As we exited our wonderful worship service with several other AMBC members, we were astonished to see snow falling rapidly from the sky. Proceeding further into the parking area we all began to notice the largeness of the flakes. They resembled golf ball to fist sized snowballs rather than snow-flakes…  these were insanely obese snow-flakes (One of the native Eastern Shorites said he had never seen flakes that size before). We had tons of fun playing in it. We all ran around with our mouths open trying to catch them. Ryland didn’t quite know what to think so he sat in the car and drank his bottle after watching us play for a minute.

It was such an awesome gift… a reminder that God can do whatever He wants whenever He wants.

Ryan caught a flake in his mouth but it was so big that it left him with a snow mustache… while Ryland tried to figure out what the cold stuff was that kept hitting his face. 

AMBC’s Neighboring Presby Church

Allen hosted a showing of “Facing the Giants” in our Worship Center this evening. The movie boasted a surprisingly good script with some genuinely humorous lines, a few touching moments, and some solid underscoring. All of these elements were just slightly able to overshadow the not-so-wonderful acting segments that popped up more often than I would have liked. Overall… this movie was one that I would definitely recommend for those searching for a family movie with an inspirational message centering on the phrase… ”with God all things are possible”. I cannot believe that this whole production was created by Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia on a budget of only $100,000 (and it grossed more than 10 million). 

When we arrived home… I was so inspired to FACE THE GIANTS in my life… that I took a brand new can of WD-40 and attacked everything that was “hinged” within our Maryland Weaver Casa. In my opinion… there are not many smells that top the beautiful aroma of WD-40 at work on some creaky, crappy, can’t-wait-to-be-greased hinge. So… for about 30 minutes… I was lost in the passion (and aroma) of my giant-slaying. I greased every hinge I could find… from each door hinge in the Greystone (three per door)… to the hinges on the dish washer… to the hinges on the sliding-glass back door… to the hinges that attach the toilet seats onto the toilet bowls. My mission was not complete… until my loving wife… lovingly yanked the can from my hand… and hid it somewhere in the garage.

I love the smell of WD-40… and tomorrow… I have vowed to find that hidden can (or trudge out into the frozen tundra of Delmar to purchase another one…) and attack the door hinges, door handles, and other random moving objects on the Mitsubishi and the Jeep.

When you are looking for an entertainingly redundant list to perlustrate… I recommend “2000 Unofficial uses for WD-40“. ENJOY!!! (btw… I encourage uses #110, #288, #526, #552, #592, #806, #842, #1284, #1426, and the all-important #1956)

PRESS ON!!!

-Weav

Saturday morning is a special time of tv watching in the Weaver Casa. We typically catch up on some HGTV watching (for home decorating/cleaning/organizing inspiration) and some cartoon watching (Rylz prefers the Backyardigans and the WonderPets). 

This morning we have uncovered a tv show on A&E that has a great premise (document airport issues with flight travel and psychopath customers) and an awesome tag-line (”we all have our baggage.”).

Anywho… if you’ve got some time to kill… check out this show on A&E… AIRLINE.

PRESS ON!!!

-Weav

All I can say is… “WOW.”

When you have a more than a moment to read some disturbing words that were recently directed at the “emerging church movement” by an SBC layperson from Missouri… please do so.

The following quote was one that I posted on Marty Duren’s SBC OUTPOST blog.

—————     

“Sorry to distract from the “evils of drink” discussion here… but I must interject with a few thoughts concerning the direction of the SBC…

Dr. Reid is right on with his assessment and subsequent investment in this GENERATION.

I am grateful for the Southern Baptist heritage that has been passed down to this SBC Student Pastor (who recently followed the Call of God by transplanting his family from the midst of the “Bible Belt” in southern Oklahoma/north Texas to reach this GENERATION of STUDENTS on the Eastern Shore of Maryland) but I am fearful that our vision for “conservativism” is leading us down a path that may forever remain irreversible.

WE (the southern baptists) CANNOT PRETEND TO REACH THIS GENERATION BY SIMPLY SINGING THE HYMNS OF OUR HERITAGE and CLOSED-MINDEDLY CLINGING TO OUR STATEMENTS OF FAITH… THIS GENERATION IS CRYING OUT FOR A CONVERSATION of FAITH.

I pray that we will be able to provide this GENERATION with authentic answers to their questions… and that we will actively build a legacy of faith in Christ that inspires more than petty referendums (from men like Moran and others) and not-so-subtle rants (from men like myself and others).”

————— 

PRESS ON!!!

-Weav

   

I just finished reading two books this week that I would most definitely recommend. Here are a few thoughts to wet your appetite…

.: Untamed by Xan Hood :.

