Messy Church
Scott Sloan's
Journal Entry yesterday on Community and Acceptance really touched me. You ought check it out. Feel free to leave comments after this post since Scott has not gotten around to enabling comments on his blog.
Happy New Year
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Today while driving around with Ian we listened to U2's Unforgetable Fire album. The first song is "A Sort of Homecoming." That song always chokes me up because it makes me think of my mom. Mom died 10 years ago this coming February. I don't know what the song is really about (Erik P. Or Mike G. could help you with that) but the words and the sound always makes me think of my mom's homecoming and restoration, and being able to see her again. Ian and I have had a lot of talks lately about how different kinds of music make us feel differeant emotions. (he describes punk rock as "the tough music, the kind Uncle Johnny likes) I explained to Ian why this song always makes me sad.
Watching Michael Gallaugher navigate his Mom's terminal cancer has also brought the loss of my mom up into my mind more frequently.
Mom had a lot of struggles in her 44 years. She had an ongoing struggle with depression. She was also an extreme introvert with an hyperactive psychotic son. Amidst her depression she had a vibrant prayer life, much of which consisted of interceding for my future. My marriage, future career, and children. She was my closest confidant and best friend. I was a complete mommy's boy. I still have every letter she ever sent me, except for one that I lost :( She was a constant source of prayer and encouragment even when I was away at school.
The times that ached the most were usually the happiest times, the times that were answers to her prayers. my graduation, engagement, wedding, the births of her grandchildren. Yet another reason we long for the fullness of God's reign in the world to come.
"A Sort Of Homecoming" -- U2
And you know it's time to go
Through the sleet and driving snow
Across the fields of mourning
To a light that's in the distance
And you hunger for the time
Time to heal, desire, time
And your earth moves beneath
Your own dream landscape . . .
Tonight we'll build a bridge across the sea and land
See the sky, the burning rain
She will die and live again
Tonight
And your heart beats so slow
Through the rain and fallen snow
Across the fields of mourning
To a light that's in the distance
Oh, don't sorrow,
No don't weep for tonight, at last
I am coming home
I am coming home
BTW, Ian lost another tooth.
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Remember, Christmas time begins on December 25th, prior to that it is Advent.
I've been meditating on a couple of ideas this Christmas:
1. What a hell of a collective annoyance the census must have been for the Jewish world. Bad enough that you are ruled by polytheistic pagans, that you view yourself a captive people. You have to leave your job to journey to your home-town to take part in a census, a census that will result in your taxes being raised to boot. Your income for the year going down, while your expenses going up. All the time feeling the Roman Empire thumbing their nose at your culture. I bet messianic longings were especially kindled during this time. This was a dark time for Israel. I like the fact that we celebrate Advent during the darkest time of the year.
2. When Adrienne gave birth to both of our children, only the closest of family was present with us in the room following the births. For Jesus the intimates were poor shepherds. (not a highly regarded people in 1st century Palestine) Contrasted with the 3 Wise Guys, who were able to get an audience with the king at the drop of a hat, who visited much later. Jesus for all, but first to the downtrodden.
3. When God becomes flesh, he does it in great humility and scandal. People probably thought that Mary was some kinda slut, or certifiable if she told them her story.
Additional Thoughts:
I have been reading
The Contemporaries Meet the Classics on Prayer by Leonard Allen This is one of the best books on prayer I have read. Check it out.
Joyful News
The Neds-Fox Baby Abraham was born today. All is well. Check Their blogs to the right.
True Crime
My extensive criminal career has been outed by
Daniel Fox
btw, been taking it very easy on my back, and feel some relief! Cool. Thanks for all your prayers
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Last Friday finally got my back x-rayed to see what is going on with all the various pains I'm having. Apparently my L5 S1 disc is crushed and barely their, so it appears the pain is not going away anytime soon. I often feels like I'm getting kicked in the groin. Major bummer. My doc says he has seen two people healed from this. According to my research it looks like surgery is my only real option at this point. So for the next few days I am trying to arrange second and third opinions as well as get an MRI.
This weekend Ian and I paid a visit to Vineyard Central in Cincy. and had a wonderful time staying with Kevin and Tracy Rains at the Brownhouse. It was just me and Ian, and it was a good time. Perhaps I'll right more about it later, but I've got to get to the Doctor.
Rock On!
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Here is a quote from one of my favorite movies. Movies like this are better than prozac!
"Remember George, No man is a failure who has friends. "
Clarence the Angel in "It's a Wonderful Life"
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Kathleen turns four on January 4th, so I thought I would do some online shopping or her gift. She loves Russian Nesting Dolls, so I have researching various sites that sell them on the internet. I found this great site from Russia and not only are they selling Russian Nesting Dolls, but Russian Nesting Dolls that will help raise your children. Check
This out! What do you make of this?
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Just had dinner with the Fam. Ian and I are listening to Christmas music in my office. A question I ask a lot of people is this, "If you could ask God anything, what would you ask him?"
I decided to pose that to Ian (5) and he though for a few moments and replied:
"I would ask God to heal us."
He was answering a different question, but a good answer nontheless. I guess that is what everyone wants from God whether they know it or not. When pressed further Ian expanded:
"I would ask God to heal us from the devil"
Heavy Stuff.
Ian attends a school where most of the kids suffer major developmental and physical disabilities. Some are in wheelchairs, some have feeding tubes, some with fetal alchohol syndrome, blind, etc. Physical and emotional brokeness is something Ian sees every day. I think he has a clearer picture of life, and thus a clearer picture of our need for healing.
