Watch Me

Gary Sweeten is a friend. But even more than a friend, he is a gift to leaders in the body of Christ. He has been God's gift to me during good and bad times. I met him in Cincinnati over 10 years ago. Gary is a writer, counselor, and speaker. One of his latest articles, Crisis of Leadership, is dead on. Every leader and follower, anywhere, Christian or not needs to read this - http://sweetenlifesystems.com/page1135033.aspx

Take 10 minutes, read it slowly, don't skim it. Share the link with your friends.

How important is it? I have been thinking a lot about how Satan opposes Gospel influence by opposing leaders of the movement. You know someone who has been influenced. Bad choices, stupid choices -- we have all been there on some level and done that. It seems we are going through another bad stretch. Take your potential to ruin your life, family, and church, seriously today.

I am not a Christian t-shirt, bumper sticker guy - not that there is anything wrong with that. But I wear a Christian t-shirt every day, like it or not. There is a sticker on my car. My house has a sign in the front yard. My checks and return address have a fish. All of them say, This is How a Christian Lives, Watch Me.

I have tried to remove all those things, but it is too late. They all come back one way or the other. This how a Christian spends his money, treats his children and grandchildren, surfs the Internet, deals with other leaders, makes decisions, loves his wife, loves his neighbors, says hello, spends his free time, responds to disappointment . . . and on and on -

Weekend Blogitoral: Michael Jackson is in a Better Place

I was profoundly moved by the death of the King of Pop. Similar to Elvis only even more vivid for me, I grew up with Jackson. With the exception of a few 45's (Google that if you are under 40) I never spent much money on his music. Yet, in his prime, he was everywhere. You could not avoid his music and influence.

I am not on a which hunt. I am no more offended by Michael's life choices than God is offended by mine. What struck me unexpectedly through a radio interview last Thursday was a commentary from a friend of Jackson's. I do not know for sure who was being interviewed. Repeatedly in the interview, calmly and confidently, the person kept saying, Michael is in a better place.

In some ways this is a tough blog to write. I am thinking out loud here. I am not sure what I really want to say, and by no means do I want to come across as that guy. You know, the guy who has an agenda -- A vulture who jumps on the things people far from God say in order that I can look smarter than them. The arrogant and unChristian, I am right and everybody else is wrong, that keeps people far from God, far from God --

Yet, the confidence and calmness of the Michael is in a better place comment made me feel awkward inside. Did this friend know something about Michael that was not obvious through casual examination of the evidence? Maybe or maybe not.

Pop culture has a theology. In fact, everybody has a theology and a belief system. Everybody, however, really can't be right. I mean, will we say at Charles Manson's funeral, Charles is finally at peace? I don't think so. Did we say something similar about Mother Theresa? Probably. So, where does Michael Jackson fit on the scale? How about Elvis? Princess Di?

Ultimately only God knows if Michael is in a better place. But if he is, it is not by chance, it is by choice. At some point in Jackson's journey he would have responded to the invitation of Jesus, before his death.

However, why not begin with what we know. How about you? When you die, where will you go? What will others left behind say about your whereabouts? How can you find out more about life after death? No matter your belief system, most of humanity (not all) believe death is irreversible. Wherever Michael is, that is where he will be. His music will live here as long as there is a planet, but he is gone. Sad day.

Weekend Blogitorial: Accidental Father

I know the headline may put one thought in your mind about fatherhood. I borrowed the term from the 1988 movie called, The Accidental Tourist. At risk of being misunderstood, I can't help but to think of my dad, when I think of something that happened that was totally unintentional.

My dad was a great dad. He could do a seminar for young fathers if he were an intentional father. He never, to my knowledge, read a book, watched an instructional video, nor went to better father support groups. Don't invite him to teach your young fathers. I am not sure it will be all that compelling.

Some of us live our lives looking for seminar material. My dad lived his life doing what he was supposed to do. When it came to being a father, he was just good at it.

Of the things I admire most about my dad, the fact that he was just plain good at stuff without trying, was the most. He was the best man in my wedding. That was not accidental either. I wrote in his 2009 Father's Day card: To The Best Man I Ever Met.

Dino Sr. turned 77, Friday. My sister and I had breakfast with him at IHOP. I had coffee with him at 7:00 a.m. this morning before heading off to Louisville. Time with him now is like gold. Time with him is now intentional.

I have met many people over the years that grew up without good fathers, or without fathers at all. When my dad was 5 years old, his dad died (In Italy - Coal Miner's Asthma). Certain things in life are beyond my comprehension. I guess what I am saying is, Why Me? Why was I born the son of Dino Senesi, Sr.? Why did I have coffee with my dad this morning?

Maybe it would be better to say, I was the Accidental Son. Not because there was no human planning involved, there was. Only because I was so blessed and had nothing to do with it. I did not plan or deserve to be born to either of my parents. It just happened.

I think this is the time I am supposed to thank God for His amazing grace!

Monastic Retreats for Dummies IV - Like Water to Fish

So, enough suspense already (see Friday's cliff hanger). What kind of secret information was written on the tablets hidden within the chapel at Mepkin Abbey?

First let me give you the words of monastic hall of famer, Thomas Merton. I will tell you more about him later. His words were in a guest registry at the entrance of the chapel.

Let there always be quiet, dark churches in which people can take refuge . . . Houses of God, filled with His silent presence. There, even when they don't know how to pray at least they can be still and breath easily.

The subject of silence seems to twist and turn. What spiritual neurosis in me caused me to avoid the silence? What about the Bible? Real Christianity has lost a bit of its appeal in recent days. God tells us clearly through the Apostle Paul, "Be anxious for nothing," (Phil. 4.6). I end too many days with red hands from the consistent wringing and fretting.

Here is one quote on the easel, then I will begin to list the series of bullet points that I understood the most. You make application. I am in process.

Silence for a monk is like water to a fish.

Here are more random thoughts from the secret monastic locker room wall on the benefits of silence:

1. Sanctuary to receive God's word

2. Strengthen us in weakness

3. Openness to God

4. Settles me down

5. Leads to serenity

6. Gives reality and depth of God

7. Intimacy with Christ

8. Receive what God is offering in the moment

9. Fosters continual prayer

10. Keeps me aware of the needs of others.

More coming this week. This is not all that was on the sacred tablet at Mepkin Abbey. Let me know which one of these connect with you.