The Wailer’s Vox

- I always get excited about potential trades that never happen. The rumors, you know? Iverson to Boston… Marion to Chicago… Boozer to Toronto… the speculation is out in full force.

- For once, I’d like to see that blockbuster deal happen. I’d like to see Toronto deal the first pick to Charlotte in a package that gets Brevin Knight and the third pick. I’d like to see the Bobcats (with new ace, Michael Jordan) make another terrible pick (see: Kwame Brown) at the top.

- I guess Adam Morrison is going to be a stud. Hope he lands in Portland, where people will love him already.

- Is Tyrus Thomas the next Stromile Swift? Sure seems like it. All athlete, no performance. Early-entry to the draft. Deja vu all over again.

- LaMarcus Aldridge (Texas) seems to be impressing people. I bet he slides and someone gets the steal of the draft.

- Since I’m doubtful of Tyrus, let me say I’m intrigued by Leon Powe. The California soph would have been a first-rounder out of high school, and was impressive in the PAC-10. Shareef, part deux?

- For my Cavs? I’d love to see them walk away from the draft with a silent deal with Milwaukee. Drew Gooden, Eric Snow, and their first round pick to Milwaukee for Jamaal Magliore (contract almost up, he’s on the block) and T.J. Ford. If we have to throw in another prospect (Luke Jackson, Sasha Pavlovic), so be it.

- If the Cavs stay put, I’m hoping for Jordan Farmer (UCLA) or Leon Powe (Cal). A second rounder on Terrence Dials would be some rebounding help.

- What are your thoughts on the draft?

- Is Brandon Roy the next Dwayne Wade? Is Andrei Bargnani the next Dirk Nowitzki? Is Adam Morrisson worth all the hype - shoe contracts and other sponsorships already? Is J.J. Redick the next Trajan Langdon?

It seemed to mean more to them. I mean, their country shut down other power supply today so that all people in Ghana could watch the game.

It was their first appearance in the World Cup. Overall - and sorry for this - America does not seem to love soccer. I don’t either. But it was fun to watch and I have lots of friends who love soccer.

At the least, this first-round loss is yet another reminder that the World does not revolve around the USA. How naive of us to think it does.

Syriana is another reminder.

So, game 6 of the NBA finals starts in like 7 minutes. Um, I mean 27 minutes, after all the introductions, national anthem, and profanities from the Mavericks owner.

Chris Sheridan was right. Mavs owner Mark Cuban was way out of line the other night, and of course he doesn’t seem to care. It’s all about him, I guess.

As much fun as he is to watch…
As much as it’s great to have an owner who loves his team…
As great as his team is…

It appears emotion and complaining have taken control of the Dallas billionaire. If you want to see for yourself, check his blog for yourself.

I think Dirk Nowitzki is a great player. I love Avery Johnson as a person and a coach. Josh Howard is a terrific and complete player. Jason Terry is playing like an All-Star.

I think these are the most exciting NBA playoffs of the decade. Each series (for the most part) has been passionate, close, and well fought - including this one.

I think the referees were terrible on Miami’s home court. I think Dwayne Wade got too many calls and that too few calls were made in game 5.

For tonight, I fully expect the Mavericks to bounce back and win. Let’s call it a convincing win. Mavs by 15.

If Cuban were playing, I’d say Heat by 12. But he’s not. You’ve got the composed, fiery, focused group of Dirk, JET, Avery, and the return of Jerry Stackhouse. And - oh yeah - Dallas’ home refs. Can’t wait for game 7 on Thursday!

Game 5 starts in a few minutes, and I have to predict a Heat win.

Everything in my heart and soul wants the Mavs to win, cause I love Dirk, Avery Johnson, and even Mark Cuban.

Everything else in my heart wants the Heat to lose, cause I’m tired of Shaq, Pat Riley, and all of the “has-beens” who are leeching off of Shaq for a title (read: Gary Payton, Antoine Walker, Jason Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Derek Anderson, etc.).

But we haven’t seen Dallas step up in Miami. We haven’t seen Dirk explode in this series. We haven’t seen Josh Howard play like Josh Howard.

And Jerry Stackhouse is suspended.

Unfortunately, I think the Heat win by 6, and we go back to Dallas for a thrilling game 6. I just wish the games weren’t so late at night…

Okay, so it doesn’t look like this will be the right year to get a new computer. But the new Apple Macbook is tremendous, and can be had for a great price. In all reality, it’s not going to work out according to the family or ministry budget.

I had also planned to attend a great ministry leadership conference in October. I’d highly recommend Willow Creek’s “A2″ Conference if you ever get the chance. Last year, our speakers were Bill Hybels, Andy Stanley, Erwin McManus, Randy Frazee, Kirbyjon Caldwell, Reggie Joiner, and Gene Appel. It doesn’t get better than that. I had planned to go this year, and take my wife Jennie for the tremendous week of inspiration, challenge, and worship.

Again, probably not in the budget.

With two kids under the age of 2, it gets harder to travel and make that stuff happen.

