For the last year-and-a-half I've been talking a lot about how I feel God has called me to commit myself to the community I'm involved in. Specifically, the community of people around Scum of the Earth Church in Denver, Colorado. And so, thinking in my usual extremes, I've found myself talking and thinking in terms of this being the community I'm committing to for as far as I can see into the future. I've, in fact, spent a good amount of time wrestling with the idea of being in this part of denver for the next 50 years. And with these people for the next 50 years. And maybe struggling with the same flaws in our community for the next 50 years.
But this last week was a first for me. For whatever reason, the conversations I've had lately have opened my thoughts to some new ideas. In fact it was entertaining the idea of certain people within this community potentially leaving for a period of time, that allowed me to think about whether or not I could leave this community in the same way. Granted, I will always be a part of this community of people in some facet, but this was the first time I was able to feel as if I could leave this place at some point and not be working directly against God's will.
And then it was conversations I've been having about the difference in family upbringing that gave me insight on the way God may have been using me as of late. Maybe God needs to explain things to me in the form of extremes, in order for me to understand the subtleties of what he needs me to be doing.
It was in realizing that I may not always have to be in Denver, with these people, that made me realize how God may have not wanted me to think otherwise until now. Perhaps God needed me to believe I would be in this place for the rest of my life, in order to get the effort he needed out of me, in terms of investing here.
And maybe he's been doing this all along. Maybe God calls us to believe things will be one way for the rest of eternity, in order for us to have the right reverence for the place he has us in. Like levitical law and the Israelites?
But maybe God knows us even better than that. And when this burden is lifted because it begins to wear on us to much, I find myself wondering if I'm willing to accept this kind of grace, in the humility of putting my plans in God's hands.
11.27.2010
11.19.2010
learning and growth
A lot of what I feel I learn about myself and how to love people comes from the conversations I have with my friends and family after having had an interaction or two that didn't go over so well. I mean that, to say, that I feel that most of my points of growth come from the process of reconciling with others.
This last week was no exception. I've been in the process of thinking about a number of things in the perspective of their longevity and all that entails. For instance, if I decide to stay committed to the same community for a long time, if I decide to continue to pursue playing music with the same people, or if I want to continue to think seriously about the future of my relationship with a certain lady in my life... what does it mean to be constructively critical of these relationships for them to last?
I feel it's good to question what the implications of my actions now, for the future of said relationships. And I also feel it's healthy to be able to communicate the ways, I feel, others in these relationships could grow and change for the better. However, it's a pretty dangerous line to walk, when you're willing to make yourself vulnerable in either of these positions. And even more dangerous, because there are feelings involved and a certain susceptibility for manipulation. To say the least, it's a road walked best with a good heaping spoon full grace and another dose of discernment.
So in this cycle of trial, error, and forgiveness that we all go through, I've picked up a few thoughts and questions along the way.
For instance, how does Christ have such patience for us? And how does he bear with us through the process of seeing our potential and then watching us botch it up day after day? And how do you leave room for people to actually grow into that potential with out smothering them with corrections?
I think I've learned to take people less seriously. And what I mean is; that If I look at someone's actions and think of whether or not this will be something that I will be able to deal with for the next number of weeks, months, years,..... (fill in the blank here) I often get so caught up in wether that is something I want, and I forget that said other person is in a process of growth on their own already. And if I get caught up in what's bothering me, I wouldn't be surprised if my conversations of debriefing, correcting, and expressing my feelings actually cause my friend (or whoever) to stay in that role. If I continuously put my friend in the role of the person that hurts me in this way, or does wrong in this way, my concern for control of the future can in fact keep this other person from actually being able to climb out from that spot.
In short, if I'm truly concerned for the betterment of another, wouldn't it prove to set them up for good, if I wasn't so quick to assume their previous position of acting negatively in my mind?
And ultimately what would it mean then, for me to bear with them through this process of growth, and really appreciate someone for their attempts to grow and not the rate at which they grow?
This last week was no exception. I've been in the process of thinking about a number of things in the perspective of their longevity and all that entails. For instance, if I decide to stay committed to the same community for a long time, if I decide to continue to pursue playing music with the same people, or if I want to continue to think seriously about the future of my relationship with a certain lady in my life... what does it mean to be constructively critical of these relationships for them to last?
I feel it's good to question what the implications of my actions now, for the future of said relationships. And I also feel it's healthy to be able to communicate the ways, I feel, others in these relationships could grow and change for the better. However, it's a pretty dangerous line to walk, when you're willing to make yourself vulnerable in either of these positions. And even more dangerous, because there are feelings involved and a certain susceptibility for manipulation. To say the least, it's a road walked best with a good heaping spoon full grace and another dose of discernment.
So in this cycle of trial, error, and forgiveness that we all go through, I've picked up a few thoughts and questions along the way.
For instance, how does Christ have such patience for us? And how does he bear with us through the process of seeing our potential and then watching us botch it up day after day? And how do you leave room for people to actually grow into that potential with out smothering them with corrections?
