well, I just got back from my tribe's land. It's the first time I've set foot on that space since the fall of 2004. It was kind of weird.
I really felt like I needed to go somewhere and connect with God. It was such a beautiful evening, so I wanted to make the most of it. Out of nowhere, I felt this prompt to go to "the Mountain." I debated the trip. Why not just go for a walk through the neighborhood. But the thought wouldn't go away. Even though it was late, I hopped in my car, and drove. I knew the moon would be lighting up the land also, but I wasn't sure what was driving me there.
I didn't know how it would be. I had a wonderful time of prayer in the middle of the night, and watched the moon rise over the horizon. It cast shadows across the land.
Up there, it was just me and God, and the natural world. Maybe I was giving myself closure by going, or maybe I was just re-opening old wounds. I'm still trying to figure it out.
It's hard to believe that I once spent so much of my life on that piece of ground. I'm grateful for my unique heritage. I'm even grateful for the learning and growth that have taken place in my life as a result of my experiences among other Shawnee people. In some ways my whole experience among my people, and even the last couple of years, seems so surreal.
Amazingly, God has already answered at least one of my prayers this evening. I look forward to Him answering my prayers for the Shawnee people as well.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Monday, February 06, 2006
Invisible Children
I just watched the movie Invisible Children this evening for the first time. My friend Dave Williams down at Virginia Tech told me about the movie last summer. Our friend Todd Hiestand showed the movie somewhere in philadelphia.
It's pretty cool that news of this movie is spreading on the underground scene, and it is so impressive to see the wide variety of people who are getting into the mix. The guys who originally stumbled on this tragic story are planning to release a full length movie telling the story of the invisible children of Uganda in december.
The movie moved me to tears. I think this film is great for two reasons. I believe the three guys who stumbled into this tragedy are going to be used to put an end to the invisibility of the children in uganda. I also believe that the momentum gathering won't stop with Uganda. There are invisible children all over the world. We don't see them, we don't hear their stories. Stories of child soldiers. Stories of child prostitutes. Stories of child slaves.
The good earth needs healing--will we stop and do something. And if we stop and do something, what exactly do we do? So many causes to work toward--it's enough to make your head spin.
The only hope this world really has is the gospel. What would happen in this world if the people of the Way started living out the teachings of the Master? I pray that I might live to see more and more of us begin to walk in His steps, and to grow more like Him in our hearts and in our lives, but I know the truth is that it starts with me.
It's pretty cool that news of this movie is spreading on the underground scene, and it is so impressive to see the wide variety of people who are getting into the mix. The guys who originally stumbled on this tragic story are planning to release a full length movie telling the story of the invisible children of Uganda in december.
The movie moved me to tears. I think this film is great for two reasons. I believe the three guys who stumbled into this tragedy are going to be used to put an end to the invisibility of the children in uganda. I also believe that the momentum gathering won't stop with Uganda. There are invisible children all over the world. We don't see them, we don't hear their stories. Stories of child soldiers. Stories of child prostitutes. Stories of child slaves.
The good earth needs healing--will we stop and do something. And if we stop and do something, what exactly do we do? So many causes to work toward--it's enough to make your head spin.
The only hope this world really has is the gospel. What would happen in this world if the people of the Way started living out the teachings of the Master? I pray that I might live to see more and more of us begin to walk in His steps, and to grow more like Him in our hearts and in our lives, but I know the truth is that it starts with me.
Friday, February 03, 2006
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
clutter
So I saw this graffiti on the street where my friends Todd and Lindy live in de Pijp in Amsterdam. As I was walking down the street, I just thought--that is a profound statement.
Everywhere I go, and look I see clutter. It really is even in my head. It seems like there are a million ideas racing in competition in my head at any given moment. I float from thinking, "When am I going to clean my gutters?", to "What am I going to eat for breakfast?", to "I wonder what that passage of scripture meant to its first readers?", to "I need to get that project started?" And then I think, "Am I forgetting something?"
