It has been QUITE busy here lately........but it is all good. Can I share some things with you? How about some videos?
Merrick graduated from preschool (stop growing precious!!!). She had a blast and was gorgeous of course. The school has grown and it was crowded..so I was far back. I apologize for poor focus. but, here she is:
Jude's class perfomed the "boogie walk" for his school's COmmunity Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. he also had a friend over and they performed some original songs, and he had his 1st piano recital. enjoy:
Soon we are heading to Flagler, CO where we will see some family and work a VBS! We hope to see ya soon. much love-
pannell
Friday, May 28, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Impulse Living
The other night I came home from work and decided that the family needed to do something fun and impulsive. Times when my parents did that as a kid are still some of my favorite memories!
So we jumped into the car and all headed North 30 miles to Grants Pass. It was a wonderful night. On the way there, we discovered that the world's greatest strawberry pacth was open, so we stopped and bought a flat!
Continuing north we reached our destination! We went to the historic downtown and found our way to the SODA SHOP. It is the coolest place in the world. They maintained their original soda fountain from the 50's and it is like stepping back in time! (including the prices: Amazing phosphate sodas for $.25, or a cup of coffee for $.10!) It is awesome. The kiddos all got to make whatever combination of soda they wanted and loved it. Jessie and I shared the best malt I have ever put in my mouth! It was a big hit.
We then topped the evening off at Wild River Brew Pub and Pizzeria.....home of some of the finest ales and pizza in SO OR! (not to mention INCREDIBLE onion rings!) It was great fun. We sang and played games on the ride home and finished off the evening with a family movie night and laughed our way through The Tooth Fairy with the kids.
Life is good. I am a blessed man
So we jumped into the car and all headed North 30 miles to Grants Pass. It was a wonderful night. On the way there, we discovered that the world's greatest strawberry pacth was open, so we stopped and bought a flat!
Continuing north we reached our destination! We went to the historic downtown and found our way to the SODA SHOP. It is the coolest place in the world. They maintained their original soda fountain from the 50's and it is like stepping back in time! (including the prices: Amazing phosphate sodas for $.25, or a cup of coffee for $.10!) It is awesome. The kiddos all got to make whatever combination of soda they wanted and loved it. Jessie and I shared the best malt I have ever put in my mouth! It was a big hit.
We then topped the evening off at Wild River Brew Pub and Pizzeria.....home of some of the finest ales and pizza in SO OR! (not to mention INCREDIBLE onion rings!) It was great fun. We sang and played games on the ride home and finished off the evening with a family movie night and laughed our way through The Tooth Fairy with the kids.
Life is good. I am a blessed man
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Earth Day Birthday
Every year my birthday has fallen on Earth Day. I keep thinking maybe one year, it will not, but it never fails ! I think that is pretty cool personally! I try to celebrate a little “earthiness” every year as I wolf down the cake and ice cream. And, it never fails that each year either friends, family, or a delightful mix of both razz me for this…generating the expected cat calls of “treehugger”, “hippy” and “liberal”. I have gotten used to it. I even like it a little.
But you know what……I am CONVINCED that Earth Day is a Godly thing. I am convinced that part of my “duty” (for lack of better term) as a follower of Jesus is to care for the creation of God with every means I can.
1970 was the first time we celebrated the holiday as a nation. Up until then, gas stations were selling leaded gas, air purity was almost totally unregulated and agricultural pesticides were sprayed without a thought about it. At the time, a factory could dump toxic ninja turtle ooze into a river and there was almost nothing anyone could do to stop them…..so hey, you at least gotta be thankful for that .
Earth Day changed everything. The next decades saw sweeping change in public policies to help care for the environment such as the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. We also saw the creation of the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Endangered Species Act.
At the time, it hadn’t yet become as politicized as it is today. Environmentalism was not always the divisive issue it is today, so these laws gained bipartisan support. Liberals and conservatives alike were on board. It made since…who wouldn’t want to save the earth? But, bipartisanship would not last. It was bound to change, when business and ultimately greed took over.
