I’ve decided to shift away from using tumblr, (which was, of course, hosted off of my main site, www.stevenhovater.com), and have gone to a self-hosted wordpress blog.The new URL will be:
www.stevenhovater.com/wordpress
Besides the location and backgound stuff, (that most people won’t care about), you’ll notice some cosmetic changes, (which most people also won’t care about).
If you use a feed reader such as Google Reader, you may want to update your feed. Thanks for reading!
Larry James posted a link to this column by Nicholas Kristof on his blog, and I thought it was a very good description of some trends I’ve been noticing lately, gratefully.
It’s good, not because it’s trendy, or because it yields good press. It’s just right that we give much more attention to these sorts of things. Large organizations, like the ones highlighted here, are impressive, but I’m also so very thankful for all of the smaller organizations, and the rising ones that are working for justice and compassion in the world.
Isn’t really all that much of an occasion, except that it marks the certainty of passing time, reminds me that the clock is ticking, and challenges me to take stock and do something with my life.
For a while I’ve thought of my life, in family, work, friendship and play, as being about creating community, and creating, protecting, and developing life as a disciple under the lordship of Jesus, and helping others to do the same. The hows and the venues where those things happen are always changing, but I think it’s a way of thinking about who I am, what I want to become, and what I want to be about, that’s pretty helpful for me.
I want to draw people together.
I want to help the things that make life like it ought to be, and push against those things that destroy or distort life.
I want to learn from Jesus about what life is really like, and submit to that vision. I want to help others learn from him as well.
It’s not all that complicated, but it’s a hard way to live. Some days, by the grace of God, I nail it. Some days, by that same grace, perhaps, I fall terribly short and am reminded to press on. In the middle of all those days, I become more aware of how incredible the journey is.
I’m having a great birthday. I have so much gratitude in my heart today, am so thankful for the incredible family and friends I share life with. Thank you.
(If you want to celebrate life today, and push against evil a little bit, may I recommend you check out Kiva.org, or maybe charity:water? I’d be honored if you’d check these guys out, and consider it a most excellent gift!)
It would be difficult to overstate the importance of a high view of baptism for the theological stance of most Churches of Christ. The predominant view of baptism’s essentiality and meaning is both characteristic of our movement’s churches and has been a controlling factor in a lot of other theological positions and practices.
I’m always interested when I see discussions pop up in other venues that speak to this discussion, partly because it’s a discussion to which we could really contribute, but which we have often excluded ourselves from because of our anti-ecumenical posture. That whole scenario is both ironic and unfortunate, I believe. At any rate, I think a lot of folks within our fellowship aren’t even aware that some of the issues around baptism are really a live discussion in other theological circles right now.
Here is a interesting bit I ran into today, from a pretty nifty Christian blog based out of Harvard. I’m interesting in seeing how their conversation develops, and would really like to know the background of the participants.
I’ve been tinkering around with a bit of poetry lately. It’s not completely random; I’ve been thinking about ways I can develop my skill as a wordsmith, and poetry as a sort of discipline offers a good way of changing and developing my relationship with language. Its a part of developing the skills of preaching ministry.
This sonnet plays on that theme, of my relationship with words.
Sonnet No. 1
O Words! The entire code of verbs and nouns:
I love their gift: capacity to bless.
And cursing too! Such acrobatic sound!
The feeling formed, words can do the rest.
My friends – these words – I started with but few.
Like “Mama”, “Daddy”, “dog”,- then “Yes”, and “No.”
So over time more numerous they grew,
I hope my mind will ever make it so.
I try to pick with care which to deploy,
Which best my thoughts (some truth, at least,) convey.
A careless word can all my world destroy.
And so my friends do not your friend betray!
For if by words I’m bound to live my life,
I pray they steer me free from verbal strife.
It is indeed Ash Wednesday, the traditional beginning of Lent, which is a period of penitence and reflection leading up to the remembrance of Jesus’ passion during Holy Week. The culmination comes with Good Friday and the celebration of the resurrection on Easter.