I don't know if anyone on the planet can relate, but it seems difficult to get out of the clutter. One of the ways I've found to "unclutter" is to practice solitude. I go for walks. I reflect. I get rid of the noise in my head--all of the competing voices and thoughts. Then as the din subsides, I begin to hear the one Voice that brings order into the chaos.
When I listen to that Voice, order comes into my mind. When I listen to that Voice, I begin to be able to structure my day, and the space in which I live to reflect some degree of order instead of chaos.
Do you feel cluttered in your life? Take some time to connect with God, and then allow Him to lead you as you and He work together to tidy up the clutter together.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
The Drive By
This morning, while en route to Thomas, WV, I rode by my tribe's land. It was weird. I started feeling sick. I was flooded with emotions. It was the first time I had been by the area since 2004. I didn't stop because I was in somebody else's car. It was a bit overwhelming, the whole experience.
The best comparison I can think of is driving by an ex-romantic interest's house. It's like going by a place where there are so many memories, and as you go by, you are gripped with the emotions of all of the memories, good and bad. Then you are also gripped with the reality that you can't ever go back. That is a painful reality to deal with.
I'm still reeling from the experience. I would appreciate prayers for the Shawnee people. My heart breaks over the reality of what is, when I think about what could be, and what once was.
What's really sweet is that the whole rest of the day was awesome. It was just a lot of fun to be on the road with cool people, and they were willing to listen to me walk through my gut-trauma during the day.
It just hit me as I was writing--God went there before me. And He has been there with me all along.
The best comparison I can think of is driving by an ex-romantic interest's house. It's like going by a place where there are so many memories, and as you go by, you are gripped with the emotions of all of the memories, good and bad. Then you are also gripped with the reality that you can't ever go back. That is a painful reality to deal with.
I'm still reeling from the experience. I would appreciate prayers for the Shawnee people. My heart breaks over the reality of what is, when I think about what could be, and what once was.
What's really sweet is that the whole rest of the day was awesome. It was just a lot of fun to be on the road with cool people, and they were willing to listen to me walk through my gut-trauma during the day.
It just hit me as I was writing--God went there before me. And He has been there with me all along.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Ecological Footprint
When I was in Amsterdam, my friend Saander told me about a website that computes your ecological footprint. Your ecological footprint is a composite of the amount of land that it takes to sustain your lifestyle.
I've been riding a bike a good bit, and I've walked for years, so I figured I would do pretty well in this little quiz. Unfortunately I was dead wrong. According to the website, there are about 4.5 biologically productive acres available per person. Living and travelling the way I do, it takes approximately 15 acres of land to sustain me. If everybody in the world lived like me, we would need 3.4 planets!!!
If that isn't crazy enough, I am reading my results with the very real understanding that I'm not the norm. Most people drive much more than I do, and use many more resources. In fact, the average American needs about 24 acres to sustain their way of life.
Because of my way of life, it seems that others must go without. In order for others to have more, I need to yield more. It's pretty scary to think about the implications of this from the perspective of faith. God has entrusted us with an earth full of resources, and yet a few of us are using up a large amount of those resources.
Take the test and leave a comment--what's your ecological footprint?
I've been riding a bike a good bit, and I've walked for years, so I figured I would do pretty well in this little quiz. Unfortunately I was dead wrong. According to the website, there are about 4.5 biologically productive acres available per person. Living and travelling the way I do, it takes approximately 15 acres of land to sustain me. If everybody in the world lived like me, we would need 3.4 planets!!!
If that isn't crazy enough, I am reading my results with the very real understanding that I'm not the norm. Most people drive much more than I do, and use many more resources. In fact, the average American needs about 24 acres to sustain their way of life.
Because of my way of life, it seems that others must go without. In order for others to have more, I need to yield more. It's pretty scary to think about the implications of this from the perspective of faith. God has entrusted us with an earth full of resources, and yet a few of us are using up a large amount of those resources.
Take the test and leave a comment--what's your ecological footprint?
Monday, January 23, 2006
Sunset from the Backporch
One of my favorite parts of my place in Morgantown is the view. I get to see some of the most beautiful winter sunsets from my deck.
