Dear Emily

Richard Beck posted some wonderful Emily Dickenson quotes on his Experimental Theology blog today. Each of them is a gem, and each reminded me of how much I enjoy the Belle of Amherst.

"'We thank thee Oh Father,' for these strange Minds, that enamor us against thee."

"On subjects of which we know nothing, we both believe and disbelieve a hundred times an Hour, which keeps Believing nimble."

"When Jesus tells us about his Father, we distrust him. When he shows us his House, we turn away, but when he confides to us that he is 'acquainted with Grief,' we listen, for that also is an Acquaintance of our own."

Years ago I wrote a song to Miss Dickenson that has quite a number of quotes from her poems. It's on my Breathe a Little Deeper CD.

Song for Memorial Day

Day After Tomorrow
Tom Waits

I got your letter today
And I miss you all so much, here
I can't wait to see you all
And I'm counting the days, dear
I still believe that there's gold
At the end of the world
And I'll come home
To Illinois
On the day after tomorrow

It is so hard
And it's cold here
And I'm tired of taking orders
And I miss old Rockford town
Up by the Wisconsin border
But I miss you won't believe
Shoveling snow and raking leaves
And my plane will touch tomorrow
On the day after tomorrow

I close my eyes
Every night
And I dream that I can hold you
They fill us full of lies
Everyone buys
About what it means to be a soldier
I still don't know how I'm supposed to feel
About all the blood that's been spilled
Look out on the street
Get me back home
On the day after tomorrow

You can't deny
The other side
Don't want to die
Any more than we do
What I'm trying to say,
Is don't they pray
To the same God that we do?
Tell me, how does God choose?
Whose prayers does he refuse?
Who turns the wheel?
And who throws the dice
On the day after tomorrow?

Mmmmmmm...
I'm not fighting
For justice
I am not fighting
For freedom
I am fighting
For my life
And another day
In the world here
I just do what I've been told
You're just the gravel on the road
And the one's that are lucky
One's come home
On the day after tomorrow

And the summer
It too will fade
And with it comes the winter's frost, dear
And I know we too are made
Of all the things that we have lost here
I'll be twenty-one today
I've been saving all my pay
And my plane will touch down
On the day after tomorrow
And my plane it will touch down
On the day after tomorrow

Tsang: Tchaikovsky Tzardom

Last night, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra presented a superb evening of Russian music at Wayzata Community Church. Cheri and I had wonderful seats in the fourth row. The program included: Tchaikovsky - Suite No. 4 in G, Op. 61; Tchaikovsky - Variations of a Rococo Theme for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 33; Shostakovich - Chamber Symphony in C Minor for String Orchestra, Op. 110a; and Prokofiev - Symphony No. 1 in D, Op. 25 (Classical).

The entire program was absolutely marvelous, but the shining jewel of the evening was Bion Tsang's solo performance in the Variations on a Rococo Theme for Cello and Orchestra (Tchaikovsky). His rich interpretation and breathtaking virtuosity brought the audience to its feet for a well-deserved, long, and energetic standing ovation.

Born in Michigan of Chinese parents, Bion Tsang began piano studies at age six and cello at age seven. He made his professional debut at age eleven in two concerts with Zubin Mehta and the New York Philharmonic. His professional achievements and awards are many. He currently lives in Austin, TX and teaches at the University of Texas. You can read more about his amazing career, current projects, and discography here. It's really worth reading!

We are so blessed to have the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra in the Twin Cities. I can assure you that last night there was no finer concert happening anywhere else on the planet. If you have not yet discovered the SPCO, now is a great time to do so. This year's season is winding down, but you can make plans to be a part of the 2011-12 season.

It's right here in your own back yard, and it's the best and most affordable classical music experience in America! I encourage you to explore the SPCO Website and get in on this world class experience.

Wrap Up on Bell's "Love Wins"

A number of friends who are just now getting to Rob Bell's Love Wins have been asking for my opinion about it. I don't have the time or the expertise to write a thorough review or criticism of the book, but I'll make a few short comments. Then, I'll refer you to several blogs that have done a wonderful job of identifying and discussing what's good and not so good about the book.

