Brennan (our son) looted our dog's (Bailey's) bed. Next thing I knew he was making himself at home in it. Bailey did not think it was cool :( So we decided to turn it into a sled that Daddy pulls around the house. Quite fun... quite hilarious = good times!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Welcome Benjamin Knox Finch!
Our newest member of the family, Benjamin Knox Finch, arrived on Tuesday [8/25] at 9:35 pm weighing 8.1 lbs & 20.5 inches long. Joy had such a pleasant experience during delivery & is recovering quite nicely. We had wonderful support from family/friends & are very thankful for all the love directed towards us. We were able to leave the hospital last night around 7 pm & introduce Knox to his new home. Our dog Bailey greeted him with a warm kiss & Brennan was super-excited to see his lil' bro. Now we are taking time to rest, enjoy hot potato soup, & be thankful. Living the dream!
Plenty of Pics to see at: http://benfinchphotography.blogspot.com
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The Campus Initiative
An announcement was made at church on Sunday to host The Campus Initiative conference on December 17-19, 2009 at Cornerstone Church of Knoxville. Here are the details from the website:
The Campus Initiative Conference is a strategic conference held in order to encourage Christ-centered, church-based college ministry. The Campus Initiative Conference seeks to equip leaders and students to more effectively proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ on college campuses and to encourage college students to faithfully be involved in a healthy, local church.
The Campus Initiative Conference is featuring guest speakers: Dr. D. A. Carson, Randy Newman, and Bill Kittrell. Dr. Carson has a heart for college ministry and is an active guest lecturer in academic and church settings around the world. Randy Newman has served with Campus Crusade for Christ for almost 30 years and has written books specifically on evangelism. Bill Kittrell is the Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Church of Knoxville and has been involved in campus ministry for over 25 years.
You can register online at the site, http://campusinitiativeconference.com/. If you register by November 30, the cost is $50. If registered afterward, $75.
If you are coming into town for the conference, let me know... I'd be glad to meet up with you!
I am so excited; I can't wait!!!
Monday, August 17, 2009
The Fear of Death... or Nothingness
For years I feared death. Or was it that I feared nothingness? I don't really know. I remember as a child lying sleepless in my bed as I contemplated & sometimes shuttered as I thought about death & non-existence. I think what I feared most was the uncertainty that accompanied death. I occasionally asked myself, "What happens when I die?"
I think that is a valid question. I imagine we have all asked it if we were to be honest about it.
For much of my life, we were fairly nominal in church attendance & I don't recall this question being brought up much in our church. I don't know if it addressed or not. Maybe I wasn't listening. If you knew me back then, you would probably say that I wasn't listening very well... you'd probably be right. But, of all places, I figure this is the place to find answers.
Yet, I can't say that I actively pursued an answer to that question, even in church. If anything, I tried to avoid it. But, there were a few times that I was sobered up with the reality of death. I've lost plenty of loved ones. We've all lost loved ones. As one guy said, "If you've lived 30 years, you know that life is full of wonderful pleasure but also excruciating pain." He was right.
Many try to cover up their insecurities about death. Woody Allen said, "Its not that I'm afraid to die, I just don't want to be there when it happens."
A theologian, John Stott said, "Nothing baffles us human beings more than nothingness & death. We dread nothingness & death is the one even that we have absolutely no control over; we cannot escape." Wow... sobering.
Yet, is there any hope many have asked? Most of us hope in life after death. But what does that mean & how do I know?
For me, things changed concerning my outlook of death when I heard the Gospel. The Gospel says that God is the creator of life & that out of nothingness (ex nihilo), He created all things. It also says that God is sovereign over life & death. In short, I was told (& later realized the Bible states) that those who would place their faith in Jesus Christ shouldn't fear death... for they could have life after death. When someone places their faith in Jesus Christ, God regenerates their hearts. They are made alive in Christ. You see, God's son, Jesus, lived a perfect life on earth yet was murdered. He was crucified, was dead & buried. Yet, through God's power, he was raised from the dead. He beat death so that we wouldn't have to fear it.
I found great comfort in Stott's statement, "But nothingness & death are no problem to God. On the contrary, it is out of nothing that he created the universe, & out of death that He raised Jesus."
Fear of death is subdued when we come to realization of who God is.
We ought to consider death; I think it is healthy to do so. It should, however, be an avenue that leads us to Jesus. As well, it ought to compel us to beg for God's influence over our own souls & the souls of others. Wonderful confidence can be found in the Gospel!
If you have questions or fears about death or life, or God, the Gospel, etc., you are welcome to contact me. To some extent, I understand your concern about such matters & will try to gracefully listen & do my best to offer biblical advice. Also, feel free to link this article to friends & family who may be struggling with similar questions about death.
I think that is a valid question. I imagine we have all asked it if we were to be honest about it.
