weekend wrap-up...

Saturday evening, Heidi's sister and brother-in-law (Kat and Dave) arrived at Midway. On the way down to the city to get them, Heidi and I made a date of it (thanks, Bonnie)...stopped at Bennihanna's -- Heidi's favorite place! It was a nice time out.

Midway is right in the city. Chicago is a fun city to look at, especially in the evening and night. I love the skyline.

Then it happened...Heidi mentioned the need to get some kind of carpet to protect the wood floors in the kitchen because she kept finding water on the floor. Didn't think too much of it.

then, when I walked in front of the dishwater, I noticed that some water shot up through a little hole (I'm a tad bit heavier than Heidi and was able to get more of a response just by walking by). As I checked it again, sure enough...water was shooting up from beneath the floor. Not good.

I took the bottom off the dishwasher to find a pool of water. Again...not good. It was caught between the hardwood floor and the lenolium that was serving as the moisture shield. Did I mention...not good.

Within hours, the floor was warping and buckling. Oh, it will go be down once it dries. No problem.

Here's the kicker for me. When we moved into the house, we both didn't like the dishwasher...the looks and the sound. But in an attempt to be a good steward of the money God has given us, we decided to wait until it didn't work anymore...we didn't want to act out of discontentment. Hmmm...it may have been the right choice, but looking back...not so sure.

Now we get to buy a new dishwasher (on the way to be installed on Friday)...and a new kitchen floor. the first quote we got to get new flooring made Heidi cry and me go into a somber silence...not good.

I know God will provide. We just need to take another step forward and trust him to care for us. Somewhere in here, he will be faithful. Story to continue...

Tomorrow morning, I get to join with the millions of people driving into Chicago as I take Dave and Kat back to the airport. Should be interesting, no doubt.

Did I mention that the van has been in the shop all day, too? How fun. We get to buy new dishwash, new floor, and drop some cash to get the piece of X of a Dodge repaired...too many times already. Anyway...

Time to move to field and life in a tent...

Peace,

Matt

Truth...

"Truth is more than factual accuracy. It means being in sync with God." - not revealing the source of the quote so as to not bias anyone for or against the notion by associating it with the author.

I think I have stopped short in my understanding of truth. I have stopped at it being factual accuracy. And though accuracy is a part of it, it is not the whole.

John, one of Jesus' closest friends and author of the New Testament book that bears his name, writes that Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." (John 14.6, NIV, italics mine).

I've been hung up on that. Though I trust Jesus when he proclaims that he's the truth, I've had a hard time nailing down what that means, exactly. But when I came across the above quote, it begane to make sense to me.

If ultimate truth is that which is in sync with God, then Jesus is declaring that he is in sync with God. As a matter of fact, his statement is a declaration that he is THE picture of what it looks like to be in sync with God, the Father.

Jesus says true things. But beyond that, his life is one that exemplifies truth because it perfectly portrays God. So to live in the truth is to live life in the way that Jesus did, because that most closely brings one into sync with God.

It has a very action-oriented focus. Truth is not simply knowing the right things. Beyond that, truth is to live one's life in sync with God. That has significant implications in many areas: truth-telling, love for others, forgiveness, grace, justice, creation-care, worship, prayer, discipline...

Beyond "What Would Jesus Do?"...we are called to live our lives in sync with the Creator. How do we do that? We sign up and make choices to live in the order of Jesus, who showed us what that kind of life looks like and he also made it possible.


In pursuit of Truth,

M@

weekend in review...

It's been a nice visit with Linda, my mother-in-law. As I've said before, she's the greatest! The biggest challenge has been to get her to simply rest and hang with the gandkids. She's always wanting to help with a project. When you only get to see them once in a while...your project is that little kid running around like a nut and the little girl who's not too far behind! It's been fun to see them interact.

Her arm is doing well. She's a good patient and keeps the wound good and clean. And if it hurts her, she doesn't let on. That's why she's BABS!

We went for a nice family walk this afternoon. Izak pushed the double stroller back from the park (which includes a huge hill to climb) for about a mile. He was pretty insistent on doing it and didn't want any help. So whoever was stearing had to do it so that he didn't notice. When we got home, his little face was read and filled with sweat...he worked hard!

