What then should we do...

A response. The response of those listening to John the Baptist. Forgive me as I have to have somewhere to get some thoughts out for consideration. This blog is going to be my place for it today.

An interesting question, a response to John's preaching. John is merely doing his job, pronouncing the coming of Jesus. He talks about the obstacles that Jesus is going to overcome. Hill and mountains (depending on the translation) made low. Valleys being lifted up...words describing the leveling of the playing field so to speak.

Repent, the Kingdom of God is near. John uses the imagery of fire and water. "I baptize you with water, but one is coming who will baptize with fire..." Water makes things clean, fire can change the nature of something. It transforms. I've never heard this as an allusion to 'repent or you'll go to hell.' Think about it. When is the last time you heard those words? Probably the last time you saw bullhorn guy (thanks Nooma). I don't think Jesus came to burn us up...he came to change our nature. Good thing too...he showed us what nature to turn into.

There are three major times in the NT when the 'what should we do' comes into play. First, here in Luke 3...I'll get back there in a sec. Next, Acts 2:37, and the listeners are told to repent. Repent=say I'm sorry and work at allowing God to change your nature on _______ issue. Next, Acts 9:6...Saul's conversion to Paul, Saul can't see and is told to go into the city and he'll be told what to do. Jesus doesn't threaten him (never really thought of it this way until now) just asks why he's persecuting him. Paul is not burnt up with 'fire,' the fire of Jesus changes his nature.

Next Acts 16:30, Paul and Silas in jail. Big earthquake, doors opened but nobody leaves. Jailer: 'What must I do...' Paul: believe on Jesus. Jailer gives Paul a meal the next day (and some medical attention). No fires, no hell, just a penitent heart.

Finally, back to Luke. John uses all his repentance stuff. The people respond, 'what should we do?' Answer? Give away your extra clothes, treat people fairly, do your job honorably...someone is coming who can and will change your nature, I mean come with fire. It seems that firey hell wasn't part of the plan, and doesn't sound like Jesus came to send us there. Doesn't even really sound like Jesus came to keep us out of there.

Seems that Jesus wants to change our nature into his. You light something on fire and pretty soon it's all fire and you can't tell the difference between what was and wasn't on fire to begin with.

John? A social activist? No, not John. He uses that fire language...

Hmpf...turns out you can be both, and be better for it...

See, he's crazy, not stupid...

it's late...

...after our first family Christmas gather of the season. My Dad got me a wireless router for Christmas, and now I can sit on my comfy couch and blog away. Tonight, I found my way to the God's Politics blog and have done some reading. I wanted to share a little bit; I have thoughts and here they come...

Labels just stink, don't they? The more I think of it, the more it seems like labels emerge because we just don't have the time to get to know a broad base of folks. Some of the labels that have been re-occurring in my path over the past few days:

Christian Right- label given to anyone that voted for Bush based only on issues of abortion, same-sex union, and even Iraq since Hussein was (at least for a period of time) the anti-Christ. If this is you, you tend to think that James Dobson, Jerry Falwell, and Pat Robertson are the 21st century names of guys like John, Peter, and Phillip. Can't you just hear it in the text? "Simon, who is called Dr. Dobson." You may think that homosexuality is a communicable disease, and of all the stuff God said that God didn't like, this is the worst. Not because that thought ever came out that ever came out of a mouth, it's just the impression that I get.

Progressive Christianity- If you're a coffeehouse jumping, post-modern, almost social activist, than this you. You may or may not like it, but progressive is just another word for liberal and you might feel like the people at church might lynch you for voting for Kerry. After all, if you're not conservative than you must be liberal, right? (see above description) The dualism of the established church just ticks you off--or as I call it either/or-ism; you're more likely to sip your latte and be ticked with your friends than do anything about it.

Red Letter Christian- you're a baptist that might actually talk to someone who's had an abortion or sex with a partner of the same gender. In an effort to distance yourself from an intolerant bunch of folks, you've given yourself a whole new name to be known by. The Jesus Seminar has categorized you folks (basing this next statement on color alone) as the one's who follow what we are most certain Jesus actually said...so good then, I guess.

Homosexual- your life revolves around sex. Your orientation is the sum total of your personality and personhood, so you've got that going for you. The crusade to legalize same sex unions are more about proving a point than love for your 'partner' and to make those crazies on the right squirm. That's precisely why we see footage of two guys getting married and see them SWAK the marriage with a little tongue. You hate Eminem, are more likely to be a member of PETA and are a better dancer than me.

And the list could go on and on...

Ticked off yet? Labels suck, don't they?

Anyone besides me ready to stop using them to refer to people?

John Burke, in his book, No Perfect People Allowed, says that we must all live in the tension of the Scriptures...that there are things in the bible that don't add up in our minds. The only way to live 'in the tension' is to create an atmosphere of dialogue and be ready to admit your own struggles and shortcomings and that you may have to say 'I don't know' in a conversation about Jesus.

I am committing to try to eliminate the labels from my lexicon and enter into relationship and conversation with people...

...who's in with me...

Oh, yeah...Merry Christmas, friends...

Interesting discussion

Jim Wallis- one of this days most prophetic progressive Christian voices has one of the more interesting blogs I've run across. This video is on it:



Love to hear your thoughts on it...

today...

Yeah, so not really in a good mood. Just finished teaching Sunday school, and I am finding myself having less and less patience. And, no, I'm not losing patience with the kids...it's their parents. Actually it's really not the parents either. I think it's the bubble of mediocrity that people have pitched their tents in.

I just finshed up spending an hour with kids...didn't mention Jesus. Not that one has to mention Jesus to have a good experience, but I don't know how much longer I can go on feeling no support from several of the families here. Don't get me wrong, there are some great things and great people here, but when it comes to values expressed in words and values expressed in actions (as in what the people value in a youth ministry)...yeah, so not quite equal.

I really feel like I'm doing all that I can, and I don't want to blame stuff on other people because I know what that looks like and sounds like. Like I DO NOT want to come off as 'I could do better if the rest of you gave me a little help here.' But that's how I feel. Like I feel the words, but not the arrogance that statement portrays.

Is this what youth ministry really feels like? Was I on some utopian youth ministry planet until we moved here?

I will persevere. We have a white elephant Christmas thing this afternoon. Doesn't sound like anyone's coming, but we'll see.

We'll see...

hee hee hee

made me smile. there are several of these on youtube (thanks DG) I shall post some more at a later time...

-rc

Warm and Fuzzy

All of your well wishes as I step in Mac world are much appreciated. I LOVE that thing already. I will never go back...unless I win some sweepstakes, but you've got to play to win, right?

