THIS BLOG IS MOVING !!!

I'm tired of the myspace blog feature...which really doesn't allow much freedom or creativity.

Visit my new blogsite at:  http://dan-mayes.blogspot.com

DONT FORGET THE DASH!

There is a danmayes.blogspot.com and it is not me!

7:11 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Second Chances

This weekend my wife and kids went up to spend the Easter holiday with my in-laws.  The kids enjoyed seeing their grandparents and I enjoyed some time alone.

I spent Friday inside...I had planned on fixing a section of fence around our yard...but with the unseasonably late snow I had an excuse to give the Playstation some attention.

Saturday was a day of work.  Our front landscaping around the house looked awful, so I spent the day re-doing it.  It was a much more laborious job than I had planned.  But now it looks good.  And I had the satisfaction of a hard day's labor, toiling with my hands in the dirt, and a job well done.  I don't have all of the plants planted...with the freezing every night it's not the best time.  But my work-in-progress is much better than it used to be.  Our landscaping has a new lease on life, and will eventually be even better.

Our Easter services were incredible.  We celebrated several baptisms and even had a 22 piece orchestra-ensemble along with the choir.  It made for an incredible time worshipping God and celebrating our second chances.

Second chances....

That's what the Christian faith is all about. 

I was still thinking about that when I got home Sunday afternoon.  I looked outside at my yard and saw the beautiful new creation out there.  Something I made...something I remade.  And I'm proud of the transformation that has come about.

I wonder if that's how God feels when we are transformed...when we are re-made.  Easter got me to thinking about this.  Faith in the resurrected Christ gives us the opportunity to start over with life...to be made new.  Like the landscaping, we're not quite finished.  There are seeds of growth and change still to be planted in our lives, when the time is right.  But we have a new lease on life, and we'll eventually be even better.

11:54 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Taking me too seriously

Someone recently suggested to me that the tagline to this blog, "Dismantling bad theology one CCM artist at a time," is innappropriate because of it's attacking nature towards well-intended people.

In response, I can understand how it could be viewed that way.  But, come on.  It's sarcasm.   Get a sense of humor!

For the record, I have not posted anything negative about any CCM artist on this page.  As a matter of fact, there are a few CCM artists I actually like, though not many.  And although I do find better theology in a lot of secular music than I do in most CCM music, (and though my own experience with the Christian music industry has proven to me that it's just as profit-driven and shallow as the secular music industry, if not even more so) I probably will continue to not post negative comments about CCM music.

Here's a word of advice for the future about my blog:  If I write something that has meaning and value to you, claim it.  If I write something that you disagree with, don't stew about it!  And don't automatically assume that it's meant to be serious.  A lot of times you'll find I'm just being sarcastic or that I'm talking in hyperbole...if you want clarification, just ask.  And if I write something that you disagree with...good for the both of us!  No one ever said we have to agree to be able to respect and care for each other.

9:34 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Interview

So I did an interview for the Tulsa World today, that will be out in this coming Sunday's paper (April 8) in the religion section.  The question was about whether or not people still carry on the tradition of dressing way up on Easter, and if they do, why they do.

My answer was of course about the nature of Easter.  Easter is the most important holiday in the Christian year.  Although consumerism has thrust Christmas to the forefront of the public spotlight, Easter is the REAL deal.  On Easter we celebrate the resurrection, the completed work of Christ, and our new life.  I said people dress way up out of celebration and out of a sense of the closure of Lent.  In lent we're to be reflective and frugal, contemplating the life, teachings, and especially the last week of Jesus.  On Easter, we celebrate the joyous new beginning.

I know for some it's a fashion show.  For some it's the only Sunday they'll darken the doors of a church this year so they want to make it count.  But don't be too hard on those folks...at least they're there. 

I did, however, share that the tradition of up-dressing is waining a bit.  I think churches are starting to wake up to the fact that the behavior is a bit intimidating for people new to the scene...and that you can worship God and celebrate no matter what you're wearing.

But this is my soapbox, so I get to repeat myself whenever I want.  I'm glad I got this opportunity to repeat to you that: Easter is the most important holiday in the Christian year.  Let's make it that way.  Be joyful for what God has done and share that joy with others...no matter what you're wearing.

7:27 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Politics change everything...perhaps

So I read today that the Supreme Court made a great decision!  They finally ruled that Carbon Dioxide and other pollutants are, in fact, air pollutants that affect global climate change.  Because of this decision, they are required to be addressed by the Clean Air Act.

Almost as quickly as the Roman Church apologized for condemning Galileo's discovery that the earth was round, the Supreme Court finally gave the White House and Congress some scientific accountability.  Now lets see if they address the needed changes as slowly as they did when the Supreme Court mandated integration of public schools.

