Hey y'all (That there’s Texas talk fer hi, me thinks)
This ought to be one of the greatest days for a long-time sports nut like me. It’s the home opener for my newly adopted baseball team the Houston Astros. My baseball team for life, the Kansas City Royals, are out in front in their division here at the onset of the season. (And, if you don’t follow baseball then you won’t grasp the marvel of that feat.) And tonight, the University of Kansas Jayhawks, another of the sports teams I’ve long-suffered with, will be battling for the men’s NCAA Division I basketball championship. And instead of enjoying the excitement of all these events coming into alignment in one fell swoop, I’m going nuts because I don’t think I should be thinking about any of this stuff when the world is going to hell in a hand basket, I’ve got rent, and utility bills, a car in need of tires, and another tank of gas before the end of the week. On top of that I can’t seem, for the life of me, to find a supplemental job that isn’t going to cost more to have than I’ll be getting paid. On the ministry front, at times I feel like John the Baptist, crying in the wilderness…or maybe more like the tree falling in the forest that nobody hears...boo-hoodie-hoo. Yeah, so baseball and basketball seem to have lost some of their recreational diversion. And, drat, I think it’s a crying shame… because tonight I would rather watch basketball, and listen to baseball on the radio, than fretting over, or inadequately praying about, the desperate situation of Christian brothers and sisters fighting for their lives in China, India, North Korea, and Africa. Just what is wrong with me!?!?!
I vaguely remember, in those days before I signed on with Artists in Christian Testimony and subsequently became an agent of gospel outreach over the internet, (having now completed a full three years in such service) that I rarely was challenged in the areas of resting and relaxing. But, things sure seem a whole lot more complex at present...Since I’ve become labeled as a missionary I really can't seem to relax much at all anymore.
Amid my anxiety, I recall this quote of Jesus, (red-lettered in my NLT Bible) “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30. Yet, forgive me Jesus, but I’m actually feeling much more weary and most of my present burdens surely aren’t feeling any lighter either. I'm feeling crushed by the yoke. (And this, by the way, is no joke.)
It seems Jesus is implying, to His largely agriculturally adroit audience that just like one of those yokes, that heavy wooden harness that was placed on beasts of burden so they can pull farm implements, is indicative of our dragging about heavy burdens…He’s got a better yoke. That’s all fine and well, I truly believe this is true and encourage others to listen to what Jesus is offering here. But I note further that there are many clear instructions in the Bible regarding the obligations for any who aspire to being a religious teacher…like a missionary.
A few of the heaviest verses might be Ephesians 4:11-13, “He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do His work and to build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.” Add to that then, Titus 2:8, “Let your teaching be so correct that it can’t be criticized. Then those who want to argue will be ashamed because they won’t have anything bad to say about us.” And finally, there’s always James 3:1, “Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged by God with greater strictness.” If you don’t mind my saying, this doesn’t appear to be to be a particularly light burden to bear…and I can get pretty freaked out about the level of responsibility I’ve been entrusted with. Still, you go Astros, Royals, and especially you Jayhawks - beat Memphis!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Bored-room meeting of CEO’s
For many weeks churches across the world have prepared for Easter morning - one of their highest attended days because it’ll be the first of the bi-annual gatherings of the community CEO’s in their sanctuary (or bored-room). You might know this already, but the CEO’s are those that attend church Christmas and Easter Only.
I’ve known this derisive term to be bandied about a lot in church circles, especially in anticipation of the increase in padded posteriors sitting in pews during either of these two “big events” in Christendom’s historical calendar…the baby that was born and the dead man who came back to life.
Now, my curiosity runs more toward why do “church” people get so much more excited about the people who’ll be coming on Christmas or Easter than they do on any other Sunday of the year?
Granted it's just human nature to be impressed by bigger audiences, at least that’s true for a performer like myself. But it seems that on many an occasion, as recorded in the gospel accounts of the New Testament, Jesus was less inclined to be impressed by the big crowds in general and far more interested in particular individuals. That becomes readily apparent in a cursory reading of any of the gospel accounts – four of which are contained in one of those run-of-the-mill Bibles that are easy to get your hands on – if you’re interested in actually reading about what transpired in the life and times of Jesus Christ.
Within a one-week time span of a public ministry that only lasted three years, Jesus of Nazareth would enter Jerusalem hailed by the crowd of on-lookers as their long-awaited king. The next day Jesus would begin a process of upsetting most of those people when he disrupted their moneymaking activities in the Temple, the church building of His day; and within another 72 hours one of his best friends would betray him to the authorities. This results in Him being arrested. And in one of the swiftest examples of “due process” in history, He is falsely accused, convicted in a mockery of justice and executed when the very same crowd that had hailed his arrival preferred having a criminal released from custody than Jesus. Essentially this served as the Roman and Jewish equivalent of a lynching. And it seems that crowds have a propensity toward fickleness.
As Jesus entered Jerusalem, that week prior to His execution, the religious leaders begged him to have his followers keep down all the racket about him being a king and all. To this, Jesus’ reaction is recorded in an account found in Luke’s gospel chapter 19 starting at verse 37.
Having lots of eyes or ears in attendance is surely a measure of opportunity, but what is the measure of success? Each week as “@ the Rock Shop” is uploaded to the Internet via ActofGraceRadio.net there’s a resemblance to shoving a bunch of bird seed into a cannon and firing it into the air…oh yes, opportunity indeed, but how would one measure it’s effectiveness? Which brings to mind a whole other parable that Jesus taught, but not necessarily my point.
I don’t know why so many more people go to church only on Christmas and Easter. Why is being a CEO sufficient? I don’t know if the messages or the music they hear on these two occasions are sufficient to tie them over until their next visit…but something’s definitely not all that appealing when they darken the doors of these bored-rooms. A church is the one place in town that’s intended purpose is to be a refuge from the slings and arrows the world at large is prone to pelt at an individual. Isn’t a church supposed to be a house of worship and prayer? Isn’t a church supposed to be a good deal more reflective of the Savior they proclaim?
As those CEO’s leave their church services this weekend, having performed what I can only imagine they must think is their “Christian duty” what will they really take away from the experience? I think this is the question that any church leadership would be better inclined toward finding an answer to than just looking at the numbers and counting what came in the collection plate. If “church” isn’t any more impacting on a world in desperate need of knowing the love of Jesus Christ than two days out of a year then how do we rationalize keeping these things open the other three hundred sixty-three (or three hundred sixty-four this year)?
Ever yours regardlessly,
mike
I’ve known this derisive term to be bandied about a lot in church circles, especially in anticipation of the increase in padded posteriors sitting in pews during either of these two “big events” in Christendom’s historical calendar…the baby that was born and the dead man who came back to life.
