Sunday was our 7th anniversary! In typical LaMotte fashion, I was at Youth Group on Sunday. But we did make plans and celebrated our anniversary on Friday. Andrea's parents came down and watched Abbie for us, which gave us the opportunity to go out.
The celebration started with Andrea receiving 100 blooms of Peruvian Lilies(sounds exotic, they're beautiful). We had decided ahead of time to go to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Ocean City for dinner. We love Ruth's Chris! We also love having credit card points to redeem for giftcards to Ruth's Chris so we don't have to actually pay for the meal! The meal, by the way, was very good!
The big suprise of the night was my gift to Andrea. I got her a diamond bracelet (The bangle kind) with seven diamonds in it. I was able to speak with our server away from Andrea and gave her my coatcheck ticket and she was to get the box out of my coat and bring the bracelet out when she brought us our dessert. Yeah, I'm that smooth.
It worked perfectly! Our server brought our dessert, two glasses of champagne, and the bracelet. When she put the box down, Andrea was very suprised, knowing there had to be some sort of jewelry in it. She opened it up and her face just lit up as she saw the bracelet for the first time!
It was a great evening with the person I love most in this world! We're looking forward to the next many years of being together!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
An Unexpected Joy
I'm working on a sermon for Sunday at Avenue. It is the season of Advent, and like many Churches, we light the advent wreath as part of our worship liturgy. This Sunday is the third candle, which is the candle of joy. I will be preaching on an unexpected joy.
My text is Luke 1:39-56, where Mary has just received the news that she is pregnant with the Savior of humanity. She visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist. In the passage, Mary sings a hymn, call the Magnificat, and praises God for His continued work throughout history.
Mary is filled with joy that God has chosen her, that God is active in redeeming and saving the world. Mary is filled with joy that God lifts up the humble and feeds the hungry. I'm sure that Mary is also filled with joy at the prospect of being a mother.
What I feel is the unexpected joy is the joy God has as the whole scene plays out. John 3:16 is familiar in that it says, "For God so loved the world, that he sent his only Son..." I think God was filled with joy to see the redemptive plan begin to unfold to save the Ones he loves. I can imagine God smiling down on Mary and creation knowing that redemption is close at hand.
Julian of Norwhich was a 14th century mystic in England who had a series of revelations (or Showings) based of the Passion of Christ (Not the movie, the actual events). In these revelations, she gets a glimpse of Jesus' joy. She writes,
Can you imagine Jesus, on the Cross, feeling joy? Can you image the nails, the crown of thorns, and the spear, and the joy Jesus had because He loved humanity so much that He would die for them? It's hard for me to imagine this joy based on the scene, but this is what Julian suggest- that Christ loved us so much, that He was filled with joy to die so that we might be set free from sin. And if He had to suffer more, he would.
You may be saying that this sounds more like an Easter message. Well, the joy that God had in redeeming humanity began in a humble stable. The unsurpassing love of God came to earth as a little baby. This Christmas, we can find joy by seeking out the unconditional love that God offers all of us.
My text is Luke 1:39-56, where Mary has just received the news that she is pregnant with the Savior of humanity. She visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist. In the passage, Mary sings a hymn, call the Magnificat, and praises God for His continued work throughout history.
"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on
all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things
for me- holy is his name." Luke 1:46-49
Mary is filled with joy that God has chosen her, that God is active in redeeming and saving the world. Mary is filled with joy that God lifts up the humble and feeds the hungry. I'm sure that Mary is also filled with joy at the prospect of being a mother.
What I feel is the unexpected joy is the joy God has as the whole scene plays out. John 3:16 is familiar in that it says, "For God so loved the world, that he sent his only Son..." I think God was filled with joy to see the redemptive plan begin to unfold to save the Ones he loves. I can imagine God smiling down on Mary and creation knowing that redemption is close at hand.
Julian of Norwhich was a 14th century mystic in England who had a series of revelations (or Showings) based of the Passion of Christ (Not the movie, the actual events). In these revelations, she gets a glimpse of Jesus' joy. She writes,
"Then Jesus our good Lord said: "If you are satisfied, I am
satisfied. It is a joy, a bliss, an endless delight to me that ever I
suffered my Passion for you; and if I could suffer more, I should suffer
more."