As soon as corporations got involved, so did political extremists, and environmentalism seemed to lose its stylishness in the public consciousness. Popular support waned, and political parties began using the environment as a weapon to beat each other up. All the while, clean air and water became greater global problems, and land was clear-cut to make way to make more money.
Still, Earth Day never went away! Its’ popularity grew despite the challenges. In 1990, Earth Day hit the world stage as 141 countries joined in and promoted recycling. In 2000, 1.8 million gathered in Central Park’s Great Lawn to commemorate and 184 countries took part.
Forty years later, April 22 continues to unite those who believe in caring for our world and the people who depend on it. Approximately 200 countries and around 1 billion students, activists, soccer moms and working folks will celebrate this year. But here is the saddest part to me:
With some exceptions, the American Christian community will be mostly absent from celebrations. Can someone PLEASE explain this to me?
“Environmentalist” is still a dirty word among some Christians. I have a bunch of friends who would agree. That makes me sad. Maybe some find the label synonymous with secularism, Goddess worship, New Ageism and politically liberal special interest groups? And yes…there are extremists that help perpetuate this feeling. But they are not the minority! Yet still others are uncomfortable with “environmentalists” and even less comfortable with their “agenda.”
But, the problem is that Christians can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines. Millions die annually from preventable, water-related diseases. Most are children. Extinction rates continue to exceed natural rates by more than 100 times. Our energy consumption funds mountaintop removal coal mining while our oil addiction fouls the air and laces the pockets of oppressive dictatorships.
And here is the great irony: we serve the One who created everything, called it “good” and asked humans to care for and protect it!!! So why are we not listening?
What’s the solution?
We have GOT to “depoliticize” environmentalism! Caring for creation should not be framed in a liberal vs. conservative narrative! Stewardship of creation is a moral issue the people of God have been called to address. If we desire to remain true to God’s Word, Christians must redeem the cause and make it our own! We need to rediscover the scriptural basis for taking care of this world, engage the glaring problems around us and propose solutions! It IS THE CHURCH’S JOB TO DO THIS! To abandon these issues to secular environmentalists shirks our God-given responsibility to care for His planet. It makes us lazy and apathetic. And it makes me sad.
Let’s do our duty here guys! Take care of the earth! It is not hard. It is worth it. And God made it. I hope you will look inward and examine your own reasons if you find yourself objecting to anything considered, “green” or “environmental”. I hope that like me, you will find it impossible to continue to ignore the environmental impact of our lifestyles and are beginning to feel some force moving within you.
(much of this blog's language and facts were taken from the recent article by Jonathan Merrit in RELAVANT magazine)
But you know what……I am CONVINCED that Earth Day is a Godly thing. I am convinced that part of my “duty” (for lack of better term) as a follower of Jesus is to care for the creation of God with every means I can.
1970 was the first time we celebrated the holiday as a nation. Up until then, gas stations were selling leaded gas, air purity was almost totally unregulated and agricultural pesticides were sprayed without a thought about it. At the time, a factory could dump toxic ninja turtle ooze into a river and there was almost nothing anyone could do to stop them…..so hey, you at least gotta be thankful for that .
Earth Day changed everything. The next decades saw sweeping change in public policies to help care for the environment such as the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. We also saw the creation of the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Endangered Species Act.
At the time, it hadn’t yet become as politicized as it is today. Environmentalism was not always the divisive issue it is today, so these laws gained bipartisan support. Liberals and conservatives alike were on board. It made since…who wouldn’t want to save the earth? But, bipartisanship would not last. It was bound to change, when business and ultimately greed took over.
As soon as corporations got involved, so did political extremists, and environmentalism seemed to lose its stylishness in the public consciousness. Popular support waned, and political parties began using the environment as a weapon to beat each other up. All the while, clean air and water became greater global problems, and land was clear-cut to make way to make more money.
