Burning Down the House

Burning Down the House, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

If you lived here, your house would be burnt down.

It's been pretty weird being in Morgantown this summer. All summer, I have been watching houses burn down. The area known as the loop at the bottom of falling run road has been quickly becoming transformed. It is really strange.

You know, we are in such a hurry to build new spaces, we don't really even salvage anything. We just burn it all up. Doesn't this seem a bit wasteful. it's like, if we had the time, or would just take the time, we could be providing for other people with some of the building materials in these old houses. Instead, they are reduced to rubble in a matter of minutes.

And then, just being in Morgantown this summer, it is pretty wild to see how much the area has been transformed in just the last two months.

New restaurants and businesses have emerged, and now homes are disappearing. I guess this is what progress looks like . . .

automobile woes

Saturday night I drove my car up route 40 from uniontown to farmington. That's a tough climb for any car, but especially a car like mine that is getting up there in mileage. Well, the strain proved too much. It didn't make it. I had to leave it on the side of the road. Thankfully some really nice people offered to take me to my friend Nic's parents house in Connellsville. Nic and his wife Tara gave me a ride to morgantown the next morning. God took care of me, and I am very thankful.

In the meantime, I have a little problem. The engine, she don't sound too good. I had to get the car towed from Farmington, PA to Fairmont, WV. My friend Bryan is looking at it right now, and the prospects are dismal. So I am asking myself a few questions.

How badly do I need a car?

Do I repair the car or look for a new one?

In terms of new ones, do I get one that is really new, or just new to me?

Should I look into a pilot's license instead?

This car has served me well. It got good gas mileage--30mpg on the highway.

any thoughts?

Pirates the second time around

I went to see the movie again with my buddies ryan and ryan, and my newly made friend E-bo. It was fascinating. I watched the original movie two nights ago, so many images were still fresh in my mind. After watching this one a second time I saw a number of themes and bits of foreshadowing that I missed the first time around. It's funny because many viewers miss all of the signs that point to something a little deeper than the surface of the story.

I am not going to share those with you though--go see the movie yourself! I am anxiously awaiting the third episode though.

Isn't it interesting that we have a little foreshadowing in our lives too? I mean, we get to experience beauty and community here and now. But we don't experience them fully. We get to experience awe and wonder right now, but just as an echo. But the foreshadowing in our story points to something even more epic than we could imagine.

Are you looking at the foreshadowing of what is to come in eager anticipation, or are you missing out on all the signs and living along the surface of the most compelling and deep story ever written?

Fire

Fire, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

Well, i don't have a chimineya anymore thanks to somebody driving through my yard and destroying it. So, in order to burn anything I have to wait until 4PM and burn it on the open ground.

So this fire is the reduction of a bunch of prunings. The branches were gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. They were dead. Lifeless. They were not bearing fruit.

My yard looks somewhat transformed. Probably nobody would notice other than me, but the fact that I notice means something. It means that all of that hard work has some tangible result.

When our branches don't bear fruit, they are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. I don't like the thought of anything I do being burned up. I don't like the thought that there are things in my life that need pruning. I don't like the thought that I have decaying, dead, and rotting branches.

But at the same time, it is good to have someone go through and remove them. Are there branches in your life God needs to prepare for fire. Will you submit to the gardener and let Him do the difficult but necessary work?

Pruning

Pruning, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

So yesterday at h2o we were talking about the place in the gospels where Jesus says He is the true vine. I got a little convicted by the whole idea of pruning, because I really need to prune all of the trees at my house. So today I started working on it.

I cut my grass, and then started pruning a couple of trees. I started by cutting some low branches out of an oak tree, and then I proceeded to work on a hawthorne tree. They have two to three inch thorns that stick out of the branches. One ran through my shoe and about a quarter inch into my foot. I have two huge piles of brush from the day's work. And I have lots more to do. But for now, I have made some progress. I think I am going to pile the wood up into a heap and burn it tonight.

Whatever does not bear fruit is cut off and thrown into the fire. So I am going to toss this stuff into a fire.

The Hawthorne tree is looking pretty cool. Actually, my yard looks really cool as a result of the work. But there is lot's more to go.

Isn't that the way life is--just when you think you are catching up, more comes along!

Is there anything in your life that needs pruned right now?

