be reaching the unchurched? Should it be catering to the saints or reaching the sinners? Are both sides "wrong" in a sense because they have lost sight of the greater mission of the church in the first place?<br /><br />I pray for the unity of the local church because I believe, like Bill Hybles, that it is indeed "the hope of the world"!<br /><br />Hope that helps, late as it is.<br /><br />God's Peace,<br /><br />Dave<br /><br />*******<br /><br />What tensions have you faced in the faith? How do you think about them?David McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331751581174335101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-20868722331702060762011-02-25T07:26:00.002-05:002011-02-25T07:28:28.759-05:00Reflections on Psalm 53<span style="font-style: italic;">(v4) "Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me"</span><br /><br />What else do I substitute as my sustainer? <br /><br />Recently it is busyness. I have been looking forward to having a job for so long now that I have thrown myself headlong into it. This need not be bad, but it becomes so when thinking about Young Life dominates my thoughts. The danger is that I come to find my worth as defined by vocation, not my identity as God's child.<br /><br />An interesting thought though from John 4:34. The disciples are urging Jesus to eat when He replies, "my food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work." That is, Jesus was sustained by the work He did. <br /><br />Hmmm. This seems to be much more holistic, however, than "I work for Young Life" as, for Jesus, it represents His being under the Father's authority. To this I also am called in whatever I do - be it YL, being a husband, being a father, whatever...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(v7) "For has has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes"</span><br /><br />Do I live like this is reality? These are strong words! There are three stances we can take.<br /><ol><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Defeated</span>: do you ever live expecting to lose? I know I've done this. It's not how it's meant to be. </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Unsure</span>: maybe this is where we more practically live. </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Victorious</span>: The way God would have us live is not like watching a football game where we don't know the outcome. In Christ we've already won, having defeated the greatest enemy, death.</li></ol>How would you live differently today if you believed that God had truly delivered you?David McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331751581174335101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-57733942059446927902011-02-15T15:49:00.000-05:002011-02-15T15:50:29.028-05:00<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">How was Jesus as a kid?<br /></span>Most of the stories in the gospel about Jesus take place when he is around 30 years old...but Jesus was a kid too. Have you ever thought about Jesus as a kid? Do you think He messed around with his siblings, played games, went to school or even got a skinned knee every now and then? Likely He did! We are fortunate that Luke gives us the only look at Jesus as a child in 2:41-52, in fact when he is 12 years old...<br /><br />While we can't know for sure if Jesus did the things we mentioned earlier, we do know that he ran away from his parents. Have you ever done this? Why did you do it? Where did you go? How long were you gone and what made you go back? How did your parents feel?<br /><br />When Jesus was 12 he ran away from his parents for three days! And he went to the temple - that would be like us going to church! This probably isn't where you went, huh? Check out what he was doing when they found him in 2:46-47...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> * Sitting</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> * Listening</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> * Asking</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> * Understanding</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Apply It</span></span><br />What would you like to understand more about? Who would you hope would be "amazed" by it? What would this progression look like for you?David McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04092307331744991223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-13035906422497647542011-02-12T07:37:00.002-05:002011-02-12T07:41:15.925-05:00Luke for Students: 2.3<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Luke 2:21-38<br /><br />What's with these people? Why all the fuss?</span><br />What's your favorite way to talk with your friends? Online? A cell phone? shouting out your news in the street? Just kidding about the last one but if you didn't have technology you might! That's exactly what two characters in the Bible did...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The "waiters"</span><br />Luke 2:21-38 introduces us to two new characters, Simeon and Anna. Now both of these folks were old, but I think we can still relate to them. They were both looking forward to something with all their hearts. I know you've done this at Christmas, a Birthday, maybe a visit from someone or something else. How did you act when you finally got that present, when that person showed up, or when you team won the game?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">When Jesus shows up...</span><br />In a way, Simeon and Anna were waiting for Christmas...only they were waiting for the first Christmas. Their story takes place 8 days after the first Christmas when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple for a dedication ceremony that Jewish people practiced back then. These ceremonies happened all the time, and Simeon and Anna were at the temple all the time, but when Jesus showed up something changed..<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Simeon</span>. This guy shows us two interesting things about just who this Jesus baby is:<br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">For all people! </span> Where have we heard this before? Well verses 29-32 show Simeon's response to Jesus showing up. He praises God, surely causing all the people in the temple to look at him. Have you ever been so excited that you didn't care how silly you looked? Anyway, Simeon again sings about Jesus being for ALL people. Seems like we have a theme here...<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tension</span>. Check out verses 33-35. They may seem strange but essentially we learn that not everybody is going to accept Jesus as Simeon has. We need to keep reading to find out why people would not be excited about Jesus.<br /></li></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anna</span>. Anna was an old widow who stayed at the temple all the time. Can you imagine never leaving the church building? Now that's dedication!<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thanks!</span> (v38) Have you ever given someone a present and they didn't thank you? How did you feel? Well thanked God for the birth of Jesus. Why should she say "thanks" though? Think back to some of the things we've already read and pay attention for more as we keep reading...</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Redemption</span>. (v38) This might be a new word, but it's powerful! Essentially it means "to take something broken and worthless and change into something beautiful and valuable." Can you think of any examples of this? Jesus came for broken people with broken hearts...to redeem them.</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Apply</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Share the News!</span> If Simeon and Anna had our technology there is no doubt they would be posting on facebook or using twitter, gchat, or buzz to share their news. Have you shared good news lately?<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">When Jesus shows up. </span> If Jesus showed up and brought a present called "redemption", what would it look like in you life? How would you react?