Now that everything is official, I'd like to be less cryptic about my life over the past couple of months. God has been doing some mighty crazy stuff and there have been a few of us that have been privileged to be part of what God's doing here in this community. Two churches, mine and one from down the street (literally!) have put their trust in God and their young, dare I say, post-modern leaders. If you read my blog with regularity, you may have noticed the links on the right. Two such links are Five02 and Journey. Five02 being the 'post-modern' (dang it I hate labels!!) community effort of St. Marks UMC and Journey, the 'post-modern' (did I mention I can't stand labels) effort of St. Paul's UMC have co-op'ed into a new relationship.

It's still called Journey and their link remains the same. Five02 has merged into Journey...which is in the form of a church plant. The cool thing is that...

(it should be said that I just took at 10 minute break to read the boy books and put him to bed. tonight's selection? Walter the Farting Dog goes on a Cruise)

...there are several other of these communities springing up in town. Some have spaces, some are meeting in homes, and for the most part many of us are keenly aware that there is something much bigger going on than any of us have ever been a part of. It's a very exciting time.

Now, over the past few weeks, you have read some of my laments about the ways that some aspects of church get it wrong. Conversations happened that I would've much rather never have been a part of. In the midst of prfound peace I experienced moments of despair--thinking that it MIGHT be possible for something to go nuts and have bunches of people collectively turn their backs on God and stick a fork in the whole idea. But they didn't.

For my wife and I, these are very exciting times. Even the boy, now nearly two, can distinguish between 'church' and 'new church' as I straddle the line as youth director in place and worship leader in another. I have went to bat for God, God's vision, and for my Mac (which is a deeper seeded issue than one might think). I am at the same time exhausted and energized.

My partner, Journey's founding pastor, is in Europe right now and will be there for the next several weeks going thru an adoption process. Pray for him, his wife, and his kids...one he's met and is now 4 and one they'll meet there and bring home. I have never felt so comfortably polarized.

So, if you want to, visit us online by clicking here

-rc

Oh...my...WORD

Someone got their MacBook a couple days early!!

While I am still adjusting to the mac life, I couldn't be more excited about actually having the thing in front of me.

Yeah, so I'm not sure if I can convey the sheer, pure, excitement I'm feeling...

Yay for my mighty mouse too...

Rock on!!

Mac Watch: Day 3

The Mighty mouse has indeed arrived...woo hoo!

Backpack: en route...should see it tomorrow...

The MacBook...has shipped FINALLY!! ETA? Monday...grrr

This is why you listen to the wisdom of the the guy that says 'it'll will be fine and if we wait much past Thanksgiving, all the shoppers will be buying stuff and our precious 1-3 day shipping becomes precaiously 5-7 day shipping'

BUT...it is coming, and I'll be waiting with open arms...

Mac Watch: Day 2

The mighty mouse and the back pack have shipped. Mighty Mouse may be here today. The Applecare Plan is to be here already though I've not heard anything about it.

The MacBook hasn't shipped yet though...argh!

My frustration runs deep on this one...

..deeper than FedEx anyway...

Mac watch

Day 1...nothing...

My mighty mouse shipped, but no word on the mac...

That thing needs to get here today

For real

Quaker's Meeting

While most of the snow either isn't here yet or is heading north of us, we got hit with some very, very high winds. I actually heard the house make some noises that I'm not sure that any structure should ever make. Nonetheless, me and the boy had much fun on our Daddy and Boy Friday. Friday's are my day off and the best time for me to bond with kiddo. As we were reading books before nap time, the wind whistled through the teenie tiny cracks of the window in his room. Didn't seem to bother him much...he went straight to sleep.

While on the phone, I hear a minor explosive boom outside. Sounded kinda like a transformer. Not Optimus Prime...the kind on the poles outside. We instantly lost power. Thus losing my connections with the outside world. Of course, I still had my trusty Razr, but A. and have been treading a little to close to major minute overages, so that was no use. Besides, A. was cleaning for the day, so it was just me. No power, no nothing. My feeble home computer (unlike the Mac on the way for my job...woo frickin hoo) is about 5 1/2 years old now so any thought of the elderly battery inside lasting for more than 12 minutes was a wasted one. No power, no nothing.

But wait...there was hope. My new SanDisk Sansa m240 had arrived in the mail a day previous. I had had some time to put some music on it (Starfield-Everything's Beautiful...great album), so I had some back up. Cabin fever had struck. What do I do? Eat! Yeah, that's it. Pretzels and pistachios. Snacks though, not meant for the long haul. So I poured a bowl of raisin bran, but the fever had set in and I paced around the house with cereal in hand...I'm not sure if I sat at all for a good hour. I just paced.

I FELT like I should've taken the time to decompress. Obviously, I was wound tighter than all get out. It felt like I was being asked to. I remember the thoughts in my mind. Ryan, dude, this would be a good time to sit and chat with God. I didn't. I couldn't quiet myself enough to do it. So, I bided my time. I passively listened to music...dozed off hoping that I wouldn't miss the power company's visit. Soon it was 5pm. Wife home. Power, nope. Light...losing it. Boy, awake. So, we packed up and headed to the in-laws. A truly life giving place, honestly.

Their plans? Go to a book sale at their church. Hmmm, books. That idea sucked earlier in the day, but now...not so bad. So I went. Bought 5. The one the screamed at my soul? Holy Silence: The Gift of Quaker Spirituality I couldn't get that one back to read fast enough. It wasn't until later that I caught the irony of my crazy quiet and the strong feeling to read about Quaker spirituality--a spiritual perspective strongly rooted in active silence; clearly, God was going to get me one way or another on this one.

So many of the words that I've read over the past 20 hours have resonated with my soul. An excerpt:

"Spiriual silence...is a scalpel. It slices our souls open. It cuts through the layers of our fears and insecurities and our reliance on others instead of God...Just as surgery can be scary, so can silence. Especially at first. Silence leads us to self-discovery of any sin hidden deep within us. I'm not talking about big sins. I'm talking about the little sins that hold us back from being the people that, deep in our souls, we know God wants us to be.

I just wasn't prepped for surgery...yet...

...but I'm closer...

here it comes...I can hardly wait

The MacBook that I have gone to bat for just over 416 times in the last month is on its way. I...am...so...pumped...!

Man, that thing is gonna be slick!!

It's also finally official...there will be community merger and church partnership! heck ya! As exciting as it is for me personally, and it truly is. I am more excited about the message it sends the folks in our pews and folks in our town. It seems as though there are finally people willing to walk hand in hand that don't see eye to eye. And in a hurting world; who am I kidding-- a hurting church, Christians working with other Christians rather than distancing themselves from each other because of rampid pettiness...well, it's a breath of fresh air.

We still have a long way to go (see my last blog), but it's a start...

Rock on, rocker...

When one doesn't blog as often, things pile up. It's made it harder to blog regularly.

With so much going on, it's hard to know where to start. I'll just dive in...

Actually, one topic today. It's about the church's witness to the world. It sucks. Worldwide, the church across the board is doing some great things. Missions, feeding those that need it, working on grassroots leves to create jobs that are needed in the rebuilding of certain regions...all of these things and more are being done by churches. However, one thing that the church hasn't quite got is unity.

