Sunday, December 31, 2006

Christmas - Take 2!

Last night we celebrated Christmas with my parents, Jaron, Jenni and Avery. We went to J & J's house in San Jose for the afternoon and evening. We ate tasty finger foods, opened presents and enjoyed our time together. We gave my Dad a personalized license plate frame for his El Camino that reads "My Grandkids Call Me BIG PAPA." We also had the 2nd annual "Dollar Store Stocking Stuffer Exchange" with Jaron and Jenni. My stocking stuffers for Jaron featured a Tidy Bowl tablet. =) I'm very thankful for my parent's contribution to my Laptop Fund (I'm planning to get a laptop for my new adventures as a student).

The picture shows Kaylin sitting with Grams and displaying one of her presents. She was very excited about them but when asked to hold them up, she put on her serious face

Saturday, December 30, 2006

Warriors 110, Celtics 100

My Dad got NBA tickets from mom for Christmas... so Jaron and I got to go with Dad to last night's Golden State Warriors game! This blogger forgot to take any pictures... but we had a good time and Dad's team won. Here's a recap of the game.

Friday, December 29, 2006

Christmas Pics!


The Olsons - Christmas '06


Princess Cousins - Clara & Kaylin both got Disney princess "dress-up" clothes for Christmas... here they are modeling matching outfits.

Thursday, December 28, 2006

T.J.'s already 8 months old!

Happy 8-month birthday today to our little man,
Trevor John Olson!



T.J. getting a love squeeze from Big Sis on Christmas Day

Monday, December 25, 2006

Merry Christmas!

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

- Isaiah 9:6 -

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Christmas Eve - "Revolution" Style

Amy and I enjoyed and were blessed by an excellent Christmas Eve service this morning at Revolution Church. Our friends Brent & Lynelle and their kids attend Revolution. Also, some of you might remember that Amy and I had lunch with a Talbot professor and his wife a couple of months ago. Brent & Lynelle introduced us to Dr. & Mrs. Johnson, who also go to church at Revolution.

Anyway, today's service and message were a good reminder to all of us that Christmas is a busy, busy time and we can be doing lots of great things, hanging out with lots of great people, planning a great Christmas celebration... but if we forget Jesus, we're missing the point! Christmas is a celebration of Christ's birth. Revolution's production provided a humorous look at what the classic nativity scene would be like / look like if we forgot to put the baby in the manger at the center.

Worship of the shepherds, by Bronzino

We all know that Jesus is the "reason for the season" (sorry for the cheesy expression =) but let's make sure that, like the nativity scene, He is the centerpiece and focal point... not just an afterthough!

Merry Christmas!

Ho, Ho, Ho!

A few days ago, Amy took the kids to the mall. Last year, Kaylin saw Santa across the way and, not wanting to get any closer, yelled "No thank you Santa!" That was her very polite way of saying that she didn't want to meet, sit on lap, talk to, etc.

This year though, she was quite interested in seeing him, sitting on lap, etc. Although she looks a bit uncertain in the photo, she talked with Santa about what she likes and what she wanted for Christmas.

Trevor seemed to be pretty interested in the man with the long beard too!

(Picture quality is poor because that's a digital picture I took of a printed photo)

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

Saturday, December 23, 2006

"You're Tall!"

Several months after summer, I finally got some videos of me speaking at camp put online. Below is a brief preview called "You're Tall!" For more full-length videos, go to Derek's Teaching/Speaking Videos.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

God Among Us...

Translations of John 1:14
  • The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (NIV)
  • And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (NKJV)
  • And the Word became flesh and lived among us (NRSV)
  • So the Word became human and made his home among us (NLT)


When we think of “The Word,” we might usually think of God’s written Word, the Bible. However, in this verse, we can understand that “The Word” refers to Jesus. Jesus is the living, incarnate Word of God... God in the flesh, God in human form. The Greek word often translated as "dwelling" or "dwelt," can also mean "to pitch a tent" or "to tablenacle."

At Christmas time we are celebrating the fact that God loves us so much that he came and "camped out" among us!

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." - John 8:12


To our friends and family... May God bless you as you celebrate the Light of the World coming to live among us!

Merry Christmas with love,

The Olsons (Derek, Amy, Kaylin and T.J.)