Pirates of the Caribbean

Last night I saw the debut of the second Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Don't worry, I am not planning on giving any spoilers. The movie had some interesting themes though, including some very overt references to Christianity. It seemed like the dominant theme had a lot to do with character, and how circumstances and life experience can affect character. Unexpected heroes and villains emerge throughout the film, and the whole time one can't help but get immersed in the story. Aren't we in a story similar to this one. Heroes and villains pop up in unexpected places. If we aren't careful, circumstances can transform our normal way of living and doing things. Heroes can become touched with moments of villainy and villains can become heroic. All along I think the goal is to be proactive in living out our own story as heroes, and we can only do that if we enter into the larger heroic story of God.

Anyhoo, the film was beautiful, and the local theater ended up selling out two theaters for midnight showings. I think it is going to do quite well at the box office. If you are able, i recommend seeing this movie. The ending is so cool, it . . .

Morning in Minnesota

Morning in Minnesota, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

Well, after all of this time together we have no pictures of fish, and no pictures of the three of us together—until the morning of my departure. We were truly fortunate to be able to spend the last few days together. We made memories, we shared stories, and although physically fatigued, I would like to think that we refreshed each other’s spirits. I know that my spirit was refreshed by the time I spent with my friends Liz and Steve Powell in the Northern Wilderness.

Looking Out the Backdoor

Looking Out the Backdoor, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

Would you look at that yard? Pay no attention to the first fence; it is just for the dog. Waaaaaaay back is the end of Steve and Liz’s yard. They have a fire-pit back there, and as luxurious as that lawn (and garden) are. Don’t be fooled. Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes, and the land of 10,000,000,000 mosquitoes. If you don’t spray down with off, you will be eaten alive. As the sun goes down, they come out to feed. They aren’t so bothersome on large bodies of water, but as one approaches the bank, they begin to examine humans as fresh meat.

There is a lot that can be learned from a mosquito. They are pretty powerful creatures. Although tiny, they can drive a human being out of an area and they seem to exert their influence in such a way that people have little choice but to wear repellent, or become a victim of their dominion.

I am so glad we don’t see so many mosquitoes in the hills of Morgantown.

Last Day O' Fishing

Last Day O' Fishing, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

Windburnt, Fatigued, and heading for a couple of last weedbeds to catch some Northern, our fishing experience finished July 3rd at around seven pm. Everybody had a turn at driving the boat, and we wrangled our way through rough waters all day as a storm was blowing in.

English River

English River, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

This fine site became the location of our shorelunch. We cooked up six Walleye, potatoes and onions, all cooked in lard. It was delicious. We worked together to build a fire, prep, the food, and then we enjoyed a scrumptious meal of fresh fish. I love the sound of waterfalls. Liz caught our sixth fish out of those falls in a pool to the left in the picture. Other people caught snags—Liz caught fish.

Eagle in Flight

Eagle in Flight, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

Unfortunately, my camera does not have the lens necessary to bring these eagles into sight. Eagle’s were commonplace along this lake. Although we didn’t see any moose, they are often seen along the rivers that feed into the lake.

The Eagle is a pretty majestic bird. It is also the totem of my tribal clan. It was amazing to watch one of these winged ones dive into the water with its talons outstretched to acquire a fish, and to see another carrying away some other small object (probably a squirrel) to it’s lofty nest.

There is something really special about the Eagle. It was definitely a treat to see eagle’s every day I was on the water. Lot’s of times people call every big bird in the sky an eagle, but Eagle’s are unmistakeable.

I remember hearing this quote once. “The eagle never lost so much time as when he stooped to learn from the crow.” It’s weird, as I meditate on that quote, I can’t help but think that there is much to learn from both for us. But that probably isn’t what the quote means at all.

Canadian Stone Wilderness

Canadian Stone Wilderness, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

This is an image of the cove where our boat (Liz’s Grampa’s) was docked. This stand of evergreens is a remnant from the last timbering of the lake. The entire lake is stone. And yet, these trees grow thickly on top of the stone. I can only imagine what this place must have looked like before the lumber mills came in and turned these woods into paper.

Bearly Photographed

Bearly Photographed, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

There was a bear wandering around our camp. We caught it on film as we traveled down the highway. I really had to resist the temptation to get out to try to get a better photo. My mom would be so proud of me for not walking up to the bear as I might have felt compelled to do at other points in my life. I’m either getting smarter or more fearful (probably of what my mom would do to me—after the bear was done she would have her turn at knocking some sense into me haha).

Moth at Sioux Lookout

Moth at Sioux Lookout, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

As we were leaving the only store open in Sioux Lookout (July 1st is Canada’s Independence Day), Liz spotted this beautiful moth. I think I finally figured out how to use the macro function on my camera. The image on the wings looks like it is three dimensional. What a sight in the middle of this little Anishnabe Indian Town in the Canadian wilderness.