I think I've learned to take people less seriously. And what I mean is; that If I look at someone's actions and think of whether or not this will be something that I will be able to deal with for the next number of weeks, months, years,..... (fill in the blank here) I often get so caught up in wether that is something I want, and I forget that said other person is in a process of growth on their own already. And if I get caught up in what's bothering me, I wouldn't be surprised if my conversations of debriefing, correcting, and expressing my feelings actually cause my friend (or whoever) to stay in that role. If I continuously put my friend in the role of the person that hurts me in this way, or does wrong in this way, my concern for control of the future can in fact keep this other person from actually being able to climb out from that spot.
In short, if I'm truly concerned for the betterment of another, wouldn't it prove to set them up for good, if I wasn't so quick to assume their previous position of acting negatively in my mind?
And ultimately what would it mean then, for me to bear with them through this process of growth, and really appreciate someone for their attempts to grow and not the rate at which they grow?
10.26.2010
Waiting on God's timing
There's normally a whirlwind of thoughts going through my mind on a daily basis. And on average, approximately every hour, there is some sort of new input in that whirlwind. Whether that be a friend saying hello, a phone call, a text message, the advertisement on the side of my cup of coffee, the music playing in the room,.... I realize it's all an influence on my thought process. And I've realized I could spend years and hundreds of words on any one of these influences, and expressing how I want to, should, or am intended to react to these things. But in this, in most cases I find that God isn't in the racket, God normally isn't the flashy images, and God isn't in the Coffee either. And yet, while God is seen in all of His creation, normally God wants me to find him in stillness.
It's pretty strange dichotomy, but one I'll learn to live with daily.
As I'd said before, currently I'm finding myself preparing for another season of change and growth, much like the plants outside this time of year. And while I'm to learn to rest and prepare, just like all the rest of creation (and yes, even like God rests), a friend of mine (and dare I say mentor) had some good insight for me yesterday, that I'm still processing.
We talked about the things I'm looking toward defining more in my next year in Denver, and we talked about how I'd felt God's voice leading me in these things. Part of this conversation looked like this;
"Do you feel like you're the right one?"
"I'm pretty sure."
"Do you feel like God has told you to go ahead with this?"
"Yeah, I feel like this is what I'm supposed to do, but I'm learning to be patient and wait for God's timing."
"In my mind, if God has told you to do something, the longer the wait the more room you're leaving for evil to sneak in and pervert it. In fact if you really feel like God is telling you to do something, you really should be asking God 'Why not now?'"
And the best part of the conversation was that it left me questioning my real motivations in waiting.
More often than not, in the midst of all the things that Society is telling us, and all the things that distract us in our own minds, are we really waiting for God's timing, or are we even using the excuse of waiting for absolute silence, before we're willing to do what we feel God has told us to do? Are we really giving God the room to tell us what His will is, or are we waiting for it, at our convenience?
It's pretty strange dichotomy, but one I'll learn to live with daily.
As I'd said before, currently I'm finding myself preparing for another season of change and growth, much like the plants outside this time of year. And while I'm to learn to rest and prepare, just like all the rest of creation (and yes, even like God rests), a friend of mine (and dare I say mentor) had some good insight for me yesterday, that I'm still processing.
We talked about the things I'm looking toward defining more in my next year in Denver, and we talked about how I'd felt God's voice leading me in these things. Part of this conversation looked like this;
"Do you feel like you're the right one?"
"I'm pretty sure."
"Do you feel like God has told you to go ahead with this?"
"Yeah, I feel like this is what I'm supposed to do, but I'm learning to be patient and wait for God's timing."
"In my mind, if God has told you to do something, the longer the wait the more room you're leaving for evil to sneak in and pervert it. In fact if you really feel like God is telling you to do something, you really should be asking God 'Why not now?'"
And the best part of the conversation was that it left me questioning my real motivations in waiting.
More often than not, in the midst of all the things that Society is telling us, and all the things that distract us in our own minds, are we really waiting for God's timing, or are we even using the excuse of waiting for absolute silence, before we're willing to do what we feel God has told us to do? Are we really giving God the room to tell us what His will is, or are we waiting for it, at our convenience?
10.02.2010
good.intentions
Being a part of a community* with lots of people, naturally means that we regularly come across what seem as endless mounds of problems and hang-ups. However, I've learned in the last stint of my life that being a healthy community isn't necessarily defined by the quantity of problems that you grow beyond, but rather the manner in which you deal with them.
For instance, I would rather my gravestone say "He was a grumpy and hard man, but he sure as hell tried to love people," rather than "Look at what this man accomplished."
So we all spend a lot of time talking with the folks in our lives, trying to figure out how to go about learning and moving forward as a whole community in the most healthy way. I've come to know these conversations as times of translation. It seems as if I'm either helping to translate for someone else, that someone else is translating for me, or more often than not a little of both.
