Globalization

The Latest Images

Here are some images of the latest in our lives.


We always enjoy our time with Ryan and Jodi down in Seal Beach.



We went to Puerto Vallarta with Justin and Dawn.





We still love Korean BBQ in K-Town at Manna.



Here are images from a part that GPC threw for us to say thanks for our time that we spent with the church. (However, since that time we have committed to staying on to develop Young Adult Ministry for the church. We are very excited!)




We went inside of the Rose Bowl for the first time.



I start classes on Monday. This means that I will be finished with my work here at Fuller in a mere 10 weeks. Craziness! In many ways it feels as if we just arrived. Whitney and I plan on spending a large portion of time over the next three months working through processes of decision making for what life after Fuller might look like. It will be a unique time in life as we continue in our prayer of "having wisdom in the unfolding of life". We are excited as we continue to learn that education is just the beginning, not the ending! Gitty up...

Books

I have been fortunate to have had the past five weeks to set apart as a time to read and reflect as I have been on summer vacation. As a result, I would highly recommend all of the following books to all whom might be willing to engage with their thoughts.



The Starfish and the Spider by Ori Brafman and Rod A. Beckstrom
(A buiness book about the importance and power of decentralizing leadership.)








The Forgotten Ways by Alan Hirsch
(A book about reactivating the missional church.)








The Shaping of Things to Come by Alan Hirsch
(A prerequisite for the Forgotten Ways.)








Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell
(An overview of the new exodus perspective.)







The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
(A look at discipleship in the midst of suffering.)







The Shack by William P. Young
(A creative and fun perspective upon the trinity.)









Reasons to Believe by John Marks
(An atheists perspective upon Evangelical Christianity.)









Reasons to Believe by N.T. Wright and Marcus Borg
(Two contrasting views upon the historical Jesus.)










Emerging Churches by Eddie Gibbs and Ryan Bolger
(A report upon some developments throughout the US and the UK regarding the emerging church.)

Judges and the Detroit Tigers

The book of Judges is found in the Hebrew Bible and is one of the most disturbing books in the whole of God's story. The Detroit Tigers are a MLB team in the AL Central and had the most disappointing season in its teams history. The book of Judges and the 2008 Detroit Tigers share a similar story. Here are five similarities...

1.)
Judges begins with two separate introductions, both signaling toward the dark that is to come in the following chapters. (Judges 1:1-3:6)

The Tigers began this year 0 and 7, including being swept by both the KC Royals and the Chicago White Sox, signaling the disaster of a season that was upon us.

2.)
The LORD promises that he will raise up judges to save the people from oppression. (Judges 2:18)

Different Tigers throughout the season seemed as if they might save the team from humiliation. (Remember Thames' streak? Granderson's return? Galarraga's consistency?)

3.)
The negative foreshadowing that is presented in Judges 1:1 to 3:6 does not seem as if it will be correct as the first few judges that come into leadership are "not that bad", and even appear to be heroic from time to time. (Othniel, Deborah, Barak, Midian)

The 0 and 7 start was forgotten as the Tigers clawed their way to a 52 and 49 record, and even appeared to be in the hunt as they welcomed the White Sox into Comerica Park on Friday, July 25th for a weekend series with the division leaders.

4.)
When the judges died, the people returned to their corrupt ways, however, their practices were even more evil and stubborn than before. (Judges 2:19)

When Thames' streak ended, Ganderson's return soon went south, and Galarraga's arm grew tired, the Tiger's record dipped lower and lower than ever expected

5.)
The intentional foreshadowing in the beginning chapters of Judges turns out to be true as the people of Israel end up killing and raping their own.

The foreshadowing of the 0 and 7 start ends up to be true as the Tigers and their $137,290,196 payroll are officially in LAST PLACE, being overtaking by none other than the... KC Royals.


Just as I am thankful for stories after Judges, namely the birth of Samuel and the progression of the story of God's people toward David, and then of course to David's second son, Jesus, I too am thankful for the hope that 2009 might bring for motown baseball. While despair is near for Tiger fans right now, maybe we can take heart in the post-Judges world of the Biblical narrative!