Sandy River

Sandy River, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

This was the place I was introduced to fishing for Northern Pike. I didn’t fair so well in this little river, but the next day I caught Northern on what seemed like every third cast. They fight hard, and they have several rows of vicious teeth.

They aren’t supposed to be as delicious as the Walleye, so we focused on catching our limit of meal sized Walleye’s 13’’—15. Actually we had two great meals catching these Walleye’s. Liz’s brother, Luke Smith, should open a guide service. Nobody was catching fish, but he told us where we should go before we left for the lake. Everywhere he told us to go—we caught fish. Lot’s of fish.

This river is fed by a set of rapids that I tried to photograph. The land was impassable when I attempted to get a good shot of the rapids. The river was pleasant, none-the-less.

Moonlight Falls

Moonlight Falls, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

These beautiful falls trickle down a rock face into Minnitaki Lake. I am not sure about the directions, but I want to say that this point is Southwest of the place where we stayed. The Falls were beautiful, but the fishing at this little nook left a little to be desired on this day.

Even though the weather was horrible as we traveled into Canada, we had beautiful sunny weather for our fishing excursions. Canada was very different than I expected. Very stony, and the timber industry had really cleared off most of the old growth forests. In fact, any time I tried to hike on the land, I was met with thick growth that made the woods impassable without aid.

The view from the water was beautiful though. These falls were refreshing to hear and to see.

Pickerel Arm

Pickerel Arm, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

So I spent three days near Sioux Lookout, Canada (not a large town) fishing with Liz and Steve. We stayed in a small camper at Donnelly’s Minnitaki Lodge and this was the view as we left our boat docks to enter into the Pickerel Arm of Minnitaki Lake. It rained for several hours as we drove deep into the Canadian wilderness for this fishing excursion. The whole trip brought back beautiful memories of fishing with my dad, uncle, and cousins along the Ohio River and Mountwood Lake. We caught tons of Walleye and Northern Pike during our three day excursion. Unfortunately, I didn’t take any fish pictures, so you will have to take my word for it. Liz and Steve did manage to get my picture with one of the smallest Walleye’s of our excursion—I’m sure it will make an appearance somewhere in the future, but probably not here.

Mighty Mississippi

Mighty Mississippi, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

Thursday Afternoon, Steve took me to visit Coon Rapids. This area is just a couple of miles from his home in Minnesota. Up here in the North Country the Mississippi River begins. Aside from the numerous islands to be seen, it was very reminiscent of the Ohio River where I grew up. To think, just a few miles down the river (quite a few), Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn had their many adventures on Jackson Island in the middle of the Great River M’shee Thee-pee in its Algonquin/Shawnee rendering.

superman returns

superman icon, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

Last night I went to see the new Superman movie. It was brilliant. So much imagery, and so many allusions to the original.

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.

Tchuss

Tchuss, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

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.

Running

Running, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

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.

David Crowder Band Concert

David Crowder Band Concert, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

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?

Bread

Bread, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

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!

Pittsburgh at night

Pittsburgh at night, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

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. . .

Pittsburgh jamie and ryan

Pittsburgh jamie and ryan, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

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?

Pittsburgh and the Monongahela

Pittsburgh and the Monongahela, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

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 . . .

Ohiopyle

Ohiopyle, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

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?

Ohio Sunset

Ohio Sunset, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

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.

THe Past

THe Past, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

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.

Future generation

Future generation, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Snake

Snake, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

I went for a hike yesterday after bouldering with my new friend Jeremiah. As we were leaving a trail near Morgantown at Cooper's Rock, I came upon this little guy. He is probably 2-3 feet long, and I jumped over him as I was leaving one of my favorite trails.

What is with the snakes lately? I stepped on a garter snake on my way to class last fall. I also ran into a cane break rattlesnake with my dad last fall. (beautiful snake, by the way)

This snake--I have no idea what it is. My first thought was a copperhead, but after studying some photo's of copperheads, it doesn't seem very likely. I am thinking that it is a northern brown snake, but I am not sure. If you have any ideas, feel free to post 'em.

In the meantime, if you are in the woods, don't be dumb like me and walk around in sandals--boots are a safe bet. And keep your eyes peeled for snakes--they are definitely out there!

The Culps

The Culps, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

The wait is over. After a long period of dating, my good friends Nic and Tara have finally tied the knot. It has been awesome walking through the journey with them from attraction, to courtship, to engagement, and finally to marriage.

