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?