Welcome, April
April Fool’s Day came and went for me, and surprisingly – even shockingly – I never once said, shouted, or jubilantly screamed, “April Fools!” I’m a little disappointed in myself. On top of that, no one said it to me either. For those of you who know me well, this startling omission from the first day of April is obviously a sign of the end times. It’s, well, unheard of.
Therefore, to make up for it, I’m devoting April to lighter posts – for the most part. I hope to be bringing you silliness and frivolity. I’ll be trying to lean to the lighter side this month. We’ll see how it goes. For a month that starts with a laugh, then celebrates a Resurrection, requires tax filing and supposedly brings showers, it should be pretty busy.
And as a reminder, for you lurkers out there, feel free to share a joke or thought at the campfire. And for all the friends who’ve been on the trail with me for a while, I’m immensely glad you’re here and are continuing the adventure with me.
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What’s down the trail for you?
I don’t know about you, but 2006 seem to drain out faster than I imagined. It was a little like watching the last inch or so of water in the tub turn tornadic as it vanished in a defiant slurp. Where did the year go? Of course, that begs the next question: What does 2007 hold for us all?
Here at Notes, I hope you’re willing to share in this journey with each other. The journey is enhanced and enjoyed when you talk along the trail. So you lurkers out there, leave a thought or two for us to chew on beside the embers of the fading fire. And for all the friends who’ve been on the trail with me for a while, I’m immensely glad you’re here and are continuing the adventure with me.
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http://www.journeyguy.com/Merry Christmas!
Thanks for stopping by Notes during the holiday season! I wish you and yours the very merriest of Christmi (is that plural of Christmas?). The time of year is significant for many cultures around the world, and ours is no different. As winter blows its cold breath down the our necks, our hearths become more central. Would that we also pay more attention to our hearts. The season offers us little apart from a grander perspective. For Christmas is about life. May you have a manger encounter this season.
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http://www.journeyguy.com/Welcome back!
If you’re seeing this post, then you’ve arrived at the newly-located blog. Notes from the Trail now has its own space on my server rather than just a subfolder. (If that made your head spin, it’s OK; you’re normal.)
I hope you leave a comment to let me know when you can see this site… It takes up to 48 hours to bounce around the internet, so you may see this post one moment and then the “Groovy Moving” post (which is the old location) another.
At any rate, I’m glad you’re here and ready to take up the journey together.
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http://www.journeyguy.com/WELCOME TO NOTES FROM THE TRAIL
Thanks for stopping by the newly-ported blog! I’ve gone to WordPress now, and I’m looking forward to learning it as a comprehensive design and site tool. You may see a few theme changes in the next week or so while I get this design or another refined.
For those of you who may be a little site-challenged, let me offer the following tips:
- Click on “Navigation” above to find more information and links.
Enjoy the new look and features, and let me know what you think!
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http://www.journeyguy.com/ You scored as Karl Barth. The daddy of 20th Century theology. You perceive liberal theology to be a disaster and so you insist that the revelation of Christ, not human experience, should be the starting point for all theology.
Which theologian are you? |
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Spirituality Tag…
I first saw this while cruising some religious blogs at 9rules Communities. So… here I go. Thanks to the Lo-Fi Tribe’s blog for originally getting me tagged.
1. List three words that describe your faith.
Growing, mysterious, joyful.
2. Describe one belief about which you are very certain and one belief with which you struggle.
Certain: That Jesus is God and is love. Struggle: Spiritual gifting… particularly why there is so much abuse and confusion about gifts like tongues, healings, miracles, etc.
3. What is your mission in life?
My mission is to magnify God as life’s ultimate joy. I try earnestly to do this through the journalist’s credo of "afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted." I hope to be used by God to free people from mindless, routine, and maintenance religion and help lead them to a love relationship with God through living faith in Jesus Christ.
4. Describe one thing that interferes with you authentically living out your faith.
Zoned in on things in which I don’t have enough contact with people (i.e., in front of the computer, books, video games, and movies too much!).
5. What is your favorite story from the Hebrew Scriptures? Why?
The story of Joseph. I’m studying it again right now as I finish up Beth Moore’s "The Patriarchs," and it makes me cry every time. Have no idea. Has something to do with a person being rejected by men and found by God. A person who gains a family back after they all learn the importance of unity.
