Nashville & Ohio Trips

The past 10 days have been a blur...but in a good way.  A week ago Friday had Heather and I departing early, but not bright, to Nashville for the annual National Youth Workers Convention.  Always a fantastic conference, and this year did not disappoint.  Though normally David Crowder, Chris Tomlin and great speakers would be the highlight (don't get me wrong they were still great), this year's highlights had to be time with friends we don't get to see much.  We had a thoroughly enjoyable time catching up with Nate & Kara Conrad, Joel & Tracy Eckert and Jon and Carolyn Eckert and their new baby girl.  Even the Michigan loss wasn't quite as dramatic as it was spent in the company of good friends!  I still vote for firing the entire Michigan coaching staff.  Ugh.

We returned Monday from the conference in time for me to catch my RTS class and then work Tuesday.  Then Wednesday it was off to Ohio for Thanksgiving.  We had another great trip.  It was great to hang out with family we don't see much.  9 of us camping out in the ol' farm house was great.  Traditional bonfire.  Freezing temperatures.  Meijer and even Starbucks--apparently no amount of corn fields can keep Starbucks away!  Sydnie had a fantastic time--she loved hanging out with everyone.  She is definitely a loved child. 

Now we are back home.  Final push until Christmas break time.  That's all for now.  Enjoy the new pics off to the right under "Ohio Thanksgiving '05"

Peace.

A Video Post

Download syd_aunt_ashley.mov
Click this here link to watch a short video post of Sydnie and her Aunt Ashley.  Ashley has been kind enough to babysit Syd on Thursday afternoons whilst Heather tutors.  She rules.  We don't get to hang out with Ashley as often as we would like.  So we caught up by eating dinner together, dancing with Sydnie and watching The O.C.  You will need the Quicktime player to view.  Free download here.

ipod update

Not wanting to leave anyone in suspense...I'm sure you've been losing sleep as I have over the defunct ipod, I wanted to give you an update. I am now the proud owner of the 20gb ipod photo. Here's the beauty of the story though...Apple releases new ipod video. Disgruntled recent-purchasers return their 20gb version (the one I have now) and upgrade to the 30gb video version. This leaves Apple Store to sell off the "rejects." $179 - $30 for missing headphones = great deal for me. I want to thank the person who had to have the latest and greatest which allowed me my wonderful purchase. I also want to thank Nate Conrad--putting your money to good use my friend.

Halloween Highlight

Though I have other topics I want to dive into, I will forego those things for a Halloween update. Sydnie absolutely loved the whole deal...though a bit taken a back at first--I mean who wouldn't be? Random outfits. Knocking on doors. People giving candy. A bit bizarre, but fun nonetheless. You can view the pics off to the right. However, what I really want to comment on was how good it was to actually talk to our neighbors. It is so easy to do the normal suburban thing and sneak in and out of our humble abode without ever interacting. Funny that it takes a "pagan" holiday to get us talking and mingling as we should be all the time. We were reminded of how much we love where we live. We obviously love our friends in the neighborhood, but it's also great to have actual neighbors. This year Halloween was good for the soul. Didn't hurt that the weather is finally cooler as well. That's all for now. Peace.

New Nooma Film

The new film entitled "Rhythm" is now available. Of course I've already ordered it. Obsessive compulsive. I am hopign it is the film version of perhaps my favorite Rob Bell teaching. We'll see. Link: NOOMA.com.

ipodless

ugh...my ipod is dead. I know in the grand scheme of things this is rather trivial, but I love my ipod. I feel lost without it. I can no longer redeem my time in the car listening to books, sermons, teachings, etc. I can feel myself getting dumber. Maybe God is telling me to upgrade???

A Theology of Everything

Having just completed “Sidewalks in the Kingdom” (which I highly recommend) I was reminded afresh how much Jesus and Christianity have to say to the practical, mundane issues of life. The more I am drawn to particular topics and engage with people who are passionate about certain things...whether that be architecture, music, literature, technology, health, environment, politics, etc, etc., the more I realize that there is an underlying “theology behind everything.”

Take for instance the environment...As a Christian I should applaud the stewardship of our environment. In fact I should go further...I need to view myself as an environmentalist, as should all followers of Jesus. However, as one quickly realizes, Christians are not leading this charge. What I want those that are leading the charge to see is that their primal urge to save a tree, mountain, swamp, whatever is rooted in how things really are in the world. This desire is not just conjured up by humanity. Rather it taps into how God has designed us. He wants us to be stewards. To protect. To bring beauty, harmony and order to this world of His.

The same goes for architecture. What “Sidewalks” showed me was how a Christian should have an opinion when it comes to urbanism, suburbanism and rural areas. We should seek a life that is most in tune with God. Where is that found? Increasingly I feel drawn to the urban area as the best representation of living in harmony with how God desires things to be. That is not to pass judgement on the suburbs (of which I am a part) or on rural areas. It has more to do with a calling to the city that I would say is rooted in theology. The Scriptures begin with a Garden and end with a City. The new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven. Jesus on the throne. Is this picture the underlying reason I feel drawn to the city? Could be. Actually, I’m more and more convinced that it is.

The list of things that tie in to our theology should be unlimited. The only limitation is our lack of knowledge and imagination. I am hoping that God would continually be opening up my eyes to see the “theology of everything”. peace.