Can you imagine Jesus, on the Cross, feeling joy? Can you image the nails, the crown of thorns, and the spear, and the joy Jesus had because He loved humanity so much that He would die for them? It's hard for me to imagine this joy based on the scene, but this is what Julian suggest- that Christ loved us so much, that He was filled with joy to die so that we might be set free from sin. And if He had to suffer more, he would.
You may be saying that this sounds more like an Easter message. Well, the joy that God had in redeeming humanity began in a humble stable. The unsurpassing love of God came to earth as a little baby. This Christmas, we can find joy by seeking out the unconditional love that God offers all of us.
Monday, December 10, 2007
I Dedicate This House...
...To the LaMotte Family Christmas!
I had a Griswald Family Christmas experience the other day. Andrea and I had purchased new lights for our house for Christmas, and I put them up and everything looked great. I hooked our lights up to a timer where they come on at dusk. When dusk came (around 4:45-5:00 p.m. here in Delaware), the lights came on just like they should. I saw one bulb was out because it was not screwed all the way in...so I fixed it. And then it happened. The lights went out. For no reason. They were brandnew. Three hours of work down the tubes.
Well, today I was finally able to check the lights out. The fuse in the first strand went bad. I replaced the fuse, and all the lights work. Now we have 9 glorious strands of lights on the house (I think Clark at 25...with 100 lights each.) I'll post a picture later...but for now, this video clip will have to do.
Andrea and I got our tree decorated last night...between the hour of 9:00-10:00 p.m. Abbie was quite awake and playful. Thankfully she did go to sleep around 10 p.m.
Now I should study for my final, which is tomorrow. I'm really not in the mood to take it.
I had a Griswald Family Christmas experience the other day. Andrea and I had purchased new lights for our house for Christmas, and I put them up and everything looked great. I hooked our lights up to a timer where they come on at dusk. When dusk came (around 4:45-5:00 p.m. here in Delaware), the lights came on just like they should. I saw one bulb was out because it was not screwed all the way in...so I fixed it. And then it happened. The lights went out. For no reason. They were brandnew. Three hours of work down the tubes.
Well, today I was finally able to check the lights out. The fuse in the first strand went bad. I replaced the fuse, and all the lights work. Now we have 9 glorious strands of lights on the house (I think Clark at 25...with 100 lights each.) I'll post a picture later...but for now, this video clip will have to do.
Andrea and I got our tree decorated last night...between the hour of 9:00-10:00 p.m. Abbie was quite awake and playful. Thankfully she did go to sleep around 10 p.m.
Now I should study for my final, which is tomorrow. I'm really not in the mood to take it.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Are We Awake?
I've been continuing the book I began reading a while back called The Dangerous Act of Worship by Mark Labberton. It is a challenging look at worship in the American church and how what we do on Sunday morning is often detached from acts of justice and mercy.
Labberton writes that there is no right style of worship. It's not about traditional, contemporary, modern, post-modern, or emergent worship. These are all just forms to fulfill a function. The function is the worship of God the Creator which is done throughout our week.
Labberton writes:
Our church has been discussing why some churches grow and others don't. We have a few churches within three blocks of Avenue that are dying congregations while we continue to grow. I think it comes down to our passion for God, and our passion for his people. We (Avenue) began to grow when we started to develop a broader understanding of God's love and began to live in that love by serving others. This is not meant to be a how-to, but we have found that people want to be involved in a church that is taking part of something bigger than life. When we participate in God's work, that transcends our everyday lives as something bigger.
Labberton writes that there is no right style of worship. It's not about traditional, contemporary, modern, post-modern, or emergent worship. These are all just forms to fulfill a function. The function is the worship of God the Creator which is done throughout our week.
Labberton writes:
"Everytime we meet in corporate worship, whether in our Gothic sanctuaries, our industrial park warehouses or wherever we gather to worship while violence, suffering and injustice don't imss a beat. Worship leaders especially may want to focus only on what seems cultuarlly and socially immediate. But if we ar coming to worship the Lord of all creation, the Savior of the world, then while we are setting up and checking the sound sytem or pondering prayers or sermons, we have to hold on to a wider vision of God's love, a set of very different circumstances and an outcome of our worship that is meant to land is in places of need."
Our church has been discussing why some churches grow and others don't. We have a few churches within three blocks of Avenue that are dying congregations while we continue to grow. I think it comes down to our passion for God, and our passion for his people. We (Avenue) began to grow when we started to develop a broader understanding of God's love and began to live in that love by serving others. This is not meant to be a how-to, but we have found that people want to be involved in a church that is taking part of something bigger than life. When we participate in God's work, that transcends our everyday lives as something bigger.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Why Peyton Manning Would Make A Good Youth Pastor
I've been thinking about this today, while I don't know his faith, I think Peyton Manning would make a great youth pastor. There are several reasons.
