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Showing posts from May, 2013

As the Ruin Falls

by C.S. Lewis All this is flashy rhetoric about loving you. I never had a selfless thought since I was born. I am mercenary and self-seeking through and through: I want God, you, all friends, merely to serve my turn. Peace, re-assurance, pleasure, are the goals I seek, I cannot crawl one inch outside my proper skin: I talk of love —a scholar's parrot may talk Greek— But, self-imprisoned, always end where I begin. Only that now you have taught me (but how late) my lack. I see the chasm. And everything you are was making My heart into a bridge by which I might get back From exile, and grow man. And now the bridge is breaking. For this I bless you as the ruin falls. The pains You give me are more precious than all other gains. Now check out how Phil Keaggy put the words of Lewis' poem to music.  It's a masterpiece. Enjoy. (If video doesn't appear, go here .) You, Me, and Coffee Monday...   Let me encourage you and and mak

Monday Funday: In a Previous Life...

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In a previous life, in the mid-to-late 1980s, I was a youth pastor in my early 20s. And I played lead guitar in a wanna-be Jesus-freak thrash band full of Peorians called Violent Mercy. We had a blast playing for students. All ten of them. In the spirit of Monday Funday, and since I get great joy from the idea of you having fun at my expense, I hope this post below makes you smile and laugh out loud. Warning: If you favorite musical group is The Gaither's Vocal Band, you can read the lyrics below, but please do NOT listen to the audio at the end. Proceed at your own risk. You have been warned. Neb's Humbling (Heaven Rules) by Bill Allison Band: Violent Mercy, circa 1986 Digitized from the bootleg tape, Live from the Basement Inspired by Daniel chapter 4 Corporate chairman, Mr. executive your position, Company big wig Little kingdoms made from sand Anarchy bogus will never stand HEAVEN RULES! with sovereignty HEAVEN RULES! the buck stops there HEAVEN RULES! God&#

Trying harder and getting less?

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“A dull ax requires great strength; be wise and sharpen the blade.”  —Ecclesiastes 10:10  Two legendary lumberjacks decided to have a tree-cutting contest to settle once and for all which lumberjack was the best. The contest was to take place on a Saturday—starting at five in the morning and was to continue until five in the evening. The lumberjack who felled the most trees in that twelve-hour time span would be declared the winner. The news of the contest spread, and on the big day—the timbers were filled with curious spectators. BANG!  A shot rang out to start the contest, and the two lumberjacks eagerly and methodically hacked away at trees with their axes. However, after about fifty minutes, the first lumberjack noticed that the second lumberjack quit hacking away at the trees. The lone sound of the first lumberjack’s ax filled the forest. Why did the other lumberjack quit? What could possibly be the problem? A full ten minutes went by before the first lumb

Monday Funday: Best coffee cup ever

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It's funny because it's true. Related Posts... * Great news about coffee * Even better news about coffee

What an Education Can't Do for You

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He was an extremely book smart man... an earned doctorate in his chosen field. Of course, this often served as the golden key that opened the doors of opportunity for him. Strangely, he could rarely stay longer than two years at any given job—with the most recent six figure job being a ten month run. After each job he said, "They're idiots." It's seems that in the real world, a formal education may be able to open the door to opportunities, but once you walk through the door you still have to deliver performance, substance, and, especially, an ability to work well with people. Carnegie Foundation studies have found that only 15% of one's success is due to technical skill while the remaining 85% is due to interpersonal relationship skills. Here's something you probably won't learn in college:  RI > IQ In the real world of people, relational intelligence (RI) often trumps book smarts (IQ). Have you ever noticed that sometimes the thin

Secrets to understanding women...

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Lest you think I only have fun at the expense of women, think again . You, Me, and Coffee Monday...   Let me encourage you and and make you think 1 stinking time a week (usually Monday morning) with a virtual  Cup O' Joe with Bill  in your email inbox.  Two  Simple Steps... 1.  Go here and submit your email . 2.  Go to your email and click the Feedburner confirmation link . You can unsubscribe at any time with no questions asked simply by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email you receive from  Cup O' Joe with Bill . Honest. You got nothing to lose. Try it.

Why 1-on-1 discipleship doesn't work

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I thought the title of this post might get your attention. It certainly challenges our popular understanding of discipleship. But just because something is popular doesn't mean it is right or unquestionable. So, before you respond in any way to this post, please take a deep breath, say a quick prayer for an open mind and heart, and then read this very interesting article by Greg Ogden, titled, " Making Disciples Jesus' Way: A Few at a Time ."

Monday Funday: In the aftermath of my 50th birthday...

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My friends and family made turning 50 fun and easy. The AARP? Not so much. I got a lot of great cards and notes—very encouraging and very fun. Here are a few I found particularly interesting, true, and, thus, made me smile. My 14-year-old daughter, Libby, gave me this gem... BELOW: This one made my think of my inner rocker who refuses to quit rocking even though it hurts like crazy in the morning... When I stop rocking... then you will know I am really dead. Until then, please keep my guitar in my hands. BELOW: This one makes me smile because I often jest with my kids and the kids in our neighborhood about growing old, wearing plaid shorts, black socks with sandals and yelling, "Get off my lawn!" From the card: "It's a documented fact: As your age goes higher... so do your pants." BELOW: I like this one below because the family that gave it to me took the time to use a marker to give the old guy some nice chops and cool beard... j

What Love Looks Like...

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Seven year old Jack Hoffman has brain cancer. He's number 22. If video doesn't appear, go here . Ain't love in action breath-takingly beautiful? "We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters." —1 John 3:16