While, in the midst of translation the other day, I had a friend bring to my attention something I often forget about, especially in these conversations. We talked about the difficulty of receiving advice from a source because of a certain air that can often come when sharing something you feel well versed in and feel is a needed addition to a conversation. Frankly, it's often hard to hear a person's loving advice, no matter how helpful, because of the air in which it's given.
I know it's not only the responsibility of the listener to process the words given to them, but also the responsibility of the giver to be conscious of the manner in which his/her gift is given.
So in thinking about why I would want to give advice in the first place, I realized that my words can often be totally misheard just do to the air in which I speak them.
I've know this for a long time, but it was good to be reminded of the fact that good advice is given not so that the source can be accredited but so that it enables the receiver to really take hold of that advice and decided for themselves how to apply it, if even at all in the first place.
*here used in reference to a group of people who share life together loosely and sometimes intimately
For instance, I would rather my gravestone say "He was a grumpy and hard man, but he sure as hell tried to love people," rather than "Look at what this man accomplished."
So we all spend a lot of time talking with the folks in our lives, trying to figure out how to go about learning and moving forward as a whole community in the most healthy way. I've come to know these conversations as times of translation. It seems as if I'm either helping to translate for someone else, that someone else is translating for me, or more often than not a little of both.
While, in the midst of translation the other day, I had a friend bring to my attention something I often forget about, especially in these conversations. We talked about the difficulty of receiving advice from a source because of a certain air that can often come when sharing something you feel well versed in and feel is a needed addition to a conversation. Frankly, it's often hard to hear a person's loving advice, no matter how helpful, because of the air in which it's given.
I know it's not only the responsibility of the listener to process the words given to them, but also the responsibility of the giver to be conscious of the manner in which his/her gift is given.
So in thinking about why I would want to give advice in the first place, I realized that my words can often be totally misheard just do to the air in which I speak them.
I've know this for a long time, but it was good to be reminded of the fact that good advice is given not so that the source can be accredited but so that it enables the receiver to really take hold of that advice and decided for themselves how to apply it, if even at all in the first place.
*here used in reference to a group of people who share life together loosely and sometimes intimately
9.27.2010
new.and.yet.the.same.old.same.old....
a new season has begun in my life, in the same way that fall has just begun marking the end of physical production and the beginning of rest for the soil, I've found myself beginning to come to new places and different stages than where I've been.
Once upon a time I started this blog to keep friends and family up to date on my travels and excursions, and then the blog was put to rest as I settled back down, and began learning to live in one place.
I've now lived in Denver Colorado for a year and a half, and have begun to understand taking root in a community of people. I've been attending the same church consistently for a year and a half, I've now been dating my girlfriend for just over a year, and I've been playing music consistently in front of audiences and congregations for a over a year now. So I've begun to understand the meaning of investment as well.
And now, in the same way that the trees and plants shed their leaves to prepare for another season of growth and production, the process of combining the wisdom found in hindsight with the discernment needed for the future begins. And I've realized that I could greatly benefit from the processing required in order to write a blog.
So take this as my decision to begin blogging again with the hope to share with you my attempts at growth. Thanks for reading a long...
more to come soon
Once upon a time I started this blog to keep friends and family up to date on my travels and excursions, and then the blog was put to rest as I settled back down, and began learning to live in one place.
I've now lived in Denver Colorado for a year and a half, and have begun to understand taking root in a community of people. I've been attending the same church consistently for a year and a half, I've now been dating my girlfriend for just over a year, and I've been playing music consistently in front of audiences and congregations for a over a year now. So I've begun to understand the meaning of investment as well.
And now, in the same way that the trees and plants shed their leaves to prepare for another season of growth and production, the process of combining the wisdom found in hindsight with the discernment needed for the future begins. And I've realized that I could greatly benefit from the processing required in order to write a blog.
So take this as my decision to begin blogging again with the hope to share with you my attempts at growth. Thanks for reading a long...
more to come soon
4.16.2009
fun read
found an article ya'll might find interesting
http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB123906081768295037-lMyQjAxMDI5MzA5NjAwNjYwWj.html
http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB123906081768295037-lMyQjAxMDI5MzA5NjAwNjYwWj.html
4.09.2009
a long time since
So it's been a long time since I've taken the time to post on here, but it's my intention to start again.
A quick update:
In the beginning of march I moved back to Denver to be near family and to be with a group of wonderful people I hadn't been able to spend as much time with as I'd preferred. I finally got a job after about a month of being here. Until this last week there was a total of 21 people staying in the two halves of the duplex that my friends and I rent in north-east denver.
And I've been able to get involved with Scum of the Earth Denver again.
So to put it plainly, despite some of the hardships that exists everywhere. I feel Denver has been a good decision for me. And I'm considering sticking around here for a while.
