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Why do you seek the living among the dead?

2008-05-01T13:56:00.002-05:00

Please visit me at my new blog at

peterzefo.wordpress.com

Please change any existing links that are still attached to blogger. Thank you...

Don't Play Poker with Roger Clemens

2008-02-13T08:37:00.003-05:00

In middle school I lived across the street from a reception hall that mostly catered weddings and events on the weekends. This left the large parking lot mostly empty during the week. My bestfriend and I would play homerun derby behind the building. The game was fairly simple: toss the ball up in the air and hit as far as you can. It was just Chad and me. One batter...one fielder.

When I would toss the ball in the air I would imagine one of two guys pitching, Dwight "Doc" Gooden or Rocket Roger Clemens. They were the best two pitchers in baseball. Both potential Hall of Famers who placed fear in hearts of the batters they faced.

Gooden derailed his Hall of Fame chances with illegal drug use. It wasn't long before he just lost his stuff. But Rocket continued to go strong. He had what seemed to be a rebirth when he left Boston for Toronto and eventually the Yankees. Now, we are faced with the question, was this rebirth real?

I want to believe that Clemens did not use performance-enhancing drugs. I didn't really care about Bonds, Canseco, Palmeiro, McGwire, et al...but not Rocket! Today is the show down before Congress. Clemens is either innocent, going to jail for perjury, or he's the best poker player ever. It's reminiscient of Demi Moore telling Tom Cruise, "If you don't think you have it, don't go after Jessup, you could get in big trouble."

Rocket, it's your move: hold 'em or fold 'em.

Re-entry

2008-02-08T13:29:00.001-05:00

re:turned

re:lieved

re:formed

re:dedicated

re:covered

re:created

Relaunch in 3 days!

2008-02-05T14:09:00.000-05:00

Expect something on Friday, February 8th!

Coming Soon...

2007-12-14T09:51:00.001-05:00

As the phoenix rises from its ashes...

This Blog Will Re-Launch at a Later Date

2007-10-03T09:47:00.000-05:00

Farewell, for now!

Cleveland Indians Magic Number is 5

2007-09-19T08:15:00.001-05:00

Any combination of 5 Cleveland wins and Detroit losses puts us back in the playoffs. It's been 10 years since our last visit to the World Series when those dirty Fish from Florida BOUGHT the title. It was the first time Greta saw me cry. I'm hoping for tears of joy in 2007!

Is This Bad?

2007-09-06T10:48:00.000-05:00

I just began reading the Harry Potter series. (I know, I'm really on top of things!) Harry is currently on the train to Hogwarts. I've only been introduced to a handful of characters. Besides, "you-know-who" I don't know the other "bad guys" of the Harry Potter series. So, I took a little quiz and I scored what you see below. Without giving away anything, is this good or bad?

Severus Snape

80%

Hermione Granger

75%

Remus Lupin

75%

Harry Potter

70%

Ron Weasley

65%

Albus Dumbledore

65%

Draco Malfoy

60%

Ginny Weasley

45%

Sirius Black

30%

Lord Voldemort

15%

Your Harry Potter Alter Ego Is...?
created with QuizFarm.com

I'm Ready for Some Football!!!

2007-09-06T09:55:00.000-05:00

The long wait is finally over. The NFL season is here! Tonight marks the beginning to four months of hope, joy, frustration, and excitement. I love new beginnings. The New Orleans Saints proved last season that the previous season means nothing. Hope springs forth as us Browns fans ask once again, "Could this be our year?" Is Brady Quinn the savior we've been hoping for? Or, will we spend another season in football purgatory?

On the fantasy front, will a change in team name be the thing that puts me over the top in our keeper league? How badly will I dominate the new church league I just joined? Will it be a Gatorade bath and a trophy or another monumental waste of time?

As far as College FB is concerned, will the Tide roll? Is Saban the Messiah? Will my second favorite team go undefeated? (be sure to check that link!)

Man, it is good to be alive!

Vick Found Jesus

2007-08-30T13:11:00.001-05:00

I was on a retreat during the Vick plea hearing and following press conference. I was able to watch this video for the first time today. Having lived in Atlanta throghout the entire Vick Era, I have to say that I think he did a great job with the apology. It was tiring to hear nearly every other NFL quarterback be able to articulate himself well and then listen to Vick in a post-game conference, radio interview, or other sound byte.

