Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Friday, August 07, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
messy spirituality pt.01
i find that in my line of work you see the messiness of life coming at you in every direction. and yet at the same time you can enter a church and in general everyone seems to have everything all together and figured out. this always makes me wonder "what's the deal with all of this?" when it comes to being authentic the reality is we(people made in the image of God)are messy. we are people who are committed one day|moment and lazy the next. we serve and we are selfish, we love and we hate, we worship God and we worship ________. we are messy, inconsistent, erratic, lopsided, imperfect, and unfinished.
over the next who knows how long i hope to blog some more of my thoughts on this as i go through this book "Messy Spirituality - God's annoying love for imperfect people" by Michael Yaconelli. It is a book I have read a number of times and have always found it challenging, encouraging, and thought provoking.
here are a couple quotes to leave you thinking...
"spirituality is not a formula; it is not a test. It is a relationship. Spirituality is not about competency; it is about intimacy. Spirituality is not about perfection; it is about connection."
"The way of the spiritual life begins where we are now in the mess of our lives. Accepting the reality of our broken, flawed lives is the beginning of spirituality not because the spiritual life will remove our flaws but because we let go of seeking perfection and, instead, seek God, the one who is present in the tangledness of our lives."
"spirituality is not about being fixed; it is about God being present in the mess of our unfixedness."
stay tuned for more...
grace and peace,
r
Friday, March 20, 2009
food...it's not fair
So I don't know about you all, but there was a time for me when i could eat anything and as much of anything that I wanted and had little to no negative effects. my metabolism was great. these days not so much. i've been trying to be wise with the foods i eat and the amounts of it that i allow into my body. the truth is i have a pretty typical italian man body that is moving into a later stage of life which basically means it all goes to my stomach. lame! to all this i say...
it's not fair!
enjoy!
it's not fair!
enjoy!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Being Missional in Seattle...a conversation with Eugene Cho
Tomorrow CC is hosting Eugene Cho for a conversation on what it means|looks like to be missional in Seattle. He is the pastor of a great Church called Quest.
I know for a while I have felt a great need for the church as a whole to start re.thinking how they/we go about doing church. Moving to the idea of being the church vs. doing church. I will save you from my soapbox for now, but all that to say I'd love your prayers for this conversation to go well. And by well I mean that is simple pushes us all in our thinking and helps us ask some good hard questions about what it means to be the church.
Here is a cool video clip about quest that has Eugene in it.
An Invitation to Quest Church from Quest Church on Vimeo.
Enjoy your Friday!
r
I know for a while I have felt a great need for the church as a whole to start re.thinking how they/we go about doing church. Moving to the idea of being the church vs. doing church. I will save you from my soapbox for now, but all that to say I'd love your prayers for this conversation to go well. And by well I mean that is simple pushes us all in our thinking and helps us ask some good hard questions about what it means to be the church.
Here is a cool video clip about quest that has Eugene in it.
An Invitation to Quest Church from Quest Church on Vimeo.
Enjoy your Friday!
r
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
i've seen it all...
so for the last two months the crew has been great at bringing friends to our happenings. one girl in particular has been so cool. asking lots of great questions, energized, eager to learn, and just great at meeting people. anyways, she asked me an age old question that i get asked all the time. especially now having over 15 years of experience in youth work. the question was about "why do you do what you do" and what i would add to the question that is typical is the word that follows the question. "still" well this video is not only funny, but also true. i have seen all of these and so much more and it is hard to imagine me not doing this kind of work.
i hope this video answers some of the questions and provides you with some laughter!
i hope this video answers some of the questions and provides you with some laughter!
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
new U2esday!
so the new u2 album is out if you didn't know! it is very different from other albums, but that is what I love about this band. i think you will find it needs to marinate a bit in your soul as you listen, but in the end you will find some jems.
also if you want to download the album for only $4 then you need to go to AMAZON.COM and hit the "digital download - mp3" section and you can follow the add. I did it already and am currently enjoying!
hope you do too!
peace,
r
also if you want to download the album for only $4 then you need to go to AMAZON.COM and hit the "digital download - mp3" section and you can follow the add. I did it already and am currently enjoying!
hope you do too!
peace,
r
Thursday, February 19, 2009
a panel conversation at MHGS
i have the privileged of being a part of a panel conversation tomorrow at Mars Hill Graduate School for a class taught by Dr. Chelle Sterns - an amazing woman, teacher, theologian, musician, and member of CC the church that serve. I feel very honored to have been asked and am excited to be back at the school that has been so influential to my life, ministry, and practice. I will share more about this after tomorrow!