Still, Earth Day never went away! Its’ popularity grew despite the challenges. In 1990, Earth Day hit the world stage as 141 countries joined in and promoted recycling. In 2000, 1.8 million gathered in Central Park’s Great Lawn to commemorate and 184 countries took part.
Forty years later, April 22 continues to unite those who believe in caring for our world and the people who depend on it. Approximately 200 countries and around 1 billion students, activists, soccer moms and working folks will celebrate this year. But here is the saddest part to me:
With some exceptions, the American Christian community will be mostly absent from celebrations. Can someone PLEASE explain this to me?
“Environmentalist” is still a dirty word among some Christians. I have a bunch of friends who would agree. That makes me sad. Maybe some find the label synonymous with secularism, Goddess worship, New Ageism and politically liberal special interest groups? And yes…there are extremists that help perpetuate this feeling. But they are not the minority! Yet still others are uncomfortable with “environmentalists” and even less comfortable with their “agenda.”
But, the problem is that Christians can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines. Millions die annually from preventable, water-related diseases. Most are children. Extinction rates continue to exceed natural rates by more than 100 times. Our energy consumption funds mountaintop removal coal mining while our oil addiction fouls the air and laces the pockets of oppressive dictatorships.
And here is the great irony: we serve the One who created everything, called it “good” and asked humans to care for and protect it!!! So why are we not listening?
What’s the solution?
We have GOT to “depoliticize” environmentalism! Caring for creation should not be framed in a liberal vs. conservative narrative! Stewardship of creation is a moral issue the people of God have been called to address. If we desire to remain true to God’s Word, Christians must redeem the cause and make it our own! We need to rediscover the scriptural basis for taking care of this world, engage the glaring problems around us and propose solutions! It IS THE CHURCH’S JOB TO DO THIS! To abandon these issues to secular environmentalists shirks our God-given responsibility to care for His planet. It makes us lazy and apathetic. And it makes me sad.
Let’s do our duty here guys! Take care of the earth! It is not hard. It is worth it. And God made it. I hope you will look inward and examine your own reasons if you find yourself objecting to anything considered, “green” or “environmental”. I hope that like me, you will find it impossible to continue to ignore the environmental impact of our lifestyles and are beginning to feel some force moving within you.
(much of this blog's language and facts were taken from the recent article by Jonathan Merrit in RELAVANT magazine)
Monday, April 19, 2010
Monday Shuffle
Mondays find me hard to get inspired. Weary from Sunday, it takes awhile to get going. So, it is essential that the perfect tunes find their way to my ears to get me jumpstarted! Here is what Itunes shuffle brought this AM:
Bone China- Mother Love Bone
Summersong- The Decemberists
Tourette's- Nirvana
Crazy- Ray LaMontagne
Wake Up- The Arcade Fire
Reputation- Derek Webb
Said Too Much- needtobreathe
Billie Jean- Michael Jackson
Am I Only?- Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Unemployable- Pearl Jam
Asssasin- Muse
The Sun Maid- Soul Asylum
Biko- Peter Gabriel
Communication Breakdown- Led Zeppelin
Mystery- Phil Wickham
Bone China- Mother Love Bone
Summersong- The Decemberists
Tourette's- Nirvana
Crazy- Ray LaMontagne
Wake Up- The Arcade Fire
Reputation- Derek Webb
Said Too Much- needtobreathe
Billie Jean- Michael Jackson
Am I Only?- Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Unemployable- Pearl Jam
Asssasin- Muse
The Sun Maid- Soul Asylum
Biko- Peter Gabriel
Communication Breakdown- Led Zeppelin
Mystery- Phil Wickham
Friday, April 16, 2010
Jesus vs "Obamacare"
Yesterday across this great nation, groups of impassioned folks gathered around our country in protest of big government and deficit spending. The large gathering I passed here in Medford (which looked more like a Nascar rally) seemed to be protesting what they called “Obamacare”. It got me thinking.
