Sunday, March 30, 2003
"The church capable of 'such little' narratives [the stories of those oppressed and inconsequential to society] will need all the resources it can muster - particularly those resources from the past that give us the confidence to counter the false universality of the market with universality that depends on the fact that Jesus of Nazareth was raised from the dead. The worship of such a God surely requires that the church not forget those who have become expendable, too poor even to be debtors, and therefore from the markets perspective "nonpersons." The worship of such a God means that we must pray and pray fervently for the reconciliation of Catholics and Protestants, as our very division wounds not only ourselves but the world itself."
"Through the faithful worship of a God so known, Christians can not only survive postmodernism but even flourish."
from Stanley Hauerwas book "A Better Hope" p. 45 (The Church in the Time Called America)
my thoughts lately:
hospitality
"the least of these"
the widow, the poor
I went into the district (see previous post) last week. I saw a homeless man sleeping in the corner of the metro station at Friendship Heights. I was a bit startled, then frightened (he was leaning in a corner facing me, bent at the waist, hist arms and head hanging down - his arms almost touching the concrete - and he was snoring). I did nothing...I was running late. I walked by him twice (because I got lost), but did nothing.
**God, give me the strength, discernment, courage, and wisdom but most of all give me the capacity to love the "least of these."**
what 'little narratives' have we missed today?
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"Through the faithful worship of a God so known, Christians can not only survive postmodernism but even flourish."
from Stanley Hauerwas book "A Better Hope" p. 45 (The Church in the Time Called America)
my thoughts lately:
hospitality
"the least of these"
the widow, the poor
I went into the district (see previous post) last week. I saw a homeless man sleeping in the corner of the metro station at Friendship Heights. I was a bit startled, then frightened (he was leaning in a corner facing me, bent at the waist, hist arms and head hanging down - his arms almost touching the concrete - and he was snoring). I did nothing...I was running late. I walked by him twice (because I got lost), but did nothing.
**God, give me the strength, discernment, courage, and wisdom but most of all give me the capacity to love the "least of these."**
what 'little narratives' have we missed today?
(0) comments
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
another day has dawned.
LOST IN DC
Today I took the metro down into the district for Starbucks training. Unfortunately I went to the wrong location. Then I got bad directions to the right location. So I walked about 3 miles (in circles) and finally found the right location...I had passed it three times. Lot's of good information and cheesy videos. My idea of a good time, so it was pleasant. Class ended early so I had planned to check out a second-hand store (great name...Deja New) and a record store, but thought...let's just get home to the family. And so it was.
WHERE TO LIVE
I've been thinking a lot lately about where the best place to live might be (for the planting of simple churches). I'm very uncomfortable in the middle class suburbs. I'd love to find a relatively safe little lower middle class neighborhood (i.e. where the Rains live in Cincy), but thus far I've struck out in looking for such an enclave. If one existed in this area, I honestly think we'd be priced out of it. So we're looking in these somewhat rural areas (nothing is truly rural here) and finding some subsidized housing that we might be able to live in (if commuting and other issues were resolved). But it is all either 1) suburban or 2) rural. Neither of those are really what we're looking for...but perhaps we're not looking for the right thing. City dwellers around here are generally upper middle class people. Lot's of toys and struggles with materialism....battles I don't know if I have the heart to face (not to mention that at my income last year, I don't fit in at all). There are other sections where we could look. Baltimore is one big cheap ghetto. But it's extremely unsafe for our 1 (soon to be 2) kids. Not to mention the atrocious state of their public school system.
Perhaps rural is better. Phil mentioned that often times more rural communities aren't as accepting of new people with new ideas. He's probably right. But then I question if anyone here is truly rural...people who live in Frederick MD (A rural city of 50k...listed on epodunk.com) commute to D.C., Baltimore, even northern Virginia. They are hardly homestead country folk. But who wants to try to forge authentic community with a bunch of people who spend 3 hours commuting 5 (often 6) days a week?
Such is the dialogue in my head. I can't make sense of it honestly. Feel free to post comments and discuss it a bit...I'd love to read your thoughts.
Off to bed I go now (I am SO old...it's barely 10 O'Clock).
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LOST IN DC
Today I took the metro down into the district for Starbucks training. Unfortunately I went to the wrong location. Then I got bad directions to the right location. So I walked about 3 miles (in circles) and finally found the right location...I had passed it three times. Lot's of good information and cheesy videos. My idea of a good time, so it was pleasant. Class ended early so I had planned to check out a second-hand store (great name...Deja New) and a record store, but thought...let's just get home to the family. And so it was.
