Getting back from vacation is a painstaking task! There are issues to get caught up on, things to fit into your schedule, visits to make, administration tasks that need tending, ministry to do, etc. While it was easy to post the first few days back (or so it seemed), getting back into a regular routine of writing has proven challenging! I wanted to write more about my vacation (and I am about to) sooner, but life took over!
In addition to my time with CRC and Nate, I need to say thank you to my host for most of my week away...his name is Mike. Mike saw to it that I had everything that I needed for a week away from the rest of the world. In addition to come and go status, a roof over my head, my own room, and some really cool roomies (See earlier posts about Mr. Lizard and Cisco and the bunnies), Mike showed extraordinary hospitality (especially in regards to the meals that he cooked...from fish to crab legs to steak to those thrice baked potatoes!). I am forever in his debt for the wonderful gift of refuge he offered by allowing me to stay in his home.
On the rainy day (big tropical storm Eduard...read some sarcasm here...after all, Eduard was a bit of a joke when it comes to Houston/Galveston storms), I was able to spend the afternoon and evening with Robert, Sydney and Danielle. They have been friends of mine for a very long time and it is always a privilege to get to hang out with them. We also enjoyed a fabulous meal together (the two most prevalent themes from my vacation appear to be eating and walking...see previous posts about walking---ie. downtown Houston, the beach, etc). After much talk, coffee, food, etc. we said our goodbyes and went on our way (I do hope that it isn't too terribly long before they come up or we go down and see them again).
I also want to thank Laura and Frankie for opening their lake house to our family and another (complete with 3 very young children!) for a weekend of relaxing fun on the water (well it was relaxing in some ways!). The food was wonderful here as well (I should probably feel ashamed for how well I ate that week, but I am not there...I am very grateful though) and the games were always fun...even when I couldn't seem to win!
One of the greatest gifts, however, came from the friend that I got to spend the least amount of time with - my friend Tammy.
Tammy and I go back to the spring/summer of 2004 when the church she is still a member of hired me as the director of adult and senior adult ministries. She was (and still is) heavily involved in leadership in the church and we had many interactions during my time on staff there. Those in church work (especially positions or denominations that require regular moves) know how hard it is to maintain friendships when going from one church to another (even in the very best of circumstances). I have a few friends from each church that I have served in the last 10 years, but to maintain all of the relationships is quite impossible. When I left this previous post, it was not because there was anything wrong...quite the contrary...I was receiving my very first appointment to my own churches (yes, that's right; plural-two churches). I had only been in my position at this church for about 9 or 10 months when I was certified and appointed to where I currently serve. I often wonder how many at my previous church really understood what happened (they and I all thought that my tenure there was going to be a little longer, even though everyone was aware that I was in the candidacy for ordination process). I have lost contact with so many folks there...but not Tammy. We email, comment on each other's blogs and talk on the phone in a regularly irregular kind of way (it seems that one is contacting the other at just the right time...always a God thing). So it was a real treat for me to get to actually sit down and talk to her face to face again!
Tammy and I are two peas in a pod. We share some of the same passions and challenges and are really good sounding boards for each other. If I didn't know better, I would bet that we are somehow related...we are that much alike in some aspects. In other areas, however, we are considerably different. I think that is what makes our dialog always meaningful. I always come away with a fresh perspective and a nudge or a push towards continued growth. After all, the scriptures do refer to iron sharpening iron, right!?!
My recent time with Tammy has left me feeling humbled, grateful and intrigued. In a recent post on her blog (you can check it out here) she referred to our time together as a cool cup of water. This is positively humbling and apparently exactly what I needed to hear. You see, the front lines of ministry (lay or clergy) can be a brutal place to exist. There have been days that I have received praise for a sermon, lesson, activity, or initiative. There are other days, however, where I have been referred to as a rabble-rouser, instigator, trouble maker, the spawn of Satan (yes, you read that correctly and yes, this is something that someone actually said), etc. Stresses of church growth (or resistance to that growth), not being able to meet everyone's needs (real or perceived), etc., are all challenges that are faced with great frequency (or so it seems to me). At the most stressful times, the negative can seem to far outweigh the positive (even if that is not really the way it is happening). With the current stresses of church transformation, commissioning, internship, one year old, and the like, I must have been in one of those places where the negative seemed to outweigh the positive. To have someone refer to time spent with me as a cool cup of water is a real gift and a real blessing to the somewhat arid sojourner. I am continually humbled at how God uses people, even (or perhaps most especially) me.
I am grateful for the authenticity, openness, and honesty that Tammy brings to our conversations. She is not distanced because I have that "pastoral" disease (you would be surprised how some people react around pastors). Nor is she shallow or superficial. I get the real Tammy (as real as any of us can be), warts and all. That definitely makes it easier to respond in kind!
I am intrigued at her latest questions (some of which I will respond to in comments to the aforementioned blog). I am also intrigued at where God is leading Tammy and the ladies that she ministers to each week. I have to admit, the group that Tammy works with is one of two groups that was (and continues to be) on my heart during my time there at her church. While I don't get the opportunity to be hands on in that ministry, I do get to live vicariously through Tammy's adventures and that just returns me back to gratitude that I at least had the opportunity for a short while to be on the ground floor of that ministry (back when it just started out as a van ministry!).
I hope it isn't going to be another couple of years before we can sit down face to face again...that would be entirely too long.
To those of you that are working at maintaining long distance friendships, I urge you to continue your pursuits. The blessings of having someone to connect with, having an outside perspective, and genuine community are too great to not take the risk and wrestle with the challenges that are inherent in such friendships (staying in touch, face time, etc).
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Weighing in on the Christian Resurgence Circle
Now that I have described what happened during my time with CRC, I wanted to throw out some additional thoughts.
First, while I think that CRC is definitely on to something (incorporating much of what is good or great about church, faith, accountability, small groups, missions, ministry, etc), I also think that CRC could never serve as a plug and play model for everyone everywhere (nor do I think that a single expression of faith should embody the entire Church). Of course, I think that is true of all formats or models, not just CRC.
Was it worship? Yes, absolutely. Was it corporate worship? Yes and maybe not; the answer really depends on how you are defining corporate worship. If we subscribe to the understanding that where 2 or 3 are gathered in Christ's name there Christ will be, I would have to say unequivocally that this was worship. Based upon the incorporation of communion (I will say more about this in a moment), singing, scripture reading, study, Christian fellowship, etc., I would have to again agree that this is worship. The difficulty comes in how we define corporate. If we use that term to mean any number greater than just ourselves, then the litmus test is met there as well. However, if every church every where were just like CRC (in the general sense of small size) would there be things that are missed by not participating in an even larger body? That is the million dollar question. Of course all churches are not CRC's, but for those that are formatted in similar ways, are they called to just interact in their small groups, or would a quarterly or some other regular gathering of regional CRC's (or other house churches) be beneficial for the building up of the larger "Body"?