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Things that make you go hmmm....

While we were out and about Scotts Valley tonight running errands, we noticed this sign on the door of the local movie theater...


We're sure glad we saw that sign... cuz now we know where to go for $4.50 sodas and $3.00 candy bars!

All the Time!

God is Good, All the Time!
All the Time, God is Good!


Seeking to follow the Lord's call, we have been making plans to move to Southern Cal and begin this new adventure. There are many details that make Amy and I a bit anxious (job, housing, moving, timing, etc.) but God's faithfulness to us in the past, has allowed us to trust Him for provision in the future. We had been excited to wait and see how God would surprise us, lead us and provide for us.

Now, we're excited to report that we've been blessed by the things God is already doing in regard to this crazy time of transition...

First, I learned that I was awarded a Dean's Grant based on financial need that will help pay for school during my first semester.

Then, we were informed that we will receive a generous (and unexpected) financial gift from our local church that will greatly help us with relocation costs!

We give glory, praise and thanks to the Lord... for He is Good!

Congrats!

We rejoice with Chris and Kirsten, who got engaged on Saturday night!

Kirsten, Chris, Derek & Amy (L-R)

This picture was taken on the day Chris' brother got married... we posted it on this blog in August

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Jesus & the woman at the well

John 4:4-9

4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

9 The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)


Verse 4 - We know from verse 3 that Jesus is headed from Judea to Galilee and the most direct route would be right through Samaria. However, the Jewish people of that time considered the Samaritans to be an impure, mixed-race people. In order to avoid the Samaritans entirely, the Jews would usually travel the long way around instead of going through Samaria. So since Jesus could have traveled by a different route, perhaps he "had to go through Samaria" because that was God's mission for him!

Verses 5 & 6 - Scholars and historians suggest that the town of Sychar would have had it's own well in the middle of town in addition to this well out by the road. The "sixth hour" refers to 12:00 noon, which is an unusual time for the woman to come draw water. This woman's poor reputation, which we find out more about later in this chapter, has caused her to go to a well outside of town in the heat of the day in hopes of avoiding the other women of the town.

Verses 7-9 - This situation presents many reasons why Jesus need not or should not talk with her:
- She is a Samaritan and we see it noted that "Jews don't associate with Samaritans"
- She is a woman and Jewish religious leaders of that time rarely spoke to women in public
- She has a bad reputation... which of course Jesus knows about (because he's God! =). Plus, later in the chapter Jesus reveals that he knows all about her and her past.

Jesus doesn't let any of these supposed boundaries stop him from engaging this woman in conversation! We'll see that later in the passage he begins to share with her about the amazing gift of eternal life that he can offer!

Are there cultural, societal, personal or other restrictions that stop us from interacting with and loving people who are different than us?

Friday, December 15, 2006

Whoa... I've Been Elfed!

The entire staff at Mission Springs received the following email yesterday:

Hey MS Staff, I just made a total elf of myself. Check me out by clicking the link below.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?userid=aaffa122add4df1f15ce1a3G06121412

Elf Derek!


However, it wasn't me that sent that sent the email! It was my friend Bill. Good old Bill Walton... you can always count on him for some kind of craziness!

Multi-Site Churches

Anyone have any experience attending a Multi-Site Church? Any thoughts, comments, impressions? Very intriguing....

Small world connection, North Coast Church (which is mentioned in the article I linked to above) is where former Frontier Ranch Director J.D. Larson is currently on staff.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Hockey!

As an end of the year celebration event, the Mission Springs staff was treated to dinner and a hockey game at the HP Pavillion in San Jose. We had a fun evening! My brother and Jenni (well, mostly Jenni =) graciously agreed to watch our kids and Ocean Anderson for the evening. We dropped the kids off at J & J's then met the MS staff at the arena. First, we enjoyed a meal together in a private room in the arena. Then, we enjoyed the game!


The NHL game was between the Los Angeles Kings and the host San Jose Sharks


Derek (at his first NHL game) with Amy, Robyn and Josh

The HP Pavillion is a nice modern arena... here's the view from our seats

A zoomed photo of the action on the ice!


"Welcome Mission Springs Staff" on the marquee

Unfortunately, the home team Sharks lost the game. Game Story

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Merry Christmas Everybody!