Now, my curiosity runs more toward why do “church” people get so much more excited about the people who’ll be coming on Christmas or Easter than they do on any other Sunday of the year?
Granted it's just human nature to be impressed by bigger audiences, at least that’s true for a performer like myself. But it seems that on many an occasion, as recorded in the gospel accounts of the New Testament, Jesus was less inclined to be impressed by the big crowds in general and far more interested in particular individuals. That becomes readily apparent in a cursory reading of any of the gospel accounts – four of which are contained in one of those run-of-the-mill Bibles that are easy to get your hands on – if you’re interested in actually reading about what transpired in the life and times of Jesus Christ.
Within a one-week time span of a public ministry that only lasted three years, Jesus of Nazareth would enter Jerusalem hailed by the crowd of on-lookers as their long-awaited king. The next day Jesus would begin a process of upsetting most of those people when he disrupted their moneymaking activities in the Temple, the church building of His day; and within another 72 hours one of his best friends would betray him to the authorities. This results in Him being arrested. And in one of the swiftest examples of “due process” in history, He is falsely accused, convicted in a mockery of justice and executed when the very same crowd that had hailed his arrival preferred having a criminal released from custody than Jesus. Essentially this served as the Roman and Jewish equivalent of a lynching. And it seems that crowds have a propensity toward fickleness.
As Jesus entered Jerusalem, that week prior to His execution, the religious leaders begged him to have his followers keep down all the racket about him being a king and all. To this, Jesus’ reaction is recorded in an account found in Luke’s gospel chapter 19 starting at verse 37.
Having lots of eyes or ears in attendance is surely a measure of opportunity, but what is the measure of success? Each week as “@ the Rock Shop” is uploaded to the Internet via ActofGraceRadio.net there’s a resemblance to shoving a bunch of bird seed into a cannon and firing it into the air…oh yes, opportunity indeed, but how would one measure it’s effectiveness? Which brings to mind a whole other parable that Jesus taught, but not necessarily my point.
I don’t know why so many more people go to church only on Christmas and Easter. Why is being a CEO sufficient? I don’t know if the messages or the music they hear on these two occasions are sufficient to tie them over until their next visit…but something’s definitely not all that appealing when they darken the doors of these bored-rooms. A church is the one place in town that’s intended purpose is to be a refuge from the slings and arrows the world at large is prone to pelt at an individual. Isn’t a church supposed to be a house of worship and prayer? Isn’t a church supposed to be a good deal more reflective of the Savior they proclaim?
As those CEO’s leave their church services this weekend, having performed what I can only imagine they must think is their “Christian duty” what will they really take away from the experience? I think this is the question that any church leadership would be better inclined toward finding an answer to than just looking at the numbers and counting what came in the collection plate. If “church” isn’t any more impacting on a world in desperate need of knowing the love of Jesus Christ than two days out of a year then how do we rationalize keeping these things open the other three hundred sixty-three (or three hundred sixty-four this year)?
Ever yours regardlessly,
mike
Friday, March 14, 2008
Toots - eek!
I’ve read there was actually a point to having a horn on automobiles a couple of centuries ago. But like many ideas from that far back, this is one that seems to have outlived its usefulness. Nevertheless the modern lack of etiquette (i.e. common courtesy) demonstrated in the standard use of these electronic klaxon devices is, to my thinking, representative of - or a significant contributing factor to - many of society’s ills. (After all, what level comes next in life's game when honking a horn is your idea of stress relief - ARMED ROAD RAGE?)
I don’t even remember the last time I actually honked a car horn, but it definitely wasn't intended and hasn’t been perpetrated on my present vehicle…or the one before that, either. I’m not even sure I know where they mount horn buttons on cars any more. Are they still in the center of a steering wheel?
Living in a major metropolitan area means I hear auto horns way, way, way too much. My opinion is that only the most insipid of imbeciles would even resort to touching one of these, especially in this environment, in the first place. (I'm convinced this is how cooties get spread, and even if it isn't, I couldn’t care less what another yokel's impression is of my derelict driving techniques.) Plus, I also want to know what buffoon thought using horns as alarm devices to scare off anybody was an idea whose time had come? As such, I long, long, long ago began paying little to no attention to honking horns at all. I hardly think I'm alone in this opinion, so what good are they anyway? And have you noticed any correlation among pick-up truck driver’s having a particularly noteworthy abusive tactile love affair with these horrendous devices?
Furthermore, I’ve also lived in rural regions where when you heard a car’s horn it meant somebody you knew was waving at you through a windshield. When I lived in a mountainous region of South America the rule of thumb was if your brakes and your horn both went out on your car at the same time you’d have to get your horn fixed first…mainly because nobody there used headlights at night – it was a weird culture. But, in that same part of the world, it was also humanly impossible to make any move forward after a stop light changed without everyone behind you laying into their horns. I'm not at all sure there a point to any of that either...but it always happened.
Oh please, now I’m no proponent for any stricter legislation regarding using a car’s horn. After all people where I live don’t even observe speed limits. (This may very well have a direct correlation in an increase of horn honking enthusiasts, but I can't say that for certain.) No, I’d just as soon horns became an incredibly expensive add-on option in the purchase of a vehicle - if you could even get one at all. Maybe people would think twice then as to whether they really needed to have one at all, but some people just have more money than they know what to do with. But, by all means, horns must cease being included as standard equipment. And finally, why should any of these new fangled, environmentally and fuel friendly contraptions promised for the future come equipped with one of those noise polluting pieces of paraphernalia?
Got thoughts?
Ever yours regardlessly,
mike
I don’t even remember the last time I actually honked a car horn, but it definitely wasn't intended and hasn’t been perpetrated on my present vehicle…or the one before that, either. I’m not even sure I know where they mount horn buttons on cars any more. Are they still in the center of a steering wheel?
Living in a major metropolitan area means I hear auto horns way, way, way too much. My opinion is that only the most insipid of imbeciles would even resort to touching one of these, especially in this environment, in the first place. (I'm convinced this is how cooties get spread, and even if it isn't, I couldn’t care less what another yokel's impression is of my derelict driving techniques.) Plus, I also want to know what buffoon thought using horns as alarm devices to scare off anybody was an idea whose time had come? As such, I long, long, long ago began paying little to no attention to honking horns at all. I hardly think I'm alone in this opinion, so what good are they anyway? And have you noticed any correlation among pick-up truck driver’s having a particularly noteworthy abusive tactile love affair with these horrendous devices?