I'm going to miss this couple. Nic has been my roommate for the last two years, and he and tara have both served as officers in our student organization here in Morgantown for a long time.

I'm so happy to be able to rejoice with them. I was even able to have the privilege of officiating the ceremony with the two of them. What a great place to be, and look how happy they are. Even at the end of a long and tiring wedding day, they have plenty of smiles for the camera.

Although they will be living a few hours away, I look forward to seeing what God does both in and through them during their new life together.

Aren't they a beautiful couple?

Serenity

Serenity, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

Isn't this a beautiful photograph? it was taken this past winter in Amsterdam. Lights reflecting on the water have always been soothing to me. My family are river people. We go to the water as our place of sacred sojourn. The Ohio River has long been a favorite, but there is something comforting about this canal in the middle of a bustling and yet quaint old city.

It saturates and soothes, the water that is. Tonight, I hung out with my friends Ryan and Cameron. We just played some music and wrote lyrics together. As we gathered, we seemed to be feeding off one another's creativity in an evening of serenity. There is something truly beautiful about coming together for times like that. I think that is a picture of the Kingdom. Everyone joins together to make a unique contribution in a great masterpiece solely dedicated to the glory of God. Every contribution is unique and important, and yet, like an orchestra that spans the world, no one instrument drowns out the others with its sound. That is collaboration. That is harmony. That is an image of walking in the way of Messiah.

Are you collaborating, or are you too busy making your own noise to hear the rest of the orchestra? Are you playing for your audience, or are you playing for yourself? Take time to listen, and feel the rhythm.

OK, I watched it

Well, I had to go see what all the hype was about. I have heard so much about the book, that I had to see it. I've had so many conversations about the book (and I anticipate many more), that I had to find out what it was all about.

Tonight, around a dozen of us went to see the Da Vinci Code together. Then we went out for dinner and discussion. I had high expectations for the movie, and maybe they were a little too high. It wasn't a bad movie, but it wasn't exactly a blockbuster either. I'm sure it will do well at the box office, in spite of reviews. People love conspiracy and secret society type stuff.

I'd have to say the thing I most enjoyed about the movie is the opportunity it presents for conversation and education. There are a lot of unorthodox and untrue ideas that are put forth in the story, and yet there is no really new idea being presented by the story, just a lot of em all at once. If you do go see the movie, I recommend going to see it with friends, and to go somewhere for discussion afterward. There are tons of succinct resources available for scrutinizing the fiction that presents itself as fact.

The real question one has to ask is--what's the allure of the fiction? Why do people want to spend more time trying to dig into the conspiracy than examining the claims of Jesus as they have been handed down from the first century?

I think it might just be because folks are waiting to see it lived out. People are wanting to get in discussions about the book, and about Jesus. Are you equipped? And are you living a life that let's others see the beauty of a life that follows Messiah?

For the beauty of the earth

For the Beauty of the Earth, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

People choose to live out their faith in a variety of ways. Some choose to be a clanging gong in the ears of a world in need of harmony. Others choose to bury their heads in a world that cries for engagement. Still others claim to hold secret knowledge, and long to depart from the good earth. I am tempted by all of those, but somehow I believe we are called to something more. I believe we are to be singers of a beautiful song that enchants the world, to engage with those around us, and to shape the good earth to be a place where the beauty of God's Kingdom reality is made manifest for the sake of the whole world. To be an instrument of reconciliation instead of wreck. To be a flame and not ash. To spread shalom and not clutch tightly to things for fear of loss.

Back on Stone

It has finally happened. I finally made it out to get on a rock today. I am a mixed bag of emotion though. I went to a sweet semi-secret spot near Morgantown with my old boss. The only problem was that all of the boulder routes were really difficult. This place was definitely not the place to go for my first time out this season . . .or maybe it was. I definitely have a better sense of my inadequacy and lack of conditioning from my time spent out there.

Even though I couldn't send a single route, I really had a great time. There is something refreshing about being in the woods. Especially after a rain on a cool spring day.

What locations/activities refresh you? Have you been at them lately?

Flock of Seagulls

Flock of Seagulls, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

What do my hair style and the 80s band "Flock of Seagulls" have in common beyond hair? Well, "I ran," which was their hit song, is also what I have been doing more of lately.

Over the last three weeks I have run on four separate occasions. I realize that doesn't quite make me a runner, but it is a start. The fact that I have been able to get out is huge. I used to run--a lot. But an injury slowed me down. Now I haven't run consistently for six years. This summer, I plan to change that.

