I have a tradition, maybe its unusual, but probably not.
I like to try out area churches on Christmas eve, lots of churches. In the world of marketing-oriented churches, Christmas Eve is actually a wonderful time to "check out" a new church. Consider it, they put their best face forward, showing what sort of new programming is coming out--and hopefully you get an authentic feel for what the church would actually be like. Last year I hit up one mega church a couple days before and 3-4 the day of christmas eve.
However, this year with an out-of-town football championship (gone until 3pm on Christmas Eve)....my chance to go to marathon services was thwarted. I made it to the Fellowship mega service Thursday afternoon....quite in advance, and a 7:30 & communion at my church, followed by a 11pm midnight Presbyterian mass.
Its starting, however, to reek of "spiritual bulimia"--as though going to hear one more person's take on the "real meaing of Christmas"---or take in another candlelight singing of Silent Night---or even the 3 times I took communion last night (they accidently served me twice at my own church, opps)....as though that's really going to translate to a significantly closer feeling to God. Quantity won't always translate to really getting through my thick skull.
However, some of the themes from various services...
Christmas was God's way of descending the stairs, in all ways "with us"
Peace is what all of us are longing for and want most in life, Christ offers this
--and heard a great family friend(pastor of Pres. church) tell his testimony
Monday, December 25, 2006
Football Fantasy?
So yes, again for the 3rd year in a row, 4th out of 5 consecutive years....my high school (Southlake Carroll) has again won the state football championship. One game lost in 5 years.
Is that totally unreal or what? Bragging aside, how do high schoolers grow up never experiencing losing? Some television program started calling it the greatest high school football dynasty in history--come on, little over the top.
At my house, we've watched the replay tape of the game about 2-3 times already in 24 hours home. The head coach, 7 years at our school, is leaving for college ball starting in January--the new head coach at North Texas. To live in a place where the head football coach is a local celebrity, featured on television with a special and the New York Times.
Not to say I'm not loving every minute of it (mom, who thinks I'm always talking down about my hometown), its just crazy.
Is that totally unreal or what? Bragging aside, how do high schoolers grow up never experiencing losing? Some television program started calling it the greatest high school football dynasty in history--come on, little over the top.
At my house, we've watched the replay tape of the game about 2-3 times already in 24 hours home. The head coach, 7 years at our school, is leaving for college ball starting in January--the new head coach at North Texas. To live in a place where the head football coach is a local celebrity, featured on television with a special and the New York Times.
Not to say I'm not loving every minute of it (mom, who thinks I'm always talking down about my hometown), its just crazy.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Wren Cross Controversy
Begin the "name drop" gesture.
I believe this whole debacle to be largely silly and over-blown.
But push-come-to-shove.....I spoke in front of the Student Assembly in favor of Nichol's move to remove the cross from the Wren Chapel.
then I wrote an article about it too: http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149192227824
-yea, super-fun.
I believe this whole debacle to be largely silly and over-blown.
But push-come-to-shove.....I spoke in front of the Student Assembly in favor of Nichol's move to remove the cross from the Wren Chapel.
then I wrote an article about it too: http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149192227824
-yea, super-fun.
12/19: book: Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell
I started reading this book with two wonderful women in my life about 10 days ago.
We've had a great time, deconstructing his arguments and understanding his call to "repaint" our view of faith and be flexible in our theology--remembering that Christ remains central. But also recognizing that every generation that claimes to have "found it" in terms of Biblical interpretation, etc....is just as culturally influenced as the one that came before.
Basically, before I'd read it, I decided it was more of this post-modern Christian genre. Basically true. However, its always good to continue to be challenged. And I'm continually challenged by recognizing that this whole post-modern, deconstruction thing....is a very new idea for some people....and that's ok.
We've had a great time, deconstructing his arguments and understanding his call to "repaint" our view of faith and be flexible in our theology--remembering that Christ remains central. But also recognizing that every generation that claimes to have "found it" in terms of Biblical interpretation, etc....is just as culturally influenced as the one that came before.
Basically, before I'd read it, I decided it was more of this post-modern Christian genre. Basically true. However, its always good to continue to be challenged. And I'm continually challenged by recognizing that this whole post-modern, deconstruction thing....is a very new idea for some people....and that's ok.
