The Denver "mid-week" Mutter

Yeah, I'm having a burger at Buffalo Wild Wings here in Denver. Checking email, cause they have the free wifi. Can't forget the basket of wedges with ranch.

Class?
- The class is going very well, and it's great to rub shoulders with full-time pastors and missionaries like this. Exchanging ideas, stories, insights, frustrations... it's all very good. I'm enjoying dialogue with Tom from Indianapolis, James from Colorado Springs, and Matt from Denver.
- We also have people in our class from New Zealand, Hong Kong, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Canada. That reminds me, we had a couple visit our church for the first time on Sunday, said they were from Canada, and the best I could muster up was, "Um, do you know Steve Nash?" I can crack myself up while not being funny.
- One of our speakers has been Alan Andrews, president of the Navigators. Great heart for people and for leading them to spiritual maturity in Christ.
- We had a retreat all day in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Didn't feel the altitude. Did have a coke float. Didn't get much alone time with God like I had hoped for. Did have a full class schedule while in the mountains. Didn't get to talk much to Jeff, another young guy who probably likes football. Did get to ride up with several new friends. Didn't get any homework assignments. Did get to see a two-minute rainstorm on the east side of the mountains.

Food?
- Here's the score, followed with some HOT and NOT comments....
- Mega Wraps: 2 (HOT: Steak Fajita Wrap. NOT: Eating too much horseradish).
- Jamba Juice: 2 (HOT: The Berry-Lime Sublime. NOT: The Strawberry Nirvana (too milky).
- Buffalo Wild Wings: 1 (HOT: Great burgers. NOT: Playing video trivia by yourself.)
- South Beach Diet Bars: 2 (HOT: Getting them for cheap at Wal-Mart. NOT: Having one melt in your car all day).

Jennie and the kids were in Big Rapids with her parents for a couple of days. I love how cell phones are so clear and keep us together even when we're apart. Only three more days...

Props to my Prof, Bruce Demarest. Missionary in Africa for about ten years, studied under the renowned F.F. Bruce in England, and taught Theology for 25 years. Now he teaches spiritual formation and discipleship, while still teaching and writing about theology, bible, and the spiritual disciplines. It's truly an honor to sit under a guy like this. And to see how humble, warm, friendly, and servant-hearted... Yeah, it's really a privilege. Here's to two more great days of class.

Next week in Denver...

Yeah, I haven't blogged in two weeks.

Yeah, I'm holding out on some recent pics of Allie and Luke.

Yeah, I'm going to Denver this week, for a class on Christian Spiritual Formation... It's my third class in Denver in two years. I suppose I will have spent as much time in Denver as I have in Akron over the last 13 months. Weird. The class has been great so far, with lots of good reading about spiritual growth, prayer, and helping people grow in the church.

Since I am often into lists, here you go - with the TOP TEN things I'm really looking forward to about being in Denver...

(10) Like three minutes from the Seminary is this plaza... The plaza itself has Champp's Restaurant, Qdoba, The Apple Store, and Panera (wireless internet). You can sit out on the Panera porch and watch the sun set over the Rocky Mountains in incredible colors... unbelievable.

(9) The Next Level Church. Tuesday night @ 7pm.

(8) Having a class with Bruce Demarest. Dude has written at least three books that I have read and enjoyed (Soul Guide, Satisfy Your Soul, and Integrative Theology). Having recently read Satisfy Your Soul, I admire Dr. Demarest for his thoughffulness and perspective on Christianity. Apparently, he's also an avid outdoorsman and hiker.

(7) Seeing the Seminary again. Great people, great facility, great culture and passion for training Christian leaders. It's just an inspiring place to be. I also feel the same about this place.

(6) Possibly visiting The Garden of the Gods and Adam's Moutain Cafe' on Friday... Home of the best burrito I've ever had in my life.

(5) Eating at least once at Mega Wraps. It's right next to the Jamba Juice, and

(4) Our one-day spiritual retreat into the mountains on Wednesday, July 26. Led by Alan Andrews, leader of the Navigators... it wouldn't suprise me if he takes us to Glen Eyrie retreat center near Colorado Springs.