This evening, Grandma played with Izak, Libby went to bed, and Mom and Dad went on a date! I took Heidi to a little pub in Libertyville, which was great! It's nice to catch up together.

As crazy as our life has been the past few months, we've done a pretty good job getting out to reconnect -- probably about 7-8 times in 3 months...not bad considering the situation -- 2 kids, pregnant, new town, new job, etc. We usually just find somewhere to eat at a slow pace and enjoy whatever conversation comes up.

I had Diet Coke with caffeine...thus I'm up writing this blog...

I'm making some good headway on hiring a Worship Arts Pastor/Director. I'm excited about a couple of strong prospects. They will be coming in for visits in the next month...hopefully. I have an overwhelming sense that God is up to some good stuff within the Northwest community...and I get to be a part of it!

that's the scoop for now...

Peace,

M@

Saw it...

Yup...just got back from seeing the latest edition of Star Wars. Lucas should totally make an Episode IV...this one was a great cliff-hanger!

I loved the movie. It's not a feel-good date type movie...definately not "Heidi approved". But I thought it was a very fun movie. Now, I'm not a total Jedi-head; just a dolt who enjoys a movie with good action and a good storyline. I'm not comparing it to any of the books. I don't get too deep into the backgrounds.

So anyway...it's about 1:15 in the morning and need to be functional pertty soon...so off to bed I go.

Peace,

M@

ps - MIL is here safely. Good to see her and spend some time with her. Her dog bite looks pretty good and doesn't seem to bother her much...but she's tough as nails, so even it if hurt, I probably wouldn't notice!

new link...

I just posted a new link to the right. It's to Sacred Space. It's a sight that guides you through prayer in the tradition of the Celts. Though I don't buy it all, it's pretty cool. If you could use a few minutes of sacred space, then have at it!

Peace,

Matt

justice...

That seems to be the theme lately...

Heidi's sister was attacked by an unowned cat (which might have rabies). Someone out there isn't taking care of their cat.

Right after that happened, her mother was attacked by a pit bull while walking her dog in the the neighborhood. The kicker is that the people whose dog attacked her, called the dog into the house, got in their car, and drove away. When Linda begged them to call 911, they said the battery was dead on their phone and then sped off. Just found out that there is no law in Michigan making it illegal for a person to flee the scene of a pet attack when their pet is the one who attacked.

A friend of mine is standing by as the owner of the company where he works is making decisions that don't reflect a value in his employees. Guys who have worked there for decades are getting the shaft in a big way.

The conversation in worship on Sunday was about justice...God's perspective on justice.

True justice is birthed in the heart of God...he is the only one who can mete our perfect justice. But it seems like we only get a small taste of it in this life. There is so much injustice in this world.

There are times when I'm tempted to just take care of it. A little waffle with anti-freeze will take care of the pitbull. A little bad pr in the local news might sway a businessman to watch his back. Driving a '78 chevy pickup so that if you sort of tapped that Lexus that cut you off, you wouldn't mind the dent...and they probably would.

But we're not called to mete our justice...at least not our own brand. I'm reminded in so many ways as I encounter God in the Bible that he does call me to be an agent of justice. But not the punishment and wrath part. He'll cover that base someday in his own timing (and he's the only one who can pull it off perfectly). But my calling is to stand against injustice in this world. That plays itself out in many ways:

- racism. I don't have to face it because I was born to a white family. But I can make choices to stand against it when I see it and live it.

- poverty. Though there are some people who make repeatedly bad choices that put them in a situation of poveryt. But there are also systems in democracy/captialism (as there are in every form of government, so my socialist friends shouldn't get too excited here) that keep people in a posture of dependence. I can stand against that and speak against it. I can speak against rampant materialism and live a life of simplicity so as to give away as much as I can to those who have less.

- sexism. It seems like the more sexually liberated our world becomes, the more sexism raises its ugly head. Men who look down on women and make jokes about them...there's not room for that. Women who demean and manipulate men...it's just as injust as the bias they are competing against.

And I'm sure there are other ways that people around me face injustice. That God would work through me to bring about justice in this world. Sure, it's not the full thing, but in a situation that is just, there's a taste of heaven. And any taste of heaven that I can get...I'm there!