As a typically jolly protestant (I think of myself as typically jolly, not all protestants, who can be quite dour), Lent runs fairly counter to my DNA. That is precisely why I find it sort of helpful. We protestants don’t like to have much imposed on us, particularly sacrifice, but I think there is a positive trend towards recognizing the spiritual potential of seasons like Lent. I think it is helpful to have seasons of sacrifice, so that we rewrite our own DNA to become more sacrificial, penitent people. Typically, in Lent that involves a willing fast from a particular item of interest for the forty days between today and Easter (not counting Sundays).
Over the past few years I’ve experienced Lent through particular fasts, such as getting of Cokes and caffeine, or totally staying off of red meat (that’s the most difficult one for me!) John Mark Hicks wrote a wonderful little bit about Lent on his blog a little while ago, that I think is a great start at thinking creatively about how to participate. (Update: he also wrote this today.)
Take some time to think about it, and if it’s something that you think would be useful to you, give it a go. If you do, I have just a couple of bits of advice.
1. Keep it as a discipline, not a novelty. It’s not a plaything, not an accessory to the spiritual style of your life. Don’t talk about your fast all the time, but let it be something that draws you closer to the sacrifice of Christ. If the fast is all about you, you’re missing the point.
2. Let it change you. I think it best if you can think about the things you do over Lent aren’t just endured for the season itself, but are things you practice for the sake of your ongoing spiritual formation. One way of thinking about that is that, while we certainly look forward to enjoying things that we fast from after the fast is over, We don’t just fast for a little while then go back to the same lifestyle of overindulgence. that kind of pattern isn’t really the same as taking on a fast, letting it teach us about sacrifice, and then coming out of the fast to live with greater thankfulness and joy in the things God gives us, but with a different view of ourselves and the sacrifices we’re called to make in an ongoing way. How can you fast in such a way that when it is over, you aren’t just thankful that it’s over, but you are thankful for the process and how it formed you along the way as well.
Singing and Sharing
This is the first in a series of posts about the sorts of things I like to do every single day.
First, the refrain for the series:
The things you do every day matter,
Over time, they shape who you become.
It’s not just big, decisive moments that shape us.
Small steps, taken consistently, are where we make up the most ground.
I want to be intentional about doing some things every day.
One thing I want to do, every single day, is tell my kids “good job”. I want to give them some encouragement, affirmation, and love, on an every day basis. (By the way, part of the reason I want to do this is because I feel like this is what I received!) I don’t think that’s an unusual desire for parents to want to give those things to their children, but everybody does it in their own way and is more or less successful at it. We try to do it all the time, but I think it’s helpful to mark out a space where something like that happens fairly routinely. Here’s what we’ve been doing lately.
In the evening, at suppertime (one of my favorite times in the day), we eat our delicious food, and normally the girls finish before Kelly and I do. We used to try to make them stay at the table until we were finished, just for manners sake, but we’ve started doing something different. Now, when they finish, I tell them they can get down from the table, but I ask them if they’re ready to sing and dance. these are two of their favorite activities, so they normally light up. A chance to sing and dance? that normally perks them up, even if they weren’t pleased by the supper offering. (Note: they are being foolish when they are not pleased: our suppers are always tasty and delicious.)
So Kelly and I sit back at the table, and the girls use the rest of the kitchen as their stage. They make up songs. Sometimes they both sing. Sometimes Izzy sings, and Micah just dances. Sometimes Micah sings, and Izzy dances. Sometimes they both just dance.
It’s hard sometimes to know when a particular song is over. (I don’t think they always know). Whenever they seem to get to a transition, though, I remind them to bow and say thank you, and we clap like crazy and shower them with things like “good job”, “that was so wonderful”, “best song ever”, and the such. They smile so big, you’d think they had just won a grammy. There’s usually a good bit of laughing. Sometimes they come back and sit at the table, telling Kelly and I that it’s out turn. We play along, and perform for them. I sing and dance, Kelly just dances. All the songs are really silly. Sometimes they’re sweet, but mostly silly.
It’s all really silly, but that’s okay. we need that, you know? We need a little bit of play and laughter, and if we can have just one part of our day that’s dependable for creating a space for those things, that’s great. Even more important, though, I want to make space for us to be clapping, cheering, and praising our girls. Someday, they might not want to get up and sing songs in the kitchen (Oh Lord, I hope they always do!). But regardless, we’re going to make space for praise, affirmation, and cheering on each other in our family.