Furthermore, I’ve also lived in rural regions where when you heard a car’s horn it meant somebody you knew was waving at you through a windshield. When I lived in a mountainous region of South America the rule of thumb was if your brakes and your horn both went out on your car at the same time you’d have to get your horn fixed first…mainly because nobody there used headlights at night – it was a weird culture. But, in that same part of the world, it was also humanly impossible to make any move forward after a stop light changed without everyone behind you laying into their horns. I'm not at all sure there a point to any of that either...but it always happened.
Oh please, now I’m no proponent for any stricter legislation regarding using a car’s horn. After all people where I live don’t even observe speed limits. (This may very well have a direct correlation in an increase of horn honking enthusiasts, but I can't say that for certain.) No, I’d just as soon horns became an incredibly expensive add-on option in the purchase of a vehicle - if you could even get one at all. Maybe people would think twice then as to whether they really needed to have one at all, but some people just have more money than they know what to do with. But, by all means, horns must cease being included as standard equipment. And finally, why should any of these new fangled, environmentally and fuel friendly contraptions promised for the future come equipped with one of those noise polluting pieces of paraphernalia?
Got thoughts?
Ever yours regardlessly,
mike
Friday, March 7, 2008
Am I ever going to change this?
Last night my wife suggested it might be time to write something new for this blog…"Why" I asked, "is leaving the same thing up there for three weeks too long an interval?" "If they’re as wordy as the last few," she retorted, "then no. It may take that long to read one." But she then, in her special way, showed me evidence that there are actually people like you coming here to take a gander at this collective claptrap (i.e. pretentious nonsense). Wwweeeelllll, you can’t imagine my shock, surprise and amazement at that.
As such, you’re probably not going to buy my excuse that I’ve been in mourning at the passing of William F. Buckley Jr. - and have thereby been incapable of amassing any coherent thoughts of late - I won’t try and pawn that one off on you. If you even know who William F. Buckley Jr. was, then you’d be too smart to fall for that anyway.
I think I’m guilty of not realizing what an undertaking regularly contributing to this baby is about. If you don’t feed it it’ll die. But then again, if you do feed it invariably the diapers are going to have to be changed. Better understanding this now, I’ve renewed my intent toward putting a fresh set of nappies on this little bugger regularly. It’s not like I ever run out of thoughts or things to write about…it’s actually more related to a wrestling with an encyclopedic set of self-esteem issues wherein I get to thinking that nobody really gives a rodent's rump about my opinion and apparently that isn’t exactly true.
Plus I really don’t enjoy having my time wasted by anybody or anything. I think that’s called impatience…and isn’t its antithesis deemed the more virtuous? Regardless, my point is I don’t want you to feel your time has been wasted when you come here to peruse my ponderings. Therefore, I’ll try to keep them shorter and more succinct…or only provide snippets of longer meanderings that will hopefully entice you…as the old show business adage suggests, “always leave them wanting more.”
Nevertheless, here are a few of the topics I’m inclined to run on about a bit in the coming days and weeks:
1) I think the addition of a horn to an automobile, and the free license afforded anyone to activate one, is clearly indicative of the majority of society’s ills.
2) It disconcerts me that Hillary Clinton, Barrack Obama and John McCain have turned out to be the candidates for president that the United States is deserving of in 2008. b) What’s up with the power-sharing deal in Kenya, c) Dmitri Medvedev in Russia and d) who is it I call now to get anything done in Pakistan?
3) To me the scariest verses in the Bible are Matthew 7:21-23. (And reading it in a red-letter version is particulary frightening.) But there are quite a few others that come close to being almost as scary.
4) I’m of the opinion that Easter is a far more significant holiday than Christmas. So aren't we justified in getting more paid days off from work? Except I will admit a far better job has been done regarding all the trappings for the December observance.
5) If homosexuals don’t reproduce then where does the genetic inclination toward it come from?
Oh yes indeedy, I expect there will be an assortment of many other items that are spawned from these which means you’re going to have to just keep coming back…and in so doing you shall ever hence have my undying gratitude.
So, until the next time, I remain ever yours regardlessly,
mike
As such, you’re probably not going to buy my excuse that I’ve been in mourning at the passing of William F. Buckley Jr. - and have thereby been incapable of amassing any coherent thoughts of late - I won’t try and pawn that one off on you. If you even know who William F. Buckley Jr. was, then you’d be too smart to fall for that anyway.
I think I’m guilty of not realizing what an undertaking regularly contributing to this baby is about. If you don’t feed it it’ll die. But then again, if you do feed it invariably the diapers are going to have to be changed. Better understanding this now, I’ve renewed my intent toward putting a fresh set of nappies on this little bugger regularly. It’s not like I ever run out of thoughts or things to write about…it’s actually more related to a wrestling with an encyclopedic set of self-esteem issues wherein I get to thinking that nobody really gives a rodent's rump about my opinion and apparently that isn’t exactly true.
Plus I really don’t enjoy having my time wasted by anybody or anything. I think that’s called impatience…and isn’t its antithesis deemed the more virtuous? Regardless, my point is I don’t want you to feel your time has been wasted when you come here to peruse my ponderings. Therefore, I’ll try to keep them shorter and more succinct…or only provide snippets of longer meanderings that will hopefully entice you…as the old show business adage suggests, “always leave them wanting more.”
Nevertheless, here are a few of the topics I’m inclined to run on about a bit in the coming days and weeks:
1) I think the addition of a horn to an automobile, and the free license afforded anyone to activate one, is clearly indicative of the majority of society’s ills.
2) It disconcerts me that Hillary Clinton, Barrack Obama and John McCain have turned out to be the candidates for president that the United States is deserving of in 2008. b) What’s up with the power-sharing deal in Kenya, c) Dmitri Medvedev in Russia and d) who is it I call now to get anything done in Pakistan?
3) To me the scariest verses in the Bible are Matthew 7:21-23. (And reading it in a red-letter version is particulary frightening.) But there are quite a few others that come close to being almost as scary.
4) I’m of the opinion that Easter is a far more significant holiday than Christmas. So aren't we justified in getting more paid days off from work? Except I will admit a far better job has been done regarding all the trappings for the December observance.
5) If homosexuals don’t reproduce then where does the genetic inclination toward it come from?
Oh yes indeedy, I expect there will be an assortment of many other items that are spawned from these which means you’re going to have to just keep coming back…and in so doing you shall ever hence have my undying gratitude.