(3) Jamba Juice. No explanation needed.

(2) Seeing the Rocky Mountains. They are amazing. I love the drive on 285 West as I'm coming toward the Seminary from the airport. You're going down the hill and you see the mountains sprawling out in front of you - and above you. Awesome. I'll get some footage.

(1) Getting a great deal of alone time with God. That's the point of the whole week this time. The point of the class. The retreat - the whole week should be terrific.

And, so you all remember it's not REALLY like a vacation, here are the TOP TEN things I'm NOT looking forward to about being in Denver....

(10) Well, it's my first Denver trip since Tim & Suzanne Cooper have moved to Michigan. It's not going to be the same without seeing them. Seriously - it was always awesome seeing them there. Maybe I'll see if Coop will go to some Jamba Juice in Detroit and we can talk on cell.

(9) While I'm sure the class will be great... but, like, I'll be in class for 30+ hours this week... you know...

(8) Missing the Father-Son baseball game outing at our church. Granted, the "sons" are supposed to be age 5 and up, but - did you know - I'm a pastor? Just like Billy Zane, Pastors make their own luck.

(7) Without Cooper, how I am I supposed to find the ESPN Zone restaurant downtown?

(6) For those of you who like to travel, or eat out, or go to school, or stay at different places... as usual, this ain't free.

(5) Being away from our church for a week. I do love it and I will miss seeing people all week. I'll be back Sunday, though!

(4) Did I mention that I'll really miss seeing Tim Cooper?

(3) Being away from Luke for a week

(2) Being away from Allie for a week. Tonight, I got to pray with her and tuck her in bed. She is an absolute blast, and so cute. Her new thing is putting blankets all over me and giving me her doggie, as if she's putting me to bed.

(1) Being apart from Jennie for a week. It's never a good thing. Thank God for Sprint's free nights and weekends.

Thanks, Big Guy!

Today, Lebron James announced that he will stay with Cleveland for five more years..

Being from Akron, I knew of Lebron by his freshman year of high school. Jennie and I got to see him play a whole bunch of times at the JAR Arena at Akron U. I was the wide-eyed homer telling my friends from Grace and parts unknown about this high school kid from Akron who would one day be the best basketball player in the world.

Six or seven years later, Lebron is runner up for the NBA's Most Valuable Player. He's the All-Star MVP. He leads a lifeless franchise from obscurity to playoff victory. He is the first player since Oscar Robertson to average so many assists, points, and rebounds per game in one season.

He's giving back to the community. Investing in schools in Akron and Cleveland. Throwing charity basketball tournaments. Visiting hospitals, starting scholarships for kids... Keeping his life, attitude, words, and actions clean.

Finally... a hero Cleveland can be proud of. Finally, a hero who stays. Finally, a hometown hero that pretty much the whole world knows about.

And yes, he's only 21 years old.

(Disclaimer: Yes, I know he's merely human and makes mistakes. Yes, I know the Cavs have not won the championship yet. Yes, he will be a free agent in 2013 or whatever, and could leave Cleveland then.)

Today, he signed a contract extension that will keep him in Cleveland till about 2013. Can't wait to see what the next six years of Cleveland sports holds!

For fun, here's my TOP TEN CLEVELAND SPORTS HEROES of my lifetime...

10. Eric Snow. Cavs point guard who showed up with big-time defense and clutch play in the playoffs. He came to Cleveland way past his prime, but those-who-know-me are aware of my affinity for Snow. He's from near my stomping grounds in Canton... I played on his team at a junior high basketball camp in 1987. These are the ties that bind, people. Snow is one of my all-time favorite basketball players. To see him and Lebron on the court together, beating the Pistons in three consecutive playoff games... has to be one of my all-time sports highs.

9. Omar Vizquel. One of the best shortstops in baseball for the last fifteen years, most of which was spent in Cleveland. I lost count of his gold gloves, clutch hits, hilarious jokes, stolen bases, and surprise homers. Seems like sheer foolishness that the Indians didn't re-sign him a year or two ago. He's flirting with .300 again, playing incredible defense... and he's probably like 45 years old. Props to John Hart, who acquired Vizquel from Seattle for the legendary Felix Fermin.

