Trick or Trunk 2009

On Sunday night, October 25th, trick or treating overtook the BUMC Parking Lot once again. For the 4th year in a row we have had our annual Trick or Trunk outing and this was the biggest year to date. It all started 4 years ago with an event for the youth group and it has now grown into something that had people from all walks of life braving the cold to participate.

Despite the cold temperatures and the hinting of snow in the air, more than 200 people showed up, some in costumes and most in big coats, to trick or treat and socialize. We had 10-12 cars that were decorated and all that attended had a blast! I would like to send out a huge thank you to all that helped make this such a fun time on such a cold night!

Rob Bell – Drops Like Stars

Rob Bell is a person who helps stretch me in my faith. Most of the time when I read what he writes or listen to his podcast I feel like he is helping to expose various aspects of my thinking and soul that I have not yet thought about. His perspective on religion is one that I feel is right on, in most parts, and has really helped me grow in my faith as well. Bell is a pastor at a large church in Michigan, but is also a well known author. He has written 4 books, with his most current one being Drops Like Stars.

When I first got Drops Like Stars in the mail I was shocked at the size of it. Bell’s books have had the same dimensions and style, physically, and this book looked like a Rob Bell book on steroids. But I was very anxious to crack it open and start reading into Bell’s mind and teachings once again. The entire book is based on the idea of why art happens, why we create. That suffering is a universal feeling we all can relate to and usually leads to great connections with people on many levels, including art.

This is not a deep and theological book. It is not a book, like his others, that will speak tons of truths into your life. But it is a book that will make you think, and for me helped me appreciate art in a different way, I am not an artsy type of guy. But now I do understand it in a deeper sense. This is also a book that will only take you 45 minutes or so to read, but I imagine a book that you will come back to again and pick it up.

The one downside to the book is that it is expensive. I got mine off Amazon for $20, but it was retailing for around $50… yikes… so my advice, is to hunt around and find it at a good price. I would also strongly suggest and recommend Bell’s other books; Velvet Elvis, Sex God and Jesus Wants to Save Christians… check out his podcasts too!

Derek Webb – Stockholm Syndrome

One of my favorite singer/songwriters of all time has a new album out entitled Stockholm Syndrome. This is a release that was preceded by a fun and long process of a scavenger hunt mainly around the southern portion of the US. Actually a good friend of mine took place in the hunt and received a free album, concert tickets and other goodies. So, there was a lot of anticipation in the Smith household for this new release from Webb.

Derek Webb used to sing in a Christian group called Caedmon’s Call, but left back in the early 2000’s to pursue a solo career. He has released 5 albums so far, but he went a different way in his 5th album than he has in the previous 4. Some of these songs you just want to dance to, there is a more of a dance beat and electronics than in previous albums. And yet, this singer/songwriter, who seems most comfortable strumming chords behind an acoustic guitar, pulls it off.

Most of Webb’s albums have some sort of theme and meaning. His first was about the church, his fourth about politics and the most current one deals with the most current issue of pulling down the “normal” barriers of Christians and loving as Christ loved. Some have called Webb a prophet for this generation, which I believe to some extent as well.

The new album did receive some problems from the record label. One song, What Matters More, covers a very ‘hot’ topic of the day and is one that the record label did not feel right releasing, but I think it is poignant to the message that Webb is trying to portray.

His music is available on iTunes and at some Christian/Big Box retail stores. But to get the What Matters More song you will need to go to his website, www.derekwebb.com , and I believe it is available for a free download. I highly recommend any of Webb’s albums… he is a must have in your music collection!

Music Pick: Church Music by David Crowder Band

A new album just hit the stores last week from the David Crowder Band ( http://www.davidcrowderband.com/churchmusic/ ). I was in high anticipation of this album, due to the fact that their last album, Remedy, was so well done and had such a great message within it as well. I was so excited that I even participated in a preorder package where I received the album, a few extra songs, some stickers, a poster, and the Vinyl (that means record album to those born after the 1980’s). I still haven’t cracked open the vinyl and played it on my record player, but I have listened to the new album quite a bit.



And the verdict is that David Crowder Band has recorded another great album. It took a few listens to like this new endeavor, but it did start to speak to me in cool and exciting ways. They had an idea to create an album that could be played from end to end without stops, and then the Church Music Album was born.