After five years of attending great conferences, maybe it’s time for me to take a break. Seriously - I think it could be unhealthy for a Christian leader to get “dependent” on his yearly “fix” at a conference. Or maybe I’m just looking for the spiritual benefits of NOT going to one this year. Nice try, right?

Regardless, I would love a new laptop and an October conference… but I get this deeper feeling or awareness that God will teach me and fill me in different ways this year without those things. Even in small ways, it’s easy to settle for things of the world rather than take the time to pursue God as though HE is all I need or want.

As a leader, I am responsible for my own heart, attitude, and life balance. I must be fully committed to the things that are trustworthy and do not change (God’s love, sovereignty, and presence)… and be content and even rejoice in the absence of worldly “upgrades.”

There’s too much to stress about. Too many things we find to disagree about. Too many proofs of sin, rebellion, and depression.

My kids are teaching me joy. That life is a celebration of God - and every good and perfect gift He gives.

With all the pressure or expectations I put on myself, I need daily reminders of God’s joy. It’s still a fruit of the Spirit.

What would our world think of Christians if they saw joy?

I’m not supposed to covet. That’s in the 10 commandments.

I’m not supposed to set my heart on the things of this world. That’s in the Sermon on the Mount.

I’m not supposed to try to fill my life with the cares of this world. That’s in every book in the New Testament.

Nevertheless, I find myself wanting one of those new Apple Macbooks. With that Education Discount they’ve got right now, I could also get an iPod nano for FREE.

I could use both the macbook and nano for ministry.

I already have an iBook and a shuffle.

But I want more! When will it ever be enough?

Two years from now, I’ll probably want to break free from the macbook and nano to buy the next gadgets out from Apple.

I just want to be Ethan Hunt, Jason Bourne, or Bruce Wayne. The next cool computer trick, you know. Am I alone in this?

I already do a blog on Blogspot.

I have a cool friend who recommended Voxtropolis to me.

I went to the site, and was amazed at how “cool” this all is. Designs are cool, formats are cool, the whole process of using this venue is cool.

And, the more I look at other Vox-ers and their sites, they are also very cool.

Confession - I love feeling cool. I have had moments where I felt like I was on the cutting edge of cool, and people took for granted that I was cool.

Confession - I have also felt “not cool” many times. Even typing those words is an admission that makes me feel less cool. Counting the times I’ve already used that word (”cool”) in this post, reminds me of how un-cool I can be.

One writer describes it as our “approval addiction.” We all want the approval of those around us.

I suppose where it gets out of balance is when I find myself pursuing - by default - the approval of men instead of the approval of God.

I fear that many Christian leaders in my generation (I’m 32) are too easily drawn to things because they are cool, different, unique, or “edge-y.”

That being said, many of us yearn righteously for authentic and relevant expressions of our faith. There is a depth beneath the cool that many have not missed.

I hope many young leaders (even after we all “emerge”) are far more committed to God’s approval than we are to doing what is cool. I guess I hope that for myself first. I am responsible for my own heart before God.

Yeah, I just finished reading The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg.

A terrific and easy-to-read book that challenged me on the heart, mindset, and freedom of the spiritual life. My desire and pursuit of God was really encouraged here. It wasn’t a book about how often to read my Bible or a new prayer formula. It was more about these lesser-known (but just as important) commitments…

Things like…

Learning to slow down the pace of your life.

Focusing on being a better servant.

Seeking right-living instead of mere “balance.”

The value of honest confession.

I have to say it was an awesome book. I read 220 pages in three days, something I rarely do anymore. It was collateral reading for a class I’m taking at Denver Seminary, I chose to read it. And I would read it again.

Ortberg is engaging, passionate, colorful, and honest. He is a teacher, writer, and Christian I greatly admire - and he’s not full of himself. The book is full of grace. Have you seen it?

Tomorrow, I’m starting a study series on Philippians. Here’s how that letter starts:

“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons…”

Here are two groups of people who are living under a new identity. For a great reason, a great cause, and a tremendous God, these have been transformed.

Paul and Timothy are now “servants of Christ Jesus.”

People in Philippi are now “saints in Christ Jesus.”

Without God, most people are left to serve themselves. Paul is now a servant of Christ Jesus.

Without God, the people in Philippi would have continued in human pride, just glad to be Romans in a proud city. Because of the Cross, they are now “saints.”

A saint is….

holy.

set apart.

chosen by God.

called out of the general population for the purpose of investing in eternity.

dearly loved.

forgiven.

made pure, released from the bondage of the sin-stained life.

The “old” identity was drowning in sin, pride, and deceit. The “new” identity is defined as “saint.”

- Is that me? Is that you?
- Why do we so often prefer the “old” identity?
- Why do we let our jobs, our friends, our finances define us instead of Christ?
- What would it look like for me to realize and act upon the reality that I’m a “saint” in God’s eyes?
- Why does it often seem like a downer to think of being a “servant” of the most High God? We all serve something or someone anyway…

Just a few thoughts… thoughts from a saint struggling to grasp his new identity.