WHERE TO LIVE
I've been thinking a lot lately about where the best place to live might be (for the planting of simple churches). I'm very uncomfortable in the middle class suburbs. I'd love to find a relatively safe little lower middle class neighborhood (i.e. where the Rains live in Cincy), but thus far I've struck out in looking for such an enclave. If one existed in this area, I honestly think we'd be priced out of it. So we're looking in these somewhat rural areas (nothing is truly rural here) and finding some subsidized housing that we might be able to live in (if commuting and other issues were resolved). But it is all either 1) suburban or 2) rural. Neither of those are really what we're looking for...but perhaps we're not looking for the right thing. City dwellers around here are generally upper middle class people. Lot's of toys and struggles with materialism....battles I don't know if I have the heart to face (not to mention that at my income last year, I don't fit in at all). There are other sections where we could look. Baltimore is one big cheap ghetto. But it's extremely unsafe for our 1 (soon to be 2) kids. Not to mention the atrocious state of their public school system.
Perhaps rural is better. Phil mentioned that often times more rural communities aren't as accepting of new people with new ideas. He's probably right. But then I question if anyone here is truly rural...people who live in Frederick MD (A rural city of 50k...listed on epodunk.com) commute to D.C., Baltimore, even northern Virginia. They are hardly homestead country folk. But who wants to try to forge authentic community with a bunch of people who spend 3 hours commuting 5 (often 6) days a week?
Such is the dialogue in my head. I can't make sense of it honestly. Feel free to post comments and discuss it a bit...I'd love to read your thoughts.
Off to bed I go now (I am SO old...it's barely 10 O'Clock).
(0) comments
Sunday, March 23, 2003
wow - I haven't blogged in a while. some news:
-we have begun a search for CHEAP housing in this area and are pretty discouraged. OUr next step is to look into public programs and the like - we are dirt poor so we might be best off going that route. We aren't picky, but we'd love to land next to a person of peace.
-I got a haircut today. I am more bald than ever. It's frightening. Really.
just when I was preparing myself to get a bit philosophical, I hear the sounds of a waking 2 year old. I'll try again another day.
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-we have begun a search for CHEAP housing in this area and are pretty discouraged. OUr next step is to look into public programs and the like - we are dirt poor so we might be best off going that route. We aren't picky, but we'd love to land next to a person of peace.
-I got a haircut today. I am more bald than ever. It's frightening. Really.
just when I was preparing myself to get a bit philosophical, I hear the sounds of a waking 2 year old. I'll try again another day.
(0) comments
Friday, March 14, 2003
Well, it looks like the solitude will end early. Melissa's Dad's legs are in pretty bad shape (another story entirely) and he really shouldn't make the trip to bring Melissa and Leo back (the joys of our only having 1 car)....so I will go retrieve them on Sunday. In a brilliant showing of selfishness, I was a big jerk when Melissa asked me about this today. It wasn't what I planned after six days on at Starbucks, but it's not a big deal and it's necessary. Ah, it appears I need to grow a little more. :-)
more on our journey another day.
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more on our journey another day.
(0) comments
Thursday, March 13, 2003
This journey is taking us somewhere and I'm excited.
I'll explain. The last two weeks have been so incredibly centering for me. I absolutely needed this time to think, rethink, ponder and whatnot (especially whatnot). Every day our (Melissa's and my) thoughts have turned different places as we consider where our future might take shape. A month ago God told us to wait and we've been waiting impatiently ever since. This next statement I make with only slight reservation (we're willing to go wherever...):
We're committing ourselves to plant simple churches in the Baltimore/Washington area that someday their might be a church within walking distance of every resident in the region.
This makes sense in so many ways...the only job prospects we have are here. The economy stinks, my degree isn't particularly helpful, and we as a family have a horrible habit of eating and using other consumable resources that cost money. In light of this, we're checking out our options here in MD. I am being promoted at my current job and have been told I could be promoted again. I'm working with an acquaintance from the coffee shop to get a second job in the short term which would help to pay our bills. We're currently looking for affordable housing in the Baltimore area...we need to move by August.
Things are happening and in that wonderful God way, I would never have guessed things would happen this way. We really desire to put down roots and build relationships. We long for simplicity and community.
IN OTHER NEWS:
My wife and child are visiting her parents in OH. This gives me time to catch up on household chores (so many light bulbs, so little time) and work on the paperwork for my promotion at work. It also gives me time to be a big lazy slob and eat meals at weird times in rooms that weren't meant for eating in. I also get to blog a bit more (maybe) and lament the fact that I don't have cable (Trading spaces is way better than anything on UPN...I get 2 different UPN stations, just fyi).
