Like, whoah...

This is a picture of the road to The Perfect Blend, a coffee shop we built in the front of New Faith.
I was hoping the shutter speed would be slow enough to capture the feeling of movement.

My blogger buddy, Margaret, mentioned something that got me thinking.

I know... "Great, Ven's thinking again".

So anyway, she mentioned free will in the essence, "where we're allowed to pick...either way is fine with God".

I can really think about that for a long time and probably get different thoughts, but the one I'm thinking right now is that she's right.

Notice she didn't say, "God doesn't care", but rather, "either way is fine".

I think God probably trusts us to make good decisions sometimes. After you've been around in this world a while, you start to catch on about certain things...

• Fire burns (fire bad!!)
• Coffee tastes better with sugar and cream
• Summer in Florida is hot
• Slap somebody, you'll probably go to jail.
• Love someone unconditionally, they'll probably love you back.
• Shut up and listen, you'll probably learn something.

Granted, there's more than this, but you get the gist.

I think we reach a point in some of our decisions that God is okay with whatever path we take because He knows it'll still get us where He wants us.

I don't think this is one of those, "I've figured it all out" things... Instead, it's a, "Good job kid" type of thing.

We still have lots to learn, but God wants to let us know we're at least on the right road from time to time.

I just started thinking about my sons... the year they each decided they didn't need me to walk them to the bus stop anymore.

It was that same year I realized they were right.

If I contort myself just right, I can still see their feet under the tree, but I'm far enough away so that I'm not in the way.

Hmm. I'm going to stop there and think some more.

Easy like Thursday night...

Here's a reflection of me and JaNonda singing at the coffee shop.
I really had a good time Saturday night. Before I knew it, I ran through two 30-minute song sets.

I know it's been a while since I've blogged, but I've decided to only blog when I feel inspired to write. There's nothing like uninspired writing.

So, in conclusion, henceforth and forever more, I shall only write when inspiration strikes. So let it be written... so let it be done.

I felt like Yul Brynner in The Ten Commandments just then. He played a character not unlike myself. I see myself as Pharoah sometimes. All the power in the world, but a slave to his own stupidity and pride.
How often do I falter because I choose to follow my own plans instead of God's plans?

Hint... it's more often than you'd think.

I taught Thursday night's class tonight and my subject matter meandered around our plans vs. God's plans and how we "struggle" with God for control.
(I say, "struggle" because it's honestly an easy contest... God wins. We just fail to see it.)


Group participation time!!!
What "tips and tricks" have you found work when confronted with this whole "my will vs. God's will" thing?

I'd love to know them.

Just sitting around

I really like this picture. It speaks to me of a comfortable solitude.

The only thing it's missing is a killer glassy chest-high wave with a nice right peel.

Just kidding.

I enjoyed a very fulfilling day today. At least I think it was. I got all my work done, had lunch with my buddy Bryan, and took my guitar in to have a pro setup done. I even helped my son finish his project.

It's amazing what you can accomplish when you don't waste your time.

Hmm... Wasting time.

I feel inspiration coming...

How much time do we waste with selfishness?

On my way to work in the morning, I see a homeless lady on the bench. I ask myself what I can do for her. I like the idea of walking over to her and saving her from the hand life has dealt her.

I have to tell you though... I still have this fear. I'm not sure what I'm afraid of, but I'm still afraid. It's the weirdest thing too. At church and church functions, I speak to strangers all the time. Maybe it's because I'm the home team and they're the visitors.

Out in town, it's neutal turf.

And my fears race like wildfire.

Unfortunately, the result of my fear is a lady on a park bench that probably missed another meal.

Selfishness... It sucks.

Lord, help me look past my own selfishness and see the truth.

Don't let people suffer because of my selfishness.

Crystal clear...

Ever feel like this guy?

I don't mean Ali... I mean Sonny Liston. Yeah... the guy on his back looking up at Ali.

What was going through Liston's mind right then? Well, besides the obvious, "Man o' man... He hits hard".

Do you think Sonny was considering giving up? Imagine being on your back and looking up at the right this moment proven greatest boxer of all time. And then realizing he's the one who put you where you are... flat on your back.

I'd love to say I feel like Ali. But I sometimes feel like Sonny. I sometimes feel like giving up.
This isn't a hint for people to come to my rescue. I'm just thinking out loud.

But I do sometimes feel like giving up.

I think, "Why do I bother?"

"Does it all matter?"

"Do I matter?"

But...

Then I find moments that help me realize my efforts are not in vain.

Moments like this morning. Over coffee, eggs over medium, and toast. When I'm sharing my heart with someone who is really hearing me.

Not just waiting for me to stop talking, but truly listening.

It is moments like these that help me realize...

This is why I don't give up.

This is why I bother.

It does matter.

I do matter.

So if you find yourself in a moment like Sonny, try to remember. Yeah, it's hard sometimes, but there's a moment coming that will remind you why you keep trying.

I promise... it's coming.

The emergent Church... Answers

Margaret posted some questions on her blog. Instead of filling up her comments section, I figured I'd try to answer them here.

1. What do you think is the biggest reason (young) people are leaving the church?
I think th ebiggest reason is two-fold. First, I believe that we're not teaching them to have their own faith. Instead, we are trying to give them copies of our faith. A story is good, but an experience can never be taken away. Second, I believe that young people see the stark difference between what culture shows them is real and what the church tells them is real. Then they see the genuine nature of art, music, and people in culture... and choose to ignore the church. Again, our fault.