This is where I'm living right now. Churches can't seem to get along with each other. Specifically American churches...actually American Christians can't get along. So many times in church lives, people seek out the political answer to intra-church issues instead of doing the right thing. Believe me. I've eaten a lot of crow for following some crappy advice on what info to communicate to people. I was advised to give the political answer, when I should have given the right answer. What's worse is that we've set up structures in churches that make it impossible to fix the problem. We've strayed so far away from the manners in which God asked us to live in with each other that it feels nearly hopeless.

In a culture of people looking for authenticity in their leaders...in their churches, there's none to be found. People stray into churches and find that in most cases it's just as fake and overblown as the life they left at their job just a couple days before. Makes me wonder what it would look like if were able to put band-aids and casts on our emotional injuries just like our physical ones. Just the other night at a Bible study I was leading, a student showed up on crutches and with a cast on her foot. She got in to the house and put the crutches down and walked around on her cast like nothing was wrong...but she still had the cast on, and still had the limp to go with it. If things were more visible, maybe we'd know how to show love to the folks that need it. Show love by listening. Not solving, but by merely being present to listen, to cry with, to walk beside...no solution giving allowed.

It's time for the church to be a strong witness to the world in its unity and love for people. The voices from the right wing 'Christian' political perspective probably need to pipe down. The more I listen, the more sure I am that there's not love for people there, and there's no desire for unity...at least not the kind I think God wants. More like borg unity. They've convinced half of America that God only cares about what gay people can and can't do and that God only cares about unborn babies...but forgets about them once their born.

That's not the God I know. I so much want to introduce people to the God who's bigger than all the issues and problems. I want to introduce people to the God that's madly in love with His creation. I want people to know the God that allures us into the desert and speaks tenderly to us. (read Hosea 2)

So, just like Uncle Jesse, I've got my ears on...

Lawn Mowers and the like

Okay, so kind of a lot has happened since I left a cryptic blurb about some visioning process. While I can't really go into details yet, things are progressing swimmingly...except for one thing.

Can a brother get a stinking computer? I am beside myself in frustration. Given all the much, much more major things that have already been accomplished, it seems that simply purchasing a computer would be simple...right? Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

It's a little something called the lawn mower principle. I've now fallen victim to it for the first major time...

Suppose you run a hospital and it comes time for some technological upgrades. The folks want to purchase a new MRI machine. It comes with all the bells and whistles. It's got features that no one knows about except for all the technicians and they say this is definately the way to go. The bean counters don't know an MRI machine from a hole in the ground and they rely people in the know and they drop the $500K for an MRI machine.

Same group of people get together because buildings and grounds need a new lawn mower. That takes FOREVER to get done because everyone's bought a lawn mower and they think they know what sorts of features that were important to the lawn mower. Do they let the B & G guys make the purchase based on their recommendations? Nope.

There it is, my computer is stuck in...somewhere...

Fun...

I probably still have friends

although you'd never know by the hermit I've become in the past few days.

An exciting visioning process is unfolding at church right now and it has monopolized all my time. Hopefully, I'll be able to elaborate at a later time.

Your thoughts/prayers/well-wishes for clarity and discernment are welcome at this time.

ps-my mac dreams have been resurrected...

-R

Forgive me...i got nervous

I went to Lowe's on Saturday AM to get some stuff to hang a shelf. Wall hooks, screws, things like that. To get at the heart of what actually happened, there's something about me you should know.

I hated high school. It wasn't fun for me. There were fun times, but high school was a bad time for me overall. I never felt like I fit in. I was in some sort of weird pocket of existance. Not popular enough to ever really be included, but at least popular enough to not have to take the brunt of public humiliation. That was Tricia's job...

Trica was a girl with some issues. Not particularly attractive. Very bad speech problems. She always had something in her mouth to make her sound twice as challenged as she was. She was in special ed. classes as long as I knew her. Tricia grew up a few doors down from me. There were days (as much as I tried to avoid them) that she would include herself in our re-enactments of the Dukes of Hazzard or Star Wars. As a younger kid, there was little I wouldn't do to get around talking with her...that was an hour long investment.

She was also the girl that some guys on the bus tricked her into eating large amounts of Ex-Lax. I remember seeing her walk out of the washroom at school that day after she had most likely spent most of her day to that point uncomfortably in that room.

So, as I walked toward the check out at Lowe's last Saturday. There she was. Walking to the same line. I don't think she recognized me, but I could never forget her. It's not surprising that she'd TRY to forget everyone she went to school with, and I'm probably no exception. She was right behind me. I felt my ears get hot (which happens when I get nervous or embarassed)...kinda like they are as I write this...

All I would've had to say was "Hi, Tricia. It's been a long time. How are things going for you?" Spend an extra 5 minutes and go hang the shelf.

But I didn't. I knew I should, but I didn't. Then I left and nearly cried. I had an opportunity to, on a very very small scale, make something right about this part of my past.

But I didn't...I knew I was being asked to...

...but I didn't

One way to look at it...

The sad thing is that there's a good chance that there are people seeing this that actually AGREE with this guy.

the joys of fatherhood

A story...

The boy's ever growing vocabulary now includes the word "poop." Although when he says it, it often rhymes with the word 'good.' He's now telling us that he has indeed pooped whenever he does it. He also tells us he pooped when he fact peed.

It's not an uncommon occurance to be doing something else and have him say, 'I poop.' So, the conversation goes this way:

"Daaaah Daaaah."

"Bucka bear?"

"I poop."

"Did you poop? Should daddy smell?"

"Uh huh."

(daddy doesn't smell poop at this point) "I think you're good. Can you play with toys?"

"Uh huh." And he runs away.

Last night was a particularly interesting conversation:

Boy runs into the dining room. "I poop"

Mommy- "Did you poop?" "Uh huh," he responds. Mommy then smells...no poop. "Did you pee?"

"Uh huh."

"Can you say pee?"

"I poop."

Daddy- "can you say pee?"

"I poop."

Mommy- "Can you say (p)?" Boy makes the sound of the letter p. "Can you say (ee)" Boy says eee. "Now can you say pee?"

"Uh huh," he says. "Okay, buddy, can you say pee?"

"I poop."

...at least he's telling us something, right?

I'd like to introduce you to my friend Brennan

So, he's not really my friend, but I am reading one of his books right now. Brennan Manning, who actually used to be a Franciscan monk, it one of the guys I love to read. He just gets it, and I love being around folks that 'just get it.'

