hartblog

Tuesday, March 7, 2006

It's Good to have Good Friends

Part of my lack of blogging as of late can be "blamed" on the time we've been spending with friends who are now scattered about the country. Just over a week ago we got to spend time with Jen and Jay who are church planting in St. Louis. It was great to hear how God is at work in their city and how they are being used for the Kingdom. Should you be reading this, and should you have the gift of giving large sums of money to urban church planters, then you should contact them. Shameless, unsolicited plug. Here's their website so you can check out what they are doing. Cool stuff. It was such an encouragement to spend time with them. Great to talk to church planting practicioners--not just theory, but real life missional living.

This past weekend brought the arrival of 4 (nickname who's real name shall not be revealed) and his wife Jen who is carrying their first child. I wish I could tell you the name of the kid, but 4 and Jen are sworn to secrecy. I'm sure they just want the name "Jamie" to be a surprise. We'll have to wait until the end of May to find out. Anyway, we had a great time with them and our back-in-Orlando friends Nate and Jess. So good to hangout. Probaby bored the wives to death with our incessant strolls down college-memory lane. Oh well. You can check out pics of the weekend under "4 and Jen Visit" to your right. We lobbied hard for them to move down to Orlando. 4 loves Mickey and he would be right at home. Not exactly, but Orlando has more to offer than Disney...right?

All in all it has been great to reconnect with old friends. It's really cool to see what God is doing in all of their lives. It's great to have those moments when the conversation isn't forced, the honesty is present and we can laugh together. Good stuff.

And the fun continues...this upcoming Monday our friends Nate and Kara and thier two little girls come to stay for the week. Nate is on sabbattical (I'm jealous). We are looking forward to spending time with them and showing them our stomping grounds. Look for more pictures coming soon.

There's the summation of recent days. I got some thoughts on Tony Campolo (he spoke at RTS today) that I will try and blog about later.

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Arrested Development Update

This would be so great if it's true. Though I don't have Showtime, but there's always itunes videos and dvd's. Hope it happens b/c this is the greatest comedy going.

Link: Better Than Fudge � EXCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT!!! IT%u2019S SHOWTIME!!!.

Friday, February 24, 2006

Wrong Side of the Tracks - Life & Times

Not the most well written article certainly (could have used a grammar lesson), but it brings up an issue that is on my mind. For those outside of Orlando this will mean little, but it deals with an area about 5 minutes from our house. I really want to know the thoughts of the Hannibal Square community. Do they feel forced out? Are they happy about the changes? I should probably find out rather than just blogging about it. Enjoy the article.

Link: Wrong Side of the Tracks - Life & Times.

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Jacques Ellul Devotional

I was given this devotional and it has proven to be quite good. Basically it pulls a quote or two from Ellul and then the devotional writer (Charles Ringma) expounds on the thought. I especially loved today's thoughts on the topic of "Change." So much so that I am copying it here for you so enjoy...

CHANGE

Change can only occur when new possibilities are envisaged and embraced

Personal change does not occur easily. We seem to hold onto the old and familiar, even when that may be hurting us. Thus, pressure or difficulty of itself is usually not sufficient to bring about lasting change. Something more is needed. Ellul speaks of the "changing of man in the presence of God's promise." In this, he points to the power of the new that draws us forward into new ways of being and acting.

Because God's promise is never an empty word but can accomplish what it envisages, it is a power that sustains us in the journey toward the promised goal. So the key to the change process is being empowered to move forward.

Because the Holy Spirit is the One called to our side, we can gain hope int eh midst of doubt, strength when we are weak, courage when we are fearful, and perseverance when we feel like giving up.

ACTION

While change may have its genesis when we are dislocated or vulnerable, depend on a vision of the new and on God's power to sustain you on the way in order to progress.

I can't really add much to that. I'll leave it alone in hopes that it encourages you as it did me today.

Donald Miller Podcast

Though I didn't get to hear him live, Donald Miller spoke last Sunday night at Status in Orlando. The podcast is now available and to save you from having to search for it I have made it available here. I have listened to all but the last 10 minutes of it thus far. Very good. Speaks like he writes. In some ways he's preaching to the choir, but it is good nonetheless. Enjoy.