The Week That Was: This past week was full of reading. 600 pages worth. As I think back, I don't really remember doing much else. It's not like reading a Harry Potter or a Ted Dekker book where you get caught up in the story and before you know it you've read for 2 straight hours. Some of the reading is pretty dense. We had a family Valentine's Day. I got Andrea a pedicure for V-Day (which she loved), while Abbie and I walked the mall. We went out for lunch at a new pizza place we found. It was very good!
Church Review: We brought back the round tables for worship at 11:07 this week. It was pretty cool. I had the congregation share their joys and concerns around the table before sharing them to the entire group. Down the road, we'll have each table pray for one another, but we'll work them up to that.
Where I Am At the Moment: I am in my office trying to get some work done before leaving for school.
On My To-Do List This Week: Pick out music for Sunday, post some sermons on iTunes, try to get our check-in system up and running, and write a sermon...all on top of more seminary work!
What Abbie is Up To This Week: Abbie spent President's Day with Grandma Logan. She was not to thrilled to see her leave. But boy did Abbie talk up a storm to her!
Books I am in the Midst Of: It's seminary time again, so I am only doing required reading. I finished Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. While I have read it before, it was great re-reading it to reorient some things in my life and leadership style. I would highly recommend this book! Otherwise, I am reading a lot of the same stuff I was last week.
Music That Caught My Attention This Week: Nothing really caught my attention...but the JabbawockeeZ were pretty awesome at the NBA All-Star Game with Shaq.
How I Feel About this week: Good
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Adopt-A-Pastor
I have seen a disturbing trend on TV lately. Yes, you could say that most of what is on TV is disturbing (i.e. SpongeBob, Katie Couric, ShamWow), but this is more serious. Specifically, there are two related items that I was really upset by. Let me share them with you.
1. Adopt a Dog: The ASPCA has been running ads where you can sponsor a dog in need of rescue. For just $18 a month, you can provide a dog with the things a dog needs to be healthy and successful. The commercial features sad looking dogs and singer Sarah McLachlen (which is equally sad). With your $18, you get a picture of a dog to hang on your refridgerator.
2. Adopt a Polar Bear: The same day I saw the add for the adopt-a-dog I saw an ad where you can adopt a polar bear to help save them from extinction and global warming. I believe the campaign is done by the Sierra Club. Noah Wylie (from ER fame) is the spokesperson of this ad campaign. You can support a polar bear for just $16 a month. Also included was a photo (and a T-Shirt, I believe) to hang on your fridge. (I wonder if you can sponsor the polar bear from Lost??)
Maybe we should do an adopt-a-pastor? Just a thought!
I was dumbfounded about these ads. There are countless millions of people without food or safe drinking water around the world, and there are more than enough resources to help these people. What concerns me is that there will be people who will sponsor a dog or a polar bear but will not sponsor a child through Compassion International or World Vision. It may not be wide spread, but are we not called to love and care for our neighbors?
Some might think that I am against dogs and polar bears. I don't think that I am, but I am concerned about what we are doing to address the root of these problems rather than treating the symptoms. The problem with the polar bears is related to global warming and our attitude (as a nation) that we can consume without regard for the world around us. We need to address these environmental problems because what happens to the polar bears (or any other species) will ultimately happen to us. We breathe the same air, drink the same water, and eat the same food.
Rather than adopting a dog or a bear, we might be better served at addressing the underlying issues that fuels these tragic situations. We can look at the systems in our society and ask questions. We need to demand more of our politicians and policy-makers. We need to engage and address not just the symptoms, but the root.
1. Adopt a Dog: The ASPCA has been running ads where you can sponsor a dog in need of rescue. For just $18 a month, you can provide a dog with the things a dog needs to be healthy and successful. The commercial features sad looking dogs and singer Sarah McLachlen (which is equally sad). With your $18, you get a picture of a dog to hang on your refridgerator.
2. Adopt a Polar Bear: The same day I saw the add for the adopt-a-dog I saw an ad where you can adopt a polar bear to help save them from extinction and global warming. I believe the campaign is done by the Sierra Club. Noah Wylie (from ER fame) is the spokesperson of this ad campaign. You can support a polar bear for just $16 a month. Also included was a photo (and a T-Shirt, I believe) to hang on your fridge. (I wonder if you can sponsor the polar bear from Lost??)