It's pretty cool to take some time, slow down, and enjoy a sunset. Sometimes the most amazing sights are going on just outside our house, and we just get so busy that they pass us by.
Many of us drive long distances to enjoy a beautiful sunset, or sunrise, or a misty morning fog. These are a regular part of my life here in Morgantown that I tend to take for granted.
Every time I return from travel, these hills seem to embrace me upon my return.
No wonder West Virginia is considered "Almost Heaven."
Be sure to take some time and enjoy beauty with which God has surrounded you.
It's pretty cool to take some time, slow down, and enjoy a sunset. Sometimes the most amazing sights are going on just outside our house, and we just get so busy that they pass us by.
Many of us drive long distances to enjoy a beautiful sunset, or sunrise, or a misty morning fog. These are a regular part of my life here in Morgantown that I tend to take for granted.
Every time I return from travel, these hills seem to embrace me upon my return.
No wonder West Virginia is considered "Almost Heaven."
Be sure to take some time and enjoy beauty with which God has surrounded you.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Knowing Your Limits
I've really been having this point driven home to me lately. I am limited. I am a finite being. There is only so much I can accomplish in a given day. This is reality.
I'm not complaining. I am simply acknowledging. I have limits.
i set big goals for myself. Somebody once told me that we tend to overestimate what we can accomplish in a year, and and underestimate what we can accomplish in five years.
I tend to overestimate what I can accomplish in a day. It's nearly 4PM, and I've been at it for most of the day. In 2.5 hours, I will have a meeting that will take me to 9-10PM. My day will be nearly over.
I was able to see many good things come to fruition today, but I didn't get done with everything I had hoped.
I like the fact that I am being confronted with this truth--I've been talking with a group of people about stewardship of time. Here I am feeling the weight of that stewardship in my own life.
what about you? Has the new year exposed your limitedness? How are you prioritizing to "make the most of your time because the days are evil?"
It's a challenge we all face, and it is helping shape us into who we were meant to be.
I'm not complaining. I am simply acknowledging. I have limits.
i set big goals for myself. Somebody once told me that we tend to overestimate what we can accomplish in a year, and and underestimate what we can accomplish in five years.
I tend to overestimate what I can accomplish in a day. It's nearly 4PM, and I've been at it for most of the day. In 2.5 hours, I will have a meeting that will take me to 9-10PM. My day will be nearly over.
I was able to see many good things come to fruition today, but I didn't get done with everything I had hoped.
I like the fact that I am being confronted with this truth--I've been talking with a group of people about stewardship of time. Here I am feeling the weight of that stewardship in my own life.
what about you? Has the new year exposed your limitedness? How are you prioritizing to "make the most of your time because the days are evil?"
It's a challenge we all face, and it is helping shape us into who we were meant to be.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
MCI Center Bound
Well, what is a mountaineer fan to do when he is offered an opportunity to watch his team play in the nation's capital?
Go of course!!!
Sunday Feb 12 WVU vs. Georgetown . . . and I will be there!!!
I'm pretty excited both for the opportunity to see the mountaineers play and for the opportunity to see a few friends who now live near the nation's capital.
The whole day should be a "capital" experience.
Let's Goooooooooo Mountaineers!!!
Go of course!!!
Sunday Feb 12 WVU vs. Georgetown . . . and I will be there!!!
I'm pretty excited both for the opportunity to see the mountaineers play and for the opportunity to see a few friends who now live near the nation's capital.
The whole day should be a "capital" experience.
Let's Goooooooooo Mountaineers!!!
Memorization
Did you know that in ancient Israel, a jewish boy between 10 and 12 years of age had the entire torah memorized. Really disciplined children would memorize the entire old testament by their teens. Could you imagine it? Imagine having that large portion of the Bible memorized before college age. That was the norm back in those days.
In the middle east, devoted muslims memorize the Koran by age 18. This is the equivalent of memorizing the entire new testament.
I once heard someone say that if a college student started memorizing two verses per week, they would have the entire new testament memorized before they were 40.
