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February 28, 2005
GodBlogCon
The dates are set for GodBlogCon , October 13th (Thursday) through the 15th (Saturday) at Biola University. It would be great to be able to go and meet so many I've blogged with. We'll see!
Posted by Dennis at 08:29 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 27, 2005
Friday Night Eats #6
It didn't happen Friday night. We moved our normal Wednesday nght Bible Study to Friday night and it totally threw off my schedule as to the dining reviews. By God's grace I'll be back on schedule next week.
Posted by Dennis at 08:05 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 26, 2005
On Being Interviewed
I got involved with this game over at Pastor Tod Bolsinger's site It Takes A Church. Rebecca asked for an interview and Tod agreed. He then asked five other people to join in the "Interview game" We would agree to be interviewed by him and in turn agree to interview five of our readers. Here are his questions to me. If you would like to play, send me a request through my comments form asking to be interviewed. The only stipulation is you have to agree to interview five other people.
1. Does that cartoon picture really look like you?
The short answer is no. If you worked with Movable Type much you not doubt have come across Elise’s site “Learning Movable Type.” She mentioned a tool called Portrait Illustration Maker. Her portrait turned out pretty good, so I gave it a try. My family howled when they saw it, said it liked like Jesus. How do they know? You can see my real tent on my photo page. (Hint; I’m the one with the beard)
2. What's the best metaphor for understanding a Christian worldview?
First we have to define what you mean by world view. Here is the one I’m using, taken from one of the pages on my site.
A world view is a set of presuppositions and beliefs that someone uses to interpret and form opinions about life.” I might add to this, actions as well.
That said, life in the military would be a good metaphor for a Christian worldview. When lived according to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, it works and the goals of the one whom you serve are most often accomplished. You can’t have every Tom, Dick and Harry going about things in Iraq like they think is best. The individual doesn’t know the bigger picture. What they may be doing at any given time may not make much sense to them, but it is a small piece of the pie that will eventually bring about the goals of the commander.
3. What's the best part of raising twins?
Built in playmates, hands down. A close second was all the attention we got when we went out in public. The first few months were hell, as they almost never slept at the same time. One would be up every two hours. We thought we would die from sleep deprivation. Once they synced up and started interacting with each other, it was easier than raising one at a time. Praise God there were two of us to care for them. My heart breaks for the single parent who has to do it alone, God bless them.
4. What was the first Henri Nouwen book you read?
Wounded Healer. I received it upon graduation from my Stephen Ministry training. Very helpful then, and I’ve started rereading it because of your question. Thank you.
5. Describe the church you've always wanted to belong to?
I enjoy a small congregation. My current church East Parkway Bible Church is about 140 people. The Word should be preached line upon line. The leadership is male, not because they do it better, often women are far better at tending the bruises of the sheep, but because God’s word says it is a man’s role. The elders are passionate about protecting the flock from the wolves in sheep’s clothing. The Lordship and Deity of Jesus is a given. There is no debate on this subject, period! The atmosphere at worship time is one of deep reverence and joy, no carnival. If you’re in Roseville Ca. at 9:30 sometime, stop by an worship with us.
Posted by Dennis at 11:33 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 23, 2005
Going the Right Way
"Come to Me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest"
Pastor Tod Bolsinger over at It Takes a Church is using this text for his series on Lent. I was surfing tonight, waitng for an important email to come, and came across an old friend, Henri Nouwen. I've read his book Reaching Out but I think it is time for a refresher read. This quote caught my eye.
"How do we know that we are not deluding ourselves, that we are not selecting those words that best fit our passions, that we are not just listening to the voice of our own imagination?...Who can determine if [our] feelings and insights are leading [us] in the right direction?"
To read the whole quote vist Henri's site
Posted by Dennis at 10:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 21, 2005
Wisdom
Michele over at Testimony and Truth: A Sabbath Day's Journey makes a great analogy from the movie "A Beautiful Mind." Oh that we could keep this perspective at all times. JUST KEEP WALKING!
Posted by Dennis at 09:26 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Tires
I believe that when a company does good, they should be praised. I had a low tire on my car today and noticed a nail in the tread area. I put some air in and after work stopped by America's Tire Co. They close at 6:00 and I walked in the door at 5:26. They pointed out that both front tires were border-line. The salesman didn't try to sell me the cheapest or most expensive tire and was very professional. At 5:46 I drove away with two new tires on the front. No pressure and fast service, they are not only America's Tire Co., they're mine. Big recommend!