7. (tie) Jim Thome. This slugging third baseman grew up in the Indians farm system, and became one of the most prolific hitters in all of baseball. Thome was huge on both Indians World Series teams, and now plays for some team in Chicago. Several years ago, Thome spurned Cleveland to play for Philadelphia for much more money than the Indians could afford. After several disappointing years in Philly, Indians fans were relieved we didn't spend to keep him. Still a much-loved legend by the Lake.

7. Earnest Byner. The heart, soul, and spirit of the Browns in the late 1980's. An undrafted rookie out of who knows where, he became a 1,000 yard rusher in the NFL. Unfortunately, he's remembered for one fumble in Denver in 1988. A tremendous player who many felt embodied the heart and soul of Cleveland, I met Byner at a baseball card show on Arlington Road. He's now an assistant coach for Washington.

6. Kenny Lofton. Yes, the 1990's Indians were tremendous. Lofton is still playing... but in Cleveland, he was the best leadoff hitter in baseball for several years. I got his autograph with Honus in 1995.

5. Mike Hargrove. Indians manager to two World Series appearances. But I got my first exposure to Grover as a five year old at old Cleveland stadium. Got his autograph. He was the "human rain delay" with all of his pre-at-bat rituals. I associate him both with the old era of losing baseball, and the more recent 1990's era of great Cleveland baseball.

4. Albert Belle. In 1994, this guy was the heart of the most feared lineup in baseball, and his power, nasty attitude, and sheer athleticism were unique to most any baseball player in Cleveland history. Some amazing memories with him in 1995, when I spent the summer at home and scalped tickets to a bunch of games. Tremendous clutch hitter. His life since baseball has taken a turn for the worse, but dude was amazing in left field for the Tribe.

3. Bernie Kosar. Yeah, his hair and his game were somewhat strange. But he was the face of the Browns in the late 80's, when they went to the AFC Championship three times. Count me as part of the generation that grew up on the Dawg Pound in C-town, and Kosar was at the helm. He was clutch. For the Wikipedia entry on Kosar, click here.

2. Mark Price. Shorter than me, an All-NBA point guard, leading some terrific Cavs teams, now a coach in Australia. Oh, and he went to my home church and interviewed the Wailer on his radio program.

1. Lebron James. Let's just get it over with right now. Isn't it obvious? He's from Akron. Like this shirt. Saw him at Outback Steakhouse in March, 2003. Dude is nice.


Honorable Mentions: Charles Nagy, Manny Ramirez, Brad Daugherty, Romeo Crennel, Larry Nance, Shawn Kemp, Terrell Brandon, World B. Free, John Hart, Orel Hershiser, Jose Mesa, Frank Minnifield, Hanford Dixon, Chip Banks, Webster Slaughter, Bob Wickman, Travis Hafner, Grady Sizemore, Chuck Kyle, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Craig Ehlo, Ron Harper, Tom Cousineau, Joe Tait.

Discipline is Good.

Well, here's a terrific book about the history, value, and heart behind those spiritual exercises that will help you grow spiritually. Dallas Willard writes with a heart for all that is beautiful, personal, and incarnational (Christ-in-us) about the Christian faith.

Yet another book I'm reading for my class in Denver in a few weeks. I picked this one, mostly because I've heard lots of great things about Dallas Willard, and haven't read much of his stuff. Some of the highlights - or most important thoughts I "downloaded" from this book....

- How churches have focused on the front end of the Great Commission ("Go and make disciples") and have not emphasized really a key part of discipleship, the back end of the Great Commission ("teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you."). Unfortunately, we may have a lot of people who believe Jesus, but aren't really much like Him in their character and lifestyle.

- Jesus himself practiced spiritual disciplines of fasting, prayer, solitude, retreat, Bible Study, servanthood.... Why do we think we can just "choose to act like Jesus" in certain moments in life when we really do not train ourselves to be godly (1 Timothy 4:7-8)? Jesus (and Paul, and Moses, and Joshua, and Peter, and the disciples, and....) entered a life of spiritual exercise, commitment, and discipline.

