Touch me...

Well, that's the name of a children's museum we went to today. A bit odd, but a cool place none the less. It's all hands on with a highlight being a Mr. Roger's Neighborhood exhibit. You could even go in and try on his sweater and shoes. cool. After that it was off to Giggleberry Mountain located somewhere in the middle of nowhere. A cool place for kids though. very cool.

I had a "man I'm old" moment. They have all these tubes that you crawl through and run through - that is you run through them if you a little person - you crawl if you an adult. My son definitely thought more of my "powers" BEFORE tonight. Oh well, the illusion could only last so long anyway I suppose.

Love your neighbor - unless you don't want to

I love church folk. I know we ain't perfect. I know we smell, act funny, talk funny and a lot of times just plain screw up. But I love us anyhow. Lately though, there has been something just sticking in my craw (I've been trying to find a way to use that phrase in sentence!).

Those of us who are "Christians" (those seeking to live in the way of Jesus), claim to know him and at least try to follow him. In the process we've kind of figured out that there are some ways of life that are just better than others (i.e., lying to everyone around you and alienating yourself is not near as good a life as bringing people together and doing good, etc, etc). But along with that we've taken our findings too far and have begun to ask people all around us to behave just like we do. Usually (at least I'll choose to believe) its all out of looking for the best for someone. However, we have created this hierarchy of sins, of people and of judgement - none of which are our role, do we do well, or should we ever spend any time doing.

Which gets me to this - Jesus was clear when asked what the greatest commandment was - "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength" (from the Shema prayer). And he said the second is like it - "Love your neighbor as yourself." Later Jesus said - "Love one another as I have loved you." Most church going folks would recognize and even be able to quote these very verses. But we've lost sight of them somehow. Somehow we've made our judgement of whether someone is "in" or "out" of Jesus kingdom the primary tenant of faith and church-going. We've placed this somehow above loving our neighbors. This is not a little oops. This is a huge difference in living life and sharing it with others.

God help us to love those around us with your love and to not judge. Somehow give us love even for those we don't understand.

Together again

My brother Kevin and his wife, Jenifer, and their son, Elijah are visiting us this week. We are having fun. Went to the Aquarium and then to Uno's last night, followed by a drug deal right before my very eyes! I guess if you're going to help someone visit the city, they might as well see all the sights!

I truly love having my brother around. We have always had great conversation about everything from the Bible to how we live life. It's just good stuff - although I might drive him a bit crazy - not sure.

Christ... everywhere

I've been reading a bit of St. Patrick lately and have found his prayers especially to be helpful. Here is an exerpt from his prayer later titled "St. Patrick's Breastplate":

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me;
Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ to the right of me, Christ to the left of me;
Christ in my lying, Christ in my sitting, Christ in my rising;
Chirst in the heat of all who think of me,
Christ on the tongue of all who speak to me,
Christ in the eye of all who see me,
Christ in the ear of all who hear me...

For Patrick, God was in everything and so everything they did became a prayer (or opportunity for prayer) from getting up in the morning, to stoking the fires, to work, to sitting down, etc.

My prayer for today is that we would find God in all that we do and everywhere that we turn. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear Lord.

mind... hurts... need... more... power

Brian McLaren is a great writer. I'm almost finished with his latest and greatest book - "The Last Word and the Word After That" - and am enjoying it greatly. It is very challenging for this recovering Pharisee. I have no doubt that upon closing the back cover after completing it, I will simply turn the book over and re-open the front cover and begin again.

While this has not been a good week for reading - too many "oh yeah and another thing"s - it has been a great week for friendship and contemplation. God help me to be a good friend and to be faithful to that which you have given me!

Top 5 jobs I could never have:
(not jobs that I would be eliminated from because I'm a boy or anything, just jobs I could never do because I don't have the skill set, etc.)
5. Novel Author - I'm just too ADD
4. Professional Dancer - if you've seen an attempt - enough said
3. Dentist - Too many mouths and high pitched drill sounds
2. Treasurer - 2+2= 7 right?
1. Baseball manager - I just don't have what it takes - I'm not even sure what they do really...

Back to it

Back from vacation and into the mix. We had two funeral services yesterday and several deadlines beating down on me. Add to that our District Assembly (think corporate meeting but with more people you like and a few really good spots) this weekend and we are already too busy and full again. It really is a battle to live a balanced and healthy life. (Say it with me, "NO.")

It was good to be back on Sunday. I got to see my good friend David Rebello (back from NC and Slovenia) and am making plans to head off to a DC United futbol game Saturday night! He is a good brother in Christ! I also got to hang out with our high school student leaders for a bit on Sunday afternoon which is always fun with lots of laughs and was able to get a few things accomplished too!

I've got to head out to library for some studies - historical background on some New Testament stuff - but don't want to cuz' it's so beautiful outside.

Must... stay... focused...

Ah... vacation! It's so relaxing!

Okay, so this is not what we're really doing, but it is similar to what I did to Carol on a now infamous houseboat trip! She was not happy to go so high and land so hard. I was driving the ski boat. Did I mention she was pregnant? Still not sure why she was so mad... (it all worked out Kate was born fine - mostly)!

We really are having a nice time sleeping a lot and laughing a bit. The sunshine is good too!

I need a vacation

Carol and I have departed from "normal" life for a few days to rest, relax, talk a bit and just NOT do stuff. How wonderful! My plan is basically this... sleep. So I'm off to...