************
Just spent dinner with our new friends, the Paridos. Kevin, Sara, and Lukas came to enjoy some grilled burgers. Yum! That was a good time.

Got a nice nap today. We played one-on-one defense with the kids. Libby and Heidi slept while Izak and I ran errands. When we got home, the girls went out and the boys took naps. Though it's fun to all be together, it's nice to get some rest.

This Thursday, Heidi's mom (the dog lady) will be coming for a visit. It will be great to see her.

Peace,

Matt

taking the game seriously...

Big painted bellies and tailgate parties do not set the bar very high for home team loyalty these days. You want team spirit? Head to Italy. Yeah, there we find real fans. Don't like the other team's goalie? Toss a flare at his head. The opposing team's fans getting on your nerves (you know, by using up YOUR oxygen), then heave a chair over the barrier -- yes, the barrier that was put there to keep fans apart because these sorts of things happen...with some regularity!

That doesn't top the list though. If you really want to show your team loyalty, then stab a guy and toss him from the upper balcony! That will show him to wear the other team's t-shirt!

I couldn't believe what I was reading. But here's the real kicker...the article finished by indicating that this is the worst violence that this soccer team has had to deal with...in the past year. Not "ever"..."in the past year."

You think soccer (or futball to the purists) will catch on in the US? Let's hope not...

Have a good weekend.

M@

...as a jaybird...

No, not me...my son. For the past few nights, we've had a different kind of night routine. Many parents sneak into their child's room to check on them before turning in for the night. It's usually just because they love their child and want to make sure they are sleeping okay.

We have to check on him to make sure the little piss-pot has his clothes on! And he doesn't just remove the jammies...he goes all the way to the adamic state. And he's not potty trained. Yes, more than once, Mommy has had to take blankie right away in the morning for a special bath...because of the special bath it got during the night.

What a kid! And when you try to get him dressed again, he just lays here, hands behind his head...with a big goofy grin on his face.

I guess there's something to be said for authenticity...my boy loves to be authentic!

Peace,

M@

what a week...

It's been quite a week around here. The Furrs are back in business and everyone is over the flu. I wasn't so sure we'd see the end of that tunnel, but here we are. Thank you, God!

Thursday was a pretty incredible day. I went golfing with a couple other guys as a place in Wisconsin called Geneva National. It's in Lake Geneva, which in itself, is a neat little town. The golf course is incredible (designed by Arnold Palmer). And on top of playing at such an incredible course, the weather was perfect -- 65, slight breeze, not a cloud in the sky. Again, thank you, God! I wasn't able to wipe the smile off my face all day.

Then I came back to my office to do some writing. But I couldn't because my computer was giving me trouble. So much that I actually took 2 hours to get out only a few emails...it keeps freezing...argghh!!

Then tonight, we had dinner at the Sue house. Hanging out with the whole family was a good time. After the kids started to crump, Charlotte, the oldest and only girl, came back to our house to hang with the kids (Libby in bed) so we could enjoy dinner with Ray and Liz. It was a nice time with some new friends.

I'm up working on stuff for this weekend...big meeting on Saturday with the worship arts community, then worship gathering on Sunday.

This computer stuff is making me crazy. A techie here may take a look at things after I try one more thing. It's such an area of incompetence for me...and a huge waste of time when it freezes and I lose stuff...Bill N. in Hamburg may have the right idea...pencil and paper...

Peace,

M@

brief update...

It's been quite a week around here. After a few weeks of a respiratory thingy, I got the flu (along with the kids and Mom). The only good thing to come out of it is that I'm down some poundage! I'd have been really ticked if I wouldn't have lost any weight...

Today is family day again. I'm a bit more myself, which is nice. Should be able to spell Heidi...giving her a nap while I take the oldest crumb-cruncher on errands. I love getting out and about during the day...hate staying at home all day.

Yesterday's conversation focused on Psalm 139. It's an incredible poem about the nearness of God and also reflects the author's desire to have nothing hinder that closeness.

Being paged...got to go. Check out the Psalm when you get a second and see what it sayd to you.

Peace,

M@