Most of you know me and know that my political views are often considered more liberal than my peers. But I REALLY try to think for myself and look at things with open eyes and through the lens of Christ. The last few years this has forced me to rethink many things.
I struggle with the open rebellion, especially by folks of faith against health care reform. It seems to me that any system which leaves MILLIONS without healthcare needs to be reconsidered….ESPECIALLY by folks of faith. So I was hoping we could have an intelligent conversation about health care here. Here are some thoughts top start the talk:
Regardless of what you think...this issue IS a moral issue! Christians should be concerned about the good of all individuals. Good health is something we should want everyone to have and health care is one of the ways we maintain good health. And when we look at the world around us, it is also a scarce good—the demand very much exceeds the supply. So figuring out how best to see to it that people get quality health care is a legitimate moral concern, and a real concern for Christians. The way I see it...UNIVERSAL care is the only answer.
No person of good will opposes health care. So, the real issues are MUCH more specific: Who is primarily responsible for the health care of individuals and families? How ought laws and institutions be arranged to make quality health care available to people? How do we encourage innovation in health care? How ought tax and economic policy be arranged to achieve the goal of quality, affordable health care for all who want it?
The argument I hear the most is that it is not the governments job to pay for this! The church should do more! While I agree this would be awesome, it is not happening. The only organization large enough to really make a difference here is our Federal government! Why the sudden uproar? Both parties support Medicare and Medicaid and Social Security without nationwide rallies and revolts??? So they must agree that it is appropriate for the government to play a role in providing for the fundamental needs of its citizens in certain situations, and health care seems to be one of them. In fact, providing health care for citizens who cannot afford it is not only the morally right thing to do, it is the economically smart thing to do since numerous studies and economists have proven that emergency room care and other care for non-insured individuals costs the average American about $1,000 in insurance costs per year. Churches play a role in caring for the needy—but they can only provide charity to the extent that they can and it is a limited role for churches. Yet, I truly believe the government should be a “giver of justice” and providing health care for all Americans seems the right thing to do.
Obviously the new plan is not perfect. There are flaws. As a person of faith, I ALWAYS have to be concerned with the right to life, and the issue of abortion. In the current health care plan, this is a HUGE issue! Is life going to be protected? I think that from what I can tell......this is an area where there has been tremendous misinformation and even deliberate distortion of what is REALLY in the bill. This bill provides for the strict segregation of funds that cover abortions from federal funds. It also requires insurance companies to have an annual audit of this segregation of funds that is overseen by the state Commissioner of Insurance. Our taxes are not really going to be pouring into a thriving abortion culture! In many ways it seems (and I am NOT an expert here) that the dreaded “Obamacare” actually goes further than current law by offering positive economic supports to vulnerable pregnant women so that they may more easily be able to choose life for their unborn children and know that they will have the help they need when their child is born!!!! I believe this will actually DECREASE abortion rates.
This is a divisive issue I know. And it is a BIG DEAL. But let’s at least try and find common ground here. There are some things we can ALL agree on! I assume that all Christians agree that health care is a good thing, and that we should want as many people to be able to have as much of it as they need. All Christians, I think, would agree that there’s a difference between that goal, and a particular political policy intended to achieve that goal. We should want policies that help give rise to more access to good health care for more people, without violating other important Christian principles and creating worse problems. And if we follow two thousand years of Christian teaching, Christians should agree that any law that creates positive incentives for abortion and forces people to (effectively) fund abortion for others, while pretending to do otherwise, is unjust.
p.s. (thanks to the latest Relevant Magazine in providing many of these quotes and stats for me)
Most of you know me and know that my political views are often considered more liberal than my peers. But I REALLY try to think for myself and look at things with open eyes and through the lens of Christ. The last few years this has forced me to rethink many things.
