I seriously think that there might be a soundtrack of Lauren Hill constantly playing in the minds of black people. Let me explain...
Lauren Hill has this flow, the kind of flow that me as a white person is totally void of. Just listening to here brings rhythm and flow to what ever I do. I walk, write, think, even type in a fluid motion when she's singing in my ears...
Unfortunately this flow and rhythm is only present when I'm listening to her... My normal flow seems to be much more along the lines of 90's punk -fast, choppy, driving, with a hint of harmony.
Oh how I wish I could choose the soundtrack that played in my mind.
Honest thoughts about living for Jesus in the East Bay.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Coffee Bean
Have you ever made friends with a barista? Seriously. I have become (what I consider) friends with Randy, one of the barista's at coffee bean in Carmel Mtn. I don't really like their Americanos (my bev. of choice) as much as other established coffee houses, but I like talking to Randy when I go in.
Through our 2-5 min conversations I have learned alot about Randy over the last year, and I really like the guy. So I find myself going to Coffee Bean not for the drinks, or the atmosphere, but for a random relationship with a random guy who God loves.
So for that reason, I'm going to stick with coffee bean when I can. (unless I have gift cards to another place, cause I'm thrifty)
Through our 2-5 min conversations I have learned alot about Randy over the last year, and I really like the guy. So I find myself going to Coffee Bean not for the drinks, or the atmosphere, but for a random relationship with a random guy who God loves.
So for that reason, I'm going to stick with coffee bean when I can. (unless I have gift cards to another place, cause I'm thrifty)
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Got to keep it complicated!
So I was sitting down with one of the moms in my youth ministry yesterday talking about ministry, and the people I work with, when I realized something- My life is overcomplicated!
I don't know if it was because I was actually talking through these situations that made me realize it, but I feel like I'm working on Telemundo and am stuck in the middle of other peoples very own telenovelas.
Seriously! I need to start writing scripts for Mexican soap operas. I could be making thousands of pesos on the side. Oh well, here's to hoping that all of these dramas have a happy ending.
I don't know if it was because I was actually talking through these situations that made me realize it, but I feel like I'm working on Telemundo and am stuck in the middle of other peoples very own telenovelas.
Seriously! I need to start writing scripts for Mexican soap operas. I could be making thousands of pesos on the side. Oh well, here's to hoping that all of these dramas have a happy ending.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Re-engage
So I'm trying to re-engage in things that I have found meaningful in my life but have fallen by the wayside, and blogging is one of them.
My ten month hiatus is over. Life has changed, and I wonder where it's taking me. My previous roles of follower of Jesus, husband, and pastor, is now accompanied with 'father to be'. My roles in life are constantly shifting, and seem to be getting more complicated as I get older. But the good thing is that I am growing to love those roles more and more. I love my wife, my church, my God, and even my dog more than I ever have.
God is giving my heart new capacities for love that it has never had before. Along with that capacity for love comes it's sensitivity to pain. Loving is accompanied with heartache, compassion with empathy, insight with burdens. I find encouragement that strength is given to the weak, and wisdom to those who ask.
My ten month hiatus is over. Life has changed, and I wonder where it's taking me. My previous roles of follower of Jesus, husband, and pastor, is now accompanied with 'father to be'. My roles in life are constantly shifting, and seem to be getting more complicated as I get older. But the good thing is that I am growing to love those roles more and more. I love my wife, my church, my God, and even my dog more than I ever have.
God is giving my heart new capacities for love that it has never had before. Along with that capacity for love comes it's sensitivity to pain. Loving is accompanied with heartache, compassion with empathy, insight with burdens. I find encouragement that strength is given to the weak, and wisdom to those who ask.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Glimpses of Jesus
Last night was Ted Cupples memorial service, the dad of 3 amazing girls that are involved in the youth ministry at our church. After the service ended I witnessed something beautiful take place. With tears of empathy and words of encouragement the family of God gathered together and talked about Jesus. How strong and good He is. How he showed himself through Ted's life and was faithful to Ted until the end. How he will bring healing to the broken hearts of his daughters, and how he will continue to walk with us through every circumstance.
I need community like this. I need to be reminded that Jesus is real, that he's here, and that he really does love us. I saw Jesus last night. I saw him in his people, I saw his compassion, his love, his empathy, and his healing. I love him.
I need community like this. I need to be reminded that Jesus is real, that he's here, and that he really does love us. I saw Jesus last night. I saw him in his people, I saw his compassion, his love, his empathy, and his healing. I love him.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Messed Up!
I have been messed up ever since I taught through the book of Revelation, and read 'the Mark of the Lion' series. I thought that my thoughts of impending doom would dissipate, but they only seem to get stronger. Track with me a second...
1) Revelation: (our future) things get really bad because people will not repent of their sin, so they abandon God and his ways. Satan deceives the world into following him, fights God, God wins. But it gets ugly for Christians in the process.
2) 'Mark of the Lion': (the past) Story takes place in the 1st century as the church is being established for the 1st time. People who are followers of Jesus are followers of Jesus.. They regularly die for him in the Arenas, are looked upon as vermin and anarchists. The people are united with each other, and their hearts are not divided -because they can't be. Christians are living like Christians. God is pleased with his followers.
3) Constantine: (years later) This emperor basically nationalizes Christianity, persecution stops, corruption begins. The world is filled with "Christians" who no longer die for Christ, but rob, steal, and murder in his name. God is grieved with those who do these things in the name of Jesus Christ.
4) Today: God longs for authentic followers again. We are returning to conditions like those in the 1st century because it's what we need in order to have undivided hearts.
So welcome to my mind... I haven't been talking to people about this stuff, it's just thoughts that I have that I can't shake. I expect things like prop 8 to pass, people who obviously don't love God to be elected, and for the church to finally have to take unpopular and (depending on what happens) illegal stands for what God says in His word. The Church needs persecution! I think God is tired of the way we are "following" Him. I think that a time is coming where we'll have to weather the storm and be found faithful to our Savior, or abandon Him for something else.
1) Revelation: (our future) things get really bad because people will not repent of their sin, so they abandon God and his ways. Satan deceives the world into following him, fights God, God wins. But it gets ugly for Christians in the process.
2) 'Mark of the Lion': (the past) Story takes place in the 1st century as the church is being established for the 1st time. People who are followers of Jesus are followers of Jesus.. They regularly die for him in the Arenas, are looked upon as vermin and anarchists. The people are united with each other, and their hearts are not divided -because they can't be. Christians are living like Christians. God is pleased with his followers.
3) Constantine: (years later) This emperor basically nationalizes Christianity, persecution stops, corruption begins. The world is filled with "Christians" who no longer die for Christ, but rob, steal, and murder in his name. God is grieved with those who do these things in the name of Jesus Christ.
4) Today: God longs for authentic followers again. We are returning to conditions like those in the 1st century because it's what we need in order to have undivided hearts.
So welcome to my mind... I haven't been talking to people about this stuff, it's just thoughts that I have that I can't shake. I expect things like prop 8 to pass, people who obviously don't love God to be elected, and for the church to finally have to take unpopular and (depending on what happens) illegal stands for what God says in His word. The Church needs persecution! I think God is tired of the way we are "following" Him. I think that a time is coming where we'll have to weather the storm and be found faithful to our Savior, or abandon Him for something else.
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