Category: ministry

solitude, silence, and God’s word

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“In solitude, we come to know the Spirit who has already been given to us.  The pains and struggles we encounter in our solitude thus become the way to hope, because our hope is not based on something that will happen after our sufferings are over, but on the real presence of God’s healing Spirit in the midst of these sufferings.”

“The Word of God is not a word to apply in our daily lives at some later date; it is a word to heal us through, and in our listening here and now.”

“The Word of God is always sacramental.  In the book of Genesis we are told that God created the world, but in Hebrew the words for ‘speaking’ and ‘creating’ are the same word.  Literally translated it says, ‘God spoke light and light was’.  For God, speaking is creating.  when we say that God’s word is sacred, we mean that God’s word is full of God’s presence.  On the road to Emmaus, Jesus became present through his word, and it was that presence that transformed sadness to joy and mourning to dancing… The word that is read and spoken wants to lead us into God’s presence and transform our hearts and minds…”

Henri Nouwen, from “With Burning Hearts”, and “Making All Things New”

“Come Sinners to the Gospel Feast”

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Here are the beautiful words to one of Charles Wesley’s hymns, I don’t know the hymn, but the words are touching, and so rich.  I’ve been reading through a book for the past year or so, divided into 52 weeks with different Wesleyan meditations.  Each lesson includes a different hymn by Charles Wesley; this is one I recently read, then discovered again today, and was touched.

This is the book here, if you are interested, “A Life Shaping Prayer”.

Come, sinners, to the gospel feast;
let every soul be Jesu’s guest;
Ye need not one be left behind,
For God hath bid all humankind.

Sent by my Lord, on you I call;
the invitation is to all:
Come, all the world; come, sinner, thou!
All things in Christ are ready now.

Come, all ye souls by sin oppressed,
Ye restless wanderers after rest,
Ye poor, and maimed, and halt, and blind,
In Christ a hearty welcome find.

This is the time: no more delay!
This is the Lord’s accepted day;
Come thou, this moment, at his call,
And live for him who died for all!

i know

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It’s been a while.  I can’t believe I’ll admit this on cyberspace, but previously, at my place of employment, wordpress was unblocked, so some of my posts (and ideas for posts) came while I was at work.  That’s all changed now.  It’s blocked.

At work is usually the time I have to sit and think about serious theological issues, or life.

Now, I’m at home, contemplating life.  Decisions.  Why things are the way they are.

Some of you, blogging was a great way for me to stay in touch with you all, but seems many of us have fallen off the blog train.  Come on people!!

Well, it’s February 21st.  I’m looking so forward to Spring, you have no idea.  I can’t wait for the days to be longer, to run every single day (and actually WANT to run), dream, laugh, run through fields of grass…. okay maybe not that, since those of you who know me well know I get the WORST allergies in the spring that seem to last forever.

We head back to Nicaragua in seriously just a few short weeks… 3 weeks I think?  I’m getting more excited about it, much more than our first trip.  Nicaragua isn’t the first place I’d choose to go on a missions trip, but I’m learning to see God’s heart in it all, and to embrace the fact that something that’s been really close to my heart is again apart of my life… travel, people, culture.  I’m blessed.

Well, this blog was really just to tell you all I’m still alive, if anyone still reads.

Blessings.

Standing by the Cross

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I just love this song… the picture of being so close to the cross, and really understanding the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice for us on the cross.  I especially think more about the cross as we approach Thanksgiving, and of course Christmas.

We have so much to be thankful for, I’m amazed at his mercy and grace, new every morning.


Sweet the moments, rich in blessing
Which before the cross I spend
Life and health and peace possessing
From the sinners only Friend

Here I’ll rest forever viewing
Mercy poured in streams of blood
Precious drops my soul bedewing
Plead and claim my peace with God

Standing by the cross
The cross of Calvary
Looking up to my sweet Jesus
Mercy given full and free

Truly blessed is the station
Low before His cross to lie
While I see divine compassion
Beaming in his gracious eye

Here I feel my sins forgiven
While upon the Lamb I gaze
And my thoughts are all of heaven
And my lips overflow with praise

Standing by the cross
The Cross of Calvary
Looking up to my sweet Jesus
Mercy given full and free

some sweet stuff

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Check out our weekly eConnect newsletter for church… written this week by yours truly!

If you want to see some of my intense running pictures:

http://racephotos.net/PhotoDetails.asp?nPhotoID=1029249&sReturnKey=R:744074

http://racephotos.net/PhotoDetails.asp?nPhotoID=1001022&sReturnKey=R:744074#order

And the finish: http://racephotos.net/PhotoDetails.asp?nPhotoID=982422&sReturnKey=R:744074

Have a good weekend folks!

Fridays and Peanut Butter M&Ms

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Well hello there my faithful readers.  Apparently I’m making up for not blogging much over the past few months.. purging of the mind and soul I guess.

What is it about Fridays???  They always are SO SLOW!  I don’t know what the deal is.. some kind of conspiracy probably.  I have a few things on my to-do list today, but for some reason, I’m blogging now.  While eating peanut butter m&ms.. at 10:30 am no less.