Posted by Dennis at 07:24 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
February 19, 2005
Support the Troops, not the Mission
The title of this post may have caught your eye because if you know me I don't think its doable. I'm sure you've heard the statement before, maybe a lot, depending on which circles you move in. I've wondered how this attitude comes across to the warriors in the field. Thanks to Hugh Hewitt for alerting me to Major K, who linked to his buddy The Centurion at Sic Vis Pacem, Para Bellum
The Centurion has some no nonsense words for those who think their position is helpful. For those faint of heart in the language department, heads up.
Posted by Dennis at 10:01 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 18, 2005
Friday Night Eats #5
Hold on to your hats friends and family! No pot pies tonight. I played the same scenario as last Friday night. Called my daughter, Whitney on the way home from work, well what should I try tonight? Great conversation with my daughter, no recommendations for dinner. : (
Pull into the Trader Joe's parking lot, on the hunt. Up and down the isles, lingering over the frozen food section. Whitney's voice ringing in my ear, "it’s all good." Only problem is, I'm a picky eater.
One of the purposes of this is to stretch my gastronomical limits. What's this, Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina with Tomato Sauce & Mozzarella Cheese (imported from Italy). The picture on the bag, looks like it has shrimp in it. Read the ingredients on the back of the bag. Gnocchi, Water, Durum Wheat Semolina, Dehydrated Potatoes, Salt, Tomato pulp, Tomato, Mozzarella cheese, Sunflower Oil, Onion, Basil, more salt, Garlic, Wheat Starch, Sugar, White Pepper, Chili Powder. Oh well no shrimp, but anything with that much salt can't taste that bad.
Head to the checkout, and then they caught my eye, Appel's Fillets of Smoked Trout. Now I'm a fan of canned sardines, you know the ones crammed into a can the size of a deck of playing cards. If the G.A.S isn't any good the smoke trout will save the day.
I couldn't wait for the trout, had to have them first. Out come the soda crackers, crack open the smoked trout. This is living. Friday night and I don't need to get to bed early. Saturday morning, get to have breakfast with my friend Cowboy Bob. After that, the ground breaking ceremony at our new church home. I love weekends! Trout is delicious. They are milder than the sardines, with nice flavored packing oil. Half a pack of soda crackers later its time for the G.A.S. (Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina).
I must say I was pleasantly surprised. It appears to be some sort of pasta. I'm a big fan of lasagna and this had a hint of the beloved lasagna. I enjoy the sauce, very mild. The real test will be what it’s like for breakfast, I've got a little left-over. Yum, yum!
Until next Friday, good eats!
Posted by Dennis at 07:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 13, 2005
Understanding
Proverbs 3:5
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding"
I find it interesting that God does not say here that we shouldn't seek understanding. On the contrary God's word says, to seek it, there is great value in understanding.
By it we:
know how to work, Ex36:1; 2Ch 2:12
are able to make sound judgments, 1Kings 3:9
to answer people, Job 20:3, Pro 1:5
guard against evil, Job 28:28
learn to obey, Psalm 119:34,73
to hate evil, Psalm 119:104
be protected, Pro 2:11
be blessed, Pro 3:13
guard our tongues, Pro 11:12
prosper, Eze 28:4
guarded from ruin, Hos 4:14
The problem comes when we "lean" on it. The word means to support ones self, lie or rest. God has reserved that function for Himself and when we make our understanding the basis of our rest or peace, we commit idolatry. We have put something else in the place of God.
I remember several years ago I was praying about something that I didn't have peace about. I couldn't understand what was going on and God very clearly let me know that I was seeking peace in the wrong place. I was worshipping my understanding, not God. I wish I could say I got the message the first time. It is a truth I have had to learn over and over.
Understanding is a good thing, seek it. It has real value, but when it comes to having peace in our lives, God has reserved that job for Himself. Until we get that through our thick skulls, we will never approach the kind of peace Jesus talked about. His peace!
Posted by Dennis at 03:17 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
February 12, 2005
Your Heavenly Father Knoweth
For those who have been Christians for any length of time, you are probably familiar with "Streams in the Desert." A devotional published in 1925, compiled by Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman. I can not recommend it highly enough. It has brought me to tears many, many times. Today was such a time. Here is an excerpt.
"I can still believe that a day comes for all of us, however far off it may be, when we shall understand; when these tragedies, that now blacken and darken the very air of heaven for us, will sink into their places in a scheme so august, so magnificent, so joyful, that we shall laugh for wonder and delight. --Arthur Christopher Bacon
No chance hath brought this ill to me;
'Tis God's own hand, so let it be,
He seeth what I cannot see.
There is a need-be for each pain,
And He one day will make it plain
That earthly loss is heavenly gain.