2. What do you think are the biggest concerns of our generation, secular and religious?
I kind of answered that in #1. Not necessarily just for young people, but for all people.

3. Who do you think are some people our generation holds as "heroes"? Why?
I think our generation doesn't have heroes. I know it sounds sad, but I think it's true.
In the most general sense, true heroes disappeared in the 60s & 70s. People like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., people that gave their lives for what they believed... they are heroes to me.
I believe there are icons that we identify, but none that we, as a group, can say are true heroes. I could say that there are heroes du jour, but their time in the spotlight is as fleeting as our attention span.

4. Why do you think the emergent churches are being successful? Are they diagnosing something that is missing in traditional churches? Are they just hitting a niche market?
As a member of an emergent church, I believe we are offering something that the more traditional churches lack... Transparency and genuine love without agenda.
We as leaders, know they're not perfect, and they know we're not perfect. We all believe we're on this exciting journey.
5. What is the role of the church in social justice?
I see the church's role in social justice is the same as any other human being. We've all been wired to recognize injustice and act. Now, just because you act out against the bad guys doesn't mean you're a good guy. How you act is just as important as whether or not you act. The enemy of my enemy is not always my friend. Revenge is not justice.

6. Should Christians be involved in protests against the government? Should protests be Church sponsored? Yes and no. See above for part 1, but I don't believe the church should sponsor them because that is not the role of the church. The church's job is to love people and be a light that shows them God's love. Not push an agenda.

7. Should Christians be in politics? And if so, should they make their Christianity public?
I think Christians belong in politics... not church leaders. We should all work within our area of gift. Margaret said that passion+calling= innovation. If God has called you, and you have a passion to lead people on a personal level, then lead them. Keep your political views out of their ears, and just show them God's love. Let God do the transforming. However, if God has given you administrative gifts and passion for leading government, then do it. Just don't tell me I should vote for you based solely on the fact that we go to the same church. If your viewpoints on how to lead this country are disagreeable to me, don't expect my vote. I also believe we should all make our Christianity public. It is nothing to be ashamed of. It's something to hold dear that you recognize God's love for not only you, but the world.

8. How should the church respond to "Christian" politicians who are revealed to be inscandals or caught out in lies? The same way we should deal with anyone caught in the same boat. Offer correction and forgiveness. And then help them along by holding them accountable.

So there you have it. My thoughts, but I think they're well-thought.

I think.

Catalyst Trip - final thoughts

We stayed at LaQuinta Inn in Norcross. Apparently, "LaQuinta" is Spanish for, "No Internet Access". We tried getting logged in for two days, but we might as well have been trying to solve all the world's problems with twenty bucks and a free weekend.We never got on the web, therefore, my plans for a running blog were thwarted.

This is us leaving the hotel the first day. Notice that we're all wearing a striped shirt. "Yes waitress, we'll have three orders of orange with an extra side of creepy".




While standing in line to sign in, (man that was a long line) we were told that, if we'd already received our tickets, we didn't have to wait in the line.

Bonus!

Now to find some coffee...
So now we're attending labs, listening the speakers. I can't say we're learning a lot. I think the biggest thing we learned was that we're not missing the mark. Apparently, a lot of churches are doing what we're doing. That's good. If a lot of churches are doing what we're doing, and we're impacting our community, then so are they.

That's good news!

I'd say the true highlight of our trip was that we got to meet our blogger buddy, Margaret Feinberg. As an added bonus, we got to meet her husband, Leif. They were both very kind, genuine, and funny people I've met in a long time. Don't ask me why, but I kind of expected them, as celebrities, to be more bourgeois & artsy. I was happy to discover that they were just a loving couple that liked to goof off and chat.

I could sum up this Catalyst experience in one word... People.
The people I met this year have really given me hope that this world is in good hands. God is raising up people that don't want to be seen, but instead, want to be heard.
They realize that we, as Christians, are the church... we aren't just building a church.

Oh yeah... and I got to take part in the largest pillow fight in history. Pretty funny.

I have more pictures to post, but blogger is pitching a fit and won't let me upload any more pictures in this post. I guess I'm done.
I'm very excited about the next six months. I don't know what's going to happen, but I know it's going to be something grand.

Of course, when God's in the picture, it's got to be good.

What do you see coming in the next six months?

Catalyst Trip - A running blog

This is me getting in the car to pick up Chuck from his house.
I just got a new camera. Something nice and slim to slide into the ol' pocket.

I saw something I've never seen before on the trip there. It was a helicopter towing a ship. I was wondering why the traffic across the Hampton Roads bridge tunnel was so thick... Well, now I know.


Here's a picture of Chuck at the airport in Newport News. He was reading Relevant Magazine. Go figure. He was reading, I was trying to finish up my work.
I managed to get it all done before the plane got there.

We made it to Atlanta pretty quickly. I watched the pilot episode of 'Eureka' on SciFi on my iPod. I liked it a lot. It brought out my inner nerd. I snapped this photo of Chuck waiting on Casey Page.

That's me at the airport waiting on Casey.

Pretty uneventful so far, but the week is young. Normally, putting myself, Casey, and Chuck in a room together is bound to have a comical outcome, so we'll see. We stopped at the Cracker Barrel and had dinner. Our conversation quickly degraded into a boyish banter. Somehow, we ended up talking about hydro-colonics and how much they must hurt.This is us in the hotel. I know... nothing funny yet. We're kinda tired, so we'll be funny later. Maybe tomorrow. Catalyst labs are tomorrow, so we need to get up early enough to get breakfast and hit the Center by 8:30 so we can sign up for our labs.