Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Tchuss
Last night we had a going away dinner for our new friend Bernd. Bernd has spent the last three months immersed in our community in Morgantown, and we are all sad to see him leave.
Today he has a long drive to New York, and then a long flight to Germany. Some of us are looking forward to a Rendezvous with him in Amsterdam in the future.
We had a great meal, great community, and Bernd actually inspired us to put together a music CD with all original renderings of music. He even mixed some of my tribes old songs with guitar and keyboard--it sounds awesome.
I hope he will continue to touch and transform Bremen the way he has done this in West Virginia.
I hope that we can be faithful to the call that we each have for our lives to toch and transform our community with compassion and care.
Today he has a long drive to New York, and then a long flight to Germany. Some of us are looking forward to a Rendezvous with him in Amsterdam in the future.
We had a great meal, great community, and Bernd actually inspired us to put together a music CD with all original renderings of music. He even mixed some of my tribes old songs with guitar and keyboard--it sounds awesome.
I hope he will continue to touch and transform Bremen the way he has done this in West Virginia.
I hope that we can be faithful to the call that we each have for our lives to toch and transform our community with compassion and care.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Running
So I started a new habit. After my showing in the Clarksburg 10K I decided to start back into running again. This picture itself is pretty funny. I think all of the people in the photo with me passed me right around the time the photo was taken. So the photo captures my agony of defeat.
But, it is a good motivator. I now know that I am not nearly in the condition I was in six years ago. So I took two days to recuperate from the damage done to my body and my pride. I have been out every day since. I have not been blazing any record pace. I have just been running. I have a long way to go.
It takes time to do this stuff. If I want to do it, it will take at least an hour of my day. With prep, actual running, stretching, and a shower it easily takes an hour. But it is good conversation time when I go with someone, and good meditation time when alone. It is an hour of changing gears for me (and a lower gear is always refreshing).
If you can make the time, it is a cool way to get stuff out of your head, or into your head, depending on the need.
But, it is a good motivator. I now know that I am not nearly in the condition I was in six years ago. So I took two days to recuperate from the damage done to my body and my pride. I have been out every day since. I have not been blazing any record pace. I have just been running. I have a long way to go.
It takes time to do this stuff. If I want to do it, it will take at least an hour of my day. With prep, actual running, stretching, and a shower it easily takes an hour. But it is good conversation time when I go with someone, and good meditation time when alone. It is an hour of changing gears for me (and a lower gear is always refreshing).
If you can make the time, it is a cool way to get stuff out of your head, or into your head, depending on the need.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
David Crowder Band Concert
I would be remiss if I didn't blog about this concert and the fun times we had together tonight. Although we traveled in two automobiles, I feel confident good conversation took place in both.
A group of about a dozen of us took a road trip to wheeling this evening to enjoy a David Crowder band Concert. Tonight was just a fun experience being together, enjoying good music, and great friends.
The band really impressed me with their genuine love for God and for the people in the small venue in Wheeling.
We enjoyed some delicious Di Carlo's pizza and conversation after the concert, and I truly rejoice that I was able to spend the evening with such quality people.
In fact, I found myself thinking about our community in Morgantown a lot. There is something special about this community. Although I enjoyed worshiping with many people, including my former roommate Jimmy Shreeves and his wife, I found myself thinking about our community, and our worship together being among the sweetest.
David Crowder was great, but I found myself thinking about how much I enjoy praising God with our worship leader Cameron King and our community back in morgantown.
There are definitely moments where in the midst of our devotion to God, He rends the heavens and heaven and earth touch in the center of our hearts as we give all of our heart, soul, mind and strength to the honor of King Jesus as a community.
I find myself desiring more and more of this in my life and the life of our community. What a fun group of people to spend time with.
My freshman year, I went to a hip hop concert in a similar venue. The two events were so far from each other when I consider what was glorified at each. It is truly wild to think what God is doing in and through our community as we seek His face together.
And we trade in our past at the cross for new life in Him. I want more of that new life manifest in my own.
Have you ever contemplated the reality that where the people of God are gathered on the earth is a place where the reality of the Kingdom of God becomes manifest? How does that affect your life and your worship?
A group of about a dozen of us took a road trip to wheeling this evening to enjoy a David Crowder band Concert. Tonight was just a fun experience being together, enjoying good music, and great friends.
The band really impressed me with their genuine love for God and for the people in the small venue in Wheeling.
We enjoyed some delicious Di Carlo's pizza and conversation after the concert, and I truly rejoice that I was able to spend the evening with such quality people.
In fact, I found myself thinking about our community in Morgantown a lot. There is something special about this community. Although I enjoyed worshiping with many people, including my former roommate Jimmy Shreeves and his wife, I found myself thinking about our community, and our worship together being among the sweetest.
David Crowder was great, but I found myself thinking about how much I enjoy praising God with our worship leader Cameron King and our community back in morgantown.
There are definitely moments where in the midst of our devotion to God, He rends the heavens and heaven and earth touch in the center of our hearts as we give all of our heart, soul, mind and strength to the honor of King Jesus as a community.
I find myself desiring more and more of this in my life and the life of our community. What a fun group of people to spend time with.
My freshman year, I went to a hip hop concert in a similar venue. The two events were so far from each other when I consider what was glorified at each. It is truly wild to think what God is doing in and through our community as we seek His face together.
And we trade in our past at the cross for new life in Him. I want more of that new life manifest in my own.
Have you ever contemplated the reality that where the people of God are gathered on the earth is a place where the reality of the Kingdom of God becomes manifest? How does that affect your life and your worship?
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Bread
Last night I was feeling a little bit tired. i was hungry, but I didn't want to leave to grab something to eat. I noticed that I had about six cups of flour in my cupboard, and so I thought maybe some fresh baked bread would hit the spot.
So last night I baked bread. I've been trying to learn something about cooking/baking lately. It has been a cool journey thus far. Almost every people in the world (except those adkins diet people) eat bread. Most of us don't know how to make it though. We just go to the grocery store, and it is magically there.
Have you ever thought about how bread is made? It is a pretty lengthy process. People would get up early in the morning to cook bread for lunch if they were lucky, but more than likely for supper. It takes several hours to bake bread. Thankfully we don't have to grind the flour, or that would significantly add to our prep time?
If you can, i challenge you to take some time and try your hand at baking bread. I think if we take the time to try some things like this, we get a deeper appreciation for our past, and for all of the little things we take for granted.
Hope you enjoy it!
So last night I baked bread. I've been trying to learn something about cooking/baking lately. It has been a cool journey thus far. Almost every people in the world (except those adkins diet people) eat bread. Most of us don't know how to make it though. We just go to the grocery store, and it is magically there.
Have you ever thought about how bread is made? It is a pretty lengthy process. People would get up early in the morning to cook bread for lunch if they were lucky, but more than likely for supper. It takes several hours to bake bread. Thankfully we don't have to grind the flour, or that would significantly add to our prep time?
If you can, i challenge you to take some time and try your hand at baking bread. I think if we take the time to try some things like this, we get a deeper appreciation for our past, and for all of the little things we take for granted.
Hope you enjoy it!
Monday, June 19, 2006
Pittsburgh at night
Again, it seems hard to imagine that 200 years ago we lived in a world lit by fire and not by electricity. It seems hard to imagine that these buildings weren't always here. It seems hard to imagine that there isn't some degree of permanence in this image of the Pittsburgh Skyline.
This city and this view are amazing to check out. It is amazing that the people of mount washington let people come and go all through the night to enjoy this amazing view. Pittsburgh sits down in the valley where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers join to form the source of the Ohio River. I live just a couple hundred miles downstream. Once people floated the river in canoes--now we fly or drive everywhere.
How quickly the times change. Have you ever imagined yourself without the ability to travel so far so quickly? What would happen if your daily commute to work was on foot, by boat, or on horseback? Less than a hundred years ago it probably would have been.
That seems unimaginable to me. I wonder in what other ways our imagination has been stifled and enlivened by the convenience and technology we enjoy. Something to think about as you read this blog and enjoy this picture on your computer. . .
This city and this view are amazing to check out. It is amazing that the people of mount washington let people come and go all through the night to enjoy this amazing view. Pittsburgh sits down in the valley where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers join to form the source of the Ohio River. I live just a couple hundred miles downstream. Once people floated the river in canoes--now we fly or drive everywhere.
How quickly the times change. Have you ever imagined yourself without the ability to travel so far so quickly? What would happen if your daily commute to work was on foot, by boat, or on horseback? Less than a hundred years ago it probably would have been.
That seems unimaginable to me. I wonder in what other ways our imagination has been stifled and enlivened by the convenience and technology we enjoy. Something to think about as you read this blog and enjoy this picture on your computer. . .
Pittsburgh jamie and ryan
Just a quick pic of my friend ryan and his best friend jamie. Jamie lives a five minute walk from this view, so it isn't as big of a deal for him as it is for me.
What views and places do you take for granted because they are so close?
What views and places do you take for granted because they are so close?
Pittsburgh and the Monongahela
I've been thinking a lot about my heritage lately. I've also been thinking about history. Pittsburgh was one of those centers in which Indians and Europeans would gather for trade and treaty. it's hard to believe that after a couple hundred years the city has developed so much.
The monongahela river runs from morgantown to pittsburgh. I can't help but reflect on all that the banks of that river have seen. All of the families playing. All of the businesses being built on the water. All of the people making the journey down the river to pittsburgh to trade or to find a place to make it.
And I took this picture standing on Mount Washington. I wonder what it felt like to come to this mountain ridge, look down upon the town making its humble beginnings here, and thinking about the past.
As I look down on it, I can't help but think about the trees that once stood in place of the skyscrapers, and how the people of the past probably saw those trees as being semi-permanent, the same way we view the skyscrapers.
At least the river still flows . . .
The monongahela river runs from morgantown to pittsburgh. I can't help but reflect on all that the banks of that river have seen. All of the families playing. All of the businesses being built on the water. All of the people making the journey down the river to pittsburgh to trade or to find a place to make it.
And I took this picture standing on Mount Washington. I wonder what it felt like to come to this mountain ridge, look down upon the town making its humble beginnings here, and thinking about the past.
As I look down on it, I can't help but think about the trees that once stood in place of the skyscrapers, and how the people of the past probably saw those trees as being semi-permanent, the same way we view the skyscrapers.
At least the river still flows . . .
Ohiopyle
I guess there has been an Ohio theme in my travels and pictures lately. This picture of Ohiopyle is in Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania.
Friday afternoon, I made a 45 minute drive here with my dad, mom, sister, and brother-in-law and then went on a 22 mile bike ride.
The trail was flat, so it wasn't too bad, and I purchased some shorts designed specifically for making the journey a little softer.
My camera battery died before the ride started, but I still managed to get this shot of the Youghiogaheny River just above the falls. I have many fond memories of the youghiogaheny. This will be yet another.
What are the special rivers/ scenic places in your area you enjoy visiting?
Friday afternoon, I made a 45 minute drive here with my dad, mom, sister, and brother-in-law and then went on a 22 mile bike ride.
The trail was flat, so it wasn't too bad, and I purchased some shorts designed specifically for making the journey a little softer.
My camera battery died before the ride started, but I still managed to get this shot of the Youghiogaheny River just above the falls. I have many fond memories of the youghiogaheny. This will be yet another.
What are the special rivers/ scenic places in your area you enjoy visiting?
Ohio Sunset
I took this photo while traveling across ohio. The sun was setting behind me as I travelled lighting the land with a beautiful glow.
At the end of a wonderful day of travel, fry bread, and great company, the sun was a beautiful to view through my rear view mirror.
Sunrise and sunset inspire us. Sunset seems to tell us that as the day comes to an end, no matter how bad it was, there is a beacon of hope for the future.
There is still beauty--even on a highway--if we just take time to look around once in a while.
At the end of a wonderful day of travel, fry bread, and great company, the sun was a beautiful to view through my rear view mirror.
Sunrise and sunset inspire us. Sunset seems to tell us that as the day comes to an end, no matter how bad it was, there is a beacon of hope for the future.
There is still beauty--even on a highway--if we just take time to look around once in a while.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
THe Past
This is a picture of a shawnee person from about two hundred years ago. We have some pretty interesting traditions, but one I am glad has dropped off is the formation of loops with our ears.
In older times, people would cut their ears and hang weights until their outer lobes stretched like this guy.
This picture is a part of Charles Bird King's portraits of Indian people I believe.
In older times, people would cut their ears and hang weights until their outer lobes stretched like this guy.
This picture is a part of Charles Bird King's portraits of Indian people I believe.
Future generation
So I haven't blogged in a while, but my life has been jam packed. I just started using a higher quality photo. I journeyed to Fort Ancient with a family from my tribe.
This picture makes me think about the future of the shawnee people. The importance of passing down traditions, language, and the importance of community.
We made Fry Bread last friday, and gave it out to people all day saturday. What a blessing to pass on such good eats, and to teach young ones how to make traditional foods.
This picture makes me think about the future of the shawnee people. The importance of passing down traditions, language, and the importance of community.
We made Fry Bread last friday, and gave it out to people all day saturday. What a blessing to pass on such good eats, and to teach young ones how to make traditional foods.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Ifs and ands
Here I am after about of week of not writing just thinking about all of the entries i had hoped to make. So much happening in and around my world, and yet I have had very little time to talk about it all. Rather than lament the ifs and ands of life, I am just going to give a brief update of the last few days.
Tuesday night I had some folks over from my class to watch a movie for class. It was really cool. My professor came also and brought her son (he is starting college in the fall). It was just nice to watch a movie and discuss the movie. It has also been cool to be here in Morgantown in the place this summer.
Wednesday was a long day of meetings and planning for the future look and shape of h2o. I also was able to eat some mulberries. I love those things.
Thursday consisted of an ironically relaxing day. I got up at seven, went to class at nine, had a lunch get together, went rock climbing, enjoyed a cup of starbucks, and then proceeded to the grocery store with a few friends, had a delicious meal, and enjoyed watching storm clouds roll in as we all laid on the ground looking up at the sky. We had a fire in my chimineya and blankets on the ground, and it was just a beautiful way to end the day.
Friday--I woke up at 6AM and baked two loaves of bread. Then I went to class for the last time this summer. After class I began prepping for a trip to Cincinnati via columbus. I made fry bread until 1:30AM with my best friend in the whole world and his wife.
Saturday--I woke up @6AM and began cooking fry bread for breakfast for people and taught Christian and Emalee (Willie's children) how to make fry bread. We drove to cincinnati, and I was able to meet my friend karen, and a number of people from her church to discuss a cafe in Morgantown. I then commenced the return trip (with a short side-trip to a pow-wow), and made it home around 11PM.
Tuesday night I had some folks over from my class to watch a movie for class. It was really cool. My professor came also and brought her son (he is starting college in the fall). It was just nice to watch a movie and discuss the movie. It has also been cool to be here in Morgantown in the place this summer.
Wednesday was a long day of meetings and planning for the future look and shape of h2o. I also was able to eat some mulberries. I love those things.
Thursday consisted of an ironically relaxing day. I got up at seven, went to class at nine, had a lunch get together, went rock climbing, enjoyed a cup of starbucks, and then proceeded to the grocery store with a few friends, had a delicious meal, and enjoyed watching storm clouds roll in as we all laid on the ground looking up at the sky. We had a fire in my chimineya and blankets on the ground, and it was just a beautiful way to end the day.
Friday--I woke up at 6AM and baked two loaves of bread. Then I went to class for the last time this summer. After class I began prepping for a trip to Cincinnati via columbus. I made fry bread until 1:30AM with my best friend in the whole world and his wife.
Saturday--I woke up @6AM and began cooking fry bread for breakfast for people and taught Christian and Emalee (Willie's children) how to make fry bread. We drove to cincinnati, and I was able to meet my friend karen, and a number of people from her church to discuss a cafe in Morgantown. I then commenced the return trip (with a short side-trip to a pow-wow), and made it home around 11PM.
Monday, June 05, 2006
18.2 Miles
That's how far I rode my bicycle today. My friend Josh Drake talked me into going for a bike ride with him around Mount Morris, PA. As we started off, I realized that my seat was about four inches low, but I didn't let it discourage me. Josh rides for the cycling team. I don't. But my goal riding wasn't so much to keep up as it was to keep on the bike. I plan to move my seat next time we ride, and I plan to be able to go at it a little more too.
18.2 miles. What was I thinking? I am praying that tomorrow as I walk to class I don't have sore legs. The longest ride I have taken up to now on my bike is about 4.5 miles. But I do a nine mile loop every time I ride out to the church for meetings (when it isn't raining, and I am not in a rush).
I feel like being in Morgantown is going to be a great thing for me both physically and spiritually. It will probably be good mentally and emotionally too. For the first summer since 2001, I will be in town. For the first summer since I bought a home--I will also be in town. I think it will be good to establish roots.
I think it will also be good to down some NSAIDs before I go to bed tonight. Maybe some Naproxen Sodium, or vitamin I.
18.2 miles. What was I thinking? I am praying that tomorrow as I walk to class I don't have sore legs. The longest ride I have taken up to now on my bike is about 4.5 miles. But I do a nine mile loop every time I ride out to the church for meetings (when it isn't raining, and I am not in a rush).
I feel like being in Morgantown is going to be a great thing for me both physically and spiritually. It will probably be good mentally and emotionally too. For the first summer since 2001, I will be in town. For the first summer since I bought a home--I will also be in town. I think it will be good to establish roots.
I think it will also be good to down some NSAIDs before I go to bed tonight. Maybe some Naproxen Sodium, or vitamin I.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Dinner Time
Seems like during the time since I nearly stepped on that snake, I've been on the go in some way all week. It is amazing all of the wonderful opportunities that come down the pike for us to enjoy. Today I was in class, in conversation, planning, reflecting, rock climbing, and then I had a wonderful dinner at a couple of new-found friends' summer home.
There is something amazing about slowing down to enjoy a meal together. It seems like such a foreign concept in our busy, fast paced world. We don't take time to savor much of anything--like a meal. Many of the meals I enjoy with others end up in a restaurant or something like that. And that seems the norm.
What is really fascinating is that if we take time to slow down and enjoy a meal in a home, we seem to be able to savor the time better. We enjoy hospitality. We save money. We share more.
This week, has afforded me many opportunities to enjoy meals in solitude and in company of friends. I have enjoyed them in my home, other's homes, and in restaurants. Sometimes I wonder if Jesus enjoyed meals like I do. I just love those events that connect us and bring us closer together--nothing does that better than a meal. So, of course, Jesus probably enjoyed these times even more than me.
The next meal you have, take time to savor the food, the friends, and the conversations that make it special and unique.
There is something amazing about slowing down to enjoy a meal together. It seems like such a foreign concept in our busy, fast paced world. We don't take time to savor much of anything--like a meal. Many of the meals I enjoy with others end up in a restaurant or something like that. And that seems the norm.
What is really fascinating is that if we take time to slow down and enjoy a meal in a home, we seem to be able to savor the time better. We enjoy hospitality. We save money. We share more.
This week, has afforded me many opportunities to enjoy meals in solitude and in company of friends. I have enjoyed them in my home, other's homes, and in restaurants. Sometimes I wonder if Jesus enjoyed meals like I do. I just love those events that connect us and bring us closer together--nothing does that better than a meal. So, of course, Jesus probably enjoyed these times even more than me.
The next meal you have, take time to savor the food, the friends, and the conversations that make it special and unique.
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I started thinking as I watched it. Isn't Superman a lot like Jesus. I'm sure there have been many who have made the comparison's before. But, as I watched the movie, it caused my eyes to well with tears.
You see, the movie is entitled Superman Returns. When I watched it, I began to imagine what it might be like when Jesus returns. When Superman returned, the comment was made that everyone loves Superman. There is something endearing about the character that saves the day.
I wonder how much rejoicing will happen when Jesus returns and puts all of the wrongs to wright. Superman had a redemptive effect on many, and yet there were those like Lex Luthor who had a hunger for power, and resented Superman for thwarting their exploits.
I wonder if that is what it will be like when Jesus comes back. Many will rejoice that everything is getting put right in the world, and others will be resentful. I could write ad nauseum about this movie and the profound effect it had on my faith, and my worship, but I will simply suggest that you go see the movie yourself.
There are places where the metaphor breaks down, but that's the thing about metaphors, they are like models. They only give a shadow of the real thing, and they don't quite compare to the real thing.
I look forward to the day when every tribe and tongue and nation bows at the throne of the King of Kings. I believe it will be the most beautiful day, and event, that we wil ever have the opportunity to see.
Are you experiencing a taste of that joy and beauty now? The world needs a savior, and people cry out every day for one. Perhaps, Jesus wants His followers to do more than rejoice. Perhaps he want's us to bear His image so that people will know something of what He is like, and what the world will look like under His reign.