I will be in Morgantown for most if not all of the summer for the first time in 5 years. Not only will I have the ability to run, I will also have the ability to climb as well. That's a sport I fell in love with the year before I had to start going to Florida every summer during prime climbing season. While Florida afforded me the opportunity to learn to surf, the state is flat like a pancake--the only way you can climb is to climb buildings, or join a gym. Rocks don't cost money!!!

Anyway I am pumped about the summer in "Almost Heaven."

In case you are wondering, my hair doesn't really look like this--it's just tucked under my hat.

While we all may be nostalgic for old 80s hair styles, what other old good habits are you going to re-initiate this summer?

Very Scary Stuff

Thursday morning I found out some bad news. My hard drive was failing. For those of you who aren't so technically savvy that means that I nearly lost everything i have ever done on a computer over the last eight years. EVERYTHING!!! Every picture I have ever taken, every email I ever sent, my address book, my calendar, and every document I have ever created--gone!

The irony in all of this is that these aren't physical objects. They are computer files. They are electronic documents. They are digital photos. It is so odd to think that so much time and energy is devoted daily to files all over the internet, intranets, servers, and hard drives. But reality is that much of our life's work is stored on computers anymore.

As a result of my quandary, I made an emergency trip to visit to my best friend in the whole world. He is also very sharp with computers. He runs a school district. He also works in an apple certified service facility. We tried several different mechanisms for transferring files. Eventually we did the whole thing piece by piece. It took us all of the last two days to perform the rescue. We were eventually successful. If it weren't for my friend Willie, I would have lost everything.

Even better than saving everything was the fact that we were able to hang out. We did everything together. He taught me about everything he was doing as he did it. We laughed, we got stressed, we made it through it all.It's good to have friends to go through the tough times. Willie and I have been through a lot. He's a Shawnee. We're from the same clan--Eagle.

If you don't know him, you should meet him. He is super high quality. Right now I am still double checking things, but I think we recovered almost everything.

Words of wisdom--if you don't own an external hard drive, buy one. If you don't back up your files, start doing it now. Even though I work on one of the most awesome machines in the world, hard drives are their own beast--they can go bad at any moment. My computer was running fine wednesday morning, and really slow wednesday night. Thursday morning, it was dying. Back up your files if they are important to you!

Hollywood at Night

Hollywood at Night, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

This photo was taken last week from the roof of the New Hollywood Apartments in Thai Town. In the background is Century City. In the foreground you can see a number of small shops/restaurants across the street.

Back in West Virginia, the night sky doesn't look bright grey. It is filled with stars. Even on a cloudy night it looks dark, and not an ominous grey.

Light pollution. The Bible talks about light exposing the evil deeds of darkness. Maybe all of the brightness in the sky is indicative of places that need to be exposed. Or maybe the brightness is meant to be a reminder not to lose hope. Or maybe the light is a reminder that Los Angeles' deeds, whether good or evil, are being exposed for the world to see.

What do you think?

Kip

Kip, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

Hey, its my hip friend who has gone off to California, Kip! He and his family hosted me for a couple of days while I have been "out west"?

They are truly hospitable people and good friends. We miss them back east, but God has different plans for them.

It has been great being mutually a source of refreshment for one another during our short stint together.

weight loss

weight loss, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

OK, I saw this billboard wednesday night driving through Los Angeles with Kip. I am somewhat tempted not to comment about this photo.

Instead I will leave you with a question. I would love to hear your response.

Weightloss for kids?

Fisherman

Fisherman, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

Today I spent the day with my brother, his wife, and his son. This morning we went on a boy scout trip (my nephew is one merit badge and a project away from completing his Eagle.

Here he shows a bit o' the family skills in fishing.

I haven't fished for a long time. It was cool to help out with the outing, and spend time with family.

Akeelah and the Bee

My friends in Los Angeles gave me a choice between two movies, United 93 and Akeelah and the Bee, so I went to see the latter with them last night. I had some doubts, but it ended up being a decent film. the selling point for me was Lawrence Fishburne. I really enjoy the roles I have seen him in.

During the film, a lengthy quote by Marianne Williamson is read a couple of times. Nelson Mandela once used the quote in a speech, and it often gets attributed to him. I have posted it here. I hope it inspires you.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other
people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of
God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.