I like that he addresses this from the beginning. He appeared to speak from the heart. I'm glad that he "found Jesus." (that expression always makes me want to ask, "was Jesus lost?") As a fantasy football player, my frustrations with Vick have lasted for years. As an Atlanta resident, I found it difficult to cheer for the Falcons with him as the face of the franchise. However, he is entertaining to watch. I hope that he was as sincere as comes across in this video. I hope that he can resume his NFL career once he serves his sentence. Finally, I hope this reminds people that money does not solve problems, it only reveals problems.

Two Chucks Don't Make A Right

2007-08-21T13:04:00.001-05:00

I have chosen to use Charles Sheldon's In His Steps as a part of the eighth grade Bible curriculum where I teach. I have been familiar with the book for years, first encountering the book during the What Would Jesus Do? movement of the mid-nineties. In His Steps is a decent story of a utopian Christian worldview in which a person asks what would Jesus do? before making a particular decision. As I began reading this book to prepare for classes, I picked up on something from my Pentecostal heritage.

The Pentecostal movement typically traces its beginnings to the Azusa St. revival (Los Angeles, CA) of 1906. Those who are familiar with Pentecostalism likely know that the leader of the Azusa St. revival was a student of Charles Fox Parham. It was at Parham's Bible school in Topeka, KS where a woman named Agnes Ozman began speaking in tongues in 1901 after a New Year's Eve prayer vigil.

Charles Sheldon was also from Topeka and to my surprise was a contemporary of Parham's (In His Steps was written in 1896). I've done a little research (by "little" I mean a brief Google search) and could not find an explicit connection between the two men. However, there are some phrases that Sheldon uses in his novel that make me very curious of the spiritual climate of Topeka in the late 1800's.

Sheldon uses "Spirit language" that would be easily understood by 21st century Pentecostals. For example, he describes a prayer meeting where "the Spirit made Himself visibly manifest." In a Pentecostal service we would describe that as "having church." I wonder how that phrase would have been interpreted pre-Azusa street. A Pentecostal reads that and probably thinks of tongue speech or other demonstrative displays of affection. But what did this mean to the original readers? What did it mean for Sheldon who was a part of the Congregational Churches? Did these phrases or this book have any influence on Parham?

In my research of Sheldon and Parham, the only connection I seem to be able to uncover is the fact that Topeka, KS itself did not experience a significant revival during this time. One article suggested issues of racism (likely in Parham's case; not so sure about Sheldon) which may have effected the early Pentecostal movement from spreading throughout the region. This is another instance of God's timing. L.A. probably needed to be the place where the Pentecostal movement really got moving.

Well, I'm back!

2007-08-18T22:32:00.000-05:00

I really did not mean to completely ignore the blogosphere for so long. There have been several things that I have wanted to say but I never took the time to say them. I was going to give some meaning to my last post ("Stirring Up The Muck") but that would open quite a can of worms. Some cans are best left sealed. So, I thought I would offer a brief summer recap to get the blogging juices flowing again:

- Having 9 weeks off of work is really cool, especially when it's paid!

- I was ready to get back to work after week 5. I got a little bored!

- There are some really cool people in A.A.

- There are some really freaky people in A.A.

- 12 hours is a long time in a car with three kids.

- No air conditioning is not fun! No, not at all.

- There's not a bad seat in the house at the Jake. Go tribe!

- I was surprisingly filled with joy at #756.

- Do you know that I now know what you thought I never knew? It's okay, it wasn't your fault!

- Jamaicans are really pushy. Sorry Oral, I didn't think we'd make it out of that market.

- Is it really snorkeling if there are no fish to be seen?

- I've been to Hell. It was a little overrated, but we did send a postcard.

- The difference in the regular show on a cruise and the late show on a cruise is a few "f" bombs and the comedian is even less funny then he was before.

- Stay away from the escargot! Seriously!

- I miss Ohio in the summer.

- Isaac is the freaking man! I can't believe he did it! Twice!

- I don't think they saw me, but I'm really not sure. There was definitely a reflection.

- We made it! I can't wait to see what the next 10 years will look like!

Stirring Up The Muck

2007-07-03T13:21:00.000-05:00

There is a beautiful retreat center in Mississippi that I used to take students to for our annual youth camps. The retreat center was built around a natural spring that pumped 40,000 gallons of crystal clear spring water every hour. If you were lucky enough to be the first person at the designated swim area you could see clear to the sandy lake bottom. But, then the swimming would begin and the muck would get stirred up.

It was amazing how cloudy the water became after 70+ kids began swimming, playing and generally goofing off in the swim area. What was once clear and pristine was now muddied and even somewhat dangerous. But, once the swim area was cleared that natural spring would do its job. The water returned to its crystal clear state.

