Anniversary

Five years ago today, Heidi and I got married. They've been the best five years of my life. It's amazing how much has happened in such a short time. I'm grateful to God for the gift He has given me in such an incredible wife.

(Yep, that's the dress she was married in. Good observation.)

Captain Nate

That's Nate dressed up as a Marine at the Halloween party we threw last year. We all had lots of laughs and enjoyed the variety of customes. Ironically, Nate is now in Iraq wearing the same outfit--but not as a custome this time.

I just received an email from him a couple days ago. He's doing well. He's been there for a couple weeks now and has lead four successful convoys. Pray for him and for much needed peace in that place.

U2 News

U2, Green Day are coming to the Superdome...

Essential Peterson

Here's a great article by Eugene Peterson that I came across. If you've been asking yourself, "Why does George like Peterson so much?" here's an example of why. The article basically takes some of Peterson's best stuff, the main themes he writes about and then packs it altogether in one place. Definately a worthwhile read.

(HT: Jordon Cooper, I'm anxious to listen to the Podcast he mentions)

God is everywhere

I've begun digging into Rabbi Kushner's short book, Jewish Spirituality: a brief introduction for Christians. He begins the book by explaining that within Greek thought—which we our life and language are rooted in—there are two distinct worlds: the “spiritual” and the “material.” They are thought of as separate and opposite from each other. However, within Jewish thought there is “only one world that is simultaneously material and spiritual.” Jewish spirituality, according to Kushner, thus “challenges us…to try to find God’s presence in increasingly less obvious and unlikely places.”

I like that. Somehow we’ve bought into the idea that the invisible and “spiritual” is sacred, while what is mundane and tangible is of less value. This leads us into all kinds of trouble. We start saying things like, “Why give the poor food, clothing and shelter? What they need is spiritual help.” The incarnation itself, God taking on flesh, summons us to see flesh and spirit as intertwining realities. Jesus consistently pointed at ordinary things and said, “Look, there’s the kingdom of God right in front of you.”

Household Headlines

“Stella Gets Stitches”
Stella went to the ER early this past week after a spill at home (with help from Lukas). No biggie, just two stitches above her right eyebrow. Now all of our children have been to the emergency room.

“Pre-school for Two”
Lukas and Ava are both doing Pre-school this year. It’s Lukas’ second year and Ava’s first. Soon they’ll be graduating from high school. They’re growing up fast.

“Pear Tree Fruitless”
When we first bought our home I was excited to find out that there was a pear tree in our yard. Each summer I’ve enjoyed pointing out to the kids the tiny pears when they first appear and explaining to them that when the pears get real big we’ll be able to pick them. A few weeks back pears filled the tree and looked just about ripe. The day after Labor Day I thought I would go out and check on them. To my dismay, there wasn’t a pear on the tree—none. Squirrels I guess. Bummer.

“Craig’s List Mania”
Friends have told us about Craig’s List for sometime and we’ve always been intrigued. My lawnmower died a few weeks ago and I was unable to resuscitate it. I went on Craig’s List and picked up a (practically) brand new Craftsman mower for $100. Heidi has the Craig’s List bug and is now combing through our stuff for things to sell. Today she made $70, the beginnings of a small business.

“Moving Up in the Company”
When I first reconnected with my former boss, who’s a builder in Hinsdale, he said he didn’t have much work for me. I used to work as a carpenter for him so I did some small fill in work he needed done. But the next week—to my surprise—he gave me a project to manage, and then a couple weeks ago he gave me an additional job to manage. Now I wear a collared shirt and spend half of my day at the office. At the end of last week my boss said he was going to have a desk set up for me. It’s still not a permanent job, but I’m very thankful for it.

New books

I just received three new books in the mail today from Amazon. I haven't been reading much lately, but I want to get back into it. Hopefully I'll post about some of the content in the weeks to come. The three books are...

Eat This Book: a conversation in the art of spiritual reading, Eugene H. Peterson

This is Peterson's second book in his series on spiritual theology. I've been anxious to read this book ever since I read Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places, the first book in the series. Should be good.

Jewish Spirituality: a brief introduction for Christians, Rabbi Lawrence Kushner

I found this book on Rob Bell's reading list and it grabbed my attention. Christianity has its roots imbedded in Jewish tradtion, but we usually don't take time to think about it--to our detriment. I'm hoping this book will help me see those roots and deepen my faith.

Jayber Crow, Wendell Berry

I was put in touch with Wendell Berry through reading Eugene Peterson; they seem to have a similar outlook and tone, which I appreciate. I've read a bunch of Berry during this past year, mostly essays. This book, however, is a novel. I hardly every read novels, but I'm hoping this book will prove to me that I need to.

"Full time" Ministry

Are there two levels of spirituality? Are people who do "full-time" ministry somehow more spiritual than the rest? NO and NO to both questions, but making the transition from full-time pastor to regular-guy-with-a-job takes some getting used to. I came across this quote from Luther and found much encouragement:

"The works of monks and priests, however holy and ardous they be, do not differ one whit in the sight of God from the works of the rustic laborer in the field or the woman going about her household tasks, but that all works are measured begore God by faith alone...Indeed, the menial housework of a manservant or maidservant is often more acceptable to God than all the fastings and other works of a monk or priest, because the monk or priest lacks faith."

Last week I spoke with a good friend from college and we talked about this whole thing of two levels of spirituality. Can the people who work ordinary jobs still fulfill God's highest purposes? I think they can. Maybe someday we'll get our theology straight and quit using the phrase "full time" minsitry. We're all in full time ministry if we're following Jesus.

Good Morning!

One of these woke us up this morning. The house across the street from us is about to get torn down. We had our bedroom window open; it sounded like this puppy was going to trample us. Besides that, we got a nice blast of diesel fumes to wake up to. Since I'm doing construction, it's a familar noise, but not one you want to wake up to on a Saturday.

Dallas Willard

Here is a recent article in Christianity Today featuring Dallas Willard. Below are a couple excerpts that spoke to me:

"Generally, what I find is that the ordinary people who come to church are basically running their lives on their own, utilizing 'the arm of the flesh'—their natural abilities—to negotiate their way," he says. "They believe there is a God and they need to check in with him. But they don't have any sense that he is an active agent in their lives. As a result, they don't become disciples of Jesus. They consume his merits and the services of the church. … Discipleship is no essential part of Christianity today."

"In The Divine Conspiracy, Willard writes, "God has yet to bless anyone except where they actually are, and if we faithlessly discard situation after situation, moment after moment, as not being 'right,' we will simply have no place to receive his kingdom into our life. For those situations and moments are our life."

Inspiring stories

Here are a couple inspiring stories:

First is the story of a father and son and how they gave life to one another. Here is the Sports Illustrated article. Here is a short video. Powerful stuff. When we give our life away we get more life in return.

Second is the story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, a disabled orphan from Ghana who commanded the attention of his entire country through his vision, courage and athleticism. Heidi and I watched the documentary about him last night: Emmanuel’s Gift. You can watch the preview here. What I find amazing about this story is Emmanuel’s selflessness. His pain and disadvantage act as a platform for compassionately serving others. If you can stand the narration by Oprah, it’s a film worth renting.