Change from "Missionary Musings" to "Dribblings of a Disciple"

Don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I changed the title of my blog from “Missionary Musings” to “Dribblings of a Disciple” recently.

Why?

It seems to me that “musings” was a bit lofty for me. The word “musing” is defined as “an instance or period of reflection.” Seeing as how my ability to focus on any issue or topic is quite short-lived, I thought that “dribbling” would be more appropriate for my style of “cogitation.”

Dribbling. The noun form is “dribble” and is defined as “saliva running from the mouth” or “foolish talk or ideas, nonsense.” Dribbling can also mean “fall slowly in drops or a thin stream.” That’s usually the way that my thoughts come out - they dribble. And as they dribble out of my mouth and I form the actual words, I begin to understand what it is that I am thinking. It’s a form of thinking called “figure-it-out-as-you-say-it” thinking.

I have to process ideas verbally. That’s why this blog is good for me. It’s almost as good as sitting down with someone and bantering about thoughts, ideas, suggestions & such, but not quite.

So, from this day forth, my “dribblings” will keep coming as they have, but the context (that of being a disciple) is a bit broader than that of a missionary.

All that to say, “Hey, I didn’t like my blog title, so I changed it.”

Most of y’all didn’t even notice, though now, did you!? ;-)

Lizard spotting

While on my bike ride the other night, I spotted this litter critter skittering through the underbrush. I stopped by to watch him and wondered if he were more dangerous to me or I to him. Turns out, I’m more dangerous to him. Cute little guy, but he is carnivorous! ;-)


He’s called a Short-Horned Lizard.

Haven’t seen any snakes - well, I have seen one snake, but someone or something had killed it and torn it into a few pieces. But that doesn’t count ‘cause he has to be alive.

Gospel thoughts

Just watched a video clip with Matt Chandler, pastor of The Village Church in Highlands Village, near Dallas.

Here are some thoughts (some of mine and some quotes from Matt) for your consideration:

1. We have too much emphasis on information and not enough on transformation. The church has been too much about “width” and not depth. Depth is being obedient to what we         know from Scripture.

The Gospel is about transformation, not information.

The key is being obedient to what has already been revealed to me.

When I don’t apply what I know, what the Lord has revealed to me:
        * I kill my intimacy with God
        * Destroyed the power of the Holy Spirit flowing through me

1. 2. There is a total disintegration of real authenticity & community in our churches.


2. We need encouragement and rebuke on a regular basis.

        Rebuke is never received well - it is either received in shame or defense by discrediting the one who brings the rebuke.

        We’re not encouraged when we NEED to be encouraged and we’re not rebuked when we NEED to be rebuked.

3. We have an absolute lack of building an authoritative church.

1. Too many pastors are cowards hiding behind their position.

4. We think that size has something to do with success.

5.We have taught our people that spiritual growth & formation happens quickly. It doesn’t. It takes place at a crawl!

Spiritual formation is a LIFELONG process! Every “baby-step” forward is progress. We won’t be completely spiritually healthy until the day we die, the Lord kills us or comes back for us.

Ouch. This is what I like about Matt. He tells it like it is. He has always spoken the truth in love. And he’s solid theologically - not bad for a guy who didn’t attend seminary!