Life is like this sometimes. We think we see clearly and have the proper perspective on something and all of a sudden the muck is stirred up. What was once clear becomes clouded by new questions and unforeseen conclusions. The good news is that as Christ-followers we can be confident that a fresh move of the Spirit will bring back the clarity that we once had.

Hey Now, He's an All-Star!

2007-06-01T10:19:00.000-05:00

Isaac's first baseball season was so much fun. There were a couple of times where I had to prevent myself from being "that dad." You know what I am talking about. However, at the end of the season, Isaac was rewarded with his first (of many to come!!!) all-star selection. He will play in two games this weekend. The retirement plan is working.

No More Blogging???...what was I thinking?

2007-05-31T13:22:00.000-05:00

Perhaps I jumped the gun on this whole "break from the blogosphere" thing! I have the next 9 weeks off of work...and, it's paid! I'm sure I will find something to write about.

Contentment (sigh!!!)

2007-05-28T01:11:00.000-05:00

I am content. Thus, there is a lack of inner angst driving me to blog. It's time to say farewell to the blogosphere...for now.

The Office Blogs

2007-05-18T12:25:00.000-05:00

The Office may be the best written show on Television. The tension that the show creates is par to none. Last night, we were introduced to "Creed Thoughts," a blog from one of the Duner-Mifflin employees. I was bored and thought I would do a Google search to see if it actually might be out there. JACKPOT! Not only did I find Creed's blog, but...yes...DWIGHT K. SCHRUTE!

Interesting comparison with Dwight K. Schrute and my cousin...both fascinated with the art of the ninja!

Have the Church Hoppers Found A Home?

2007-05-15T12:35:00.000-05:00

I have been following the adventures of two "church hoppers" over the course of the last several months. A young lady and her teenage brother have been visiting a different church in the Greater Cincinnati area every week for a year and blogging about their experiences. Erica is a self-proclaimed agnostic and the driving force behind ChurchHop. She's the "good kind" of agnostic, though. She seems to understand that she does not have all of the answers, yet is willing to search out the truth. (I would describe the "bad kind" of agnostic as those who are smart enough to not be atheist, yet don't care enough to seek any answers. They call themselves "agnostic" in an attempt to sound smart.)

It appears as though the Church Hoppers have finally connected to a "church." Much to my disappointment it is the Universalist Unitarian Church! Let me be clear that I am not disappointed in Erica and Bradley for not being overwhelmed by a Christian community of faith. I suppose that I am somewhat disappointed in the dozens of Christian churches who had the opportunity to introduce these church hoppers to the life-changing gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ.

Now, it would be easy to place the fault at the feet of the Erica and Bradley. We could question their intentions, call them cynics, and continue to stick our heads in the sand. Or, we could learn from them. After all, it is people like them for which the church exists, right? I hope that the church hoppers will continue their quest. Surely there is an authentic community of faith in the Greater Cincinnati area that can be an "answer of prayer" for Erica and Bradley. I hope that Erica, Bradley, and others like them discover The Way, The Truth and The Life. I hope that the church will be prepared to answer the honest questions of the skeptics, doubters, and searchers.

Kucinich got Dubya'd

2007-05-04T08:36:00.000-05:00

I just got back from Washington, D.C. I was a chaperone for our school's 8th grade class trip. What a fantastic week in our nation's capital. I will share some more pictures later, but I wanted to get this one up in honor of Travis Johnson.

We got to see Congressman Kucinich twice on our trip. the first time was at the grave site of Robert Kennedy. It was not an appropriate time or place to ask for a picture. However, I was rewarded the next day by running into him (almost literally) at the Library of Congress. I told him I was from his district in Ohio (which is true, I went to high school in Parma) and asked for a picture. I couldn't help but think of my friend Trav, flashing the "W" with Janet Reno, but chickening out with Hillary.

Kucinich, you've been Dubya'd!

Saying 'Goodbye' Sucks!

2007-04-23T08:44:00.000-05:00

Greta and I have been co-leading a small group for young families at our church for the last couple of months. We have experienced a great time of building relationships and making some great new friends. Unfortunately, our co-leaders have been transferred to Colorado. We helped them load up the moving truck yesterday. It's not cool!

This has made me think of the great friends that I have yet to meet. I did not know the people that I am closest to today just four years ago. I am a relationship driven person. While I am not a big fan of "small talk" and "working the room," I love being a part of authentic communities. It is exciting to wonder who God will place in our lives.