So, until the next time, I remain ever yours regardlessly,
mike
Friday, February 15, 2008
Motivations - Oh what a jerk I am
Let me set the stage, as it were, by telling you I've written a script about my perception of what the Apostle Peter's testimony would have been at the end of his life. It's based primarily on numerous Bible accounts, but still must be characterized as ficitional. I entitled it "Simon Peter: I Witness" and have performed the piece as a one-man characterization around the United States for about four years now. (And available to come to your hometown if you'd only ask!)
Anyway, in the script I recall a section I wrote right after Peter recounts his first meeting with Jesus. It reads, "Let me confess to you a little about the man Jesus met that day. I was somewhat of a jagged, erratic, rebellious sort, often overeager and fairly undependable. Some have kindly said I have a naturally dominant personality. But I was what I was - a jerk."
Of course, I'd become quite fond of Simon Peter long before I had ever started writing about him. He's probably my favorite of the apostles. Add in the extensive research and efforts to dramatize him and this has only served to make me love him more. Yet, am I the only person seeing a lot of myself in Simon bar Jonah?
Over the course of time as we're first introduced to Simon in the gospel accounts of the Bible until we say goodbye to him at the end of his second letter to the church, its remarkable to look at the transformation that seemingly took place in this man. And he gives all the credit to having come to know Jesus Christ...better. Read sometime how he opens 1 Peter and you'll see he says it far better than I ever could. Then again you might want to consider what he writes at the beginning of 2 Peter, as well.
Regardless, today my intent is to confess a really bad jerk moment I had this week. I came down unduly hard on another person because of something they inferred, from whence I presummed their statement indicated they probably believed something about a certain section of the Bible that to my thinking suggested an underlying misconception of God overall. To quote my lightning response I said, "You need to get your theology straight!!!!" (I might even have shaken a finger at them in so saying.) The statement was made in a group setting only magnifying the insensitivity, unlovingness and a total out-of-line trait that benefited no one and only served to hurt the feelings of the person I should, at the very least, have had a good deal more decorum with. Like for starters finding out if what I thought I heard was really indicative of what they even meant to say. I've been told I have one of those radio voices, that when combined with an in-your-face personality, I at times am perceived as being a "spiritual bully." And well, if the shoe fits...?
Naturally, I'm inclined to rationalize my behavior, suggesting this is only a reflection of my huge passion for the truth about Jesus Christ and that any besmirch of Him means you've insulted me. Afterall, Christians are called ambassdors for Christ so don't be messin' wif my homey, dawg.
But honestly, I can't rationalize this jerkiness at all. Regardless of my passions Jesus has said, "Take My yoke (ah yes, that restricting harness used on undomesticated beasts of burden) upon you. Let "Me" (italics mine obviously) teach you, because I am humble (I'm sure that means the total opposite of arrogant) and gentle, (really Jesus-like gentle no doubt) and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:29 and 30.
Alas, if this were to be the last time I ever did something so thoughtless, but I doubt I'll ever stop totally freaking out when I think a person has said something that sounds really stupid. (I consider it part of my charm, after all.) But, the Apostle James provided wise counsel with his instruction, "Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven's lights...In His goodness He chose to make us His own children by giving us His true word. And we, out of all creation, became His chosen possession. Therefore my dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, SLOW TO SPEAK, (oops must have hit CAPS LOCK there) and slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in God's sight.
So, get rid of all filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong enough to save your souls.
And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself. For if you just listen and don't obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance." James 1: 17-23.
That sure sounds an awful lot like 1 Peter 2:1, "So get rid of all malicious behavior and deceit. Don't just pretend to be good! Be done with hypocrisy and jealousy and backstabbing." Hmm. I think I'm going to have to get a card for that person I was such a jerk to this week and ask them to forgive me. Because regardless of whatever basis of belief is motivating what they believe, I know what is supposed to be motivating me...and Jesus sure doesn't need me to "throw down" in order to show I'm standing up for Him, does He? I think maybe if I was simply a better reflection of what He's already taught me then that yoke wouldn't feel so much like the noose it does right now.
Ever yours regardlessly,
mike
Anyway, in the script I recall a section I wrote right after Peter recounts his first meeting with Jesus. It reads, "Let me confess to you a little about the man Jesus met that day. I was somewhat of a jagged, erratic, rebellious sort, often overeager and fairly undependable. Some have kindly said I have a naturally dominant personality. But I was what I was - a jerk."
Of course, I'd become quite fond of Simon Peter long before I had ever started writing about him. He's probably my favorite of the apostles. Add in the extensive research and efforts to dramatize him and this has only served to make me love him more. Yet, am I the only person seeing a lot of myself in Simon bar Jonah?
Over the course of time as we're first introduced to Simon in the gospel accounts of the Bible until we say goodbye to him at the end of his second letter to the church, its remarkable to look at the transformation that seemingly took place in this man. And he gives all the credit to having come to know Jesus Christ...better. Read sometime how he opens 1 Peter and you'll see he says it far better than I ever could. Then again you might want to consider what he writes at the beginning of 2 Peter, as well.
Regardless, today my intent is to confess a really bad jerk moment I had this week. I came down unduly hard on another person because of something they inferred, from whence I presummed their statement indicated they probably believed something about a certain section of the Bible that to my thinking suggested an underlying misconception of God overall. To quote my lightning response I said, "You need to get your theology straight!!!!" (I might even have shaken a finger at them in so saying.) The statement was made in a group setting only magnifying the insensitivity, unlovingness and a total out-of-line trait that benefited no one and only served to hurt the feelings of the person I should, at the very least, have had a good deal more decorum with. Like for starters finding out if what I thought I heard was really indicative of what they even meant to say. I've been told I have one of those radio voices, that when combined with an in-your-face personality, I at times am perceived as being a "spiritual bully." And well, if the shoe fits...?
Naturally, I'm inclined to rationalize my behavior, suggesting this is only a reflection of my huge passion for the truth about Jesus Christ and that any besmirch of Him means you've insulted me. Afterall, Christians are called ambassdors for Christ so don't be messin' wif my homey, dawg.
But honestly, I can't rationalize this jerkiness at all. Regardless of my passions Jesus has said, "Take My yoke (ah yes, that restricting harness used on undomesticated beasts of burden) upon you. Let "Me" (italics mine obviously) teach you, because I am humble (I'm sure that means the total opposite of arrogant) and gentle, (really Jesus-like gentle no doubt) and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:29 and 30.
Alas, if this were to be the last time I ever did something so thoughtless, but I doubt I'll ever stop totally freaking out when I think a person has said something that sounds really stupid. (I consider it part of my charm, after all.) But, the Apostle James provided wise counsel with his instruction, "Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven's lights...In His goodness He chose to make us His own children by giving us His true word. And we, out of all creation, became His chosen possession. Therefore my dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, SLOW TO SPEAK, (oops must have hit CAPS LOCK there) and slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in God's sight.