12/20 Reflections on first semester senior year
Life, of course is busy. I, however, have an awful memory. Maybe its the blessing for us achievement-oriented types---the ability to constantly forget what you've just finished, never able to be comfortable, always needing to strive for something more.
However, in my relentless pursuit of doing new things and keeping my life moving, I often forget where I've been, what I've learned, and what kind of amazing blessings have fallen (to use an interesting verb) into my life.
So, to help myself out a bit, starting over a year ago, on my plane ride home from school I pull out my calendar and make a list of all the major events of my semester (new relationships, major conversations/thought patterns, major events). Its been an awesome time of praise each semester.
Highlights from the 5-page list of major events of 1st semester senior year:
-volunteering with Alzhiemer's seniors at Williamsburg Landing, George Marble a wonderful ex-navy man who told me many times about his boats
-speaking about Zaccheus at New Student Retreat for Intervarsity
-3 new girls in Yates cont. Bible study
-month on 1 crutch
-Living with three amazing women
-First percussion concert of college
-nights at the Ho House karyokee
-Hancock Pledge class social at the Leafe: alphabet game!
-an engaged roommate
-Catalyst conference and a wonderful group of older people from rural Tennessee
-Brian Lewis speaking at InterVarsity
-IJM Food and Justice panel
-Getting my "ebeneezer" ripped from my face
-Senior Class Gift affairs
-Getting to meet some new/unknown before amazing members of the class of 2007
-Trips to: Atlanta, Petersburg, Ligonier, Washington DC
Songs of the semester: Taking the Long Way Around, Dixie Chicks
Painting Pictures of Egypt, Sara Grooves
Thoughts/Revelations:
-Christianity and politics: can we be involved? is anarchism Christ's way?
-the reality of downward mobility: somewhere along the line taking the way against the world stops being sexy and starts being hard and actually downward
--focus on your strengths: is this really a Christ-like way of thinking about ourselves? our ministries?--looking at what we're good at and learning to get even better at it?
-How do you continue to challenge and come alongside people who you've been in long relationship with?
-deconstructing the individualism of Western christianity....where have we infused individualism into the message of Christ?--considering how often people claim "calling" as a reason to make decisions/go or not go somewhere...is this valid?
~however, where are we going so far to forget that Christ loves each of us and desires transformation for each of us?
However, in my relentless pursuit of doing new things and keeping my life moving, I often forget where I've been, what I've learned, and what kind of amazing blessings have fallen (to use an interesting verb) into my life.
So, to help myself out a bit, starting over a year ago, on my plane ride home from school I pull out my calendar and make a list of all the major events of my semester (new relationships, major conversations/thought patterns, major events). Its been an awesome time of praise each semester.
Highlights from the 5-page list of major events of 1st semester senior year:
-volunteering with Alzhiemer's seniors at Williamsburg Landing, George Marble a wonderful ex-navy man who told me many times about his boats
-speaking about Zaccheus at New Student Retreat for Intervarsity
-3 new girls in Yates cont. Bible study
-month on 1 crutch
-Living with three amazing women
-First percussion concert of college
-nights at the Ho House karyokee
-Hancock Pledge class social at the Leafe: alphabet game!
-an engaged roommate
-Catalyst conference and a wonderful group of older people from rural Tennessee
-Brian Lewis speaking at InterVarsity
-IJM Food and Justice panel
-Getting my "ebeneezer" ripped from my face
-Senior Class Gift affairs
-Getting to meet some new/unknown before amazing members of the class of 2007
-Trips to: Atlanta, Petersburg, Ligonier, Washington DC
Songs of the semester: Taking the Long Way Around, Dixie Chicks
Painting Pictures of Egypt, Sara Grooves
Thoughts/Revelations:
-Christianity and politics: can we be involved? is anarchism Christ's way?
-the reality of downward mobility: somewhere along the line taking the way against the world stops being sexy and starts being hard and actually downward
--focus on your strengths: is this really a Christ-like way of thinking about ourselves? our ministries?--looking at what we're good at and learning to get even better at it?
