To Give Your Son a Swirly…

Yeah, probably not a good idea.  Especially if he is 18 months old, definitely not a good idea.  But still, there are times when my greatest desire is to communicate my displeasure to him with something water filled and porcelain.

Does that make me a bad parent?

No, I haven’t done it…

Will it be ok when he’s a teenager?

No, never mind.

Anyway, I’ve been reading Welcome to My Brain [dot] Net for some time now.  She is a friend from college.  She’s grown into a wonderful mother, with such great advice.  She’s been blessed with RAD issues.  Errr… perhaps not the best way to say that.

Reactive Attachment Disorder

She and her husband have adopted children with RAD issues.  Yeah, that is probably a better way to say that.

She is my hero when it comes to parenting?  I read her blog consistently, because it reminds me how blessed I am to be a part of the family I’m in.  I’m sure she feels the same way, completely blessed in her situation.

I’ve found an unexpected side affect to reading about such awesome parenting.  I’m embarrassed to ask questions, or for help, when it comes to my own parenting experience.

“Surely, I have no problems that come even close to that of other families!”

That’s a true statement.

“My kid is wonderful compared to <insert just about any name of any kid in town>.”

Yep, I feel that way.  I can’t begin to tell you how truly blessed I feel.

But, that doesn’t help me figure out how to be a better father.  For instance, we are trying to teach him to not throw things, nor act out by slapping (literally, anything that is within reach) when we tell him, “No, do not throw <insert object>.”  He looks at me, gives me just about the most disdainful look I’ve ever beheld, and slaps (Palm-Heel strike anyone?) the coffee table.  I’m not sure, but I think he may have also stamped a foot as well.  The little brat toot.

So, for those that have made it successfully through the pre-two years, any advice?

Tim

p.s. I gain more respect for my mother every day.  It’s a miracle that she let me live/kept me alive into adulthood.

Social Networking to help…

…people that need jobs.

Ok, so I have this little blog.  It also happens to post to my Facebook “Notes,” so that my “friends” can see it.  I started thinking about social networking, and some of the good that can come from it.

I have at least four church members that lost their jobs within the last year to 3 months.

One gentleman is a little older, not really a spring chicken any more, but also isn’t ready for retirement for another 15-20 years or so.  He has a masters in Communications (think: technical stuff related to movies, commercials, etc.).  He also has a Master’s degree in Social work (w/out the practicum hours), and an undergrad degree in economics.  The guy is smart! Oh, and somewhat of a computer geek, but you didn’t hear that from me.

Would anyone out there be able to use an extremely nice, yet candid, and intelligent person like this in your company/business?

I also have a couple of young 20-somethings in need of employment as well.  One is a male in his mid to early twenties, with the majority of work experience being in the gas fields here in Fort Worth.  He is very conscientious and thoughtful.  He’s pondered a call to ministry before (student ministry), so if there is a church willing to hire an intern I would love to speak with you.  He doesn’t have a college degree, but I’m sure that he’ll see the need after spending a year in your fellowship.

I have a young lady (single mom) in need of a position.  Her dream job was working in Childcare, but she is willing to work for anyone that will train her.  Other than childcare, her main work experience has been in the fast food industry (Chili’s, etc.).

Finally, I have a guy in his thirties looking for a position.  His main work experience has been in the area of construction.  Even though he’s worked in many areas of home building, his most experience was found in the cabnitry shop.  Nice guy with a wife and two children to take care of.  He’s a quick learner and a hard worker.

All of these people live in the Fort Worth area.  If anyone can help, please let me know at: tim_dahl@hotmail.com

Tim

New Things

So, I added a couple of pages to my little part of the blogosphere.  First, you may notice the “On Calling and Ministry” page.  It is pretty much self explanatory.

You’ll also see a page called “Tim’s Latest Sermon.”  My intent is to post last weeks sermon for people to listen to.  Granted, my ego isn’t that big.  I’ve asked some fellow ministers to critique my sermons.  I feel that I’ve gotten sloppy in my prep, and I value their input.