 I picked this book up at the YS Convention in Austin last year (October 2006) from the “TH1NK” booth in the convention hall with one intention in mind… To find a book that would effectively communicate some truths about becoming a man to the guys under my spiritual shepherding. What I ended up uncovering was much more about my own search for beauty, my relationship with my wife, my relationship with my son, and my relationship with my dad than I ever expected. “Untamed” is right in-line with the “Wild at Heart” approach to becoming a man.

 The casual nature of Xan’s writing was very non-confrontational… as he invited me to understand his journey with Christ… and by doing so… to understand more about my journey. Throughout the book he discusses his attempts to answer the question “Am I man enough?”… and the desires that God has placed in the heart of each man, created with the need to answer this question. I particularly enjoyed his fresh perspective concerning “Beauty” and “The heart of a woman” (chapters 6 and 7)… and I feel that this book is perfect for sharing with young men who are (often unknowingly) seeking this desire that God has placed within them.

 + Weaver’s favorite “Untamed” quotes:

      - “I knew masculinity had something to do with this internal call to prove I could answer and fulfill the questions and desires within me, desires to be strong, to be brave, to be cunning, and to do whatever I wanted; to be tough, confident, good with the ladies and at sports, and be a success with anything my hands were to touch. It was a desire to be something- something that seemed to sum up what “being a man” meant.” (p. 17)

     - “Beauty was never meant to be worshipped the way you do… It’s not that you desire beauty too much; it’s that you’ve settled for so little. Your hopes are placed in the wrong thing. What if there was more beauty out there than you have ever known, but you just didn’t have the eyes to see it?” (p. 92)

     - “My testimony and my life were not to be about my performance, or a happy and perfect made-up life. It was a story about how God had come for me, and was still coming for me, even when I had turned away and run. I am beginning to believe my life, just like every life, is very unique. It is my own. I don’t have to pretend to be someone else, or fit into someone else’s testimony. I have a story about God. A story that isn’t a neatly packaged testimony, but a real one- a story that speaks about Jesus and his work in me. And I hope it is a story worth telling- not because it makes me into a hero, but it proves the love and faithfulness of God.” (p. 147)

     - “I am more convinced than ever, if we are to find masculinity and step into who we are as men of God, we are going to have to go out and ask for it from someone who has it, and wrestle it from them. I don’t think it was meant to be that way. I imagine it is actually the older men who are supposed to do the asking and initiate all of this. But we live in a time and a culture now where that doesn’t happen anymore.” (p. 163)

.: Release the Power of Prayer by George Muller :. 

 This book by George Muller was purchased for all of the Allen Memorial staff by our Senior Pastor. In my experience… when a Senior Pastor buys me a book then gives strong encouragment to read that book by a given date… I am more prone to lose interest immediately… and even begin to develop an unhealthy aversion to the author of the book (as if to silently communicate my disapproval to that author… “Why the crap did you write this? Now I have to read it… you jerk!”).

 For whatever reason… this reading assignment was appealing to my reading taste. Over the years, I have heard many George Muller quotes, George Muller sermon illustrations, and have even seen a Veggie Tales spoof of George Muller’s uncommon faith to establish orphanages in England that would not “seek the patronage of the world.” So… I read the book in about two weeks… and I even enjoyed the words that Muller had penned (ALL: “gasp! Do you understand that this implies that Weaver is less of a little Southern Baptist rebel than we thought! Oh my…”).

 Most of the contents within this book are journal entries and writing from Muller’s personal accounts of God’s movement in his life and ministry. I found much encouragment from the insight into Muller’s heart during many years of faith that God would meet every need for himself, his family, his staff, and the orphans under his care. I was particularly drawn to Muller’s teachings on Prevailing Prayer (chapter 4), Determining the Will of God (chapter 6), and God’s Way (chapter 8 ).

 + Weaver’s favorite “Release the Power of Prayer” quotes:

     - “Although it has been stated before, every believer is not called to establish orphanages or charities and trust in the Lord for the support of these institutions, yet all believers are called upon, in the simple confidence of faith, to cast all their burdens upon him (Psalm 55:22). They are to trust him for everything (Psalm 37:5; Proverbs 3:5), and not only to make everything a subject of prayer, but to expect answers to their petitions that they have asked according to his will and in the name of the Lord Jesus (Matthew 21:22; John 11:22).” (p. 36)

     - “We constantly have to look to the Lord for counsel and guidance in our difficulties; without his constant guidance, we would only make mistakes and take wrong steps.” (p. 114)

     - “Expect great things from God and great things you will have. There is no limit to what he is able to do.” (p. 128)

     - “The great point is never to give up until the answer comes… The great fault of the children of God is that they do not continue in prayer; they do not go on praying; they do not persevere. If they desire anything for God’s glory, they should pray until they get it.” (p. 128)

PRESS ON!!!

