The next time you hear a politician use the words "billion" casually,
think about whether you want that politician spending your tax money. A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into perspective in one of its releases:
A billion seconds ago, it was 1959.
A billion minutes ago, Jesus was alive.
A billion hours ago, our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.
A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes at the rate Washington spends it.
Friday, April 22, 2005
Thursday, April 21, 2005
One (of many) thing that bothers me.
I enjoy listening to music. The weather is getting "nicer" and the windows are coming down in my car. Turn up the radio and let it crank. With public radio comes advertisements. Now before we go off the deep end, I do not mind advertisements; sometimes it is good to break up the flow. There is one type that bothers me the most. It is the one with the last 10 seconds of "disclaimer". I hate listening to that mess of words - the assault of letters and information that cause my mind to hurt.
Anyone share that same thought?
enough for now,
Carter
Anyone share that same thought?
enough for now,
Carter
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
The Barbarian what?
Sunday night, we watched a video from the Willow leadership conference. The segment we watched was Erwin McManus call the Barbarian Way. I know we watched it at a Core Focus recently. I am here to tell you if you have not seen it – call Steve Thompson and ask to see it.
One of the comments Erwin has made “The greatest enemy to the cause of Jesus Christ today is Christianity.”
I want to really absorb that thought. Could it really be true that we, as Christians, are one of the biggest problems of people coming to know Christ? I think there is some real truth there. I am still seeking after that.
The older I get the more I think before I react. I am not sure if that is wisdom or the fact that I have been cut off at the knees too much. So I sat there Sunday night thinking about the video and listening to the other people in the group. I was so moved by what I had just seen and heard that I did not want to speak. I found myself in a place where God and I meet. I could not help to think that this video was meant for me.
This is the thing I am trying to come to grips with. How could anyone watch this video and not be moved to change? Our prayer time should have been more about confession and change and then about others. Confessing about how we have allowed ourselves to move so far away from where God really wants us to be: on the frontline doing His work. The frontline of meeting people where they are and just developing relationships. Letting God change lives instead of looking at people as targets. Then asking God not to let us forget what we just heard and fall into old habits of what the church has taught us to do.
One thought that Erwin talked about was how he, as a young Christian, would talk to others about Christ and how they would respond. In addition, he commented how inadequate he felt because his knowledge base was so limited. Yet, he continued on. What I pulled from that is the urgency of the moment. The need to develop the relationship and then not be afraid to pray with someone or talk to them about Christ. I am confident we could all go to seminary, learn everything about Christ and the bible; and still not feel prepared to talk to someone about Christ. And in that process, more people would be lost.
Yeah, it is heavy on my mind. Deur, Smith, Thompson, Harrison, Da Roach, Morgan all have communicated their passion for the lost and the need for us as Watermark (and beyond) to engage in the lives of others. We need (I need) to sense the urgency and follow Jesus.
The next time you are in a group, at Meijers, or soccer game: count off 6 of 10 people. It is likely that those 6 do not have a relationship with Christ or for that matter may not even want to.
Pray. Pray. Pray
Carter
One of the comments Erwin has made “The greatest enemy to the cause of Jesus Christ today is Christianity.”
I want to really absorb that thought. Could it really be true that we, as Christians, are one of the biggest problems of people coming to know Christ? I think there is some real truth there. I am still seeking after that.
The older I get the more I think before I react. I am not sure if that is wisdom or the fact that I have been cut off at the knees too much. So I sat there Sunday night thinking about the video and listening to the other people in the group. I was so moved by what I had just seen and heard that I did not want to speak. I found myself in a place where God and I meet. I could not help to think that this video was meant for me.
This is the thing I am trying to come to grips with. How could anyone watch this video and not be moved to change? Our prayer time should have been more about confession and change and then about others. Confessing about how we have allowed ourselves to move so far away from where God really wants us to be: on the frontline doing His work. The frontline of meeting people where they are and just developing relationships. Letting God change lives instead of looking at people as targets. Then asking God not to let us forget what we just heard and fall into old habits of what the church has taught us to do.
