GlocalNet

When I was 15 I began to preach - this is the first church I preached at, Harris Chapel Methodist Church.  There’s a lot of talk about “simple” church and “house” church - but as I was home over the weekend and reflecting I was stunned at how many of the things some people want the church to be today, in many ways, it was yesterday.  No one would have called them house churches - but look at all four of these buildings - they were all the size of a small, very small house.  Each will hold only about 75, if that many, packed out.  This church is on the trail that opened up Louisiana to New Mexico - running right through Lindale, Texas.

This church is around the corner from where my wife grew up, Sabine Methodist Church.  Her step-sister is buried here.  The church was in the neighborhood - you walked to it - you didn’t drive half-way across town.  The people were your friends in worship - not people you didn’t know or weren’t tied to during the week.  They really did “do life” together!  They had to - or they’d die.  Whatever people needed - they provided it.  In a sense all churches were community churches and missional.

This is St. Mary’s Baptist Church - the African American church in Lindale.  I remember when having finished preaching at Harris Chapel Methodist one Sunday me and 2 football buddies drove over to the church and sat in the back and worshipped.  The preacher began to preach loud and say, “We knew one day white folk would come and sit together in worship.”  I didn’t have a clue about civil rights and minorities - I was white, and in East Texas - life couldn’t be better - for me.  That one experience would one day have a profound impact on how I thought about race and justice, not just in the world, but in the place I grew up in.

This is Bethesda Presbyterian Church, where my wife’s mother and baby sister are buried.  Last weekend we had a family gathering around the corner.  JB Hicks still goes there - 87 …

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My daughter Jill is in Vietnam for the summer working at our NGO Glocal Ventures.  You can visit the site at glocalventures.org.  She’s having a blast.  We learned to do “SKYPE” and have been skyping and it’s just a blast.  There’ s something about seeing someone’s face when you talk to them. 

I was so proud of her.  Her flights were all screwed up but she made it, and, though a lot later than anticipated, she arrived and is settled in.  She called me “Hanoi” time Sunday morning - Saturday night here, to wish me happy Father’s Day.  She rocks!!!

It’s a pretty significant thing when, as a pastor, church members name their children after you.  I’ve never had that happen.  However, this past week, I had a goat named after me.  Kinda got to me if you know what I mean - I love them Byrd kids! 

Matt is right on.  This is what I was saying yesterday.  I’m always asked how did our church get so missional and global . . . where are your sermon series on that, etc., The answer is by doing it - it isn’t found in a class - it’s found in the field.  Matt ties this to his small group ministry and it’s really good.  Proud of you Matt - keep rockin’ little Texas bro!

THE SHOW - for May 19, 2009 - Guest Matt Carter from Todd Rhoades on Vimeo.

Cody comes to the Revive program at NorthWood for special needs children.  You have to watch this video.  I have always believed, a society should be judged - not by what it does with it’s most gifted, but by what it does with its most challenged.  I also believe those “most challenged” often wind up showing those “least challenged” what life is all about and how to tackle it.  Proud of you Cody!!!!!
http://www.teamcody.com/

Whether you agree with his politics or not – no if ands or buts about it – President Jimmy Carter is a very, very sharp man.  He knows his stuff – so if you disagree with him – you’d better know yours.  He doesn’t speak from opinion or preference when it comes to international affairs, but history, accords, maps – all of it.  I was with him and a small group of people, of which Ron Sider was there, Lynne Hybels, Jim Wallis, Ambassador Andrew Young, Greg Khahil and others.  We were talking about the whole Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 

Obviously, I was there because of domain engagement and what that can look like for churches in terms of people-to-people projects, etc.  I also met with some churches that want to work there and are trying to get our tracks laid so others can follow.  It’s exciting.  President Carter told me he’d like to come to our church and hear me preach – I told him “No way, I want you to come and preach.” 

Been thinking a lot about inter-faith – the word describing how we relate to other faiths.  I think there are three words that have described its evolution, and a fourth I would propose.  There were Muslims and Jews with us – and we spoke on interfaith. 