-Weav

“LIFE IS ABOUT NETWORKING…” 

The common phrase (that is becoming cliche because of all the online dating and social networking websites) is so very true.

Over the past week, I have had some excellently informative conversations with many men who share my desire to deeply impact this generation of students for Christ. I have documented some of my struggels and thoughts concerning cell ministry for students… and the steps that need to be taken to get to that place… but I have neglected to credit some of the men who have cheated from their ministries in order to discuss this “beautifully complex quandry” that we are beginning to embrace as a student ministry at Allen.

The theologian Reinhold Neibuhr (of the “serenity prayer” fame…) once said…
“Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in a lifetime; therefore we must be saved by hope. Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore we must be saved by faith. Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore we are saved by love.”

Much in the same context that Neibuhr was illustrating our need for collective reasoning and shared experience… I have approached this transitional discovery and research phase by listening to the vision, successes, and failures of others.

This am/sm transition is far-from-over… and this network of men will most assuredly be bothered often, listened to, and relied upon much more as we pursue this Vision for reaching this generation on the Eastern Shore in the days ahead. Many thanks to these… and others who will undoubtedly be added to this list in the future…

.: Tommy Woodard… www.skitguys.com
.: Bruce Kendrick…… www.rheasmill.com
.: Michael McMinn…… www.themissionalposition.com
.: Ted Stump……….. www.cellgroup.com
.: Michael Sove……… www.thresholdmike.blogspot.com/
.: Randy Riggins……. www.faithpromise.org
.: Larry Davis……….. www.orbc.net

PRESS ON!!!

-Weav

it began with the roll…

proceeded to sitting and scooting…

and as of 2/9/07 Ryland has mastered the pre-crawl… complete with rocking motion!

The crawl will be here any day if I know my son… he is determined and even angered at times as he attempts forward motion. He is, however, very good at moving backwards. Every time he tries to move forward his legs slip out from underneath him causing the backward motion and frustration.

We have begun to put things “up”. Namely Ryan’s sword and computer cables which we found Ryland terribly close to using as toys.

He has also found it fun to put his mouth on the cold sliding glass doors…

Amanda and I were driving home from leading worship at the Salisbury University BSM this evening… when our conversation shifted from college memories to my little sister’s insanely super-human ability to gleek whenever she wants. Those of you who have been targeted by my Callie’s flying saliva from as far as ten feet away know exactly how super-human her ability truly is. So… here’s a little list that’s worth the read for those who would like a little more insight into the intellectually bottomless abyss that is the mind of Weaver.

I am so thankful that the Lord has created me to be the man that I am… but if I could “acquire” (or borrow, pilfer… straight-up steal) a few skills, talents, abilities, and gifts from these people that I love… there would be little hesitation on my part. 

Here are TEN TALENTS THAT I WOULD TAKE from the insanely gifted people in my life… 

.: 10. the mathematical skills of Pops… seriously… how did I get the big nose gene and none of the mathematical genetics from Kevin Von Weaver? What’s up with that Pops?

.: 9… the gleeking skills of Callie Anne. Who would not desire the ability to shoot saliva like lasers across the room in an inconspicuous manner?

.: 8… the “big bat” of D-Mac. I have never seen a guy be able to swat a softball over a fence on a line like this gargantuan of a man named Douglas V. McKinney.

.: 7… the dodge ball skills of A-Nick. Imagine the quickness of a squirrel… combined with the mental prowess (and hairline) of a bald eagle… add in the elusiveness of a gopher… and that gives you the total dodge ball package that is Aaron P. Nickles.

.: 6… the timely humor of Bruce G. Kendrick. Sometimes the sarcasm could be tempered in favor of “grace“… but aside from that… there is no more humorous person on the face of the earth.

.: 5… the Hendrix-kid’s mad guitar skills. Adam’s recent finger-picking/plucking/strumming display only a hint of my cousin’s musical talent. 

.: 4… the ability to lead a ministry legacy like Tommy Woodard. My Student Pastor, mentor, and friend has invested himself and reproduced himself within many who are leading lives of ministry today. His impact on this generation of students (and the previous one) is on-going as he and Eddie still rock the SkitGuys show all over the nation.

.: 3… the ability to stay committed like Ludwig Von and Anna Houstine Weaver. The struggles and trials that my grandparents have endured through the years (less recently… the hundreds of unappreciative, bottle-fed, immature church members who, over the many years, were impatient with their shepherd… and most recently… G-Dad’s brain tumor and subsequent complications…) and the completely-committed love that they have for one another after over 50 years is a skill anyone would covet.