</li></ul>David McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331751581174335101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-29252788292860932102011-02-08T06:55:00.001-05:002011-02-08T06:56:54.972-05:00Luke for Students: 2.2<span style="font-weight: bold;">What is the Good News? </span>Like we said, the book of Luke is known as a Gospel, meaning "Good News." Chapter 2 begins giving us insight into what exactly this good news is:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Angels</span> (vv10-14). In the broadest terms the angel lays it out there, "Jesus, the Messiah (Christ), is Lord and is born today." If you go to church or know the Christmas story, this is all too familiar...so familiar that it's easy to lose sight of how crazy this sounds. <br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">For all the people.</span> Think about what this means. How often do we think about the story as it pertains to me or my family or my church. The Good News is for all people...for a child on the other side of the world living in poverty, for the child in our city living in poverty, for the weird kid in school, for the popular kid in school, for our friends, and for those who are more like enemies. All people. Who might this make you think of? Pray for someone unlikely to experience the good news.</li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Peace on earth.</span> How often do we hear, "Peace on earth, good will toward men"? Try imagining what peace on earth would really look like. It's so much more than wars ceasing. It's the end of racism, it's the end of injustice, it's a mom and a dad staying together in marriage, it's neighbors being friendly, it's a community bringing wholeness to broken places. What does peace on earth look like in you home or in your school or in your city? What would it look like in another country?</li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">God's Favor on men.</span> This is truly incredible as well. The God who created this universe - the stars the galaxies - wonders that we will never even see...has made the time to have favor on little old us. This is truly good news because God has every right to act like an angry parent and cruelly punish his children for the times when we are wrong. Instead, through Jesus we are offered favor - an opportunity to get right with the God who made us. Where would you like God's favor in your life?</li></ul>David McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04092307331744991223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-66165214758042167592011-02-04T09:50:00.001-05:002011-02-04T09:52:27.392-05:00Luke for Students: 2.1<span style="font-weight: bold;">Sharing Good News<br /></span>If you think Zechariah and Mary were afraid when one angel spoke with them, imagine how these shepherds felt when an entire company of them arrived! But the angels weren't there to terrorize some unassuming farmboys - no, they brought "good news of great joy...for all the people" (2:10). Look at vv11-14 to see just what this news was...<br /><br />Regardless, let's look at the response of these bewildered shepherds:<br /><br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Check it out</span> (v15). Consider two responses the shepherds did not have. On the one hand, they weren't like, "oh, sounds cool y'all. Have a good time with that...peace." On the other hand, they weren't like, "Really, ok we totally believe you - in fact we believe you so much that we'll just chill here. Best news I've ever heard...ever." So they were neither apathetic nor completely trusting. They wanted to see for themselves. What is our response to good news? </li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Hurry</span> (v16). When they did decide to explore what the angels had told them, they wasted no time! If a celebrity showed up at your school would you just sit back or would you run to check it out? If a great friend had been our sick or in the hospital and is back would you take your time or do all you could to see them yourself?</li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Spread the Word</span> (v17). We're good at this. If the shepherds had iphones no doubt they'd be on twitter and facebook from the stable! This is a natural for us these days: when good news comes our way, spread it around.</li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Praise God</span> (v20). This is the final act that is often missed. When we experience good news do we take it for granted or do we give thanks? If you take the time to set up a surprise for a friend you would hope they would be appreciative. If you perform well at a band concert or in sports or in a play, you love getting told you did a great job. In the same way, God is honored when we thank Him for orchestrating the good in our lives. Have you told Him "great job" lately?</li></ul>David McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04092307331744991223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-12867959520247270652011-02-01T10:50:00.001-05:002011-02-02T00:13:40.224-05:00Luke for Students 1<span style="font-style: italic;">Starting a new study through Luke today, looking for big ideas chapter by chapter, especially as the stories of Jesus are relevant to the Middle School and High School Experience...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is your response to good news</span>?<br /><br />What's some good news you've gotten recently? How did you react and who did you tell? How did they react when you told them? Or has anyone shared their good news with you lately? How did you react?<br /><br />Y'all might know, but Gospel means "Good News." The book of Luke, along with Matthew, Mark, and John are know as the Gospels. Here are some great questions to ask while reading Luke:<br /><ol><li>What exactly is the "good news" as Luke tells it?</li><li>How does it effect me?</li><li>What is my response to it?</li></ol>That last question is explored by several characters right in the first chapter:<br /><br /><ol><li>Zechariah - (vv11-20). The first character we meet is Zechariah. He hears great news that at last he will have a son. But not only this, his son will play a huge roll in leading people to understand God more fully! As an old man though he doubts. So that's one response: doubt.<br /></li><li>Mary - (26-38, 46-55). Next the angel visits Mary and tells her that she'll be having a baby. One problem...she wasn't married - in fact she was a virgin! Mary was a teenager - imagine that, the Bible is the first source of media to record a "Teen Mom" story. When Mary hears the news she <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">believes</span></span> that "all things are possible with God" and <span style="font-style: italic;">praises</span>. Quite a remarkable response for so young a woman, especially compared to Zechariah, an old, experienced, priest of all things!<br /></li><li>Elizabeth - (vv39-45). How do you feel when something great happens for a friend? Often we feel great for them but sometimes, if we're honest, we feel jealous of their situation. When Elizabeth heard about Mary's good news she went above and beyond to celebrate with Mary<br /></li><li>the Neighbors - (vv57-58). Now it was Elizabeth's turn to share great news. When John was born the town came and "shared in her joy." This is a great example of how to respond to good news - by sharing in the joy with a group of friends.<br /></li><li>Zechariah - (vv67-79). When John was born Zechariah got a second opportunity to respond to good news. This time he didn't miss his chance. In fact, Luke writes that he prophesied, that is, he <span style="font-style: italic;">boldly proclaimed</span>, the good news for present to hear.<br /></li><li>Theophilus (vv1-4). This man is mentioned first in Luke but last here because his response to "good news" is not recorded. Though you may never have heard of him, we share more in common with him than any of the other characters we've seen. Luke wrote this book to Theophilus in order that he might understand evens from the life of Jesus that he himself has not witnessed. We're in a very similar spot if you think about it. We weren't there for Jesus' stories so we too must read of them. And there is also the unknown outcome - we don't know how Theophilus responded: how will <span style="font-style: italic;">you</span> respond to the good news?<br /></li></ol>David McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04092307331744991223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-87929768135292804642011-01-31T21:26:00.005-05:002011-01-31T23:44:19.040-05:00Redeeming Wide Right<span style="font-weight: bold;">Wide Right</span><br />Hard to believe it's been twenty years since Scott Norwood's fateful kick on a tense January night in Tampa. On that night a 7 year old boy in Orchard Park, NY watched and prayed that a field goal with 8 seconds remaining would win Super Bowl 25 for the team he loved. Instead, the kick sailed wide right, the Bills lost 20-19, and an entire town, along with the little boy, had dreams crushed.