-Marianne Williamson

Los Angeles Plays Itself

This evening I went to Hollywood and Highland with my friends Kip, JR, and Ryan. We had dinner at the Pig N Whistle, a delicious shepherd's pie, and then me JR, and Ryan continued on to watch this really interesting movie at a historic theater in Hollywood called the Egyptian Theater. The movie, Los Angeles Plays Itself is a documentary about the depiction of the city Los Angeles in film. Here is a review of the film.

There were a number of commentaries made about the city, and the film brought several nuggets to the screen for me. While it was interesting, I don't know if I would give it a high recommendation. Unless you were living in the Los Angeles area, it probably wouldn't have a lot of meaning. He starts off the lengthy (169 minutes) film with the comment, "people become movie stars as a substitute for achievement." As a native Angelino, it appears he doesn't like the instant association the city has with movies. 2.5% of the population of the city is involved in the industry--that was a pretty shocking statistic for me. One in forty people are involved in the industry. So it seems that no matter where you go in the city, you are probably going to run into someone who works in film. There are several million people here too!

I really like the title of the movie. Multiple meanings maybe? Los Angeles, stars in films as itself. Or, Los Angeles makes a mockery of itself on the screen. The producer hasn't been offered an opportunity to play the thing in any theatres in the area, otehr than the Egyptian, which seems to specialize in independent films.

The film did get me thinking though. He marked the trend to sell out the downtown area of Los Angeles to developers who have brought in skyscrapers and corporate chains. I believe this trend is being repeated all over the country even today. Downtowns are being "revitalized" by bringing in bigger businesses. The maker of the film seemed to be a bit suspicious of the developers who gutted out downtown areas for the sake of development. In essence, they have rid the city of much of what makes it unique.

While I understand his lament, as I look out a window in East Hollywood on Hollywood Blvd. I can't help but think that it would take much more than this gesture to get rid of Los Angeles' uniqueness. I ahve never been anywhere that even remotely compares. Smog and palm trees, movie stars and freaks (I wonder if I should separate those categories), concrete and plastic, neon sprawl and ocean vistas, Los Angeles is definitely a unique place in the world.

What gives the town where you live it's uniqueness?

Takin it to the Streets

I just read this article in the New York Times about demonstrations taking place all over the country with regard to the Immigration policy being discussed in Congress.

As I personally reflect on the issue, I find it a bit ironic that there is an immigration policy. When my ancestors were in charge of the immigration policy, everyone was welcomed. People came from all over to enjoy the New World of America. Maybe we should have set more strict parameters back then, who knows?

Regardless of perspective, it is truly a wonderful gift that people are able to peacably demonstrate for their respective causes. If you were able to speak out about one issue in our world, what would it be?

Dedication and Leadership

As per traditioon for me, I read a book on the flight. I also watched the movie "Fun with Dick and Jane." It was interesting how the two events overlapped. The movie was pretty funny. it was about corporate greed, and even had a special thank you to Enron, Adelphia and a few other companies who were living examples of the content of the movie. If you haven't seen the movie, I will do my best not to spoil it for you. I will this though. As their world begins unraveling, they find themselves taking some pretty desperate measures in order to achieve justice from wrongs perpetrated on them and others by their former CEO. I guess it is a remake, but I've never seen the original.

The book I read was called Dedication and Leadership by Douglas Hyde. Hyde was a member of the communist party for 20 years before leaving the Party to join the Catholic church. The book's aim is to talk about things that the party did well, and that the rest of the waking world could learn from. In his introductory pages he mentions that the Party had been successful at the time (1966) in bringing a third of the world under communism. He says that no other movement in history spread with such rapidity in such a short time--50 years. It was pretty impressive to think about.

Although he didn't agree with Communism, he did feel that other groups, particularly the church, could benefit from exemplifying the level of dedication among members that communists demonstrated. For so many, church is something that they do, and he feels that the Gospel, being the most important message for the entire world requires at least a similar level of dedication. How dedicated are you to letting the message of Christ shape all that you do?

The other strength of Communism, is his eyes, was its singular focus on leadership development. Every person was considered a leader in training. Every person was learning how to lead others and shape communities. "Every Communist a leader, every factory a fortress" was one of the slogans of the Party in the day. Do we have this kind of focus on leadership development in the church?

Hyde's books were originally lectures given to expose some of the weaknesses of the church that could be strengthened by the principles of dedication and leadership Hyde learned while in the party.

It is a short book--158 pages--and if read, may stir and shame you in the living of your faith before a watching world looking for passion, dedication, leadership, and more than anything hope. The Gospel is the hope of the world--will people know it by seeing your life and the life of your community?