I’ve disabled the comments on those pages, to keep down the clutter.   If anyone desires to chime in, offering a helpful critique, feel free to email me at: tim_dahl@hotmail.com

Thanks,

Tim

Texas Baptist Offering for World Hunger…

One of the best things about the OWH is that it is so transparent.  They always make it easy for you to see exactly where your money goes.  People see where their money is going, and the type of impact it is likely to have.  No wonder that the OWH is up %39 over last year to date!

Here is one of their promotional videos.  Please, take a look and consider giving:

To help, contactJoyce Gilbreath at the Baptist Building, 333 North Washington, Dallas, TX 75246.You can call Joyce at 214-828-5172 or by email at joyce.gilbreath@bgct.org.

Thank you,

Tim Dahl

So I don’t forget…

Yes, this is a teaser (marketing tool) for an album release.  I’m not putting it here for that reason.  Instead, I’m putting it here so I don’t forget the truth found in it.

Tim

Bethany’s Surgery Update…

She came through her surgery wonderfully!  They now have her up on the floor with mom and dad.  She is drinking in spurts, not a whole lot at once.  It seems that it is painful to swallow at this moment, even with meds.  She should be discharged tomorrow,  putting her back into familiar surroundings.   Please, continue to pray for the family as she recovers.  She should be fully healed in 3-4 weeks.

Thank you,

Tim

Pray for Bethany…

Bethany is the 6mo old daughter of my youth minister.  She was born with a cleft palate, way back in the throat.  She will be undergoing surgery to repair the cleft palate tomorrow morning, Wednesday, July 1st.

Please be in prayer for Bethany as she goes through this surgery.  Luckily, she is so young that she will have no memory of this event.  Pray that the hands of the doctors will be sure and steady.

Also, pray for the family: Mom, dad, and big sister as they go through this with their daughter/sibling.  The stress is palpable, to say the least.  Pray that God’s presence will be with them through the event.  Pray that God will fill them with his peace in the midst of their anxiety.

Finally, pray for the recovery period.  I have no idea how long it will be.  She won’t be able to suck on anything, which we know is a primary source of comfort for an infant.

Thanks,

Tim

Ouroboros, Tail Devourer

There is something quite fascinating about the Ouroboros.  The idea of a serpent, or dragon, devouring itself touches that part of us that makes us shiver on dark nights.  With the exception of Christian circles, it has had a positive reputation.  Within ancient Christianity, it has taken on a less than stellar appeal.  It tends to symbolize the “limited confines of the material,” and the self-consuming transitory nature of this world.  It is seen as self-defeating in and of itself.  Some fantasy authors have picked it up as a symbol for evil.

I speak of it now because it so succinctly pictures Fundamentalism.  I happen to be affiliated with a group lead by fundamentalist leadership, the Southern Baptist Convention.  During my infancy the battle had begun, and by my early adult years the heavy handedness of the Fundamentalists had triumphed.

This explains quite a bit, actually.

While in college, I picked up a Mickey Mouse hat as a memento of a trip to Dallas with some good friends.  I wore it to class the next day, not knowing that SBC had passed a motion the day before boycotting Disney due to it’s percieved affirmation of homosexuality.  Throughout the years, it has always been something.  We’ve continued to do battle over various and sundry things.  This past meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention didn’t stray from history.

There were quite a few motions made against a non-Southern Baptist pastor named Mark Driscoll.  Poor guy has been labeled the “cussing pastor.”  He’s a guy on the west coast that pastors one of the few growing churches in America.  He also holds prominent position within the Acts29 church starting movement..or so I hear.  You see, he’s so far off my radar that the SBC rancor against him caught me by surprise. I know he’s a Reformed Theologian (read: Calvinist), but seriously, that is all I know about him.

People are being saved, churches are being planted, so what do we do?  We come after him with no less than five motions, as well as a shot from the podium.  Amazing.

The messengers also severed a 125 year relationship with a congregation over “perceived toleration” of homosexuality.  It seems that is the current sin the SBC is aligning itself against.  It used to be dancing, then it became alcohol.  I’ve often wondered why smoking, obesity, gossip and arrogance haven’t been brought before the chopping block…but, then I see the average SBCer, and I read their blog posts…and I come to see why.  Did the people making the motions not know that they were being streamed live for the world to see?  Makes a guy want to smack his how head in disbelief.