I struggle with the open rebellion, especially by folks of faith against health care reform. It seems to me that any system which leaves MILLIONS without healthcare needs to be reconsidered….ESPECIALLY by folks of faith. So I was hoping we could have an intelligent conversation about health care here. Here are some thoughts top start the talk:
Regardless of what you think...this issue IS a moral issue! Christians should be concerned about the good of all individuals. Good health is something we should want everyone to have and health care is one of the ways we maintain good health. And when we look at the world around us, it is also a scarce good—the demand very much exceeds the supply. So figuring out how best to see to it that people get quality health care is a legitimate moral concern, and a real concern for Christians. The way I see it...UNIVERSAL care is the only answer.
No person of good will opposes health care. So, the real issues are MUCH more specific: Who is primarily responsible for the health care of individuals and families? How ought laws and institutions be arranged to make quality health care available to people? How do we encourage innovation in health care? How ought tax and economic policy be arranged to achieve the goal of quality, affordable health care for all who want it?
The argument I hear the most is that it is not the governments job to pay for this! The church should do more! While I agree this would be awesome, it is not happening. The only organization large enough to really make a difference here is our Federal government! Why the sudden uproar? Both parties support Medicare and Medicaid and Social Security without nationwide rallies and revolts??? So they must agree that it is appropriate for the government to play a role in providing for the fundamental needs of its citizens in certain situations, and health care seems to be one of them. In fact, providing health care for citizens who cannot afford it is not only the morally right thing to do, it is the economically smart thing to do since numerous studies and economists have proven that emergency room care and other care for non-insured individuals costs the average American about $1,000 in insurance costs per year. Churches play a role in caring for the needy—but they can only provide charity to the extent that they can and it is a limited role for churches. Yet, I truly believe the government should be a “giver of justice” and providing health care for all Americans seems the right thing to do.
Obviously the new plan is not perfect. There are flaws. As a person of faith, I ALWAYS have to be concerned with the right to life, and the issue of abortion. In the current health care plan, this is a HUGE issue! Is life going to be protected? I think that from what I can tell......this is an area where there has been tremendous misinformation and even deliberate distortion of what is REALLY in the bill. This bill provides for the strict segregation of funds that cover abortions from federal funds. It also requires insurance companies to have an annual audit of this segregation of funds that is overseen by the state Commissioner of Insurance. Our taxes are not really going to be pouring into a thriving abortion culture! In many ways it seems (and I am NOT an expert here) that the dreaded “Obamacare” actually goes further than current law by offering positive economic supports to vulnerable pregnant women so that they may more easily be able to choose life for their unborn children and know that they will have the help they need when their child is born!!!! I believe this will actually DECREASE abortion rates.
This is a divisive issue I know. And it is a BIG DEAL. But let’s at least try and find common ground here. There are some things we can ALL agree on! I assume that all Christians agree that health care is a good thing, and that we should want as many people to be able to have as much of it as they need. All Christians, I think, would agree that there’s a difference between that goal, and a particular political policy intended to achieve that goal. We should want policies that help give rise to more access to good health care for more people, without violating other important Christian principles and creating worse problems. And if we follow two thousand years of Christian teaching, Christians should agree that any law that creates positive incentives for abortion and forces people to (effectively) fund abortion for others, while pretending to do otherwise, is unjust.
p.s. (thanks to the latest Relevant Magazine in providing many of these quotes and stats for me)
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Reading Roar
We like to read in our home. My youngest, Haddie, is really in to "reading aloud" right now! So, I took this amazingly cute video! Sorry it is sideways. She is reading "How to Train Your Dragon", which I'd just read to her older siblings.....hence the BIG voice and roars....
Enjoy:
Enjoy:
Thursday, April 8, 2010
From the Mouth of Babes.......
