drumley's Xanga

A Lesson from Superman

Mon, 03 Jul 2006 14:46:22 GMT

Superman’s Answer… and my family, my hero's

Recently I was able to go see the new movie “Superman Returns.”

I have to admit, it was very nostalgic for me. I had memories of my childhood flashing before me. Memories of Gean Hackmen as Lex Luther mushing dogs over snow to find Superman’s Lair; and the late Christopher Reeves as Superman and a bumbling Clark Kent saving the Metropolis and often the world from nuclear meltdowns, cousins from Krypton, and supercomputers going to destroy the world.

I grew up on these movies, this hero, these noble gestures to save the world.

In Superman Returns the hero has been missing for five years. While he was gone to check out his home world, Krypton, Lois gets a Pulitzer for writing “Why the World Doesn’t Need Superman.”

Later in the movie Superman comes to talk with Lois for the first time. During their dramatic reunion filled with heart pounding pauses for effect, Superman asks, “Why did you write he article? She responds something like, “The world doesn’t need a savior.” Superman asks her to come with him and they fly to a high point above not only Metropolis but over many cities. He asks her, “What do you hear?” Lois, “Nothing.” Superman, “I hear everything, everyone. “This is why they need a savior.”

The movie has other Christ figure type moments, but this one was special for me. As the nostalgia got to me and I remember being a young boy again, these words echoed from the superhero’s words in my mind.

The last several months have not been easy, but my family each deserves a Superman T-Shirt. For they have each been brave and true in their own way. Through leaving a home my kids have always known, leaving a job we have held and loved for 7 years, leaving friends that we consider family behind, embarking into the unknown for only God knows how long, and having another little Rumley added to the mix, we have gone through a lot.

It looks like it may all be drawing to a close. We will be candidating at a church this next weekend in Danville Illinois. Without being too cheesy I feel this is my Metropolis, for I am meant to too influence not only a church but a community and a city. I feel it in me, the S burning in my chest. Most of all I am glad that I serve the most high God. Who truly is real and worthy of my praise. I am glad that He hears everything, and knows this world still needs a Savior.

So the next time you see a bird, or a plane, maybe it’s just me still believing God hears everything. Maybe it’s time you said a prayer and believed He hears you still, He’s never stopped.

God’s Speed to us all…

Dave

Is Jack Baeur like Jesus?

Thu, 08 Jun 2006 18:45:37 GMT

A recent friend posted this quote...

Mark Driscoll says that we should compare Jesus with Jack Bauer:

"At the risk of sounding blasphemous, I would like to offer the
suggestion that perhaps 24 is incredibly popular because Jack Bauer is
a lot like Jesus, as the following correlations indicate:... Jack and
Jesus both oppose evil and seek to bring forth a glorious shalom
world, free of tyranny and evildoers.... Jack and Jesus are both
saviors willing to lay down their life for those they love."

In response here is my top 10 of why Jack is not Jesus...

1. There is one constant in 24, Jack Baeur is impossible to kill... Jesus died.

2. Jack's method of conversation usually involves yelling while holding a Berretta (or whatever gun is available) and pointing it at the person... Jesus didn't have a gun.

3. Jack constantly endangers innocent people, usually killing them in the process... Jesus even healed the soldier.

4. Jack never does things by the book and hardly ever listens to those in command... Ok maybe this was Jesus too.

5. Jack never seems to need to sleep, pee, or eat in a 24 hour period... maybe Jesus could do this too, he did go 40 days.

6. Jack seems to always be in a dysfunctional relationship with a women who gets woven into the plot and often kidnapped or killed... Jesus did have the Mary Magdeline thing though...

7. Jack's kid can be kidnapped no less than 3 times in one 24 hour period... Did Jesus and Mary have kids?

8. Jack can be shot, stabbed, beat up, thrown from moving vehicles, crash planes and helicopters, and still be ready for the next fight in the same 24 hour period... Jesus died.

9. Jack was kidnapped by the Chinese... Jesus never was.

10. Jack is back for at least 2 more seasons... Jesus is forever.

Bonus round: Jack did die and comeback to life... so did Jesus.

I am a traitor to the xanga cause...

Tue, 06 Jun 2006 12:50:24 GMT

so i have abandoned my blog... for another. Another blog that is... I apologise for all those who feel abandoned in any way because of my blog negligence.

Couple of things...

1. Check out this... take your time and investigate it for a while, you will be glad you did... http://www.wefeelfine.org/movements.html It's like connecting to the world in a new way...