Here's a video we shot tonight after finally decorating our Christmas tree! We didn't get it until yesterday. =) Anyway, the video includes a greeting from Kaylin and then some highlights of what T.J. is doing lately... sitting up (sort of), rolling over, and continuing to smile a lot... Enjoy!

Monday, December 11, 2006

Taking Jesus with us wherever we go...

Check out this newspaper article... classic!

Happy Birthday Dan!

One of my mentors will celebrate a birthday tomorrow. Dan Jensen was the Campus Crusade for Christ staff member at UOP while I was in college. He was also an engineering prof at Pacific and is now teaching at the United States Air Force Academy. I just sent off an email to greet him on his birthday and to thank him for the influence he had, and still has, on my life. Read more about Dan on the Crusade website. As a tribute and thank you to him, I'm posting my email here:

HAPPY 45th DAN!

45... you're still young... a lot older than me... but still young! =)

You da man! Thanks so much for the encouragement and example you were to me during our time at Pacific. Whenever I tell people about my spiritual journey, I always mention what a blessing it was that my four years at UOP were the same years you and Bridget were there serving with Campus Crusade. There is no question that meeting regularly with you throughout my college career made a HUGE impact on my life.

I mean, put it this way... I recently quit my job with plans to move my family to Southern Calfornia to follow God's call for me to begin seminary training... sounds great right? It sounds a little crazier when you consider that I don't yet have any idea how I'm going to support my family or where we're going to live... but that's the adventure of following Jesus and of being obedient! I don't think I would be able to take such a step of faith had it not been for the example of you and a couple others along the way in my life who have shown me how to put Jesus first.

Thanks for taking the time to invest in me and for your continuing example of pursuing Jesus in all you do!

God bless you and your family and I hope you have a great birthday!

In Him,

Derek

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Mac Commercials

I've always preferred PCs... but a recent conversation with my friend Gus and these commercials might have me re-thinking my position. Check out one commercial in the series below and if you haven't seen the others... check them out by visiting the Apple website.

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Amy-isms

Following my friend Jeremy's example (see his post about his wife here), I am going to post an Amy-ism. An Amy-ism is a botched attempt to use a common expression where instead, two phrases are inadvertantly and incorrectly combined into one...

I overhear her talking on the phone recently about the stress she was under while getting enough of her purses ready to sell at the craft fair and she said she was feeling "under the wire." I took that opportunity to explain to her that perhaps she was going for "under the gun" and/or "down to the wire." =)

Perhaps there will be more...

Holiday Lights!

For the 2nd year in a row, we decided to load the whole family in the car, grab some Starbucks, and drive around town checking out everyone's Christmas lights and decorations. We're planning to make that a fun December tradition!


Here's Amy bringing out some hot bevies...


Even Kaylin got one... a kid's Vanilla Steamer!


The city of Scotts Valley has an evening each December called "The Holiday Light Train" where everyone drives around various neighborhoods in town to check out the house decoration competition... we went a little late and it was raining... so not nearly as many cars as last year... but we had fun!

Slumber Party

A group of my closest friends here all decided that is was NECESSARY that we have a slumber party before I (and Christi) move in January. It was our last hurrah! :) So we met up and went into Santa Cruz to Seabright Brewery for dinner/drinks/appetizers. A band called "Harpin' Johnny" was playing there, and a bunch of drunken mid-50's groupies were stumbling/dancing in the middle of the restaurant....good times, good times. It was actually QUITE entertaining. :) We then headed back to the Frontier Lodge for junk food, hanging out, talking, giggling, etc, etc... It was very fun!

All along while planning this I thought I'd be bringing Trevor to the lodge to sleep there (since as of a week ago he was still up twice a night to eat). But for the past 6 nights, Trevor John has been sleeping thru the night. YAHOOO!!!!! It's like something clicked in his brain (or tummy?) and now he's my super sleeper. All of that to say, I was able to spend the night away with the girlie friends and enjoy them once more. It's going to be VERY difficult to leave my friends here. They're my "mommy support", as we all have kids around the same ages and we truly have alot in common. I fully recognize that the community we have here is rare and special. I will miss this crazy, lovely group of gals.


