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September 23, 2008
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I had the great privilege of officiating at a wedding last weekend. So much of ministry involves grief, loss, death, and conflict. It was refreshing to be a part of such a happy day for this couple. Baptisms, weddings, and graduations bring balance to my work. More accurately, it brings balance to the circle of life. At times, it just feels like the circle is a bit lop-sided with the death and grief parts.
Last night I couldn't sleep. So, I stayed up and tried to do some planning and thinking. It's hard to believe, but Advent is right around the corner. As I thought about sermons and events for Advent, I just couldn't get in the mood for it. So, I tried something slightly unorthodox: I put some Christmas music on to get me in the proper frame of mind for planning Advent. Well, it didn't work. I ended up feeling even stranger listening to Christmas music in September.
Everything else is going well, to the best of my knowledge. I am enjoying getting to visit everyone at church. I hear a lot of great stories and have eaten a lot of food. Hope you have a good week.
September 15, 2008
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Baby things seem to consume my world at the moment. Everywhere I look in my house, there is baby paraphernalia. In the kitchen, there are bottles, formula, and other items. In my bedroom there is a bassinet. Of course, Macey's room is nearly finished and is loaded up with burp clothes (that sounds fun!), boppies, onesies, and things that we still haven't figured out what they are used for. The living room has some kind of baby amusement park in it.
I have been reminded again and again to let go of any sense of control over my life. My time, my house, and my money are now dominated by an impending baby. However, I am still getting used to that idea.
All the same, we are both very excited. We have started taking what is best described as "Baby Classes." Every Tuesday night we traipse off to the hospital to sit on the floor with 9 other round, pregnant, and cranky women. It really is amusing. I couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with these 9 other "Due Dads." These men know what it is like to try to be a modern man and a dad-to-be. There was an unspoken competition going on amongst us to see which man could be the most sensitive to our pregnant wives during class time. Not to mention, Lisa and I are trying to be nice so we can possibly make some friends. Therefore, I'm not allowed to be cranky or sarcastic during baby classes.
Additionally, we are trying to line all our ducks up (or however the saying goes). My dad will be responsible for watching the dog on baby birthday. Someone will be put in charge of phone calls. Lisa is packing bags to be ready. On and on it goes. I guess you get the idea. As I said, baby things seem to consume my world. Oh well.
This coming weekend, I will be in Richmond to serve at a wedding. It really is nice to be a part of such a special day like this for people. Hope that you have a nice week.
September 9, 2008
On Sunday, I was invited to attend an Interfaith Forum that was discussing peace in Jerusalem. As anyone who watches the news knows, there is a lot of fighting in the Holy Land between Muslims, Israelis, and other groups. So, discussions like this one are very important for any hope of achieving peace.
I was fascinated to listen to the two gentlemen talk. One was a Jewish leader and the other a Muslim Sheik. They both live in Jerusalem and are working on the front lines to make peace. The thing I found most interesting was that they said the news in America greatly misrepresents what is really happening over there.
If we watch the news, we are led to think that every day the Holy Land is full of people throwing rocks and homemade bottle bombs at tanks. However, there is also a lot of peace work going on. It would seem that the majority of people living there actually want peace and are not fighting. There are just some extremist groups who stir up much of the trouble.
These two men, one Muslim and one Jewish, told us about how every month many Jews, Muslims, and even Christians are getting together for prayer, dinner, and fellowship. They have a great sense of hope for the future of peace in their homeland.
I couldn't help but think that if those people of different religions, different languages, different cultures, and different appearances could learn to get along, surely we Christians can learn to get along with each other.
Just thought I would pass that along to everyone. I hope you have a good week.
September 1, 2008
September. Wow! Where do the weeks go? Well the previous week went in portion to vacation. I thought I would share some pictures from our mini-vacation. We were not able to find any open places on such short notice. So, we stayed a night at the Hotel Roanoke (I have never stayed there before). In lieu of paying for a room somewhere each night, I promised Lisa we would eat her favorite dinners. We ate crab legs at Red Lobster, steak at Logan's, and tacos at El Rodeo. We also went to Mill Mountain Zoo. For our last day of vacation, we simply hung around the apartment and laid by the pool. It was not the typical vacation, but it was very enjoyable. We really appreciate the church giving us that gift.