I didn't find Bell's book to be nearly as controversial as all the hype and hysteria insinuated. I guess some evangelicals are shocked that someone so popular among their own would go public with speculations and ideas that theologians have been wrestling with for ages. Sadly, many high-profile conservative evangelicals seem to think heresy charges should be directed toward those who simply ask questions or humbly admit their uncertainty about some theological theories and constructs.

The style and substance of this Bell book are absolutely consistent with everything else he has published. Bell talks about faith and theology and discipleship in a personal and reflective style, almost poetic. He doesn't really assert new theological propositions as much as undermines old ones.

Rather than leading Christians astray, I'd say Bell's book is far more likely to cause those who have given up on Christianity to give it another look. The book's best quality is its invitation for people to believe and follow Jesus, even if they cannot believe in the beliefs of some Christians.

For a rich and helpful discussion of Bell's book, here are three of the best blog series I've seen:

Exploring Love Wins by Scot McKnight
The Jesus Creed Blog

For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ben Witherington III
The Bible and Culture Blog

Divided By Hell: An Assessment of Rob Bell's "Love Wins" by JR Woodward
Dream Awakener Blog

Lenten Readings and Video for April 17-23

Some of us our reading through the Gospel of Mark during these weeks leading up to Resurrection Sunday. It's a wonderful way to enrich your Lenten season and prepare your heart for a more meaningful Easter. Each Saturday night, I'm post the reading schedule for the coming week. I'll also post videos of Max McLean's interpretive recitation of each chapter.

Lenten Readings for April 17-22:
April 17 – Mark 14:43-65
April 18 – Mark 14:66-72
April 19 – Mark 15:1-15
April 20 – Mark 15:16-32
April 21 – Mark 15:33-41
April 22 – Mark 15:42-47
April 23 – Mark 16:1-20

Watch Video of Max McLean's Recitation
Click Here to Watch Mark Chapter 14
Click Here to Watch Mark Chapter 15
Click Here to Watch Mark Chapter 16

Lenten Readings & Video for April 11-16

Some of us our reading through the Gospel of Mark during these weeks leading up to Resurrection Sunday. It's a wonderful way to enrich your Lenten season and prepare your heart for a more meaningful Easter. Each Saturday night, I'm post the reading schedule for the coming week. I'll also post videos of Max McLean's interpretive recitation of each chapter.

Lenten Readings for April 11-16:
April 11 – Mark 12:28-22
April 12 – Mark 13:1-27
April 13 – Mark 13:28-36
April 14 – Mark 14:1-11
April 15 – Mark 14:12-26
April 16 – Mark 14:27-42

Watch Video of Max McLean's Recitation


Click Here to Watch Mark Chapter 12
Click Here to Watch Mark Chapter 13
Click Here to Watch Mark Chapter 14

Lenten Readings and Video for April 3-8

I'd like to invite you to join me in reading through the Gospel of Mark during these weeks leading up to Resurrection Sunday. It's a wonderful way to enrich your Lenten season and prepare your heart for a more meaningful Easter. Each Saturday night, I'll post the reading schedule for the coming week. I'll also post videos of Max McLean's interpretive recitation of each chapter.


Lenten Readings for April 4-9:
April 4 – Mark 10:17-31
April 5 – Mark 10:32-45
April 6 – Mark 10:46—11:11
April 7 – Mark 11:12-33
April 8 – Mark 12:1-12
April 9 – Mark 12:13-27

Watch Video of Max McLean's Recitation

Click Here to Watch Mark Chapter 10
Click Here to Watch Mark Chapter 11
Click Here to Watch Mark Chapter 12

Valley Christian Church Website

I haven't had time for many posts this week because I've been putting in lots of overtime to get Valley's new website launched.

We've got a ways to go, but I'm pleased that we're up and running. Check it out. And if you have any comments or corrections, email me. Thanks.

Astonishing New Archeological Discovery

This amazing new find could yield some very interesting information about early Christianity. I'm looking forward to hearing more.