One thought that Erwin talked about was how he, as a young Christian, would talk to others about Christ and how they would respond. In addition, he commented how inadequate he felt because his knowledge base was so limited. Yet, he continued on. What I pulled from that is the urgency of the moment. The need to develop the relationship and then not be afraid to pray with someone or talk to them about Christ. I am confident we could all go to seminary, learn everything about Christ and the bible; and still not feel prepared to talk to someone about Christ. And in that process, more people would be lost.
Yeah, it is heavy on my mind. Deur, Smith, Thompson, Harrison, Da Roach, Morgan all have communicated their passion for the lost and the need for us as Watermark (and beyond) to engage in the lives of others. We need (I need) to sense the urgency and follow Jesus.
The next time you are in a group, at Meijers, or soccer game: count off 6 of 10 people. It is likely that those 6 do not have a relationship with Christ or for that matter may not even want to.
Pray. Pray. Pray
Carter
I have been busy
Yes it is true.
Weekend recap: Friday Night: hung with jeff at a fire. Solved the worlds problems; hired a new pope and now have world peace. Then i received a call from becca. They were in Holland after traveling 24 hours to get there and wanted to know if we should hook up. No worries there. I waited for her to arrive.
Saturday: at 4:00 am, i have a visit in my room saying, "dad, i am used to getting up at this time. I want to go watch TV." My ex-mother-in-law used to say, "don't wake the sleeping bear". And Becca did that. I had all i could do not to reinforce how much i did not appreciate being woke up. I convinced her to go back to bed. Sidebar: I really have appreciated the relationship i had and have with my ex-in laws. (all of them). They have worked hard in acceptance of me and i really appreciated it. Anyway, Becca did not get up until almost 9:30. Hmmmm father knows what?
It was a low key day. Mostly trying to get Becca acclaimed to "normal" life again. THIS JUST IN: Training of cat not going so well......news at 11:00. I know you find it hard to believe but Tigger does not like the training. He is moody i swear. He definately humors Becca as she is convinced he is making progress.
Sunday--not much to report.
Monday -- Becca's birthday. (and Dakota Smith) She went to Moto and had a great time.
So, tonight, we are getting together as a family to celebrate Becca's birthday at her favorite restaurant. Oy. I hate Johnny Carinos. I had (2) bad experiences there and cannot get over it. But it is for the girl, so I can set things aside.
I received an email the other day about a Church Planting course. Hmmmmm. Any thoughts?
Gotta go,
Carter
Weekend recap: Friday Night: hung with jeff at a fire. Solved the worlds problems; hired a new pope and now have world peace. Then i received a call from becca. They were in Holland after traveling 24 hours to get there and wanted to know if we should hook up. No worries there. I waited for her to arrive.
Saturday: at 4:00 am, i have a visit in my room saying, "dad, i am used to getting up at this time. I want to go watch TV." My ex-mother-in-law used to say, "don't wake the sleeping bear". And Becca did that. I had all i could do not to reinforce how much i did not appreciate being woke up. I convinced her to go back to bed. Sidebar: I really have appreciated the relationship i had and have with my ex-in laws. (all of them). They have worked hard in acceptance of me and i really appreciated it. Anyway, Becca did not get up until almost 9:30. Hmmmm father knows what?
It was a low key day. Mostly trying to get Becca acclaimed to "normal" life again. THIS JUST IN: Training of cat not going so well......news at 11:00. I know you find it hard to believe but Tigger does not like the training. He is moody i swear. He definately humors Becca as she is convinced he is making progress.
Sunday--not much to report.
Monday -- Becca's birthday. (and Dakota Smith) She went to Moto and had a great time.
So, tonight, we are getting together as a family to celebrate Becca's birthday at her favorite restaurant. Oy. I hate Johnny Carinos. I had (2) bad experiences there and cannot get over it. But it is for the girl, so I can set things aside.
I received an email the other day about a Church Planting course. Hmmmmm. Any thoughts?
Gotta go,
Carter
Friday, April 08, 2005
I'm not saying......
Hymn Number 365
A minister was completing a temperance sermon. With great emphasis he said, "If I had all the beer in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river."
With even greater emphasis he said, "And if I had all the wine in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river."
And then finally, shaking his fist in the air, he said, "And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river."
Sermon complete, he sat down.