-How do you continue to challenge and come alongside people who you've been in long relationship with?
-deconstructing the individualism of Western christianity....where have we infused individualism into the message of Christ?--considering how often people claim "calling" as a reason to make decisions/go or not go somewhere...is this valid?
~however, where are we going so far to forget that Christ loves each of us and desires transformation for each of us?
12/19 Book: "Girl Meets God"
Lauren Winner. Could she be the only mildly acceptable "emergent" Christian female writer? I know I'm forgetting others...but really, where are the women? We've got Donald Miller, Rob Bell, Shane Claiborne, Brian MClaren.....where are the girls in this "conversation?"
Well, needless to say, I love Lauren Winner. Either its her wit or her amazing ability to mix the reverent/irreverent without a second glance....the woman experiments with orthodoxy, first Jewish then finding Jesus. She talks about blending her identites.....while of course always being funny enough to discuss her Southern Jewish heritage, latest boyfriend, or confessional.
I know some of my friends didn't like her "Real Sex" box; however, I found this to be not only the most helpful but also most revelant sexuality/dating Christian book I'd ever read.
--I've met her, I think we could get along.
Well, needless to say, I love Lauren Winner. Either its her wit or her amazing ability to mix the reverent/irreverent without a second glance....the woman experiments with orthodoxy, first Jewish then finding Jesus. She talks about blending her identites.....while of course always being funny enough to discuss her Southern Jewish heritage, latest boyfriend, or confessional.
I know some of my friends didn't like her "Real Sex" box; however, I found this to be not only the most helpful but also most revelant sexuality/dating Christian book I'd ever read.
--I've met her, I think we could get along.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
12/13 Life falling into place?
Ever start to feel like life is falling into place, like people are finally starting to understand you? That life is starting to line up?
Is it weird I feel those feelings and feel the weariness that maybe its all too good to be true? All too right? Has the Christian fatalism within me forced me into thinking when things seem to slide into place, that suddenly things are too easy, requiring no work or effort from me? That of course, the story always ends with God forcing in a 180 turn.
Today I walked around a struggling neighborhood in DC. For one, it seems wrong to say the word struggling when I don’t know anyone living there, I’m completely basing it off of judgment calls. But let’s just say the world would call this a struggling place. And somehow it felt right. It felt like another version of what I’ve found in other places, a slower pace pervades in an often fast urban culture. Feels like this could be a more established community versus what pushes around DC everyday, interns fighting for a place, everyone dressed in all black, rushing around town.
Is it weird I feel those feelings and feel the weariness that maybe its all too good to be true? All too right? Has the Christian fatalism within me forced me into thinking when things seem to slide into place, that suddenly things are too easy, requiring no work or effort from me? That of course, the story always ends with God forcing in a 180 turn.
Today I walked around a struggling neighborhood in DC. For one, it seems wrong to say the word struggling when I don’t know anyone living there, I’m completely basing it off of judgment calls. But let’s just say the world would call this a struggling place. And somehow it felt right. It felt like another version of what I’ve found in other places, a slower pace pervades in an often fast urban culture. Feels like this could be a more established community versus what pushes around DC everyday, interns fighting for a place, everyone dressed in all black, rushing around town.
12/13 Christian Hippies #8
location: washington DC
These people possibly are this next iteration of this “new monastic” thing. Maybe what will follow once people get overexcited by Shane’s book. What happens next? How will they go about changing their lives?
What I’ve encountered in DC is a growing community of people who are searching out what it would look like to live these values of community and social justice in their everyday lives. They’re considering moving in together, I stayed with 5 already sharing a home. They’re figuring out what kinds of neighborhoods they want to invest with, where those will be and how long they can commit to being there. The community is growing. I stayed with 5 but I met another 5 at least and have heard of at least 20 or so more.
So what comes to mind for me, if there is this growing community of people here in DC just incited by reading this book….what does the rest of the country look like post-Irresistible Revolution? Is it the impact of a book? Probably not in comparison to the spirit of God moving among people looking to live out faith in a different way.
But how to tell them that not everyone looks like the Simple Way? So many people are living in multiple homes, are married and singles together, or just married couples….what about all those that have jobs outside the community, actually, in fact almost every place looks like that.