This is how we’re doing it now. We try to do it every day.
The things you do every day matter,
Over time, they shape who you become.
It’s not just big, decisive moments that shape us.
Small steps, taken consistently, are where we make up the most ground.
I want to be intentional about doing some things every day.
(Someday we’ll get some video up of this whole event, but usually we don’t have a camera or even phone handy, since it’s at the dinner table. The video posted here show off some of their talents, but it’s not the whole post dinner extravaganza.
Snow-yaking
I never thought I’d ever type these words, but I think Church leaders could learn a lot from Conan O’Brien. (Man, it even looks worse when I see it actually on the screen.)
Over the last year, I’ve been thinking a whole lot about church leadership transitions. We’ve been very blessed to be a part of a church that values doing that the right way, preparing for the future rather than being surprised by it. It’s been awesome.
I know though, that lots of churches really struggle here, though. Honestly, there’s plenty of blame to go around here, to the ministers who fail to prepare the church to transition to other leaders, to shepherds who get too caught up in current rat-killing to think about the possibilities and problems of the future, to committees and individuals who let days turn into weeks, and weeks into months and sometimes years before getting their jobs done.
Now, Conan’s no shepherd, and honestly I never even really liked his show a lot, but I did catch his farewell bit on youTube, and was really impressed. It was a very graceful action, and I kind of wished that there were more ministers and churches that would handle separation, even possibly embittering separation, with such grace.
Conan O’Brien’s farewell came after what could be called an unseating, what may have felt a betrayal. His final good-bye was televised. How would he communicate with grace and dignity when a crowds of fans and lawyers are looking at him to recognize what’s been?
Corporations, small businesses, every one of us could learn a lot from how Conan said good-bye. His words were the careful words of a leader delivered from the heart in a difficult situation. He was visible authenticity, leadership, and grace in these visible ways.
- He took control of the situation. Gently, but firmly he said …
There has been a lot of speculation in the press about what I legally can and can’t say about NBC. To set the record straight, tonight I am allowed to say anything I want.- He told the truth in fair and generous context.
… between my time at Saturday Night Live, The Late Night Show, and my brief run here on The Tonight Show, I have worked with NBC for over twenty years. Yes, we have our differences right now and yes, we’re going to go our separate ways.- He shared his pride and his gratitude.
But this company has been my home for most of my adult life. I am enormously proud of the work we have done together, and I want to thank NBC for making it all possible.- He was honest about state of mind and his feelings of loss.
Walking away from The Tonight Show is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. This is the best job in the world, I absolutely love doing it, and I have the best staff and crew in the history of the medium.- He celebrated the positive.
Every comedian dreams of hosting The Tonight Show and, for seven months, I got to. I did it my way, with people I love, and I do not regret a second.- He moved the focus to the future.
I’ve had more good fortune than anyone I know and if our next gig is doing a show in a 7-11 parking lot, we’ll find a way to make it fun.- He raised up and cherished all who might be his friends.
And finally, I have to say something to our fans. The massive outpouring of support and passion from so many people has been overwhelming. The rallies, the signs, all the goofy, outrageous creativity on the internet, and the fact that people have traveled long distances and camped out all night in the pouring rain to be in our audience, made a sad situation joyous and inspirational.- He gave everyone’s investment meaning.
To all the people watching, I can never thank you enough for your kindness to me and I’ll think about it for the rest of my life. .- He invited everyone to be part of something better.
All I ask of you is one thing: please don’t be cynical. I hate cynicism — it’s my least favorite quality and it doesn’t lead anywhere.- He offered hope even to the nonparticipants.
Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.Conan won the day and probably won a huge following of new fans by showing humanity, fairness, and leadership. He kept his focus on who and what mattered and left out who and what did not. He raised us all by not tearing anything down. I hope we’re never faced with such extreme circumstances. If we are, I hope we come back to this example of how to build good relationships from conflict
via Liz Strauss (Successful Blog)