This is good...but is it too little too late?

Because of politics too much time has already been wasted.  Too many campaign dollars have flowed into the pockets of politicians who write policies that protect their contributors, regardless of the affects on humanity and the rest of Creation.

But I hope this is the start of something good.  I hope this begins to signal to the public and to those who represent the public that looking out for the health and well-being of the world should be a much higher priority than looking out for the self interests of campaign contributors.

As people of faith we have responsibility to care for and maintain the world that God created.  In addition to our religious convictions, don't we owe our grandchildren a planet that can sustain them?  Our responsibility extends into our government.  Remember to watch the voting record of those you support.  And ask yourself...is this person looking out for my own best interest, and the best interest of the rest of humanity?  Or is this person looking out for the profit margins of those who finance their campaign commercials? 

You know what you should do...

As Ralph Nader reminds us...

"Are you ready to bring your conscience with you every day?"

9:15 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Restored Relationships
Current mood: cheerful

So is the grass really greener?

Probably not.

Perspective changes everything.

One thing I've learned in the past two weeks is that appreciation and fame are all matters of perspective.  I've experienced a struggling relationship with a few people in my life during the past two years.  But during the last few weeks, we all got to experience what a bad relationship was REALLY like when a very difficult person came into our sphere.  I know from this I learned to appreciate those around me more, not just because there could be worse, but also because their uniqueness and giftedness was exposed by my encounter with the difficult one.  As a result, I also felt more appreciation from the others.

Is this perhaps a way God works?

We're used to saying that God is the light...and that God sheds light into darkness to expose the truth.

But couldn't God also be present in the darkness?  I think very possibly, in this recent situation, that God shed some darkness upon our situation in order to reveal to us how much brilliant light was already present.

Does this make God responsible for bad things happening?  I'm not really trying to go there...  Does this mean God makes bad things happen to force you to appreciate the good things?  I'm not trying to go there either.  Those are both really good, difficult questions for another day.

Where I am going is here:  that God works very dilligently to restore all situations, if only we'll allow it and be perceptive to it.  This is what I think Paul is talking about in Romans 8:28 when he says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

May you find redemption in both your brightest and darkest of times.

3:37 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Name

So we've chosen a name for the new one.  Nathan Henri.  Due date is July 24.  Guess of that means we're having a boy...I forgot to post that, I think.  Been dealing with a major plumbing nightmare at my house.  It's costing me somewhere around $1500. 

8:48 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Tonsilectomy

My three year old son had his tonsils removed yesterday...and it got me to thinking.

We can remove infected tonsils and prevent them from further harming other parts of the body.

Why can't the same thing happen in the Church body?

Oh yeah, if we did that, we'd likely wind up with just a gall bladder and hairy big toe and not much else.

2:07 PM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Karma Police
Current mood: excited

I'm on the lookout for the Karma Police, and I'm not talking about the Radiohead song.

Today I found out that I won Bank of Oklahoma's official drawing for their Super Bowl giveaway.  Myself and a guest (sorry, already filled) are going to Miami for 5 days to the Super Bowl.  We get free airfare, tickets, NFL experience (autograph opp.), hotel, spending money, and we get to go on the field during halftime...Even though he's cooky, it'd be really cool to see Prince live. 

This is incredible.  This sort of stuff doesn't happen to me.

In December, I won a free multifunction printer.  The next day the Karma Police attacked.  My van broke down and caused an $800 repair bill. 

So are the Karma Police after me?  And if so, what am I in for?  If a $79 printer caused an $800 van malfunction...what's a $12K Super Bowl trip going to do to me?  Just in case, the insurance premiums are paid up, cars are parked in the garage, and the smoke detectors have new batteries.

7:57 PM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Cancelling Church

We cancelled worship services at my church for this weekend because of the ice storm.  I drove down to the church today to check out the roads.  My usual 10 minute drive to 45 minutes and I passed by plenty of wrecks.

Still I was asked, "You're cancelling Church?  Does God cease to exist because there's an ice storm?"

The easy answer is "no."  But there's a "but." 

Even when there's an ice storm God still exists and is still deserving and desirous of our worship...but that doesn't mean it has to be at church.  You see, God created us to be this community that lives together, worships together, loves and cares for each other, is responsible to and for each other.  Should we feel guilty about cancelling church?  No.  We can take that time out for God by worshipping God in the way we care for our families at home.  And perhaps we can have some real "Sabbath" time the way God intended it.  And perhaps God will be pleased with our desire to care for each other's safety and well being. 

