Postmodern Renaissance Culture Revolutionary

I would be a very baaaad person if I didn't at least acknowledge the most important exclusive personal relationship I have in this life. Today is my beautiful wife's birthday. She is my true love and the greatest partner in life I could ever hope to have. In her I have found much of what I need to be completed. She is fantastic. And I'm just glad I'm not an old man anymore. I love you Lisa.

I ran across this article today. In essence, the author argues that when Christians use the phrase "a personal relationship with Jesus", they are treading wearily in deep water. I believe the author is trying to present a dangerous situation Christians may fall into with the use of this phrase. Some evangelical Christians use the idea of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ exclusive to any other mode of relationship. This exclusive mode of relationship results in frustration at not being able to have a "lasting" relationship or anger at being "rejected" in the relationship. It births doubt when thoughts would turn to our own fault for the relationship not being what it should be. This is starting to sound a lot like relationships with my college girl-friends. But I get the author's point. The exclusive mode of "personal relationship" is limited in understanding who Jesus Christ is in the fullest sense. I know that many find this mode ...

This past weekend was full. Today is really the processing of the many emotions left over. It began Saturday with Angel Food at our church. Angel Food is the supplemental food program our church participates in. (Find out more about our church's part and the national ministry .) We put food in the hands of over 300 families. What was truly special is that the distribution was accomplished by a mixture of St. Andrew's church folks and good hearted people who have no formal connection with our church. Yet you couldn't tell the difference. Some of the St. Andrew's folks were wearing our custom t-shirts, but not everyone. There was a great spirit and connection between the people working. I couldn't ask for more meaningful expression of the kingdom of God than what was happening Saturday morning. God bless you St. Andrew's and Angel Food volunteers. Saturday afternoon was Nicholas' (my 7 year old) birthday. His party was at Tulsa's Incredible Pizza Company...

If you have found your way to this spot by accident, you are truly welcome. I have not created this place on the web to speak to anyone in particular. For friends, parishoners, and enemies - be prepared to learn something new about me. This is my place to bring the ideas and wonderings of a pastor struggling between the tensions of identifying and living in a postmodern world against the desire to recapture the romance of a Renaissance Man who could operate in many different areanas of life with skill and excellence. Some simple facts about me: I am a husband and father I am a United Methodist pastor I reside in Oklahoma I love history, science-fiction/fantasy, comic books, and role-play games I classify myself as a short, fat, bald, nerd What do I intend with this blog: To post thoughts and ideas for feedback and possible sermon material To have a place to vent about those things that frustrate and encourage me To give the people who know me a place to find out what is happening in m...