You see, Fundamentalism seems to only be able to frame itself as being against something.  It gains power in the fight, it gains momentum through indignation.  This is bereft of problems, but one glaringly stands out to me.  Sooner or later, you end up having no more enemies…and you start eating your own tail.  I believe that is what happened with the church relationship that was severed.  That is an example of the SBC starting to eat it’s own.

Will there be more?  You bet.  Will it be over homosexuality?  Maybe.  Probably not for long though.  Most SBC leaning churches won’t have “perceived toleration” of homosexuals in their midst.  We’ve taught them by our hate for quite some time that we are neither welcoming nor affirming.  We’ll go after the churches ordaining women next, most likely.  Next, we’ll take on churches that allow women to teach men in Sunday School.  That should keep our hate satiated for about a decade.  But, eventually, the legalism will kill us.  We’ll never make it to the point of severing ties with churches over  Gluttony and Arrogance.  To many proud, fat preachers out there.  But, we’ll continue to see a decline in our churches.  More will continue to close their doors.  We’ll become a more scarce commodity with no market.

And we will die.

Which is ok.  God’s Spirit is more obviously being poured out on other churches in other places.  His work won’t stop because we cease to exist.

Tim Dahl

The Slovenian Choir, Perpetuum Jazzile

Devotional Praying of Scripture

I’ve been impressed upon by the Lord that my prayer life bites.  It bites really bad, in the German Shepherd locked on your arm, won’t let go kind of way.

Part of my problem is the lack of diversity of my prayers.  I petition, then petition some more, and finally end up with a little dash of petition.

Just between you and me, I think God is bored.

Anyway, after doing a little research, it seems that prayer isn’t a natural function.  The guys that followed Jesus around had to be taught how to pray.  I figure, I at least need as much instruction as they did!  So, in the midst of this impression I was asked to attend a 1/2 day seminar on prayer.  It was put on by Mission24, which I believe is connected with International House of Prayer.  My buddy and I were some of the few non-Pentecostals there.  It was a powerful experience, to say the least.

The main point of the seminar was to teach/experience a way to pray  devotionaly with Scripture.

Notice, I said nothing about praying “through” Scripture.  I said nothing about repeating the Scripture back to God.  I’ve heard about that, and I’ve even practiced it a little bit.  Some have found great rewards, others haven’t.

The idea they were stressing was “soaking” in Scripture.  Taking a small part, just a single verse and sitting with it for about an hour.  They recommend doing it over a particular verse for a week.  The idea is to soak, not to get through it.  As a guy that “reads for mileage,” the soaking concept isn’t a natural one for me. The desired outcome is that 1) people have a one on one experience with God, and 2) are changed by that experience.

They shared a prayer outline with us.  These are seven basic steps to help you in praying the Scripture devotionally.

1. Read the verse silently to yourself. Read very slowly
2. Write the verse in your notebook or on a piece of paper.
3. Say the verse silently in your heart.  Speak slowly, lingering over each word.
4. Sing the verse in your heart to the Lord.
5. Pray the verse back to the Lord,  You may choose to write out your prayer.  This is where I had a question.  Surely they were talking about something more than recitation.  Yes, they were.  You personalize the verse. Break it down.  Speak to the Lord what that verse seems to be saying to you.  Thank him, ask for understanding, admit ignorance.  This is a very interactive portion.
6. Write down anything you believe the Lord is showing you.
7. Repeat steps 1-6 slowly and prayerfully until the allotted time is complete.

We practiced it for about 30 minutes using Ephesian 1.4.  It was a good meaningful experience.

Was this new to me?  Yes, and no.  I’ve done a bit of reading in the area of spiritual disciplines.  I’ve participated in covenant groups where prayer was given priority.  But, I’ve never actually been shown…actually taken step by step through, and allowed to practice a method that combines Scripture in a slow methodical way.

I aim to get together a group from my church to experiment with me in this.  We’ll see where it leads.

Tim