But our modern western world is a world of competing distractions, we don't memorize much more than our social security numbers or student IDs. We convince ourselves we don't have good memories, but that simply isn't the case. (We know too many advertising slogans and commercial jingles to convince anyone of that, not to mention song lyrics, names of celebrities, etc.) But imagine for a moment, if we applied ourselves singularly to memorization of the sacred text. We would be carrying small portions of sacred scriptures with us wherever we go. Imagine how the sacred text might find its way into a conversation at an appropriate moment.
This semester, one of our canvas groups has been issued a challenge. We are going to try to memorize the book of Philippians. Not all of us will take hold of the challenge (So far there are two or three of us), but imagine having this encouraging and joyous book in our minds as we go through trials.
Have you ever considered memorizing a passage? Would you like to join us in our endeavor this semester? I hope you will consider taking the time to let this discipline shape your life for the glory of God.
In the middle east, devoted muslims memorize the Koran by age 18. This is the equivalent of memorizing the entire new testament.
I once heard someone say that if a college student started memorizing two verses per week, they would have the entire new testament memorized before they were 40.
But our modern western world is a world of competing distractions, we don't memorize much more than our social security numbers or student IDs. We convince ourselves we don't have good memories, but that simply isn't the case. (We know too many advertising slogans and commercial jingles to convince anyone of that, not to mention song lyrics, names of celebrities, etc.) But imagine for a moment, if we applied ourselves singularly to memorization of the sacred text. We would be carrying small portions of sacred scriptures with us wherever we go. Imagine how the sacred text might find its way into a conversation at an appropriate moment.
This semester, one of our canvas groups has been issued a challenge. We are going to try to memorize the book of Philippians. Not all of us will take hold of the challenge (So far there are two or three of us), but imagine having this encouraging and joyous book in our minds as we go through trials.
Have you ever considered memorizing a passage? Would you like to join us in our endeavor this semester? I hope you will consider taking the time to let this discipline shape your life for the glory of God.
Monday, January 16, 2006
Without Access
Over the last few days, I have had a myriad of insights that would have been blog-able (I think I just invented a new adjective). Unfotunately I haven't had access to the internet.
The past week consisted of a couple of retreats, and the interesting thing about these retreats is that they felt less like retreats for me. The first one was a planning retreat for the staff of the community church with which I am affiliated. We spent three days in a cabin on a mountaintop in the middle of nowhere. We prayed, we shared our lives, and we worked. We began planning for the adjustments necessary for this small community church to make the adjustment of moving into a facility four times its current size and farther away from town. There is much to think about with regard to the move.
At the same time, I was trying to assess the future of our campus church service in downtown morgantown. I drove from the staff retreat to a retreat 20 minutes east of Morgantown for our campus church. While this retreat was also tiring, it was a different kind of fatigue. We explored our life visions, we prayed together. We worshiped the Lord, and we wept together. Weeping is a good thing. I could write for a while about that, but I will save it for another time. I feel like the weekend retreat was monumental in the lives of many. One person has already come to know Christ as a result of our time together. Isn't that amazing!!!
Sunday we gathered at h2o and started off the semester with a really cool service. It was a lot of fun for everybody, and we took left-overs from our retreat and had a big lunch at my house. About half of the congregation showed up!
Tonight we are starting a brand new Canvas Group in one of the dorms at WVU. I wonder what God is going to do through this faith venture? We are also trying to come up with a cool name for it--if you've got any ideas feel free to float them my way.
The past week consisted of a couple of retreats, and the interesting thing about these retreats is that they felt less like retreats for me. The first one was a planning retreat for the staff of the community church with which I am affiliated. We spent three days in a cabin on a mountaintop in the middle of nowhere. We prayed, we shared our lives, and we worked. We began planning for the adjustments necessary for this small community church to make the adjustment of moving into a facility four times its current size and farther away from town. There is much to think about with regard to the move.