In his book, The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus, the first chapter is titled 'Healing our Image of God and Ourselves,' and he writes this:

"For a disciple of Jesus, the process of spiritual growth is a gradual repudiation of the unreal image of God, [rather it is] the increasing openness to the true and living God. In my life, obeying the First Commandment-'I am Yahweh, your God and you shall have no other gods before me' has meant repudiating the god of wrath and fear handed on to me by preachers, teachers, and other church authoritiesin my youth, repudiating the strange god who sees all heathens to hell, who has give any one denomination a bonded franchise for salvation, who rubs his hands together with malicious glee and sends a Catholic to hell becasue he ate a hot dog on Friday, April 27, 1949. It has meant repudiating the strange god who flinches at gracing other churches with his presence; who despises beleaguered couple who practice birth control; who forbids a divorcee the Eucharist; who ordains that some of his creatures (whether for race or creed or some other reason) shall be denied equal opportunity for employement or housing; who tells married Catholic priests that they are excommunicated and mature women that in America that they can be vice-president but in the church they must sit down, submit and shut up."

Rock on with your bad self Brennan...

Quick Question

I rarely do this, but I want to pose a question...

In a July article in the New York Times, Karell Roxas (a senior editor at gURL.com) says this:

"[Slut] is definately a term of familiarity with teens. They'll say 'Hi, slut' the way my generation would say 'Hi, chick' or 'Hi, dawg."

This idea is given support by Atoosa Rubenstien of Seventeen Magazine:

"Today slut, even ho, is used by girls in a positive way."

Apparently, slut is making the transition that pimp has already made.

Seriously?

Or am I too old fashioned...

...at 29...

For the 1st time

I shook the hand of a person who was older than 100 years. This young lady was born in 1906! It blew my mind. Oh, the changes she's seen in those 100 years. My guess is that the technological advances in this past 100 years is far greater than the previous 100. Shoot, I'm 30 (almost) and I've seen some crazy stuff already...

Admittedly, I'm usually akward around elderly folks. Yesterday was no different. I feel like they can see through my handshakes and smiles revealing a person who is pretty uncomfortable. They probably can't, but I feel like they can.

The 4th Sunday of every other month, St. Mark's is slated to provide worship for the folks at the Heritage nursing center. In a pinch, I volunteered to help our music minister. Our normal group wasn't able to make it and it fell to him. Actually, there's a group of high schoolers that do it normally, so I felt like I should pitch in.

There is a song in their song books there. It's one of my favorites. After yesterday, it means a little more. It's called Brighten the Corner Where You Are. To talk and sing and share with folks who are shells of who they once were is a powerful thing. To hear them singing 'brighten the corner where you are,' knowing that even though they were 80, 90, or even 100 years old, stamped into my brain that Jesus was still important to them and that God still had a job for them.

It's one of the things I love about ministry...

...you pour yourself out, thinking you're doing something for someone, and it turns out that God touches you...

these are the times...

...that try the souls of folks in ministry...

I know that there are things I could do that would 'pack the gym,' but that's not good enough for me. I would know that it would only be to protray health.

I want things to be healthy, and there's no shortcuts on the way there...

...and the kids are far too important...

R.I.P.

My Mac dreams (at least at church) are dead...

how quickly they come and go...

Oh I hope...

...that the powers that be here at church allow me to purchase a new MacBook.

I'm tired of my triceratops of a computer.

All those offering their well wishes and quick quips to answer the 'it'll never work on our network' are welcome...

Pimpin' ain't easy

As I sat sipping a warm beverage at George House yesterday, I glanced out the front window. To my surprise I saw a Ford Windstar with spinner rims on it. My guess is that the owner spent some serious coin on the spinners. Not really...

Can you imagine the conversation that surrounds a decision to put spinners on a minivan?

Needless to say, I want a minivan now. Spinners just wouldn't look as cool on my Lancer.

Don't know if you read this, but thanks Lacie for introducing me to Jesus Camp. I was mortified. Seriously. I'm not sure what's going on there, but I would guess that there isn't much more than teaching kids how to scare the hell out of people.

I most often advocate the kind of things that Jesus did, like love people and stuff. You know, spending time and investing myself into people? Jesus was very patient with folks.

Not so much with the people who didn't get it and were supposed to. Like church leaders that don't get it...but I digress...

Project Runway Finale tonight! I wanna see Jeffrey's stuff, and I don't think he cheated. Take that Cruella deLaura.

I love to tell the story

Had lunch with a high school buddy and his wife after worship. It was cool.

The boy has recently learned that dipping things is tasty. His first favorite was ketchup. He started with fries and then moved onto his fingers and just ate the ketchup.

Yesterday, the four of us got to watch him dip everything into his applesauce. Fries, fingers and, yes, the grilled cheese.

Mom and Dad (especially Dad) we so proud...

Another Sunday...but not just another Sunday. It was laity Sunday and once a year, the ministry staff doesn't have much to do for the worship services. We basically get to participate, which is a great thing. Instead of a 'sermon' (I really despise that term by the way), folks who are serving in the church give a 'testimony' (another term that sits funny with me) about how God led them to St.Marks (and yes, there really is no apostrophe) and how their lives have been since coming.

It really is a time for people to tell God's story of activity in their life. And it was awesome...

There's not near enough of it happening in the context of worship, and there's no good reason why.

My take? Telling the story of God's activity causes us to worship. It allows us to hear and see the truth of God's love and grace and, actually, existance. It causes us to examine our own lives and see where God is being active...even to the point we might tell others, inside and outside the church. People may actually come to worship to, well, worship; which is just a word to label our saying 'thanks' to God and to make sure that we tell God how cool He is.

And we'd want to be telling God these things. Maybe even telling others these things...

The flip side is just as important. There's often times that our stories include hurt, stress, confusion, or doubt. Not one is immune to these feelings. Even Jesus freaked a little bit in Gethsemane. When people tell this part of their story it helps another body function...walking together through the deserts of life. We weren't wired to go at things alone.

And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Matt. Matt's a middle schooler that has some challenges. Honestly, if you didn't know him, you may think he has some developmental delays. Socially doesn't always get it either. But, Matt has said some of the most insightful things that this blogger has ever heard. Yesterday, we sang a song during worship. It had a very heavy waltz-like rhythm. 1 2 3, 1 2 3, 1 2 3...you get the idea.

I looked over and caught a glimpse of Matt. He swayed back and forth with the music in his Matt sort of way...very akward, kinda goofy, eyes strangely rolled in his head, mouth wide open and it was the most beautiful thing. It was so pure and honest. I can still see him...

awesome, just awesome...

The Year of Jubilee

Remember a few years ago when Bono (and others) pushed for world debt relief? Well, Bono is still pushing for it, and rightly so. This idea of debt relief was part of a bigger picture of the Hebrew year of Jubilee. It's all in Leviticus 25, read it if you never have...I guess you don't have to, but it is cool.

As I have studied the Lord's Prayer over the past few weeks, I came to this peculiar line about forgiving others. Jesus teaches us about forgiveness in many ways. In Matt 18, he teaches the parable of the unforgiving servant. A parable about forgiveness using a situation that was financially motivated. Which led me to read more about the Year of Jubilee. There are teachings there about land returning to it's original owner, freeing workers that were working to pay off debts, and how to decide on fair prices for land among other things. It's a very descriptive and thorough explanation. The real tragedy is that there's no conclusive evidence that it ever happened the way God layed it out.