This next week, when my new roommate moves in, my rent will be down to $150/month. Which isn't something I mention because of my excitement for cheap rent, but rather for the excitement I feel about being able to work towards my goal of spending equal time working to pay rent and time volunteering or serving others. Maybe finally my ideals of "love thy neighbor" will take more economic root in my life.
Thank you for being wiling to pray for and support marcus and I despite our having given you so few updates on where we are and what we're up to.
Know that I thank G-d for you.
A quick update:
In the beginning of march I moved back to Denver to be near family and to be with a group of wonderful people I hadn't been able to spend as much time with as I'd preferred. I finally got a job after about a month of being here. Until this last week there was a total of 21 people staying in the two halves of the duplex that my friends and I rent in north-east denver.
And I've been able to get involved with Scum of the Earth Denver again.
So to put it plainly, despite some of the hardships that exists everywhere. I feel Denver has been a good decision for me. And I'm considering sticking around here for a while.
This next week, when my new roommate moves in, my rent will be down to $150/month. Which isn't something I mention because of my excitement for cheap rent, but rather for the excitement I feel about being able to work towards my goal of spending equal time working to pay rent and time volunteering or serving others. Maybe finally my ideals of "love thy neighbor" will take more economic root in my life.
Thank you for being wiling to pray for and support marcus and I despite our having given you so few updates on where we are and what we're up to.
Know that I thank G-d for you.
12.20.2008
Summation of an excerpt from a good conversation had with a friend
I know that we are intended in some manner to share in the sufferings of Christ. And by that I mean that, in order to deny oneself and replace oneself with Christ, one must undergo some sort of violence, wether it be physical or not. However I don't always know where that line ends and where that begins.
I know that often our role as followers of Christ is to turn the other cheek. For instance, when slaves become submissive to their unjust masters. But sometimes we are also called to flip a table or two in the face of something that may be doing us and often others wrong. But I don''t always know what is the appropriate reaction to every circumstance.
There are times when I can remember having stood on the side of the road hitch-hiking for hours and hours without any sort of foresight into my provision for that day, however my trust in G-d's ability to provide (in the form of both physical care and use of an unjust situation) made it possible for me to endure living in an unjust world ruled by fear to such an extent that I wast left helpless, on the side of the road, by many passers by who were more than able to help. Yet there are times when I am placed in a situation when I have the ability to say something to another person about the injustice being done, that I do not know when it is my place to raise my voice against the injustice, or when it is the time to take a stand by turning the other cheek.
Does the difference come when the injustice you face effects others, versus merely oneself, or are there times when one is to be submissive when faced with an unjust action, not only unjust to oneself?
I know that often our role as followers of Christ is to turn the other cheek. For instance, when slaves become submissive to their unjust masters. But sometimes we are also called to flip a table or two in the face of something that may be doing us and often others wrong. But I don''t always know what is the appropriate reaction to every circumstance.
There are times when I can remember having stood on the side of the road hitch-hiking for hours and hours without any sort of foresight into my provision for that day, however my trust in G-d's ability to provide (in the form of both physical care and use of an unjust situation) made it possible for me to endure living in an unjust world ruled by fear to such an extent that I wast left helpless, on the side of the road, by many passers by who were more than able to help. Yet there are times when I am placed in a situation when I have the ability to say something to another person about the injustice being done, that I do not know when it is my place to raise my voice against the injustice, or when it is the time to take a stand by turning the other cheek.
Does the difference come when the injustice you face effects others, versus merely oneself, or are there times when one is to be submissive when faced with an unjust action, not only unjust to oneself?
12.18.2008
New thoughts
It's been a while now since I've felt like I've been in a reflective mood. And what that means is; that I haven't felt like I've had thorough or complete times of reflection recently. I don't know if that's been because I haven't been giving myself enough time to reflect, or if there's been too much to process, or if this just hasn't been that sort of a time in my life. And I say this, because this is the feeling that keeps me from posting things on this blog. It's my desire to give bits and pieces of my thoughts and myself through making them available to others on this blog, but often I have a hard time feeling I have something I want to present to others in this way. This is something for me to think about.
Lately, however, I've begun to have some of the "presentable" (whatever that means) thoughts, here are some:
I was on the ferry from Bremerton to Seattle, with my housemate greg the other day. And in spending a little bit of time staring at the ceiling and laying on the bench seat, I made some realizations. While many of my friends sincerely dislike flying in airplanes, because of the unnatural rate of travel, I can easily say that I thoroughly enjoy this experience. In fact being at airports or in an airplane, or even in a ferry for that matter, make for rather enjoyable experiences for me. For some reason this state of time in my life is never filled with any sort of stress or anxiety. For some reason I have en extremely hard time finding anything uncomfortable about the experience, until my butt goes numb from sitting too much. And even then I have the ability to change that rather quickly.