For much of my life, we were fairly nominal in church attendance & I don't recall this question being brought up much in our church. I don't know if it addressed or not. Maybe I wasn't listening. If you knew me back then, you would probably say that I wasn't listening very well... you'd probably be right. But, of all places, I figure this is the place to find answers.
Yet, I can't say that I actively pursued an answer to that question, even in church. If anything, I tried to avoid it. But, there were a few times that I was sobered up with the reality of death. I've lost plenty of loved ones. We've all lost loved ones. As one guy said, "If you've lived 30 years, you know that life is full of wonderful pleasure but also excruciating pain." He was right.
Many try to cover up their insecurities about death. Woody Allen said, "Its not that I'm afraid to die, I just don't want to be there when it happens."
A theologian, John Stott said, "Nothing baffles us human beings more than nothingness & death. We dread nothingness & death is the one even that we have absolutely no control over; we cannot escape." Wow... sobering.
Yet, is there any hope many have asked? Most of us hope in life after death. But what does that mean & how do I know?
For me, things changed concerning my outlook of death when I heard the Gospel. The Gospel says that God is the creator of life & that out of nothingness (ex nihilo), He created all things. It also says that God is sovereign over life & death. In short, I was told (& later realized the Bible states) that those who would place their faith in Jesus Christ shouldn't fear death... for they could have life after death. When someone places their faith in Jesus Christ, God regenerates their hearts. They are made alive in Christ. You see, God's son, Jesus, lived a perfect life on earth yet was murdered. He was crucified, was dead & buried. Yet, through God's power, he was raised from the dead. He beat death so that we wouldn't have to fear it.
I found great comfort in Stott's statement, "But nothingness & death are no problem to God. On the contrary, it is out of nothing that he created the universe, & out of death that He raised Jesus."
Fear of death is subdued when we come to realization of who God is.
We ought to consider death; I think it is healthy to do so. It should, however, be an avenue that leads us to Jesus. As well, it ought to compel us to beg for God's influence over our own souls & the souls of others. Wonderful confidence can be found in the Gospel!
If you have questions or fears about death or life, or God, the Gospel, etc., you are welcome to contact me. To some extent, I understand your concern about such matters & will try to gracefully listen & do my best to offer biblical advice. Also, feel free to link this article to friends & family who may be struggling with similar questions about death.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Closet Bed: One man's quest to turn a closet into a fort!
It wasn't the first time that I received odd looks & half-hearted smiles, but when I mentioned that I was going to turn our hall closet into a bedroom/reading "nook"/fort for the boys, I was greeted with an awkward moment of silence. I typically love awkward moments of silence, but this was directed towards me... how dare they! "I'm a visionary," I thought to myself... "they just don't understand the awesome factor this will bring to our hall!"
So... after searching for affirmation from family & friends, I decided to go for it in spite of their "looks". Well, kind of. Here are the steps: First, I painted it. Second, I took measurements, drew out a blueprint, talked to some buddies of mine at the mattress store, & had them cover a big piece of bed foam. Then I shamelessly asked my dad to built a custom platform for the bed. Next, I built a few bookshelves for the room. And, voila! Dull hall closet morphed into closet bed/fort.
I asked Joy afterward, "Does this mean that we now have a 3.5 bedroom house? If so, that rocks!"
But... there is much missing in there. The fun, "fort" factor is in place, but it definitely needs some design inspiration like some photos on the wall or a big wall-sized chalkboard. I have several photos I am narrowing down to make their appearance. Stay tuned my friends... I am committed to making it the sweetest closet bedroom ever (it could be the only closet bedroom ever, but that is what helps make it the coolest!). So... here are a few pics. Brennan loves it!!! What do ya think?
So... after searching for affirmation from family & friends, I decided to go for it in spite of their "looks". Well, kind of. Here are the steps: First, I painted it. Second, I took measurements, drew out a blueprint, talked to some buddies of mine at the mattress store, & had them cover a big piece of bed foam. Then I shamelessly asked my dad to built a custom platform for the bed. Next, I built a few bookshelves for the room. And, voila! Dull hall closet morphed into closet bed/fort.
I asked Joy afterward, "Does this mean that we now have a 3.5 bedroom house? If so, that rocks!"
But... there is much missing in there. The fun, "fort" factor is in place, but it definitely needs some design inspiration like some photos on the wall or a big wall-sized chalkboard. I have several photos I am narrowing down to make their appearance. Stay tuned my friends... I am committed to making it the sweetest closet bedroom ever (it could be the only closet bedroom ever, but that is what helps make it the coolest!). So... here are a few pics. Brennan loves it!!! What do ya think?
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Mute Math: Need I say more?
Mute Math... by far the best live concert I have ever seen... ever... I mean... ever! Btw: New album, "Armistice" available on August 18.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Ben Finch | A personal update.