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Great day today. Had an opportunity to connect with Mike Jentes, who spearheads "The Quest Columbus" (link at the right) The Quest is a network of House Churches in the Short North/Weinland Park area. I was surprised to find that we attended many of the same Youth Conferences in the 1980's as well as sharing a legion of acquaintences. "It's a small world after all!" I was especially impressed by Mike's humility and meekness. I look forward to seeing how God continues to unfold this work in our city.
earlier in the morning I was reading this passage:
1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
A couple of thoughts that hit me about this verse, (as well as Jamews 4:6, and the one in Proverbs)
-If someone constantly encounters opposition, maybe it's because they have no humility and are full of prideful arrogance.
-As for those with humility, they receive grace. This just struck me today . . . Grace assumes that you have screwed up, or have been imperfect. The person who needs grace is the one who has not executed things perfectly. From these passages it seems that God values humility over perfection.
-Usually it is the prideful who think they have arrived or have a special hotline to God. This "secret knowledge" of God that people use to set themselves up as super-Christians or super-disciples is really just a prideful delussion of self justification.
God please give me humility so I can receive more of your grace for living.
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I am so wiped out! I cannot even fathom how many people were at my house throughout the evening. Our openhouse was a success. We met a number of new neighbors along the way, hopefully the beginning of lotsa new friendships. I wwas pretty overwhelmed by the multitudes, but I think I was able to by God's grace and a little help from my friends hold it together. So many people worked hard to make this happen. Special thanks to Billy-Ray for doing the Santa gig again.
Here are some
Pics for you visual learners.
I'm bushed, maybe I'll share a bit more later.
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Here are some notable happenings this month:
1. Bought the Kids hamsters
2. On Thanksgiving I knit a potholder with help from Dad.
3. Ian lost his first tooth.
So I thought I'd link to some pics of the above event:
Click Here!
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Spent a few hours today as Brian Carle helped me fix my Toilet. I just figured out that We might have a coulple hundred people through my house next week, and my toilet currently takes three flushes to banish the brown trout. Brian replaced all the plumbing innards and now it flushes better than I can remember! Brian is such a servant, and someday he'll be our geographic neighbor as well.
Also- today had Lunch with the Reverend Jim Mullins, my Dad, and Ian at Quaker Steak and Lube. Good Time.
For those of you who are the praying kind, shoot up a few for my family (and yourself as well) that we don't enter into the business of the season. I feel like I am being devoured by a gelatenous monster, that my legs are being devoured.
Also, shout out to Liz Rigs. It was cool to see your reply to the Chelsea post!
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Been busting our rumps this weekend preparing for our Christmas Open House next wednsday evening. Our home group is helping to pull everything together. Special thanks to Bob Koert, Matt Dowds, Terry Price, Jeremy Dickman, Scott Sloane, Rod, and Sweet Adrienne, as well as the two neighborhood kids Jerry and Chucky. We have passed out Christmas card invites to about 450 Glen Echo/University District residents. The featured attraction of the open house is free photos with
The Real Santa Clause. We had a blast last year and hope to connect with even more people in the neighborhood this year. Building a Bridge of Friendship . . .
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The Gallery Hop was a lot of fun. Thanks to beverly Westover for organizing yet another fun Home-Group outing. Afterwords we had an awesome time hanging out with
Chelsea and Chris kay at there new digs. It is so awesome to see good things happening to our dear friends. They have found a commmunity to worship with and a kickin house to host that community in. Urban dwelling rules. BTW, Chelsea is considering quitting her blog, check it out on my links bar and leave your comments on her blog after this post since she does not have comments enabled.
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Kathleen, my baby girl has particularily enjoyed one of our CHRISTmas decorations. It consists of 4 brass letters that spell N-O-E-L placed above our fireplace. She copied it on a piece of paper and exclaimed that she wrote No-Hell! Once again my children are theologions. NOEL is all about No-Hell
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Wow, crazy times.
Tonight at home group Kathleen (3) ran into one of our visitors and he spilt steaming hot tea all over her. She got two large 2nd degree burns on her body. The tea just missed her face by centimeters. Mom and Kathleen just got back from the hospital, and thank God! Kathleen is feeling much better and in good spirits. What an answer to prayer. They waited at the emergency room for two hours with George Coleman and our friend Joy.
Also, while we were at the lake, back home Ian lost his first tooth! Adrienne and I wept that we were not here for the milestone. Ian put his tooth under the pillow and we swaped it with some money for a Bionicle. (I'm not letting some tooth fairie into my kids bedroom!) He is a happy camper. We got to assemble it after I got home from work.
The lake rocked,
Over the Rhine put on a good show. Nicer Venue than Little Brothers according to Adrienne, but the crowd was pretty sub-dude. Adrienne and i were able to have a nice chance to chat with Dave Nixon from
Vineyard Central in Cincinatti. What an encouraging fellow. Adrienne and I have enjoyed reading his manual on leading house churches.
G-night
jeff
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Well, the kids are in Columbus with Gramma Zanna, and Adrienne and I are enjoying a breather at Lake Erie. Last night we discovered that Over the Rhine would be playing in Cleveland, so A and I will be able to take in a show together. We are such groupies!
Late last night Adrienne and I watched the movie "Traffic." Everyone should see this movie. It was yet another illustration of one of my favorite Bill Mallonee lyrics: "Legislation will never stop hell's march on the human heart." Only a revival similar to 1857 will stem this tide.
God let your kingdom come.
On a less serious note-
Adrienne and I had dinner at Outback Steakhouse. We decided to share a ten ounce filet, water to drink, and a bloomin' onion for an apetizer. We both about burst our stomaches. I cannot believe how big individual portions are set in this country. I guess the restaurant industry figures that it's more profitable to sell twice as much food for twice the cost to one person. Sometimes I wonder if we have a patent on excess in this country. Here's my advice for the day: Share one meal among two people until your appetites and stomache capacities change.
Rock On!
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