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August 25, 2008
It is one of those lazy Monday mornings. Well, there is plenty of work to be done. But, the cool, grey weather puts me in a lazy mood that is hard to snap out of. So, I have been trying to get some paperwork done (with great success, I may add).
I was reading a book for work and it got me to thinking about my life and where I am. I know I have said it before, but I am truly glad to be home. Back in Roanoke. Back at Bethany. It is so strange to be able to drive 15 minutes and be able to see my mom, dad, or brother. At times, I forget they are that close because I have gotten used to being hours away.
Speaking of going places. Lisa and I are going to take advantage of the four extra days of vacation the church gave us and get out of town for Labor Day weekend. So, we'll miss you at church on Sunday. We'll see you next week. Take care.
August 21, 2008
I know it has been several days since I have written anything. This week Lisa needed a computer. So, I gave her mine and I got a new one. It has taken some time to get it set up. Just ask Lisa, I love computers. When I get to go to Best Buy, I am like a little kid in a candy store.
Today was an important day in the life of Bethany Christian Church. This is the day of our first regular, weekly youth meeting (Community Youth Fellowship ... also, known as CYF). The crowd was not huge, but it was good. I got to play Star Wars Legos on the XBOX in the Youth Room. After doing Youth Ministry for so long, I was happy to be able to finally lead a youth meeting after being here for two months. I have a feeling that this will be an important part of our life and growth here at Bethany.
On a personal note, I don't think I am ready for a baby. Well, emotionally I am ready. But, literally, no. I have managed to get the baby furniture together. But, we don't have much anything else. If we were to have the baby tomorrow, we would not be ready at all. I don't know how to put on a diaper, although I do know that Butt Paste has some role in the matter. Every day that we get closer to having Macey here makes me excited. I can't wait to be a dad.
I hope everyone has a good weekend.
August 10, 2008
About five months ago, I found out that one of my college friends was pregnant ... ahead of Lisa by about two months. Today, I got an email saying that she had her baby. It was a month early, but it made me realize that my own youngin' is no far away. Needless to say, we are excited and terrified. Mostly excited.
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The other exciting news is that Bethany and I had our Installation Service today. It really was a nice service. Rev. Lee Parker, our Regional Minister, preached and led the installation. The choir had a great special music and Betty Helton played two of my favorite hymns. The lunch was good and we received a surprising gift: 4 days of vacation and some spending money.
This is the last week of Vacation Bible School. So, we'll be busy wrapping that up. I hope everyone gets their school supplies into the church. See you soon!
August 1, 2008
It is so hard to believe that it is August. That means one thing: it is time to go to camp at Craig Springs. Unlike some people, I am not fanatical about camp. I like Craig Springs and I really enjoy the kids. However, the 10 year old inside of me likes to sleep in my own bed. The introvert in me likes to have a room to myself. All the same, camp usually has some really wonderful moments. Also, it gives me time to get away and think. Life is simpler there: no phones, no faxes, no email, no mail, no anything except a lot of kids.
Things are going well otherwise. We have got the new backboard up for the basketball goal. I am in the process of working on a Youth Room and storage room for Youth Supplies. Also, a mailing to the neighbors in the church community is in the works.
I have to go pack for camp. I learned last time to bring your own snacks. The kitchen is closed and I really got hungry every night the last time. Of all the lessons I have learned at camp, that was one of the most important.
July 24, 2008
Today was the first day of Vacation Bible School. It made me so happy to be able to spend time around kids and youth. Kids really are such a blessing. They make me happy when I'm sad, help me to see the simpler side of life, and remind me to have fun.
I don't usually brag or look for any kudos. However, I have been working hard. I think I have managed to do a lot in five or six weeks. We have updated the computers and copier in the office, put up a new basketball backboard, organized the office filing cabinets, put up a church web site, and began working on a Youth Room. There is more. But, those are the highlights. I can remember some of the jobs I have had in the past. I admit that I was usually miserable at the jobs I had in college and seminary. Time always just dragged by at work. However, time has always flown by during my time in ministry. I think that is because I love my job so much. I like the challenge. However, most importantly, many of those things were only accomplished with a lot of help from others.
