Coming Alive

I have new shoes.  Sadly they will go on the same old feet, which are connected to the same legs with bad knees…which, in turn, are part of a body that has NO endurance anymore.  So, Im not all that hopeful that they are going to magically turn me into a better runner.

I’ve always done this.  I buy new stuff in hopes that committing myself financially to something will commit my passion to it as well.  It doesn’t work like that. 

Funny.  The Bible says (and many sermons I’ve heard) that where your treasure is there you heart will be also.  It would be awesome if this were a hard rule…I would be much better in shape after investing hundreds of dollars in gym memberships.  We all know it doesn’t work like that though.  You can’t make yourself love something by throwing money at it…you can only make it LOOK like you love that thing (and only for a while)

So I have this friend.  Well, had this friend…OK, so we were friends in high school and he is my buddy on facebook, but so are about 400 other people of which 10% are more than acquaintances.  Anyway…

So he is a DJ which is like the coolest job in the world (after church planter).  From what I hear he is really good at it too.  This is no surprise.  Back in HS he was really into music – Nirvana, Chili Peppers, and some edgy fringe rock that I had never even heard of…he is cool like that.  Well, WAS cool like that.

Now he is cool in a different way – he is a DJ for a country station.

This guy hated country back in HS.  I mean hated.  He made fun of me for liking it.  Now he is a pusher for the drug he campaigned so hard against?  It begs the question – did he have a change of heart, or did he sell out for a job?  Probably he came to recognize the error of his ways.

I wonder though, how many pastors are toiling away in ministries that they hate to make a buck?  It’s one thing to be called or to have a commitment, but there are a lot of seminary grads out there that accept positions to get some cash coming in.  Pretty soon they start donning the boots and cowboy hat (I mean really Jim – his name isnt really Jim – a cowboy hat?  That’s pretty silly even if you have had a change of heart about country music) and completely adopt a culture that they know they shouldn’t be a part of.

Anyway, I am dealing with some pretty serious jealousy issues right now.  DJ’ing is freaking awesome!

William Wordsworth defined poetry as a “spontaneous overflow of emotion”.  Back in college I was an English major and I spent a lot of time reading and writing poetry and various styles of short stories.  Some of it was specifically for class, but for the most part I really enjoyed it.  I even got a couple of things published back in the day.  Honestly though, that’s not really anything to brag about…I’m pretty sure that if I recorded Nolan’s babbling for 10 minutes and sent it off to enough journals and magazines it would find its way in somewhere.

Anyway, last night, in accordance with my bucket list I sat down to do some creative writing…

It was not very creative.

I have completely forgotten how to write.  

Oh well.  It’s just like jogging.  For a long time it will be difficult and then one day I will start seeing some progress.  I was kinda counting on the writing being a “fun” thing on my list though…so far, its not very fun.

I am finally prepared to publish my goals needed to be accomplished by turning 30. 

1.  Read 10 books that have nothing to do with ministry or leadership
2.  Enter a Sprint Triathalon (a short triathalon…not a full one sponsered by the phone company)
3.  Rediscover my love for writing.
4.  Talk Kevin and Martha into moving to Greensboro & serving God at The Patio
5.  Take Kristan on at least one creative date a month
6.  Memorize 5 chapters in the Bible
7.  Learn to become a servant

Good luck to me.

Back in 2003 I went to a conference where  a speaker challenged me (us) to become voracious readers.  At the time I read maybe a couple of books a year.  After really struggling to set a habit of reading it started to become a real passion of mine.  I would read ministry books, leadership books, seminary books…any non-fiction that I felt would benefit me in some way.  Quickly I discovered guys like John Maxwell, John Piper, and C.S. Lewis.  Soon thereafter I found a new vein of authors – Brian McLaren, Rob Bell, and Donald Miller.  Recently guys like Abraham Joshua Heschel and Shane Claiborne have become staple for me.  In the last 6 years of reading I have discovered something…

You should totally judge a book by it’s cover. 

There are a lot of books out there.  In every genre and generation of authors there are the mainstream guys that get their books pushed by every blog and journal out there.  That’s cool…they have good stuff (they are popular for a reason after all). 