To me though, it looks like an effort on God's part to make sure that we remember that the whole world is really God's and that we don't become so indebted to each other that those debts outweigh our 'indebtedness' to God. After all, no one is to during the Year of Jubilee either. God promises a bounty from the previous year that will supply the needs of the year everyone takes off!

Steering the car back onto the road...we get the whole debt thing, right? As in, most of us have some? And so it seems that relieving our indebtedness to each other begets a special kind of freedom; almost a restoration to an orginal form of living and a truer sense of what life is. As we show the same kind of mercy toward others that God has shown us we start to become the citizens of God's kingdom. In fact, Jesus starts this whole story with the familiar, "The Kingdom of God is like..."

Forgiveness isn't about living forgiven...is probably more about living together.

The beauty of the picture of the Year of Jubilee is just that. It's not the nuts and bolts of debt relief and real estate returned. It's the picture that I start to see in my mind of how we might be able to live together as a result of the living out of Jubilee. It's not about the fact that we don't have to pay our money to our debtors. It's about the freedom of being debt-free.

This is another time when I am sure that God isn't just fire insurance. I know that God's way is a step up from the normal that we find ourselves in. Oh, and by the way,

Jesus died and was resurrected during a Jubilee year...

The boy takes a pooh (and leaves it)

It's not very often that I end up with a free evening, but after flying solo for yet another meeting, I headed home. Home in time to go to Wal-mart with the family. So, it was me, wife and boy on a scavenger hunt at the new Wal-Mart in town (that's 2 here now in case you're keeping score).

I think many of you know that the boy is using more words now and can talk in sentances if he wants to. This is a cool thing, however the not cool thing is that he expects you to listen and respond to everything. And as you could probably guess, we grow somewhat tired of hearing 'Da da (or mama), I boom!' 461 times in a row. So after a short time in Wal-mart, we were trying to occupy him with stuff so he wouldn't go crazy for us not responding to him every time.

He also loaded our cart up with 5 extra toothbrushes and 3 tubes of toothpaste...just trying to helpful.

So, we made our way back to the baby section...someone's out of his highchair and now get to sit in a booster. By now, he's starting to go nuts, and A. has a 'great' idea...give him a toy from the shelf for him to play with and then tell him that he needs to leave it behind for next time when it's time to go. Her choice? A soft Winnie the Pooh bear that's as big as the boy. He sees it, and then begins to hug it and give it kisses, all the time saying 'Eyeunn Pooh!' (translation I want Pooh)

A.'s reaction? Oh crap, he's never gonna put that thing back...

Mine? He can say Pooh?

By now I am really impressed that the boy can say Pooh when referring to the bear. He's actually been able to say poop for some time now and daddy's so proud. I am so impressed I'm ready to buy the bear for him, while A. (the smarter one of the two of us) is urging the boy let go of Pooh. I'm oblivious...

Needless to say, leaving Pooh behind was quite an ordeal and the few parents that were back there in the section with us had a good time at our expense. Well, A.'s actually...she looked at me and said, 'I take full responsibility for this.'

Eyeunn Pooh...I can still hear him saying it over and over again. Oh and just in case you're wondering, we did find him something to play with that he could take home...

...a gallon of skim milk...

ideas on tolerance

Today I find myself struck by the ways in which Christians are viewed/portrayed by the writers of some mainstream television shows. Most folks are viewing (as evidenced by the writing) Christians as ultra-conservative, insensative phrase using, condesending, judgemental, holier-than-thous. Let me start by saying a few things...

First, most Christians today, at least the ones with voices in the mainstream aren't really doing anything to bust the stereotype. I think it might be because the backlash is the sort of 'persecution' Jesus talks about in Matthew 5. Anyone can turn on the 700 club or any number to TV preachers to get enough ammo in their gun. In fact, if you have the time search 'God Stuff' or 'This Week in God' on You Tube and you'll see all the stuff that 'Christians' do to give such a bad taste to folks.

Second, it is nothing less than frustrating that I, as a Christian (a 'pastor' no less) that I get to be painted with that brush. Woo frickin' Hoo, I say. So, the loud voices of the minority of Christians need to use their voice to start entering into some dialogue with others in the church, and quit using it to tell us who's going to Hell for reading the Da Vinci Code or how soon I'll be into guys by watching SpongeBob or playing with a purple Teletubbie. I send out a resounding 'thanks for that.'

Third, I am a Christian, and I am painted with all sorts of brushes. So, I feel compelled to say something I think is very important in the conversation. I'm sorry. I apologize to all the folks that have a serious problem with the way some evangelists do their thing. I apologize on their behalf. Oh, and if you have disagreed with most of what I've said to this point...spare me the "Jesus used harsh language, so we should too" crap. The truth is that the vast majority of the time HE WAS TALKING TO RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF THE DAY and not the 'so-called' heathens when using that particular lexicon. Jesus' harshest words came out against those who were supposed to be getting it and they weren't.

So, again, I'm sorry. I know it isn't much, but it's a start...

One last thing though, all the folks on the tolerance band wagon as in, 'the Christians don't have any of it.' (tolerance that is) Maybe you all could do a little better job tolerating the views of the percieved 'wack-jobs' and try to enter some sort of conversation with those folks just like you have said you have with the Bhuddist, Hindu, Muslim, homosexual, atheist, white-collar criminals etc. Maybe it isn't fair to put a characture of a personality type on a television show just to prove a point.

It's not quite fair to put that picture of Christians at their worst against people at their average...maybe even their best. If you wanted to be fair, perhaps a worst versus worst would illicit a more accurate picture...

...but that's not always the best TV now is it...

Good News...

...I spent way too much time finding video on you tube last week. But it inspires me to share a few of my favorite things.

• SNL- Mr. Peepers and Alec Baldwin as Pete Schweaty.
• Blue Man Group...they ROCK!
• I heart all forms of Super Mario Brothers
• Tecmo Bowl
• Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn

I know, I'm such a dude.

or try this one, I like it a little better

Five02 is still kicking and that's a good thing.

So, I'm learning all the time. I hope I never stop...

...but that's kinda up to me, right?

Enough is enough

and no, I'm not fed up with anything in particular today...

in fact, the opposite is true. It's been a good day so far. Coffee Amici, a bike ride, and a good book...other recent highlights:

• getting a free preview on DISH that allows us Bravo so, we WILL be seeing the finale of Project Runway (woo frickin' hoo)
• me and the boy's first bike ride together--reports are that both of us loved it
• sesame sticks, sesame stick, sesame sticks
• another trip to the thai restaraunt, Satang Thai Cuisine on Tiffin...go spend your money there and keep them open; first trip to Maria's Taco on N Main...it's Chipotle without the price tag (again I say woo frickin hoo, baby)--12" soft taco...yum
• nearly done with my book and it's been a great read. well worth the time...'Everybody Wants to go to Heaven, But No One Wants to Die' by David Crowder

And about this 'getting ahead' business. I think it's fair to say that it is a tremedously overused phrase and futhermore the concept is greviously over-appreciated. It's just that people say it when they feel behind. So, I find myself completely identifying with the author of this snippet of Proverbs when he says that he'll forget about God if he has too much; and I'm far too much of a wuss to rob someone...so there's that too...in any case, I think the feeling I deal with is not so much about conentment, but knowing when I have enough.

