Blooming Possibilities

Believe it or not, these are Knockout roses. I've discovered if you catch them in bud, they look almost like tea roses in a bouquet. Of course, they're not as pretty after they open fully, but hey, with Knockouts, there are almost always more to pick in a couple of days.
The flowers are in preparation for an overnight visit from Wendy Wagoner tomorrow evening. And because we'll be busy with her then and with Dan and Cindi Cooper Wednesday evening (our weekly shared dinner and viewing of our favorite TV show, Major Crimes), I needed to prepare my Thursday-morning Bible study this evening. That Serendipity New Testament for Groups was my ally in this week's preparation.
Two outstanding events of the day: had lunch with Mark Haas, former art director at Standard, to catch up, hear about his work with Rebel Pilgrim Productions, and talk about our long list of shared concerns, friends, and interests. Was proud to show him our new digital edition available on our new app. Was glad to hear how fulfilled and challenged he is by his current work.
Later talked with Dave Empson who graciously allowed me to have a table/display at the upcoming International Conference on Missions in exchange for a free ad in Christian Standard. Marketing budgets have been cut (again) at Standard, and the new marketing director had decided Standard wouldn't be going to ICOM this year. I can't blame her, but I'm very glad Dave and I worked out this deal so there can be at least some presence for Christian Standard at this large convention. We need to do whatever we can to keep this app in front of people.
The ICOM people want me to do some interviews, like those I did for NACC, with missionaries and others at ICOM. I'll enjoy that, and it will add to the video archive available to us for links from upcoming digital editions.

Strange Noises, Knowing What's Coming, and What We Need in Elders

Concern of the Day (well, at least one of them!): Evelyn heard a loud tumbling sound coming from the roof at about 7:00 this morning. I was in the shower, so I didn't hear it. She thought something had fallen off the roof, or a deer had been on our deck. But neither appear to be true. So did some rafters fall inside either of our attics? The sound happened just once, and we've heard nothing since. (No scurrying, scritching feet, thank goodness—at least not yet!) If we don't hear anything more before then, I'll venture into the attic Saturday when it's light. I don't wanna go up there with a flashlight in the dark.
Updates later.

Quote of the Day:  "People of depth know what is at stake with each new year. They know we are blessed not to know what is coming."
—Paul S. Williams, in his column posted today at christianstandard.com 

 Second Quote of the Day: "Elders are ultimately responsible for the congregation. They must be men of conviction who are willing to make hard decisions and live with them long enough to see if they are working. Only when men of conviction serve as elders will churches be able to make decisions that positively alter the direction of a congregation. Otherwise, the loud voices of the 'we like it this way' or 'that won't work' crowds will dictate the demise of the church.
—Chuck Sackett in an excellent article that will appear in Christian Standard's March "Elders Meeting" column

Picture of the Day: Tomorrow morning (we meet at 6:00 a.m.!) is my men's Bible study's first gathering of the new year, and the last session of the six-part video series, The Christmas Experience, narrated by Kyle Idleman. Our guys have really enjoyed it, and one of them, Brad Comerford, even borrowed the videos to use at home during Christmastime. Thanks to Mike Mack for recommending the series in his column in Christian Standard.

 

Whining from a Night Person

Our Thursday group is doing a three-week study on prayer that I developed in anticipation of
participating in an all-church study October and November.

This week I'm beginning a regimen of getting up by or before 5:00 a.m. to be at the church by or just
after 6:00 a.m. TWICE each week.
Some observers might think I've chosen this plan because I am a morning person. I AM NOT.
For some time now (how many years has it been?), I've met with a circle of guys on Thursday mornings for Bible study. That is continuing this year. Tomorrow will be the third Thursday we've met this September as we're starting a new school year. We meet at 6:00 a.m. and finish shortly after 7:00 so everyone can get to work.
A few weeks ago Jim Baird asked me to participate in a study they've been offering to men in the church: "No Man Left Behind," a course about how to disciple men. Dale Reeves suggested to him that he ask me. It's meeting on Tuesday mornings at 6:15, I think for eight weeks.
So twice each week I'm setting out all my clothes the night before and making sure my briefcase is packed and easy to find, sliding my change and phone and keys onto the bathroom counter so I won't have to hunt for them in the dark in the bedroom, and aiming for bed by 10:00 p.m. so I can get up around 5:00 (actually on Thursdays I set the alarm for 4:50!). The goal is to slip out of bed, close the bathroom door in the dark before turning on the light, opening and closing cabinets and drawers as quietly as possible--all in an effort not to wake Evelyn.
She, by the way, IS a morning person, and also a very light sleeper. And now in this first semester of her retirement, she has me bumbling around at least an hour before she would normally get up (and at least 90 minutes or more before I would prefer to).
I need to commit myself to seeing some growth happening in me in exchange for these upsets to my natural body rhythm. :-)