But in lying there on the ferry I realized that this may be because of what I am able to focus on during this time, and why that is. Perhaps the reason I enjoy being on a plane so much is because, I've been put in a position that I rarely experience at any other time. During this time the essential task I am performing is completely taken care of. I know for sure that I will traverse the intended distance, and that I will get there if the L-rd so desires. In fact at these times I am so sure that my task will be performed that I am able to remove any worry whatsoever from that task, and therefor focus my attention on any other thing I choose. Because of my trust in the longer journey's completion, I am able to give full attention to things like reading.
I don't know if this is a healthy way to look at this kind of travel, or if this is the sort of perspective I want to have on such a subject. But it is hard not to view my ability to focus in such a way as a blessing, especially in light of the stress that flying causes some of the people I know.
Ultimately, however, this is how I desire to view my relationship with G-d. It is my desire to be able to trust in G-d so much that I give myself the freedom to focus on the little things placed in front of me everyday. In the same way that I am able to trust fully in American Airlines, Alaska Alines, or Delta for the completion of a larger task, it is my desire to trust in the L-rd in the same way, but on a larger scale.
Right now, especially would be a good time to have such a trust, because I've found myself surrounded by a good deal of tasks to be performed, however sometimes my ability to fulfill those tasks to the best of my abilities, are lost in my in ability to have such trust.
This is something that it is my desire to work on.
Until next time
Lately, however, I've begun to have some of the "presentable" (whatever that means) thoughts, here are some:
I was on the ferry from Bremerton to Seattle, with my housemate greg the other day. And in spending a little bit of time staring at the ceiling and laying on the bench seat, I made some realizations. While many of my friends sincerely dislike flying in airplanes, because of the unnatural rate of travel, I can easily say that I thoroughly enjoy this experience. In fact being at airports or in an airplane, or even in a ferry for that matter, make for rather enjoyable experiences for me. For some reason this state of time in my life is never filled with any sort of stress or anxiety. For some reason I have en extremely hard time finding anything uncomfortable about the experience, until my butt goes numb from sitting too much. And even then I have the ability to change that rather quickly.
But in lying there on the ferry I realized that this may be because of what I am able to focus on during this time, and why that is. Perhaps the reason I enjoy being on a plane so much is because, I've been put in a position that I rarely experience at any other time. During this time the essential task I am performing is completely taken care of. I know for sure that I will traverse the intended distance, and that I will get there if the L-rd so desires. In fact at these times I am so sure that my task will be performed that I am able to remove any worry whatsoever from that task, and therefor focus my attention on any other thing I choose. Because of my trust in the longer journey's completion, I am able to give full attention to things like reading.
I don't know if this is a healthy way to look at this kind of travel, or if this is the sort of perspective I want to have on such a subject. But it is hard not to view my ability to focus in such a way as a blessing, especially in light of the stress that flying causes some of the people I know.
Ultimately, however, this is how I desire to view my relationship with G-d. It is my desire to be able to trust in G-d so much that I give myself the freedom to focus on the little things placed in front of me everyday. In the same way that I am able to trust fully in American Airlines, Alaska Alines, or Delta for the completion of a larger task, it is my desire to trust in the L-rd in the same way, but on a larger scale.
Right now, especially would be a good time to have such a trust, because I've found myself surrounded by a good deal of tasks to be performed, however sometimes my ability to fulfill those tasks to the best of my abilities, are lost in my in ability to have such trust.
This is something that it is my desire to work on.
Until next time
12.07.2008
Way too long
It's been almost a month since I last posted, and I'm sincerely sorry for that. Right now all I can give is a few short updates, but I plan to make sure and post something here soon, because I've found this a great way to process things, and then look back at them to continue processing.
1. I have a job now. Actually two. I work at EVO (evogear.com) as customer care, but I'm transfering to the Flying Apron (the only all vegan and all gluten-free bakery in the U.S.). So right now I'm working every day of the week. And after my first day at the Flying Apron today, I'm really glad I'm making the switch.
2. Marcus living here is great. Now that we've had time apart after living with eachother so long, somehow we've FINALLY lost the sense of older brother-younger brother mentality. And I feel like it's more of a two way street.
3. I feel like, while the murder house projects are going at a little bit of a slower rate than before, both the house I live in and the murder house, are slowly growing. And I could be more thankful to G-d for showing us such mercy.
4. Mom, Peter, and maybe a good friend are coming to Seattle to spend Christmas with Marcus and I. It's sooooo incredibly encouraging to be supported in such a way by one's family memebers.
5. I'm learning more and more about what it means to be satisfied with one's place, even when stuck in one's place, and the hardship that may bring.
Thank you for your prayers, and know that I thank G-d for YOU on a frequent basis. Thank you for being interested enough in what's going on in my life, to check this blog.
1. I have a job now. Actually two. I work at EVO (evogear.com) as customer care, but I'm transfering to the Flying Apron (the only all vegan and all gluten-free bakery in the U.S.). So right now I'm working every day of the week. And after my first day at the Flying Apron today, I'm really glad I'm making the switch.
2. Marcus living here is great. Now that we've had time apart after living with eachother so long, somehow we've FINALLY lost the sense of older brother-younger brother mentality. And I feel like it's more of a two way street.