So, get rid of all filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong enough to save your souls.
And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself. For if you just listen and don't obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance." James 1: 17-23.
That sure sounds an awful lot like 1 Peter 2:1, "So get rid of all malicious behavior and deceit. Don't just pretend to be good! Be done with hypocrisy and jealousy and backstabbing." Hmm. I think I'm going to have to get a card for that person I was such a jerk to this week and ask them to forgive me. Because regardless of whatever basis of belief is motivating what they believe, I know what is supposed to be motivating me...and Jesus sure doesn't need me to "throw down" in order to show I'm standing up for Him, does He? I think maybe if I was simply a better reflection of what He's already taught me then that yoke wouldn't feel so much like the noose it does right now.
Ever yours regardlessly,
mike
Friday, February 8, 2008
Words - a wonderful way to communicate
Friday's seem to be the only day I have for getting around to blogging...and typically I've stored up a lot of thoughts in the mean time. I've heard it would be best to do this in 100 words or less…but motto is, “why use up a hundred when 10’s of thousands are available?”
Essentially, I’ve long been about looking to find ways to expand the outreach of ActofGraceRadio.net. As you might be an ideal candidate to run for one of the current open posts I thought I'd tell you more about ActofGraceRadio.net. As I mentioned in previous communiqué the intent wasn’t to find an outlet for my own “radio-style” program. (I’ve so long been there and done that I’ve thrown away more t-shirts than any one person could ever need.) I honestly think the internet has tremendous potential for every type of outreach ministry. (And as it so happens I’ve been trained in radio with a healthy smattering of theatrical pursuits as well.) And with over a billion internet users already…expected to double with the advent of some new technologies on the horizon, well I mean where are you going to find that many eyes and ears all in one location? By the way, if you like statistics I’ve included a whole section of those below.
Granted, being a ministry on the internet is probably a 21st century equivalent to John the Baptist’s wilderness proclamations…but I know people have and are finding AGR from all over the world (except in Antarctica) and I’m presently not within the “need-to-know” loop on how the Holy Spirit uses what’s being presented. But I do get impatient about “@ the Rock Shop” being all I have to offer right now even though I’ve long been looking for some additions to this Internet-only outreach. (Admittedly I might be too picky, or I’ve just not been in contact with the right people yet, or God’s timing is on a different schedule than mine…hmm, I’ll take C, and that’s my final answer.) Later on I’ll get in to some of the why’s and where for’s concerning this type of outreach but, suffice it to say, I really think there are a good many other talented Christians who might see God using them through what’s begun thus far via ActofGraceRadio.net. (Yuk! That sure sounds like one of those rah-rah sentences that typically put me off, and there I’ve just gone and written one – Sorry, I try to keep the effervescing better in check.)
Ultimately at the end of the day all any writer is left with is a whole bunch of material – just setting on a shelf (maybe in a hard-drive) collecting dust – my thing is why not record this stuff and let’s get it up on the world wide web! Okay, so I realize that my vision isn’t the same as another person’s vision, but what’s so cool about the format (that doesn’t exist yet) with AGR is the parameters are pretty freeing…about the only restrictions I ever put on my show is that I want it to fit within a standard broadcasting time frame of 59:30. But even my wife tells me that I’m the only one who cares about that as I’m wrestling each week with cutting two seconds here or adding twelve and a third over there. (She doesn’t understand that that’s what really excites me about audio production.) Anyway, I think that’s a long drawn out way of saying, if you – creative as you are – see yourself putting some type of program together, or already have some stuff that just needs to be recorded, well then I think I’ve got an outlet where it can be presented. But you'll need to let me know.
FROM HERE ON OUT ALL THIS IS OPTIONAL READING –
(It’s just a bunch of highly philosophical hoo-haw that was the inspiration for ActofGraceRadio.net.)
I see two huge problems that keep getting made in ministry overall and in particular with internet evangelism…everybody seemingly keeps copying what everybody else has already started. As such there sure isn’t a whole lot of helping going on. It’s an admitted pet peeve, but why as creative people, can’t we do something that isn’t a retooling of all the pretty good wheels that are already available ad nauseam? And, I think there’s also a tendency among Christian outreach endeavors on the web not to grasp the world-wide audience magnitude.
READ ON ONLY IF YOU’RE MASOCHISTIC:
I’m seeing the same thing occurring on most Christian websites. 99% have been written with only a Christian reader in mind. Of course, some non-Christians will invariably visit them too. And if they already have an interest, maybe they will stay to read. But this is like hoping that non-Christians will walk in off the street into a church service. Some do. But most don’t. (Website visitors usually leave in 5 seconds, if they can’t relate to a page.) As such you wind up only touching the people who may have a Christian background or interest. Maybe we reach the 'once-churched', but the 'never-churched' are staying that way.
The sad thing is that because some evangelism does happen successfully this way, Christians think we are touching everyone in the society. Beyond that some churches give evangelism and world mission a very low priority in their programs. The Wesley quote, "You have nothing to do but to save souls," fits nicely here.
Because the standard operating procedure for the Internet being a 'free' resource, and because those involved in online evangelism produce no tangible 'product', the wider church is kind of slow in realizing that online evangelism ministries need support and encouragement. There are surprisingly few Christian organizations primarily involved in any sort of online evangelism.
The Web is a different animal
Print, video, radio and TV are mainly 'push' mediums. They communicate by sending out a consecutive ('linear') prepared message.
The Web however is a 'pull' medium pulling in visitors - albeit only on the basis of a defined interest. People usually go only to pages on subjects they are searching for. And of course, the incredible advantage of the Web is that it is global: anyone, on any continent in the world, can find a page in seconds.
The other unique property of the Internet is interactivity. Not only are users in control of which pages to visit, they can also send feedback to a webmaster. They can easily ask questions, receive help and advice. This option to build 'community' around a website is very important. It helps people feel wanted and that their opinions are valued. It gives them a place where they can ask questions in a safe way, when perhaps they would not do that face-to-face.
For evangelistic websites, this interaction is very important. Very few people become Christians just by reading something. Conversion is usually a long process, and involves friendly interaction with people who are already Christians. Think back to how you became a Christian. For most people, seeing the life of Jesus in someone else, usually through experiencing friendship, is the most powerful witness.
(Here’s where I’d save some words and not continue in my rant…sometimes pictures help. What is it they say about those things?) 