First, in reflecting since the meeting, historically people have focused on “My Faith.”  All the world is see through my personal faith, values, and worldview.  My agenda is to get every person to see life through my lens.  Even though people try that – it hasn’t happened in the history of humanity.

Second, “One Faith.”  This was the idea of universalists and liberals – we are all on the same path.  All roads lead to God.  This is still advanced by an older, declining group in interfaith circles.  The goal is minimize our differences, come around where we can agree, and hopefully build a kind of “human faith” that all religions subscribe to.

Third, “Inter-faith.”  Historically, as I’ve heard Eboo Patel talk about and others with his organization, it meant liberalism and syncretism.  Not anymore.  It’s beyond tolerance, and even respect, to collaboration.  How do we work together in this world?

My next book will be release real soon, but I need your help! First, what do you think about the two cover options? Really, I want your help with this.  Cover A or cover B?

Also, the current tag line is “Impact the world for Christ right where you are” - I don’t like it.  It sounds too much like you don’t have to move with God to reach the world.  Here’s one idea I had - “Transform the world doing what you do with the love of Christ” I don’t know… Give me your ideas!

Jill, this is the little girl that cracks me up - she’s so sweet - sunglasses helps her worship!

This is “Zoom” - he’s one of the new exchange students from Hanoi - he turned 17 Sunday and we ate at a Mexican restaurant - he’s an awesome young man.  This year there are 9 from Hanoi - they’re all smart, sharp, promising, and we are glad they are with us!!!  He reminds Nikki and I a lot of Ti - he’s absolutely wonderfully crazy and funny!

Jill, here are some potential men who love God, are real Chineese but grew up in Malaysia - keep them on your potential possibilty list - don’t forget what I’ve always told you - marry Chineese - they are about to rule the world - and finish the Great Commission!

I LOVED Pepperdine University.  It’s not a university - it’s a resort!  It is on the cliffs of Malibu, California - wow - I’d never have made it there.  I’d be too busy hiking in the mountains or on the beach.  There was great response to my “talk” and afterwards I had a lot of college students come up talking to me about what they were looking at doing globally and how integrate their faith with it.  I also met some of the college kids who were involved in different global projects.  I really was blown away by the school and the student body.  Dr. Charles Hall is Dean of the international programs and he gets it.  He’s assembled a great team of people to drive his department.  We ate on the beach at some place called Dukes - we watched the dophins in the ocean and ate Mahi Mahi on our plate!  Thanks for a great time Charles. 

OK, I’ll write more serious blogs later - just catching up for now. 

Who would think labor day would be such an incredible weekend for a church but it was for us.  You have to go to the http://www.northwoodchurch.org web-site and listen to the message - he was given a standing ovation.  Later in the evening he talked about men and marriage and leadership and it was awesome.  We love you John Jenkins!

There’s been a whole lot of people meet Jesus this weekend at NorthWood - baptized a lot of people - saw God do some cool stuff.  Great worship service with Mazhar - just an incredible weekend.  There’s no one that has been a greater blessing to me personally than Ric Burkhardt.  He was trained as a wrestler under the Von Erick’s - and then became a referee.  He’s been on TV shows and lots of other things - also on the pay per view matches.  A couple of years ago he accepted Christ as his personal savior.  He turned 50 last week and I got to go to his party.  This is me and him - in another picture I got to visit with 2 other young guys that are wrestlers that were out of their costumes!  I’ve seen them fight before - they put on one incredible show.  Danny Matthews is on the left and on the right is Scott McKenzie.  I still don’t get it all - they have matches with no rules no holds barred - so why do you need a ref Rick?!!!!  Happy birthday man - glad you and I are in the same family!

Today is the last day I will go in to my office and be working with Mrs. Johnnie Morgan.  Obviously I’m sad about it.  For the past 9 years she has been my executive assistant.  I will forever be grateful.  No matter where I go around the world, or people that I meet with, she always is brought up by others.  She’s a class act.  She can deal with the most needy or the most powerful in any situation or place.  She has been here as the ministry has grown substantially and grown with it.  She’s always ahead of the game, always on top if not in front of things.  She’s rare and will be missed by me significantly. Thank you Johnnie for all you mean to me, my family, NorthWood, and the kingdom of God.  You’re the best -

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