3. I feel like, while the murder house projects are going at a little bit of a slower rate than before, both the house I live in and the murder house, are slowly growing. And I could be more thankful to G-d for showing us such mercy.
4. Mom, Peter, and maybe a good friend are coming to Seattle to spend Christmas with Marcus and I. It's sooooo incredibly encouraging to be supported in such a way by one's family memebers.
5. I'm learning more and more about what it means to be satisfied with one's place, even when stuck in one's place, and the hardship that may bring.
Thank you for your prayers, and know that I thank G-d for YOU on a frequent basis. Thank you for being interested enough in what's going on in my life, to check this blog.
11.12.2008
Uganda for a New York Minute and Seattle for a Hot Minute now
I'm back in Seattle now, with no more plans made for any more trips (at least for), and it's now time to find my place here with G-d and with his provision in the daily routines of sittin' still.
Up until my trip to Uganda my stay in Seattle had felt quite temporary because I knew there was another step a head in a certain direction, and now I'm learning to trust G-d in providing steps forward while I stay put in this town for a while.
For the first time in a long while I'm learning to change my mindset from a temporal local and a consistent G-d to a more long term local with an evermore consistent G-d I've known all along.
But it's harder than it sounds.
A lot of people talk about how traveling seems like such a radical thing, and how hard it must be, but I beg to differ right now. The more applications I fill out, turn in, and interviews I do for a job that might be my place for several months, the harder I'm finding it to be content with where G-d has put me. Or more specifically; the harder it seems to find new ways to trust in G-d's provision for me and for growth.
It so easy to focus on that which is hard on a daily basis. It's easy to forget the mentality that in the same way that places come and go, so will the trials of this life. I would go to the extent of saying that the traveling mentality of there will be an end to this hard spot soon enough, is something that flees easily in being still and being satisfied with G-d's provision there.
In fact it is in the hardship of trusting G-d and nothing else, that one begins to realize one's faults.
It is my desire to continue to pray that G-d will continue to shape my heart and my desire to be more like his, even when there isn't a physical representation of forward motion.
Marcus now lives in Seattle, with Beer (his dog). Scum of the Earth is still maturing daily and progress is being made on some of the various projects around.
But still we pray that G-d may take our sinful hearts and pour the blood of the lamb on us to make our sins as white as snow.
Up until my trip to Uganda my stay in Seattle had felt quite temporary because I knew there was another step a head in a certain direction, and now I'm learning to trust G-d in providing steps forward while I stay put in this town for a while.
For the first time in a long while I'm learning to change my mindset from a temporal local and a consistent G-d to a more long term local with an evermore consistent G-d I've known all along.
But it's harder than it sounds.
A lot of people talk about how traveling seems like such a radical thing, and how hard it must be, but I beg to differ right now. The more applications I fill out, turn in, and interviews I do for a job that might be my place for several months, the harder I'm finding it to be content with where G-d has put me. Or more specifically; the harder it seems to find new ways to trust in G-d's provision for me and for growth.
It so easy to focus on that which is hard on a daily basis. It's easy to forget the mentality that in the same way that places come and go, so will the trials of this life. I would go to the extent of saying that the traveling mentality of there will be an end to this hard spot soon enough, is something that flees easily in being still and being satisfied with G-d's provision there.
In fact it is in the hardship of trusting G-d and nothing else, that one begins to realize one's faults.
It is my desire to continue to pray that G-d will continue to shape my heart and my desire to be more like his, even when there isn't a physical representation of forward motion.
Marcus now lives in Seattle, with Beer (his dog). Scum of the Earth is still maturing daily and progress is being made on some of the various projects around.
But still we pray that G-d may take our sinful hearts and pour the blood of the lamb on us to make our sins as white as snow.
10.18.2008
marcus again....
Thank you all so much for your prayers and for those of you that still contact me every now and then.
After spending some time out here with Shaenah i went and spent a few days out in philly with some friends from circle of hope church.
while being there i felt confirmed in what my next steps would be.
the lord has put it on my heart for a while to spend time learning trades and stabilizing myself more or less so that i can be of use to others in ways i can't be just trampin around, and some doors have been opened to go to seattle and spend time learning trades- hopefully. the thing that keeps being placed on my heart is the idea of building a home, and i think this is a step in the direction of bein able to help others more, so i'm leavin next friday.
the scary part is that shaenah is staying out here and that means me being across the country from her, but these things will all work out, i think. she is planning on going to the source ministry in minniapolis pretty soon and then we will have to see what happens from there. Lord willing, we'll find a way to grow together.
god bless.