At the same time, I was trying to assess the future of our campus church service in downtown morgantown. I drove from the staff retreat to a retreat 20 minutes east of Morgantown for our campus church. While this retreat was also tiring, it was a different kind of fatigue. We explored our life visions, we prayed together. We worshiped the Lord, and we wept together. Weeping is a good thing. I could write for a while about that, but I will save it for another time. I feel like the weekend retreat was monumental in the lives of many. One person has already come to know Christ as a result of our time together. Isn't that amazing!!!
Sunday we gathered at h2o and started off the semester with a really cool service. It was a lot of fun for everybody, and we took left-overs from our retreat and had a big lunch at my house. About half of the congregation showed up!
Tonight we are starting a brand new Canvas Group in one of the dorms at WVU. I wonder what God is going to do through this faith venture? We are also trying to come up with a cool name for it--if you've got any ideas feel free to float them my way.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Getting in the flow
The new semester has started, and I have my first class tomorrow evening. I did something new for this semester. I actually read one of the required texts before the semester started. It made reading a bit more enjoyable knowing that I didn't have to get it done by a particular deadline. Of course, I realize the fact that I read ahead probably makes me a geek, but I can deal with that.
I rode my bike this morning for the second day in a row. It was another warm day, and I played some basketball with a couple of buddies. My friends Brett (whose wedding I presided over last summer) and Ryan (brett's brother). My friend JR Pittman showed up with his fiance Christy too. So it was like an early morning basketball party.
I rode back home and grabbed a quick shower, and I am starting to prep for a week of planning and retreats. Tomorrow, after class, I leave for a planning time with the community church I work with. This afternoon, I go with my buddy Aaron to make some last minute arrangements for a retreat for our campus church.
Seems like lots of stuff is happening, and it is really easy for me to put the focus on myself and what I can do instead of on God and what He is doing at times like this. Do you ever feel this tension? I think part of getting in the flow is letting God lead in the dance, and realizing that all of our hard work isn't the focus. The focus is the work He is doing in us so that He can do even greater works through us. That is a comforting thought.
I rode my bike this morning for the second day in a row. It was another warm day, and I played some basketball with a couple of buddies. My friends Brett (whose wedding I presided over last summer) and Ryan (brett's brother). My friend JR Pittman showed up with his fiance Christy too. So it was like an early morning basketball party.
I rode back home and grabbed a quick shower, and I am starting to prep for a week of planning and retreats. Tomorrow, after class, I leave for a planning time with the community church I work with. This afternoon, I go with my buddy Aaron to make some last minute arrangements for a retreat for our campus church.
Seems like lots of stuff is happening, and it is really easy for me to put the focus on myself and what I can do instead of on God and what He is doing at times like this. Do you ever feel this tension? I think part of getting in the flow is letting God lead in the dance, and realizing that all of our hard work isn't the focus. The focus is the work He is doing in us so that He can do even greater works through us. That is a comforting thought.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Ik Fiets
I'm sure my spelling is atrocious, but I rode my bike for the first voyage of 2006. It was an uncharacteristically warm 60 degrees today in Morgantown so I rode to the gym and worked out. My roommate Nic (who is living in Martinsburg for the next month) would be so proud of me for going it alone. It was kind of odd though. I raced over on my bike, and started going through the circuit. I was going really fast through the workout and I stopped for a minute to talk to this guy Jeremy who has been coming to h2o off and on for a while. As we were talking I had a strange feeling come over me. I started to get dizzy like I was going to pass out. I had to excuse myself from the conversation, and get some water. Then I slid down the wall by the water fountain, and just chilled for a bit.
I started thinking about those warnings about stopping exercise when dizzy, and consulting a physician before starting any fitness programs (stand warnings for everyone in the United States). I started wondering about my own mortality as I sat there light headed. I think I just went at the workout a little to zealously, and on an empty stomach.
It was great to be able to start off the year with a little cycling. As long ast the weather holds out, I hope to make it a little more of a routine. Over the last few months, I have been thinking about stewardship in some pretty broad terms, and I think that biking gives me exercise, and it also allows me to be more financially frugal (no gas money) and not pollute the earth.