From the BBC News:
They could be the earliest Christian writing in existence, surviving almost 2,000 years in a Jordanian cave. They could, just possibly, change our understanding of how Jesus was crucified and resurrected, and how Christianity was born.

A group of 70 or so "books", each with between five and 15 lead leaves bound by lead rings, was apparently discovered in a remote arid valley in northern Jordan somewhere between 2005 and 2007.

Never has there been a discovery of relics on this scale from the early Christian movement, in its homeland and so early in its history.

Read the entire BBC Report

See More Pictures from BBC

More from the UK Daily Mail

Lenten Readings and Video for March 27 - April 2

I'd like to invite you to join me in reading through the Gospel of Mark during these weeks leading up to Resurrection Sunday. It's a wonderful way to enrich your Lenten season and prepare your heart for a more meaningful Easter. Each Saturday night, I'll post the reading schedule for the coming week. I'll also post videos of Max McLean's interpretive recitation of each chapter.


Lenten Readings for March 27 - April 2:
March 28 – Mark 7:24-37
March 29 – Mark 8:1-21
March 30 – Mark 8:22-38
March 31 – Mark 9:1-29
April 1 – Mark 9:30-50
April 2 – Mark 10:1-16

Watch Video of Max McLean's Recitation
Click Here to Watch Mark Chapter 8
Click Here to Watch Mark Chapter 9
Click Here to Watch Mark Chapter 10

Book Club: The Challenge of Easter

I've been inviting people in my church to read The Challenge of Easter with me. It's a small booklet based on a section from N. T. Wright's book, The Challenge of Jesus. Here's a short quotation from the chapter I read this morning:

"Blessed, says Jesus, are those who have not seen yet believe; yes, indeed, but one day we shall see him as he is and share the completed new creation that he is even now in the process of planning and making. We live, therefore, between Easter and the consummation, following Jesus Christ in the power of the Spirit and commissioned to be for the world what he was for Israel, bringing God's redemptive reshaping to our world."

Wright challenges us to see that believing in the resurrection of Jesus on the third day and the Christian hope of resurrection on the final day is a beginning, but we need to understand and embrace what the resurrection means for how we live our lives today.

On Tuesday, April 19, 7:00pm, at Valley Christian Church, I'll be leading discussion group for those who have read The Challenge of of Easter. You're welcome to join us.

Heaven, Hell, and Mr. Bell

My copy of Rob Bell's new book, Love Wins, arrived yesterday. After reading so much by reviewers and bloggers, it will be nice to be able to finally just read the book.

JR Woodward's series of posts at his Dream Awakener blog provide the most helpful, evenhanded, and thorough assessment I've seen out in the blogosphere. Here are links to all six posts.



Part I: Introduction
Part II: Overview of Love Wins
Part III: Is Rob Bell a Universalist?
Part IV: Does God’s love and mercy extend beyond the grave?
Part V: Understanding Heresy and Orthodoxy
Part VI: Heresy, Orthodoxy, and Final Judgment

Lenten Readings and Video for March 21-26

I'd like to invite you to join me in reading through the Gospel of Mark during these weeks leading up to Resurrection Sunday. It's a wonderful way to enrich your Lenten season and prepare your heart for a more meaningful Easter. Each Saturday night, I'll post the reading schedule for the coming week. I'll also post videos of Max McLean's interpretive recitation of each chapter.


Lenten Readings for March 21-26:
March 21 – Mark 4:35—5:20
March 22 – Mark 5:21-43
March 23 – Mark 6:1-13
March 24 – Mark 6:14-29
March 25 – Mark 6:30-56
March 26 – Mark 7:1-23

Watch Mark Chapter 5


Watch Mark Chapter 6


Watch Mark Chapter 7

Teaching at Valley: Sunday, March 20

Valley Christian Church has three Sunday worship services.
9:00am - Daybreak Service
10:30am - Wellspring Service
4:30pm - Evensong Service

This Sunday I'll be preaching Part 2 of my "Darkness No More" series. If you live in the Twin Cities, I invite you to join us.

Sunday, March 20
Children of Light
Ephesians 5:8-14

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”