Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander

This Blog is moving to deannester.com!

2008-10-01T18:42:00.000-07:00

So I'm moving now! I wanted to post a .pdf file last week and I learned more of some limitations to "blogger".

So my new blog site will be: www.deannester.com
Come on over and let's keep the conversation alive!

peace
dean

Sermons & Study

2008-09-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

I've gotta tell you that there is so much fulfillment in the Study part of teaching. You get nervous, the stakes are so high because 900 adults are gonna be asked to sit and listen to YOU? May it always be God, and I'll take a side seat, but just to consider that as an option seems a bit presumptuous. I mean me? Really? But then God takes a hold of his own Words and fashions them to be delivered as they relate to His own giftedness in me and I'm blown away at how cool that really is.

I'm am such a sermon critic and the scores for me are in two categories: 1.) Content, and 2) Delivery. The content is a beautiful "Study-Fest" and Delivery for me is practice, and more practice. I guess it's the musician in me, but it has to have a smooth, fun, and deliberate tone.

I just love it.

This weeks sermon is "Seeking God's Worth: Finding our way Again"

If you're a friend close by then respond to this with scores on Content and Delivery after the Sunday Service
If you're a friend elsewhere, the you will be able to download this as a podcast through ITunes. Just go into your Itunes software, or (download it from apple.com) and in there podcast itunes store just type in "Park Chapel" and you should see it there once we have posted it.

Adios
Dean

Cool Weather + A little Free time =Camping

2008-09-17T09:10:00.000-07:00

So I haven't gone yet, but right about now I am getting the bug to go camping. This photo is a shot I took in the Yukon of Canada last year and right now I'm wishing it was a bit closer.

There's not much better in the world than a group of good friends, some good boots, a nice place to camp, a good sleeping bag & cover and my favorite backpacking food. Spaghetti with meat sauce. Good stuff.

Let's make it happen.
Dean

This weeks set List!!! Wee Haw

2008-09-03T09:37:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United!!!

2008-08-27T10:33:00.000-07:00

The Concert was awesome last night. We had about 30+ friends go out last night to hear an amazing worship band. I must say that worship did happen. It was so cool to hear their music live. Lots of people though the same. About 4000 showed up to Worship and it was "real" cool!!!

Peace my friends
Dean

The Crossing this Sunday

2008-08-19T18:18:00.000-07:00

Here we go. This is what's happening this Sunday in the Crossing. It's gonna be cool!

peace
dean

Surrounded by Inspiration

2008-08-18T09:04:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine once told me: "You need to surround yourself with whatever inspires you". So here part of that. It's a 1975 K Yairi YW600. And I must say it's an amazing piece of inspiration. Tone like you wouldn't believe. In the US Alvarez models it's called the Avarez Yairi DY85 but this piece of art came to my home straight from Hiroshima Japan. It's not an Alvarez, but it was made by Kazuo Yairi who makes their handmade guitars.

I've put new Grover Tuners on it. Sweet!
I've put and LR Baggs Element Active system in it for pick-ups Amazing!
& Put a strap button on it. So this old piece of wood could take it's first trip to the Stage.

The rest of my Guitars are a 1996 Taylor 915, a 2005 Taylor T5, & a 2003 Fender Telecaster.

Good times
Dean

Worship Set this Sunday

2008-08-13T13:21:00.000-07:00

Here is this weeks Set list. Put these into your playlist and worship loud this Sunday!

peace
dean

Sermon from last week... "Now Therefore Arise"

2008-08-13T13:10:00.000-07:00

“Now Therefore… Arise!”

If you haven’t noticed it already, those of you who have been with us through the bulk of this series, We have been immersed into a very “intro-spective” study over the past three weeks. We’re asking you to do some real “soul-searching” here and take a spiritual inventory with the primary goal of seeing the World as God sees it. Our teacher, Danny Curry, has, in a convicting sort of way, turned the cameras on us! We’ve navigated through some rather thick lies that seam to surface as popular bad philosophy.