Well, the weekend is here for you 9-5'ers. Hope you enjoy it.
July 21, 2008
For the first time in a long time, as I sat down to write, I found myself speechless. I am not sure what to say. So much has been going on and that is the way it looks for a while. I suppose there really are lots of things to reflect on. For example, I leave for New Covenant camp in less that two weeks. I'm looking forward to the kids and no phones or computers.
Last week I was at home and I suddenly realized how thankful I was to have a dining room table. I know that may sound strange. However, while I was in college and seminary I never had my own dining table. I always ate on a common table in a cafeteria. Even when I finished seminary, I only had a bar top table, which I never sat at because I just didn't like it. However, last month Lisa and I finally got a real dining room table (it was used and I had to refinish it, but a table all the same).
I never realized how important such a simple piece of furniture could be to my life. So much happens at a dining room table: dinners, work, tough discussions, good laughs, dessert, homework, a babies first meals, and so on. Getting a dining table seemed to finalize my exodus from "young adult" to "adult." Regardless, I am happy about it.
My new hobby now is feeling Macey kick and jump around in Lisa's belly. It is the most amazing feeling. Although she is trapped inside a dark womb, it really feels like Macey is already here. She plays and kicks. Lisa says she stays awake and moves around when I preach. Whenever I have had a rough day, the kid already cheers me up.
As usual, I had more to say than I figured I would. Hope you have a good week!
July 15, 2008
I was talking to someone yesterday and they asked how things were going. I said, "Fast." Lisa and I have already been here for a month, but it feels like it has flown by. It helps being busy and knowing the I have set some steep goals.
Lisa still has not found a job and has had little encouraging news in that realm. However, I fuss at people all the time for not having enough faith in God to take care of us. So, I've been trying to take a lot of my own advice. I have done surprisingly well.
The other question that I frequently get is, "How do you like your new job?" I love it. It has its days and challenges. But, I love it. I once heard someone say that moving from an Associate Minister position to solo Minister is like finally spreading your wings and flying ... or it's like shedding a skin that is not your own. That rings true with me. It has nothing to do with being in 
control or anything like that. I just feel freer to be the kind of minister I think God has always intended me to be. I am thankful that I was an Associate Minister for a time. I learned a lot. But, I am also thankful to have faithfully moved on to a new role.
In working on my goal of visiting everyone in the church, I have had a lot of fun. People have amazing stories and plenty of jokes. Mary Kay said she was glad that I explained why I wore the black shirt and white collar. She had figured it was just to keep away fleas and ticks. Every church needs a comedian ... that is her. I am glad to be here and to have the time to visit everyone.
July 7, 2008
At long last, my journal is back on track. I confess, I have felt lost without it. Which leads me to think that the journal possibly benefits me more than anyone else.
The hardest part of the transition to Roanoke is over. Everything is unpacked and I know most everyone's name. Unfortunately, I have not located a good place to eat pizza. It is the little things like that which become important when adjusting to change. However, we are making some progress with the pizza situation. Feel free to make suggestions by emailing me.
After a lot of thinking, I have decided to use the same home-made format for my journal. And, I also made the decision to keep my posting from my time at Louisa Christian Church. I'll admit that I had considering not including it and occasionally recycling an old post, but that just seemed to go against the whole point of a journal. Anyway, I decided to keep them available because they are just part of me.
I'll post my original disclaimer from my first posting I ever made: "There are many things that I am good at. Grammar is not one of those things. Usually, my English Major wife will dutifully check whatever I place on the church web site or newsletter. However, I will not bug her for the web journal. There will be mistakes. Sorry. In particular it drives her crazy when I use "..." in my sentences ... if you know what I mean. Hopefully, these errors and idiosyncrasies will just show you my human side."
I look forward to seeing everyone as I try to get around and visit you.