Revealed

I really enjoyed leading the discussion at our men's Bible study this morning. We're working through Revelation--I chose it because I felt particularly uncomfortable with the book. And I must admit I haven't felt completely comfortable trying to lead some of our discussions so far. But for some reason, I was more satisfied with the way today's session went.
For one thing, I devised some discussion questions and activities quite apart from anything suggested in the several resources I'm using. For another, I used the white board as a part of that discussion, and I think it's an excellent tool for stimulating response and helping a group summarize what it has decided and learned. I had planned more for us to discuss than we had time to get to, which may be another positive indicator. They say the best teaching is from the overflow, and I found myself remembering points and questions without being tied to my notes or to the guidebook we're following together. And the guys themselves bring meaningful insights to the discussion and helps from their study Bibles that left us all (I hope!) feeling more comfortable with the chapter (Revelation 6) after our session than before.
It was a heavy topic, evil and God's response to it at the end of time. In many ways I feel insulated from the evil that characterizes existence for so many people in the world. But it's good for all of us to consider how the Evil One is present and active, even in our own upper middle class, suburban worlds.

Thunder and Thoughts--Some Sweet and Some Not

So here's the thing: deciding on a list of under-40 leaders who will help shape the face of our movement in the next decade is a lot harder than it sounds.
There are a BUNCH of dynamic leaders under 40 years old in our fellowship. But which of them is influencing beyond their own situation or location? And how do you really evaluate that--in a way that will seem fair to those who see this report (and in a way that will seem fair to those NOT chosen)? I spent quite a bit of today chewing on that. I hope to come to some closure with this by the first of the week.

The day began very well, with a good discussion of the Seven Churches of Revelation with my Thursday-morning men's Bible-study group. My friend Milt Pippenger recommended to me a wonderful book he has used as background when he taught the book of Revelation. Reversed Thunder: The Revelation of John and the Praying Imagination is by Eugene Peterson, the paraphraser who produced The Message. I read through his chapter on the Seven Churches yesterday and chose a couple of spots in it to read to the guys during our discussion this morning.
The book is full of application, with just the right amount of Bible background and explanation to show why the application works. I'm looking forward to reading it as we proceed through the whole book.
Today's Valentine's Day. I had an e-mail today from a lady who was writing to me and several men about something else.  "It's not too late to get your wives roses for Valentine's Day," she said as she ended her note.
"I already ordered tulips for my wife for Valentine's Day," I answered, "because I know she loves 'em."
And she did!
Evelyn and I worked at the Healing Center tonight, but we're going to try for a nice dinner out tomorrow evening. We exchanged cards today, though; we each chose one sentimental and one semi-outrageous.  (The pictured card is not the outrageous one!)

A Birthday at Betta's

What's more fun than a new restaurant? Jim Nieman introduced most of us to Betta's Italian Oven close to Xavier University for his birthday lunch today. It's very fine!
The sign in the window proclaims, "The best pizza in Cincinnati," an award bestowed at least once by Cincinnati Magazine. I don't know if I would have labeled it the best, but the margherita pizza I had for lunch was really good. The pizzas are cooked in a wood-fired oven. They have one size and style: 10-inches, thin and crispy crust.
When the waitress brought it to the table, I thought, Well, I'll be taking half of this home. But I managed to eat the whole thing! It's in a part of town I never get to, but sometime I'll make a point of going there just to try something else on their menu!

Sheryl Overstreet, Jim Nieman, Mark Taylor, Shawn McMullen, and Mike Helm
enjoying Betta's for Jim's birthday!

Spent most of the day working on the March issue, which goes to the printer next week: Read proof and talked on the phone to get quotes from Christian college presidents for the editorial I hope to write for that issue. Spent most of my time after supper this evening studying for our men's group's first study in Revelation Thursday morning. I'm so glad I have Matt Proctor's articles, Part One and Part Two, on Revelation as a help to get us started!

Breakfast before Bible Study

All but two of the guys in our Thursday-morning men's Bible study got together for breakfast at Cracker Barrel today. We arrive when the place opens--at 6:00 a.m.! In spite of the early hour, we have lots of laughter and good sharing. We're starting a study of Revelation next week, using a guide written by N.T. Wright. It's 20 sessions long, so that will keep us busy till June!