The first one being “I can’t do it!” We dealt with the story of the crippled man at the Pool of Siloam. Dealing with a powerful question that Jesus raises: “Do you really want to... You say you can’t, but do you really want to?”

The second lie that we waded through was the idea that: “I Got it! No help needed here! I can do it on my own. And we explored the idea that: We need each other most crucially! There is something beautiful about the church, about togetherness as we plow through this fun, but sometimes difficult life of being a Christian.

The third lie was found in our desire to ignore the issues and move on. When the most valuable thing that we can do at times is to take a long look in the mirror. And so I want to keep more of that going here this morning. In a sentence it would be: Complacency, isolation, & ignorance, these things cloud our lenses and make it impossible to see our world clearly, but with the right kinds of pro-action, community, & self awareness, we can put on a fresh set of eyes that will change our view into God’s view. Cool stuff? Are up to speed now? Good. Listen don’t forget if you haven’t been there yet, any of our sermons can be downloaded. We keep our podcast updated weekly at itunes.com. Just type in the words Park Chapel..., or visit our website: parkchapel.org.

We need to continue on in this series, but before we do that, would you join me in a word of Prayer?
The lie that you and I need to unpack this morning is this:
“Time will heal all wounds.”

We hear this lie a bunch. Consoling words from meaningful, but misguided friends who say. “Well it will get better with time...”

I had a buddy of mine from college. Who was great at this. Whenever I would have some girl troubles and maybe someone I had been dating at the time either let me go or it was the other way around. He would run downstairs to my floor. Find me laying on the bed, and with his guitar in hand he would sing this song: (Play the CD: “It only hurts...”)
Now as beautiful as that song is, is it really true? No it’s not true. And the philosophy behind it can be damaging. Now it’s true that sometimes a little space and a little time can be valuable. This quality time is not what we’re talking about today. You get mad, and you’re known to blow-up. By all means please go outside, do the math, ask some valuable question, and then deal with it. We’ve all seen the family drama somewhere or another where two people explode at each other, get loud, walk away and never deal with it. And the next time you see them everything seems fine, but nothing was ever done about it. We seen it and it makes us a wee-bit nervous.

This is just another way for us to ignore some pain. Do nothing about it, when the truth is this: “Healing is a Choice”

In Joshua Ch. 1 the Lord is speaking to Joshua these powerful words: “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise...”
Joshua 1:2 KJV (...etc)

Now let’s think a little bit about what’s going on here... Moses led the nation of Israel out of slavery and into the desert... This is a real big loss.

It’s just 8 words on a page but it could be the 8 words that change your life!

Maybe you’ve been living out negative scenes from the past and you don’t even know it... The abuser who damaged you continues to abuse you emotionally. I have talked to and worked with people who have lived for decades in the pain of shattered dreams and broken expectations. They are still suffering at thirty, fifty or sixty years of age because of something that happened to them as a child or a teenager.

If you are one of these people the I pray that you hear this today!
“now therefore arise...”

Maybe there’s a specific sin in your life today that you need to deal with...
“now therefore arise...”

Maybe you’ve lost a loved one and your dealing with regrets...
“now therefore arise...”

Maybe you’ve been wounded by a loved one...
“now therefore arise...”

If we go back just one chapter, to the book of Deuteronomy (ch. 34 v8)

“And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and morning for Moses were ended.”
Deuteronomy 34:8 KJV

And out of this new chapter in the lives of the sons of Israel, A new hope was discovered.

Your story must include hope. Hope for change, hope for a new day, a new leader, disposition, and new behavior. “now therefore arise is a choice!” This is where we get to do our part by the power of God!

David speaks of hope as if he has a choice in the matter...

Why am I discouraged?
Why so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!
Psalm 42:5

We talked about the need for good people in our lives two weeks ago. And listen if you are surrounded by hope-less people, you’ve got to find the right kind of people to fill your tank.

Here is a man that I want to be... Listen to this story.

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Days and weeks passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it for himself.

He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."