I’ve been injured this week, so haven’t run much.  Last Saturday, upon completing 16 miles, as soon as I stopped running my knee started throbbing in pain.  I stretched and rested the remainder of the day, and limped around Sunday and Monday, deciding I needed a couple days off.  Tuesday, I slipped on my running shoes, and as soon as I took two steps, my knee began to scream at me.  Wednesday I ran a mile, then turned back and walked home.. I couldn’t do 8 in that kind of pain.  Last night I decided on a short bike ride after worship practice, at 9:30 PM (probably not the best decision.. kind of like the time I ran in a thunderstorm a couple weeks ago).  I did a couple miles, and so far so good on my knee.  My crazy marathon-runner-friend Suzanne was telling me today about doing water running…. humm, I’ll have to think on that one.  Or maybe tomorrow I’ll just do a longer bike ride.  We’ll see.  Yoga and a potential massage might be just what I need too.

Alright.  Now organic almonds with M&ms.  Taste and see that the Lord is good.

So I’ve been thinking a lot, about a lot lately.. which isn’t new.  You who know me well know I think a lot.  It’s interesting how God intervenes in our lives in the strangest ways.  Sometimes we think he’s leading us one way, sometimes we wonder where he is, sometimes we ask more questions than we thought possible…sometimes at the end of the day, all we can do is just sit in his presence and keep saying “I trust you Lord”, “I trust you Lord”, even when it hurts to say it.

I was reminded today of that glorious day… when we will see Jesus face to face… in heaven one day. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.  And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’… I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.  To the thirsty I will give from the spring of water of life without payment…”. (from Revelation 21…).

No guarantees are given for an easy life.  I think about my friend Lisa.. who was in a car accident almost exactly a year ago in Thailand.  She’s still recovering, yet the brightest shining light for all to see today.  You are an inspiration Lisa.  Today during teacher devotions Dave reminded us of the verses listed above as he recalled the past year, and his wife miscarrying.. twice.  Pain and tears may mark our journey, but we never walk alone through it.  Our pain and tears are held and seen by him.

Our own personal “Theology of Suffering” may be different for each person… but if we believe in the end God is good, and that those who seek Him lack no good thing… we will somehow begin to muster the strength to walk by faith.  One step at a time.

Wow, I didn’t mean for this to be so serious.  In the beginning, I was just thinking about the fact it was Friday, and that I love chocolate almost as much as Lindsey Jones right now.  I’ll refrain from eating the whole package of M&Ms.  Self control.

Happy Friday.  Having dinner with some of my favorite people tonight… Michelle and Marvin.. you guys rock!

Later.

life in photos

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I just now found some photos on my phone that I thought might be worth sharing…. Quality isn’t amazing, but gives a look into some of the things I’ve been up to.

Dulcimer strings arrive in the mail (ebay… paid like $4)

Order of service… this is what I do…

Perhaps someday these fortunes will come true…

Eggplant parm.  Eggplant from Mom’s garden, made complete with spaghetti noodles.  Come over, I’ll make you some.

One of the joys of getting up early and running… sunrises.

memories

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Summer.  2006.  Four years ago.

I am automatically transported there when I listen to Hillsong United’s “United We Stand” album.

Came to My Rescue.  Currently has 73, no wait, now 74 plays on my itunes.  I love that song.  That’s my song, then, and now.  “In my life be lifted high, in our world be lifted high, in my love, be lifted high”.  I’m drawn into God’s presence through these words.  “Falling on my knees in worship, giving all I am to seek your face, Lord all I am is yours.  My whole life I place in your hands, God of mercy, humbled I bow down, in your presence at your throne”.

So, Summer 2006.  I was an intern at FBC, doing worship, youth, and anything else anyone told me to do.  Now, this is my place of employment, and also is the church I grew up in.  It was a hard summer.  But good.  A summer of letting go, and a time of embracing new things.  Many of the high schoolers at the time (I kind of became the youth pastor that summer), are now in college, and are some of my good friends today.  I love you guys, you all know who you are.

I could take you through that album, and tell you many specific memories I have of listening to it while at work, running, or playing soccer with my High Schoolers.  Worshipping.

I’m not sure what the point of this blog is, but I needed to write it, especially as I was listening to it just now.

Funny how time changes, seems slowly at the time, but it’s fast.  Then, I was 21, now, I’m 25.  Been to many places, seen many things, when I hear the songs now, the meaning remains the same, even though the scenery has changed: God is constant, and I must surrender to him.  I’m pointed to worship the Lord in an indescribable way when I hear many of these songs, even still.  I’m pulled to my knees, again and again.  What else can I do but worship?

“There is no one else for me, none but Jesus”.  Wow, that song could be another blog of memories.

For now, good night.

wow.

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I know, I know.  I haven’t really posted anything lately, but it’s not because there isn’t anything going on…. far from that!!  Life is busy, life is confusing, life is… life.  Some days I feel like I’m just trying to survive and come up for a breath, then other days I’m just drinking in the air by bucketfuls.