Essentially, I’ve long been about looking to find ways to expand the outreach of ActofGraceRadio.net. As you might be an ideal candidate to run for one of the current open posts I thought I'd tell you more about ActofGraceRadio.net. As I mentioned in previous communiqué the intent wasn’t to find an outlet for my own “radio-style” program. (I’ve so long been there and done that I’ve thrown away more t-shirts than any one person could ever need.) I honestly think the internet has tremendous potential for every type of outreach ministry. (And as it so happens I’ve been trained in radio with a healthy smattering of theatrical pursuits as well.) And with over a billion internet users already…expected to double with the advent of some new technologies on the horizon, well I mean where are you going to find that many eyes and ears all in one location? By the way, if you like statistics I’ve included a whole section of those below.
Granted, being a ministry on the internet is probably a 21st century equivalent to John the Baptist’s wilderness proclamations…but I know people have and are finding AGR from all over the world (except in Antarctica) and I’m presently not within the “need-to-know” loop on how the Holy Spirit uses what’s being presented. But I do get impatient about “@ the Rock Shop” being all I have to offer right now even though I’ve long been looking for some additions to this Internet-only outreach. (Admittedly I might be too picky, or I’ve just not been in contact with the right people yet, or God’s timing is on a different schedule than mine…hmm, I’ll take C, and that’s my final answer.) Later on I’ll get in to some of the why’s and where for’s concerning this type of outreach but, suffice it to say, I really think there are a good many other talented Christians who might see God using them through what’s begun thus far via ActofGraceRadio.net. (Yuk! That sure sounds like one of those rah-rah sentences that typically put me off, and there I’ve just gone and written one – Sorry, I try to keep the effervescing better in check.)
Ultimately at the end of the day all any writer is left with is a whole bunch of material – just setting on a shelf (maybe in a hard-drive) collecting dust – my thing is why not record this stuff and let’s get it up on the world wide web! Okay, so I realize that my vision isn’t the same as another person’s vision, but what’s so cool about the format (that doesn’t exist yet) with AGR is the parameters are pretty freeing…about the only restrictions I ever put on my show is that I want it to fit within a standard broadcasting time frame of 59:30. But even my wife tells me that I’m the only one who cares about that as I’m wrestling each week with cutting two seconds here or adding twelve and a third over there. (She doesn’t understand that that’s what really excites me about audio production.) Anyway, I think that’s a long drawn out way of saying, if you – creative as you are – see yourself putting some type of program together, or already have some stuff that just needs to be recorded, well then I think I’ve got an outlet where it can be presented. But you'll need to let me know.
FROM HERE ON OUT ALL THIS IS OPTIONAL READING –
(It’s just a bunch of highly philosophical hoo-haw that was the inspiration for ActofGraceRadio.net.)
I see two huge problems that keep getting made in ministry overall and in particular with internet evangelism…everybody seemingly keeps copying what everybody else has already started. As such there sure isn’t a whole lot of helping going on. It’s an admitted pet peeve, but why as creative people, can’t we do something that isn’t a retooling of all the pretty good wheels that are already available ad nauseam? And, I think there’s also a tendency among Christian outreach endeavors on the web not to grasp the world-wide audience magnitude.
READ ON ONLY IF YOU’RE MASOCHISTIC:
The same old story about the Great Old Story
Let’s call it a "99% problem"
In practically any Christian bookstore you’ll see 99% of the materials targeting Christians, using Christian language, thought-forms and assumptions. Christian radio essentially is playing all the same music, many of the same programs, and their spending money on internet bandwidth along with everyone else. Why? Are they really offering something that special? In the same vein I don’t hold out much hope that Christian television will ever become a viable alternative to anything. Plus tv and movies just costs so stinking much money to produce and requires so many people to do the most elementary projects…that I have some stewardship issues about. Anyway, I am pretty sure though, that Christians believe that "because it’s Christian, it is evangelistic". Sadly however, I don’t think this the real message that’s coming through.
I’m seeing the same thing occurring on most Christian websites. 99% have been written with only a Christian reader in mind. Of course, some non-Christians will invariably visit them too. And if they already have an interest, maybe they will stay to read. But this is like hoping that non-Christians will walk in off the street into a church service. Some do. But most don’t. (Website visitors usually leave in 5 seconds, if they can’t relate to a page.) As such you wind up only touching the people who may have a Christian background or interest. Maybe we reach the 'once-churched', but the 'never-churched' are staying that way.
The sad thing is that because some evangelism does happen successfully this way, Christians think we are touching everyone in the society. Beyond that some churches give evangelism and world mission a very low priority in their programs. The Wesley quote, "You have nothing to do but to save souls," fits nicely here.
Because the standard operating procedure for the Internet being a 'free' resource, and because those involved in online evangelism produce no tangible 'product', the wider church is kind of slow in realizing that online evangelism ministries need support and encouragement. There are surprisingly few Christian organizations primarily involved in any sort of online evangelism.
The Web is a different animal
Print, video, radio and TV are mainly 'push' mediums. They communicate by sending out a consecutive ('linear') prepared message.
The Web however is a 'pull' medium pulling in visitors - albeit only on the basis of a defined interest. People usually go only to pages on subjects they are searching for. And of course, the incredible advantage of the Web is that it is global: anyone, on any continent in the world, can find a page in seconds.
The other unique property of the Internet is interactivity. Not only are users in control of which pages to visit, they can also send feedback to a webmaster. They can easily ask questions, receive help and advice. This option to build 'community' around a website is very important. It helps people feel wanted and that their opinions are valued. It gives them a place where they can ask questions in a safe way, when perhaps they would not do that face-to-face.
For evangelistic websites, this interaction is very important. Very few people become Christians just by reading something. Conversion is usually a long process, and involves friendly interaction with people who are already Christians. Think back to how you became a Christian. For most people, seeing the life of Jesus in someone else, usually through experiencing friendship, is the most powerful witness.
All mediums are not the same. TV is not just radio with pictures. Print is not just speech written down. So too the Web should not be seen as just another way of delivering tracts or sermons. It is a revolutionary, interactive, medium where the user is in control.
(Here’s where I’d save some words and not continue in my rant…sometimes pictures help. What is it they say about those things?)
Done looking? I found the information presented by that graph staggering: (Why are so many efforts targeting the top 10%?)