But for the first time, probably because I wasn’t walking in the “I’m I college, wanting to study you” mode, I felt like I could be a visionary for them, a partner in what they’re doing. Could I join completely and feel uninhibited about that? Not yet, but maybe in time.
It felt like a community of people, people that I could get along with, be friends with, who could support me in life, or at least would try.
These people possibly are this next iteration of this “new monastic” thing. Maybe what will follow once people get overexcited by Shane’s book. What happens next? How will they go about changing their lives?
What I’ve encountered in DC is a growing community of people who are searching out what it would look like to live these values of community and social justice in their everyday lives. They’re considering moving in together, I stayed with 5 already sharing a home. They’re figuring out what kinds of neighborhoods they want to invest with, where those will be and how long they can commit to being there. The community is growing. I stayed with 5 but I met another 5 at least and have heard of at least 20 or so more.
So what comes to mind for me, if there is this growing community of people here in DC just incited by reading this book….what does the rest of the country look like post-Irresistible Revolution? Is it the impact of a book? Probably not in comparison to the spirit of God moving among people looking to live out faith in a different way.
But how to tell them that not everyone looks like the Simple Way? So many people are living in multiple homes, are married and singles together, or just married couples….what about all those that have jobs outside the community, actually, in fact almost every place looks like that.
But for the first time, probably because I wasn’t walking in the “I’m I college, wanting to study you” mode, I felt like I could be a visionary for them, a partner in what they’re doing. Could I join completely and feel uninhibited about that? Not yet, but maybe in time.
It felt like a community of people, people that I could get along with, be friends with, who could support me in life, or at least would try.
12/11 The Long Way Around
“I could never follow.” Here I sit, back in my element---on a train, headed to where I’ve never been before. Now listening to my battle cry, my hymn of life these days— Dixie Chicks, “The Long Way Around.”
The song strikes me for many reasons. For one, its about not taking the regular life path, being willing to “take the long way around” in order to get—well, maybe not to any end at all. There is some part of me, deep inside that resonates with an adventurous spirit. I think its hidden somewhere down deep, beneath my fears of leaving home, my fears of leaving what I know and who I know and love so much. But in me is a person who loves all things new—once I’ve been torn apart from what I know.
This morning I took my one and only final and now am hoping on a train to check out a community and see a few friends in Washington DC. Its uncertain. It was hard to leave. For one, a good friend of mine is leaving after this semester, so the notion of leaving, and never knowing if I’ll ever see them again—its sobering. In some ways it makes me not want to leave. It makes me want to deny this spirit inside of me.
What drives me on? Especially being someone who is so quick to become content and committed to a group of people. How will I ever reconcile these wrestling spirits inside of myself? I wonder if its an overwhelming love for being where I am—or at least I know that tonight when I am in my new location, I will be in a completely different mindset, the fears and heartbrokenness inside of me will subside.
The train moves on, I got on it and here I go. Goodbye friends—I hope I’ll see you again someday.
The song strikes me for many reasons. For one, its about not taking the regular life path, being willing to “take the long way around” in order to get—well, maybe not to any end at all. There is some part of me, deep inside that resonates with an adventurous spirit. I think its hidden somewhere down deep, beneath my fears of leaving home, my fears of leaving what I know and who I know and love so much. But in me is a person who loves all things new—once I’ve been torn apart from what I know.
This morning I took my one and only final and now am hoping on a train to check out a community and see a few friends in Washington DC. Its uncertain. It was hard to leave. For one, a good friend of mine is leaving after this semester, so the notion of leaving, and never knowing if I’ll ever see them again—its sobering. In some ways it makes me not want to leave. It makes me want to deny this spirit inside of me.
What drives me on? Especially being someone who is so quick to become content and committed to a group of people. How will I ever reconcile these wrestling spirits inside of myself? I wonder if its an overwhelming love for being where I am—or at least I know that tonight when I am in my new location, I will be in a completely different mindset, the fears and heartbrokenness inside of me will subside.
The train moves on, I got on it and here I go. Goodbye friends—I hope I’ll see you again someday.
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