Family Gatherings

We are getting ready to load up the CR-V and head north to Raleigh, North Carolina for Thanksgiving. Katie's aunt and uncle live up there (actually in Cary), so we are going to celebrate a day of thanks with them. I counted last night that there will be 16 people in one house. That's right, I said 16!

After my anxiety attack, I told Katie it sounded like there wouldn't be enough room to accommodate all of us. Then comes the information that we will be sleeping on an air mattress for 3 nights. Ugh! This should be FUN!

Why do we do this to ourselves? Why do we decide to pack a house full of people in order to celebrate a holiday? I don't know about you, but celebration to me doesn't involve sleeping on the floor for 3 nights. I like to leave conditions like that for mission trips; not celebration.

Anyways, it's off to Raleigh. Keep me in your prayers.

Breaking The Silence

I have been silent for some time, but I have decided to be more disciplined about my blog. I apologize to anyone who has been waiting to hear some words from me, but I have been really busy (I know it isn't much of an excuse).

I was in Atlanta this past weekend for the National Youth Workers Convention, and again it was a truly wonderful experience. This year I did something new at the convention - the Labyrinth. I had always wanted to do it in the past, but I could never find a time to sign up. I was able to find a time this year, and I am grateful that I did. It was an experience that was moving, challenging, provocative, cleansing, peaceful, difficult, inspiring, revealing, and restful. I hope to use the same model with our youth group some time in the near future. 

That was certainly the highlight of the convention for me. The speakers were great, but one stood out amongst the rest - Shane Clayborne. He got on stage and said that sometimes we focus more on our own story when we should be focused on the greatest story. Then he began to read "the greatest sermon ever preached," which meant he read the whole Sermon on the Mount. Halfway through I thought, "He's just going to read the scripture and that's it." I was right. He finished the reading and prayed that Jesus would give us the courage to live out the greatest sermon ever preached. Truly awesome!

Remembering Today

It was not until I wrote down the date that I realized what day it is. An anniversary of tremendous pain and sorrow. This morning I heard that the eucharist (The Lord's Supper) is a way for us to remember sorrow. It is a ritual that brings us into the time when Christ took on the pain we deserved. Even the pain of September 11th cannot match what Christ took upon himself that day. What September 11th does do is give us a window through which we can experience some of what it was like for Jesus to die the death we deserve.

But this morning I read Mark's account of the resurrection. Jesus defeated death; he overcame the pain and sorrow and lived. It is in the event of the resurrection that we can find hope even as we remember one of the darkest days in American history. We can have the confidence that the pain will not continue and the sorrow will eventually turn to joy.

What is interesting is the reaction of the women in Mark's gospel. After hearing the good news they flee the tomb in terror and amazement. They told no one what they experienced. Terror is a word thrown around a great deal in our culture. The reality is somehow the women overcame that terror. We would not know the story if that fact ceased to exist. We must overcome the terror too. And we must deliver the good news that we don't have to live in a constant state of sorrow or terror, because our hope resides in the One who overcame all of those dark times.

Why I Haven't Blogged Recently

This should give you some idea as to why I haven't posted in a while.

Breaking News: All Online Data Lost After Internet Crash

It's So Hot!

My Lord! 

When you walk outside it is just oppressive! Hopefully everyone is experiencing some sort of air conditioning. To amuse you while you try to survive the heat, here are some "It's so hot..." jokes:

It's so hot ...

• the cows are giving evaporated milk
• when the temperature drops below 95 you feel a bit chilly
• you discover that it really only takes two fingers to drive
• you break a sweat the instant you step outside ... at 6:30 a.m.
• you realize asphalt has a liquid state
• the retirement center is having a wet t-shirt contest
• the Baptists aren't burning any books

Stay cool!

iPhone Follow Up

Some of you may know that when I purchased my iPhone my wife, Katie, jokingly made a proposal. She said that I could get an iPhone if we had another child. I said, "Sure." This was when we thought there was no way we could purchase the phone. However, I came up with a plan that would make sure the phone didn't cost us any money. That is how I really got the phone. On the other hand, this man was not so lucky.