Can I also say that money helps/make people do some crazy poo? (I guess I just did; so no permission needed) So then, am I saying that rich people will not enjoy the comforts of heaven? Ummm..no, not really even close. The fact of life (and capitalism) is that some people will have money and stuff than others. I am saying that extreme tight-fistedness and disregard for human need is in fact an issue. Sort of a 'to whom more is given, more is required' line of thinking if you will.

Here's the thing for me today...there is a difference between feeling 'secure' and feeling 'blessed'. Understanding one's being blessed illicts a certain kind of security, that's true. Shouldn't there be though a measure of faith in our dealings? I think that's (in some way) the proverbs guy is saying; that if there's no measure of faith in us understanding God's provision in our lives, then why even bother thanking God for it? Moreover, I've heard people talk about how blessed they are when what they're really saying is 'I'm rubber-stamping the Heavenly Wal-Mart smiley face on my situation to make you think I more humble than I really am.'

(please pardon the broad, sweeping generalizations here, but I think you know what I'm saying)

What am I saying exactly? A life rich of God's blessing isn't always a secure one. Security wasn't promised to us, but God does, in fact, lavish His love and grace and mercy and faithfulness and provision on us. And a life of enough allows us to feel God's blessings and still require the measure of faith that keeps the cycle going; it allows us to see God at work in our lives and in the lives of others...

...and there's no better blessing than that...

and from the news of the weird desk...

...Poisoned Pigeons Fall from the Sky in Texarkana

read it, but only if you want to...

I've been wrestling with the idea of what it is to live with enough. Not too much, not too little. Proverbs 30:8-9 states (in a nutshell) if I have too much, then I'll tend to forget God and if I have too little, then I might steal and dishonor God; just give me my daily bread. I know the conversations in my house often revolved around getting ahead, as in when are we going to... and unless I write a great book or something, chances are it's not going to happen anytime soon. Or at the very least, our idea of what getting ahead won't be happening anytime soon.

I have a good friend (also in ministry) that says that we're always trying to work ourselves out of a job...and he's right. This fact doesn't bode well for me and the wife's plan either.

Here's the thing that often kicks me in the pants: we do in fact have enough now. Not only that, if so many of our dollars weren't committed otherwise we might have more than enough. I feel so blessed that God provides despite our decisions which in some way inspires me to make better ones, while at the same time it urges parts of me toward complacency...knowing that God is good and wants bless us.

'So then, should we go on sinning so that grace may abound? Certainly not.' Once again. Paul, you're right...

...when I find out what all this means to me, that'll be a good thing...

...at the very least, I'll be able to teach on it for Saturday night...

uhh...please, no

I love it when..

...profound truth comes at you in an unexpected package.

And it happened today in Sunday School.

We were talking about gaining perspective on how God views our wants and needs. We watched Rob Bell's nooma video entitled 'kickball.' The long and short of it is a story about him and his son at the mall. His 2 1/2 year old son sees something at one of those kisoks in the walkway that he 'needs.' It's a ball on an elastic string that one attaches to their wrist and can throw and catch in the same motion. The boy is told no, and procedes to melt down.

Meanwhile, Rob (as if we're on a first name basis :)) had planned the whole time to take his son across the street to purchase a brand new kickball. His son, overjoyed, picked one out...I think you see the point.

Upon a discussion about our own ability to see past our own situations, a couple of the teens in the class started talking about how their marching band instructors are always on them to make sure that even if it seems that band members are in (or out) of position, that they must keep the whole picture in mind and trust that their director has them in the right spot for the whole picture to make sense.

Clearly, those folks got it...

...and so did the folks listening to them.

who am I kidding, I got it just a little better too...

Yesterday was See You at the Pole. An annual event to start school years. Groups of kids gather at a common location, often in a courtyard or flagpole area and pray for their school, fellow students, teachers, community, and many other things.

A local opinion writer from the family section of our local newspaper wrote and article entitled "I Won't See You at the Pole." And fair on unfair, she makes some honest and accurate commentary. I'd love your reactions.

Read it here.

A growing vocabulary

So, they boy is talking now. Well, mostly he is. He says several words now which is both a very good thing and kinda stinky all at the same time. Here is his current list:

• chooss- juice
• chiss- cheese
• bwoon- balloon
• mow mah- Mom
• da-dah- Dad
• eyeunt- I want...
• dat- that
• ssdat- what's that
• uh-huh- yes (also says no in the normal way)
• shell- shell (don't ask me about that one)

With speaking comes a lot of cool stuff. We can communicate a little easier, but we all get a little more frustrated when we can't quite get our thoughts across to each other. It's like he looks at us and his face says, 'Yo, I'm saying thing as clearly as I can.' He is I'm sure, but I don't often get it until either one of A. or I say 'can you show us' or 'can you point to it?'

With his new found speaking ability, comes a little more defiance also. At least bigger meltdowns when he asks for something very clearly and and we tell him no. It makes me wonder...am I the same with God?

As I have grown and matured in faith and experience, I have learned a 'new' kinds of ways to communicate with God. I also like to think that I have some sort of proficiency in this type of communication. But, with my growth comes different degrees of wandering and 'defiance' to what God is saying, or, at the very least, my failure to see how God is being active in my life and surroundings. I even try to articulate my thoughts, dreams, ideas, desires, and areas for growth to God as clearly as I can...sometimes to no avail, at least seemingly. Then I throw my tantrum or whatever.

When the boy does, he lays on the floor and screams or sometimes he hits us; hitting is good for a trip to 'time out.' This is a time when he gets to find out that daddy is indeed upset. I'm sure that it sucks for him...but I never thought it would suck this much for me. I don't know who time out is harder on; it sure does make the post-time out talk a time for reconciliation rather than a time for him to find out again what he did wrong. Post-time out hugs are the best because they're loaded.

As I continue to imagine a world dripping with a God bent on reconciliation and restoration people to Him and each other, it is as inspiring as it is overwhelming. But it doesn't mean that we stop trying. For me, it starts in my life, my home, and flows out to the rest of the world...

...and boy eyeunt-dat...

I have a cold

Yes, friends. It's true. They don't happen often with me, but I did catch one. Perhaps it was that scratchy throat that started on Saturday night after Five02 into teaching Sunday school into 8 hours at Cedar Point. It's kicking my butt too.