Dealing With Tragedy

2007-04-19T09:05:00.000-05:00

The "blogosphere" is busy writing its reflections on the tragedy at Virginia Tech. Today I read two very different blogs concerning the subject. One blog focused on the media's attempt to "dehumanize" Cho Seung-Hui. The other blog focused on a greater need for evangelism. Both make some valid points, but I wonder how much tragedy either of these two writers have personally experienced. This would not invalidate either of their opinions, however, it might influence their perspectives.

I have been no stranger to tragedy. As I mentioned in my previous post, I lost my parents at the end of my freshman year of high school. May 12th, 1989 will be a day that I can never forget and holds the same meaning as 4/19/1995, 4/20/1999, 9/11/2001 and 4/16/2007 does to others. My life was forever altered on that day. I made a decision that I would walk a different path than my parents. I dealt with that tragedy with a spirit of determination. If life was going to be different then I was going to do whatever it took to ensure that this would be a positive change in my life. I have often said that the death of my parents was the best thing that ever happened to me. I know how terrible that may sound, but you don't know the direction my life was heading before their deaths. As a survivor of such a tragedy I recognize that I should probably be carrying some "emotional baggage." I certainly have my own baggage to carry, but I can confidently say that it is not related to this situation. This has dumbfounded some people who could not get past their own Freudian understandings of the human psyche.

However, this was not the only tragedy to effect my life. November 4th, 1993 sits right next to May 12th. My dormitory in college was burned to the ground by arsonists who had a vendetta against the campus. I did not deal with this tragedy so well. I was bitter and angry toward God for the better part of a year. I thought He was cruel and I didn't want to be the next "Job" in some cosmic bet with satan. I think that the only reason I am still a Christ-follower today is because of some friends who refused to give up on me.

We all deal with tragedy differently. In fact, we all deal with different tragedies differently. For some students at Virginia Tech, this experience will prove to be a rally point where they can be set free to live life to the fullest, being thankful for each and every new day. For others the bitterness and anger will come. Blame will be placed on God as the questions arise of "where He was" and "how could He allow this to happen?" VT will be getting a lot of attention over the next couple of days and weeks. But, the cameras will soon stop rolling. The war in Iraq, gas prices, politicians, and weather will regain their places on the nightly news. This will be the time that the "church" will be needed most.

Duct-tape Jesus

2007-04-16T21:48:00.000-05:00

(Disclaimer: I'm tired and geeked up on DayQuill, so I do not take full responsibility for where this goes!)

My first encounter with the greatest rock 'n roll band of all time was the infamous "Where The Streets Have No Name" video. The Joshua Tree may be one of the finest albums ever written and contains one of my favorite U2 songs, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For."

As a Christ-follower I have always had mixed emotions toward this song. After all I had "found" Jesus, right? Well, not necessarily...stick with me!

If memory serves, I wasn't really looking for Jesus prior to becoming a Christ-follower. My parents died when I was a freshman in high school and prior to this I had no desire to "find" Jesus. I guess I didn't know that He (or I) was lost. I suddenly found myself living in a completely different environment accompanied by a significant increase in church attendance. To make a long story short, I prayed some form of "the sinner's prayer" about 8 months after the death of my parents. Had I "found" Jesus because I recited a simple prayer? Was my spiritual destination now complete because I could now call myself a Christian? Was I now a "believer" and no longer a "seeker"? Well, in a very modernistic paradigm of salvation...yes...that's it...now go and sin no more.

I have often said (I would like to believe that I have coined the phrase) that "Jesus is not duct-tape." Here in the south duct-tape can be used to fix almost anything. Ironically, I never hear of people using it to actually fix their ducts. The point is we have preached a "Duct-tape Jesus" theology for so long that that the possibility of there being something beyond the initial salvation experience is inconceivable to some sincere Christ-followers. This is where my Wesleyan-Pentecostal heritage comes into the picture.

A good Wesleyan-Pentecostal actually identifies three separate salvation experiences of "regeneration," "sanctification" and "Spirit baptism." There are plenty of great resources to getting a better understanding of these concepts. If you are interested Google search books by Steven J. Land or R. Hollis Gause (Pentecostal Spirituality and Living In The Spirit, respectively). I'm getting to the point right now!

In the words of Bono, "I have spoke with the tongues of angels...yet I still haven't found what I'm looking for." As much as I truly appreciate my Wesleyan-Pentecostal heritage I wonder if being "saved-sanctified-and filled with the Holy Ghost" are just three different layers of duct-tape. I am saying this because of the angst/restlessness/tension/hope in my spirit that there is something more! I know what it means to be "drunk in the Spirit," yet the floor of an altar is not my final destination while on this earth! Could this be what the "already-not yet" is all about? Can we really sing "I've found Jesus" when the truth is we were probably not looking for Him in the first place? He found us! And He is leading us on this fantastic journey and every time we think we have arrived He is going to remind that we still haven't found what we're looking for?