Here lately I haven't had much to say, or rather, I did not know what I could add to the conversation. This season of my life has been very different for me personally & professionally. For one, this is the first quarter (4 months) in the last 8 years or so that I haven't been on staff at a church. Our family is now attending Cornerstone Church of Knoxville; it is wonderful. But... I often find myself in conversations such as:
"So, you are leading worship at this new church!" someone says...
"Actually, no," I reply.
"Well, are you getting a chance to teach very often?"
"Not really, sometimes I am speaking at different retreats & conferences, but not at our church." I say.
"Huh, what's the matter?" they say.
"Nothing that I know of, we are just learning once again what it means to be affectionate towards the Lord Jesus & His church."
These types of conversations are quite common these days; it is quite humbling really. I didn't realize how I was so closely associated to my performance: singing/playing, teaching, leading, etc. It led me to consider my identity in Christ. I wondered how much I was leaning upon my personal ability/talent rather than finding my identity in the Gospel. Plus, it seems that many measure our relationship to God with what they see in our performance for God. I understand how this could be a tempting measuring tool.
Here's what I am learning though...
I am coming to realize how important it is lead my family spiritually. Rather than lead worship on a big stage, I am finding myself trying to lead my family in worship & prayer in my living room. Which, by the way, it is much more difficult to keep their attention than large audiences! Rather than teach at my church, I am learning to receive teaching & attempt to instruct my family. Rather than plan the curriculum, I am learning to study my material for the "Exploring Cornerstone" class & be a diligent student. I am learning that in order to be someone worth following, you must first be willing to follow.
God is being so kind to us right now. I shutter to think of where I would be currently if the Lord wouldn't have led me to pause. Even more, I am jealous for others to experience the same.
Thankful!
"So, you are leading worship at this new church!" someone says...
"Actually, no," I reply.
"Well, are you getting a chance to teach very often?"
"Not really, sometimes I am speaking at different retreats & conferences, but not at our church." I say.
"Huh, what's the matter?" they say.
"Nothing that I know of, we are just learning once again what it means to be affectionate towards the Lord Jesus & His church."
These types of conversations are quite common these days; it is quite humbling really. I didn't realize how I was so closely associated to my performance: singing/playing, teaching, leading, etc. It led me to consider my identity in Christ. I wondered how much I was leaning upon my personal ability/talent rather than finding my identity in the Gospel. Plus, it seems that many measure our relationship to God with what they see in our performance for God. I understand how this could be a tempting measuring tool.
Here's what I am learning though...
I am coming to realize how important it is lead my family spiritually. Rather than lead worship on a big stage, I am finding myself trying to lead my family in worship & prayer in my living room. Which, by the way, it is much more difficult to keep their attention than large audiences! Rather than teach at my church, I am learning to receive teaching & attempt to instruct my family. Rather than plan the curriculum, I am learning to study my material for the "Exploring Cornerstone" class & be a diligent student. I am learning that in order to be someone worth following, you must first be willing to follow.
God is being so kind to us right now. I shutter to think of where I would be currently if the Lord wouldn't have led me to pause. Even more, I am jealous for others to experience the same.
Thankful!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
David Prince Quote
I am sitting here in the office listening to a sermon by David Prince; I am struck by the profundity of the message. I am listening to, "David & Goliath: We Never Knew You." The guys in small group pointed me toward him this morning as we were in weekly "sharpening" session.
What is so striking to me is the broad application the message caries. It exposes our Biblical hermeneutical errors as we approach the text. I listened to the following statement several times so that I could journal it, I was compelled to share it:
"You do realize that you can come to the Bible & just keep saying things that are true & lead someone to Hell. You do realize that don't you! Let's say someone says: 'don't commit adultery... God doesn't want you to commit adultery... it's bad. Don't steal... God doesn't want you to steal... it's bad. Give, give alot, it's good.' And we could go on & on & on. And by the way everything I said is true but everything I said was meant by God to be understood in the context of Jesus & His gospel. And if it's all you say as if Jesus & the gospel doesn't exist, it's damning... it's going to lead you in the opposite direction of where it is supposed to lead you... only when I understand how this story testifies about Jesus... only when I understand that can I make the application to my own life."
via Justin Taylor: Click Here!
What is so striking to me is the broad application the message caries. It exposes our Biblical hermeneutical errors as we approach the text. I listened to the following statement several times so that I could journal it, I was compelled to share it:
"You do realize that you can come to the Bible & just keep saying things that are true & lead someone to Hell. You do realize that don't you! Let's say someone says: 'don't commit adultery... God doesn't want you to commit adultery... it's bad. Don't steal... God doesn't want you to steal... it's bad. Give, give alot, it's good.' And we could go on & on & on. And by the way everything I said is true but everything I said was meant by God to be understood in the context of Jesus & His gospel. And if it's all you say as if Jesus & the gospel doesn't exist, it's damning... it's going to lead you in the opposite direction of where it is supposed to lead you... only when I understand how this story testifies about Jesus... only when I understand that can I make the application to my own life."
via Justin Taylor: Click Here!
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