<br /><br />Dramatic? Ya. Why should such an event trigger such pain? I mean, it's just a game! Even on that night a clear perspective was offered. January 27th 1991 was the middle of Desert Storm. The pregame was complete with flyovers of both F-16's and Apaches. Fans who were divided in team loyalty were united in patriotism, waving American flags as Whitney Houston delivered such a powerful Star-Spangled banner that players, coaches, fans, and even referees were brought to tears. A remarkable scene for a sporting event - and it was stark reminder that there are more important things in the world...<br /><br />...so why then, when traveling on I-20 in Georgia between Atlanta and Augusta do I still get fresh pangs of defeat when I pass exit 160 for the town of Norwood, GA? Welcome to the psychosis not only of a town, but of me.<br /><br />I've had an inferiority complex for years. I first recognized it in college, and there I first connected it to watching a sports team get sooo close, four times in a row in fact, on to fail at the moment of triumph. Not that I blame a football team for a struggle with self doubt, but it is great description of how I feel at times when I am at my worst.<br /><br />During this 20th anniversary of the trauma, it has been healing to read how the players have dealt with the "what-ifs" and questions - how they have moved on - and how they are finding perspective while doing amazing work building communities both in the States and in developing nations. (see article here: http://www.buffalonews.com/topics/super-bowl-xxv/article326641.ece).<br /><br />One thing that always gets me is how the entire Buffalo region seems to suffer from the 2nd place mindset. Reading of how much the players loved the city, loved the team, and loved the people somehow offers a balm to the wounds. They weren't just millionnaires passing through...they didn't just leave a town to wallow...they loved this place too. they rejoiced when it rejoiced and mourned when it mourned. I can't say it better than that, but to know they cared somehow helps...<br /><br />...wow, and I'm still talking about a football game! Why does sports do this to those who allow it? What idolatry have I committed by so turning my heart over to the god of "glory for my team?" My head realizes the irrationality - but my heart still has some catching up to do at times.<br /><br />To help me see the foolishness of it all I imagine how I might be different if they had won just once. Would I be more confident today? Let's say I was. So in the one case I feel inferior <span style="font-style: italic;">because of a football team</span> and the other other I feel confident <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">because of a football team!</span></span> And that, my friends, is idolatry - basing self-worth on something other than what my Father in heaven thinks of me.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The True Self</span><br />What does He think of me:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Rom. 8:15-17</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Or do you not know that your body is a 1temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price...</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />1Cor. 6:19-20</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span> <span style="font-style: italic;">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.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Eph. 2:8-10</span><br /></div><br />I am a redeemed child of God, bought at a price, and His workmanship intended for a good purpose. Allright heart - my head gets all this - now catch up! Be turned from stone to flesh...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Redeemed</span><br />Scripture is a great ally - but unless we act on it what's the point? We are called to be not just hearers, but "doers" of what we read (James 1:22).<br /><br />So here is are some thoughts for all those in Buffalo, Cleveland, heck, the Netherlands...wherever there are those suffering from a 2nd place inferiority complex.<br /><ol><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Face the Pain</span>. What does this look like? it's different for everyone. For me, one small thing is that Virginia and I pray for confidence whenever we pass exit 160. Leverage the source of anxiety for good. What is it for you?</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Repent</span>. Giving your heart to football team - or anything other than your true image - is idolatry. Turn back to the loving Father who is waiting heal our inferiority with mercy, grace, and a new identity - a child of God.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pray</span>. Pray for what? Not for field goals! Pray that our hearts would be broken by things worth having a broken heart for. We are given grace that we may do good works. God loves broken people - he loves them because in this state He can heal them in His image. Being broken does not mean being 2nd place though - that is being sick. All the injustices and hurts in the world will not be addressed by a people wallowing in an idolatrous inferiority complex. We must pray that our hearts would be broken by that which breaks god's heart.</li></ol>What is it for you? You've gotten a glimpse into my heart...and it's almost a little embarrassing. But it feels good to talk about it. So what hurt do you carry that you would like to see redeemed? God is in the business of working all things for good...David McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04092307331744991223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-10496937905377762402011-01-03T21:20:00.002-05:002011-01-03T21:35:34.243-05:00Catalyst 19: Gabe LyonsFrom 1/28/07<br /><br />This was a great interview with Gabe, founder of Catalyst and former host of the podcast. Gabe Lyons is passionate about reclaiming not just the counter-cultural identity of the church, but a culture creating one as well. Like many other discontented next generation Christians, Lyons sees the contemporary Western church as defined by their critique, condemnation, and copying of culture through the past century. While he agrees that there is a time and a place for these actions, the church has largely missed the vital role of "creating." And since we are created in the image of a creator God, creating should be in our nature...<br /><br />To promote this vision, Lyons has founded a movement called "Q Ideas." For those familiar, the best I can relate it to is that Q Ideas is the Progressive Christian equivalent of TED talks. I can't recommend the website <a href="http://qideas.org">qideas.org</a> enough for any number of people: if your a Christian leader, if you're a Christian discontented with Western pop-Christianity, if you're passionate of seeing both the proclaimed and social Gospel of justice held in beautiful tension, if you're seeking to learn more about the Christian faith but are turned off by billboards and "big hair channels," in you have any position of leadership in your church - you won't want to miss the essays, blog posts, and videos. Please do you and your community a service by checking this out and sharing it! I have and it's provoked some challenging thoughts...David McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04092307331744991223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-33959943513426343882011-01-01T21:41:00.004-05:002011-01-01T21:53:49.592-05:00New BeginningsThough we are still in a state of transition, home is now Atlanta. We will miss the friends and house we leave behind in Augusta - I can't believe I spent over 4 years there (6 for Virginia)! I haven't written for a while but now that we have graduated, moved, and somewhat settled, I expect to be back at it. In the meantime, here's a passage from Jeremiah that is our meditation and prayer for this transition...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” </span><br /><br />Jeremiah 29:4-7<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">For us, this passage is all about laying down roots. A generation raised on instant gratification isn't too keen to take the time for this sort of thing but there are countless examples of the blessings the arise from doing so. We're excited to learn our part in living this out in Atlanta. How cool that this is the type of community involvement that God intends?!