It takes a little more time to get around town, but it is well worth it I think.
If only Morgantown had bike lanes like Amsterdam.
I started thinking about those warnings about stopping exercise when dizzy, and consulting a physician before starting any fitness programs (stand warnings for everyone in the United States). I started wondering about my own mortality as I sat there light headed. I think I just went at the workout a little to zealously, and on an empty stomach.
It was great to be able to start off the year with a little cycling. As long ast the weather holds out, I hope to make it a little more of a routine. Over the last few months, I have been thinking about stewardship in some pretty broad terms, and I think that biking gives me exercise, and it also allows me to be more financially frugal (no gas money) and not pollute the earth.
It takes a little more time to get around town, but it is well worth it I think.
If only Morgantown had bike lanes like Amsterdam.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Like a bicycle . . .
I'm too tired.
I'm feeling really jet-lagged right now.
I woke up at midnight Wednesday January 4th, and went to sleep at 2AM Thursday January 5th.
Last night I had a long talk with a good friend who wants to start following Jesus.
I went to bed at 2AM again.
Today I tried to help my parents set up a computer desk, and a new wi-fi network. It wasn't without its share of difficulties.
It is now 11:21PM--and I'm really tired.
I think I am going to eat some popcorn with my dad and go to bed soon.
I'm beat like a drum.
I'm feeling really jet-lagged right now.
I woke up at midnight Wednesday January 4th, and went to sleep at 2AM Thursday January 5th.
Last night I had a long talk with a good friend who wants to start following Jesus.
I went to bed at 2AM again.
Today I tried to help my parents set up a computer desk, and a new wi-fi network. It wasn't without its share of difficulties.
It is now 11:21PM--and I'm really tired.
I think I am going to eat some popcorn with my dad and go to bed soon.
I'm beat like a drum.
Monday, January 02, 2006
Gelukkig Nieuw Jaar
Happy New Year!
It seems so long ago . . . 2005 is but a memory now. I have been going so much and spending so much time with people, it has been difficult to blog.
I believe I was the first Shawnee to see the year 2006. Along with a few hundred thousand other people, I celebrated New Year's Eve on the Dam square in Amsterdam in front of the Royal Palace. (This is Amsterdam's Equivalent of Times Square in NY).
People gathered from all over the world to explode into the new year. Why explode? Because New Year's is one of a select few days when vuuwerks (Fireworks) are sold in Amsterdam.
Lot's of people and lots of fireworks. There was no official fireworks display like back in the states, there were just thousands of random fireworks being set-off in the city.
The air smelled of gunpowder, and the unsuspecting would have thought the city was under attack. The fireworks went on through the night, and fires burned throughout the city.
It was a pretty wild time.
What did you do for new years?
It seems so long ago . . . 2005 is but a memory now. I have been going so much and spending so much time with people, it has been difficult to blog.
I believe I was the first Shawnee to see the year 2006. Along with a few hundred thousand other people, I celebrated New Year's Eve on the Dam square in Amsterdam in front of the Royal Palace. (This is Amsterdam's Equivalent of Times Square in NY).
People gathered from all over the world to explode into the new year. Why explode? Because New Year's is one of a select few days when vuuwerks (Fireworks) are sold in Amsterdam.
Lot's of people and lots of fireworks. There was no official fireworks display like back in the states, there were just thousands of random fireworks being set-off in the city.
The air smelled of gunpowder, and the unsuspecting would have thought the city was under attack. The fireworks went on through the night, and fires burned throughout the city.
It was a pretty wild time.
What did you do for new years?
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Lord Reign In Me
I've really been thinking a lot about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, and what it means to be living in the Kingdom of God. Many people have written books about the subject, but it is a very radical concept, and one that finds a hard time getting a voice in a world with so many other competing voices and competing kingdoms. There are so many other teachers that people are following. Jesus says that his yoke is easy, and at the same time it demands that we take up our cross. The first part of that last sentence is very comforting to me and the second part is world shaking, but we must consider them both if we are to follow Jesus.