However, lots to be happy about. We had an outstanding time at Cedar Point! We walked onto EVERY ride. I don't remember waiting for any of them. It was a beautiful thing. So my tally for the day was Millenium Force twice, Raptor twice, MaxAir twice, Wicked Twister twice, Top Thrill Dragster, Magnum, Gemini, Mean Streak, Sky Hawk, and a trip to the park's Johnny Rocket's. Rock on, Rocker. What are your favorites?

Speaking of favorites, if there is any solace in being up for two hours at night (3-5a, thanks for asking :)) there were great movies on to watch. I flipped back and forth between Cool Runnings and Hoosiers...both movies I tear up watching. Following Cool Runnings on TBS was SpaceBalls. A classic like no other. So essentially I felt like crap, but had some good movies to get me through. And I gotta tell you, it sure beats trying to navigate through the 'different' (I'll say) types of informercials on at 4 in the morning.

Five02 was great Saturday night. God is doing a great work in us in our gatherings together. I am both humbled and excited...

...mostly, though, I'm just happy to be hanging out with God's peeps, and I can't wait to meet more...

PS-whoever thought of those tissues with the lotion in them...you rock my face off...

In my opinion...

This is the best story in sports that won't hit the mainstream press. ESPN has covered it, and if you watch the Ryder Cup you've seen it too, but I wanted to make mention of it here.

Darren Clarke, a pro golfer from Norther Ireland, is playing in the Ryder Cup this weekend. He's a very good player and is widely regarded as one of the most jolly and heart warming fellows on either coast. I've even heard him called Norther Ireland's 'Arnold Palmer' becuase of his skill, stature, and contributions to golf on the British Isles and around the world.

He's a natural pick for Europe's Ryder Cup team. He's one of the best players in the world. He's got crazy good game, and just six weeks ago, he lost his wife to breast cancer. And while I can't speak to their relationship from any personal experience I've had with them, by all accounts, they were best friends and she was the love of his life. So when Clarke approached the first tee with his buddy Lee Westwood, the crowd's volume was as strong as their support of their "Arnie."

How that kid held it together, I'll never know. I was welling up a bit just watching it.

A simple google search of pictures of Darren Clarke will show his many faces. Mostly you'll see him enjoying a cigar on the course or his big smile; a very jolly Ulsterman indeed. But as he finished up his morning match posting a victory over he and Westwood's American opponents, the emotion was too much and his eyes puffed a bit, as did everyone's watching.

He found a bit more comfort knowing he had done what he knew his wife would've wanting him doing...after all she was his biggest cheerleader...

...and probably still is...

Back to School

Been in Kidron, OH doing some talks with the students at Central Christian HS this past week. It has been great fun...and I'm going to miss (and re-miss) my Eastern OH friends. I actually just finished up the last chapel presetation. Good news...it's the only one I didn't offenend anyone during. So, that's good then for me. I feel compelled to share a couple of stories and reflections on my time here at Central.

First, if you're going to talk about how much Old Spice and old man smell wig you out due to a childhood experience, make sure the superindentant doesn't wear that fragrance. Perhaps, change to Brut or Aqua Velva to prevent "ear heat" (that's how I know I'm getting red :))

Second, some things never change. And Kidron will always smell like horse crap...in an endearing sort of way.

Third, is being a teacher like working at camp? I was sitting at lunch with some of the faculty and it had the distinct feeling of sitting at a staff table at camp.

And finally a story. A young student (5th or 6th grade probably) entered the cafeteria with his buddies. They all sat together in what I'm sure was their normal spot. I didn't really notice anything different about these guys together until said student came running to the staff table. The youngster was very distraught in a 'am I going to die?" sort of way. I heard his concern and then knew why...

"Mrs. ______ Kyle said that I ate some spinach and that on the news it said I would die!"

"Excuse me?" the teacher responded.

"I think I'm gonna die! Am I going to die in the cafeteria today? Am I dying right now?!" His face was red with terror, tears streaming down his face. "But he said that the news said I would die! I would die if I ate spinach, that's what he said it said..."

The teacher calmed the boy after a few minutes. The boy, who was exihibiting his new found vigor for life, shuffled his feet back to his table and decked the little 'news outlet' in the neck.

It was awesome...and I re-learned something else...

...the news is one scary mother...

A few things blog worthy this day...

Two nights ago we ate at a Thai restaurant. It was so good and unexpectedly so. I actually can't remember what I ordered, ______ ______ maipan, I think; lots of veggies and lots of cashews. Sauce was remarkable and contrary to my thoughts, there is someone here in town that can prepare tofu. Very good. very, very good.

I was driving to church this morning and heard a couple guys on the radio. I'm sure they were plugging some book on post-modern philosophy, and generally I like to hear what people 'think' post-modernism is or isn't. Generally it de-generates into a talk about teens and twenysomethings have no absolute bounds to their morality and that same schtick. Today, however was different.

It was a great way to start the day off.

Among all the great things these guys talked about (lack of authenticity and honesty in the church's teaching, folks can find more honesty in pop culture's music in the questions it asks, etc.) they said this: "Imagine you were a missionary and were called to go to Italy. But you say that you can't stand Italian food. The music is pretty bad, and the Italian movies are worse. Their language is stupid and not worth the effort to learn. Italian art just isn't your thing either. But you say that you love Italians. Then I say you're a liar."

...because that's who they are...

...discuss...

...more to come later...

Highlight of the day thus far? Flaming cheese at the Greek Garden...Opa!!

Hightlights of the past two days? Diet Pepsi jazz...both flavors are worth your time; strawberries and cream & black cherry french vanilla.

It's time for a new book to read for book club as well. I'm leaning toward Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. This is a tremendous read for those looking for a fresh explanation of a Christ-centered world view. I am growing more and more convinced that the status quo in our churches is perpetuated by people not wanting to lose control of something they're pretty darn sure that they created...

...sad that these are the same people that go to funerals and offer words of comfort like 'God is in control.'

Apparently, God is only in control of the stuff we don't understand.

Oh yeah, wasn't allowed to view the church's budget last night. Apparently, I can only see the page that has to do with me and my ministry area...

...good thing I didn't have any questions...but how would I know...

Control is a funny thing, we all want it in some form or another, but it's only a matter of time before we find out we're really Toonces driving the car off the cliff.

Now I'm looking at my un-opened can of black cherry french vanilla diet pepsi jazz thinking that I might want to drink it. I think I can be in control of that decision. I'm pretty sure the Holy Spirit has better things to do rather than let me know when to drink my soda. If not...

...well, crap

Here's a recap of my last few days...

Friday PM- I went to the HS football game. All the youth football teams got to run across the field and be announced. It was nice until the 3 and 4th graders' teams were introduced. First was the Buckeyes...crowd applauds. Next, the Falcons (BGSU)...crowd applauds. Next, the Wolverines...crowd boos, and I thought, 'are you kidding? We're talking about 9 and 10 year olds here.' I thought I'd never see kids booed just for being called the wolverines...it was surreal. Who boo's a 9 year old? I am a buckeye to the core, but this was strange.