<br /><br />Happy New Year!<br /><br />Love,<br /><br />Dave, Virginia, and Hannah<br /></div></div>David McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331751581174335101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-46026351839508584162010-11-10T21:06:00.000-05:002010-11-10T21:06:24.418-05:00Catalyst 18: Craig GroeschelFrom 1/14/07<br /><br />Craig Groeschel is pastor of the innovative Lifechurch.tv, based our of Oklahoma but beamed to satellite locations worldwide. They are truly pioneers and on the cutting edge of the multi-site model. Groeschel is quick to mention, however, that this model works for them but is not by any means "the" way to do it. He laments churches who try to copy what is being done at Lifechurch out of fad, not need. Multi-site still needs to be authentic!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Online Church</span><br />Speaking of authentic, I was skeptical listening as he described "online church." It is what it sounds like, complete with online pastors, whose congregations live in cyberspace. It seems natural that if the church is going to meet people where they are, and considering that so many live socially online now, she would attempt something like this.<br /><br />But can it work? According to Groeschel authentic community indeed takes place as through the chat lobby users arrive early and stick around longer than they would at live church. Users and online hosts pray for one another before, after, and even during the service. Oh, and you can even attend the worship style of your liking first before seeing the message. Folks who have met in the lobby have small group studies throughout the week with webcams and even organize and go on mission trips!<br /><br />For Lifechurch, the target audience is those who would never come to church, as well as those who can't go because they are home with sick kids or other responsibilities. I can see that. But, it's hard to lay hands on someone without being there! It's hard to argue with this though; according to Groeschel, Online Church has more decisions for faith per capita than any of the live locations. I appreciate how the Gospel is being proclaimed innovatively through this medium, however I feel it should be intentionally acting as a temporary home for those who can't attend while encouraging all to get face to face.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Open Source Church</span><br />As Lifechurch grew rapidly, others noticed and inquired about their resources. The church had a choice, do we market our resources or make them freely available? To the benefit of thousands, they decided to post all their resources for sermon series, kids, youth, small groups, etc, on line with free access here http://open.lifechurch.tv/.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purity</span><br />Craig Groeschel is a big advocate of pastors having accountability. He wrote a revealing book, "Confessions of a Pastor" that goes even into his struggle in the past with porn among other things. He in fact uses xxxchurch - it seems all these influential leaders use it!<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Home</span><br />"I will not sacrifice my family on the alter of ministry." Craig picked this quote up along the way and lives by it now. He is home @ 5:15 6 days a week and in family mode and promotes a church organizational culture that does the same. He mentioned Stanley's "choosing to cheat" as a big influence in this area.<br /><br />Each year, in Jim Collins fashion, he adds to my "to don't" list. He's a huge advocate of leader development saying, "if you build others up there is no limit to what you can do." In other words, the American cultural model is to do as much as we can and receive praise for it. If we pour into others, and let the take credit, our mission will have no limit. After all, especially in the church, it is never "our" mission.<br /><br />Finally, at home he praises his wife as his biggest asset in ministry. They homeschool their six kids and she sees her primary ministry as ministering the kids and supporting Craig. And she does this by challenging him often, affirming him, yes, but also asking point blank, "how's your time with God, I haven't seen you pray much?" and things like that.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Confession</span><br />A few years back Lifechurch did a series called "My Secret" that received national attention as thousands uploaded video confessions when invited through their online church. Incredible healing took place through this even that blew the leadership away. A cool example of the church leveraging technology and culture to promote reconciliation, to offer forgiveness, and to foster redemption.David McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331751581174335101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-44575366440374128702010-11-09T14:27:00.003-05:002010-11-10T20:12:13.239-05:00Waiting on an OpportunityTough questions to ask yourself when waiting on that next step in life. I got this from a great Andy Stanley sermon that I highly recommend and can be found <a href="http://www2.northpointministries.org/player/player.jsp?occurrenceID=5402">here</a>. Honest answers should should be revealing and challenging...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Questions:</span><br />Based on your current performance, would you trust you with a better opportunity?<br /><br />Are you preparing for the next opportunity or just waiting for it?<br /><br />What can you begin doing where you are now to prepare for the next opportunity?<br /><br />Is there an opportunity where you are now that you are ignoring because the income doesn't match the workload?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Meta-Application</span><br />Fully engage with your current opportunity while you wait, pray and actively look for the next one.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">~ Colossians 3:23-24</span></div>David McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331751581174335101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-73660064147250399302010-11-08T13:55:00.003-05:002010-11-08T21:34:16.959-05:00Catalyst 17: Dave FergusonFrom 1/2/07<br /><br />Dave Ferguson is the lead pastor of Community Christian Church in Naperville where is well known for creating an sustainable healthy culture of leadership. They are one of the pioneers of the multi-site church model where they're attendance went from ~800 to upward of 5,000 within a short time of expanding to other satellite locations. He has a heart for facilitating not only church planting, but for creating whole networks of reproducing churches. Dave does this through the NewThing network that supports, resources, and catalyzes church planters and leaders of young churches.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DNA of Growth</span><br />When asked about what contributed to the growth of their church, which was planted in 1989, Ferguson cited Two Critical Decisions:<br /><br />1. Identifying Apprentice Leaders. Specifically this happened within the context of their first small groups. From the start, groups had a leader and an apprentice who was being trained to eventually lead their own group. In this way, multiplication was built into the DNA of the church...sounds like 2 Timothy 2:2, eh?<br /><br />2. Being Proactive about Growth. This is in contrast to waiting for growth to happen. Or, better said, "If you build it, they will come." Essentially, they didn't wait for the people, they waited for the leadership. When leaders were ready, they created space for a second service...and the people came! Proactive...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Multi-site</span><br />Ferguson offered an interesting and compelling reason to consider the multi-site model. With multi-site, the limiting factor is no longer real estate, rather it is the presence of leaders and artists. An entire new building and land need not be purchased, space needs to be rented to accommodate the technology. And, of course, the people, which are available because of intentional apprenticing and proactive growth.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Change</span><br />I thought this was a perspective on confronting "change" in a church or organization. The context is of a young church planter creating a new experience from that of the sending church, that may have traditions that will not be incorporated. He notes that it's easy to rationalize the need for change by pointing out what is wrong with the current situation. Instead, perhaps a more tactful approach is to frame the new direction as "building on the positives of the past." Keeping this perspective in mind just might save a bridge from being burned while maintaining a healthy and productive relationship with an established partner in taking part in what Ferguson calls the Jesus Mission!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">One Big Idea</span><br />CCC intentionally strives to broadcast a single unifying message each week. This is similar to Stanley's "one point sermon" in "Communicating for a Change." CCC integrates this theme from top to bottom, centering not only the sermon, but small group curricula and kid's church teaching around the One Big Idea as well. With families all on the same page, the gears for transformation have been well-oiled.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Moving Forward</span><br />If the 80's were the decade of the mega-church, Ferguson sees this generation as being one of the "reproducing" church. As distinctives, he sees a shift away from "territoialism" and a move toward networking across denominations, cultures, and generations to reach culture with the Jesus Movement.David McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331751581174335101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-26735205376115784802010-11-08T13:48:00.004-05:002010-11-08T13:53:23.906-05:00The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Review of The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer</span><br /><br /></div> I knew Dietrich Bonhoeffer to be a martyr and great theologian but not until reading his work did I come to truly appreciate him as a great hero of the faith. Born in Germany in 1906, he spent much time in the academy outside his homeland, only to return when it became evident that the Nazi party was successfully co-opting the church for its own ends. When others may have stayed abroad, Bonhoeffer went into the fire to lead an underground movement of evangelical churches in opposition to the state’s maneuvers. This was a subversive and thereby dangerous task, and indeed it cost him his life in a concentration camp just days before allied liberation in 1945. Why did he return? He knew God had called him there. Did he know it would be costly? Yes. And thus the theme of this book: a true disciple obeys his call understanding that it costs sacrificing our will to God’s, and that this may indeed cost us dearly, even our lives.<br /><br /> The book itself is divided into 4 main sections, <span style="font-style: italic;">Grace and Discipleship, The Sermon on the Mount, The Messengers, </span>and<span style="font-style: italic;"> The Church of Jesus Christ and the Life of Discipleship</span>. Working primarily from the Gospels, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Cost of Discipleship</span> reads more like a series of theological commentaries than a linear themed narrative that was meant to be read as a whole. Indeed, each section and really even each chapter, could stand alone as a commentary on an individual portion of scripture or doctrine. Each chapter is tied directly to a certain text or theme (eg baptism), often quoting text at the beginning, with the exegesis and commentary following. The handy scripture index at the back of the book makes referencing <span style="font-style: italic;">The Cost of Discipleship</span> as a resource for study very easy.<br /><br /> Grace and Discipleship, the first section, is five chapters of commentary on primarily four texts: Levi’s call in Mark 2:14, those questioning to the call to be a disciple in Luke 9:57-62; The Rich Young Ruler in Matthew 19:16-22; and the Lawyer in Luke 10:25-29. Throughout, a contrast is made between “cheap grace” and “costly grace”, a key idea for understanding the entire book. He takes great care to define each as the definition of “grace” would seem to say that it is free; to add a cost would be to add works to grace. In no way does Bonhoeffer support works based salvation!<br /><br /> According to Bonhoeffer, “cheap grace” is salvation offered as forgiveness without repentance and discipleship. In this way, “the justification of the sinner in the world degenerated into the justification of sin and the world” (p50). In other words, when we offer solace to sinners, simply offering forgiveness without repentance or a call to discipleship, we enable them to continue in sin because we don’t call their sin “sin”, we simply give comfort without calling for life change. We have not rooted out the source of evil without a call to follow Jesus...and that call will cost us something, thus “costly grace.” To Bonhoeffer, “cheap grace” is the “bitterest foe” of discipleship when in fact “grace simply means discipleship.”<br /><br /> Bonhoeffer is ahead of his time, noting the ill effects of offering “cheap grace” in society, noting how just as in the time of Constantine, the nation of Germany “became Christian...at the cost of true discipleship.” This is a prophetic reminder to us today, in a nation that many believers consider to be “Christian”, to examine our churches for the signs of true discipleship. This is an especially poignant call as he predicts the downfall of what constitutes the mainline denominations due to an offering of “cheap grace” at the expense of discipleship. Indeed, this is playing out even as we speak.<br /><br /> While the first section lays the theological foundation for “costly grace” and true discipleship, the following three sections of <span style="font-style: italic;">The Cost of Discipleship</span>, expound on its implication for the believer and the church. Section two offers a 100 page, section by section commentary on the Sermon on the Mount with challenging ethical and societal implications of discipleship. Section three focuses on Jesus’ call and commission of the disciples to be workers for the harvest in Matthew 9:35-10:42. Here, many of the true costs of obeying the call as an individual are laid out. Finally, section four deals with implications for the church, as a visible community, living out costly discipleship, not as an isolated kingdom, but as a transformational body within the world as proclaimers and partakers in the Kingdom of God.<br /><br /> Instead of speaking of strengths and weaknesses, it is more helpful to speak of what audience would most benefit from this read. <span style="font-style: italic;">The Cost of Discipleship</span> is dense philosophically and theologically! Especially having the first section in mind, I feel I need to re-read several chapters to get the full sense of Bonhoeffer’s thoughts. This, combined with the fact that much of the exegesis uses arguments based on the Greek, in fact printing the Greek words directly in the text, suggests that the expected reader be somewhat learned in hermeneutics. And so, as a whole, I would recommend this book to a mature leader as a tool and resource for discipleship. That being said, certain sections, taken individually, would provide great material for discussion within a new believer’s discipleship class. Further, well read and erudite outsiders might connect with Bonhoeffers excellent literary skill and thorough exegesis. Specifically, I would recommend the Sermon on the Mount section to my non-believing friends for its well articulated presentation of the Kingdom of God. Who knows, maybe this could be the doorway to encouraging conversations about the Gospel?<br /><br /> Overall, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Cost of Discipleship</span> is an incredibly encouraging, though extremely challenging read. Knowing the story of the author further adds to its authenticity and persuasiveness. <span style="font-style: italic;">The Cost of Discipleship</span> is not for those who knowingly ignore the tension between Ephesians and James; that we are justified by our works as they testify to the fact that we have first been truly saved by grace, through faith. Faith without works, what Bonhoeffer would call the effect of “cheap grace” is truly dead. However, though self-denying, it is only through “costly grace” that we find the true and joyful life as it was meant to be, in communion with our creator and savior, who paid a great cost for us.David McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331751581174335101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-39342731615874474852010-11-07T16:03:00.000-05:002010-11-07T16:03:51.811-05:00Catalyst 16: Christmas Special Kevin Myersfrom 12/20/06<br /><br />Instead of the standard interview, the catalyst crew played a sermon by Kevin Myers of Crossroads Church (now 12 Stone Church) in Lawrenceville. A passionate delivery with a few nuggets to think about...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Two Themes...<br /><br />1. Reduce!<br /></span>Very fitting for the Christmas season. The reference was actually to observing real-estate signs all over town with "reduced" plastered on them. That sparked in Myers' mind the idea to "reduce" this Christmas...to reduce this season down to its essentials. For him, that meant taking four Sundays to talk about Redemption, Justification, Regeneration, and Adoption. It's way too easy to forget that Jesus' birth was for the purpose of bringing these gifts to mankind...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Obligation vs Invitation OR Got to vs Get to</span><br />This was the big idea of the sermon as it related to redemption - that it is not an obligation but an invitation. The point was that too often the life of faith is seen as an obligation; but this was never the intention! He came that we may have life to the full. How will we respond then? Is this something we have "got to" do, or something that we have the great privilege to "get to".<br /><br />He said this another way...that religion is what we do to get God to respond to us. It's a "got to." Instead, the true life of faith is a "get to"; an invitation to live a full life as a participant, through grace, in the story of redemption.<br /><br />The most powerful illustration, however, came for me when Myers spoke of Justification. He told the heart wrenching story of a teenager in his church who was responsible for the accidental death of a young woman in a traffic accident. In court were two weeping fathers: the father of the young man pleading for mercy and the father of the young woman pleading for justice. I can understand both sides. The father of the young man knows that his son is deeply remorseful for the accident for which he was responsible...a guilty plea would leave his son in prison till mid-life, loosing many years of his life. On the other hand, the father of the young woman can only plead for justice...could you imagine being him watching the young man walk free?! I couldn't bear it! Justice must be upheld. And this is when I first realized the need for us to be justified. If forgiveness only is offered, justice is not served. The penalty must be paid. And this is what is so incredible about Jesus. He meets both of these fathers in their tears. He fulfills the need for justice to the one, and in doing so provides mercy for the other. Now, this doesn't mean that the son doesn't have consequences in this life, but in a spiritual sense the metaphor is powerful. The divine need for justice is satisfied in Jesus, and mercy is granted to our souls, even the worst of sinners. Why Jesus would do this is the beautiful mystery of the incarnation.<br /><br /><br /><br />final notes...he gives three definitions of certain terms:<br />Justification - deals with guilt<br />Regeneration - New Life<br />Adoption - New StanceDavid McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331751581174335101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-63923999664621873212010-11-07T14:10:00.000-05:002010-11-07T14:10:49.436-05:00Catalyst 15: Rick McKinleyfrom 12/10/06<br /><br />So I have had this in the edit box for over a month and meant to write it out but I'll just post what I've got because as I read it the notes gave me some good things to think about...<br /><br />Not Building the Church...Being the Church<br />- the seed must die<br />- love the city<br />- months of prayer<br />- don't create programs, pray for folks with vision to be raised up...the church comes alongside<br />- shepherding environments (of the laity), not trying to keep programs from falling apart<br />- the church is about cultural renewal, not empire building<br />- what would the kingdom look like...for drug addicts (freedom)...for the homeless (no lonliness)...for...<br />- the gospel is more than the cross...it's that the kingdom is already but not yet. Most profoundly seen in redemption, with people at the pinnacle of that redemption, therefore their salvation is central<br />- choice to do church at a HS so they get the funds in the community<br /><br />Crossroads church - extension ministries Norwood DavisDavid McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331751581174335101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-76607251663247195302010-10-25T21:22:00.001-04:002010-10-25T21:24:57.134-04:00The Gospel is...<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">...Necessary </span><br /> There is much undeniable beauty in this world seen both in the physical world and in the people and animals that fill it. Unfortunately, however, this not the fullness of human experience. There are breathtaking natural landscapes yet there are those ravaged by environmental degradation and disaster. There are nations at peace and there are nations at war. There are communities living in comfort and there are those living in extreme poverty. There are children loved by their parents and there are those sold into slavery. There are the well-fed and the hungry. There are healthy marriages and there are broken homes, divorces, and abuse. There is cross cultural community and there is hateful bigotry. There are those being saved by medical advancement and there are those dying of incurable disease. Our world is broken and in need of saving. It is sick and the Gospel is the remedy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">...Hope</span><br /> What if this is how the world is meant to be? What if there is no creator and ultimate reality is just the physical, observable universe? What if a survival of the fittest model is how the world should work? What if societal and physical entropy is our doom? What if there is no God? If there is no God then this experience of brokenness is simply a reality we need to live with. Is there hope in such a world? Human experience would tell us that generation after generation will continue to rise up against one another, that disease and disaster will continue to afflict mankind, and that the lowly and downcast will continue to remain with us and be exploited by those in power. But what if instead we were created by a loving God who desires to be in relationship with us - a God who grieves over the world’s suffering and desires to bring healing to all broken places? In contrast to the bleak god-less vision, the Gospel offers hope through the person Jesus.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">...Offensive</span><br /> Our world is broken and so are we. Who of us has not taken part in giving or receiving this sickness of a broken world? What is this sickness? The bible calls it “sin”. Sin is a word to encapsulate all the facets of brokenness seen in our world, whether it is disease and disaster, injustice and intolerance, or broken communities and broken hearts. We all have this “sin disease.” Man has recognized this and throughout history has sought salvation. Traditional “religions” offer means of seeking solace in this broken world through ritual and good works. Secular “religions” such as the pursuit of wealth, career, and power also seek these same ends. But all means of our own doing fall short and leave us unsatisfied and empty. The Gospel offends us by saying that it is not our striving for God or comfort that will save us, it is the work of Jesus, who came to us, that will cure the sin disease.