I ask this question because I believe that there is at least one member of this CRC who is currently not affiliated with another "church". As I read and ponder the many debates about meaningful church membership (and watch how it is relatively unmeaningful in many settings), I wonder how important that additional affiliation is. Gabe Lyons in one of his more recent works (unChristian) talks about how more and more Christians are looking for more meaningful expressions of faith. Many of which are experimenting with models similar to CRC and leaving traditional church membership behind. Other members of CRC appear to utilize the group as an extension of what they are participating in elsewhere (having memberships or affiliations with at least two different denominations)...or perhaps the other affiliation is an extension of their time with CRC. Either way, my experience here has caused me to think about church and Church membership (so I am sure that more dialog will occur in the future).
Coming from a United Methodist background, and thinking about being held accountable to the three general rules (specifically attending to all the ordinances of God), I am wondering about CRC's practice of communion. As I stated in a previous post, it had a first century feel as it was incorporated into a full meal for the entire fellowship to enjoy. The question that comes up for me (relating to their practice of communion and the third general rule) is about sacramental theology. At no point was communion described as a sacrament (nor were the elements consecrated in a way that Anglicans and Methodists and others might be familiar with), so in praxis it operates more similarly to the Love Feast or Agape Meal than it does communion in the sacramental sense. So in hindsight, I would ask the group their thoughts about the sacraments. What are they? Are they important to the group? How are they practiced? And who can preside over them and why?
The fact that my time with CRC has instigated some questions in the areas of ecclessiology, sacramental theology, etc. is not a bad thing...on the contrary, it is potentially a very healthy engagement and pursuit. I am sure that it will take time to fully settle in and for me to be in a place to ask even better questions.
In the mean time, let me assure you that my time spent with my new found friends at CRC was worth every minute. I think that some of the reasons that there is success (connection to others, connection to God, faith intersecting praxis and life, a deepening or spiritual growth, etc) is because they operate as an Acts 2:42 church. This, of course, is just my opinion; but based on the limited amount of time that I had with them, here is what I experienced:
-a group of like minded individuals in that they were all looking for ways to deepen their faith
-a group that participated with each other in several missional/ministry activities that have dramatic impacts on the communities they serve and eternal implications in the kingdom
-a group of folks that earnestly sought out the teachings of scripture
-a group of folks that come from a variety of orientations and backgrounds for a common purpose
-a group of people that have understood that reason is not our enemy...they prove this in the way that they approach each week by encountering and critically thinking about ancient and modern texts
-a group of people that ate and fellowshipped together
-a group of people that held each other and themselves accountable to their prayers of intention
-a group that values authenticity and honesty over shallow spirituality and shiny surfaces
-a group that has both experienced the margins and recognizes and serves those margins still today
-a group that has encountered the grace of God and is endeavoring to live authentic lives that are bathed in that ongoing grace
Bill Hybels, in a workshop that he and his group hosted almost a decade ago, said that the marks of a biblical community are: knowing and being known, loving and being loved, serving and being served, admonishing and being admonished, shepherding and being shepherded, and celebrating and being celebrated. I believe that there is great scriptural merit...that is to say that this paradigm of a biblical community rings true in my faith and experience. After only three short hours, these were also the things that mark the Christian Resurgence Circle.
To all of you at CRC that read this, thanks again for an incredibly grace filled experience. Thanks for the hospitality and love that you showed to this strange sojourner in your midst. Thanks for the acceptance and authenticity that was present in our conversations and sharing. Thanks for allowing me to participate in your lives. I look forward to another visit with you all in the future!
First, while I think that CRC is definitely on to something (incorporating much of what is good or great about church, faith, accountability, small groups, missions, ministry, etc), I also think that CRC could never serve as a plug and play model for everyone everywhere (nor do I think that a single expression of faith should embody the entire Church). Of course, I think that is true of all formats or models, not just CRC.
Was it worship? Yes, absolutely. Was it corporate worship? Yes and maybe not; the answer really depends on how you are defining corporate worship. If we subscribe to the understanding that where 2 or 3 are gathered in Christ's name there Christ will be, I would have to say unequivocally that this was worship. Based upon the incorporation of communion (I will say more about this in a moment), singing, scripture reading, study, Christian fellowship, etc., I would have to again agree that this is worship. The difficulty comes in how we define corporate. If we use that term to mean any number greater than just ourselves, then the litmus test is met there as well. However, if every church every where were just like CRC (in the general sense of small size) would there be things that are missed by not participating in an even larger body? That is the million dollar question. Of course all churches are not CRC's, but for those that are formatted in similar ways, are they called to just interact in their small groups, or would a quarterly or some other regular gathering of regional CRC's (or other house churches) be beneficial for the building up of the larger "Body"?
I ask this question because I believe that there is at least one member of this CRC who is currently not affiliated with another "church". As I read and ponder the many debates about meaningful church membership (and watch how it is relatively unmeaningful in many settings), I wonder how important that additional affiliation is. Gabe Lyons in one of his more recent works (unChristian) talks about how more and more Christians are looking for more meaningful expressions of faith. Many of which are experimenting with models similar to CRC and leaving traditional church membership behind. Other members of CRC appear to utilize the group as an extension of what they are participating in elsewhere (having memberships or affiliations with at least two different denominations)...or perhaps the other affiliation is an extension of their time with CRC. Either way, my experience here has caused me to think about church and Church membership (so I am sure that more dialog will occur in the future).
Coming from a United Methodist background, and thinking about being held accountable to the three general rules (specifically attending to all the ordinances of God), I am wondering about CRC's practice of communion. As I stated in a previous post, it had a first century feel as it was incorporated into a full meal for the entire fellowship to enjoy. The question that comes up for me (relating to their practice of communion and the third general rule) is about sacramental theology. At no point was communion described as a sacrament (nor were the elements consecrated in a way that Anglicans and Methodists and others might be familiar with), so in praxis it operates more similarly to the Love Feast or Agape Meal than it does communion in the sacramental sense. So in hindsight, I would ask the group their thoughts about the sacraments. What are they? Are they important to the group? How are they practiced? And who can preside over them and why?
The fact that my time with CRC has instigated some questions in the areas of ecclessiology, sacramental theology, etc. is not a bad thing...on the contrary, it is potentially a very healthy engagement and pursuit. I am sure that it will take time to fully settle in and for me to be in a place to ask even better questions.
