Going Tiger

The early morning news shows and the Internet were ablaze this morning with the news of the escape and attack of a Siberian tiger at the San Francisco Zoo on Christmas evening. The tiger, in a manner yet to be determined, escaped from its habitat and attacked three young men from San Jose. Two of the victims are in stable condition, while the other died at the scene.

The attack reminded me of the Sigfried and Roy incident from not too long ago. Following that unfortunate event, there was great public outrage that the tiger might attack. Chris Rock, the well-known comedian, finally stated the obvious: "That tiger didn't go crazy. It went tiger."

The truth is that tigers, like many other animals, were not designed to be put on display. They were designed as predators in the wild. While we may put them in cute cages, and even occasionally dress them up in cutesy outfits (like at the circus), they still remain wild beasts whose natural instinct is to attack.

All of these thoughts made me wonder about the purpose of man. Surely we were made for more than punching a clock, surfing the web, or daydreaming. We were made for a purpose as well and until we find ourselves living within that purpose, we are going to feel as out-of-place as a tiger with a tutu, standing on its hind legs as kids scream for cotton candy.

In the coming year, may you find your reason for existence. May you encounter the purpose for which you were created. May you experience life at its fullest.

Merry Christmas

Hope you and your loved ones have a great Christmas. May these holidays bring you more in love with your family, friends, and the God who would wrap Himself in skin to know you.

In the Presence of Greatness

I'm finishing my preparation for my part of the Christmas Eve service at Olivet right now. I'm excited about the service tonight because we are combining with two other churches, Westminster (Evansville) and New Hope (Chandler). I'm always excited when the church breaks down artificial walls and begins to demonstrate what heaven will be like, when the Church is united.

In preparation for tonight, I've been thinking about the impact of the truly great have on what they do. For example, James Naismith created basketball in 1891. For nearly a century the game was played with some truly excellent players in that period. However, when Michael Jordan began playing for the Chicago Bulls, he showed us what the game could truly be like. He changed how the game is played forever.

Others that I can think of with a similar impact include: Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, William Shakespeare, and Chick-Fil-A. What about you? Who do you think has completely reshaped how something is done?

Chanukah Ham

There is nothing like a nice kosher Chanukah celebration. Imagine sitting at the table with your family waiting for the "boneless, smoked ham." Oh wait...that wouldn't be kosher. What was I thinking?

ht: In the Agora

Lovin' my wife

I was reading one of the many blogs that I cruise through on a daily basis when one line jumped out at me. Craig Groeschel has been writing a list of 40 things that he wished someone had told him when he was 20. I really appreciated number 36 (just wondering why it took until 36 to get to it). It said:

"36. Love your wife more than you love the church. The church is Jesus' bride, not yours."

The temptation in ministry is to spend so much time loving and serving others that you forget about the one that you committed to loving and serving "until death do you part." What a regular temptation for me. It is so easy to eat lunch with an elder/youth worker/another pastor and never invite your wife (and those beautiful girls) to lunch.

Kitten...if you are reading this...first, I'm impressed you found the time in the midst of raising two amazing girls at home where there is no internet connection. Second, you've heard me say on numerous occasions that I married out of my league. No doubt there are many times that you agree. Thank you. Thank you for loving me when I am imperfect. Thank you for doing a great job with two awesome girls. Thank you for being so supportive of me and our calling to the church. Thank you for making sacrifices so that others can know that God loves them. Today, know that you are loved beyond measure and I appreciate you.

What does God really desire from us?

This morning I was reading Isaiah 1 when some thoughts jumped out at me. As I read Isaiah 1:11-14 the question formed in the back of my brain and moved forward, smacking me between the eyes. What does God really desire from us? Does He want us to routinely go through the motions of worship or would He rather sincere love and appreciation? Does God really need our worships songs? Does He need our recitation of "The Lord's Prayer"? For that matter, does He even need our tithes and offerings? No. What He really wants is us. He delights in those aforementioned acts only as they are a authentic response to who we are and our love for Him.

What God desires are worshippers who "worship in Spirit and truth" (John 4:23-24). What He wants is for all those Jesus-followers to "act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly" with Him (Micah 6:8). He desires for us to "seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow" (Isaiah 1:17).

Legal Steps Begin

Today was a very exciting day in the life of Discovery. We submitted our Articles of Incorporation to the Secretary of State for Indiana. They were approved nearly instantaneously. We then filed for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) with the Internal Revenue Service and were quickly granted that as well. In the coming week, we will be setting up our own checking account and be ready to receive funds (like donations).