The Engle evangelism scale seeks to place people’s openness and receptivity to the truth in Christ on a scale as follows:
-10 Awareness of the supernatural
The Engle evangelism scale seeks to place people’s openness and receptivity to the truth in Christ on a scale as follows:
-10 Awareness of the supernatural
-9 No effective knowledge of Christianity AGR works within this target range
-8 Initial Awareness of Christianity
-7 Interest in Christianity engaging people in an intelligent,
-6 Awareness of basic facts of the Gospel entertaining discussion about the
-5 Grasp of implications of the Gospel validity of a Christian worldview, but
-4 Positive attitude to the Gospel
-3 Awareness of personal need don’t just take our word for it - examine
-2 Challenge and decision to act
-1 Repentance and faith the evidence, facts, and that Bible for themselves.
0 A Disciple is Born!
+1 Evaluation of decision
+2 Initiation into the church
-8 Initial Awareness of Christianity
-7 Interest in Christianity engaging people in an intelligent,
-6 Awareness of basic facts of the Gospel entertaining discussion about the
-5 Grasp of implications of the Gospel validity of a Christian worldview, but
-4 Positive attitude to the Gospel
-3 Awareness of personal need don’t just take our word for it - examine
-2 Challenge and decision to act
-1 Repentance and faith the evidence, facts, and that Bible for themselves.
0 A Disciple is Born!
+1 Evaluation of decision
+2 Initiation into the church
+3 Become part of the process of making other disciples
+4 Growth in understanding of the faith
+5 Growth in Christian character
+6 Discovery and use of gifts
+7 Christian life-style
+8 Stewardship of resources
+9 Prayer
+10 Openness to others/Effective sharing of faith and life
Obviously AGR’s goal is to see people grow to a +10! But I see my primary service in “pulling” -10's to the +2's in to a discussion that would prayerfully lead them to a point of repentance and faith resulting in salvation.
AGR’s seed planting and watering is intended to move people up the negative part of the scale and provide them the opportunity to trust in and receive Christ as their Savior. I also realize, in mission work, I’m invading their turf and remain ever cognizant that the listener on the other end may not have an interest in spiritual things whatsoever…but will they come back and listen in again?
Now about those stats:
Over half of the world is illiterate. An obvious challenge to the internet overall – but if a person were only functionally illiterate well, maybe radio programming would have a chance…and how does Romans 10:17 go?
36% of the world already uses English as their primary or top secondary language. 44% of Internet users are English speaking and the majority (over 60%) are male, which must mean 40% are female.
Talk-radio is the second most popular format worldwide. It’s only surpassed by country and western. (And I just ain’t going there!)
North America comprises only 5% of internet users. Asia, at close to 60%, is far and away the biggest user and Europeans use the internet more than twice what we in the Americas do. The biggest growth in Internet usage this decade has occurred in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America respectively…but remember the U.S. already had a lot of internet prior to 2000.
Okay, enough already! This is only a snippet of my passions about the potential the internet affords and might explain how I got into doing what I’m doing. You’re hereby invited to participate, but think and pray about how God might want you to be involved in an outreach like this…Seriously, I’m open to practically any and all ideas that fit within that target range above and brings glory God in the process. If you think you’d like to take another adventure in email reading…then reply accordingly.
Ever yours regardlessly,
Mike Roberts
+4 Growth in understanding of the faith
+5 Growth in Christian character
+6 Discovery and use of gifts
+7 Christian life-style
+8 Stewardship of resources
+9 Prayer
+10 Openness to others/Effective sharing of faith and life
Obviously AGR’s goal is to see people grow to a +10! But I see my primary service in “pulling” -10's to the +2's in to a discussion that would prayerfully lead them to a point of repentance and faith resulting in salvation.
AGR’s seed planting and watering is intended to move people up the negative part of the scale and provide them the opportunity to trust in and receive Christ as their Savior. I also realize, in mission work, I’m invading their turf and remain ever cognizant that the listener on the other end may not have an interest in spiritual things whatsoever…but will they come back and listen in again?
Now about those stats:
Over half of the world is illiterate. An obvious challenge to the internet overall – but if a person were only functionally illiterate well, maybe radio programming would have a chance…and how does Romans 10:17 go?
36% of the world already uses English as their primary or top secondary language. 44% of Internet users are English speaking and the majority (over 60%) are male, which must mean 40% are female.
Talk-radio is the second most popular format worldwide. It’s only surpassed by country and western. (And I just ain’t going there!)
North America comprises only 5% of internet users. Asia, at close to 60%, is far and away the biggest user and Europeans use the internet more than twice what we in the Americas do. The biggest growth in Internet usage this decade has occurred in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America respectively…but remember the U.S. already had a lot of internet prior to 2000.
Okay, enough already! This is only a snippet of my passions about the potential the internet affords and might explain how I got into doing what I’m doing. You’re hereby invited to participate, but think and pray about how God might want you to be involved in an outreach like this…Seriously, I’m open to practically any and all ideas that fit within that target range above and brings glory God in the process. If you think you’d like to take another adventure in email reading…then reply accordingly.
Ever yours regardlessly,
Mike Roberts
Friday, February 1, 2008
An AGR history lesson
Below is a portion of my clever response to an email request for some background information that I hope you'll enjoy.
I don’t know how much you care to know about me, the ministry I’m involved in……..but it is what it is and may very well be yet another indication of the amazing ways that God is at work in EVERYTHING!!!!
For very near three years I've been affiliated with the mission organization Artists in Christian Testimony. Our association began not long after I started performing a one-man characterization of the Apostle Peter I’d written [Simon Peter: I Witness] and was traveling around to various venues in numerous states living the life many actors only dream of. Of course Hal Holbrook had paved the way to a degree with “Mark Twain Tonight”, but I digress. Anyway, ACT became my 501(c) (3) umbrella and continues in that capacity to this day.
All was as it should be, I thought, until (wow, it’s been two years now) I overheard a conversation between a video producer and a computer geek at our church talking about the impact Internet Radio could have. I’m sure they were thinking about utilizing the medium for a Grace Community Church outreach and I only interrupted their chat to see if I could get a laugh out of them from a couple of one-liners I’d been practicing. (I did get a chortle out of both of them, by the way.)
Okay, move ahead a couple of days and I’m at the radio job I held, taking a break, and it seemed as though God was trying to impress upon me that I should get about doing Internet Radio. (Think something not unlike a full frontal head-smack with a six by six). As I am, more often than not, prone to do, I scoffed. It had to be too expensive, I didn’t have the time what with all my traveling, oh and just what did I know about the Internet to begin with?…yada, yada, yada. But, I did think “what the hey”, what could it hurt to look up some information about Internet Radio on hmmm, maybe the Internet? Here endeth the history lesson.
With the shorter version of this long story not an option any more…I went to ACT, my pastor, our church elders, the two guys who first introduced the idea to me, and the old lady next door and told them what I was thinking about. With many a well intended pat on the head and an oatmeal raisin cookie from the nice neighbor lady, it was clear that nobody was getting the same world-wide impact visions I was and ULTIMATELY this is where ActofGraceRadio.net came into being.