In the mean time, let me assure you that my time spent with my new found friends at CRC was worth every minute. I think that some of the reasons that there is success (connection to others, connection to God, faith intersecting praxis and life, a deepening or spiritual growth, etc) is because they operate as an Acts 2:42 church. This, of course, is just my opinion; but based on the limited amount of time that I had with them, here is what I experienced:
-a group of like minded individuals in that they were all looking for ways to deepen their faith
-a group that participated with each other in several missional/ministry activities that have dramatic impacts on the communities they serve and eternal implications in the kingdom
-a group of folks that earnestly sought out the teachings of scripture
-a group of folks that come from a variety of orientations and backgrounds for a common purpose
-a group of people that have understood that reason is not our enemy...they prove this in the way that they approach each week by encountering and critically thinking about ancient and modern texts
-a group of people that ate and fellowshipped together
-a group of people that held each other and themselves accountable to their prayers of intention
-a group that values authenticity and honesty over shallow spirituality and shiny surfaces
-a group that has both experienced the margins and recognizes and serves those margins still today
-a group that has encountered the grace of God and is endeavoring to live authentic lives that are bathed in that ongoing grace
Bill Hybels, in a workshop that he and his group hosted almost a decade ago, said that the marks of a biblical community are: knowing and being known, loving and being loved, serving and being served, admonishing and being admonished, shepherding and being shepherded, and celebrating and being celebrated. I believe that there is great scriptural merit...that is to say that this paradigm of a biblical community rings true in my faith and experience. After only three short hours, these were also the things that mark the Christian Resurgence Circle.
To all of you at CRC that read this, thanks again for an incredibly grace filled experience. Thanks for the hospitality and love that you showed to this strange sojourner in your midst. Thanks for the acceptance and authenticity that was present in our conversations and sharing. Thanks for allowing me to participate in your lives. I look forward to another visit with you all in the future!
Christian Resurgence Circle - The Experience
Acts 2:42-47 says: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved."
This is my favorite passage in all of scripture. I think that it is so powerful for me because it seems to portray an image of the "Church" that I think has been lost in many venues over the centuries. Over the last 10 years, I have been blessed by experiencing what I would call Acts 2:42 type churches. These encounters have occurred in many different places throughout the U.S. and have had many different 'formats' or 'models', but they have in some way all rang true to the aforementioned scripture (not always 100% literally, but they hit the mark none-the-less).
My latest encounter with an expression of an Acts 2:42 church occurred on my vacation when I visited a Christian Resurgence Circle with my friend Nate. I asked a number of questions before I arrived...format, what to expect, etc. Nate said to think "house church" and so I did (I am sure that that means different things to different people, but at its core you can get an initial idea--we were going to be meeting in some one's home, it would be a small group of people, etc).
Having no difficulty in finding the home (I know that may surprise some of you who have been keeping up with my recent posts), my challenge in this adventure was actually being able to get in to the gated community (someone finally asked me where I was going and kindly let me in). When I arrived, introductions were made and we visited while we awaited the arrival of another person.
I must say that our host for the evening has a beautiful apartment home, but what impressed me most was the thought that seemed to have gone into the evening. There were lights on, but they were few and/or dimmed in the meeting area (don't think darkness, think very pleasant and calming ambiance), which was the living room of the apartment. I say this because what I see, hear, smell, etc., all have an effect on the worship experience (think about those 2 hour long discipleship classes that you have been to that had overly bright fluorescent lights and metal or wooden chairs that were very uncomfortable---or some similar experience---and how that affected your learning or engagement).
As our final person arrived, the liturgist for the evening (this is hugely important...the responsibilities of host, liturgist, ancient text discussion leader, and modern text discussion leader rotate every week) called us together and began what I will call the 'service' for lack of a better word.
Our 'official' time together began by lighting candles that were on the table in the center of everyone, us standing and singing (without music) the words, "Ubi caritas et amor; ubi caritas deus ibi est" (translation: "Wherever there is love, there God is"). This was followed with an extended period of silence and stillness that served to help in centering us for the evening(this would scare the beJesus out of many people...but what a treat this was!). At the end of our centering time, the liturgist rang a bowl shaped gong that was setting on the coffee table in front of us.
The liturgist then played a song for us to listen to and followed it up by asking a Spirit Go Around question which was: "The song offers a number of similar realizations - What was so _____ in the evening, by the morning ______. Which of them rang most true as a realization from your own life?" The individuals of the group were given the opportunity to respond (or not respond) and although it appeared that the responses were to go around in order to begin with, this quickly changed and different people sitting in the circle responded to different questions throughout the evening at different times.
As our opening discussion was brought to a close (this is perhaps the liturgists second most important job---keeping the group on track) we sang a song entitled "Finish Our Work".
The next component of our time together was to discuss and ancient text (that would be scripture passage). The group has been working its way through the Gospel of Mark and we continued that work on this particular evening. A passage was read (by a different person than the liturgist), expounded upon and offered up to discussion with very a poignant question by the discussion leader. This really allowed an authentic intersection of our lives with the scriptures.
The end of the ancient text discussion was filled with more singing as we sang the song "Harvest Time".
We were now about a third of the way through the evening and it was time for a shared meal and communion. As a guest, I was told not to bring anything, but all of the other members brought food to share. It was an awesome feast! And this ongoing act of hospitality unfolded as if it came right out of the pages of scripture. Just as everyone had sat down and began to eat, the liturgist explained that communion was done by serving one another...that we were to offer the elements of bread and wine (they had this really cool blood orange Italian soda for me---Thanks Nate for remembering my recovery!) as we understood them to the person next to them (I know that some of you are asking if it is really communion if the elements aren't consecrated and the order of worship in the UMH, BOW, or BCP aren't used, but that can be a discussion for another time). Communion occurred in the middle of a full meal, with everyone present (makes me wonder if this wasn't what Paul was referring to in some of his exhortations). It had a real first century feel (like I could actually understand that)...better put, it was much more community oriented (often during communion at other churches, it is easy to feel like you have communed with God, but the connection or communion with one another seems lacking).
After enjoying our meal and communing together we moved into the final third of the evening. It was now time to discuss a modern text. The group had been working slowly (read that as intentionally, not lazily)through a book by John Caputo entitled "What Would Jesus Deconstruct?" I was impressed and intrigued by the little portion of the book that we discussed and have added it to my must get for my own reading and study. After the discussion leader for this portion did some reading and expounding, she too left us with a couple of questions to discuss.