Me and Robyn


Bethany, Michelle, and Christi

Mount Hermon Boutique

Amy and her friend Michelle are selling their handmade purses at a crafts boutique at Mount Hermon Conference Center this weekend and next. See the Sew On and Sew Forth website for more details...

"That's My King!" - An Amazing Sermon




The video above features highlights of a sermon by Dr. S.M. Lockridge. Dr. Lockridge was the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in San Diego, CA from 1953 to 1993. He went to be with the Lord in 2000. Below is the full sermon text. Click here to listen to an mp3 of the full sermon.




"My King" - Dr. S.M. Lockridge

My King was born King.

The Bible says He’s a Seven Way King.
He’s the King of the Jews – that’s a racial King.
He’s the King of Israel – that’s a National King.
He’s the King of righteousness.
He’s the King of the ages.
He’s the King of Heaven.
He’s the King of glory.
He’s the King of kings
and He is the Lord of lords.

Now that’s my King. Well I wonder if you know Him.
Do you know Him?

Don’t try to mislead me.
Do you know my King?

David said the Heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament show His handiwork.
My King is the only one whom there are no means of measure can define His limitless love.
No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shore of supplies.
No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing.

Well, well,
He’s enduringly strong.
He’s entirely sincere.
He’s eternally steadfast.
He’s immortally graceful.
He’s imperially powerful.
He’s impartially merciful.
That’s my King.
He’s God’s Son.
He’s the sinner’s saviour.
He’s the centrepiece of civilization.
He stands alone in Himself.
He’s honest.
He’s unique.
He’s unparalleled.
He’s unprecedented.
He’s supreme.
He’s pre-eminent.

Well, He’s the loftiest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy.
He’s the supreme problem in high criticism.
He’s the fundamental doctrine of proved theology.
He’s the carnal necessity of spiritual religion.
That’s my King.

He’s the miracle of the age.
He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him.

Well, He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously.
He supplies strength for the weak.
He’s available for the tempted and the tried.
He sympathizes and He saves. He’s strong God and He guides.
He heals the sick.
He cleanses the lepers.
He forgives sinners.
He discharged debtors.
He delivers the captives.
He defends the feeble.
He blesses the young.
He serves the unfortunate.
He regards the aged.
He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek.
Do you know Him?

Well, my King is a King of knowledge.
He’s the wellspring of wisdom.
He’s the doorway of deliverance.
He’s the pathway of peace.
He’s the roadway of righteousness.
He’s the highway of holiness.
He’s the gateway of glory.
He’s the master of the mighty.
He’s the captain of the conquerors.
He’s the head of the heroes.
He’s the leader of the legislatures.
He’s the overseer of the overcomers.
He’s the governor of governors.
He’s the prince of princes.
He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords.

That’s my King. Yeah. Yeah.
That’s my King. My King, yeah.

His office is manifold.
His promise is sure.
His light is matchless.
His goodness is limitless.
His mercy is everlasting.
His love never changes.
His Word is enough.
His grace is sufficient.
His reign is righteous.
His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Well. I wish I could describe Him to you,
but He’s indescribable.
He’s indescribable.
Yes.
He’s incomprehensible.
He’s invincible.
He’s irresistible.

I’m coming to tell you,
the heavens of heavens cannot contain Him,
let alone a man explaining Him.
You can’t get Him out of your mind.
You can’t get Him off of your hands.
You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him.

Well, Pharisees couldn’t stand Him,
but they found out they couldn’t stop Him.
Pilot couldn’t find any fault in Him.
The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree.
Herod couldn’t kill Him.
Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him.

That’s my King. Yeah.

He always has been and He always will be.
I’m talking about He had no predecessor
and He’ll have no successor.
There’s nobody before Him
and there’ll be nobody after Him.
You can’t impeach Him
and He’s not going to resign.
That’s my King! That’s my King!

Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory.
Well, all the power belongs to my King.
We’re around here talking about black power and white power and green power,
but it’s God’s power. Thine is the power.

Yeah.
And the glory.
We try to get prestige and honour and glory for ourselves,
but the glory is all His. Yes.
Thine is the Kingdom
and the power and glory,
forever and ever
and ever
and ever.

How long is that?
And ever and ever and ever and ever.
And when you get through with all of the evers,
then, Amen.

Friday, December 08, 2006

Possible Classes...