24--not the series

Well the past twenty four hours have been fairly eventful. I spoke at h2o, had lunch with about 25 people who are part of our community and then went running with Ryan, Jamie, and Christy. I also worked on my English paper at starbucks for a bit, and hung out with JR Pittman, and Nic Culp as well as my running buddies. Then, I joined Nic, Ryan, and Jamie and we attended an art show that featured Ryan and several other artists working with electronic media.

The show was really cool. there was one project in particular that spoke to me. This girl videotaped herself plucking dandelions, tearing up plants, and breaking stems off tree branches. Then, she played the footage backward. It looked like she was repairing everything. I talked to her about the project, and shared how I thought what she did was a great example of what Shalom looks like. I told her that we were working on opening an art gallery in the waterhouse, and that I thought that it might be cool to show the video in our gallery. She told me she was looking for a place to do her senior show, so who knows.

I was also able to hang out and connect with a number of folks from h2o at the art show. After this, I went back to the house and attempted to work a bit more on my final english paper and continued to connect with a handful of people through instant messenger.

This morning I finished my paper, turned it in, and began packing for LA. I took a flight, read a book, watched a movie, and ended up in Culver City (just a half mile outside Inglewood) with my friends Kip and Theresa Haynes. We had a wonderful evening of conversation and catching up. I really appreciate them.

What has your last 24 been like?

Fun with Mustaches

Over the last few days, I have been slowly eradicating the mass of facial hair I have grown in the last two months. I thought I would share the results with anyone who may be interested in the photo's below. We had a big celebration called the mustache bash as a fun way to end the school year within the community of h2o.

I hope the many staches seen below will brighten your day.

And, if you are concerned that my mustache mania might become a problem, I assure you, I am no longer sporting the stache.

For those of you who are lamenting the loss, Mustache Bash 2007 is just around the corner . . .

Me and Cam Stache Style

Me and Cam Stache Style, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

And here we are, me and my buddy cameron, strutting our stache style on the evening of the 2006 mustache bash in Morgantown.

Tiny stache

Tiny stache, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

Charlie Chaplin eat your heart out

short stache

short stache, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

Have you seen the Pink Panther diamond?

"Normal" stache

"Normal" stache, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

I think this is more of what the classic stache looks like.

No soul patch

No soul patch, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

The soul patch is gone. But the stache is in action.

wide stache

wide stache, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

Here I am sporting a wide stache with a soul patch.

short bars

short bars, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

This stache is reminiscent of those found in the movie tombstone--a great mustache movie.

No Chops

No Chops, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

More fun with the mustache. Here I have shaved my chops!

Foo

Foo, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

There it is. My foo for the sake of the 2006 mustache bash Morgantown Chapter. Some friends of mine down in blacksburg originated the event, and you can check out all of the fun and festivities related to it at www.mustachebash.com

Chops

Chops, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

A little beard modification

Beard

Beard, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

My new look! At least until the mustache bash Saturday night.

I guess I would be an Amsterdammer!

You Belong in Amsterdam

A little old fashioned, a little modern - you're the best of both worlds. And so is Amsterdam. Whether you want to be a squatter graffiti artist or a great novelist, Amsterdam has all that you want in Europe (in one small city).

What European City Do You Belong In?

I'll always stand . . .for you

Tuesday night I went to see Delirious and Tree 63 in a free concert in clarksburg, WV.

It was an interesting evening. I found myself a little detached from all that was happening on the stage. I listened to the lyrics and let them resonate in my mind. As the musicians played, I found myself engaged in conversations with the people around me. There is a lot of pain and hurt in our world, and it seems like sometimes it won't stop. I am shocked at the hurts some of my friends have had to walk through.

As I listened to conversations, and I listened to the lyrics, I felt a bit of the despair of so many of the young people assembled in this venue.

The chorus of one of the songs Tree63 sang is the title of this blog.

I felt like as i heard the lyrics it was like the musicians and the people in the audience were making a commitment beyond their capabilities, like saying something they could never live up to.

I think sometimes we make statements like this, and then, if we fail, guilt and shame overwhelm us, and we end up sliding away because of our failures.

Christianity bids us toward something different. We are to run hard after God, and if we fall, we are to allow grace to keep us standing up, and keep on running.

Don't let sin entangle you, cast it off, and run!

Spring???

I don't want to jump the gun on this one. I thought spring was here a week or two ago, and then it got cold again. I had a great day yesterday though. Early in the day I was able to get a lot of work done. Late in the afternoon I rode my bike out to meet a buddy of mine for a late lunch. Afterward, I figured I would use one of my tremendous starbucks gift cards and get myself a little coffee, and read outside. While I was sitting there, one of the Baristas approached me, sat down at my table, and completely interrupted my reading.