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">...Bad News</span><br /> If God wants the best for the world He created, then why does this brokenness exist? The truth is, God loved us enough to give us choices that matter, including the choice to obey Him or not. When man chose the latter, sin infected the world. Because God is perfect, He cannot exist with imperfection, an idea the bible calls being “holy”. This may sound harsh but just like a glass of pure water into which the tiniest drop of poison is placed renders the water undrinkable, so God cannot be sullied by any amount of sin, lest He cease to be all good. And so we are separated from God because of our disease of sin. Thus, here is the “bad news” of the “good news”: if we continue in this state of brokenness with God, we will not only miss out on fullness of life now, but in death we will be separated from Him forever, never to experience that which is good in this world and ever to experience that which is evil. This is “spiritual death.” Worse, as just shown, there is nothing we can do of ourselves to heal this wound.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">...Justice</span><br /> The “bad news” of the “good news” does not reflect a God who takes pleasure in our misery, in fact God is grieved by His children who remain outside relationship with Him and wants for all to be restored. It is because of His justice that He does not mix with sin. Our conscience bears witness to our sense of a need for justice: when we hear of tyrants who oppress, of fathers who beat their families, of criminals who cheat the system, even of close friends who mistreat us, we desire to see justice brought about. If God did not carry out divine justice it would, again, sully His image as a pure and perfect being. And the payment for such sin, which we all carry to some degree, is death.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">...Love</span><br /> But the amazing truth of the gospel is that God, the perfect creator, in great love devised a plan to rescue His children from this punishment. The problem was that the punishment must be paid lest God’s justice be offended. And so in love He sent His only son, Jesus, to live a sinless life and to bear our punishment, unto death, the historically documented execution on a Roman cross two millennia ago. But the pinnacle of the good news is in another historical event: three days after his execution, Jesus, the remedy for salvation, conquered death and appeared resurrected before hundreds. Because he won this fight with death, we have hope to be restored to God, our creator and father.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">...Grace</span><br /> When Jesus rose He didn’t begin another religion, rather He came to inaugurate His spiritual kingdom, a kingdom through which comes access to relationship with God and all its benefits. These benefits bless all mankind, however, access to God comes only through Jesus. And how is this access granted? It is not of our own work. Jesus has paid the penalty of death. There is no ritual and no striving that can bring about salvation from the sin disease...only an acknowledgment of our sinful state, and a trust in Jesus that He indeed paid the penalty, a trust we call “faith.” This is a radical idea, that we do not have to strive to get right with God and put on our best show of worthiness...only in the story of Jesus does God come down to us and meet us in our brokenness and mess, offering healing, not by our works but by his amazing grace.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">...Good News for All</span><br /> Before Jesus left Earth to dwell with God He commanded all those who follow Him to tell the world of this good news. It is God’s desire that the world be saved from eternal separation from Him, something we call hell, and to be restored to fullness of relationship with him eternally, something we call paradise. And all mankind means young and old, rich and poor, men and women, slave and free, and those from every cultural group the world over. This is the good news...will you receive it?David McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331751581174335101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-89709547350236532392010-10-21T23:48:00.003-04:002010-10-21T23:53:01.137-04:00Kinship Design<span style="font-style: italic;">A sample of how I prepare for leading homegroup...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hebrews 13:2</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> ~ Entertain Strangers</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Learner Will...</span><br />KNOW: We are commanded to practice hospitality.<br />REALIZE: ~ This is something we easily forget.<br /> ~ The Bible provides numerous examples.<br />RESPOND: ~ Thinking intentionally about hosting Sunday morning.<br /> ~ Thinking intentionally about being hospitable with neighbors.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Learning Plan...</span><br />HOOK: <span style="font-style: italic;">Question: When is a time you were shown great hospitality? Poor? From or toward strangers?</span><br /><br />BOOK: <span style="font-style: italic;">Context: A persecuted Jewish-believer minority.</span><br />Two Points:<br /> ~ we easily forget to "entertain strangers"<br /> ~ Scripture illustrates...<br /><br />LOOK: <br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Activity: In groups <span style="font-weight: bold;">look up</span> Genesis 18:1-8; 2 Kings 4:8-10; Mark 10:13-16. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mark</span> down all <span style="font-weight: bold;">observations</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">insights</span> related to hospitality. Choose a leader and recorder. Each group will teach the kinship about what they found, with other groups being allowed to respond as they have also looked at the passages. Each insight should begin with, <span style="font-weight: bold;">"entertaining strangers is..."</span> and presentation can include other scriptures. As a large group, we will record observation on a large paper.</span><br /><br />Connection: Discuss hosting and how this relates...<br /> ~ being "on duty"<br /> ~ seek out; leave old friends<br /> ~ pray during service for outsiders, for Jeff, for one another<br /> ~ walk people to Kid's church<br /> ~ invite people to join in a meal<br /> ~ be knowledgeable about other kinships. Bring people to kinship wall.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Action: Identify with one insight and pray for one another as it pertains to hosting...</span><br /> <br />TOOK: Challenge - pray for the service throughout the week. Practice hospitality at home!David McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331751581174335101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-61406849343121329042010-10-14T22:58:00.005-04:002010-10-14T23:09:25.989-04:00One Year Ago...It's amazing to think that one year ago it was just the two of us going to bed, wondering when Hannah would come. That night we did all we could to encourage Hannah to come on her due date including two laps around the neighborhood complete with Virginia hopping up and down on the curb, all right right before bed!<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSf4hxt427iRcVqDBI1g_8mDf-R9pNGWkeItvre1LbgHGV0AY1MevU4NJ9UO69SQWBpc8wApU_H-xtgf4kn8dYo_T5L8MotbNMmD2t2x6x8kMhSBjtaaeli13pvxTG40T5awSyYtsPsL7/s1600/P1020654.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSf4hxt427iRcVqDBI1g_8mDf-R9pNGWkeItvre1LbgHGV0AY1MevU4NJ9UO69SQWBpc8wApU_H-xtgf4kn8dYo_T5L8MotbNMmD2t2x6x8kMhSBjtaaeli13pvxTG40T5awSyYtsPsL7/s320/P1020654.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528104006801793810" border="0" /></a><br />We had no idea that we were hours from beginning the labor process...and we had no idea how much our lives would change! There have been challenges for sure but so far we are thankful that we can honestly say our experience has been more defined by joy and wonder in God's work of creation. Happy birthday our love!<br /></div><br />Hannah waves hello to the world...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFzJJ5nOvqMzf6bE-6DN7eIqT31T7DXcUGu3i8ubk6xG2LYMQvraMhUFsBrSi5XoekSun9KqLfBNi2fG4O2UwlqkfknBAVN-3FR7M7JlSuDydxjHiuAxk411IBFrCxIVxbzHpgg6uqS4k/s1600/P1020665.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFzJJ5nOvqMzf6bE-6DN7eIqT31T7DXcUGu3i8ubk6xG2LYMQvraMhUFsBrSi5XoekSun9KqLfBNi2fG4O2UwlqkfknBAVN-3FR7M7JlSuDydxjHiuAxk411IBFrCxIVxbzHpgg6uqS4k/s320/P1020665.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528104577157921202" border="0" /></a>David McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331751581174335101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-2162865174978030622010-10-12T21:38:00.003-04:002010-10-12T21:44:21.389-04:00Kinship Job Description: HostingThis job is for the whole group! Too often we take a passive stance toward hosting. Really this is an opportunity for our group to be especially "on duty" in creating a welcoming environment. Whether performing an individual duty or not, all group members should be encouraged to participate as active hosts...