Flying is probably one of my least favorite things to do, ever. So excited for where I am headed, yet caged in a seat that I barely fit into. It's probably why I only allow myself to have one of my all time favorite drinks, Ginger Ale + Cranberry Juice, when I am flying. It makes it seem at least bearable I guess...
Today we flew from Sea-Tac to Detroit.
Detroit had about 50mph cross winds, the piolet told us over the loud speaker, "I don't feel comfortable landing in this weather, I am going to go around again and follow someone else in." Way to instill confidence....
Once in Detroit our flight out got delayed, they actually told us they had no idea when it was going to get in. So we sat around and waited. Then when in finally came in we boarded up and sat on the run way, for 1 1/2 hours....
Did I mention that this plane was the oldest and most scary looking thing ever?
We finally get in the air on our way to New York, only to find out after we land that we missed out transfer to Amman, and the next flight out isn't until 8pm the next day. So we get a free day in New York, which is cool because I have never been her.
Then there is all this drama about hotel and food vouchers that I dont want to get into because its been a long day and I am tired.
Moral of the story? Don't fly Delta Airlines, unless you like having all your plans ruined.
No pictures or videos yet, mainly because today was awful. Tomorrow should be better!
New York city, then an 11 hour plane ride to Amman.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Preparing for Israel
A week from yesterday I will be heading to Israel and Jordan for the trip of a life time. About 40 students from Northwest University, a couple of my favorite professors, and my roommate (Andrew Masters) and I will be spending 21 days traveling all over the Holy Land, walking where Jesus walked.
While we are in Israel we are going to be updating the blog daily (when possible) with stories, pictures, and video. If you would like to come along for the adventure you can follow in a couple ways. Either enter your email to the right --->; follow us on twitter @SeedsToday, @Gbarb18; or subscribe to our RSS feed.
If you have been to Israel before I would love to hear your thoughts on things to bring, and things that you would recommend doing while I was there. Comment below!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
A Congregation of Pastors
I've been working in men's ministry over the last two years, and while I'm planning to start a "garage band" (men's small group) or two in Atlanta, what I'm taking away from the experience isn't the point of this story. See, I'm also leaving some important gaps which must be filled. Am I leaving big shoes to fill? Well, I like to think of it as a bunch of little shoes. What's guided me through this process of exiting is identifying the specific jobs which must be done and the little things that make up a big ministry.
And that leads me to my final point. What I've theorized about for quite some time I was actually able to practice: today, I commissioned an average guy (by all accounts, the stereotype we target in the men's ministry), to become the kind of minister every person should be. He's got a big heart and strong character, but often works behind the scenes. What we discussed today was that he is every bit as important in his role of encouraging and supporting the guy on the stage as the guy on the stage himself. None of our events or spectacle would mean anything without real guys continuing to lead their garage bands and holding together so man is left behind during times of transition or difficulty.
May you also realize that ministry is your commission, to lead yourself and others into the heart of Christ. Whether you are a paid church staff member who needs to quit thinking of ministry as your job and start adopting it as a refreshing lifestyle, or an average 9-to-5er without a lick of biblical or theological education; may you find the love of Christ refreshing yourself and others as you imbibe truth from the pages of the Bible and obey the teachings of Christ. And whether or not you have a special robe, a mantle, a paper, or a card that says so; may you sense the power of the Holy Spirit empowering and ordaining what you do in the name of Christ no matter how large and no matter how small.
Friday, April 29, 2011
"God" Tales of Mere Existance [VIDEO]
I tend to feel like this guy is not being honest about his search for the answer to "Is God real?"
He has a very skewed philosophy on religion, and obviously no good theological understanding of Christianity.
Even though he says he hasn't made up his mind, it would seem he already has.
There are a lot of people like this, especially on the campus of public colleges. Its important to find people where they are at and help through these type of questions.
Overall this video gives a good understanding of what is going through the heads of many people, both Christian and non-Christian alike.
Maybe instead of hiding inside the walls of the church we should have honest conversations with people, like this guy.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Selling The Savior
I'm knee deep in a month long sales training class right now and it's gotten me thinking of the various ways people approach evangelism. Let me start off by saying the word, "evangelism" is very easily the ugliest word in the english language. As I've studied various sales tactics I learned a little more why that's the case.
The "Yes" Man
Have you ever been accosted by a salesman that just wants to tell you what you want to hear? They'll try to convince you the product you are contemplating buying will fix all of your problems. They'll make outrageous claims and grandiose promises just so they can swipe your card. They're even willing to lie a little about the product and paint it brighter than it actually is if that means you buy. The "Yes" man cannot say, "No."
Ever been to a church where the Pastor only shares success stories and Jesus sounds like a cure all for life's problems? Whenever you mention pain, loss, Japan, cancer, etc. they are quick to point to the warranty by stating, "You just need more faith." This kind of spirituality doesn't quite ring true. Even if we believe God is good, the world is still undeniably broken. We innately understand the sovereignty of God and that allows Him the freedom to say, "No."
Sales Goal Stress
Can I give you a little consumer pointer? Avoid retail stores toward the end of the month because that's when the sharks come out. Commission salesmen are fighting to make their quota and they can often become very aggressive in order to do so. They'll overcompensate by turning stress into excitement when you enter the door. Their eye is on their bonus or other salesmen rather than on what's best for the customer.
The fact is churches are closing faster than Blockbusters. Our postmodern world is becoming increasingly more skeptical toward organized religion and specifically Christianity. This can create in some an overcompensation of their faith. They drop 50,000 easter eggs from the sky and look past you as they shake your hand. The sales goal stress sets in as their turf erodes and an evangelist can't help but focus on the degradation of our nations morals rather than their' neighbor's sincere question. They'll become louder in public situations, and overly aggressive. They'll flex their morals like a juice head at the gym grunts to let you know how much weight they've lifted. It's about filling seats and getting notches on our convert belt. It's a relationship with an agenda. It's about being right and proving others wrong as they forget the Bible gently requests of us to think of others as better than ourselves(1)
No wonder evangelism has gained such an ugly reputation but I believe there is another way.
When the customer closes
There is an art to sales and a truly brilliant salesmen can be inspiring to watch. The good ones allow the customer to lead. A great salesmen will ask great questions, listen well, and then ask a follow up question. They have a quiet confidence in their knowledge of the product and you get to see glimpses of this if the need arises. The sign of a truly brilliant salesmen is when the customer asks, "So can I buy it?"
Imagine becoming this kind of evangelist? It would mean I would live a life so inspiring, gracious, generous, and loving that others would have to stop and take notice. I would have to walk with a kind of quiet confidence in God that meant Him and I spoke earlier that morning. I would have to be so utterly convinced that He likes me I would have no need to prove it. Forgiveness, compassion, and humility would have to become second nature. It must be refreshing to be around me. I must walk with an ever-present sense of hope, joy, and peace. I must not be the moral person you're grateful to have as a neighbor but don't really want to spend much time with. I must become the friend you call when you're in need because you know I'm not going to be too busy. I must not be good in the worst sense of the word. I must become grace in spilled perfume extravagance. You can never be a project to fix but always remain a person to be loved. I must not just say you are more important than me but actually believe you are more important than me. I must so fully illustrate the abundant life Jesus was always talking about that our relationship someday comes to the point when you say, "I'm sold."(2)
And my life would have already demonstrated the cost.
1. Philippians 2
2. Acts 16:30
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