I guess that's all for now...give a shout out for UPN.
tim
(0) comments
I'll explain. The last two weeks have been so incredibly centering for me. I absolutely needed this time to think, rethink, ponder and whatnot (especially whatnot). Every day our (Melissa's and my) thoughts have turned different places as we consider where our future might take shape. A month ago God told us to wait and we've been waiting impatiently ever since. This next statement I make with only slight reservation (we're willing to go wherever...):
We're committing ourselves to plant simple churches in the Baltimore/Washington area that someday their might be a church within walking distance of every resident in the region.
This makes sense in so many ways...the only job prospects we have are here. The economy stinks, my degree isn't particularly helpful, and we as a family have a horrible habit of eating and using other consumable resources that cost money. In light of this, we're checking out our options here in MD. I am being promoted at my current job and have been told I could be promoted again. I'm working with an acquaintance from the coffee shop to get a second job in the short term which would help to pay our bills. We're currently looking for affordable housing in the Baltimore area...we need to move by August.
Things are happening and in that wonderful God way, I would never have guessed things would happen this way. We really desire to put down roots and build relationships. We long for simplicity and community.
IN OTHER NEWS:
My wife and child are visiting her parents in OH. This gives me time to catch up on household chores (so many light bulbs, so little time) and work on the paperwork for my promotion at work. It also gives me time to be a big lazy slob and eat meals at weird times in rooms that weren't meant for eating in. I also get to blog a bit more (maybe) and lament the fact that I don't have cable (Trading spaces is way better than anything on UPN...I get 2 different UPN stations, just fyi).
I guess that's all for now...give a shout out for UPN.
tim
(0) comments
Sunday, March 09, 2003
I was tired today. ANd it is a beautiful thing. You see, it was great because I was tired for what I deem "the right reasons." Last week a decision was made to call this internship "over" and decide what is next. That is, Journey's Crossing wants to support us as we seek to fulfill this call to plant simple churches...they asked how and I said "let me take two weeks" and we can take it from there. So we are. Last week I worked about 35 hours at starbucks...and I've felt like I was on vacation. I realize how much I've been gone. Everytime we get ready to leave for anything, Leo exclaims "daddy work?!" ANd I have to explain "no, daddy is not going to work."
So I was tired today - because yesterday I played like crazy with my son and stayed up late with friends. ANd it was a beautiful thing.
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So I was tired today - because yesterday I played like crazy with my son and stayed up late with friends. ANd it was a beautiful thing.
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Sunday, March 02, 2003
Saturday was a good day. Leo had his big "I'm 2" birthday party. He did great and had tons-o-fun. He liked the cake a lot too. Melissa really went all out. She made his cake with a big elmo pan, so his cake was elmo's face. And each kid (there were only 3 there including Leo) had a pinata that she made - cookie monster, big bird, and elmo heads. They had trap doors so no one smashed in their heads (which would just be weird). It was really a good time. I love that little guy so much - he's just pretty amazing.
Phil called me after the party which was a welcome surprise. IT's always great to talk with Phil. He makes me think...something I sometimes barely have time to do. We're both facing tough life decisions and that's always good to wrestle ideas around with someone else.
God has just been speaking to Melissa a lot from the Psalms lately. It's really been a blessing to me. These passages she's sharing with me are so refreshing and reassuring. I'm coming to grips with the fact that God probably doesn't have one specific place for us - not a revelation to many of you. Still, I've always felt that...but Jesus didn't even tell the twelve specifically where to go...he just wanted them to GO...so he SENT them. I know I'm SENT and you better believe I'm going. I just have to figure out where. I welcome other thoughts on that. I'm just thinking out loud there a bit. feel free to berate me in the comments section (did I use that word correctly?)
that's all.
(0) comments
Phil called me after the party which was a welcome surprise. IT's always great to talk with Phil. He makes me think...something I sometimes barely have time to do. We're both facing tough life decisions and that's always good to wrestle ideas around with someone else.
God has just been speaking to Melissa a lot from the Psalms lately. It's really been a blessing to me. These passages she's sharing with me are so refreshing and reassuring. I'm coming to grips with the fact that God probably doesn't have one specific place for us - not a revelation to many of you. Still, I've always felt that...but Jesus didn't even tell the twelve specifically where to go...he just wanted them to GO...so he SENT them. I know I'm SENT and you better believe I'm going. I just have to figure out where. I welcome other thoughts on that. I'm just thinking out loud there a bit. feel free to berate me in the comments section (did I use that word correctly?)
that's all.
(0) comments