2. My family and I are doing well... Hanging out with our new baby Hannah...

and the kids are doing well,

We are still in Wisconsin, looking abroad for a job. I will try and keep this updated more... as for my other blog... www.theleadershipvillage.typepad.com

God's Speed to us all...

Dave

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 16:38:58 GMT

TRANSITION STEP #2

... so the first step was to finish well in Springfield. That is now completed with a whirlwind weekend. We moved out of our house on Saturday, with the help of 18 or more amazing friends! I preached at Central in both the morning services... you can listen to it at www.centralassembly.org and go to audio downloads... should be posted soon!

We then signed on our house monday morning, had a last lunch with some good friends... and left Spfld for Wisconsin.

So now we are step #2...

which includes the following checklist...

drive to wisconsin (done)... unpack the clown car of stuff (done)... get settled in (working on it)... get ready for Baby Hannah due in May (don't think we will ever be ready but here she comes)... think about settling on a job that is ABSOLUTELY PERFECT.

So here is the job thing... (which would be step #3 by the way, get a job, move there, buy a house, stuff like this...) I am down to two opportunities. One is academic up North and one is a pastoral role in Texas, associate, working at a large church on Small Groups and leadership... both are in conversation. I feel excited about them... and one is now progressing farther than any other so far. The Texas church has been in conversation with me,... and i like what i hear and see.

So that is where we are at... will keep you posted as i can...

God's Speed to all of you.

Dave

Thursday, March 23, 2006

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 14:14:41 GMT

UPDATE!!!

So here is where we are at...

an update on the Rumley's...

This coming weekend is going to be an amazing roller coaster.

Saturday -We move our entire house into a storage unit, pack out van for a three month sted in Wisconsin and clean the empty house.

Sunday - For my last moment at Central (as a pastor there) i am preaching in both AM services. The message - Rythm: 3 Dance steps for life. Basic premise, my 3 year old daughter gave a descritption for life i thought profound. She was telling her 2 year old brother all about a movie she was watching.

Amanda’s Movie…

3 Weeks ago… MY almost 4 year old DAUGHTER AMANDA… was telling my 2 ½ year old son about a movie she watched during kids night out. With itense excitement she described parts of the movie. She summed it up this way…

AJ: Jacob, there are some scary parts in the movie, but it’s ok it gets better…

JC: Yah!

AJ: And there are some bad guys too…

JC: Yah!

AJ: But the best part, when the music starts, YOU CAN DANCE!

That night I wrote down her words and her story about the movie, or was it about more. I wondered if my 4-year-old daughter had stumbled on more…

Maybe this was life…

There are some scary parts, but it’s ok, it gets better…

And there are some bad guys out there… but it’s ok…And when the music starts – YOU CAN DANCE!

MONDAY -

We sign on our house at 10 AM and leave afterwards for Wisconsin. Good bye springfield... may our souls have given you warmth for a while, and may you remember only the good which came from our hearts.

OK - so where is the job situation...

waiting to hear back again from NCU - teaching position in Minneapolis, should hear this week.

Had a call from another church... possibility but waiting to hear on NCU first...

So only God ultimately knows. In the fluidity of life you ask all the questions, trust GOd with everything you have, and bravely keep taking one step at a time!

God's Speed

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Wed, 01 Mar 2006 19:44:31 GMT

SAW THIS ON A FRIENDS SITE AND TOOK THE TEST... INTERESTING...

IS IT ACCURATE? YOU DECIDE?

Your results:
You are Spider-Man

Spider-Man		70%
Green Lantern		70%
Iron Man		70%
The Flash		55%
Hulk		50%
Catwoman		50%
Superman		45%
Wonder Woman		45%
Robin		42%
Supergirl		40%
Batman		20%

You are intelligent, witty,
a bit geeky and have great
power and responsibility.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz

Saturday, February 11, 2006

Sat, 11 Feb 2006 20:21:01 GMT

FIRST...

Thanks to everyone for your support and love for my family. God has us right were He wants us... living by faith. Never before has this text meant more to me ... " Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." HB11:1

SECOND... status of where we are going...

what we hope for... God's place, God's time, God's will... looking at possibilities... we have decided to focus first on a teaching possibility. Have talked with a couple of churches but nothing that has seemed right to us yet.

Certain of what we do not yet see... we have applied at two schools (universities... both are looking for full time youth proff.s We have not heard anything from one of them, the other I have been in some email contact. This one is North Central in Minneanapolis... Their committee is meeting on the 16th, next thursday... they hope to make a decision no later then the end of march... so we hope to hear from them after next thursday.