Like as a piece of tapestry
Viewed from the back appears to be
Naught but threads tangled hopelessly;
But in the front a picture fair
Rewards the worker for his care,
Proving his skill and patience rare.
Thou art the Workman, I the frame.
Lord, for the glory of Thy Name,
Perfect Thine image on the same.
--Selected
Posted by Dennis at 08:19 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 11, 2005
Friday Night Eats #4
Well back on track. Coming home from work tonight I called Whitney, my daughter and asked for a suggestion for the review. She had been pushing a Trader Joe's chicken something or other, but since my stove is currently out of order, it had to be microwavable.
Marie Callender's Turkey Pot Pie got the nod. My micro wave is pretty old so I had to leave it in for about 16 minutes to heat it throughout. They have some way of making the crust come out nice and brown. It was very good. Big chucks of turkey, not too many veggies, great gravy. Pot pies have come a long way since my mom used to serve them. We will enjoy these again sometime.
Posted by Dennis at 10:56 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Name Change
Several days ago I began reading Tod Bolsinger's blog "It Takes a Church". He is plowing ground in me that has been in process since I became a Christian. Its been a long road and many people have been and are involved in the preparing and plowing. Thank you.
So what's the name change about? Simple, I am by nature a pretty self center person. That may come as a surprise to some, but that's because you see the outside of the cup. I'm tired of being like that. I want to repent of me. I know that the work began long ago, and still has far to go to draw me away from this self centeredness. The gracious Lamb's hand has been in every apparently random event that has come my way. The troubles and the encouragements I've experienced are all part of His plan and I am grateful for His care.
I was never comfortable with the former name of this blog, "Dennis Talks," it seemed so self-centered and I have decided that in keeping with Tod's admonition to "Give Up the Yoke of You," I must decrease and the Lamb must increase.
When people observe what I do, the rest of my time on this earth, I don't want them to see how great a person I am, but to see how great the Lamb is, who makes all things possible.
Not unto me, not unto me, but unto the Lamb, be glory, power and dominion, now and forevermore. Amen!
Posted by Dennis at 10:16 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
February 09, 2005
Lent
Wow is all I can say about this post from Pastor Tod Bolsinger. Go read it.
Posted by Dennis at 12:24 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
February 07, 2005
Are you willing to be annoyed for Christ?
Pastor Tod Bolsinger It Takes A Church...: Staying Put sticks a needle in a boil of the church today. We just can't or won't put up with each other. When will we start taking Jesus seriously about loving each other? If we can't overlook each others faults and personal idiosyncrasies how in the world are we going to model the love of Jesus to a lost and damned world. When are we going to stop thinking more highly of ourselves, and put other’s personalities, wishes and dreams ahead of ours? For Christ’s sake, get over it. This pilgrim has miles to go before I sleep, come on lets get started!
Posted by Dennis at 09:54 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
February 05, 2005
Psalm 1
Psalm 1 starts out:
How blessed is the man...
It isn't in the form of a question; it is an exclamation of truth! I didn't get much farther, I started thinking about all the things that I have and am able to do. Being able to rise from my nights sleep and move about freely and with very, very little discomfort. Being able to take care of my personal needs. I'm grateful for a house that is heated in winter, cooled in summer. I sat there in my easy chair and leaned back, closed my eyes and let the joy of many other things sweep over me.
Then I looked back at the text, it goes on:
"...who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night."
I notice that the things I was rejoicing in weren't listed. It is not my possessions or health that Scripture speaks of here. If I couldn't rise pain free, if I couldn't care for my personal needs, if the house weren't heated or cooled, if my circumstances were radically different I would still be blessed!
My blessedness is founded on the truth of 1 John 5:11
"And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life."
That is why, as my life moves on toward that glorious day of the appearing of or Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; I am enabled by His Spirit to:
"...not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night."
Oh, to do it more. It’s not a pipe dream or a maybe; it is an extraordinary truth and blessing. Bless the dear Lord!!
Posted by Dennis at 08:02 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Friday Night Eats #3
Review #3
Last night was a busy night so Lee, Kay and I ended up at Lyon's restaurant at the corner of Madison and Manzinita for dinner. What to have, too many choices and they all looked good. I opted for the French Dip with fries. I haven't had one of those in years.
I didn't notice it on the menu but apparently there were two different styles of French Dip. There was a shredded or thinly sliced version and a thick sliced version. I just ordered a "French Dip," unfortunately the waitress didn't ask me which one I wanted. I got the thick sliced, mistake! It's not that it didn't taste good, I brought half home and had it for lunch, but the thick cut doesn't let the juices soak into the meat. Oh well live and learn!
Posted by Dennis at 07:20 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack