Updates

Last week was much more packed than I expected, and this current week as allowed minimal downtime for reflection and writing. But, I had a window to share some of what has been happening in my world recently.

Mostly I have been feeling a bit of a crunch because much of this month has me travelling. I am currently in Orlando, FL on one of the soundstages at Disney's MGM Studios. That's right--you had thought it might be the case, and it's true--I'm a star.

Seriously, I am taking a class on Faith and Science and it is being recorded on one of Disney's soundstages. There is this big empty room (8000 square feet) and in the middle of it is our "classroom". Dr. Alister McGrath is our professor, and he is the former principle of wycliffe hall in Oxford (this guy is really smart--he has a PhD in both Molecular Biophysics and Theology).

I still need to upload some pics from vacation and other cool events, but that may have to wait until later in the week.

Snow in October

Snow in October, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

It is snowing in Morgantown. Leaves are still green on the trees in my yard. Every fifteen minutes I hear the crack of another branch as it breaks and falls somewhere in my neighborhood because of the weight of the snow on the still green leaves. The tops are broken out of most of the trees in my neighborhood right now. Powerlines are down, and the power goes out for a few seconds every half hour.

I hope this is not an early indicator of the severity of the winter to come.

Last night I left my class around 9:45. As I walked home it was snowing a little bit (it had been raining earlier). Twenty minutes after I got home, my roommate calls me outside. The ground was covered with snow.

And it is still coming down this morning. . .

Vertigo

vt2005_img_lp, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

So it happened. Saturday night I was immensely blessed. Two of my good friends made arrangements for me to be able to join them (and bring another buddy of mine) in Pittsburgh to see Bono and the boys.

This was probably one of the best, if not the best concert I have ever been to. It is a close call between this and Pearl Jam 2000.

Bono opened up the concert by thanking the crowd for the life they had provided for the band, and said, "we're trying to live it as large as we can!" In other words they were making the most of what they had been given. Are you doing the same?

The last set of the evening was a time of worship (unfortunately this point may have been missed by many in attendance). The last three songs of the second encore were God-ward. "All Because of You", "Yahweh", and "40" ended the evenings events.

The night was a mix of great music, humor, political activism, and incarnational faith.

While many have issues with Bono, it is my prayer that we would see many more people similar to Bono in this regard. . .

That they would live their lives radically and passionately for what they say they believe. Not to the point of endangering others, but to the point that people stand and take notice.

I wonder how many of us really live out our passion. I was just thinking about it this morning, and even among Christians, where identification with Jesus is in itself a little radical, I think many of us are afraid to step out of our comfort zones, and afraid of offending others.

Sometimes it makes me wonder, what do we really believe? Maybe we need to start swimming against the stream a bit more before we get swept away in apathy.

What do you think? Are you living life passionately?

New Barna Finding and Book

I was just perusing the barna website, and I read this article this morning. I think it is particularly interesting point for reflection particularly for people who are seeking to develop incarnationl, missional, and transmographic faith communities.

Check it out here.

His findings indicate that people are leaving traditional forms of church but not necessarily leaving faith. He cites several million in the US who have left the traditional church to "go deeper in their commitment to God."

Perhaps we should examine our activities and events to determine whether or not we are equipping as we might hope.

a little vacation

Over the last three days, I took my parents on vacation. Sometime in the next few days I am hoping to post some comments and pictures of these events on this space. In the mean time, I just had this thought this morning, and figured I would write it.

Over the last couple of years I have been thinking about the uniqueness of ministry as a career. In some ways, people in ministry have a hard time taking time to rest and relax. (Believe it or not, I'm one of them, but I am learning!)

Eugene Peterson said it best when he said that we pursue this kind of career because we want to be involved in what God is doing in our world, but then as we get involved in our career, we start to believe what we are doing is indispensable--that God needs us. We relegate God to a position of helper, and we pursue our careers to change lives for God.

It's really pretty absurd. I was just reminded of this thought process this week when I left town. I came back to 13 voice mails, and even more emails. I started thinking about how I would be able to get all of the stuff done that needed to get done this week. I wondered who would take care of all the needs of our church. It was then that I realized--God will take care of all of the needs of His church. God will get all of the stuff done--somehow. I'm sure I will play a part in what He is doing, but "He must increase, and I must decrease."

Some might think this is justifying laziness. I mean nothing of the sort--every one of us has a personal responsibility in the loving, inclusive community called the church. Sometimes we just need to keep things in perspective--it's God's church and God's ministry, not ours.

Anyhoo, I felt like there was comfort for me to find in that revelation this week.

Do you believe God is taking care of your personal ministry, or is it all up to you, and God has been relegated to the sidelines?

Morgantown Sunday Morning

Morgantown Sunday Morning, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

I was walking from my house to church sunday morning, and the sky was just so beautiful above this valley. The building on the right is the new Life Sciences Building at WVU. The green space was the home of old Mountaineer Field. The stillness of the morning, the crispness of the air, and the beauty of the sky helped to stir my heart toward what a wonderful place Morgantown is.
It is amazing when one is able to enjoy a moment of calm in the middle of a busy college town.

Fighting Fatigue

For some reason, I have been a little "under the weather" for the past few days. Lot's of stuff happening in town, and the days are growing shorter as well. My "soul group" is really doing well--we've had some great conversations, and we are looking to hang out in the Mountainlair (student union) later this week to see what God is up to.

In the meantime, my roommate has been wanting me to share his blog with the world. If you will look to the right of this entry, you will see a link with the name nic culp on it. Give it a look. And let him (and indirectly me) know what you think.

Operation Waterhouse Cleanup

From 8AM-5PM today seventeen of us participated in a massive cleanup effort in the building we were recently granted--the waterhouse. We scrubbed about 90 years of muck off some of the woodwork, and completely cleaned out a kitchen facility (among other projects). It's really cool because as a result, not only do we have a cleaner facility and a better organized space, now there are at least seventeen of us who have a greater sense of appreciation and ownership for this great building.

It was a long and tiring day, and we were confined to indoor activities as a result of the rain that hit, but we have an even greater sense of community as a result.

We have a wonderful facility and location, but it needs a ton of work. It's pretty exciting just to think about the improvements we made today. There's something really cool about manual labor and sweating and seeing tangible results at the end of the day--I really enjoy it.

I am looking forward to a much needed Sabbath rest tomorrow!

When do you take your sabbath?

living out our calling

I am reading 25 chapters of the Bible/week with a couple of my good friends, and we get together and talk about what we've read on monday mornings @7AM. (I know, we're overachievers!)

Last week we read the last part of exodus and the beginnings of leviticus. I noticed something in a new way as I read through the end of exodus. God had chosen skilled laborers to work on His tabernacle. He had gifted them and they were specifically equipped for the job they were to do.

I couldn't help but think about our calling in association with this. You see, God is building his temple now through us--we are living stones. As each lives out his/her calling, he/she builds up the entire body right?

Well I started thinking about how these guys were better equipped than moses to do what they were doing--moses wasn't doing that work with the tabernacle, and neither were aaron and his sons. They had other work assigned.

I then started thinking about each persons role, and how you might be able to have quality people doing things, but what if it wasn't Christ centered . . .it would be talented, and well done, but it would also have an ugliness to it.

We each need to use our particular talents to glorify God, and need prayer to be the foundation of our work. I think that is probably the main thing--who is our talent and our hard work dedicated to? Ourselves, our peers, or the King of kings, and Lord of lords?

Suffering and Pain and Evil

Over the last few days, I've been hearing some very personal stories from the lives of others. The result has been that I have thinking a lot about the state of our world. I am more and more convinced of the wickedness of humanity the more stories I hear. Sure, I believe deep down that there are people who are really trying to make a difference, and who want to stem the tide. But the truth of the matter is, deep down, our own selfishness is what is the root of so much evil.

We can justify all kinds of evil, and to me that is really scary. I have a feeling that sometimes people don't completely grasp how warped or evil their deeds really are. I don't think we even like talking about evil to tell the truth. Sometimes I feel a little cynical, but more than anything i sweep from being depressed (at the state of the world) to being hopeful (of what the world will one day become).

When I hear stories about the evils committed against some of my friends (these are really too graphic to share, and I wouldn't want to violate confidence), I am heartbroken. I think we like to wear blinders much of the time, and all the while God is trying to pull them off of us, and get us to get involved in being instruments of healing in a world that needs each one of us to be yielded to the rule of King Jesus.

Where is God calling you to bring healing in your part of the world?

Healthy Eating

Over the last couple of months, since returning back from Florida this summer, I have really been watching what I eat. Not that I ate total garbage before, but over the last couple of months I have been both exercising more, and eating a more balanced diet.

I've been noticing a disctinct difference in how I feel on a given day. It seems like I have more energy to expend, and my body is more in rhythm. It is truly great to be in this situation.

I bought a road bike about three weeks ago, and I have been using it for most of my local commuting (the exception being a trip that will involve bulky items). I've also been focussing on carpooling more when that option is available. It takes a little longer to arrive at some places, but the environmental impact as well as the personal health benefit (if I can keep from getting hit) help make it worth while.

When I eat now, I notice more distinctly how I feel if I eat something relatively unhealthy, and it affects me for a while afterward. Not to the point that I am sick, but to the point I don't feel as energetic or lively. Yesterday I ate CiCi's Pizza for lunch, and a buffalo chicken quesadilla for dinner--bad idea in combination.

When I have time, I travel to a local farmers market, and I've been buying organic and locally grown food. Maybe that is part of what is making the difference. It is funny because I'm probably meeting a lot of stereotypes for people with long hair, but I am really thankful for the difference taking place in my physiology as a result of these new eating and exercise habits.

Lamentations

Alas, the mighty mountaineers have fallen. While I mourn heavily at this tragic loss, as well as the end of a great rivalry, life will go on. A few of my Blacksburg friends, Terri Dewey, Jeannette Staats, and Jackie Koch all called to console me during this very difficult time. Thanks ladies!

The Big Story

Over the last few weeks as a faith community at h2o, we have been looking at the Bible as God's great story, and the story in which all of our stories find meaning. Along with each week's message, dealing with the themes of creation, fall, redemption, and consummation, my friend Ryan Huffman has been painting original pieces designed to reflect the theme of the week.

Right now I am looking at the painting done for the theme of consummation. I am talking about that theme this week. This theme carries with it the ideas expressed in Revelation 21:1-8. Check it out if you get a chance. It talks about no more pain or tears being around.

On the painting is the phrase " . . .And they all Lived Happily Ever After". This is how our story resolves. As we become heroes in God's story (He gives us an opportunity to become a hero or a villain), we look forward to a time when we will all live happily ever after. The story reaches its consummation--it is complete, and we are able to experience true Shalom.

I can't even begin to get an idea of what that will be like. I keep looking at this painting, and I am taken away by it. There is a tree, and some hills, and a beautiful skyline. Even Ryan, talented artist that he is, perhaps could only glimpse a shadow of what this time will be like. The painting does a great job of creating longing. Like the fragrance of a flower we have never seen, that is our longing for eternity.

What are some of the great stories that you have read that remind you of aspects of God's story?

abs and prayer

This morning I went to the Rec Center with my roommate. We've been going 3 times a week for about 6 weeks now--it's nearly a habit. We get up at 5:45AM, get dressed, and go work out for about an hour. Then we grab some breakfast, read, pray, and get our day started. (He is doing rotations to finish his pharmacy degree.)

Each day, we finish up with 3 sets of 5 different ab exercises. He looks over at me today during one of the exercises (called the Bridge), and says, "either you are counting really slowly or I am counting really quickly." I told him that I had given up on counting (you are supposed to hold yourself in a certain position for this exercise--a bridge position--for 20-30 seconds twice per set). A couple of weeks ago I started watching the second hand on a clock in the weight room.

Then I said that I have the external clock, and an internal clock. I try to hold each bridge for thirty seconds, and at the same time, I try to recite the Lord's prayer--with pauses between statements. Both come out to about 30 seconds.

We also do an exercise called a Superman. When I do these, I hold them for 20 seconds and recite Psalm 126.

It is so cool to take time to reflect on the sacred text as we go through our day. I can't say that this is a completely original idea--I am sure many people do this, but I learned it from my brother.

I was thinking about the art of reflection and meditation a couple of summers ago when I was visiting him. He had just climbed Mount Whitney. I asked him what he thought about as he hiked. He told me that he tried to be mindful of his steps (so he didn't die), and be watchful for the other people in his party (so they didn't die), and then he tried to meditate on the Lord's prayer, and Amazing Grace as he walked. He told me Amazing Grace wasn't as cool as he would have hoped because he only really knew the first verse, but he said it was probably plenty to reflect upon.

When I heard this, I thought, "Man, my brother is a spiritual giant, and I am a total slug." But then I thought, "How cool to integrate the eternal into the everyday."

I've been thinking that maybe this is what intimacy really is. It isn't some lofty feeling, but it is including someone like God or another person, into the everyday, not just the emotional portions of the day, but into putting on socks, and doing ab workouts, and riding bikes.

Take some time to include God in your phone calls, your writing, your emails, or maybe your commute to and from work today! (and say a prayer for me while you are at it!)

My New Class

This semester has been great with school. My class this semester has been looking at pre-civil war African-American protest literature. The interesting thing is that this literature is largely unread by anyone--unless one's field is Black Studies. Even more astounding is that this literature is largely Christian in nature. For instance, in two weeks I will be doing a presentation for my class on a book called Sisters of the Spirit. This book features three gospel testimonies of former african american slaves. I am really excited about this class, and just the expansion of knowledge it has been.

So many people advocated slavery in the name of Christianity, but these educated african-american writers and theologians easily saw how evidently contrary these actions were to the gospel. It's a shame that many more didn't have eyes to see in that day--they were blinded by greed, among other things. It makes me wonder though...what are the issues that our churches are blinded to today?

Here is a quote from Henry Highland Garnet that I just read this morning.

Humanity supplicated with tears for the deliverance of the children of Africa. . . Slavery had spread its dark wings of death over the land, the Church stood silently by--the priest prophesied falsely, and the people loved to have it so.

What issues are we standing silently by today?

Climbing and Cycling

Yesterday was just a great day. I am already experiencing many of the joys that come with better physical conditioning and alternative travel. With the new bike, I can zip through areas near campus that would often leave me stuck in traffic during busy times of day.

I am also starting to feel my legs and my grip come back from climbing. We had four guys out for a climb at Sunset Wall yesterday evening, and we are planning another big excursion monday afternoon. It's starting to remind me of the good times me and my buddy Steve used to have when he first introduced me to the sport.

If it weren't for the biker unfriendly nature of Morgantown streets (and the hills everywhere) this would be a perfect alternative to driving. As it is, it isn't too bad though. I save money on fuel, I get exercise, and I am being a good steward of God's great creation in the process.

Cycling has been providing me with an added perk of solitude as I travel through town. It's good to be able to reflect a bit as I journey to and fro through town. Maybe more people will follow suit, and Morgantown will have some more biker friendly routes develop.

Cycling and Eating right

I took my new bike out for the longest ride so far yesterday. I rode out to Chestnut Ridge Church and back for a meeting. It's pretty cool, because I can really fly on this cycle, and my commute time to the church was only a few minutes slower than driving. Coming back was a different story because I am very untrusting of the cars along stewartstown road (especially near Bon Vista for anyone familiar with the area). Morgantown is not the most bike friendly area. Especially along the main roads. there is some gravel that is washing away along the edge of the roads--but that really isn't good for a bike. Plus, that's where people's broken beer bottles end up sitting.

Yesterday evening my roommate nic and I ventured up to Giant Eagle to get some healthy vegetarian fed chicken and other assorted good foods. Over the last month I have been making a conscientious effort to eat healthier and better balanced meals. As a result, I feel great, and I have been able to have more energy to put into the whole of life.

We also stopped down at the mountain people's co-op for some healthy trail mix and nuts, etc. If I do feel an urge to snack, I want to snack smartly--not with ho-ho's and twinkies (not that I have ever really been a fan of either of those vile foods).

Back in the Swing

So...It's been a while, but I am back at the blog thing. I just got finished working out with my roommate nic this morning. It's a pretty good situation. I want to not be a slack, and he wants to be cut for his honeymoon. So we get up at 5:45AM, and lift for about 45-60 minutes on M, W, F. It's also a good thing because I tend to let my physical fitness go for the sake of other things that are often more urgent but not nearly as important.

I've also been cycling. I just got a sweet deal on a Giant OCR3, and I've been using that for virtually all of my commuting. I may even start riding it to work out in the future. Since I am rarely in the car with other people, and now that I don't travel to fairmont each week, I can be a better steward of the environment (and my body) by riding when I would drive, and walking when it makes more sense.

It's been pretty sweet so far. I need to look into a headlight for my bike if I am going to do any night riding though. The battery on my old one lasts about 30 seconds and goes out.

I've also been getting out and climbing/hiking with a couple of guys here and there. It's been a really cool way to connect and encourage one another, and it is just nice to get out and enjoy the woods too!

Last Night

Last night during Veritas, we talked about John 3:22-36. It's a pretty cool passage. The Baptist's followers were concerned that more people were following Jesus than John the Baptist. John's response was brilliant, he called himself "the friend of the bridegroom, and talked about how much he celebrated the arrival of the groom.

It's kind of like being at a wedding today. It wouldn't make sense for the best-man at a wedding to try to steal the bride as the groom shows up at the wedding. The best-man, and the groomsmen (friends of the bridegroom) instead are looking out for the bride, and are thrilled when the groom comes to wed his wife. John has the same response. In fact, he realizes that at this time his role is to decrease, and Christ's must increase.

Of course it makes total sense, John isn't supposed to wed the bride--only make sure she is ready for her groom. The Bible tells us that Jesus's bride is the church, the people of God. Isn't it cool that we can also behave as friends of the bridegroom as we serve each other and care for one another until King Jesus returns for His bride to rule?

Hiatus

It's been way to long since I have blogged--I believe it has been nearly a month. My life has been fairly busy, but I don't think that it has been any more so than usual. I am not sure quite what happened. Wait, now I remember. There was a period of over a week that our house was without internet, and I found most of my time online focussed on gettting emails out and responding to those that were incoming. It is a bit ironic how easily we can cease in a good habit when the opportunity presents itself.

but I am back...Over the last few days I have been thinking about blogging, but the email I received today from my buddy Steve was just what I needed to get back on the blogging trail. I give my apologies to all who have been disappointed by the lack of activity here. This is such a good way to keep up with people, and I've blown it over the past few weeks.

We'll see if we can change the flow of inertia!