Archive for November, 2007
Long Before the Manger
November 26, 2007 – 8:00 amSeveral years ago, a mentor and friend encouraged us to do something that’s stayed with us ever since. “I want you to remember to pause often and long before the manger.”
Just the thought of his words cause us to be still and quiet, as though we were actually bending our knees beside the cradle of a sleeping baby Jesus. Part of our response is the sympathetic response of a parent who knows the stirring in our hearts when we see our own babies sleeping peacefully.
Part of our response is reverence for the sheer notion that our eyes are beholding Emmanuel, God with us.
We know very well that not everybody observes Jesus’ birth the same way we do, but we hope we can all embrace, at least acknowledge, the ideal represented by Christmas. Emmanuel is the evidence of God’s love for humankind, and Christmas is the keynote of His Kingdom:
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
If last week is any indicator of how busy we can become during this holiday season, we’re compelled to pass along the same advice - again - as did our friend several years ago, “We want you to remember to pause often and long before the manger.”
In Jesus,
John & Lisa Van Cleef, Captains
Administrators
Korean Hopscotch
November 20, 2007 – 12:00 pmKroc Center kids drew up a design for hopscotch like they played in Korea and volunteers quickly put the plan into action.
Out of the thousands of volunteer hours invested in Kaboom!’s massive one-day field renovation project at the Kroc Center, some of the best were spent right here on the sidewalk, making these kids’ dreams a colorful reality!
Dinner is Served
November 19, 2007 – 8:00 amMy first and only duty station during my tour in the U.S. Army was in Panama. Panama is a beautiful country, but I was lost and alone. My life was isolated to Fort Davis. My friends and co-workers were one and the same. Our work shifts were 12 hours long - day or night - and we often worked 30 days without a break.
Somewhere during this madness - this fatiguing, demanding, relentless madness - I met the Cochran family. They were an American family who’d lived in Panama for over 25 years: their parents worked for the Panama Canal Commission, and their kids were my age. They were kind and a refreshing departure from the norm.
One day, some nine months after my arrival in Panama, the Cochrans spontaneously invited me over for dinner. The thought of a home-cooked, non-mess hall set my taste buds a dreamin’! Steak, corn and potatoes? BBQ Chicken with baked beans? How about a good, old fashioned hamburger?
Dinner was served, and Mrs. Cochran apologetically delivered a simple bowl of split pea soup.
She didn’t know split pea soup was/is my favorite soup; and three bowls later she was convinced her hospitality and generosity was more than good enough. It was perfect! It was more than anything I could have asked for or imagined. It reminded me of home, renewed my heart and restored my strength.
In a similar way, we’ve been going through a period of madness - fatiguing, demanding, relentless madness. We have operational goals we’re meeting, programs we’re developing, and - more importantly - people we’re serving. This past month has claimed our sleep and required every ounce of energy and passion.
And it’s in the midst of this madness I pray you’ll find your bowl of split pea soup. I hope it will remind you of what’s most important, renew your heart, and restore your strength.
God bless you.
John Van Cleef, Captain
Administrator
Aesop’s Fables Used in Worship (Audio AND Video)
November 18, 2007 – 10:30 amConnecting the gospel message with the language of the culture has always been a challenging task for His messengers. While Aesop’s Fables are no longer in the forefront of our minds, the essence of storytelling and narrative to communicate values remains an essential.
Here’s our take on using ancient parables to reveal ancient values to a modern world. The first four were used in conjunction with music; the fifth was at the end of the message.
The Deer and the Hunter/Draw Me Close [3:53m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
The Ant and the Chrysalis/I See the Lord [3:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
The Bear and the Hunters/I Could Sing of Your Love Forever [1:57m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
The Fox and the Grapes [1:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
The Miser [1:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Fable #1: The Deer and the Hunter
Features the 1st in a series of Aesop’s Fables used during worship on November 18, 2007 at the Kroc Church PLUS an excerpt from the worship song “Draw Me Close.”
Fable #2: The Ant and the Chrysalis
Features the 2nd in a series of Aesop’s Fables used during worship on November 18, 2007 at the Kroc Church PLUS an excerpt from the worship song “I See the Lord.”
Fable #3: The Bear and The Hunters
Features the 3rd in a series of Aesop’s Fables used during worship on November 18, 2007 at the Kroc Church PLUS an excerpt from the worship song “I Could Sing of Your Love Forever.”
Fable #4: The Fox and the Grapes
Features the 4th in a series of Aesop’s Fables used during worship on November 18, 2007 at the Kroc Church.
Fable #5: The Miser (The Hidden Treasure)
Features the 5th in a series of Aesop’s Fables used during worship on November 18, 2007 at the Kroc Church.
National Anthem at the Kroc Center
November 16, 2007 – 7:15 pmThe National Anthem sung by Ashley Penn of the Kroc Center, along with footage leading up to the first point of the game when the San Diego Wildcats scored against rival ABA Team LA Push.
More about the San Diego Wildcats at http://www.sandiegowildcats.com/
More about the ABA at http://www.abalive.com/
Ashley works at the entrance to the Gym and learned how to sing in church - great job, Ashley!
Running Grunion Double Feature
November 8, 2007 – 6:00 pmIncludes two awesome stories: “The Beach Boys” and “How I Got My Name.” Enjoy!