As the liturgist brought the evening to a close, we participated in a Prayer of intentions, where we prayerfully answered the question: "What is the one thing you will do in the next week, that will 'Add some teeth' to your spiritual journey?"
Once everyone had the opportunity to respond we closed the evening by singing a Prayer of St. Theresa which focused on us being the body of Christ in the world. What an incredible way to send us forth focused on Christ and Christian service!
Having only visited once, there may be some details that are slightly off, but this is what is emblazoned in my memory of the evening. I wanted to share the experience before I offered additional insights or thoughts...So, stay tuned, as I will have more to say about CRC in the next post!
This is my favorite passage in all of scripture. I think that it is so powerful for me because it seems to portray an image of the "Church" that I think has been lost in many venues over the centuries. Over the last 10 years, I have been blessed by experiencing what I would call Acts 2:42 type churches. These encounters have occurred in many different places throughout the U.S. and have had many different 'formats' or 'models', but they have in some way all rang true to the aforementioned scripture (not always 100% literally, but they hit the mark none-the-less).
My latest encounter with an expression of an Acts 2:42 church occurred on my vacation when I visited a Christian Resurgence Circle with my friend Nate. I asked a number of questions before I arrived...format, what to expect, etc. Nate said to think "house church" and so I did (I am sure that that means different things to different people, but at its core you can get an initial idea--we were going to be meeting in some one's home, it would be a small group of people, etc).
Having no difficulty in finding the home (I know that may surprise some of you who have been keeping up with my recent posts), my challenge in this adventure was actually being able to get in to the gated community (someone finally asked me where I was going and kindly let me in). When I arrived, introductions were made and we visited while we awaited the arrival of another person.
I must say that our host for the evening has a beautiful apartment home, but what impressed me most was the thought that seemed to have gone into the evening. There were lights on, but they were few and/or dimmed in the meeting area (don't think darkness, think very pleasant and calming ambiance), which was the living room of the apartment. I say this because what I see, hear, smell, etc., all have an effect on the worship experience (think about those 2 hour long discipleship classes that you have been to that had overly bright fluorescent lights and metal or wooden chairs that were very uncomfortable---or some similar experience---and how that affected your learning or engagement).
As our final person arrived, the liturgist for the evening (this is hugely important...the responsibilities of host, liturgist, ancient text discussion leader, and modern text discussion leader rotate every week) called us together and began what I will call the 'service' for lack of a better word.
Our 'official' time together began by lighting candles that were on the table in the center of everyone, us standing and singing (without music) the words, "Ubi caritas et amor; ubi caritas deus ibi est" (translation: "Wherever there is love, there God is"). This was followed with an extended period of silence and stillness that served to help in centering us for the evening(this would scare the beJesus out of many people...but what a treat this was!). At the end of our centering time, the liturgist rang a bowl shaped gong that was setting on the coffee table in front of us.
The liturgist then played a song for us to listen to and followed it up by asking a Spirit Go Around question which was: "The song offers a number of similar realizations - What was so _____ in the evening, by the morning ______. Which of them rang most true as a realization from your own life?" The individuals of the group were given the opportunity to respond (or not respond) and although it appeared that the responses were to go around in order to begin with, this quickly changed and different people sitting in the circle responded to different questions throughout the evening at different times.
As our opening discussion was brought to a close (this is perhaps the liturgists second most important job---keeping the group on track) we sang a song entitled "Finish Our Work".
The next component of our time together was to discuss and ancient text (that would be scripture passage). The group has been working its way through the Gospel of Mark and we continued that work on this particular evening. A passage was read (by a different person than the liturgist), expounded upon and offered up to discussion with very a poignant question by the discussion leader. This really allowed an authentic intersection of our lives with the scriptures.
The end of the ancient text discussion was filled with more singing as we sang the song "Harvest Time".
We were now about a third of the way through the evening and it was time for a shared meal and communion. As a guest, I was told not to bring anything, but all of the other members brought food to share. It was an awesome feast! And this ongoing act of hospitality unfolded as if it came right out of the pages of scripture. Just as everyone had sat down and began to eat, the liturgist explained that communion was done by serving one another...that we were to offer the elements of bread and wine (they had this really cool blood orange Italian soda for me---Thanks Nate for remembering my recovery!) as we understood them to the person next to them (I know that some of you are asking if it is really communion if the elements aren't consecrated and the order of worship in the UMH, BOW, or BCP aren't used, but that can be a discussion for another time). Communion occurred in the middle of a full meal, with everyone present (makes me wonder if this wasn't what Paul was referring to in some of his exhortations). It had a real first century feel (like I could actually understand that)...better put, it was much more community oriented (often during communion at other churches, it is easy to feel like you have communed with God, but the connection or communion with one another seems lacking).
After enjoying our meal and communing together we moved into the final third of the evening. It was now time to discuss a modern text. The group had been working slowly (read that as intentionally, not lazily)through a book by John Caputo entitled "What Would Jesus Deconstruct?" I was impressed and intrigued by the little portion of the book that we discussed and have added it to my must get for my own reading and study. After the discussion leader for this portion did some reading and expounding, she too left us with a couple of questions to discuss.
As the liturgist brought the evening to a close, we participated in a Prayer of intentions, where we prayerfully answered the question: "What is the one thing you will do in the next week, that will 'Add some teeth' to your spiritual journey?"
Once everyone had the opportunity to respond we closed the evening by singing a Prayer of St. Theresa which focused on us being the body of Christ in the world. What an incredible way to send us forth focused on Christ and Christian service!
Having only visited once, there may be some details that are slightly off, but this is what is emblazoned in my memory of the evening. I wanted to share the experience before I offered additional insights or thoughts...So, stay tuned, as I will have more to say about CRC in the next post!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Vacation Worship and Christian Resurgence Circle
There are some pastors and church staff members that I know, that when they go on vacation, they don't want to be anywhere near a church. There are others, myself included, that look forward to opportunities to be among the worshiping body without the responsibility of preaching, teaching or leading in any way...an opportunity to just go, be, and receive.
My original plan (I know, I know...I plan, God laughs!) was to visit CRC (Christian Resurgence Circle---my friend Nate would say, "think house church") and a couple of other different worship venues throughout the course of the week. I would get the opportunity to participate in corporate worship without the responsibilities of preaching, teaching or leading and that would be a great thing. So what happened to my plan? Simply put, I found no better place to be last week than at CRC. I found that after my time with these wonderful folks, I didn't hunger to go anywhere else.
Now perhaps this was because I was getting reconnected in nature and through talking and hanging out with friends...or perhaps it was because I just needed some down time and the time I spent alone was as filling as the time I spent with people...or perhaps it is simply because God showed up in the first place I chose to worship! I think it was a little bit of all of it.
My going to CRC was multifaceted; that is to say, the facts regarding my wanting to worship corporately without leading are true, but they are not the only reasons. I have a genuine fascination with varying expressions of faith and "the Church". I wanted to go as much as a student as I did as a worshiper and learn what was happening in this place. I knew that and I think Nate knew that too.
I don't have enough time to go into all of the things I want to cover involving CRC (I have to leave in a minute to go to my medical first responders certification class...VFD stuff) right now, but will be posting more about this group either later this evening or tomorrow. There is much to learn and much to share from my time there. I simply want to leave you with this note of heads up and to say that I am grateful for the grace, hospitality, and authenticity that you all (CRC) extended to me while I was there in your midst...it was a real blessing to me and my faith journey!
My original plan (I know, I know...I plan, God laughs!) was to visit CRC (Christian Resurgence Circle---my friend Nate would say, "think house church") and a couple of other different worship venues throughout the course of the week. I would get the opportunity to participate in corporate worship without the responsibilities of preaching, teaching or leading and that would be a great thing. So what happened to my plan? Simply put, I found no better place to be last week than at CRC. I found that after my time with these wonderful folks, I didn't hunger to go anywhere else.
Now perhaps this was because I was getting reconnected in nature and through talking and hanging out with friends...or perhaps it was because I just needed some down time and the time I spent alone was as filling as the time I spent with people...or perhaps it is simply because God showed up in the first place I chose to worship! I think it was a little bit of all of it.
My going to CRC was multifaceted; that is to say, the facts regarding my wanting to worship corporately without leading are true, but they are not the only reasons. I have a genuine fascination with varying expressions of faith and "the Church". I wanted to go as much as a student as I did as a worshiper and learn what was happening in this place. I knew that and I think Nate knew that too.
I don't have enough time to go into all of the things I want to cover involving CRC (I have to leave in a minute to go to my medical first responders certification class...VFD stuff) right now, but will be posting more about this group either later this evening or tomorrow. There is much to learn and much to share from my time there. I simply want to leave you with this note of heads up and to say that I am grateful for the grace, hospitality, and authenticity that you all (CRC) extended to me while I was there in your midst...it was a real blessing to me and my faith journey!
Breakfast with Nate
One of the things that I loved about my vacation is the time that I got to spend with a few friends of mine that I don't get to see very often. My habit, when I return to Houston, is often to try and see everyone that I know and that can make for a very hectic schedule; one that is impossible to fulfill. So instead of setting myself up to be run ragged and feel like a failure because I didn't get to see everyone, I intentionally kept my schedule down to just meeting with a handful of folks...folks that it had been an especially long time since I had been able to sit down and talk with in person. One of these friends was Nate.
Now many of you have only encountered Nate through my blog postings...you have seen me go on some theological rant or rave that ended in a question or two...only to be followed by often pointed and almost always sarcastic responses from Nate (yes, the comment about baby bashing in worship as a comparison to patriotic displays in worship around the 4th of July was both pointed and sarcastic).
I had to laugh at Nate's latest comment (and of course call him and harass him a bit on the phone) which you can read at the end of my posting entitled "A Day at the Beach". If you want to know about authentic friendship and having someone in your life that will tell it to you the way they see it...that is the kind of relationship that Nate and I have. We don't always agree, but we have a good time processing the disagreements!
It is a sure sign of aging (again, mine, not Nate's) when you can't even remember when and where you met. Nate reminded me that we had taken a class at U of H together, so our encounters at retreats and the like were much later encounters. This was just one more reminder of how fast time moves, but also, how intentionality can sustain friendships over great time and distances.
When Nate and I attempted to meet for breakfast, I had gone too far the wrong direction for the first restaurant we were supposed to meet at when my phone rang with Nate on the other end of the line (I still say the map they had posted on the web was wrong---but more likely, it was operator error on my part!). Apparently the original place we were going didn't open until 11 and we were trying to meet at 10, so he picked another place. I promptly turned around thinking that I remembered the general location of Cafe Brazil (I think that was the name of the place, but Nate will comment and correct me if I am wrong...I hope) , but proceeded to drive right past it. I called Nate and he graciously stood on the corner of the overgrown intersection to flag me down and get me where I was supposed to be. So after a comedy of errors (on my part, of course) we were able to sit down to a wonderful omelet and some even more wonderful coffee and have a conversation.
One of the things I love most is being able to probe and ask questions. And Nate was more than a good sport about all of my inquisitions into the CRC gathering I had participated in a couple of nights earlier and into all of the other work that he was involved with (both vocationally and as an avocation).
We talked about the Bering Academy, Hawthorne, CRC, theology and missions in general, and more. I know that he doesn't labor at Hawthorne alone (a program to feed and build community with street kids), but I am still amazed at the vision that he has for that place and for meeting the needs of this community. It was the little touches like serving this community on real plates and using real silverware that mesmerized me. As was alluded to in our conversation, anyone can slap some hot dogs or a lasagna onto paper plates and place it in front of kids that live on the streets and point them towards the trash can when they are done...but it is a genuine sign of hospitality and sacrificial service to serve the food family style (in real dishes, with real serving spoons, etc) onto real plates, with drinks in real glasses and then be willing to do the dishes week in and week out. Not to mention that it is not just a fast food mentality in the meals that are prepared, but rather a full meal (bread, veggies, main dish, etc).
While some would say that everything costs something, this meal is a genuine act of grace. The kids aren't preached to, taught, or otherwise manipulated while being captives of such a generous meal. Rather, conversations are started and allowed to go where they will. The adage most often attributed to St. Francis about preaching or sharing the gospel and only sometimes using words comes to mind here. It appears that the actions of this group of faithful disciples speak louder than any words that they could offer to these kids.
As is customary regarding time spent with Nate, our breakfast ran over into the lunch hour...time really does fly when you're having fun! We finished our coffee, hugged, and said our goodbyes.
There is something in each of us, I believe, that thirsts for connection, community, dialog, understanding, and grace. Very often it is God that we most need; but even more often, it is God's agents that we first encounter. At least for me, it is only after the encounter that we recognize God's presence within or through God's agents. I needed someone to commune with, I needed someone to think outside of the box with, I needed someone to stretch me; and I am grateful that Nate was available and willing.
While I am sure that there are many encounters during my week away from the sometimes grind of ministry that nurtured me, I am especially grateful for my time with Nate.
Now many of you have only encountered Nate through my blog postings...you have seen me go on some theological rant or rave that ended in a question or two...only to be followed by often pointed and almost always sarcastic responses from Nate (yes, the comment about baby bashing in worship as a comparison to patriotic displays in worship around the 4th of July was both pointed and sarcastic).
I had to laugh at Nate's latest comment (and of course call him and harass him a bit on the phone) which you can read at the end of my posting entitled "A Day at the Beach". If you want to know about authentic friendship and having someone in your life that will tell it to you the way they see it...that is the kind of relationship that Nate and I have. We don't always agree, but we have a good time processing the disagreements!
It is a sure sign of aging (again, mine, not Nate's) when you can't even remember when and where you met. Nate reminded me that we had taken a class at U of H together, so our encounters at retreats and the like were much later encounters. This was just one more reminder of how fast time moves, but also, how intentionality can sustain friendships over great time and distances.
When Nate and I attempted to meet for breakfast, I had gone too far the wrong direction for the first restaurant we were supposed to meet at when my phone rang with Nate on the other end of the line (I still say the map they had posted on the web was wrong---but more likely, it was operator error on my part!). Apparently the original place we were going didn't open until 11 and we were trying to meet at 10, so he picked another place. I promptly turned around thinking that I remembered the general location of Cafe Brazil (I think that was the name of the place, but Nate will comment and correct me if I am wrong...I hope) , but proceeded to drive right past it. I called Nate and he graciously stood on the corner of the overgrown intersection to flag me down and get me where I was supposed to be. So after a comedy of errors (on my part, of course) we were able to sit down to a wonderful omelet and some even more wonderful coffee and have a conversation.
One of the things I love most is being able to probe and ask questions. And Nate was more than a good sport about all of my inquisitions into the CRC gathering I had participated in a couple of nights earlier and into all of the other work that he was involved with (both vocationally and as an avocation).
We talked about the Bering Academy, Hawthorne, CRC, theology and missions in general, and more. I know that he doesn't labor at Hawthorne alone (a program to feed and build community with street kids), but I am still amazed at the vision that he has for that place and for meeting the needs of this community. It was the little touches like serving this community on real plates and using real silverware that mesmerized me. As was alluded to in our conversation, anyone can slap some hot dogs or a lasagna onto paper plates and place it in front of kids that live on the streets and point them towards the trash can when they are done...but it is a genuine sign of hospitality and sacrificial service to serve the food family style (in real dishes, with real serving spoons, etc) onto real plates, with drinks in real glasses and then be willing to do the dishes week in and week out. Not to mention that it is not just a fast food mentality in the meals that are prepared, but rather a full meal (bread, veggies, main dish, etc).
While some would say that everything costs something, this meal is a genuine act of grace. The kids aren't preached to, taught, or otherwise manipulated while being captives of such a generous meal. Rather, conversations are started and allowed to go where they will. The adage most often attributed to St. Francis about preaching or sharing the gospel and only sometimes using words comes to mind here. It appears that the actions of this group of faithful disciples speak louder than any words that they could offer to these kids.
As is customary regarding time spent with Nate, our breakfast ran over into the lunch hour...time really does fly when you're having fun! We finished our coffee, hugged, and said our goodbyes.
There is something in each of us, I believe, that thirsts for connection, community, dialog, understanding, and grace. Very often it is God that we most need; but even more often, it is God's agents that we first encounter. At least for me, it is only after the encounter that we recognize God's presence within or through God's agents. I needed someone to commune with, I needed someone to think outside of the box with, I needed someone to stretch me; and I am grateful that Nate was available and willing.
While I am sure that there are many encounters during my week away from the sometimes grind of ministry that nurtured me, I am especially grateful for my time with Nate.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Getting back into the groove
It has been a little while since I have done some real active posting. The biggest reason for this is that I spent the last week on vacation, and although I was still in civilization, I had difficulties connecting to the internet from time to time (especially during the times when I was moved to write).
I have much that I want to share with you about my little vacation...fun photos and videos, some thoughts and experiences while meeting with friends, etc...but I will have to do some catch up posting to accomplish this.
As I returned to the work force today, I hit the ground running with multiple meetings and tasks to accomplish. Tomorrow isn't much better time wise (my meetings require me to travel from Edom to Canton, from Canton to Longview and from Longview back to Edom)...needless to say, my time tomorrow is cramped (actually that would be later today!).
I will do some extra postings in the next week or two to catch up (I wrote some of the blogs to be posted in another program and will upload them from there). I want to tell you more about my dinners with Mike and the H's, my breakfast with Tammy, my worship experience with CRC and more...so I will get busy as I get back into the groove of life and regular writing.
So stay tuned!
I have much that I want to share with you about my little vacation...fun photos and videos, some thoughts and experiences while meeting with friends, etc...but I will have to do some catch up posting to accomplish this.
As I returned to the work force today, I hit the ground running with multiple meetings and tasks to accomplish. Tomorrow isn't much better time wise (my meetings require me to travel from Edom to Canton, from Canton to Longview and from Longview back to Edom)...needless to say, my time tomorrow is cramped (actually that would be later today!).
I will do some extra postings in the next week or two to catch up (I wrote some of the blogs to be posted in another program and will upload them from there). I want to tell you more about my dinners with Mike and the H's, my breakfast with Tammy, my worship experience with CRC and more...so I will get busy as I get back into the groove of life and regular writing.
So stay tuned!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Sunset at the Lake
I love to watch the setting sun. I am amazed at how God began creation with a light show and how each day begins and ends with such spectacular beauty. But for me, sunsets are more frequently the more beautiful of the two.
My wife will attest to the fact that I am a nut when it comes to a sunset when I have a camera (to give you an example, on our cruise a year or so ago that included Aruba, I took over 200 pictures of a single sunset...made for a fabulous slide show, but was a little over the top to say the least!).
This go round, I was a little less exuberant, but still managed to take a couple of pics the first evening (the first two of the slide show below) and then only 49 of the next evening (some of which were taken really closely together time wise, but with different settings for different effects).
Here are the sunset shots from the weekend at the lake:
I just really better appreciate God's creativity and the beauty within creation when watching the sun set. My question is this: which do you prefer, the setting or rising sun? Why?
My wife will attest to the fact that I am a nut when it comes to a sunset when I have a camera (to give you an example, on our cruise a year or so ago that included Aruba, I took over 200 pictures of a single sunset...made for a fabulous slide show, but was a little over the top to say the least!).
This go round, I was a little less exuberant, but still managed to take a couple of pics the first evening (the first two of the slide show below) and then only 49 of the next evening (some of which were taken really closely together time wise, but with different settings for different effects).
Here are the sunset shots from the weekend at the lake:
I just really better appreciate God's creativity and the beauty within creation when watching the sun set. My question is this: which do you prefer, the setting or rising sun? Why?
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
A Day at the Beach
Sometimes it seems as though a vacation just isn't a vacation (especially in the summer)without spending some time around the water. During this round of time off, I was able to spend time at both the beach and the lake.
After a not so serious tropical storm, I had breakfast with my good friend Nate (more about this later) and then decided that I would go ahead and head to the beach for the rest of the day.
As I headed south on I-45, I began to get into darker and darker cloud cover and began to get nervous about the sensibility of my beach adventure. It did end up getting almost as dark as dusk, but the severity and duration of the storms that I encountered were minimal (I think Houston got pounded much harder than the island did).
At the time of my arrival on the beach, it rained for about 5 minutes and then it cleared up for the remainder of the day.
Many have asked about how the beach was (the color of the water, the amount of seaweed,etc.) and as far as Galveston goes, it was quite nice...not the crystal clear blue of say Grand Cayman, but nice none the less. The seaweed was minimal and the breeze made the post storm heat very bearable.
The things you come across at the beach are always amazing. People sometimes pondering things that you can't figure out (like the older couple perusing the rocks for overlooked treasures in the pictures below), people with all kinds of tattoos (including some with swastikas), and so on. Sometimes the things you walk across or near are equally interesting. As seen in the photos, there was only one jelly fish that was washed up, there were rose petals left from someone's romantic photo op, there was glass and cigarette butts mixed in with the washed up shells from the ocean, and so on.
Perhaps the most interesting things (as you can also see in the picture) were the rocks that were on my part of the beach and the places where the water had cut interesting patterns in the sand.
My afternoon at the beach consisted of walking up and down the same 1 mile stretch of beach numerous times. It was as if the pattern of my walking slowed to match the ebb and flow of the ocean waves. It was an afternoon of reconnecting to nature in a way that I don't often get the opportunity to do. The occasional swim brought me into close proximity to a variety of fish (maybe I should have taken a pole!). My walk allowed me to greet a wide variety of people (but it was great, because the beach was absolutely not crowded at all). My breaks from walking became tranquil respites of wave and bird watching that turned into great experiences of centering for me.
As dusk began to settle, I returned to my truck and went to dinner at Casey's where I had shrimp gumbo, fish tacos, and fried mushrooms, then off to my home away from home.
I leave you with pictures from the day and this question...where are you able to find centering experiences?
Just a quick note, the guy at the end of the slide show said take my picture...I asked what they (there were several other guys helping to dig and fill this hole with full size shovels) were doing making a pool with the ocean so close and they said that they were burying this guy...I just had to include the pics!
After a not so serious tropical storm, I had breakfast with my good friend Nate (more about this later) and then decided that I would go ahead and head to the beach for the rest of the day.
As I headed south on I-45, I began to get into darker and darker cloud cover and began to get nervous about the sensibility of my beach adventure. It did end up getting almost as dark as dusk, but the severity and duration of the storms that I encountered were minimal (I think Houston got pounded much harder than the island did).
At the time of my arrival on the beach, it rained for about 5 minutes and then it cleared up for the remainder of the day.
Many have asked about how the beach was (the color of the water, the amount of seaweed,etc.) and as far as Galveston goes, it was quite nice...not the crystal clear blue of say Grand Cayman, but nice none the less. The seaweed was minimal and the breeze made the post storm heat very bearable.
The things you come across at the beach are always amazing. People sometimes pondering things that you can't figure out (like the older couple perusing the rocks for overlooked treasures in the pictures below), people with all kinds of tattoos (including some with swastikas), and so on. Sometimes the things you walk across or near are equally interesting. As seen in the photos, there was only one jelly fish that was washed up, there were rose petals left from someone's romantic photo op, there was glass and cigarette butts mixed in with the washed up shells from the ocean, and so on.
Perhaps the most interesting things (as you can also see in the picture) were the rocks that were on my part of the beach and the places where the water had cut interesting patterns in the sand.
My afternoon at the beach consisted of walking up and down the same 1 mile stretch of beach numerous times. It was as if the pattern of my walking slowed to match the ebb and flow of the ocean waves. It was an afternoon of reconnecting to nature in a way that I don't often get the opportunity to do. The occasional swim brought me into close proximity to a variety of fish (maybe I should have taken a pole!). My walk allowed me to greet a wide variety of people (but it was great, because the beach was absolutely not crowded at all). My breaks from walking became tranquil respites of wave and bird watching that turned into great experiences of centering for me.
As dusk began to settle, I returned to my truck and went to dinner at Casey's where I had shrimp gumbo, fish tacos, and fried mushrooms, then off to my home away from home.
I leave you with pictures from the day and this question...where are you able to find centering experiences?
Just a quick note, the guy at the end of the slide show said take my picture...I asked what they (there were several other guys helping to dig and fill this hole with full size shovels) were doing making a pool with the ocean so close and they said that they were burying this guy...I just had to include the pics!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Vacation Day 1
While I am here in Houston awaiting the time to head back north to meet my wife and daughter at the lake, I am enjoying Mike's hospitality. This morning I was able to get up a little later than normal, stay in my jammies, drink two full cups of coffee, and enjoy a little bit of nature...all without leaving the house---and no I am not still in Edom :o)
While here, it is me, Mike and an assortment of creatures that are serving as my roomies for the week. Here are some of my new friends:
After lounging around the house for a while, I headed out to downtown to take a look around and see what was new...I will post more (including pics) later this evening after dinner (we are having steak...yummy!!!).
While here, it is me, Mike and an assortment of creatures that are serving as my roomies for the week. Here are some of my new friends:
After lounging around the house for a while, I headed out to downtown to take a look around and see what was new...I will post more (including pics) later this evening after dinner (we are having steak...yummy!!!).
Monday Afternoon - Still The First Day
I was really disappointed this afternoon. After traipsing around downtown for a number of hours today, I decided that I would stop by a little art gallery on the way back to the house. It was about 3:30 in the afternoon and I was looking forward to visiting an installation that my friend Kathy had on display. As I arrived I encountered a locked door. Being completely stubborn, I opted to enter into an adjoining office and inquire about viewing the artwork. The folks in the office contacted a lady that offices somewhere else in the building and she greeted me and told me that the gallery was closed early in preparation for “Eduard” ($%*$%&!). Apparently, the gallery was concerned that the storm might cause damage to nearby trees and come through the windows of the gallery. As a precaution, things (where possible) were moved away from the windows in anticipation of a bad storm.
After a couple of minutes of begging and pleading, the nice lady let me in for a quick peek at the installations (after all, I had come almost 200 miles and wanted to see the exhibit before it closed on Friday). She explained to me that they would be back open the day after the storm and that at that time all of the lights and effects would be turned back on (apparently one of the installations has words that comes out of it…I am sorry I missed that).
The larger of the two pieces was quite impressive (and massive). I only wished I would have had longer to be in its presence and ponder it.
Although the storm turned out to be a great big dud (especially for Houston---minus some much needed rain of course), I am still grateful for having had the opportunity to experience one of my friends pieces in person. I am looking forward to the next showing that I might be able to get back too.
If you would like to check out her work, you can view some of it on her blog here:
http://kathrynkelley.blogspot.com/2008/08/gnawing-hunger.html
After a couple of minutes of begging and pleading, the nice lady let me in for a quick peek at the installations (after all, I had come almost 200 miles and wanted to see the exhibit before it closed on Friday). She explained to me that they would be back open the day after the storm and that at that time all of the lights and effects would be turned back on (apparently one of the installations has words that comes out of it…I am sorry I missed that).
The larger of the two pieces was quite impressive (and massive). I only wished I would have had longer to be in its presence and ponder it.
Although the storm turned out to be a great big dud (especially for Houston---minus some much needed rain of course), I am still grateful for having had the opportunity to experience one of my friends pieces in person. I am looking forward to the next showing that I might be able to get back too.
If you would like to check out her work, you can view some of it on her blog here:
http://kathrynkelley.blogspot.com/2008/08/gnawing-hunger.html
Monday, August 4th - First Full Day of Vacation
Today I decided would be a good day to go downtown and wander around (it is something that I do in most cities that I visit---so I figured, even since I lived here most of my life, I would still go check it out).
Here are some of the pictures that I took (because you know if I have a camera, I am going to go nuts with it!):
It was not the downtown that I remembered from earlier years. The wing of the hospital that I was born in has long been gone (the old St. Joseph’s Hospital building), but it seemed that this trip left little that was familiar.
Take Main Street, for example. Much of what I remember about this area of downtown is different now. Instead of countless displays of propaganda, panhandling, and general homelessness and dirt, I encountered a newly installed train rail system. Several of the stops had fancy water features that would spurt and squirt and varying times. Around these train stop installations were a variety of plants and landscaping installations that dramatically changed the look of the area.
Gone were many of the businesses of old…replaced by restaurants, bistros, clubs and high-rises. Construction abounds in the downtown and midtown area. Many of the shacks that used to exist on the fringes of where these two areas collide have been demolished and building of multi-story condominiums has taken over.
As different as it appeared in many places, there was still some residual familiarity. The Federal Building was still where I remember it. The theater district, although different, had familiar components.
I say all this because this experience gives way to the question of what’s changed more—the city I used to call home or the individual that used to live here? While I am still processing much of what I experienced here (and I am sure I will write more about it later!), I am only sure of one thing…Houston is no longer home. That may seem like an odd realization since I have been gone for over 3 years now, but perhaps this is the first time that it has really sank in…or perhaps something has changed in me that questions whether or not I would want to come back (if given the opportunity).
Where do you call home? Have you ever returned to visit your “home town” and felt different about it than when you lived there (more disconnected, etc)?
Here are some of the pictures that I took (because you know if I have a camera, I am going to go nuts with it!):
It was not the downtown that I remembered from earlier years. The wing of the hospital that I was born in has long been gone (the old St. Joseph’s Hospital building), but it seemed that this trip left little that was familiar.
Take Main Street, for example. Much of what I remember about this area of downtown is different now. Instead of countless displays of propaganda, panhandling, and general homelessness and dirt, I encountered a newly installed train rail system. Several of the stops had fancy water features that would spurt and squirt and varying times. Around these train stop installations were a variety of plants and landscaping installations that dramatically changed the look of the area.
Gone were many of the businesses of old…replaced by restaurants, bistros, clubs and high-rises. Construction abounds in the downtown and midtown area. Many of the shacks that used to exist on the fringes of where these two areas collide have been demolished and building of multi-story condominiums has taken over.
As different as it appeared in many places, there was still some residual familiarity. The Federal Building was still where I remember it. The theater district, although different, had familiar components.
I say all this because this experience gives way to the question of what’s changed more—the city I used to call home or the individual that used to live here? While I am still processing much of what I experienced here (and I am sure I will write more about it later!), I am only sure of one thing…Houston is no longer home. That may seem like an odd realization since I have been gone for over 3 years now, but perhaps this is the first time that it has really sank in…or perhaps something has changed in me that questions whether or not I would want to come back (if given the opportunity).
Where do you call home? Have you ever returned to visit your “home town” and felt different about it than when you lived there (more disconnected, etc)?
Sunday, August 3, 2008
On Vacation!!!
I didn't end up getting away from the church and house until after 1:30 p.m. in the afternoon on Sunday. Although I was running late, I was still making good time until about Trinity. I stopped briefly for gas as the front end of a storm began to blow through. Suddenly, after having travelled 100 miles or so, the temperature had gone from 102 down to 71. Although the skies were dark and lightening was off in the distance, it was a welcome change.
The most interesting thing about the front end of the storm (aside from the temperature relief) was the way that the wind was causing the leaves to blow from the trees. As I was headed south, the leaf littered wind was blowing at about a 45 degree angle north into my truck windshield. I am an idiot for not capturing this moment on film...it was spectacular.
Little tufts of dirt would climb vertically from the gravel driveways that I was passing...it was way cool!
Anyway, shortly after Trinity, the reality of the storm set in and most of the rest of the journey was filled with slow moving traffic, a couple of accidents (I wasn't in any of them, nor was I the cause!), and finally a safe arrival in south Houston for CRC (I will post more about that later!).
Have there been times when you have been somewhere and wished you would have had a camera (or gotten it out to snap some shots)? What photo ops have you missed?
The most interesting thing about the front end of the storm (aside from the temperature relief) was the way that the wind was causing the leaves to blow from the trees. As I was headed south, the leaf littered wind was blowing at about a 45 degree angle north into my truck windshield. I am an idiot for not capturing this moment on film...it was spectacular.
Little tufts of dirt would climb vertically from the gravel driveways that I was passing...it was way cool!
Anyway, shortly after Trinity, the reality of the storm set in and most of the rest of the journey was filled with slow moving traffic, a couple of accidents (I wasn't in any of them, nor was I the cause!), and finally a safe arrival in south Houston for CRC (I will post more about that later!).
Have there been times when you have been somewhere and wished you would have had a camera (or gotten it out to snap some shots)? What photo ops have you missed?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