But it was cool. You see, I go do work out in the midst of people knowing that there will be interruptions. There will be conversations that start. There will be kairos moments in the midst of chronos time.

Yesterday was no exception. I sat and talked to a guy named Justin who was a little shocked when he found out what I do for a living. I like that. It means that I probably don't fit any stereotypes. After he found out, the questions flew though. We talked about justice and our need for relationships, and I was able to talk to him about how Jesus came not only to die for our sins, but to show us how to truly live.

Unfortunately, I had to curtail the conversation because of a prior engagement, but we had a good hour of laughing and being serious, and sharing both our frustrations and joys in this life. I was also able to share a little bit of hope--both for this life and for the age to come.

Do you make yourself available for God to interrupt your life? I would love to hear about a Kairos moment you have had recently.

The Passion

The Passion, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

Last night I went with a few friends to see the Passion in Morgantown High School's auditorium. It was a quality performance. It was really cool to be on the watching side of the performance this time.

If you have an opportunity, you should go see this drama. Whether you are a follower of Jesus or not, the play is definitely worth seeing. The performers, are of an amazing caliber--this didn't feel like a church production.

Go see it. Take a friend. Meet the cast.

Priorities

Tonight in our canvas group we started off talking about the Widow of Nain and Jesus' healing of two blind men. Then the time together took an interesting change of direction. A guy who has been coming fairly regularly this semester shared a burden he was feeling that people weren't making the Bible a priority.

It's kind of Ironic, this subject keeps coming up. A group of people who want to live under the reign of Jesus would be students of the text, one would think. And yet, the Bible remains the most popular, and yet least read, text in America if not the world today.

It's an amazing book, the Bible. Maybe it is just too intimidating. I don't think it is that we don't understand it. I think it's kind of like what Mark Twain once said, "It's not the parts of the Bible that I don't understand that bother me, it's the parts I do understand." Maybe there is a healthy fea of not being able to live in accordance with the Kingdom of God. Maybe there is a fear of allowing the with God life to be made manifest in our lives. Maybe there is a fear of cost. Ignorance is not bliss though. We have a divine call to abide in Christ and allow his words to abide in us.

Wouldn't it be amazing if our towns were transformed by the church. Wouldn't it be amazing if people were caught up by what they saw in the life of the people of God's church?

Let us be students of the sacred text, and let God change our lives through it. Let's live it out day by day!

The Season is Over, or is it?

Mrach Madness lost its appeal on March 23 when WVU lost at the buzzer to Texas. It seemed to revive a bit when George Mason upset UConn to the chants of "Go Kryptonite!" Somehow the season was over before it was over. I lost interest when the championship game was going to be UCLA and Florida. There just wasn't a huge appeal for me. And tonight's game had no excitement to it. 73-57 Florida won. It's their first National Championship in basketball, and I am sure there are many chanting, "It's great to be a Florida Gator" in Gainesville.

Personally, I'm looking forward to the celebration of an even greater victory. In less than two weeks, I will celebrate with millions around the world the greatest victory ever won. The powers of death, sin, and evil were decisively beaten by Jesus the Messiah through the cross. The lenten season comes to an end soon, but this magnificent victory will continue to be celebrated forever and ever.

So, let's celebrate!!!

Bumper Stickers

Earlier this week I was doing some research for my English class when I came upon a web site that had a bumper sticker photographed and posted on it. The bumper sticker said, April 1, National Athiests Day. Underneath it was a scripture which stated, "The fool has said in his heart there is no God." At first, I thought it was a rather ironic holiday. Then I realized it was actually a comic bumper sticker poking fun at athiests in the same way many athiests or non-Christians put Darwin fish on their cars.

Why do we choose to be so mean. While there is a certain degree of humor in a statement like these bumper stickers depict, it is a bit mean at the same time. Do we really need to put statements like this on our cars. I googled the statement on the bumper sticker, and I found that the bumper sticker was sold at Christian book stores. While I admire the creativity of putting the scripture and the date of the year together in a humorous way, I was saddened at the same time. I just thought that it seemed like we might be "returning evil for evil" when we mock and ridicule others. And when the sticker is sold in a Christian establishment, and someone is making a profit from it, it seems even more outrageous.

I wonder how many areas of our individual and communal lives we are allowing another standard to rule in our lives?