I should receive my registration information packet from Talbot in the mail soon. After that I'll be able to connect with an advisor to see what classes I should take in my first semester. I don't know yet how many units I will take... it might depend on what job I end up with. Anyway, I did some looking around on the Talbot website and I would guess that my first semester would include 2-4 of the following classes:

TTBE 517 - Hermeneutics and Bible Study Methods (3)
A study of principles for sound interpretation and application of the Bible, including analysis of presuppositions, general rules and specialized principles for the various biblical genre and phenomena and the development of an exegetical method. Required of M.Div. and M.A. students.

TTBE 520 - Survey of Matthew-Revelation (3)
A general overview of the New Testament books, including selected introductory and critical issues, relevant background, major themes and divisions, and crucial problems. Required of M.Div. and M.A. students.

TTPT 510 - Evangelism and Follow-Up (3)
The biblical principles and practice of evangelism and discipleship. The class will seek to develop the skills of personal evangelism, determine strategies for a discipleship ministry. Required of M.Div., and M.A. (B/T.S. emphasis) students.

TTPT 706 - Personal Foundations of Ministry (2)
Focused on the importance of self-understanding for spiritual and emotional well-being as well as effective ministry to hurting people, an investigation of the impact of personal and family history on theological outlook, emotional congruence, relational attractions and moral decisions. Several personal assessments as well as one or more therapy sessions are an integral part of this course. Grading on a Credit / No Credit basis. Required in first semester at Talbot. Required of M.Div., and M.A. students. Fee: $60.

TTPT 591 - Introduction to Field Education (1)
Introduction into the practical elements of ministry. Emphasis will be placed on career planning, field experience and preparation for Field Education Internship in the M.Div. program. Required of M.Div. students. Lab fee: $40.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Tragic Ending

Stories like this one always make me wonder how I would be able to survive. How would I handle a tough situation? Would I think of all the little ways to stay warm, attract attention, etc.? It's always so sad when a spouse and young kids are left behind.

from FoxNews.com...
Police: Hero Dad Thought Help For Stranded Family Was Closer, Died of Hypothermia

"The Emerging Church" - Friend or Foe?

There is a lot of discussion going on regarding the emerging church. The emerging church "conversation" is causing a lot of concern but it is also generating some important opportunities for learning. I absolutely believe in the authority of God's written word and the historic doctrines of the Christian faith have endured for good reason. However, I do think we must be careful not to rush to judgement about the emerging church movement.

Below are two recent blog entries from Dan Kimball. In the first, he comments about all the confusion about what "emerging" really is or means? Then, in the second, he responds to criticism aimed at the movement.

Emergent Church: Friend or Foe?

Please Don't Stereotype The Emerging Church

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength

"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31)

Earlier today I was taking a look at the three instances where those two principles (love the Lord and love others) are prominent in the Gospel accounts:
Matthew 22:34-40
Mark 12:28-34
Luke 10:25-37

When I think of those two principles, I mostly think of them as Jesus' response to the question, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" Which is the case in the Matthew and Mark passages. However, it's the 3rd instance that got my attention today...

Luke recounts a different conversation with similar content. In this case, an "expert in the law" attempts to test Jesus with the question, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" So obviously, this is a much bigger, more important question... it deals with eternity! This is more than just getting Jesus' opinion about the commandments that it's important to follow, this is about what is necessary in order to be in God's presence forever!

Those of us who have opportunities to teach in various settings should note how Jesus handles the situation. He puts the issue back on the asker (student) by asking His own question... "What is written in the Law? How do you read it?"

The expert responds well by quoting Duet. 6:5 and Lev. 19:18, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' "

Jesus' response is "You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live."

So the answer to both questions, the question about the most important commandment and the question about eternal life, is the same! I know it's a simple realization on my part, but I'm struck by fact that these principles are not only "rules" that Jesus thinks we should follow, these are principles by which we, as believers, should live our lives.

To spend eternity with God, we must love God. We must be totally (heart, soul, mind and strength) devoted to loving our God! And loving our neighbor, those around us, will be a natural byproduct of our desire to love and know God.

Peyton Manning Commercials

Here's a couple of my favorite commercials... starring my fantasy football starting quarterback...



Tuesday, December 05, 2006