Me and Ali

I'm in Louisville for a conference and had the privilege today to visit the new Muhammad Ali Center. If you're ever in Louisville, it is worth the visit. Take two hours at least to see it. Among the highlights are the opening video (I almost stayed and watched it twice but my whole group was leaving); the way you become immersed in the exhibits; the training camp where you can actually shadow box, hit a big bag, hit the rhythm bag and even jump in a ring; and best of all a place where you can watch any and all of Ali's fights on demand (awesome... I watched three and could have easily spent another hour watching more). This is a really well done tribute to Ali's whole life from birth to boxing to his justice work.

Cowgirl Boots and Balance Beams

I'm heading to Louisville this week for a conference. If anyone in Louisville would like to hang out, or if you know someone in Louisville that I should look up, I'd appreciate the heads up. I'm hoping to get some reading and writing done this week as well.

Speaking of books, here's what I'm working on right now:

Torture and the Eucharist by Willam Cavanaugh. If you haven't read this, you should.

Re-reading The Church in Transition by Tim Conder. Great book on one community's journey to stay committed to both the missional call of the gospel and to each other.

Just finished Presence-centered Youth Ministry by Mike King

Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni It's been helpful in team building for sure.

I always have with me the Complete Jewish Bible which I LOVE!!! and a great companion piece...

Jewish New Testament Commentary by David Stern.

Friday Night Fun

Tonight is Friday night family fun night. This means pizza and a movie. Tonight we're running a little later than usual and we've had a busy week, so we're just watching good old Tom and Jerry. It's great. Next to no words and its from the 50's. I love to hear my kids cackling away!





Our friend Josh is here this week. While we don't see him much because he's in classes, its great to have him with us. Thanks Aubrey for sharing him for a couple weeks.



Back to the show...

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Tired

I'm tired.



It is true that I'm beginning to feel the pressure of NYC bearing down. It is also true that in the last week I've traveled 1100 miles by car with my family and 500 miles in the air (today). While I'm sure that these are part of my tiredness, I also feel that there is some spiritual weight here too. There are times where I can definitely feel that others are praying.



If you are praying. Thank you.

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The End Will Look Like...

Carol's step-dad passed away this week. They were not close, but it obviously has been a big blow for her mom. We went to the viewing and the funeral this week and have just traveled back from Indiana. Some key things from the week...

- getting to spend time with Carol's mom, Carol's sister and family (who graciously hosted us and in return I made the world famous Mark Scandrette crepes), Carol's dad and wife. It was good to get to play, talk, eat, talk some more, play, eat and just be together.

- at the funeral the pastor mentioned heaven being "like dessert, it's just sweeter than life here on earth." While I appreciate metaphors around meals and the kingdom, I struggled with this "power truth" that wrapped up the sermon. Is heaven (the after life with God) really like dessert for only the good kids who ate their peas?

- I couldn't resist posting this picture and link. Every time we drive to Indiana across I-70, interrupting the rows of corn and flat land in Illinois is this giant cross made out of vinyl siding I think. I finally got curious enough to check the website. It says it's "a 198 foot Cross at the intersection of Interstates 57 & 70 in Effingham, Illinois. This site is intended to serve as a beacon of hope to the 50,000 travelers estimated to pass the site each day." It is giant. Not sure if it's how I'd spend my money (if I had any...maybe that's why I don't have any).

Emerging Friends

I spent some good time today with some D. Min. students at seminary. I was part of a panel talking about the emerging church. Joining me were two handsome fellows who are far more intelligent and articulate than I: Sean Heston and Mike King. It was good conversation mostly (in my estimation and memory) centered around how a traditional (read "modern") church context continues to live out the gospel in a post-modern world. I loved the spirit in the room of grace in spite of some discomfort at times. It was great to see revolution happening in peace and grace, the way it should be and the way so many have prayed and dreamed for it like Martin Luther King. I know its not on the same level, but I want to say thanks for his commitment to reconcilation and his poetic and prophetic voice.

Sean, in case you don't know him, is the pastor of two churches at once - Faith church and University church. Both are in Lawrence, Kansas and one is 50 years old and the other he planted. He spends some time bringing those two together and some time with each separately. You can read more here.

Mike is the president of YouthFront and is on staff at Jacob's Well. He is a partner in the kingdom and in his love of Wesley.

Crepes and Ice storms

Mark Scandrette has a great recipe for crepes on his blog! Thanks for sharing Mark!!! We used it this morning with our family... and then for lunch (cuz we had a lot of batter left over with only a half batch). It's an icy day here in KC with more sleet, snow and ice schedule over the duration of the weekend. We've run our errands (no - not panic filled toilet paper and milk buying) and so we're in for the rest of the day probably.



Quite a busy week for us. NYC had its adult registration deadline this week so we were flooded again with calls, emails, etc. It's all good though because we are glad to throw a really large week long party! While I definitely feel the clock ticking, I'm also getting more and more excited for the event, to see students and to just be in God's presence with that many friends.



We also had a little bug hit a couple of our kids for a day this past week. Couple that with some other family things and we've been scrambling this week. It's nice to lay low for a bit today with everyone.



We are also looking forward to Josh coming for a visit next week. Aubrey just had their baby and they are proud parents having a great and Godly time. While we would have LOVED to see Aubrey and Cadence, we also understand not wanting to travel much that soon. Hey Josh, quick point of reference... you (and all of us guys) look a lot better holding that baby than without:-)

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New Year and New Stuff for Blogging

Okay so a little while ago I told you all about the new blogger beta, which I am digging. Now I'm trying the next level of blogging with an blog editor. This basically gives you more tools to put a post together and have it look the way you want. I'm using Firefox Performancing editor because its 1) Free and 2) Easy (it opens in your firefox browser) and 3) It has gotten great reviews.



I'm almost 3 years in the blogosphere and moving into new technology, tools and language at roughly the rate of the established church (which I would not consider fast or relevant for the most part). Ah well, better late to a party than never... I just hope there's people at this party.

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Sanctuary

Carol and I have been in beautiful San Diego helping put on Sanctuary a retreat for youth pastors. It's a great event. Great people at the retreat. Great people we work with from Barefoot ministries and Point Loma Nazarene University.

It's great because so many youth pastors NEVER get time away to rest, restore and renew. It's great to be a part of letting them have that kind of experience.

This week was also a great reminder that ALL of us need to find the rhythm of rest and renewal... or we'll die spiritually.

So your homework this week is to find your pastor and/or associate pastor and look them in the eye, tell them you're praying for them, appreciate them and all they do, and then ask them if they are finding ways to rest, restore and renew. It's vital.