Many of you may know a lot more David Crowder Band music than you think. Some Sundays at church it seems like we sing 2-3 of their songs, which I am not complaining about at all. We actually have already sung a new song off the album, and potentially my favorite song from the entire new album. That song is How He Loves and is a great look at the love God has for us. My favorite line is “if grace is an ocean, we are surely drowning”.



So, in my opinion, if you were going to one David Crowder album, get Remedy, if you were going to own a few pick up Church Music and give it a few listens.

Pete's Pick: Mute Math

Back in March of 2005 I read about a new band in one of my favorite magazines, Relevant Magazine (www.relevantmagazine.com), that sounded very interesting. Their upcoming album at the time was withheld for some reason or another, but I was able to locate an EP (an album with less tracks on it) at a local record store and loved the sounds that came from the speakers. A highly energetic and eerily Police-sounding music was what I heard from this new band Mute Math.

This band has a special place in my music collection. I have enjoyed their music from that first cd I listened to in 2005, I have attended at least 4 concerts as they have come through Denver, and one of their songs is what my wife walked down the aisle to at our wedding. They have also had songs that appeared on a few big movie soundtracks, "Transformers" and "Twilight. " And they have a new album that just came out a few weeks back.

A thing that I like most about this band is that they are a group of Christians who are choosing to live their lives in the mainline music industry. They even fought hard to not be put on a Christian music label; in my head I like to think that is because they desire to have their ministry be one that reaches people in bars and mainline radio. To me, this is pretty cool and difficult. To live in the world but not be of the world. I almost think this is something that we all, as believers and followers of Christ, are called to do in our daily lives. To reach out to this hurting world and provide a light that points to our God, our Savior.

So check out their new album, "Armistice," or their other albums such as their self-titled debut, the "Reset" EP (the album I mentioned earlier), or their "Spotlight" EP. This is a Grammy-nominated band that puts out solid music, with solid lyrics (not so sold on Armistice’s lyrics yet) and are striving to live out the Great Commission. Follow the link to a great video of their new single, "Spotlight." And feel free to surf around Youtube to find other great performances by a great band.

pete

The Commitment of God

Romans 8:38-39 say “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” But what does this mean? Does this mean that we are always connected with God?
What happens when we don’t feel God’s connection, His presence? What happens when we feel alone and out in the cold? Is God still there? And if so, why can’t we feel Him?
There are times in everyone’s lives when these questions arise. Over and over again we are told that God is with us at all times but moments in life (some longer than others) we just don’t know if that is true.
I have a few friends that seem to be going through this very thing right now. They are wondering if God has left them, if He even cares. And I am reminded of Marta, my wife. One thing that I have learned through marriage is that love is not a feeling, love is a commitment. I know that even when Marta and I have a disagreement, that we still love each other, even if our actions or words sometimes don’t show it. We are connected by this commitment of love.
And each of us are connected by a commitment of love to God as well, and God is connected by this commitment too. So, even though we might not see eye-to-eye with God sometimes. Or we are angry with Him. Or we wonder why He would allow something to happen, we are still connected by this deeper commitment. This love that is more than just surface level, but it is in the core of our being.
So know this, even though it may feel that God isn’t there, He is. And He is committed to you and wants to know you are committed to Him as well. Each day I choose to put Marta first. I choose to lose my own selfish desires for Marta’s desires. And God does this with us as well. To the extent that He sent His son to die for us. Are you choosing God daily? Are you committed to Him or are you just at surface-level with your love? Because God definitely wants to go deeper.

Mystery Post - Highlight to View

I just heard of a guy named Ken Mink, and if you want to see something spectacular, check him out on Youtube. Ken is a 73 year old college sophomore who is also on the school basketball team. You see, Ken played ball when he was in college, but due to getting wrongfully accused of a prank he was kicked out of school and missed his chance of being able to play a second year of ball. This haunted him for over 50 years, til one day he decided to give it another try. He enrolled at Roane State Community College and joined the basketball team. He has even played in a game or two, but practices everyday with kids 50 years younger than him, his nickname? Medicare Man!

Now if this isn’t an amazing story of someone who is doing something unbelievable, unthinkable, unimaginable, I don’t know what is. He is breaking the previous age record of someone playing college basketball by 20+ years! What an example to us in our Christian walk. You see, Paul talks about this in his letter to the Philippians. He tells them that we are capable of great things because we have Jesus on our team. More specifically he wrote, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13.

From the strength of God we are able to do all things. Jesus speaks about faith a lot throughout his 3 years of ministry. That faith the size of a mustard seed could move a mountain. Do you have the faith that you can do all things because of Christ?