Don’t you just love people who have the ability to fill your life with hope!
Here’s Paul, laying some hope down real thick!

And now, brothers and sisters, I want you to know what will happen to the Christians who have died so you will not be full of sorrow like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus comes, God will bring back with Jesus all the Christians who have died.

I can tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not rise to meet him ahead of those who are in their graves. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. So comfort and encourage each other with these words.

I Thessalonians. 4:13-18

So why is Paul doing this? He’s doing this because he knows there are some rough days to be had here! And the Future, that’s where we want to head! Oh if we could have back all of those days of worry! Our kids deserve a hopeful tone and a beautiful face. Jesus said “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Can we please bring a bit of Heaven to Earth today? “Now therefore arise!”

Listen to this amazing scripture! God is so actively involved with us if only we could become aware of it...

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalm 23 KJV

Bottom Line:
True healing can only begin when we resolve our past and deal with our pain.

Resolving the past means... (Build these one at a time, Thanks!)
-You don’t let the sun go down on your anger.
-That you reconcile with the one who has something against you.
-As far as it depends on you, you will live at peace with everyone.
-You’ve created a semi-private outlet where in which you can confess and process your sins.
-That though some of your faults are socially and-or physically
hereditary, they most likely can not be justified theologically.
-And finally resolving the past mean that you have now a faith and
hope that can no longer be matched by this darker part of your
story.

Time is flying by!

2008-07-22T07:28:00.000-07:00

Summer is rolling a bit too fast these days. I just came off of a family vacation at Callaway Gardens in South Georgia. We had lots of fun as a family! Cool fireworks on the lake and once again great music by and old band called the "Swinging Medallions". Yeah they are famous for a song called DOUBLE SHOT OF MY BABY'S LOVE! Gotta love that.
All is well at the Nester camp. The kids are having a real fun Summer.

Yeah, more good times!

2008-06-14T13:34:00.000-07:00

You've heard it said that Life is Good. We'll it really is here in the Nester camp. The kids are out of school, the wife is loving life, and I've had a good week of music, friends and fun. On Sunday I started the day with some great worship with my team in Indianapolis then I hopped on my GS and rode to Cades Cove Tennessee to hang out with some really cool friends: Michael T Jarrett, (whose music is worth checking out on ITunes and Father Cairnes, (Chris Cairnes) whose music can be heard on spiralfrog.com.

We shot the breeze, had some great prayers and I joined some good friends in Chicago IL for an Arts Conference at Willow Creek.
A couple of us rode into Chicago to take in a game a Wrigley Field. If you haven't done this, you've got to. It's baseball at its finest. The Cubs beat the Braves 10-5 due to a 3-run homer in the 8th inning.

This was a great week balanced with lots of fun, prayer, super friends, but it's great to be home with the family.
peace: Dean

With Toes Down Stream

2008-06-06T06:55:00.000-07:00

When you fall out of the boat and the River takes control of you, the only option is to ride the rapid toes down stream until it decides to let you go. Every Dad loves to see that little bid of wild in their boy. And as ts goes I got to see some of that last week in Gabe (my youngest). It was his first real confident ride on his Dirt Bike. The boy went crazy and had big smiles as he ran the motorcycle in super fast circles. Good times!

Worship Set List

2008-05-19T07:50:00.000-07:00

The "Ocho" Has arrived.

So here's our next Crossing practice cd. this should be fun. lots of real old stuff and some new stuff.
Wee Haw.

New Wheels

2008-04-23T08:54:00.000-07:00

Yeah I just got some new wheels. I sold my 1986 Bmw K100 for this 1996 R1100GS and man is it so much more fun to ride. Good days around here. It's good to have spring here and get out of a gas guzzling 4 wheeled vehicle and onto some a bit nicer on the gas milage. (48mpg). Peace my friends