When the ice storm comes...stay home and sleep.

Enjoy time with your family and with your God.

By the way, taking an offering is not a valid reason to put the safety of your congregation at risk, either.

8:27 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Snow Days
Current mood: cranky

One snow day is great...a peaceful relaxation comes to visit.  We get a little more time to spend with family.  More time to spend with God.  And, of course, we enjoy some much needed sleep: a vacation from the tiresome drain of work.

Two snow days are a curse.  There's so much time.  You start to realize how much time you don't spend with your family and how much time you don't spend with God.  You start wishing the work week was only 4 days, perhaps even only 1 day.  And so you spend some time in bed.  Perhaps you spend a little time with God.  Then you spend more time in bed feeling guilty about not spending more time with God.  Then you promise to take the kids sledding, only to realize that Walmart, Target, and Toys R Us don't have any sleds.  They'll get some in around February, when we won't get any snow, just bitter, pointless cold.

I'm ready to return.

6:59 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Upon the conception of a new child
Current mood: tired

I have been accused of trying to create a dynasty of offspring that will one day control the various governments of the earth.

Sounds nice and all, but 4 is enough for me.  It's not too many, not too few. 

If I am trying to create a dynasty of any sort it's going to be a small militant dynasty of PK's whose sole purpose in life is to drive as many teachers, Sunday school workers, babysitters, and people in the grocery story crazy as possible.

Now we're searching for names.  I like "Nathan" for a boy.  I'm undecide on girl names.

Michele likes "Eden" for a girl.  She's undecided on boy names.

We'll have to duke it out, eventually, unless you all give us some ideas.

6:54 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Good Movie
Current mood: busy

I saw a great movie this week...

The Prestige...

It's been a long time since I saw a good movie.  I think it's because the only things that really sell are hopelessy shallow plot lines, pointless violence and nudity, and the latest soundtrack.  Is it that American's are too impatient and shallow to get complicated lines and to allow suspense to build?  Are American's too shallow and ignorant to be able to understand complicated metaphors and universal themes?  Is the Dukes of Hazzard the best there is?

Or is it that we need an escape?

Or is it that they're insulting our intelligence and refuse to make good material?

Or is it Hollywood that's too shallow and ignorant?

Whatever the case...go watch The Prestige.  Good stuff.  Not for the shallow or impatient.

5:06 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Why does church suck?
Current mood: tired

This is a question I was asked recently: "Why does church suck so much?"

What do you mean?  is the appropriate response.

But whatever the response is...it always comes back to one thing...people.

If it's an issue about the music...people and their issues are behind it.  If it's an issue about relevance...people and their fear of adaptation is behind it.  If it's an issue about timing, space, or just about anything else...people are behind it.

So why does Church suck so much?....because Church is people.

But the thing is...the very thing that makes Church suck so much is also the thing that makes it so great.  Any time you have an organization...such as the Church (capital C)...that is made up of human beings things are going to suck sometimes.  But the beauty of Church is that Jesus set it up so that sucking is okay.  Well, maybe not always okay, but at least expected.  Jesus left the important work of ministering to the world's people through the ages to us...to human beings.  And Jesus had to know what people would do to it. 

So through our ability to suck...we see Jesus' plans unfolding as expected...Not perfectly...but in our hands.

That's beautiful!  God left the power, the joy, the RESPONSIBILITY to us and didn't do it all for us...and didn't make Jesus do it all for us.  God trusted us, knew that we would suck sometimes...and decided to go ahead and work through us anyway.

That's grace.

8:28 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Online Friendship
Current mood: contemplative

Nothing brings back the good old high school feelings of rejection like being rejected for online myspace friendship.  But what is online friendship, anyway?  A substitute for real human contact and interaction.  A substitute for that safe place we find in other human beings.  Friends are the ones we share our secrets with, our joys, our lives...but no longer is this a mutual relationship.  If you say something I don't like...or if I want to say something I don't want you to know about...I can just delete you.  Delete you.  Delete a human being.  Has our need for relationships turned into such a self-serving purpose?  Have we as a society become completely incapable of interacting with other people in a real, honest, authentic way...accepting the good stuff along with all the crap?  Apparently not.  I'm glad God doesn't myspace.  Or perhaps he does.  Much like God, our friend Tom never rejects anyones friendship.  Unless, of course, you get yourself kicked off...something God would never do.

Consider the friendships...if they are delete-able are they even real?  If they are self-serving in nature are they really accomplishing anything?  If they're to be hidden, what's the purpose?  Isn't the reality of direct human interaction what we were created for?

3:31 PM - 5 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment