Homeless Birthday Update

The folks at the Naperville Sun wrote up an article of Sunday's event.

It was the kind of event that simultaneously broke my heart and gave me some sort of hope.


Be encouraged, the world isn't a terrible place all the time.

Put Out to Pastor

I've never been much of a ground-level person.

Every time I join up with a group, there's already something going on, something to work from. I find myself to be a great leader when there is an existing framework in place. Part of that is I love to critique and improve.

Now, for the first time, I am the one creating.

Living Hope Church (LHC) is developing a college-age group, and I'm the college pastor.

Oh Lord, save your people.

In truth, I'm very excited. College students are my fave age because they can think critically, but they typically have no idea what they're doing with their lives. And they typically enjoy some sort of direction. I have always enjoyed someone just a little older to listen to whatever was going on and then give some words of wisdom. Or, at the very least, just listen.

I'll write up a little about the vision and ideas and all that once they're more thought out. Not now, though. While I may be a college pastor, I'm also an employee and a student, and both beckon me today.

Finding a Church

Finding a church is ridiculously difficult.

Location, doctrine, style, length, community, ministries… it’s like a Christmas wish list, and whether you’ve been naughty or nice really doesn’t help.

It took me about 5 months of coming to Living Hope Church meetings before I decided it was a community I wanted to become a commited part of. “Statistics say” (um… yeah) that it takes 6-12 months before a person feels a part of a community. That sounds about right.

We all want that love-at-first-sight feeling when we are looking for a new church, but just like the rest of life, it barely happens. And if it does, it’s usually a little while before the honeymoon phase is over and you realize the magic is gone. Then, time for a new church.

If you visit LHC, you’ll probably fall into one of three groups:

1. You’ll realize after one service that it really isn’t for you. (5%) - On to the next church.
2. You’ll fall head-over-heels in love with the people and the church. (5%) - Buy the ring and plan the wedding.
3. You’ll find a couple things you like, maybe some you don’t, and some you aren’t sure about. But it has potential. (90%)

If you find yourself in this last group, as I did, I invite you to come several times. Take the initiative to meet some people and let them know you’re new. Especially in a new congregation, we’re all new, so don’t be surprised if no one realized it’s your first time.

Say hello to some of the musicians (they’re nice), Pastor Sam, myself, and ask some questions. Get to know a bit about where the church hopes to go. See if your desires for Jesus working in the world match with LHC. If they do, come on back a few times. If not, keep seeking where the Lord might be taking you and repeat the process.

Finding a church isn’t easy, but it’s easier when those seeking learn to ask the right questions.

Godspeed, Spider-man.

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This post taken from a forum post of mine at livinghopeforwhatmatters.org

Hallways. The place to not be. And ... Homeless Birthday Party!

I just opened my apartment door to stand in the hallway for a second.

Now, that might look like a normal sentence, but it's not. Who stands in the hallway? A hallway is made to be a way between one place and another. It's kinda creepy to sit in a chair in the hallway, especially if it's outside of someone's door. (Right, Rach?)

But for a moment, I just wanted to do it. I felt so out of place. And I admit, when the elevator opened down the hall I leapt back into my room and shut the door. We are into comfort zones, aren't we?

Segue!

This Sunday afternoon I hope to join a group of young adults who are throwing a birthday party for homeless people in Chicago. This is the brain-child of one Sherilyn from Naperville. The idea is to celebrate all the missed birthdays just to show those who have missed out that they are worth more than they think. There are donations going into this and definitely one-on-one time with people.

Comfort zone? Yeah. This is going to break mine, for sure. Going downtown to hang out with people I don't know is definitely a stretch. But I'm sure it'll be worth it. One step at a time.

Today, the hallway.

Sunday, Chicago.

Addressing Complaints

I've heard the complaints.

Several of you have expressed sadness over my lack of blog activity through the summer. The good news is, I'm listening! The not so good news, I don't have much to say today.

But I'll try.

I'm always a bit confused when people complain about the rain like it's the most inconvenient, depressing thing ever. I, however, love the rain.

Really, think about it. It's kind of a big part of the life cycle. Plants need it. We need it. Granted, it seems a bit excessive today, but we could use it.

Thankfully I closed all my windows today. In my car, at least. My room is a little soggy. But it'll dry. And trees will grow. And it's really not all that bad.

And remember: It could be worse.

It could be snow.

Nutella? Really? And... Free great music!

I was just informed today.

Apparently, there are many folks who are big fans of Nutella.

I had no idea.

I was at JJ Heller's site today picking up her new free digital download album, Painted Red, and I came across her blog, where she mentions a crepe with Nutella.

Following said blog, there were many comments about how wonderful Nutella is.

I've been a fan of Nutella for most of my life. It's chocolatey, hazelnut goodness is hard to beat. The only thing like it on earth is Nocilla, which I ate as a child, and currently have in my cupboard, along with Nutella.

Yeah, I might have a problem.

All that to say, if you haven't tried Nutella, go to your local grocer and buy some.

And if you don't have JJ Heller's new album, you should download that. It's free!

And it's really good.

Like Nutella for your ears.

A Note to the World... or at least parts of it.

Greetings and salutations!

Yes, both are necessary.

First, and apology to Lauren for abandoning her wonderful blog. I haven't had much time to blog since I stopped classes. (Figure that one out...) We still need a phone call!!

Second, I am supposed to call China for Maura to tell them to stop winning so many gold medals. Since I don't have China in my top 5 friends in my cell plan, I'll have to use the old-fashioned way: the internet.



Dear Country of China, Chinese Affiliates, Athletes, etc.,

Over the past several days we have noticed that you excel in athletics. This came as a surprise to many Americans because we usually buy inferior products with your name on them, and therefore assumed that your country was inferior. However, this is obviously not the case.

Your performance in a multitude of sports has greatly surpassed our highest achievers, a feat of which you should be very proud. However, we, America, have a fragile ego. If you keep winning, we might cry, maybe even become bitter.

Therefore, I propose that in order to keep international relations at their peak, you should stop winning so many gold medals. I know we have already threatened to stop purchasing your products, and we probably offend you in more ways than we can imagine, but we implore you to take the gold medal in Courtesy. Stand aside and allow the Americans to win. We've already lost our respect with most of the world. Can't we at least get a hand-out from you?

Sincerely,

Those who are sad about losing a lot

Dessert for the Blind

It's been a little while since I've been on a date.

Tonight, Andy, Jamie, Leesa, Josh and I are going to Ravinia. That's two couples, engaged and married, respectively, and then me.

Awkward?

Could be.

But wait! Andy, being the amazing friend that he is, decided he would bring his friend Sara(h) so we could meet. What a great guy.

We're going to Ravinia, where they have concerts each week. This week it's Punch Brothers and we'll watch them, or at least hear them, from the blessedly humid grass that surrounds the amphitheater.

We'll also be picnicking. I was charged with dessert. What the heck do I make for dessert for a picnic? On top of that, I, being a guy, must impress this girl I've never met with my domestic skills.

I called my sister, hoping she would have some advice. She did, in the form of Summer Berry Shortcakes. I headed out to the store, bought the ingredients, and after 2 hours in the kitchen, the results looked amazing. They are now my Facebook profile shot. I'd put it up on my blog, but the network isn't letting me. But trust me.

It's amazing!

The Last Mimzy

= worst movie ever.

It was on HBO. It was horrible. I don't think I've ever seen a movie with such a bad plot, acting, scripting, and ending, all in one.

Never, ever, ever watch The Last Mimzy.

Regional Hits

It has recently come to my attention that no one up north has ever heard the phrase,

"Punch Buggy *color*, no punch backs!"

Yeah. I grew up giving and getting massive bruises at the sound of that cry. It's what one would yell when he sees an old-school VW Beetle.

If you're from the North, you may be thinking, "You mean a 'slug bug?'"

Maybe it's just because of my upbringing, but I think slug bug sounds lame. Yep, lame. I don't even need to defend it.

Lame.

So, if I punch you, and say, "Punch Buggy blue, no punch backs!" don't be alarmed.

And no punch backs.