A year ago...

Well, if you want to know the truth...Murray actually (I think) tried to set me up with a blog over a year ago. Unfortunately, I'm not the most adept person at navigating the computer world and I could never find my blog again. And it was just too embarressing to ask for help. What was I supposed to do...go to the information desk and ask, "excuse me, is there a blog in the lost and found?" Anyway, I did stumble upon it recently and thought I'd share what was happening in my life a year ago.

lock-in (or lock out?)
The loud music is blaring. Kids are screaming. I'm hiding in my office. I can only hope that Caleb's basically alive and healthy out there in the parking lot, not doubt wearing his flip-flops and shorts in this frigid weather. Thank God all this is happening at a church; else I'd be worried. Trust and community and friends and having my own hole in the wall are all wonderful things. Truly gifts from God.

I remember now, it was a teen lock in. Someone broke their hand hitting a block of ice outside. Hopefully that hand is healed by now. It's amazing how much can change in a year. A staff member said today, "the only constant we can count on is change". How true. Well, that and the fact that the Father is still in control. From the moment I walked into this church almost 12 years ago, I could sense that it was on the brink of true greatness... just waiting for permission to be all that God intended. Soon there will be new elders and eventually new staff. The potential is absolutely mind boggling. I'm looking forward to February because it is going to be a month of prayer. Prayer, in my growing up years, meant nothing to me other than some kindly old church member shuffling forward to mumble some tried and true verbage. I wasn't sure what the point was. But real prayer has been proven to have real power...real power. As a body, as a family, as a group of believers, do we actually believe that? Or is it just one more nice little phrase we use as a good luck charm--- just in case? To tell you the truth, I'm pretty sure we can do nothing without it. The church moves forward on its knees.

Don't you just love new beginnings?

I may be one of the few people in the world who actually loves January! After the holidays, there's seems to be a bit more time to think and reflect. (I remember being at a conference once where a sign said, "Welcome to worship ministry, where you get to think about Christmas nine months out of the year!") :)
Anyway, back to reflecting. Yes, I know New Year's resolutions are often soon forgotten, but what a great opportunity to try...once more...to commit to being a better _______. I think it's great! I want to run a mile 2 or 3 times a week (all you runners out there can stop laughing!). I want to be a certain weight by my anniversary. I've got photo album projects and song projects and about thirty worship DVD/CDs to review. I want to teach Caleb some piano lessons. I want to paint the basement and two bathrooms.

Actually, what I really want to do is stay in touch with God as to what He's got planned for me. What a colossal waste of time to try to embark on any endeavor without His blessing, His plan, and His timing. I just heard something over the weekend which I think may go on my door.

Regarding theology: be as immovable as possible.
Regarding methodology: be as creative and innovative as possible.

And may the above never be switched around. As Paul said, "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." (I Cor 9:22) Now there was a man looking for ways to connect with his community. Have a wonderful 2008, everyone!

P.S. Note to "anonymous" GatorPHD94...I totally understand where you're coming from. Give me a call so I can tell you of some cool discoveries re: this. 703-631-2100

reflections

I heard there was 580+ there on Christmas Eve. Is that true? If so, then that's a new record. Many thanks to Chad Davis for directing "The Candy Cane" story, and to those who participated in it---especially the main characters: Steve Kerby, Janay and Jordyn Bingham. They were simply perfect.

Anyway, once Christmas was over (which was very nice in our home, by the way), I was wisked away to see my mom whom has less than two weeks to live, according to doctors' estimates. Her decline the last eight weeks (since her 80th birthday party) has been astromical. Recent testing shows that her aortic valve is failing, so she is incredibly weak and frail. She's not scared of dying, but is petrified of the thought of dying in a hospital...so her wish of being home is being granted by her children and home health care nurses. Suddenly, the words of Psalms 23 and Eccl 3, and reading those out loud to her take on a whole new meaning. I will miss most being able to call her up for the re-telling of the story behind my great grandfather's arrival from Sweden, or the recipe again for her world famous barbeque. If only there could be satellite cell phone calls to heaven once a month, this wouldn't be so bad.