.: 2… the ability to personify courage like Brick James. His battle with cancer over these many years is an inspiration and a living challenge to any who desire to live life to the fullness that God designed.

.: 1… the ability to see people with the eyes of Jesus like Jeffrey D. Woodard. There are very few wasted words with this man. I am not the first to see it… and I am not the first to say it.

PRESS ON!!!

-Weav

“Eve was given to this world as the incarnation of a beautiful captivating God–a life-offering, life-saving lover, a relational specialist, full of tender mercy and hope. Yes, she brought a strength to the world, but not a striving, sharp-edged strength. She was inviting alluring captivating.” (pg. 44, Captivating)

I have been re-reading parts of the book “Captivating” by John and Stasi Eldredge and it has brought to my attention some thoughts concerning my question… well… every women’s question. In reading about my question it has caused me to rethink the answer to that question. I have been forced into honesty. When I had read it prior I glossed over the question assuming that I had been given the correct answer from the correct person.

“Most women doubt that they have any genuine beauty to unveil. It is, in fact, our deepest doubt.” (pg. 45, Captivating) I am no different.

The question is…Am I lovely? Do you see me? Do you want to see me? Are you captivated by what you find in me?

For soooo long I have claimed that my question(s) was answered with a resounding yes… but was it really? If so, then why do I carry so many wounds that would lend themselves to someone who had heard the opposite? I think I have known in my head it was a yes, but in my heart I have never believed it. I have never claimed it as truth for myself. I have lived in a way that only exposes the parts of myself that I am sure people want to see, because I am afraid of being seen… I am afraid that I will expose something ugly and I will hear a “no”. Who really knows me? Do you? Do many women really have relationships that are deep and worthwhile? Most women I know are unwilling to expose themselves for fear that they will hear a “no” in response to the question. 

“Little girls need the tender strength of their fathers. They need to know that their daddies are strong and will protect them; they need to know that they fathers are for them. Above all, a little girl learns the answer to her Question from her father. Remember twirling skirts? We twirled in front of our daddies. We wanted to know, ‘Daddy am I lovely? Am I captivating?’ From them, we learn that we are delighted in, that we are special… or that we are not.” (pg. 62, Captivating)

As with boys, girls need to have their question answered by their father. Men who become fathers have a unique obligation to relfect the character of The Father in the lives of their children. So many men fail at this. In fact I would say most men fail at times. My father was no different.

I remember tender moments. I remember smiles. I remember I love yous. I remember hugs. I remember my Dad being their to watch me do “stuff”. I remember my Dad telling other people about how wonderful his daughter’s voice was. But…I can’t remember him telling me that I was lovely, that I am worthwhile, that I am captivating (not in any form or phrasing of the words).  I can’t remember. I want to. But I am not sure that it was ever spoken. I think he thought those things… but I don’t know.

What I do remember is my mother saying all of those things and telling me my father thought them. I remember her explaining to me that my dad wasn’t very “good at communicating”. I remember her saying that he never even told his sister’s that he loved them until after he married my Mom. Even now I know that my mother would/will fight to convince me that my father found me “lovely”. The problem is that I will never know because he will never tell me. That is the most grievous thing about his death… I’ll never know.

What I do know is that Christ is the answer to all of my questions… to all of my wounds. He is the Great Healer. He is the Author of all relationships. He is the Perfector of my faith.

My faith has been lacking. I have not trusted that my Creator’s creations are always perfect. I have neglected to value the reflection of the Divine that is within me. May I be refined and made complete as a I grapple with my question and trust in the answers that my Father gives me.

I know that my Dad loved me… I love(d) him. I have some wonderful memories of him. But he was human. His father, whom I never met, probably did not have an open relationship with him. In fact, he died when my father was still a teenager… in the same way that my Dad died when I was a teenager. I’m sure my Dad spent his life only revealing parts of himself for fear that his question would be answered with a “no”. I am sure this is a pattern that goes back for generations… generations without fathers who said “yes, you have what it takes” and “yes, you are lovely.”

Even just a moment ago I typed that the cycle stops with me, but the truth is that I don’t have the ability to stop it. Just as my mother could not answer my question, neither can I for my children. I am not their father.

However… my children will hear a resounding YES! They will know it in their hearts, because I married a man who understands the father blessing. He is passionate about communicating the “yes” to our children.

Ryan says to our son every day “you are my son in whom I am well pleased”. He has not missed a day in our son’s seven month existence.

I am thankful for a husband who desires to give our children a foundation and understanding of themselves that is based on truth and not muddied by wounds caused by unanswered questions.