6. What is your favorite New Testament story? Why?
I think it must be Peter walking on the water. Amazing. That Jesus’ power only held him up (or was it Peter’s faith?) and that it was Jesus’ Word alone that emboldened him to step out. Can I take Jesus at His Word enough to step out of my boat?
7. Describe a meaningful action you took because of your faith.
Started Journey Church.
8. Does your faith differ from that of your parents? If so, how?
Not that much. Mine is more expressive in the sense of being action-oriented, I guess.
9. Who or what was most important in the development of your faith.
In recent years, it’s been some things I’ve read and poeple I’ve been around. John Piper’s book Desiring God did more to teach me about the character and nature of God than anything I’ve read in a long time. I’ve just recently been deeply affirmed by A New Kind of Christian by Brian McLaren. In addition, the campus ministers that I hung out with for 8 years while I served as one at the University of Arkansas at Monticello remain some of the main men in which "iron sharpens iron." Guys like Neal Nelson and Ben Phillips, and Jackie Flake, as well as others. In addition, Scott Duvall and Kevin Wieser played important roles in my understanding of my call to ministry and then my application of it.
10. Pass it on! Tag at least two other religious/faith bloggers.
I?m tagging: Jim Parker of XperienceStuff and Carolyn Noble at Proof Positive.
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St. Patrick liked small group ministry…
What the heck?! I just finished George Hunter’s The Celtic Way of Evangelism. It’s a short book, and though I rarely do this (yea, right!), I must urge you all to run out and buy a copy today. C’mon, you can do it. It’s only 121 pages. But stuffed into this small book is such profundity that you will find your perspective on church, outreach, strategy, and history refreshed and encouraged.
I wanted to provide you an outline/synopsis of Chapter 4 (one of the best)…
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Aaaaaah…
Oh no… my wife now has a blog. It’s Proof Positive, and I’m a little nervous about it. Up till now, I’ve been able to free wheel out here in cyberspace, content with the occasional comment from her about “I can’t believe you said that.” Now… well, I’m treading a little lighter. Matt Parker has recently discovered the wonderful joys of a wife blogging.
And, crazy of all crazies, my 8 year-old son now has a blog too! If you’d like to see his, email me, and I’ll send you his link, but we’re not posting it, just to be careful. I actually think his might be very helpful in his education, just to help him get used to writing.
Hey… for those of you interested in The Patriarch’s Bible Study, we’re going to kick it in gear next week! Get your books and get ready to go. If you want to know what I’m talking about, look at the other blogs link to the right and click on the Patriachs.
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Tag! (Man Version)
Welcome to the winter 2006 edition the MAN SURVEY. After getting too many of these that have estrogen-filled questions like, if you were a Crayon, what color would you be? I decided to sit down and hammer out one that is for guys…
I’d welcome any additions to this or deletions… I did try to keep it as tame as possible since I know so many folks who are easily ruffled.
Continue reading »
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Up with joy!
Wow. Life is simply amazing. It’s a gift, a stewardship, an amazing moment of eternity to experience. Whether it’s telling corny jokes, performing unintentional slapstic or starring in my own daily sitcom, I love to laugh!
No, things don’t go the way I want them to all the time (or most of the time!) But it’s not about happiness… it’s about joy. Happiness is dependent on circumstances. Joy is dependent on your soul being at rest.
Let me know if you need some help experiencing joy in your life. I’m not an expert, but heck, I may be able to cheer you on.
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Your 43 Things…
Here’s an interesting website… www.43things.com. I’m still checking it out, but it seems to a be a Top 10 List (albeit expanded to 43) that people say they “want to do.” Check it out and see what you think…
Here’s three of mine so far…
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A Brief Response to “Sacred Idolatry”
In an article on “the ooze” entitled Sacred Idolatry, James Shelley makes some insightful points through his use of creative narrative about many evangelicals’ tendency to become bibliolatrists. Read it here.
Matt Parker, was the first to point out Shelley’s article to me. Here was my response to Matt… What do you think?