I recently read an amazing story in the news about a brave young man in Chicago named Luis Reteguin, who saved his mom from a dangerous attacker. One evening, at 1 a.m., a man armed with a knife entered their home. Luis and his mother happened to be awake (why??????), while his younger sister and older brother were asleep (pbviously the smart ones). At the time, Luis thought it was his father since he usually arrived home at that hour from a graveyard shift. The intruder even opened the door to Luis's room, something his father usually did at that hour, but did not come in, most likely due to the lamp that was turned on. It wasn't until his mother began screaming that Luis realized something was wrong. Courageously, and without even thinking about it, he ran to his mother's room and saw a man attacking his mom with a knife. What fear he must have felt! Luis immediately jumped on the man and began punching him. What a kid! The man of course, began to fight back, and turned his rage on the boy . Breaking free, Luis ran to the kitchen and called the police. At this point, the attacker became scared and fled the house. Everyone was scarred, scared and quite shaken up, but this young mans courage, strength, and quick-thinking saved his mom's life!
We love stories like this. I am sure you will hear it soon on Oprah, or the made for TV version starring Chad Lowe and Rick Scroeder……But, these stories do capture our imaginatiosn and hearts. This inspirational story reminded me of a lesson I easily forget, despite learning it over and over. It reminded me just how much our kids are capable of! While it is often easy to shrug off their ideas, or their interruptions into our “adult conversations”, I have found that some of the deepest and soul stirring theological discussions I have ever been involved in often involve my kids! I am reminded that we need to remember, God uses EVERYTHING to teach us…..including our young people! KIDS TEACH US A LOT ABOUT LIFE.
I believe God gave us children to help us know Him better. They are newer to this world and are not weighed down by race, greed, materialism, politics, or other belief systems. In their innocence they are uncorrupted by the world. We on the other hand, are scarred and dirtied, and have forgotten many important things that dwell in the shadows of such purity and innocence. It is the purity of children that enables us to clearly see the blessings and wonder of the world. I was reminded of this on Tuesday as me and my kids had the best hour we’d had in weeks as we chased bubbles outside on a sunny day! We didn’t need the XBOX, or fancy toys. We needed a $.99 bottle of bubbles and happy and pure souls! Jesus understood this, chastising his friends for trying to dismiss children trying to see Him as a nuisance or a bother. It is so true that “out of the mouth of babes come gems”.
If you are not yet doing so, get plugged in to learn from the kiddos here at West Main. Volunteer in Children’ Worship. Teach a class or work the nursery. Sign up to work VBS or Camp. I can promise you that you’ll be blessed, and not only will you teach….you will learn.
We love stories like this. I am sure you will hear it soon on Oprah, or the made for TV version starring Chad Lowe and Rick Scroeder……But, these stories do capture our imaginatiosn and hearts. This inspirational story reminded me of a lesson I easily forget, despite learning it over and over. It reminded me just how much our kids are capable of! While it is often easy to shrug off their ideas, or their interruptions into our “adult conversations”, I have found that some of the deepest and soul stirring theological discussions I have ever been involved in often involve my kids! I am reminded that we need to remember, God uses EVERYTHING to teach us…..including our young people! KIDS TEACH US A LOT ABOUT LIFE.
I believe God gave us children to help us know Him better. They are newer to this world and are not weighed down by race, greed, materialism, politics, or other belief systems. In their innocence they are uncorrupted by the world. We on the other hand, are scarred and dirtied, and have forgotten many important things that dwell in the shadows of such purity and innocence. It is the purity of children that enables us to clearly see the blessings and wonder of the world. I was reminded of this on Tuesday as me and my kids had the best hour we’d had in weeks as we chased bubbles outside on a sunny day! We didn’t need the XBOX, or fancy toys. We needed a $.99 bottle of bubbles and happy and pure souls! Jesus understood this, chastising his friends for trying to dismiss children trying to see Him as a nuisance or a bother. It is so true that “out of the mouth of babes come gems”.
If you are not yet doing so, get plugged in to learn from the kiddos here at West Main. Volunteer in Children’ Worship. Teach a class or work the nursery. Sign up to work VBS or Camp. I can promise you that you’ll be blessed, and not only will you teach….you will learn.
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