<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />1Pet. 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.<br /></span><br /> • <span style="font-weight: bold;">On Duty:</span> Hosting is an awesome responsibility! When we host we are both representatives of VCC and of Christ. Aside from individual responsibilities, all have the chance to participate in the following...<br /> ⁃ Finding and greeting newcomers<br /> ⁃ praying for those in leadership (sermon/music/ kid's chruch)<br /> ⁃ praying during the service for God's working<br /> ⁃ helping newcomers find kid's church<br /> ⁃ being aware of other homegroups to direct newcomers accordingly<br /><br /> • <span style="font-weight: bold;">Individual Responsibilities</span><br /> ⁃ Snack (2-3 people. The majority of snacks should be healthy...we do not want to support gluttony!)<br /> ⁃ Coffee<br /> ⁃ Cleaning windows and doors<br /> ⁃ Communion (elements under table in foyer)<br /> ⁃ Candles<br /> ⁃ Greeting<br /> ⁃ Trash (after the service)David McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331751581174335101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-57404336241921974872010-10-05T21:14:00.001-04:002010-10-05T21:17:02.829-04:00Finally Fall!Highs in the low 70's in Augusta and we get to play outside! that means walking lessons for Miss Hannah. She's almost got some full words too...clearly she's saying da-da, right? <br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/65UEJ42hXXM?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/65UEJ42hXXM?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>David McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331751581174335101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-41434474826659696372010-10-05T21:08:00.002-04:002010-10-05T21:12:13.844-04:00The Awesome Sovereign Mystery<span style="font-style: italic;">A forum post from my Theology class. Below is the prompt. Thanks Alasdair for playing!</span><br /><br />Interview the "other side". Interview a convinced Calvinist (if you lean towards Arminianism) or an ardent Arminian (if you lean towards Calvinism).<br /><br />First I want to qualify this response by suggesting there there need not be "sides"; or at best there need not be only two views. Much like politically we are led to believe one is either republican or democrat, so it seems we can be led to similar theological conclusions regarding soteriology. While helpful for jump starting discussion, seeing only two possibilities, possibilities derived by Western minds nonetheless, could ultimately lead to arrested spiritual and church community development. Anyway...<br /><br />I suppose if I were to place myself on a continuum, historically I've leaned Arminian. And so I called up my friend, Alasdair, who just graduated from Westminster Seminary in Philly to learn more about the reformed position...<br /><br />Me: "How did you come to be be reformed? What does it mean to you"<br /><br />Alasdair: "The one minute answer is...I truly believe with all my heart the God is in control of everything."<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />The scriptures he went to here were Job 1 when Satan asks God for permission to test Job, demonstrating God's ultimate authority over evil. Further, he went to the story of Joseph in Genesis and the "you meant it for evil, God meant it for good" declaration to show God's sovereignty in all things.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>Me: "What's the biggest challenge to the reformed position?"<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I expected him to address the problem of evil but instead...<br /><br /></span>Alasdair: "How to explain human choice and responsibility"<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Not what I expected but <span style="font-style: italic;">certainly related to soteriology. Essentially he does not agree with the "middle knowledge" position held by traditional Arminianism. Instead, we came to the conclusion that there is a level of mystery that we must come to accept: God is omniscient and works all things for good, yet our choices still are meaningful. Of course behind this is accepting a strong "Sovereignty of God" position. In the face of mystery all we can do is bow before God and ask for humble and joyful acceptance as a child would accept a parent's explanation for that which they cannot understand.<br /><br /></span></span>The big takeaway for me in this discussion is the idea of mystery. We CAN'T know it all, at least not now! Salvation, election, predestination...mystery. Does God want all to come to repentance? Yes. Are there both wheat and tares, some bound for heaven and some for hell? Yes. Do our choices matter? Yes. And so we have a divine mystery... a mystery that I believe can be for our benefit...that none should boast. Lord, what can we do but praise you?<br /><br />Is. 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,<br />neither are your ways my ways,”<br />declares the LORD.<br />Is. 55:9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,<br />so are my ways higher than your ways<br />and my thoughts than your thoughts.David McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331751581174335101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791758690994047401.post-5988187855046094002010-10-02T23:30:00.005-04:002010-10-02T23:52:01.491-04:00New BackpackPictures from our recent family hike at Mistletoe state park near Augusta - Hannah's first in the hiking back pack! We picked it up at a baby consignment sale...originally $200 - we got it for $25. I mean Dang.<br /><br />Notice the designer boots she's got! (Those are indeed Pedipeds for those who care)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcz11FlwfQpCQzseQISeftp1-j5P6QTZ6YaiP1h0MUj0uq7z8eWasP2EvUt_exopAwvYKIO2gWtUkx2TXtWGp0sjI1FYmtuNjfseKBzGcHdgQxIf3DhxeuDZ8sxsq3gcvLTmnk4NJ3Uq1/s1600/P1040368.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcz11FlwfQpCQzseQISeftp1-j5P6QTZ6YaiP1h0MUj0uq7z8eWasP2EvUt_exopAwvYKIO2gWtUkx2TXtWGp0sjI1FYmtuNjfseKBzGcHdgQxIf3DhxeuDZ8sxsq3gcvLTmnk4NJ3Uq1/s320/P1040368.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523657620183151394" border="0" /></a><br />Even getting carried around deserves a snack break...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_Gbqu07QIdUJcGfsep8eImNTmfiK_0vHzF2Y6Dtq7xqUqsR9QlG8V-kqhCBTjFS39HIPEcKRGRknBjiBSLYmmUi5OY_p0Cvph7yFd1zr6tfd2fVnDIaHNLleqaDI-Yvg0Lis_0kSGk2W/s1600/P1040367.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_Gbqu07QIdUJcGfsep8eImNTmfiK_0vHzF2Y6Dtq7xqUqsR9QlG8V-kqhCBTjFS39HIPEcKRGRknBjiBSLYmmUi5OY_p0Cvph7yFd1zr6tfd2fVnDIaHNLleqaDI-Yvg0Lis_0kSGk2W/s320/P1040367.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523657618624265282" border="0" /></a><br />And a water stop...don't forget to hydrate...and to use sun protection<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUDx1yNgzBMpAnlJw6zRPmh3gEva4e5Z1JGYnkYhSIWbv9SYIYF-MJ0jJdMqzOkCc15WkjPY6WQzga6BZQprRJ1OuTrSujUaoCiPb7gmKyiYQZfr-wCV5hY7ts38liQk_LmaLXKKlfShV/s1600/P1040352.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUDx1yNgzBMpAnlJw6zRPmh3gEva4e5Z1JGYnkYhSIWbv9SYIYF-MJ0jJdMqzOkCc15WkjPY6WQzga6BZQprRJ1OuTrSujUaoCiPb7gmKyiYQZfr-wCV5hY7ts38liQk_LmaLXKKlfShV/s320/P1040352.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523660580602491810" border="0" /></a>We had an awesome time...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UYDxLVfIgjP34IgPObDsFJsGZfuJszBIw0QLaMDr6oXJ3sd7NBQVsbJ3iTgJ-9X_PPJKn3i-rdaK7ZCzoRdee-xdNoUS4B_lfBLPc1FUyxVtK9G01ONAJ6SSVTNqVxq1-vvz98b_f_iV/s1600/P1040359.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UYDxLVfIgjP34IgPObDsFJsGZfuJszBIw0QLaMDr6oXJ3sd7NBQVsbJ3iTgJ-9X_PPJKn3i-rdaK7ZCzoRdee-xdNoUS4B_lfBLPc1FUyxVtK9G01ONAJ6SSVTNqVxq1-vvz98b_f_iV/s320/P1040359.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523661423342878578" border="0" /></a><br />Soon you're gonna have to earn those boots, Hannah, and carry some of the weight around here. Good thing you're cute! I love my girls and look forward to more family hikes with our new pack...God thanks for a beautiful day in Your creation, and for an awesome family...(Psalm 19)David McCunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331751581174335101noreply@blogger.com1