The First Discovery Launch Team Meeting

Last night marked a landmark event in the life of Discovery Church and I must confess I was amazed. After Kitten and I decided nearly a year ago to pursue this vision, it left me filled with awe to see God at work. As the Launch Team met for the first time together at Jack & Susan's (and Elise's) house, I was overwhelmed with the sense that God was up to something.

I believe with all my heart that God is calling us into this new and exciting adventure. He has placed a vision for His church so deeply within my heart. I can envision what the first service will be like. Yet to see this group of seventeen gathered in one house being the church...it almost took my breath away (but it didn't keep me from sharing a devotional thought).

It was such a pleasure to sit in community together and get to know each other, to share the vision for what God wants to do in our midst, and look forward to that becoming a reality. The worship felt authentic. The prayers were real, not forced or contrived. The girls had a great time playing in the back (with only one missing tooth to show for it).

It's funny, but I am already looking forward to the next time. To clarifying the vision with greater detail. To even more people coming aboard. To greater excitement as we get closer and closer to seeing the vision become reality. To being the church.

I'm So Thankful

This past week featured Thanksgiving. During worship yesterday morning, our pastor spoke about the importance of developing a mindset of thankfulness. He mentioned that he was once challenged to write out 20 things for which he was thankful. In that spirit, I'm attempting to create a similar list. Please enjoy or feel free to comment with your own list.

• My wife, Kitten. You are the most amazing woman in the world. Thank you for your patience with me.
• My daughter Alyssa Grace. You made me laugh so hard yesterday walking around acting like Hannah Montana.
• My daughter Morgan Faith. I love it when you snuggle into my body and sleep. You have reminded me of the delight that the Father must have when we rest in Him.
• My nephews. It is so much fun to have you run up and jump in my arms and yell "Uncle Trey."
• My in-laws. You have taught me so much. Thank you for welcoming me into your family.
• My friends. (I'm not going to cheat the process and name you specifically just to get a number, but I am very thankful for each of you).
• New friends. I'm so glad that we've gotten to meet each other this year (especially Dan, Geoff, Kevin & Esther and Billy & Sarah).
• Our home. A lovely 3 BR, 2 BA ranch on Evansville's growing Northside. Want to buy it?
• Two well-operating vehicles that allow us to drive all over Evansville (at a mere $2.96/gallon).
• The past. You realize today's blessings so much easier when you look at where God has taken you in the past.
• The future. It is so exciting to look and see where God is taking us in the future as well.
• Olivet Presbyterian Church. I honestly could have never imagined staying in one place to serve for 8 years as a youth minister when I came. Yet you have become family. Kitten and I are so thankful for you. You bless us on a regular basis.
• The youth workers at Olivet. Wow! You truly are the youth ministers at Olivet. Thanks for not collecting a salary so that I can.
• Discovery Church. (Can you be thankful for a church that hasn't even had a service yet?) I look forward to growing and serving alongside you in the future.
• Discovery's Launch team. Thank you for committing to serve those who will come to check us out over the next seven months.
• Discovery's Board of Directors. Thank you for saying "yes." You have already provided so much to the process. I look forward to learning so much more from each of you.
• Tim Tebow. If he doesn't win the Heisman, they should change the name of the award to "Heist-man." You can vote for Tim to win here.

• God's sovereignty. I find it very comforting to know that God is in control.
• Microsoft's generosity. They're fixing my XBox 360 for free and extending the warranty. Now if I could just get the process to happen quicker.
• Evansville. I remember growing up thinking that I would want to live anywhere but Evansville. Now I realize just how great Evansville is. I hope that 2008 sees continued growth and development happening within the city/county.

What's in a Name

What do you want to name your blog? The seriousness of the issue struck me. I could put some lame name down (like "Trey's Thoughts" or "Trey's blog") but that's not really my style. I could put my name down ("Trey McClain") but that feels very ego-centered (wouldn't that make Freud happy). Instead, I figured to go with the abstract.

Anagnorisis is a Greek literary term that refers to the startling discovery, usually by the hero, that produces a change from ignorance to knowledge. Furthermore, it relates to a discovery about who (or what) the individual really is. One of the greatest contemporary uses of this technique is found in "The Sixth Sense," one of my all-time favorite movies.

God often brings these "anagnorisis" moments into our lives. These are the moments when you discover there is so much more that He has in store for you, more than you could ever imagine. It's your bride as she makes her way down the aisle on your wedding day. It is the realization that God has a specific purpose for your life. It is the call to leave the known and strike out on a new adventure.

My hope is that you will experience with me many more of these moments, that you will discover all that you were made for and that I would too.