I don't get much time to write here these days. My days are pretty filled up between The Chapel and The Furrs. So when the kids go down, Heidi and I are getting some time together and we're on the way to bed. So now I have a few minutes and I'll just toss out a few things...
- I'm loving my work at The Chapel. I'm learning a huge amount. I feel like I'm contributing already. 5 weeks in and I'm living in the confirmation of God on this decision.
- Heidi and I have a close friend who is graduating from Wheaton in a couple weeks. Aunt Lo is finishing her Masters...way to go, Lo!!! I am so proud of you!
- My folks are coming for a visit this weekend. It's going to be great to show them around our new digs (Chapel, not a new home). They prayed and walked with us through the transition, and now they get to see it for themselves. And the kids are stoked about seeing them. Izak even has a special book for his grandma to read to him...very cool.
- Next weekend, Carrie, a dear friend from Buffalo, is coming for a visit. It will be great to connect with her and share a bit of life together.
- There is a group of pastors that I pray with each Thursday. We take some time to share a bit of life, but our prayer focus is the community around us. But we've also grown as friends. How incredible to walk through life knowing a few othe men have your back. These guys are a gift. Even in my transition, they have walked with me, offering prayer and solid encouragement. That's how it's supposed to be among Christian leaders in a community...
- There is no way that Bush can sign this law to pull the troops out. Not that we're in danger of him doing so. And this has nothing to do with any opinions I have about the Iraq War. But it has to do with the Constitution. I'm a Constitutional hacker, but I've got a little clue about seperation of powers. The President is the only Commander and Chief of the armed forces. In this bill, Congress is stepping into that role. If Bush went along with it, there would be a substantive constitutional crisis.
- I'm doing some reading in the New Testament book of Romans. Wow...incredible stuff...
- I love that the Red Sox spanked the Yanks! Not only did they beat them, but they did so in a fashion that stung a little (at least for Yankee fans). In two of the games, it looked like NY would pull it out...but in the last few innings, the Sox pulled ahead and won. I love it! Go Sox!!
- Jamarcus Russell to Oakland...solid pick.
- Obama pulling close to Hillary. Fun race to watch. How funny would it be for Gore to jump in after several months of these two beating on each other...
Well...I told you they would be random. As I settle into my new life a bit more, there will be some space for writing here a little more. Until then, it's random, baby!
M@
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
human fabric...
Read these words by Robert Kennedy...
"I saved . . . this opportunity to speak briefly to you about the mindless menace of violence in America which again stains our land and every one of our lives. It's not the concern of any one race. The victims of the violence are black and white, rich and poor, young and old, famous and unknown. They are, most immportant of all, human beings whom other human beings loved and needed. No one, no matter where he lives or what he does, can be certain who next will suffer from some senseless act of bloodshed, and yet it goes on and on and on in this country of ours. Why? What has violence ever accomplished? What has it ever created? Whenever any American's life is taken by another American unnecessarily, whether it is done in the name of the law or in defiance of the law, by one man or by a gang, in cold blood or in passion, in an attack of violence or in response to violence, whenever we tear at the fabric of our lives, which another man has painfully and clumsily woven for himself and his children, whenever we do this, then the whole nation is degraded. Yet we seemingly tolerate a rising level of violence that ignores our common humanity and our claims to civilization alike."
We are a thread woven together, if even clumsily. And when one part of that fabric is assulted and torn, the whole garment suffers.
Violence looks a lot of different ways. Yesterday, we saw the unthinkable unfold in Virginia. The week before, we heard the violence in the form of words - words that attempted to steal pride, dignity, and innocence. Every day, violence is a part of our world...and every day we tolerate it.
What does it look like to stop tolerating violence? Is it possible? Or do I need to just keep walking and not looking?
I think it looks like me taking notice when 3 kids in my neighborhood chase one kid off the bus and into his driveway. I didn't stop...but I watched it unfold. Would I have stopped if a blow had been struck? I'd like to think so...
It looks like people choosing to care about issues that they don't have to care about - racism, sexism, classism, etc. I'm a white man...I have the luxury of not dealing with racism each day. But there are those I love who don't have that same luxury. How do I choose to step into their "cause" because it's right and just?
Do I speak when people around me are speaking ill of another person? All too often, I've been quiet in my life. Violance? Really? Sure, maybe it's only a reputation that falls, but it's still a stain on the fabric, isn't it?
Perhaps that's why Jesus, in his teaching, continually brings us back to relationships. How we treat people shows what we really believe about him. Relationships are where faith meets life.
Today, I stop and pray because there are cries going up all over this country and world. They are the cries of people who have been feeled by violence. Stop and pray with me...pray for peace. And after we pray, let us look for ways that we are the answers to those prayers.
Peace to you...
M@
"I saved . . . this opportunity to speak briefly to you about the mindless menace of violence in America which again stains our land and every one of our lives. It's not the concern of any one race. The victims of the violence are black and white, rich and poor, young and old, famous and unknown. They are, most immportant of all, human beings whom other human beings loved and needed. No one, no matter where he lives or what he does, can be certain who next will suffer from some senseless act of bloodshed, and yet it goes on and on and on in this country of ours. Why? What has violence ever accomplished? What has it ever created? Whenever any American's life is taken by another American unnecessarily, whether it is done in the name of the law or in defiance of the law, by one man or by a gang, in cold blood or in passion, in an attack of violence or in response to violence, whenever we tear at the fabric of our lives, which another man has painfully and clumsily woven for himself and his children, whenever we do this, then the whole nation is degraded. Yet we seemingly tolerate a rising level of violence that ignores our common humanity and our claims to civilization alike."
We are a thread woven together, if even clumsily. And when one part of that fabric is assulted and torn, the whole garment suffers.
Violence looks a lot of different ways. Yesterday, we saw the unthinkable unfold in Virginia. The week before, we heard the violence in the form of words - words that attempted to steal pride, dignity, and innocence. Every day, violence is a part of our world...and every day we tolerate it.
What does it look like to stop tolerating violence? Is it possible? Or do I need to just keep walking and not looking?
I think it looks like me taking notice when 3 kids in my neighborhood chase one kid off the bus and into his driveway. I didn't stop...but I watched it unfold. Would I have stopped if a blow had been struck? I'd like to think so...
It looks like people choosing to care about issues that they don't have to care about - racism, sexism, classism, etc. I'm a white man...I have the luxury of not dealing with racism each day. But there are those I love who don't have that same luxury. How do I choose to step into their "cause" because it's right and just?
Do I speak when people around me are speaking ill of another person? All too often, I've been quiet in my life. Violance? Really? Sure, maybe it's only a reputation that falls, but it's still a stain on the fabric, isn't it?
Perhaps that's why Jesus, in his teaching, continually brings us back to relationships. How we treat people shows what we really believe about him. Relationships are where faith meets life.
Today, I stop and pray because there are cries going up all over this country and world. They are the cries of people who have been feeled by violence. Stop and pray with me...pray for peace. And after we pray, let us look for ways that we are the answers to those prayers.
Peace to you...
M@
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
sacred moments...
There have been several of these in the past couple weeks. Sacred moments are hard to share...to put words to. They are the spaces in time that make life, real life...
1. There was a moment last Thursday. The Campus Pastors were gathered together with the Senior Pastors. Years ago, Jeff and Scott made a decision that they would step into co-senior leadership together, birthing the reality of team ministry at The Chapel. It's been written into the DNA. So to sign up as a leader in this community is a commitment to share life authentically with others. Last Thursday, I was welcomed into that space with 6 other men.
There is some of that moment that is truly too sacred to write here. I've shared it with Heidi, but will keep most of it in my heart.
At one particular moment, we were sitting around a table eating dinner. It was Thursday of Holy Week. It felt like some spiritual connection with that evening when Jesus ate a holy supper with his disciples, the men he intentionally invested in for 3 years. There would be no betrayal and death stemming from our table, but it was a moment...
2. During the Good Friday service at my campus, there was a moment in each service where God whispered sacred words into my soul. There were the words that make leaders shiver in awe and burst with hope. They were words for me. As I watched the people of my campus pass by me, approach a huge beam of wood, and surrender their written-out sin by nailing that paper to the beam...those moments were sacred...
What a great weekend to step into public leadership at my campus. Good Friday was the first time that I would speak publicly (without being a part of an introduction). There could not have been a more profound moment to stand before the people entrusted to my care and be a part of a sacred moment...
****
The transition continues to go well. I love meeting so many people - staff, ministry partners and leaders...it's all great! I'm being stretched as the learning curve is steep. But I sense God's hand on me.
God is good...
Peace,
M@
1. There was a moment last Thursday. The Campus Pastors were gathered together with the Senior Pastors. Years ago, Jeff and Scott made a decision that they would step into co-senior leadership together, birthing the reality of team ministry at The Chapel. It's been written into the DNA. So to sign up as a leader in this community is a commitment to share life authentically with others. Last Thursday, I was welcomed into that space with 6 other men.
There is some of that moment that is truly too sacred to write here. I've shared it with Heidi, but will keep most of it in my heart.
At one particular moment, we were sitting around a table eating dinner. It was Thursday of Holy Week. It felt like some spiritual connection with that evening when Jesus ate a holy supper with his disciples, the men he intentionally invested in for 3 years. There would be no betrayal and death stemming from our table, but it was a moment...
2. During the Good Friday service at my campus, there was a moment in each service where God whispered sacred words into my soul. There were the words that make leaders shiver in awe and burst with hope. They were words for me. As I watched the people of my campus pass by me, approach a huge beam of wood, and surrender their written-out sin by nailing that paper to the beam...those moments were sacred...
What a great weekend to step into public leadership at my campus. Good Friday was the first time that I would speak publicly (without being a part of an introduction). There could not have been a more profound moment to stand before the people entrusted to my care and be a part of a sacred moment...
****
The transition continues to go well. I love meeting so many people - staff, ministry partners and leaders...it's all great! I'm being stretched as the learning curve is steep. But I sense God's hand on me.
God is good...
Peace,
M@
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