Our lives here on earth are dirty and messy. Things happen all of the time where you may think that you cannot overcome. But we can do all things through the strength of Christ.
You might feel inadequate of doing something. But remember, God says ALL things, as long as we are doing it for His glory.

What are things that you are avoiding or resisting? Or are there things that you should be resisting and you aren’t?

How can you live a life of faith in knowing that God has your back and that ALL things are possible?

How can we look at 73 year old Ken Mink and see God’s love and compassion and faithfulness in what he is doing?

Do you have faith the size of a mustard seed?

Last month two members of our church went to an orphanage in Africa for children who have HIV and those who have lost their parents to the virus as well. There were over 20 kids staying at this particular orphanage, which was started by a woman who adopted her nephew after his parents died from Aids and she wanted to help others in the same circumstances.

We were asked to help participate in this trip in a great way. No, not by going to Africa, but by helping to raise shoes, socks, medicine and games/toys for these children. We filled at least one big suitcase, if not two with all kinds of goodies! And it seems as if the kids loved their treats!

This reminds me of a teaching from Jesus about loving all people. He says in Matthew 5:42 "Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." And this is what we are called to do daily in our lives.

The youth group has also "adopted" a girl name Ioana. She is affiliated with Global Hope and lives in Romania at an orphanage. The proceeds that we get from selling food in the youth room go to help support Ioana, but we could always use more money. If you can help, please, we will take whatever you can give.

There are many opportunities that we have where we get to give to others who are less fortunate in necessities than we are. We just need to see these moments and seize these moments. That is the message Jesus taught and as followers of Christ we are called to action.

For me the Super Bowl is best for it's commercials. And this year there were a few good ones, but the one that I was the most excited for was the one in 3-D. Which, if you saw it, was a disappointment. Chuck on Monday night was a little better, but I was expecting to be wowed with the 3-D technology.
I guess nothing ever compares to the real thing. Usually generic cola doesn't quite taste like Pepsi. Or paper suckers aren't quite as sweet as real suckers (that one was made up). But you know what I mean. The orignal is always the best.
In Romans chapter 6 Paul speaks to us about the real thing. "1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
You see, there are things in life that we try to put our hope in. Friends, boyfriend/girlfriend, grades, sports, music... the list could go on and on. But the only real thing that we are able to put our hope in is the Son of God, Jesus. We have been baptized into Christ and we no longer live. Instead Christ lives in us. Jesus is the Real Thing. We are the real thing with Jesus.
Are you living like you are the real thing, or are you living generically? Trying to fit in with this world, or bringing God's world to people?
I think we should stop trying to live for 3-D that always disappoints and instead live for Reality, bringing God to others.

Texting Craziness

How many of you text? I would also include myself in this group of textors, although I am a light-weight. Last week I read an article
about a girl who sent 14,528 texts ( http://www.nypost.com/seven/01112009/news/nationalnews/this_kids_a_text_maniac_149614.htm) . Now I know what you are thinking; “That is nothing. I send more than that in a year.” Ah, but this
wasn’t in a year, this was in one month! This works out to 484 texts a day or about one text message every two minutes (according to the
NY Post). Now I feel rather hypocritical saying this, because I also text and feel that there are a lot of advantages to this technology,
Marta (my wife) disagrees. But this is a little extreme. What is happening with our society? Are we becoming to detached from real
interaction?
In the book of Acts it talks about the acts of the early church, hence the title Acts (did you know that one?) This book is a book about
community, togetherness, interaction and people. This book is not about texting and the internet. It is not about anonymity but instead it
is about being known. There is a rather odd story found in Acts 5 about two people, Ananias and Sapphira. This married couple wanted
to follow what others were doing, and sell some land to give the money to the community. This was a time where people were caring for
each other, they were together and interacted as one. Many people were selling their personal possessions for the better good of their
friends and their community. No longer did they seek privacy and being unconnected, but instead sold what they had in order to connect
better.
So, this couple, Ananias and Sapphira, sold land but withheld some of the money, even though they claimed to be giving the full amount.
They talked about being united, yet they stayed anonymous. Unfortunately the story goes that they both were struck dead for their lies,
but that is not the main point. They tried to stay apart from people. They tried to care in words but not in deeds. They tried to live a lie
and they ended up getting pushed further away from the community.
Texting can be the same way. Are you avoiding someone when you text? Are you trying to stay secluded? Who can you interact with
today? Who can you be “God with skin on” to?