Things I Love About My iPhone

As many of you know, I have an iPhone, and it is completely and totally awesome. I know there are those of you out there who would love nothing more than to see each and every iPhone combust into thin air, but, call me a fanboy if you wish, I think it is the best thing since sliced bread. "Why do you love it so much?" you might ask. Here are the top 10 things I love about my iPhone:

10. It has a nice shiny apple on the back.
9. The size. You have to hold one to understand how thin this thing is. Fits in your front pocket nicely.
8. Web Browsing. No more mobile web for me!
7. WiFi. I love being in a coffee shop surrounded by people with laptops and knowing I can do most of what their doing with my phone.
6. The screen. It is absolutely beautiful.
5. Google Maps. I have used this app more than any other to find directions and to show off.
4. Syncing. Finally a phone that syncs seamlessly with my stuff on the mac.
3. The keyboard. I know some have complained, but I type 3-5 times faster on it than I did on my Treo.
2. The best iPod ever. It just keeps getting better.
1. THIS THING IS COOL!!!! I love pulling it out and having someone say, "Hey! Is that an iPhone?"And I say with big smile, "Yes, it is."

Something To Keep In Mind For All Youth Pastors

Doug Fields is a wonderful writer, speaker, and pastor to youth and other youth pastors across the country. His latest article truly speaks to not only the mindset I should have, but also to my colleague's. Take a look at the pondering of whether we should have more events or more prayers for the upcoming year.

Second Day At My New Call

Yes, I know I should have written something about my first day, but things were just a bit busy. But I am in now, and it has been an awesome reception. Everyone is excited I am here, and I can certainly confess my excitement about being at such a vibrant, spirit-filled church. There is so much to go through right now from records of the past to meetings with the appropriate people. However, my first mission is to get to know these youth. I need to know their names, their parents names, and the names of their pet gecko. (Actually, I am not into lizards that much, so I hope they have dogs instead.) There is certainly a long road ahead, but I am willing to travel it knowing that Christ is walking right beside me.

Moved In

Even though I don't start until Wednesday, I got permission to get my stuff moved into my new office. There are a few things that came to mind as I surveyed the new space I will be in at Sardis Presbyterian Church. First, it is nice to have a couch back in my office. I had one before, but this hasn't been the case lately. I thoroughly enjoy having a place where youth and adults can be comfortable. It is also nice to have a place to read in a space more comfortable than an office chair. Another thing is that my office is in the same area as the other pastoral staff. In the past two years my office has been located away from the rest of the staff, which made me think this is how they all viewed the youth ministry of the church: separate from everything else. Finally, the view from my window is unlike any I have had before. As I look out, I get a nice view of the church cemetary. At first, this might creep people out. But I actually think it is rather cool. Pardon me while I get a little heavy on the theological side, but it is as if the saints of the past are right with me. It is a reminder of those who have come before me who have built this church with everything from their wallets to their presence. It doesn't make me feel weird. In fact, it makes me feel more at peace. That's my office.

Three Days Before I Start My New Call

It is the Sunday before I begin my new call as Associate Pastor for Youth at Sardis Presbyterian Church. I am going through a myriad of emotions. From anxiety to excitement (Are these the same thing?); from anticipation to hesitancy. After spending a week working at the Montreat Youth Conference as a small group leader, I am reminded of the tight community the church has, and how that community allows one to look at everything with hope. I believe that is where I am the most. I am hopeful this call will be one where God can use me to do some amazing things. I know I will have both ups and downs. But at the end of it all, I can rest knowing my hope is in Jesus Christ who has called me to this new church to do God's will.

So here is the list of things I need to get done:

• Pack up all my office stuff to move into my new office.
• Get the Macbook prepared.
• Reread some youth ministry books to refresh my memory on good ways to start a call.
• Pray
• Pray
• Pray

The clock is ticking, and Wednesday will be here before I know it. I am ready! (I hope.)