1. He's an innovative communicator: Have you ever seen Peyton communicate at the line of scrimmage. He barks out commands at the line and uses a lot of body language to communicate to his team so they are all on the same page. Can you imaging Peyton on a Sunday evening Youth meeting...his plan is to preach from the Gospel of Matthew, but then audibling to the Gospel of Luke so the projection team and other support can follow.
2. He's a Great Mentor to Kids: Check out the clip from Saturday Night Live of Peyton Mentoring kids through the United Way. I can see him TPing a house now!
3. Peyton Knows the Strength of Three: I think Peyton would start some accountability in groups of three to correspond with Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Dallas Clark. This model would encourage students to be involved in accountability groups.
4. He wears a suit: Peyton would win over the more seasoned members of the church because he shows up to work in a suit. Wallets would open and money would flow into the ministry because of the suit's effect on the seasoned members of the church who believe that Jesus wore a suit.
Cry, Cry, Cry
I hope the Baltimore Ravens are listening to a little Johnny Cash right now becuase all they have done since last night's game Cry, Cry, Cry. The Baltimore-New England game was great is so many ways, but the most fanastic thing about it was the way in which the Ravens imploded like a 10 year old kid in Toys-R-Us being told he can't get the toy he wants. The Ravens blame the refs for losing the game for them. That's just poor excuse making. Here's the case...
1. The refs didn't throw a costly interception late in the game- Kyle Boller did. I believe they were in field goal range, yet Boller forced an underthrown ball into the Patriots hands. I bet he underthrew the ball by 7-10 yards.
2. The refs didn't fumble an interception return that would have put the Ravens in great field goal range- Ed Reed did. Reed was holding the ball away from his body rather than protecting it. The Patriots made a great play to knock the ball loose.
3. The refs got the time out correct on 4th and 1.
4. Ben Watson was held heading into the end zone.
5. The Ravens are the 2nd most penalized team in the NFL...so these penalties are not out of their character.
The Ravens were the only ones guilty of the meltdown. Not the refs. Had the Ravens held it together, they would have pulled off a massive upset.
As much as the Ravens were whining, Tom Brady was barking at the refs quite abit as well. The bottom line is, I think, is that the refs have more respect for Tom Brady than for Ray Lewis/Ed Reed/Samari Rolle. While the Ravens, especially the defense, have enjoyed a bad boy attitude, for them to become an elite team again they will have to reign in their emotions and actions to earn the respect of the refs and the league. Chucking a refs penalty flag or throwing helmets is not going to do it.
1. The refs didn't throw a costly interception late in the game- Kyle Boller did. I believe they were in field goal range, yet Boller forced an underthrown ball into the Patriots hands. I bet he underthrew the ball by 7-10 yards.
2. The refs didn't fumble an interception return that would have put the Ravens in great field goal range- Ed Reed did. Reed was holding the ball away from his body rather than protecting it. The Patriots made a great play to knock the ball loose.
3. The refs got the time out correct on 4th and 1.
4. Ben Watson was held heading into the end zone.
5. The Ravens are the 2nd most penalized team in the NFL...so these penalties are not out of their character.
The Ravens were the only ones guilty of the meltdown. Not the refs. Had the Ravens held it together, they would have pulled off a massive upset.
As much as the Ravens were whining, Tom Brady was barking at the refs quite abit as well. The bottom line is, I think, is that the refs have more respect for Tom Brady than for Ray Lewis/Ed Reed/Samari Rolle. While the Ravens, especially the defense, have enjoyed a bad boy attitude, for them to become an elite team again they will have to reign in their emotions and actions to earn the respect of the refs and the league. Chucking a refs penalty flag or throwing helmets is not going to do it.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Sunday Worship in Review
Well, it's Monday afternoon, so i thought I would do a review of worship from yesterday morning. This particular Sunday was a blur! We had much going on. The four sections I evaluate are the provide the main structure for our service. As I look at the list, it seems strange that Joys/Concerns are there, but I use it because this is part of our growth as a community. If we are to grow together, we must pray together. So, without further delay...