Pretty powerful. A definite corrective for bibliolatry. Yet, he may go to an extreme because if in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… shouldn’t we cherish His thoughts and revelation? All Scripture is “theopnuestos” – God-breathed…
I agree wholeheartedly that Scripture reveals someone greater than it. Yet it is also mystical, mysterious, powerful, and transforming. From the beginning of its inception, Israel was commanded to obey. What would there be to obey except that which had been revealed?
Romans 1 speaks of those who have not any revelation and seems to indicate that they are responsible for the information that they have – for the things of God the Creator are “evident” to them… But we DO have God’s Word and are accountable to its revelation of God. God CHOSE to reveal Himself in the flesh and through the page.
If we cast off the authority of God’s Word in search of a subjective Creator, we may just “ooze” into a common kharma…
Those are my thoughts….
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Wanna Fanta?
By the mere mention of the title, now I’ve got that inane tune in my head again. “Do you wanna Fanta? Wanna Fanta?” Dangit! Our church has been manning (and womaning) the concession stand for the local high school football games. It’s the Billies’ band main way of raising money each year. They’ve struggled to find folks to man it, and since TJ is a core member of Journey, we decided we wanted to serve him and the school throughout the football season by selling Snickers… and Fantas. 
It’s actually been enjoyable. One of our core convictions as a church is to serve our community. In order to serve your community, you must streamline your church activities (which we’ve done ruthlessly). You can’t simply tack on volunteer projects to an already full church calendar and be able to serve wholeheartedly. You’ll soon find your people exhausted and worn out. Many “pastors” then get frustrated with their people for not “sacrificing” or “carrying their cross.”
Yet, a full church calendar many times is symptomatic of a church that only exists for itself, to meet its members’ “needs.” It is not necessarily seeing its people maturing into the image of Christ, but it is sure keeping them busy. Busyness is not godliness. Nor does a full slate of religious programs, from kids to senior adults, equate to building the kingdom of God. Unfortunately in many churches, our activities and programs are simply religious alternatives to similar programs and activities already present in the community. Heaven forbid that we should dine with sinners… or that our senior adults should participate in that devel-ish local senior citizen’s center. I mean… they quilt there! (and occasionally… gasp… play bingo!)
We are earnestly trying to cultivate a mindset and lifestyle in our church that our community’s activities and interests should be those of our church. We seek to plug our church into the life and times of the community rather than creating a Christian subculture or Christian coountry club or Christian “Rotary Club” for ourselves. Our belief is that many churches are in full retreat from their society and community rather than engaging it lovingly, thoughtfully, and as salt and light. You cannot flavor that which you’re not in contact with. You cannot light darkness that you’re not in. So go join that senior center or Lion’s Club or volunteer to serve at the local library rather than filling another “slot” at your church. So many of those slots are only keeping the machine running and are doing little to advance the kingdom and bring people into the joy of knowing Christ for the first time – or more fully.
We do not believe in compromising the biblical message and call for repentance and simple faith in Jesus Christ. But we also do not believe that the best place to preach and communicate that message is in a religious building on certain designated (“holy”) times. The best gospelling occurs in the context of relationships, working alongside your “not-yet-Christian” (taken from Hirsch’s The Shaping of Things to Come) neighbor. As you faithfully live out the joy of your faith in Christ in FRONT of your community (rather than in your religious places and programmed events, you will see the Spirit begin the amazing and miraculous process of life transformation and faith giving.
We’ve got one more home game this season to work the concession stand. We’re indebted to servantevangelism.com for our shirts that we wear. On the back of our shirt, it says, “Journey Church has left the building…Gone to Serve.” May we all earnestly scale back our “religious activities” that seem only to meet our own needs rather than to serve the our neighbors’.
So, if you’re in Monticello next weekend and stop by the game…. “Wanna Fanta?”
Go Billies!
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They’re NOT my kids!
Ok… every now and then you have a significant ego check. You just don’t expect it to happen in the check out line at Wal-Mart. For you metropolitan bloggers out there (whom I will refer to from this point out as metroggers… another perhaps original…), you may not understand the joy and simplicity of a trip to Wal-Mart. For us more rural bloggers (uh, can we say RNB’s… red neck bloggers), this trip to bargain mecca is so much more than a shopping trip. It’s our mall, our hangout, our social extravaganza. When there’s no home game, and it’s after dark, then hey, a trip to Wal-Mart is to us what sitting in those rocking chairs at Cracker Barrell is to you city folk who think you’ve gotten in touch with your roots.
