Mixed Emotions

We spent the day in full circle of God’s blessing and resurrection power. We celebrated new life, both in a new birth and a dedication of a child to God. We celebrated new ministry and finally a life that was transformed by Jesus and served as an example to all who came to morn our loss as well to celebrate her home going to the one she loved.

Last night we arrived at Tara’s parents and I think this was the first time to really relax and allow myself to really think about losing Sandy’s immediate presence. Only one other time when I was trying to put things together late the night before did I have a chance to really morn. And today I feel like I have a bit of an emotional hangover. (I shall wait for the coffee to kick in.)

We are celebrating the 2^nd birthday of the 2^nd most beautiful woman alive (and of course there is no bias).

Even thought the official date is the 12^th of August, we won’t be together on that date so we decided to do it today.

I’m down to one more Sunday, here in the Creek before I am off and it’s a final push of wrapping things up. I have been asked if I am ready by many people, which is hard to answer. Yes, I’m ready as in excited and no I’m not ready as in prepared. 26 one hour lectures is on the schedule and I still have a few more I have to prepare.

This week I am keeping the same passage Philipians+4:10-23 because we had a break in our schedule. However, we will finish the passage to the end. So same questions for this week. Let me know more about contentment, how do you keep a balance of enjoying God’s blessings verses feeding the machine of wanting more? Last week we had a comment about the Amish and their community development etc. I wonder if we are seeing community developed right here in letter form as the church in Philippi and Paul are in that “limenal” space? Paul will he or won’t he survive? Who will carry on this loving leadership of the church? If limenal space, the in-between, rough and uncharted times creates community, real community, then there is a good chance all of Philippians is part of that development for that church. It’s also puts a bit more perspective on our last week doesn’t it? As we walk through loss and difficulty together it is in these times that we are built up together, deeper, and more unified. Let’s remember to allow this aspect to be part of the journey as we move forward through these events.

Sunday in the deep south

Even though I baked my brain in the sun the last 2 days, yesterday was a great day of celebration. I felt like a southern pastor, all I needed was a hanky and a booming voice. And despite the laughs over my preaching only taking a couple of minutes, in good southern style I should have gone on a couple hours in the hot sun. But anyway all was good and how can you go wrong with Chili? It was nice to see a great picture of “communitas” as everyone didn’t seem to be a hurry to eat and run, but actually took the time to sit and enjoy each other. I don’t know, I think the Amish back in IN have one thing going for them, when they gather it is a full day of worship/fellowship and greater family events. It’s hard to rush in and rush out with a buggy. We can critique their missional approach another day, but I think they got community deown pretty good.
Anyway, this week we are looking at Philippians 4:10-19
That word “content” it’s a tough one. What do you think is the right balance of being content? Richard Fauster writes about the trying to have the ability to truly enjoy something without owning it, as well as buying only what is needed not the “upgraded super size of extras”. Anyway let me know some of your thoughts.

Back to "normal"? life.

I am officially back from my “Rest and Rhythm”. A great week of laughs and running around with our good friends from the states.
We appropriately ended our week with a meat sampler. An accidental tradition we started a few years ago. And as is the custom my friend Andrew again went over board with Rattlesnake. This years menu rattlesnake, Alligator, Yak Ribeye and Salmon (for the ladies not too excited about the exotic meat). Anyway everyone has left and its catch up time from a week away from mail and other busyness. It seems quiet and empty this morning. I think that sometimes this is how we feel after we have been too busy for God in a while and try to get connected again. When we return to “spend time” we enter restless because it’s too quiet, too empty and we struggle because it doesn’t feel like relationship.
I also realize it is 3 weeks until my Africa trip and I am feeling a little anxious because I still need to get things done and we have Bragg Days and some more family time between now and then. I think I will need some good rhythm to make it work without stress. Nothing like going to teach on spiritual formation and disciplines anxious and tired from stress. And they call us hypocrites.
So this week if you are interested we are looking at Philippians 3:17-3:21
I would love to hear some comments on what you think about the passage as I continue forming my thoughts throughout the week. What does it mean to be citizens of heaven? Who is he talking about, the enemies of the cross? Are they waiting to be rescued up to heaven or Jesus rescue them on earth? What example are we to follow? So there is some fuel for thought, see you next week.
Dave.

Rest and Rhythm

I’m on vacation (mostly) I do have a speaking engagement for Friday and Sundays normal message stuff, but as for everything else I am off. So I am in a current relax mode (as relaxed you can be with 6 kids 7 and under) with some company up from the states. Hopefully I will be able to work on my bogs a little more to figure out how to get them to do what I want them to do without becoming a HTML wizard