dean

Family, Friends, and a little Vegas

2008-01-05T15:11:00.000-08:00

Traveling to see the family and friends is like Christmas. There's so many people that I look up to for various reasons and a few days off to see the heroes of Virginia, Tennessee, Carolina, and Las Vegas makes for a great Holi-day. Tennessee was just like you may expect. Lots of "Corn-hole" games, poker, and shooting guns until my ears were ringing. Virginia was a mad rush of spending time with family & friends where I was able to win two tables of "Texas Hold-em". Great conversations with Dad and Mom's chocolate pie were well worth the trip.
Carolina was a blast. So many cool friends to see and a first time playing the Wii made for a cool night of "catching-up" on old times. Worship at Journey Church was really good with all kinds of friends to smile with. And then we headed to Vegas and took in two Cirque de Soleil shows, a cool New Years Eve party at Treasure Island and played in two Texas Hold-em tournaments. It was lots of fun, but way too much food has been consumed in 2007 so I'm looking to fast and workout in 08'

Good Peoples

2007-11-13T06:41:00.000-08:00

So yeah, the Purdue peoples were good peoples to us all. The band rocked & the peoples were glad to see us. We played 4 separate sets and the band stayed all in for each one. Good times. It was great playing some music with Todd Burkholder on Electric Guitar and David Farris on Drums. Those guys are a blast to hang out with, let alone play some music with. Good times indeed!

It seems like there's good people everywhere. Last week there were good people in Colorado, and this week some good ones at Purdue University. I'm starting to feel like I'm surrounded.

peace
Dean

On The Road Again

2007-11-08T17:31:00.000-08:00

Traveling brings about this sense of "community" like no other. New towns, new faces and friends. The Band is on the road again! This time we're going to Purdue to play for about 1200 College students. Earlier this year we went to Ball State and things were good there. The College scene seems to dig our style a bit and it's tons of fun for me.
Purdue makes me think of good local "greasy spoon" late night restrants as well as a "Hot" Krispy Kreme Donuts. And more than anything "artsy" types. This place is full of really cool artists, musicians, and thinkers. It's gonna be a cool time. I love it when we get the band together for some travel and good times.

Tone

2007-11-05T11:05:00.000-08:00

So yeah, I've been thinking a bunch about "Tone" lately. Wondering if there's enough in such a word for a book. It seems like there's this thread of life found simply in tone. This blog for example, must have some application on your part, because you can't hear it. Some of you may hear this with anger, some with pride, some may add a British accent, when really I'm from Virginia. The list can go on and on.
The dialogue becomes fun when we add to this something as valuable as Scripture. In scripture you need to sort of mine for some non-verbal things to insert your own tones. Was he mad when he said that? Or was he laughing? I'm looking for cool non-verbal scenes in scripture.
One example is the scene with Jesus & the rich man, when he said: "Go and sell all that you have and give it to the poor." Forever I chalked that guy off as a looser, until one day I ran into Mark's account (10:21). The verse says that Jesus "looked at him and loved him." Cool stuff there. It seams to change the tone a bit. All those years that the rich young man had walked away a loser were immediately transformed into the guy walking away having been loved by Jesus.

Now that's a cool tone to walk away with.
I'm sure there's more on tone later.

peace

Colorado Springs

2007-11-04T18:06:00.000-08:00

I spent the last several days in Colorado playing music and teaching with some awesome new friends. The people were great. The mountains were beautiful as always. I sat up on top of one of the 14ers in Colorado and gained a whole new perspective on God's handiwork. Read some journals of John Muir that blew my mind. That guy is so awesome. His journals are like a photograph only there's no camera.

peace
dean

Day 1: Still Tired from the move.

2007-11-04T17:15:00.000-08:00

You might say that it is somewhat presumptuous to imagine that someone else may want to spend some time meandering about your perspectives or even listen to your story, but who knows? There may be some desperate folks out there just like me.
This is day 1 in bloggerville. Something I've wanted to dabble in for quite sometime. The blog title (pulled from a collection of journals by Thomas Merton) seems to sum-up the extent that we will be able to offer one another. I do not always have answers to current questions, but I do have questions and I think a man is known better by his questions than by his answers.
As we converse may the topics be cool & the community kind.

Peace
Dean