After spending some time out here with Shaenah i went and spent a few days out in philly with some friends from circle of hope church.
while being there i felt confirmed in what my next steps would be.
the lord has put it on my heart for a while to spend time learning trades and stabilizing myself more or less so that i can be of use to others in ways i can't be just trampin around, and some doors have been opened to go to seattle and spend time learning trades- hopefully. the thing that keeps being placed on my heart is the idea of building a home, and i think this is a step in the direction of bein able to help others more, so i'm leavin next friday.
the scary part is that shaenah is staying out here and that means me being across the country from her, but these things will all work out, i think. she is planning on going to the source ministry in minniapolis pretty soon and then we will have to see what happens from there. Lord willing, we'll find a way to grow together.
god bless.
10.04.2008
marcus, the farm boy
there once was a boy named marcus, he never lived on a farm. He was never really responsible or maybe he never really had things to be responsible for (well there was that one time when he lived on a bus with a few other people...) and sometimes people called him a home bum. now this lad seems to be becoming a farm boy. He wakes up on a farm (owned by some mennonite farmers- who sponsor students for a democratic society) at 6 most days, eats breakfast on the farm with a pretty young farm girl (Shaenah Joannah) and her big-lipped-doo-doo-farm-boy brother(howard 3), who is startn his own farm family and is expectin a little farmer named howie or farm girl named kaya from his farmer wife (amber), goes out and feeds the farm dogs (beer, canella, and osa), drinks his farm coffee made by the cheif farmer (howard jr.), then gets in the ol wagon (a volvo with no muffler) and gets himself a ride to another farm (oak grove farms) where he washes and picks farm vegetables (gmo). Then when he's done throwin pumpkins around for minimum wage he goes and gets some farm fresh pear cider and farm fresh coconut macaroons, gets in the wagon and makes the 45 minute stretch back to the farm where he sits on hay with a few ex-amish folk (people who were either kicked out of the amish church or voluntarily left because they felt that they would best serve god outside of the amish church) and the rest of the farm folk (sonshine, lisa, rich, kenton, thias, judah, yasha, jirah, and baracha, anne and jesse) looks over some railroad tracks and the lord's hymns he sings and the banjo rings out over the river in southern pennsylvania.
being out here has made me feel like im gaining more of a grasp on what divine appointments and divine timing is. Having hitched out here all the way from seattle got pretty ruff at times but i knew it was the right thing to be doin. Bailey, Okie Doke and myself went out to a small town in washington to try to catch the high line to chicago and ended up spending 2 days waitin and then hitchin out of there after finding it difficult to catch a train when baileys bag was fallin apart and me havin too much crap and a dog and a banjo and food and water and trains being mostly unridable and a few meth heads chasing us around and demanding donuts of us and yelling "if you have fishin poles i'll know your my friend, but if you dont ill kick your ass". Me and bailey went on hitch hikin as senor okie doke went back to seattle to meet up with gary and catch the train a week later. We made some good timin and then the 2 of us spent three days stuck in the same 100 miles of monatana. Then she caught a ride from a sweet ol lady into chicago while i was sleeping and i ended up all by myself. during a whole day all by myself with no rides except for one by a fisherman for about 20 miles from one small town to and equally sized nonesense town, i was feelin pretty down at points but a few very beautiful people ended up calling me from different states and encouraging me right when i needed it most. then i got a ride to the ohare airport from some people who needed my encouragement and i was happy to try and give it. as soon as i got there i started takin the train to get to the other side of chicago to get to the interstate and hitch out but the train was under construction and what should have taken about 45 minutes took about 2 hours and i ended up frustrated downtown with no money and the sun had gone down. Then this girl walks by and ends up askin if she can pet my dog, tells me how goin where i was goin was a bad idea but that i could stay at her place. so i ended up hanging out with an amazing girl on a rooftop in chicago lookin over the city and checkin craigslist where we saw an add for a free ride to camden nj. So the next day i end up meetin robin, rugrat and riff raff ( i hope thats right). Three rad girls headin to pennsylvania. Rugrat and riff raff ended up going to a squat in pittsburg that they didnt know where it was but i had been there before and was able to drive them straight there, and robin was needin someone else to drive because she didnt want to have to stop and she wanted to get back quick. Plus we got to have a really honest disscussion about religion, and domestication and the sort. But heres the crazy part- as we where following the directions to shaenahs house we start drivin down the last road and robin says "i remember this place, i stayed at a farm at the end of this road last summer through students for a democratic society". guess what farm that was? And since ive been here ive become very grateful for this place and the people here.
Before i got here i was kind of feeling desperate for answers as to what i was to do in the future. Now, though no concrete plans have been created, and all the same concerns are present i feel like things are beginnin to come together.
ive been assured and affirmed in a lot of things and although i dont always agree with the people around here i feel like ive had some necessary incounters and conversations. ive thought for a while about making some steps i didnt think i'd make in a long time- if ever, towards a new phase in life, and its been hard because i dont always assure myself of my capabilities or rather of what God can do through me (like being in any sort of healthy relationship), and often ive considered things to be compromising to my values - for example i'm trying to get a car (prefferably a pick up truck) to help me as i start to learn some trades and to live out of if necessary in the future and to hopefully at some point take shaenah out to meet my folks. but while at christian summer camp my new friend jimmy spoke some words of wisdom into my life by telling me that i need to learn to be satisfied with eatin breakfast before i worry about lunch. I'm trying to learn this and i feel like i have started to- and that i dont feel as desperate in trying to make plans, which is a huge blessing. Im learning that the lord can plan for me and that i need only to listen and be obedient, not to worry.