* mhgs photo by Patrick Love
* dr. Sterns photo by Colleen Taylor
* mhgs photo by Patrick Love
* dr. Sterns photo by Colleen Taylor
Thursday, February 05, 2009
thank you all!
So I know I have been asking for some votes for the local magazine Seattle Bride that is taking votes for the best of 2009. I'd still love your vote for best of wedding officiant. it has to be done by february 15 and it only takes a minute and it would really mean a lot to me and the work that i do.
Just click here to vote! SB.best.of.2009
i found out the other day that another website that i'm on for weddings called Wedding Wire and Martha Stewart Weddings did an internal survey of brides/vendors and I won the 2009 brides choice award!
Thank you all for your support thank you clients and vendors that I've worked with you all have helped make my job a joy!
Just click here to vote! SB.best.of.2009
i found out the other day that another website that i'm on for weddings called Wedding Wire and Martha Stewart Weddings did an internal survey of brides/vendors and I won the 2009 brides choice award!
Thank you all for your support thank you clients and vendors that I've worked with you all have helped make my job a joy!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
vote...
many of you know that I do a lot of weddings well a big magazine in the Seattle area called Seattle Bride is taking votes for the best of 2009 and I'd love your vote for best of wedding officiant. it has to be done by february 15 and it only takes a minute. It would really mean a lot to me and the work that i do.
Just click here to vote! SB.best.of.2009
i really appreciate your vote and you stopping by!
grace and peace,
r
Just click here to vote! SB.best.of.2009
i really appreciate your vote and you stopping by!
grace and peace,
r
Monday, January 19, 2009
get on your boots...
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
the glow year glasses...
Some of you may or may not know this but my Dad [Richard Sclafani Sr.] and his best buddy [Peter Cicero] are the original inventors of the glow year glasses.
Here is one of many great articles on the story...this one from the Seattle Times. Click here to read. They will be interviewed by almost all the major television stations including Dick Clark's New Years Eve Celebration, David Letterman, and others. Sadly this will be the last year that they produce them. So make sure as you celebrate the new year that you keep an eye out for these amazing little novelties that have been around a long time putting smiles on millions of faces!
Oh, and if you are wondering what they are up to now you can go to Brainstorm Novelties to get any kind of novelty you can think of. OR if you like good Italian food with great Italian Music than you should look up my Dad and Pete's band The Tarantellas.
Here's to you Dad and Pete! You two are awesome!
love you both,
r
note: yes that is my wife in the glow year glasses advertisement! she is famous!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
love all...sunday's sermon
i'm working on my sermon for sunday on "LOVE ALL" and I'd love your thoughts...
Here are some questions I have for you...feel free to answer some or all!
* What comes to mind when you first here the phrase "love all"
* What makes loving easy or difficult
* How has love effected your life
* Share a story of in which love moved you
* What scriptures, quotes, songs, etc. that come to mind when you think of "love all"
* What does loving all really look like
* Does the Bible really tell us to "love all"
Here are some biblical texts that I have been playing around with...
[Love all] TEXT…[various]
John 1v1-14 [nlt]
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
Luke 2v10-12 [msg]
The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
Philippians 2v1-11 [msg]
If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion. Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.
I John 3v16-19 [nlt]
We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.
Matthew 22v37-39 [nlt]
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Revelation 2:1-5
"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.'"
Here are some questions I have for you...feel free to answer some or all!
* What comes to mind when you first here the phrase "love all"
* What makes loving easy or difficult
* How has love effected your life
* Share a story of in which love moved you
* What scriptures, quotes, songs, etc. that come to mind when you think of "love all"
* What does loving all really look like
* Does the Bible really tell us to "love all"
Here are some biblical texts that I have been playing around with...
[Love all] TEXT…[various]
John 1v1-14 [nlt]
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
Luke 2v10-12 [msg]
The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
Philippians 2v1-11 [msg]
If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion. Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.
I John 3v16-19 [nlt]
We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.
Matthew 22v37-39 [nlt]
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Revelation 2:1-5
"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.'"
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
merry Christmas from Coldplay...