The song leader stood very cautiously and announced with a smile, nearly laughing, "For our closing song, let us sing Hymn #365, "Shall We Gather at the River."
A minister was completing a temperance sermon. With great emphasis he said, "If I had all the beer in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river."
With even greater emphasis he said, "And if I had all the wine in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river."
And then finally, shaking his fist in the air, he said, "And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river."
Sermon complete, he sat down.
The song leader stood very cautiously and announced with a smile, nearly laughing, "For our closing song, let us sing Hymn #365, "Shall We Gather at the River."
Thursday, April 07, 2005
just a quick note to say
I just spoke to my daughter. ok ok i realize that it has not been that long. But it was sure good to hear her voice.
Meeting with the accountablility guys tonight and hopefully go to bed early.
Out,
c
Meeting with the accountablility guys tonight and hopefully go to bed early.
Out,
c
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
What a great weekend?
Man, it was good.
Friday night, campfire.
In addition, Jeff and I went to the 1st Priority office and met with a group headed south to do a basketball camp. The coolest part about that was encouraging the team and praying with them. I am expecting to hear some great stories when they get back.
Saturday was low key. Did some work around my place; stuff i needed to do. But it was good hanging with the cat and working.
Sunday--Fall ahead; spring what the? Yes, i set my clock back as oppose to ahead. At least i did not head to church. YIKES. After clock issues, i played on the worship team. I love that. I look forward to it.
Heard some great teaching. Mission, mission, mission. All good to hear.
Pot luck life group Sunday night. That was good. Fellowship and eating and praying.
Later,
C
Friday night, campfire.
In addition, Jeff and I went to the 1st Priority office and met with a group headed south to do a basketball camp. The coolest part about that was encouraging the team and praying with them. I am expecting to hear some great stories when they get back.
Saturday was low key. Did some work around my place; stuff i needed to do. But it was good hanging with the cat and working.
Sunday--Fall ahead; spring what the? Yes, i set my clock back as oppose to ahead. At least i did not head to church. YIKES. After clock issues, i played on the worship team. I love that. I look forward to it.
Heard some great teaching. Mission, mission, mission. All good to hear.
Pot luck life group Sunday night. That was good. Fellowship and eating and praying.
Later,
C
Friday, April 01, 2005
Friday yet?
I called my daughter last night to say goodbye for 1 1/2 weeks. She, her mom and stepdad are headed to Florida for Spring Break. I hope it is a good time.
I was just speaking to a friend of mine i hadn't seen in a while. He lives in N. Carolina and is in town for a funeral. He was sharing how it was his grandfather and how cool the celebration of his life was. How the family was there when the man died. He was 97.
Then the conversation took a turn. As he was a the wake for his grandfather, they received a call about another disaster. Apparently, his cousin (34) was out in his yard playing with his kids: a daughter (5) and son (3). The 3 year old son locked himself in an RV playing hide and seek. He had locked the door so no one could find him. Thru what wierd events, the RV burst into flames and was destroyed in 45 seconds.
There is a great deal more conversation that was had. Details about conversations that was going on and what they were actually doing. But the bottom line is that the 3 year old died.
I am stunned. I do not know what to say. The emotions that run thru my head and heart. The desire to leave work, find my daughter and hug her. I do not know these people and i cannot even think about it.
I gotta go call Becca.
Carter
I was just speaking to a friend of mine i hadn't seen in a while. He lives in N. Carolina and is in town for a funeral. He was sharing how it was his grandfather and how cool the celebration of his life was. How the family was there when the man died. He was 97.
Then the conversation took a turn. As he was a the wake for his grandfather, they received a call about another disaster. Apparently, his cousin (34) was out in his yard playing with his kids: a daughter (5) and son (3). The 3 year old son locked himself in an RV playing hide and seek. He had locked the door so no one could find him. Thru what wierd events, the RV burst into flames and was destroyed in 45 seconds.
There is a great deal more conversation that was had. Details about conversations that was going on and what they were actually doing. But the bottom line is that the 3 year old died.
I am stunned. I do not know what to say. The emotions that run thru my head and heart. The desire to leave work, find my daughter and hug her. I do not know these people and i cannot even think about it.
I gotta go call Becca.
Carter
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