I started playing around with some ideas…intended only as a means for showcasing what I was thinking could be done on an Internet Radio venue that would be far from a replication of a lot of what was already being presented [because why do what’s already being done] in the realm of Christian broadcasting and came up with a show I called “@ the Rock Shop”. It was going to have a little drama (i.e. the Actors of Grace Radio), a little news, a little bit of Bible teaching from guys you may never have heard of before. And “@ the Rock Shop” was intended to give a virtual cyber-café feeling that would come across as an overall entertaining and engaging discussion forum about the Christian worldview directed toward those who are not Christians, and maybe don't even like Christians. Wherein I, serving in the capacity of show host, “the old-man at the microphone, sitting here with my Jug of Joe, sharing with you some of the voices inside my head” didn’t shy away from attempts at being funny in the process of sharing God’s Good News to an unsaved audience. Now a good many critics do not agree that the show is anywhere close to being all that humorous…I think stupid pretty well sums up most of what they’ve had to say about it. Nevertheless I remain convinced that this is what that first God meeting was about and now exemplifies some of what Peter may have inferred when he called us "an peculiar people.” So anyhoo, that serves as summarization of what – as of late last night – became an archive of 75 weeks of programs that have, to date, invaded cyberspace at ActofGraceRadio.net.
However, all the radio stuff seems to have actually become a “Catch 22.” Merely doing my own radio show on the Internet was never the AGR intention from the outset. I was convinced that there are other “creative” types somewhere who would want to play within this open format playground – and although I’ve been successful in showcasing endless playwrights from around the world and a musical artist here and there – as yet, I haven’t come across any of those "artsy-fartsy" types committed to the prospect of producing “radio-style” materials on a regular basis replete with all the deadlines and other doo-dads that come along in that process. But honestly, could the original European missionary to India, William Carey, have been considered an overnight success?
mr
Now, I include this little ditty hoping that if you've read this far you might be inclined to take a listen to an episode of "@ the Rock Shop" right here at www.ActofGraceRadio.net. (It comes in two convenient formats "on demand" streaming or MP3). And if you like it maybe you'll come back again and if you keep coming back maybe you'll really get to know a lot about Jesus and then come up with something of your own to do on the internet and then...oh wait, maybe we'll take a step at a time. Because what if you didn't even read this far?
I don’t know how much you care to know about me, the ministry I’m involved in……..but it is what it is and may very well be yet another indication of the amazing ways that God is at work in EVERYTHING!!!!
For very near three years I've been affiliated with the mission organization Artists in Christian Testimony. Our association began not long after I started performing a one-man characterization of the Apostle Peter I’d written [Simon Peter: I Witness] and was traveling around to various venues in numerous states living the life many actors only dream of. Of course Hal Holbrook had paved the way to a degree with “Mark Twain Tonight”, but I digress. Anyway, ACT became my 501(c) (3) umbrella and continues in that capacity to this day.
All was as it should be, I thought, until (wow, it’s been two years now) I overheard a conversation between a video producer and a computer geek at our church talking about the impact Internet Radio could have. I’m sure they were thinking about utilizing the medium for a Grace Community Church outreach and I only interrupted their chat to see if I could get a laugh out of them from a couple of one-liners I’d been practicing. (I did get a chortle out of both of them, by the way.)
Okay, move ahead a couple of days and I’m at the radio job I held, taking a break, and it seemed as though God was trying to impress upon me that I should get about doing Internet Radio. (Think something not unlike a full frontal head-smack with a six by six). As I am, more often than not, prone to do, I scoffed. It had to be too expensive, I didn’t have the time what with all my traveling, oh and just what did I know about the Internet to begin with?…yada, yada, yada. But, I did think “what the hey”, what could it hurt to look up some information about Internet Radio on hmmm, maybe the Internet? Here endeth the history lesson.
With the shorter version of this long story not an option any more…I went to ACT, my pastor, our church elders, the two guys who first introduced the idea to me, and the old lady next door and told them what I was thinking about. With many a well intended pat on the head and an oatmeal raisin cookie from the nice neighbor lady, it was clear that nobody was getting the same world-wide impact visions I was and ULTIMATELY this is where ActofGraceRadio.net came into being.
I started playing around with some ideas…intended only as a means for showcasing what I was thinking could be done on an Internet Radio venue that would be far from a replication of a lot of what was already being presented [because why do what’s already being done] in the realm of Christian broadcasting and came up with a show I called “@ the Rock Shop”. It was going to have a little drama (i.e. the Actors of Grace Radio), a little news, a little bit of Bible teaching from guys you may never have heard of before. And “@ the Rock Shop” was intended to give a virtual cyber-café feeling that would come across as an overall entertaining and engaging discussion forum about the Christian worldview directed toward those who are not Christians, and maybe don't even like Christians. Wherein I, serving in the capacity of show host, “the old-man at the microphone, sitting here with my Jug of Joe, sharing with you some of the voices inside my head” didn’t shy away from attempts at being funny in the process of sharing God’s Good News to an unsaved audience. Now a good many critics do not agree that the show is anywhere close to being all that humorous…I think stupid pretty well sums up most of what they’ve had to say about it. Nevertheless I remain convinced that this is what that first God meeting was about and now exemplifies some of what Peter may have inferred when he called us "an peculiar people.” So anyhoo, that serves as summarization of what – as of late last night – became an archive of 75 weeks of programs that have, to date, invaded cyberspace at ActofGraceRadio.net.
However, all the radio stuff seems to have actually become a “Catch 22.” Merely doing my own radio show on the Internet was never the AGR intention from the outset. I was convinced that there are other “creative” types somewhere who would want to play within this open format playground – and although I’ve been successful in showcasing endless playwrights from around the world and a musical artist here and there – as yet, I haven’t come across any of those "artsy-fartsy" types committed to the prospect of producing “radio-style” materials on a regular basis replete with all the deadlines and other doo-dads that come along in that process. But honestly, could the original European missionary to India, William Carey, have been considered an overnight success?
mr
Now, I include this little ditty hoping that if you've read this far you might be inclined to take a listen to an episode of "@ the Rock Shop" right here at www.ActofGraceRadio.net. (It comes in two convenient formats "on demand" streaming or MP3). And if you like it maybe you'll come back again and if you keep coming back maybe you'll really get to know a lot about Jesus and then come up with something of your own to do on the internet and then...oh wait, maybe we'll take a step at a time. Because what if you didn't even read this far?
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