I digress. I went to Wallyworld yesterday (first popularized by Chevy Chase in the original “Vacation” but now used by those in the know to refer to theme park/bargain store/town hall/front porch place formerly known as Wal-Mart. I was there with Phillip Slaughter and his new bride, Rosie – Phillip’s the co-pastor of Journey. We had gone to pick up some supplies for our new worship location.
In line, the older lady who was checking us out looked at our threesome with familial joy and exclaimed sweetly to me, “Oh, is this your son or your daughter?” …
Later that night, after bail had been posted and a date set for my trial for “aggravated” assault… I finally realized why it’s called “aggravated..” Heck, I’m 37 stinking years old, and she thinks that Rosie or Phillip are my kids? Aaargh.
P&R kept their mouths shut as we finished checking out. I didn’t even correct the lady. I just said, “He’s also the co-pastor of our church.” She couldn’t believe it. Said he looked too young. She was also just as shocked to discover they were married. Maybe it’s P&R that look SO young rather than me looking old enough to be their father…
On the way out of Wallyworld, Phillip asks, “Can I have some candy, Dad?”
Please send your checks for bail to…..
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The Bible Belt Is Off
Matt Parker came by Journey today (that makes like 72 times this week! – awesome to hang out with you, bro!) Our church has been meeting in the local 6-screen movie theater for worship for the past 7 months. We’ve been praying and seeking for a more convenient place to meet for several weeks now. The realtor company that we are leasing our current offices/children’s space from in the Wal-Mart shopping center callled yesterday. After initially telling us “no,” they gave us the green light to do a month-to-month lease in the vacant space next to Stage, which is only one store over from our current spot. Wow!
Matt, JB, Phillip, Doug, and myself spent an hour today moving all our sound equipment from the movie theater to the new location. It was during this time that I took this picture on my Audiovox SMT 5600 phone…
It’s Matt holding his belt up to JB… Matt, you won’t be needing that much longer, by the way. Keep up the good work! Visit him at widebody.typepad.com and watch him blog away the pounds. By the way, thanks to Justin Baeder at radicalcongruency for giving Matt’s blog the nod yesterday! If you’re a blogger and could take the time to point others to Matt’s site to give him added accountabillity and encouragement, please do so!
Yes, I’m a tech geek
Speaking of the Audiovox phone… I got in on the beta testing program of Missing Sync for Windows Mobile. As a Mac guy, I was excited about testing this new piece of software that touts its ability to sync your Windows Mobile device with your Mac. I’d used Pocketmac with some success before this, but I wanted to try something that didn’t install a bunch of stuff all over your system. Let me say at this point though, that Missing Sync just isn’t there yet. Yes, they’ve got a commercial release, but while some are able to sync relatively well with it, there are still another group of folks with no success whatsoever. Save your money and buy a phone that will sync through iSync is my recommendation.
Nuff said!
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I Wanted to Be a Millionaire
The rage has subsided. Our 30-day attention span culture has moved on from Regis’ “I Want to Be a Millionaire.” Meredith Viera now hosts the show (she recently won 2005′s Emmy for Daytime Gameshow Host). Although they’re still giving away money, only wannabe’s and the bored are watching. I confess. I’m a wannabe.
Carolyn and I were in New York last November. It was the first getaway of that nature we’d probably had since our honeymoon. We had a blast, getting to see the surface and touristy features of NYC, as well as being humbled and moved by Ground Zero. But while we were there, we waited in line and got on the “Regis & Kelly Show” (Caro’s insistence), and then the “Millionaire” show.
Who knew you had to take a test to get on the list to compete? Though we got to sit in the audience for the taping, a pre-show quiz was passed out to determine who could compete. We sat next to several repeaters – folks who keep lining up for hours to get in, just to take and pass the quiz, just so they “might” get on the show as a contestant.
And who knew the test would be so cotton-pickin’ hard?! Good grief! Do I really have to know the name of George Washington’s cat to be a millionaire? (OK, they didn’t ask that, but there were some very obscure questions!). Obviously, I didn’t pass the test. And I’m not a millionaire. But I want to be.
I’m not exactly sure what the appeal is for all of us in wealth. Is it freedom? Getting out of the debt mess? Is it to subsidize the lust of our eyes? To be able to fill our pockets, houses, and egos? Why do we get such a temporary high from possessions? From “power?” It is only momentary. Any truly wealthy person will assure you that misery chases them just as it hounds you. Wealth is no path to true peace. (Dangit!)
I believe Jesus shared with us words of supernatural and sublime truth when he simply stated, “He who seeks to save his life will lose it; he who loses his life for my sake will save it.”
Millions may finance a shopping binge, but they won’t satisfy the longings of the human heart. St. Augustine said, “You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”
It’s not about millions. It’s about meaning. That’s my final answer.
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You Wno’t Blevie Tihs!
I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to rscheearch taem at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn ‘t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Such a cdonition is arppoiately cllaed Typoglycemia :)-
Amzanig huh?
Yaeh, and yuo awlyas thought slpeling was ipmorantt…
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Batman & Spiderman
I was in Pasadena earlier this year for the Perspectives conference (awesome experience!), and while there Phillip and I went to Hollywood. It was my first time on the west coast, so I figured, let’s see something worth seeing…
I was struck by how trashy Holly Boulevard is.. We saw the Capitol Records building, the Hollywood sign, the Chinese Theater and a few other landmarks, but interspersed throughout this strip of American pop culture and history were lewd bookstands, storefronts, and adult video stores. I just wasn’t prepared. You see, I LOVE movies. I do the Netflix thing since our local Movie Gallery charges like $17 per movie rental (though it’s only $5, it’s still ridiculous!). So I may watch a coupla movies a week.
So I was excited about seeing Hollywood. I guess its rundown and less than glamorous condition is really indicative of all us. We all pretend to be more than we are, presenting our best sides, hiding the real us. I took this picture of two jokers dressed up as my favorite comic characters…
I realized how much their masquerade resembles our own. So many people spend their entire life working desperately to keep their real identity hidden. They’re fearful that we might like the “real them.” But just the opposite is true. There’s no need to dress up, conceal, or keep yourself hidden. We all are refreshed by those few authentic people in our lives. People who can laugh at themselves, let it all hang out, and simply enjoy LIFE without a manic need to be someone they’re not. THOSE are the kind of people that are the real heroes. No costumes needed.
Be you today. Enjoy being the persont that God made you to be. And if you haven’t yet discovered your real God-given identity, investigate the words of Jesus Christ – the ultimate “real” person. He said, “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” (John 10.10)
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Raising computer geeks
It’s our Sunday ritual… after returning from church/lunch with friends, Caro and I usually crash and just hope the kids don’t burn down the house. Sam was recently given an old iBook by my mom, and Adelyn got a Barbie laptop for her birthday on Saturday. I rolled over from my nap on the couch today to see this picture…
Rather frightening.
Sam has been obsessed with the NFL games on today. This is his first year with a fantasy football team… As soon as he saw I was awake, rather than a cheerful, “Hi, Dad! Glad you had a great nap. I’m ready to serve and obey you!” … he simply said (rather gleefully, I might add) “Dad, you’re losing.” Grrrr.
Last time I checked, I was losing in all three leagues that I have a team in. Nice way to start the season. At least our peewee football team that I’m coaching won Saturday! Here’s Sam blocking for his team “Exterminators.” (Mr. Bug is our sponsor)
Nuff said for now!
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About
Notes from the Trail
The Personal Blog of Jeff Noble
Info: From the misty hills of Virginia, "Notes from the Trail" seeks to encourage you on your journey. Written by a graphic designer-pastor, this blog is a blend of humor, insight, and faith discovery.
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RT @TheFactsBook: The ancient Greeks believed that redheads would turn into vampires after they died. Eeek. Be nice to @libby_bish. [journeyguy]
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I just became the mayor of Blacksburg Middle School on @foursquare! http://t.co/EDjfDQ81 [journeyguy]
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RT @jackieflake: @vthoneybee, Melissa u lived as Christ, your death is gain. God thank u for sharing our sister w/us. Living well yields ... [journeyguy]
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Praying for the@bcmvt and Cheliras families upon learning of Melissa's death from cancer today. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 [journeyguy]
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