Opening Worship: It was communion Sunday. On Communion Sundays, we put most of our music at the end of the service, as a response to Communion. (pretty novel idea!) We did "Meet with Me" and "All in All". Both are favorites of the congregation. The music sounded good (From the front of the stage) and people seemed to tune in to God's presence. This was the first Sunday of Advent, so a family lit the Advent Candle and we saw a brief video on Hope. 4.0/5.0
Sharing of Joys/Concerns: Lee led the Joys and Concerns time. There were many request. Winter seems to bring more prayer request as the weather changes. We did get a praise report of someone being cancer free! 4.0/5.0
Sermon: The sermon was short today because we were also doing a presentation in the Fellowship Hall on our proposed Building Expansion. But the short sermon was to the point. Earle spoke about responding to Jesus during the Christmas season. One downside was the because of our service structure on Communion Sunday's we moved right into Joys/Concerns following the sermon, which left little time to consider Earle's message and respond in our hearts (This should be corrected by January). 3.7/5.0
Closing Worship/Response: The Music sounded good, but the songs were a little disjointed. Communion seemed seperate from the sharing of the Word. It's hard to put a finger on it, but it could've been done better. 3.0/5.0
Opening Worship: It was communion Sunday. On Communion Sundays, we put most of our music at the end of the service, as a response to Communion. (pretty novel idea!) We did "Meet with Me" and "All in All". Both are favorites of the congregation. The music sounded good (From the front of the stage) and people seemed to tune in to God's presence. This was the first Sunday of Advent, so a family lit the Advent Candle and we saw a brief video on Hope. 4.0/5.0
Sharing of Joys/Concerns: Lee led the Joys and Concerns time. There were many request. Winter seems to bring more prayer request as the weather changes. We did get a praise report of someone being cancer free! 4.0/5.0
Sermon: The sermon was short today because we were also doing a presentation in the Fellowship Hall on our proposed Building Expansion. But the short sermon was to the point. Earle spoke about responding to Jesus during the Christmas season. One downside was the because of our service structure on Communion Sunday's we moved right into Joys/Concerns following the sermon, which left little time to consider Earle's message and respond in our hearts (This should be corrected by January). 3.7/5.0
Closing Worship/Response: The Music sounded good, but the songs were a little disjointed. Communion seemed seperate from the sharing of the Word. It's hard to put a finger on it, but it could've been done better. 3.0/5.0
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Welcome December
It's December 1st. According to me, it is the official start of the Christmas Season. (Yes Wal-Mart and others of their ilk begin shortly after Labor Day) Andrea and I have some traditions that we keep around Christmas.
1. Christmas Music after Thanksgiving. I love Christmas music, but it has to be in the right context. We don't start Christmas Music until Thanksgiving day.
2. Christmas Movies. There are certain holiday movies that you must watch. Ours include; National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, The Christmas Story, Miracle on 34th Street, Home Alone, and I believe Elf might make it on our must watch list.
Speaking of Christmas Movies, we began to watch Home Alone last night after Abbie went to bed. It's a cute movie that I've probably seen 100 times. But, did you know, that the movie is 16 years old? I was 13 when it came out! When Home Alone became available on video, the movie was in the Top 3 Grossing Movies of All-Time. That stunned me to read that. Everytime I put aftershave on my face, I want to scream like Macully Caulkin!
3. Christmas Decorating- Andrea got many of the decorations out this year and has begun to decorate the inside of the house. It was too cold today to put up lights, but they are coming!
All this said, I'm looking forward to a great holiday season. My seminary work is done, and I can relax at home with the family!
1. Christmas Music after Thanksgiving. I love Christmas music, but it has to be in the right context. We don't start Christmas Music until Thanksgiving day.
2. Christmas Movies. There are certain holiday movies that you must watch. Ours include; National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, The Christmas Story, Miracle on 34th Street, Home Alone, and I believe Elf might make it on our must watch list.
Speaking of Christmas Movies, we began to watch Home Alone last night after Abbie went to bed. It's a cute movie that I've probably seen 100 times. But, did you know, that the movie is 16 years old? I was 13 when it came out! When Home Alone became available on video, the movie was in the Top 3 Grossing Movies of All-Time. That stunned me to read that. Everytime I put aftershave on my face, I want to scream like Macully Caulkin!
3. Christmas Decorating- Andrea got many of the decorations out this year and has begun to decorate the inside of the house. It was too cold today to put up lights, but they are coming!
All this said, I'm looking forward to a great holiday season. My seminary work is done, and I can relax at home with the family!
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