Saturday PM- Five02 launch. Very nice. Very nice indeed. Very excited to see where God goes with this because there are some very willing spirits among those gathered. We're starting with a study on the Lord's Prayer. Our kickoff topic was 'Our Father' and what sorts of implications that word 'our' has when it comes to how we view God and each other. I'll spare you the details unless you really want to read an outline of the teaching. Vote here I guess, majority rules...:)

I want to take a minute and invite you each to a few places in cyberspace. First, my myspace account. If you have one, let's be friends...:) www.myspace.com/wideopen502

Next, the Five02 home page: www.five02.com

Finally, Five02's got a myspace as well: www.myspace.com/five02

Stop by and see us, love to talk with you...

IKEA and Rocco

I have a truck. It's a new to me truck. It was new to the world when I was a junior in high school. It's name is Rocco, and we've already bonded. Moving day will do that to a guy and his truck. So far, Rocco and I have made two trips to IKEA in Canton, MI...we'll probably make more...

Our new kitchen came from IKEA. So, did all the boxes that the kitchen came in. Something's easier now that Rocco's in our life. Recycling. So far, Rocco and I have made two trips to Litter Landing. While the folks there aren't that friendly, I feel good putting our IKEA cardboard in the bins. I didn't tie down the last load I took. I didn't lose any on the way either. I drove slow...just me and Rocco. There might have been 5 cars in a line behind me (actually there were...I counted and laughed).

Me and Rocco have also been to the 'sanitary' (according to the sign) landfill.
Rocco uses more gas than my Neon. But I can recycle with Rocco a whole lot easier. So it's kind of a wash, but I wasn't recycling before. At least I'm not in the negative anymore.

Long live Rocco...

Long live God's Earth...

This is indeed a new day. Now having been in the new house for two nights, it's starting to feel like our house. It feeling like home is still off somewhere in the distance. While there are still things to do, things are indeed done enough to establish some sort of feeling of structure and stability, and that we actually are not nomadic people and we are done with our roaming days.

Truth be told, this whole process has taken quite a toll on everyone's emotions. The boy is getting re-assured of where he might find his stuff, but he's not quite there. I have been an absolute prick to my wife. We complement each other well, but in stressful situations we actually become what the other really could do without. In her is a desire to itemize, get things done in a certain way and order, and in doing so, it begets order and calm. It also means more micro managing...which leads me to me.

In stressful times and situations, for as much of an extrovert as I am, I become a loner and one who wants to figure stuff out alone. Which isn't helpful when your best friend's way to get back on track is to make sure that they have some role to play. SO, I have done an extra crappy job of taking comments and idea for what they are and NOT as critical remarks and orders. But we seem to be on the back end of this...

We are not moving anytime in the next 10 years unless absolutley necessary. I can't do it again...we've moved now 5 times in 6 years, and I'm looking forward to a break...

And...our DISH went out, so it's been movie marathon days at the homestead. The boy is getting a steady diet of Baby Einstein, The Incredibles, and Shrek. I have watched Two Weeks Notice, Remeber the Titans, and my second favorite sports comedy (right behind Major League) the Replacements. Notice I said my second favorite, not THE second best. The DISH guy comes today to fix stuff. Oh, and we don't get Bravo in our DISH package, so I guess it's so long to project runway (go Michael) for now until we figure something out. It saddens me greatly.

I suspect I'll be here on my computer first thing on Thursday AM finding out who got voted off and watching video.
Hello, my name is Ryan and I'm addicted to reality TV...

Everyone now...

"Hello Ryan"

Can community exist on the internet? Or at least to what extent can it exist on the internet?

With a growing number of folks both desiring authentic community and estrangement from the established Christian church, what do we have left? Where do the two meet? So, someone wants a beer with my meal or for refreshment on a hot day...can they co-exist with folks in authentic community?

But shouldn't we strive for something deeper than co-existance? Something deeper than 'I'll tolerate your crappy parts as long as you can do the same for me?' Maybe it starts there, but it probably shouldn't end there. At least I don't think so...

Aren't our churches already full of folks co-existing?

Should we surprised that no one wants to 'join up'? Who wants to build a house out of paper mache`...especially if there were folks that wanted to wanted to take the time to build something more long lasting and stronger; if there were folks that actually wanted to take the time to do it...

Maybe instead of 'our idea of Jesus style' ministry, we should do Jesus style ministry. He had a vision for a better way to live, built a community of 12 guys that were willing to make the sacrifice that community requires. Less about function and style and a borg-like disciple making process and more about listening to story and understanding the more folks we embrace the more beautiful the community is...and maybe let Jesus do the transforming...

He's much better at it...

At least I think so...

Snakes on a plane...

Worst movie title ever. Ever. Are you kidding? I honestly laughed out loud when I saw the preview and heard the name. I hope that all movies don't start going this route. Then we have these to look forward to:

Dude in a fight

This is adultery

Stuff blows up

Got a worse title? Lay one on me...or make up your own. It'll be fun...

episode IV: a new hope (cue the music)

New house...

New stress...

New projects...

What fun!

It was a good idea to buy the house, but right now it is an all consuming effort to keep on it. The end will all be worth it.

In other news...

Who am I kidding, there is no other news.

Actually there is...Five02 launch is on schedule. God helped us all to understand that it's going to look a lot different than we all thought...and that's a good thing. What became the semi bain of my church existance is now warm and fuzzy again.

And I'm very excited...

what if...

What if there wasn't such a stark line between areas of our life? What might that be like?

What if folks lived lives so authentically that terms like'Christian walk' or 'Christian life' became obsolete?

What if a body of pilgrims on a journey to find God could be focused on helping outsiders to know how God sees them? At the same time, what if our need to hang with our buddies could be met inside Christian community?

What if the constant teaching of salvation as an event rather than a process has put us farther behind than we all thought?

What if we all helped folks understand that they're already part of God's story whether they know it or not, and that the whole body is better if their story is told?

What if we all truly understood God as Healer? And would that help people tell their story? Would that change our idea of redemption?

What if we all really understood that a life in step with Christ is truly a step-up from the normal?

What if I'm wrong about all this...

but, what if I'm right?

Holy crap....what if I'm right?

confessions of a blog addict

Here's me, in case your mind is wondering...

I can't stop. Perhaps not so much an addict as much as I am a blog locust.

I jump from blog site to blog site and when my enthusiasm wanes for a particular site, it's off to a new one. Truth be told, I acutally started this blog in order to read other's ramblings about the androgenous drama trap that is Project Runway, but now I've got this idea that there may actually be people that may be interested in my thoughts.

It's that idea that is my blog-o-meth...or my ecsta-blog...take your pick...


So, stop back if you want. I hope you do...