I've also been thinking about vision and the future of our campus church in Morgantown. I get these ideas, and I just want to run somewhere to write them down, but I have had minimal access to a computer, and minimal time for writing. Thankfully, I have had time to think and reflect. I have also been able to spend more time in prayer. Rather than running to write down ideas, they are getting more and more time to "percolate." I have been praying for each member of our church, and also for many people who have very little, if anything, to do with our small faith community.
This time in Amsterdam has been exhausting at times, and extremely refining. I believe that the Lord is sustaining me through His Spirit and your prayers (so keep it up!). The name of the conference is Awaken, and I feel like God is stirring me personnally very deeply. Ephesians says "Awake sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you." Ironically, this verse has not been quoted in the conference, but it is one that God keeps bringing to my mind.
At the conference there are people from Poland, Ukraine, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Canada, United States, and the Shawnee Nation (can I get a whoop for the Shawnee people?) It has been amazing to be packed in a small room (maybe half the size of the sanctuary at the waterhouse) with 250 people speaking and singing in many languages).
I have heard some of the best teachings during the conference so far. My friend JR gave the best talk I think he has ever given (or at least the best one I have ever heard) last night. I only heard the last part of it, but it was really compelling.
Take some time today and reflect on what following Jesus means. Maybe God also wants to speak to you about new ways you can begin to follow Jesus as well.
I've also been thinking about vision and the future of our campus church in Morgantown. I get these ideas, and I just want to run somewhere to write them down, but I have had minimal access to a computer, and minimal time for writing. Thankfully, I have had time to think and reflect. I have also been able to spend more time in prayer. Rather than running to write down ideas, they are getting more and more time to "percolate." I have been praying for each member of our church, and also for many people who have very little, if anything, to do with our small faith community.
This time in Amsterdam has been exhausting at times, and extremely refining. I believe that the Lord is sustaining me through His Spirit and your prayers (so keep it up!). The name of the conference is Awaken, and I feel like God is stirring me personnally very deeply. Ephesians says "Awake sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you." Ironically, this verse has not been quoted in the conference, but it is one that God keeps bringing to my mind.
At the conference there are people from Poland, Ukraine, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Canada, United States, and the Shawnee Nation (can I get a whoop for the Shawnee people?) It has been amazing to be packed in a small room (maybe half the size of the sanctuary at the waterhouse) with 250 people speaking and singing in many languages).
I have heard some of the best teachings during the conference so far. My friend JR gave the best talk I think he has ever given (or at least the best one I have ever heard) last night. I only heard the last part of it, but it was really compelling.
Take some time today and reflect on what following Jesus means. Maybe God also wants to speak to you about new ways you can begin to follow Jesus as well.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Just arrived
Many stories to tell in my first bit of the journey . . . but for a later time.
Right now, I arrived at 4AM EST. It is now 5:30AM, and I am going to go grab lunch? Weird.
It's snowing here. First snow of the year. It's beautiful, but a little colder.
Gotta run.
Right now, I arrived at 4AM EST. It is now 5:30AM, and I am going to go grab lunch? Weird.
It's snowing here. First snow of the year. It's beautiful, but a little colder.
Gotta run.
Monday, December 26, 2005
100
Ironically, I tried to post this last week, and my internet stopped working.
As I reflect on my last 99 posts, it has been cool to check out the lessons God has been using to shape me, and also see where blogging has been very helpful for me to both reflect and connect with friends and family (and show off some cool pictures). I am looking forward to blogging a bit about my holiday experiences in the future, but right now, I am feeling the crunch that occurs before long travel.
In the midst of my travels, I am planning some extended time for reflection, solitude, silence, prayer, study, and meditation.
Who knows what God has in store for the next 100 blog entries? I am looking forward to finding out as we journey together into the new year.
I can tell there is something missing when I don't blog for a while. One of the main things missing is my connection with you. I hope that can be remedied as blogging becomes a more regular discipline in my life as the year wanes to an end.