However, the best insights and most challenging approaches to ministry, leadership, and spiritual life are going to be lost in the crowd.  You can’t read everything, but if you step away from the Barnes and Noble “Spiritual Life” kiosk set up in the middle of the aisle and turn to the bottom shelves you may discover something truly profound…and a little bit of a secret! 

I say judge the covers b/c the popular dudes don’t need to capture your attention.  Their name is selling just fine for them.  A really cool cover, however, takes some creativity (without which, am I really interested in your book?).  Don’t worry, the next pastors breakfast or church planting conference with get the word out to you about the NEXT BIG THING!

I kinda forgot to post for a while.  Maybe memory loss came with my most recent birthday.  Oh well.  Back now and ready to punch out some fun blogs.  A few things coming in the next week or so…

1.  Next Friday is the POKER TOURNAMENT.  Whether it is 50 people or 15  I plan on blogging little updates throughout the night.  I figure anyone who cares enough to READ those blogs would probably be playing at the tournament, but it will give me something fun to do when I get put out early!

2.  My Bucket List.  Since 30 is one short year away I am putting together my bucket list to accomplish in the next 363.  Currently its in progress, so if you have any suggestions let me know.

3.  Craption Blog – Now, I will need your help with this one.  The idea is stolen, but it should work anyway…I will post a picture up on my blog and you, the readers, submit a caption to fit with the picture.  The funniest one wins. 

Goodnight.

I only have 11 more days of being 28.  For my 29th birthday I thought it would be appropriate to put together a bucket list.  I know that it’s supposed to a “before you die” list of goals, but when death is only a year away I will either be too sick/old to scale Mt Everest or I won’t see it coming at all, sadly leaving, “Sing ‘Happy Together’ by The Turtle’s in some random Karaoke bar” undone.

So, as cliche as it may be, I will come up with a list of things to do before I die…er, turn 30 and call it a bucket list to be cute

(The cutest bucket list in the world)

If you have any suggestions feel free to post them in the comments section or email me.  

On a side note, Kevin Minix is preaching next Sunday at The Patio.  He has a wonderful heart for God, and I love being able to take a break from preparing a message.  Also, I noticed that every time he speaks our attendance goes up so I made him a regular (once every 2 months).

It was an especially difficult hour for Nolan.  Ever since we got back from Chilo’s he had been screaming.  First we denied him access to Lindsays room (he really likes to play with her computer…don’t tell Lindsay!), then we stopped pulling him around the house on the sled when our arms got tired.  Finally, when it was just the three of us in the house Kristan and I laid down on the couch to relax. 

After chatting for a bit Kristan rightfully observed it that Nolan had suddenly become quiet…

A little too quiet.

I looked up off the couch and saw the front door wide open.  We took off out the door and saw Sawyer standing on the porch – proudly boasting of his decision to not run away. 

(“I can’t find sheets like this on the street!”)

Nolan, on the other hand, was no where to be found.  Kristan grabbed Sawyer and tossed him back inside.  I went running down around the house.  Finally (27 seconds later) I found Nolan hiding behind the trash can.  He was making a break for his slide in the backyard.  Actually, he probably had no idea where he was going…which is the mark of a TRUE adventurer!

Atlanta Braves
Losing
Tomatos
The Beach
People who determine whats right by if it feels right, or if they have a “peace about it”
Pools open only Memorial Day through Labor Day
Unflavored Water
Being told I can’t do something
The grudges that I can’t seem to get over
Talking about making money
Football video games
Watching soccer or tennis
Hot days
People with commitment issues
Seeing Nolan cry
Seeing Rick cry
Church/leadership conferences (I might catch some flack for that one)

When people say “not hate, but strongly dislike” – Yea, I STRONGLY hate that.

Our community dinners are going nuts!  Recently we have been having a whole lot of new neighbors.  Tonight we had over 20 people…I didn’t get any food (except for several cookies and a brownie).  We ran out of forks too.

I’m loving it!  God is doing some really great stuff in Reedy Fork and I can’t wait to see what happens next.