Merry Christmas Eve everyone!
I hope you are well. I woke up early again with Gladys to find that it is dumping snow again. We already have about 3 inches on our foot or so from the last dump. It is beautiful!
I then checked my email and got this wonderful message from one of my favorite bands: Coldplay. I thought how appropriate for this season that is quite cold and full of play that I would get this. So I pass on to you all what has been passed on to me...
I free download of a funky remix version of Viva La Vida and a little video rendition of Jingle Bells from a recent concert in London.
I hope you all enjoy!
Merry Christmas!
r
I hope you are well. I woke up early again with Gladys to find that it is dumping snow again. We already have about 3 inches on our foot or so from the last dump. It is beautiful!
I then checked my email and got this wonderful message from one of my favorite bands: Coldplay. I thought how appropriate for this season that is quite cold and full of play that I would get this. So I pass on to you all what has been passed on to me...
I free download of a funky remix version of Viva La Vida and a little video rendition of Jingle Bells from a recent concert in London.
I hope you all enjoy!
Merry Christmas!
r
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Ideas for engaging in Advent from home...
For all those who will not be attending church today due to the snow...
Here are some ways to engage in the season in the comfort of your own home.
As a family or on your own...
* read the Christmas story found in the beginning of Matthew and Luke or listen to sermons online. CC Sermons can be found here
* watch a Christmas movie together...ex. The Charlie Brown Christmas
* light the 3rd candle of advent together and use the CC devotional with it
* listen to and sing some Christmas songs [click here for a free downloadable album] or click here for another free downloadable album
* invite others to join you! your neighbors are probably stuck at home as well!
* rest
* enjoy a good meal
* make something together
* pray
* read a book
* PLAY!
Here is a video that I totally love... it helps me reflect on the real meaning of Christmas in light of our present day cultures version of it. Hope you all have a wonderful, restful, and safe Sunday! Merry Christmas!
Here are some ways to engage in the season in the comfort of your own home.
As a family or on your own...
* read the Christmas story found in the beginning of Matthew and Luke or listen to sermons online. CC Sermons can be found here
* watch a Christmas movie together...ex. The Charlie Brown Christmas
* light the 3rd candle of advent together and use the CC devotional with it
* listen to and sing some Christmas songs [click here for a free downloadable album] or click here for another free downloadable album
* invite others to join you! your neighbors are probably stuck at home as well!
* rest
* enjoy a good meal
* make something together
* pray
* read a book
* PLAY!
Here is a video that I totally love... it helps me reflect on the real meaning of Christmas in light of our present day cultures version of it. Hope you all have a wonderful, restful, and safe Sunday! Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
love all...
so my next sermon at CC is coming down the pike. on the 28th of december i will be closing our advent conspiracy conversations that have been going other throughout this advent season. the conversation will be on these two words...LOVE ALL.
I'm finding that much like my last sermon on WORSHIP FULLY that there are so many angles and directions one could go with these two words. so i'd love to hear from you all that pops into your mind when you hear these two words ring in your ear. what scriptures, what songs, quotes, visuals, stories, testimonies, etc. well up within you?
thanks for sharing your ponderings with me!
the song lyric that has been running through my mind since I first thought about this sermon is from a u2 song called "window in the sky" and the chorus has this phrase echo throughout it...
"oh can't you see what love has done"
and it leads me to wonder how one might answer the question...
can you see the results of God's love revealed, shared, accepted, experienced, held, etc. in your life and if so how?
i know...deep thoughts by rich sclafani!
thanks for taking time to share your thoughts!
lovage!
I'm finding that much like my last sermon on WORSHIP FULLY that there are so many angles and directions one could go with these two words. so i'd love to hear from you all that pops into your mind when you hear these two words ring in your ear. what scriptures, what songs, quotes, visuals, stories, testimonies, etc. well up within you?
thanks for sharing your ponderings with me!
the song lyric that has been running through my mind since I first thought about this sermon is from a u2 song called "window in the sky" and the chorus has this phrase echo throughout it...
"oh can't you see what love has done"
and it leads me to wonder how one might answer the question...
can you see the results of God's love revealed, shared, accepted, experienced, held, etc. in your life and if so how?
i know...deep thoughts by rich sclafani!
thanks for taking time to share your thoughts!
lovage!
Sunday, December 07, 2008
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