- Solitude has incredible value for spiritual life, prayer, and reflection. Our world (pace, noise, to-do lists) crowds out our ability to connect with God. We must go to "the desert" or to the "closet" and get private space with God apart from the noise.

- These spiritual exercises (or "disciplines") will look different in each person. There are tons to choose from, and we must work at the ones where we are weak.

- I was constanly challenged and impressed by this thought - the disciplines are those things that help me train my body, mind, and soul to belong first and foremost to God. Our culture trains us to do what feels good, and that lifestyle cannot deliver what it promises. Life in God delivers far greater than we think, but most of us have not tried to really live the Christian life.

Overall, this was a great book. Some thoughts and chapters were difficult to wade through, but well worth it. An interesting chapter on poverty is included, discussing if a life of poverty is a spiritual discipline. Some books you read for entertainment or because a friend recommended them. This one could powerfully enrich my life and faith. After I'm done with the class, I'd consider reading it again.

Ted Ginn

Are you kidding me?

Bear sighting!

Dude on the right (Jeremy Bear) was caught bowling with some friends in Southern California recently, wearing a shirt designed by Dude.

What are the odds?

One cat is from CVCA, the other is from CVCA.

I know another cat from CVCA.

What is the world coming to?

Since I must, here is yet another cat from CVCA.

Small world isn't it?

Yikes. I'm a link dropper.

Finally!

Today, at last, I finished Dan Brown's "other" book, Angels & Demons. Since I am a guy who likes to make lists, here are the top five reasons I finished the book today....

#5 - "Every now and then, I like a good fiction that gets my "reading juices" going" - Usually at least one a summer. In previous years, authors like John Grisham, Michael Crichton, and... well.. John Grisham. But Dan Brown's the "hot author" to read, and I liked his other book. What's it called again?

#4 - "I really enjoy spiritual thriller mysteries" - The Da Vinci Code, The Testament (Grisham), Mothman Prophecies, Signs, K-Pax, Dragonfly... these are all spiritual thrillers. Unbreakable. The Sixth Sense. I guess it's my favorite type of story, and I anticipated that from this book. Dan Brown again takes aim at the Catholic church. Actually, he doesn't. That's one of the reasons I like the book, you end up seeing both sides of the story and have a lot to think about.

#3 - "Well, see, I've been reading it for over a year now." - Sometime ago, I bought a paperback copy of Angels & Demons, read 150 pages of it, and then lost it. Yep, I lost it. The new paperback copy (thanks, Amazon.com) sat on my shelf for a few months, and it was just time to pick it up. You'll see why in the following reasons...

#2 - "I simply could not put the book down." - Once I got going again, it was quite a page turner. Small pages, fast action, easy dialogue, suspense. I had no plans to finish the book this weekend. Just the next chapter. Just the next couple pages. Just the next paragraph. Robert Langdon (main character) again takes us all over Europe on a scientific symbology chase with world-shattering ramifications. It was good. There were honestly parts that were not good (violence), making this a tough movie to make. But I hear it is in the works. Not sure I'll want to see it.

#1 - "I was actually sick the last couple of days." - Strep throat. Actually, the doctor said it's probably strep, and he'll call me soon. Seriously? Believe it. So I've been bedridden for three days, with a sick throat. Doctor's first words when shining that light in my mouth were, "Wow, that's ugly." Sore throat, fever, headaches, cold sweats, stomach symptoms (need I be graphic here?), and soreness all over. The fever hit a high of 102.6 early Thursday morning. (I'm not bluffing.)

Finished the book on Saturday morning. Fever's gone. Strep's not. Throat feels sharp. Book ended well. Sentences are short. Blog is done.

(Wait a minute - did Gary just "review" a book without giving a final recommendation?)

Actually, I'd read The Da Vinci Code first. If you like that, and feel like reading another suspense spiritual thriller mystery adventure puzzle maze, then read Angels & Demons. I'm not sure which one was better...