Val Kilmer & I
So I’ve been told a lot in my life that I look like Val Kilmer (I’m hoping the Val Kilmer of the Top Gun days!). If you know me well, you probably already know this little fact. Now I am not saying that I think I look like Val Kilmer, I’ve never claimed that, this is just what I have been told.
The first time I can remember being told I looked like Val (after so many years, we’re on a first name basis) was my Sophomore year in Academy by the Peach sisters. It has only escalated since then, in fact now 18 years since that thought was first expressed I still receive the occasional “Val” reference.
So why am I telling you this? To share a quick lesson I’m learning as a parent and as a pastor. Due to the fact that I have been called Val and asked if I look like Val, and even gawked at as if I were the real Val so often, I began to learn lines from Val Kilmer movies I could deliver:
“I don’t like you because you’re dangerous.” –Top Gun
“You can be my wingman anytime.” –ibid
“I’m your huckleberry. That’s just my game.” –Tombstone
“Why Johnny Ringo.” –Tombstone
“You’re no daisy.” –Tombstone
And of course the Val Kilmer pursed lips and stare…
What is the point?
Because people were always asking me if I knew I looked like Val Kilmer, I felt the need to start delivering Val Kilmer lines. To get into Val Kilmer character…
I have discovered with my kids and even in my relationships with folk as their pastor, that in both cases the more I treat and talk to my kids or members as I believe God sees them and less as they may actually be, that eventually they begin to take on this character. If we affirm people even when they may not be quite there, I believe they are more likely to take on the character we are affirming than to go back to whom they may be or may have been.
Isn’t this after all what God has done with all of us?
“God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;” –Romans 4:17b
And didn’t Jesus say, “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends,” –John 15:15a
“Friends”, even though if you keep reading in the book of John the disciples kept acting like servants.
God calls each of us as He sees us, not as we actually are. I pray that in my life and I pray that in your life you will do the same for your kids and for any others you have influence over!
The One Project Analysis
I attended The One Project in Seattle this past month and wanted to share my analysis of my time at this “gathering.” It was not a conference we were told but a gathering, a discussion on the supremacy of Jesus Christ within the Adventist church.
I and almost 700 other folk gathered for two days. Most of us attended because of invitation from either one of the leaders of the gathering or the personal invitation of a friend that had attended the first One Project gathering in Atlanta, GA. a year ago.
One of the questions I received over and over again from folk that knew I was attending was, “What is this thing all about?” My answer was consistently, “I don’t know.” When I vocalized that sentiment on twitter I was assured, “Jesus. ALL.” In other words I was told, “the gathering is all about Jesus.”
Did I find this to be true? Yes and No.
My perspective on the idea of “Jesus. All.” after hearing people insist to me that Jesus is “ALL” we are about, no agenda. After hearing the encouragement before the meetings for people to prepare for the gathering by reading the Gospels and/or The Desire of Ages. After hearing Japhet De Oliveira give his explanation to the purpose of this gathering in the opening remarks I understood Jesus.ALL. to mean that it would be all about JESUS HIMSELF.
With that expectation in mind I found it to be NOT Jesus. ALL.
There were several talks, the majority of talks in fact, where scripture was not opened and where Jesus as God, Man, Savior, Friend, etc. were not addressed in any manner and so if you came like me with an expectation of learning more about JESUS HIMSELF, then you would have found this event wanting.
If you came with the understanding that it would be about Jesus primarily as how He has been used and focused on throughout the history of the Adventist church, then yes it was Jesus. ALL. This was the focus of much of the gathering. Jesus 1844, 1888, 1957, Doctrine, Mission, the future.
In every talk I found things I could, “AMEN”, in every talk I thought there were wonderfully valid points made. I resonated strongly with Sam Leonor & Mark Witas’ talks. My heart was touched as a Dad & as a former prodigal with Pastor Terry Swenson’s story about his own son.
And there were things said that concerned me, statements I believe were on the border of ideas or teachings I would in no way be able to support. That said, these statements were either intentionally or unintentionally veiled and therefore hard for me to make a completely accurate assessment of.
The format of the conference was amazing! There was no wasted time! After our break times we went straight into the speakers, no wasted words on announcements or giveaways. The music led by Nick Zork w/ an assist by Kimberly Bulgin and many others was amazing. On a side note, I believe if we invested through our church education system in wonderful worship leaders as much as we do other areas of ministry, all our churches would be well served! (It is Biblical 1 Chronicles 6:31,32) The fellowship was wonderful. It had a nice reunion feel to it. The organization was terrific and the leaders I spoke with were gracious in hearing my concerns and humble in hearing my praise.
In summary I would say, it was not the gathering I expected, but this doesn’t mean it was a bad gathering. The focal point I expected, learning more about Jesus and drawing nearer to Jesus, was not the primary focus I experienced, and based on that alone I would probably not choose to attend again.
However, this is only their second (in some ways 1st) intentional gathering, and I think it is wise, unless there is was just absolute heresy, (which I choose to believe there was not) to reserve judgment after just one round. I was also encouraged by Alex Bryan’s statement that Chicago’s 2013 gathering will be a discussion on 8 stories from the life of Jesus. With that statement by Pastor Alex I believe a return and reinvested look at The ONE project is deserved, at least from me.
No Defense, So Amazing!
“He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He opened not His mouth;
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.” –Isaiah 53:7
This has to be one of the most incredible verses in the Bible & one of the most amazing attributes of Jesus.
Jesus didn’t defend Himself even though He was completely in the right! The accusations against Him were statements of assumption, statements of hearsay, statements based on misinformation, well to be direct they were just flat out lies; yet, Jesus spoke not a word of defense.
There are few things I find so amazing from a human perspective as this. I find that even when I am a little in the wrong I want to defend myself; but when I am being accused based on assumption, hearsay, misinformation, and absolute lies I want to scream from the mountain tops my defense; charge the guilty parties with sword of tongue drawn, ready to cut them to bits with words, but…
But this in no way models Jesus’ example. Jesus was so secure with His mission, with His purpose, with His love and acceptance from the Father that He never opened His mouth even though He was absolutely right and His accusers were absolutely wrong.
Jesus help me to plant this scripture in my heart and remember it every time I want to open my mouth in defense, even when I’m right, help me to be silent!
Josh Garrels
A little listening for this Sabbath! One of my absolute favorite Christian musicians! You can download his latest CD for free…yes FREE! So even though it is Sabbath go get it now, it is free… Josh Garrels
This Is Discipling
Great video. It reminds me of Ellen G. White’s statement,
“Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary.” (Desire of Ages, p. 195).
<p>This is Discipling from The Foursquare Church on Vimeo.</p>
My Central Valley!
So I went on a blogging barrage at the beginning of the month. My intent was to blog every week, and well that intent went by the wayside. So now it is February, and another chance to have a more consistent month.
So today I want to write to you about where I live, because I LOVE where I live. When I tell people that, and then I tell them I live in the Central Valley of California people look at me funny, like I am making it up, but truly there is NO place I would rather live.
Some people don’t like the Valley because of the smog or the fog So yes, I love the Valley!