THIRD... weather is nuts... took a picture of outside...

More snow in the last two days then all of winter... Missouri, don't like the weather, wait a few minutes.

LASTLY... The family is growing and doing well... Michelle is due in late May and the kids are growing fast...

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Wed, 25 Jan 2006 21:32:56 GMT

RESIGNATION...

This past sunday I resigned at my church... these are my departing words.

TRANSITION STATEMENT

q Read from the last page of “The Dream Giver”

About a month ago I had a late night conversation with my wife. We discussed our time here at Central and my current questions I had about my fit here. Over that past few months it began to feel like God was changing and stretching me in ways that didn’t fit what Central would need from me in the next transition. I have known for sometime that transition was coming, I only thought it would be within Central. That night I half-jokingly said to Michelle, “no matter what happens you’re with me right?” She responded with a strong “yes.”

The next morning Pastor Jim and Craig came to see me. The three of us had been in a series of meetings over the past few months about some of the staff transitions and reinventions. Essentially, they had been feeling the same thing as I did. They thought perhaps that we were trying to force something to fit, a proverbial square peg in a round hole, and I agreed.

Feeling that it was time to transition we decided to put a date on it. As of March 1^st I will no longer be on staff at Central Assembly.

So what does that mean for my family?

At this point my family and I do not have anything definite that has come together. But we are confident as God is transitioning us out of Central that He will open a door to the next season for our lives.

So what does that mean for Central?

As I already alluded to, I knew I was in transition some time ago. Hence part of the reason for some reinvention in the YA world. We have transitioned Erik to take over the role as College pastor, which he now fully has. There is more to come for the 24+ demographic of Central…

My time at Central, for almost 7 years… has been a tremendous season in our lives. Michelle and I came on staff when I was 23 years old, and we had no children, and had been married for a few years. Now we have been married almost nine years, have two amazing and energetic children, and a third on the way.

We spend over 3 ½ years as the middle school pastor, and forever friend and brother to Craig. We now have spent 3 ½ years as the Young Adults pastor, and have seen many transitions occur there… and had many fruitful moments along all 7 years.

Many of you are not only the one’s I have been privileged to serve, but you are also our friends. Michelle and I want to thank you for the opportunity we have had to serve this family… we are excited for what is ahead here at Central, and we are excited for what God has in store for us… Thank you for your support, your prayers, and your love…

Monday, January 23, 2006

Mon, 23 Jan 2006 15:58:16 GMT

Freaky Restaurant...

SO this post is really random... and there is a lot going on in our life right now. So i will be posting more this week... I promise.

But a friend sent me this today by email, a picture from our trip to Europe, one of the most odd and freaky restaurant's you will go to.

The pic is a sample of what was everywhere, random material used to make half-human and half-animal statues... all the lights were heads of dolls that looked like Chucky from all the movies, or the coach of Tampa Bay...

Monday, January 16, 2006

Mon, 16 Jan 2006 13:49:43 GMT

ONLY READ THIS IF YOU ARE IN A RANDOM OR THINKING MOOD... FOR IT IS RANDOM AND MAY OR MAY NOT MAKE SENSE...

Perception is everything...

Ever wish you could shut off all the questions?

Ever wish you didn't pick up on on the little nuances in a room? How people feel. How another person's comment made everyone feel.

Ever wish you cared less, only to think right after, but I am glad that I do care?

Ever think you have it all figured out only to find yourself lost again?

Jim Rohn once wrote... "I find it fascinating that most people plan their vacations with better care than they plan their lives. Perhaps that is because escape is easier than change."

Escape... not always easy you know. I think of great classic movies like "the great escape" where it took 100 guys working with lots of creativity to escape the prison camp they were in. Here is the oddity... every wish you were made free... only to be freed and think at least once, i like my cage better - it was something I understood at least...

Then in the cell of my thoughts i think of the movie with Denzel Washington, Hurricane. In his cell the three parts of who he was argued it out... over his life, over his perceptions. Who will win for me? Which thoughts will win out? Will I wish I was back in my cage, or like being free?

I think I like being free... only wish i had a better map for the journey... wait... i do have a good map... i just haven't looked at it that way in a while. Sorry.... inner dialogue in your blog doesn't always make sense to everyone else... but hey what are blog's for...

On a lighter side... favorite qoute from Jack Baeur (season 5 of 24) so far is "the only reason you are still conscious is because i don't want to carry you. Get in the van!"