As I reflect on my last 99 posts, it has been cool to check out the lessons God has been using to shape me, and also see where blogging has been very helpful for me to both reflect and connect with friends and family (and show off some cool pictures). I am looking forward to blogging a bit about my holiday experiences in the future, but right now, I am feeling the crunch that occurs before long travel.
In the midst of my travels, I am planning some extended time for reflection, solitude, silence, prayer, study, and meditation.
Who knows what God has in store for the next 100 blog entries? I am looking forward to finding out as we journey together into the new year.
I can tell there is something missing when I don't blog for a while. One of the main things missing is my connection with you. I hope that can be remedied as blogging becomes a more regular discipline in my life as the year wanes to an end.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Out for Repairs
So I finished my English paper, and started working on a budget for h2o for 2005. Even though the year is winding down, I feel like I am winding up for the new year. I just met with my English professor today to talk about my paper, and he had some really cool things to say.
Ironically, in the middle of this end of the year stuff, I am currently without a computer. It's amazing how dependent this little Indian has become on technology. Really, so much of what we do is geared around the lcd screen and keyboard. What would you have done with the time you spent reading this blog and surfing the internet if you didn't have a computer?
It's been difficult keeping up with "life" without technology. Although, I have been finding myself able to engage with God and others in some fresh ways. If we don't have the technology to get things done really quickly, then we have to slow down.
So in a sense I've felt unproductive, but its caused me to be able to tune into the work God is doing in me. I am looking forward to getting my mac back, but in the meantime, it has been good to have a (sort of) technology fast. My roommate nic and others have helped me out by letting me use their computers, but my time of being unintentionally unplugged has been very enlightening.
Ironically, in the middle of this end of the year stuff, I am currently without a computer. It's amazing how dependent this little Indian has become on technology. Really, so much of what we do is geared around the lcd screen and keyboard. What would you have done with the time you spent reading this blog and surfing the internet if you didn't have a computer?
It's been difficult keeping up with "life" without technology. Although, I have been finding myself able to engage with God and others in some fresh ways. If we don't have the technology to get things done really quickly, then we have to slow down.
So in a sense I've felt unproductive, but its caused me to be able to tune into the work God is doing in me. I am looking forward to getting my mac back, but in the meantime, it has been good to have a (sort of) technology fast. My roommate nic and others have helped me out by letting me use their computers, but my time of being unintentionally unplugged has been very enlightening.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Ploughing through life
This week has been very antithetical to the way I strive to live my life. I've had my nose to the grindstone, and I've had very little opportunity to relax this week. I am very glad that while I do set a pretty steady pace for life, I am able to make time for reflection.
One thing I have noticed in the world of the rat-racers I've felt myself dwelling in this week. Lot's of stuff gets done, but the quality is questionable. I am thankful that God has equipped me to survive and be able to overcome in the midst of the rat-race, and at the same time, I am looking forward to spending some time with my soul group in the woods during the early afternoon.
Life has seasons, and right now I am anticipating the season of soaking in the songs that abound in the wilderness, and connecting with a couple of close friends who have had similar weeks.
One thing I have noticed in the world of the rat-racers I've felt myself dwelling in this week. Lot's of stuff gets done, but the quality is questionable. I am thankful that God has equipped me to survive and be able to overcome in the midst of the rat-race, and at the same time, I am looking forward to spending some time with my soul group in the woods during the early afternoon.
Life has seasons, and right now I am anticipating the season of soaking in the songs that abound in the wilderness, and connecting with a couple of close friends who have had similar weeks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Instead of going to the tournament, I managed to get my dad a student guest ticket to all of the remaining WVU home games. He came up Wednesday to watch WVU play against Notre Dame. Tomorrow morning we watch WVU play Cincinnati.
It has been really cool spending time with my dad too. We went for a six mile hike this afternoon at Cooper's Rock. One of my favorite places in the Morgantown area.
From the moment WVU hit their first three point shot of the game, I knew my dad really enjoyed his present. Watching this team play is a lot of fun, but sharing experiences like this with my dad is priceless.