I normally love concerts. I’ll go see almost anyone in concert. I like the whole experience of getting the tickets, filing in with the crowd, seeing all the staging, checking out the lighting, listening to the sound. From rock to country to classical, I like going to a live concert. However, last night my wife and sister-in-law went to a concert and I had absolutely no interest in going with them. It was a George Michael concert. My sister-in-law Shelley is a huge fan. She got tickets to both the Forum show last night and invited my wife Leslie to join her, she also got tickets to the Honda Center show tonight and is taking my brother Tyson along.
Are there any concerts – that even if you were given free tickets to – you would completely pass on? It’s interesting how one person’s passionate pursuit can be another person’s avoid-at-all-cost experience. I wonder if it’s like that for many churched vs non-churched people. Do we think about how great church is for us, how much we look forward to it, will invite friends and family to go with us, and will even go twice in one week? Do we assume everyone else has the same love we do? Obviously the message of Jesus Christ is entirely different than the music of George Michael, but the only reason Leslie went to the concert was because of how big a fan Shelley was. Are we big enough fans of church? Even to the point where our enthusiasm draws others to join in, too?
Over the last week or so, I have seen several unexpected sighting. It all started in Brea when we went to the Improv to see Harlin Williams (who is incredibly funny, but no the star in this story). While walking down the street from the parking structure, we walked within a couple feet of this guy who looked so familiar. As I heard his voice I realized it was Kevin Costner. At least I think it was.
A few days later, Leslie and I went up to LA for dinner and then to check out Griffith Observatory. It’s been completely remodeled within the last few years and it was amazing to see all they’ve added. The wonder of creation is so evident throughout the exhibits, even though they’ll explain it all away as random balls of exploding gas. At the end of the night, we decided to go and wait in a long line to look through the big telescope and got to see Saturn through this tiny little eye piece. It’s not at all what I expected it to look like – more like a little round blob with love handles – but it was still cool to get a brief glimpse of something so out of reach.
Last Sunday I was walking through the auditorium at Calvary and ran into John and Julie Clark. They are now missionaries with YWAM in Mali, Africa. Their story is truly inspiring. They were challenged at a missions conference several years ago, decided to leave their jobs and possessions, relationships and comforts of the OC behind to join in what God is doing in Africa. Since then, they have survived some incredible hardships and trials, and have remained faithful through it all. No, they are not as famous as Kevin Costner, or Saturn for that matter, but they do shine brightly. They’re like celebrities in God’s kingdom, reflecting the Bright and Morning Star and helping to shine the light into a dark place.
Have you had any unexpected star sightings – celebrity or heavenly?
This weekend was amazing. Friday and Saturday was Calvary’s Man Camp with over 150 guys from Calvary invading a conference center up on Palomar Mountain. There were so many memorable things about Man Camp. Including an awful drive up, great times to connect with other guys (like Dan Parsons who is a creative genius and took the photo above), biblical insights and challenges from Dr. Barry Corey, wonderful times of worship, good food, basketball, touring the Palomar observatory, late night card games, ping pong and just lots of laughs. Unfortunately, I had to come back down the mountain one day early (along with Ron, Brent and my brother Tyson) because we all had to be back for stuff on Sunday morning.
Then on Sunday after church, I got to go to my second free Angel game of the season. We had some great seats in the shade and it was an absolutely beautiful day. The Angels were trailing early and I kept nodding off due to extreme lack of sleep from Man Camp. Long story, short – we wound up leaving around the 7th inning.
For those of you who went to Man Camp and for those of you who follow the Angels – you know that I left both events too early. I’m sure the time at Man Camp between Saturday at 5 pm and Sunday at noon was powerful. I also know the Angels came back in the bottom of the ninth to win the game.
I often feel the same way about people I see leave a worship service early almost every week. They are missing out on the full experience. They’re missing moments what could impact their day, their week, the rest of their life in profound ways. I’m sure they must have good excuses, but it seems like if you’re going to bother showing up at church, you might as well stay for the last 10 minutes and get everything you can out of it. Are you one of the “I’ve got so much more to do, I can’t possible stay around til the end” kind of person? Do you ever wonder what you’re missing out on? Okay, I’ll get off my soapbox now.