Maybe we should do an adopt-a-pastor? Just a thought!
I was dumbfounded about these ads. There are countless millions of people without food or safe drinking water around the world, and there are more than enough resources to help these people. What concerns me is that there will be people who will sponsor a dog or a polar bear but will not sponsor a child through Compassion International or World Vision. It may not be wide spread, but are we not called to love and care for our neighbors?
Some might think that I am against dogs and polar bears. I don't think that I am, but I am concerned about what we are doing to address the root of these problems rather than treating the symptoms. The problem with the polar bears is related to global warming and our attitude (as a nation) that we can consume without regard for the world around us. We need to address these environmental problems because what happens to the polar bears (or any other species) will ultimately happen to us. We breathe the same air, drink the same water, and eat the same food.
Rather than adopting a dog or a bear, we might be better served at addressing the underlying issues that fuels these tragic situations. We can look at the systems in our society and ask questions. We need to demand more of our politicians and policy-makers. We need to engage and address not just the symptoms, but the root.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Monday Morning Update: February 9th, 2009
The Week That Was: This past week was a mixed bag. A week ago, the entire LaMotte family had some form of a virus. Fever, ear aches, etc. Thankfully, that has past. Last Tuesday, I Started up another round of classes. I am signed up for four classes (making me full-time), but I think I am dropping my one class because I want to be home more. Andrea had a baby shower in New Jersey on Saturday, so Abbie and I had a Daddy-Daughter day together. We had a blast. Now I am ready for another week!
Church Review: I am actually not going to review this week, but the previous week. I began a series called "Love is the Movement" where were looking at the call to Love God/Love Neighbor. At 11:07, we tried something different and sat at round tables, and rather than me speaking at the congregation, I asked a series of questions and allowed the tables to explore the scriptures. It worked pretty well for the first time. It was exciting to hear the tables talk about the topic of the day and work through some of the practical stuff. We'll definately be doing this again.
Where I Am At the Moment: I am currently in the office. I would like to get some music picked out for this weekend. I'll be heading to the gym soon as well.
On My To-Do List This Week: Pick out music, work on seminary homework. I also neeed to contact some people regarding our Guatemala trip.
What Abbie is Up To This Week: Abbie is a trip. She is fully healthy after being sick and very expressive. We went outside to play yesterday while large flocks of geese were flying over head (I think geese fly in gaggles). Abbie was telling the geese to go away. It was so funny!
Books I am in the Midst Of: It's seminary time again, so I am only doing required reading. I am working on Miracles by C.S. Lewis, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, New Testament Theology by I. Howard Marshall, and a book called Called and Committed (can't remember the author).
Music That Caught My Attention This Week: I've heard a lot of old-school Weezer this week. I think I will be downloading some this week.
How I Feel About this week: Upbeat.
Church Review: I am actually not going to review this week, but the previous week. I began a series called "Love is the Movement" where were looking at the call to Love God/Love Neighbor. At 11:07, we tried something different and sat at round tables, and rather than me speaking at the congregation, I asked a series of questions and allowed the tables to explore the scriptures. It worked pretty well for the first time. It was exciting to hear the tables talk about the topic of the day and work through some of the practical stuff. We'll definately be doing this again.
Where I Am At the Moment: I am currently in the office. I would like to get some music picked out for this weekend. I'll be heading to the gym soon as well.
On My To-Do List This Week: Pick out music, work on seminary homework. I also neeed to contact some people regarding our Guatemala trip.
What Abbie is Up To This Week: Abbie is a trip. She is fully healthy after being sick and very expressive. We went outside to play yesterday while large flocks of geese were flying over head (I think geese fly in gaggles). Abbie was telling the geese to go away. It was so funny!
Books I am in the Midst Of: It's seminary time again, so I am only doing required reading. I am working on Miracles by C.S. Lewis, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, New Testament Theology by I. Howard Marshall, and a book called Called and Committed (can't remember the author).
Music That Caught My Attention This Week: I've heard a lot of old-school Weezer this week. I think I will be downloading some this week.
How I Feel About this week: Upbeat.
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