I guess what I'm trying to say is that we need to rethink this whole "seeker-sensitive" thing. I know, it's an old debate and maybe better left for communities in Chicago and Orange County. But, I'm a seeker! I'm still on the journey. I really don't know where it is going. Be sensitive! Will you join me?

Tithe Every Three Years?

2007-04-11T12:55:00.000-05:00

I have been a Christian for the better part of seventeen years. I attended a Christian liberal arts college for my bachelor's degree and I am eight hours shy of completing a Masters of Divinity. I have heard more messages on tithing (usually the 5 minute guilt-driven kind right before the offering with some cute story of a kid who gave a nickel...agh, I digress) than I can count. How in the world have I NEVER HEARD THESE VERSES BEFORE!?!
Deuteronomy 14:22-29
"22 "You must set aside a tithe of your crops-one-tenth of all the crops you harvest each year. 23 Bring this tithe to the place the Lord your God chooses for his name to be honored, and eat it there in his presence. This applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn males of your flocks and herds. The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to fear the Lord your God. 24 Now the place the Lord your God chooses for his name to be honored might be a long way from your home. 25 If so, you may sell the tithe portion of your crops and herds and take the money to the place the Lord your God chooses. 26 When you arrive, use the money to buy anything you want-an ox, a sheep, some wine, or beer. Then feast there in the presence of the Lord your God and celebrate with your household. 27 And do not forget the Levites in your community, for they have no inheritance as you do.28 "At the end of every third year bring the tithe of all your crops and store it in the nearest town. 29 Give it to the Levites, who have no inheritance among you, as well as to the foreigners living among you, the orphans, and the widows in your towns, so they can eat and be satisfied. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all your work."
The first verse in BOLD is what I have always heard. "The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to fear the Lord your God." But, reading on the Deuteronomy law says to sell your tithe and have a feast with your family. And, notice the caveat of wine AND beer! (YES!!!!) The good old King James Version says wine and "STRONG" drink (Mojitos? Maybe!) Finally, the law here states to bring the tithe in every three years to be distributed to the Levites, foreigners, orphans and widows. Every three years!
Why is this never preached? I heard it for the first time on Easter Sunday. Obviously, this is not the typical "Easter passage", but I do not belong to a typical church. Honestly, when the "pastor" began his Easter message I had no idea where he was going. He brought it home beautifully. Man interprets God's Word and is convicted. Man then forces this conviction on others as a rule (or law). Those under this rule (or law) become conditioned that this is the only interpretation of said passage. A heavy yoke has now burdened God's people that God may have never intended. Christ died and was resurrected to free us from the burden of the law (see Romans 6-8). His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
I am beginning to wonder, what else have I been conditioned to believe?

It's time for a cheeseburger!

2007-04-06T18:14:00.000-05:00

I did it! With two days to spare I completed the month of pain. The above picture is my bathroom scale at a (somewhat!) lean 188. Okay, so, there is a lot of work to do still. But, I'm a little lighter than I was March 7th. My next goal: 185 by my birthday, May 15th.

Voice

2007-03-28T08:24:00.000-05:00

Have you ever lost your voice? I am sure that every one of us at some point has experienced this due to an illness. If you have you know that it is not fun. The loss of voice is often preceeded by a sore throat, a reminder of pubescent "voice-cracking," and ultimate resignation to the fact that the words you are trying to say are not coming out quite right.

Voice has been described as Stephen Covey's "8th Habit" and Len Sweet's missing link of leadership. When a leader has no voice he has ceased being a leader. Or, in the words of John Maxwell, "If you are leading and no one is following, you are just taking a walk."

Voice. Influence. Leadership. Some people have it and do not realize it. Many think they have it and really don't. Some people realize they have it and use it wisely. Others realize they have it and abuse their authority. I suppose that we all have a voice in some places and not in others.

In reflection of my own voice I need to look at the various roles that I play. As a father, teacher and coach my voice is much louder. As a new volunteer at my church, my voice is heard, but not with any particular force. As a seminary student (a term which very loosely describes me right now!?!) within a particular denomination, my voice is non-existent (somewhat by choice; somewhat by circumstance).

Teddy Roosevelt is credited with the "speak softly but carry a big stick" quote. 100 years later, I might suggest, "speak wisely but conceal a weapon." There is nothing worse than getting beat up with your own stick.