I’ve been bit by the travel bug again.  I’ve been back for over a year from Thailand, and since then I haven’t done much traveling, but thankfully I was able to get away for a vacation to visit my dear friend Tiffany in Maui, and have a reunion of the groupies with Bridget too!!  It was good to get away, but now I just want to travel MORE!

Life is weird.  I don’t have a plan.  I’m here, and I’ll stay here until God tells me to move.  It’s weird because I feel like people are waiting to see what I do next, and I always think to myself, “dude, I don’t have a plan, I’ll do the work God gives me now, then when He wants me somewhere else, I’ll move on”.  I’ve been asked that a lot lately, just people wondering what my future plans are, and how long I plan to stay in Medford.  So yeah, if you were wondering that, I have no idea.  Life here is fine, but at times I feel myself falling into complacency, even apathy at times.  God has meant our lives to be an adventure of serving and knowing Him, how could that be mediocre?  I’m trying not to be there.  Just so you know.

This summer hopefully holds lake days, sun, lots of running, and who knows.  I love summer.  Can it be summer now?

I have no idea where this blog is going.

Thank you faithful readers, if there are any of you who’ve even made it to this point in the blog.

So, I’m reading The Forgotten God by Francis Chan (author of Crazy Love), and really enjoying it.  It’s nothing I didn’t already know, but it’s been really interesting to explore scripture with an emphasis on the Holy Spirit.  It’s an easy read too- I started the book on the flight back to Portland and read about half of it.  I’m trying to be better about finishing books.  I literally have about 20 books I’ve started, but just haven’t finished.  Sometimes some books need to be read slowly, to soak in all the information, that’s my philosophy.  But it’s not really helping me to move on to other books, I just start new books without finishing the others.  Weird.

I really don’t have anything else notable to report.  I am not taking classes at this time for my Master’s, things have just been too busy, so I figure I’d rather take classes when I actually have the time to do the work, instead of just doing the work to do the work.

Okay.  That’s all for now.  Maybe more later… more blogs than just once every two months.  I promise.

Blessings.

Lenten Reflections so far..

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Disclaimer: I am in no way claiming to know everything about everything with Lent, the church year, or any other fasts, I’m just reflecting on some thoughts I’ve had during lent this year.  Enjoy.

Lent is a really beautiful time, full of uniqueness of any other time during the year that I experience.  Growing up I never had any understanding of the traditional Church calendar, only Christmas and Easter being the most significant moments of celebration within the church.  Yet as I’ve grown older, I see that part of the rhythm of life walking with Jesus in my own spiritual journey has let me to see the great significance of the Church calendar, and how it can foster a new understanding of who God is through it.

Some things I’ve read recently through Upper Room, have described Lent as the “awkward” season, which I guess in many ways is true.  Lent is one of the longest fasts during the Church year, which can have many challenges, depending on what type of fast you are doing.  Lent leads us to the cross.  Yet again.  Separate from each Sunday being a celebration of Christ’s resurrection.  We are lead on a journey of sometimes barrenness, cleaning, reflection, prayer, and sometimes great trial.  Saying “no” to the “old man” of sinful nature is never easy.  Fasting from things we enjoy gives us just a taste of the pain Christ endured, but really, can we compare not having meat and diary for 40 days to the suffering and death of Jesus Christ?  Or the sacrifice of video games/sweets/facebook/television.  Seems insignificant to me.  Compared to the cost, yet shows us that at the same time.

This time, I’ve approached Lent differently than other times.  Prior to Lent this year, I realized the depth of my need for being filled by God’s presence and His Holy Spirit, so there have been many things I “cut out” or limited prior to the beginning of Lent this year, which was needed because of the kind of work I do for the Kingdom.  New habits during the day.  New times of worship, praise, refreshment.  I gave up something that actually seemed like it would be “easy”, but has turned out to be really hard… meat.  Who would have thought?  Anyway, instead of focusing on what I would give up, I added in a practice that has really opened my eyes.  I’ve studied the Old Testament a little more deeply, and I’m still stuck in Genesis, but have a much greater understanding than I had before.  All creation and history points us to the cross.

“All God’s plans have the mark of the cross on them, and all His plans have death to self in them”.

This blog isn’t meant to stir a theological discussion, so please don’t take it as that.  God is speaking into our lives each moment, I believe, and drawing us to himself through many of the mundane, typical, every day things that we do.  If I had not been more intentional about knowing him, I can tell you for certain that the difficult things I’ve encountered over the past few weeks would have been handled quite differently if I had not been in the place I’m in today.

Easter is near.  I can’t wait.  Honestly, it is a day I always have looked forward to.  Spring, and new life are all around us, but also the celebration of victory over death, and the new life we have in Jesus Christ.

Well, that’s it for now.  I’m looking forward to the tofu I will be having on my salad for lunch today.  Should be delicious.  I’m actually thinking I may order a steak on Easter, which I don’t think I’ve ordered a steak at a restaurant in years… hummm….

Blessings.