Praise the lord for his mercy and grace, and patience with my small little mind.
being out here has made me feel like im gaining more of a grasp on what divine appointments and divine timing is. Having hitched out here all the way from seattle got pretty ruff at times but i knew it was the right thing to be doin. Bailey, Okie Doke and myself went out to a small town in washington to try to catch the high line to chicago and ended up spending 2 days waitin and then hitchin out of there after finding it difficult to catch a train when baileys bag was fallin apart and me havin too much crap and a dog and a banjo and food and water and trains being mostly unridable and a few meth heads chasing us around and demanding donuts of us and yelling "if you have fishin poles i'll know your my friend, but if you dont ill kick your ass". Me and bailey went on hitch hikin as senor okie doke went back to seattle to meet up with gary and catch the train a week later. We made some good timin and then the 2 of us spent three days stuck in the same 100 miles of monatana. Then she caught a ride from a sweet ol lady into chicago while i was sleeping and i ended up all by myself. during a whole day all by myself with no rides except for one by a fisherman for about 20 miles from one small town to and equally sized nonesense town, i was feelin pretty down at points but a few very beautiful people ended up calling me from different states and encouraging me right when i needed it most. then i got a ride to the ohare airport from some people who needed my encouragement and i was happy to try and give it. as soon as i got there i started takin the train to get to the other side of chicago to get to the interstate and hitch out but the train was under construction and what should have taken about 45 minutes took about 2 hours and i ended up frustrated downtown with no money and the sun had gone down. Then this girl walks by and ends up askin if she can pet my dog, tells me how goin where i was goin was a bad idea but that i could stay at her place. so i ended up hanging out with an amazing girl on a rooftop in chicago lookin over the city and checkin craigslist where we saw an add for a free ride to camden nj. So the next day i end up meetin robin, rugrat and riff raff ( i hope thats right). Three rad girls headin to pennsylvania. Rugrat and riff raff ended up going to a squat in pittsburg that they didnt know where it was but i had been there before and was able to drive them straight there, and robin was needin someone else to drive because she didnt want to have to stop and she wanted to get back quick. Plus we got to have a really honest disscussion about religion, and domestication and the sort. But heres the crazy part- as we where following the directions to shaenahs house we start drivin down the last road and robin says "i remember this place, i stayed at a farm at the end of this road last summer through students for a democratic society". guess what farm that was? And since ive been here ive become very grateful for this place and the people here.
Before i got here i was kind of feeling desperate for answers as to what i was to do in the future. Now, though no concrete plans have been created, and all the same concerns are present i feel like things are beginnin to come together.
ive been assured and affirmed in a lot of things and although i dont always agree with the people around here i feel like ive had some necessary incounters and conversations. ive thought for a while about making some steps i didnt think i'd make in a long time- if ever, towards a new phase in life, and its been hard because i dont always assure myself of my capabilities or rather of what God can do through me (like being in any sort of healthy relationship), and often ive considered things to be compromising to my values - for example i'm trying to get a car (prefferably a pick up truck) to help me as i start to learn some trades and to live out of if necessary in the future and to hopefully at some point take shaenah out to meet my folks. but while at christian summer camp my new friend jimmy spoke some words of wisdom into my life by telling me that i need to learn to be satisfied with eatin breakfast before i worry about lunch. I'm trying to learn this and i feel like i have started to- and that i dont feel as desperate in trying to make plans, which is a huge blessing. Im learning that the lord can plan for me and that i need only to listen and be obedient, not to worry.
Praise the lord for his mercy and grace, and patience with my small little mind.
9.29.2008
Photo update
I know they're a little late to be posted, but here are some pictures from when our little group of friends went to Christian Summer Camp 2008; Idaho.
All the pictures here were contributed by our dear friend Carmen
http://s258.photobucket.com/albums/hh264/brontosaurous/CSC08/
All the pictures here were contributed by our dear friend Carmen
http://s258.photobucket.com/albums/hh264/brontosaurous/CSC08/
9.27.2008
same place more adventure
Finally things are feeling a little more normal in Seattle. And by normal I mean, I feel like I'm back into the Seattle rhythm. Slowly but probably at the rate I can handle I'm reconnecting with old friends, and finding more and more why I loved this place in the first place. And adapting to a different mindset has been quite the learning experience to say the least.
I guess a good thing for me to talk about would be the community here. This is John Swanger's last week as head pastor of Scum of the Earth Church, Seattle, and although he, his son, and wife will be dearly missed I think we're all excited to see what the future has in store for this little grass roots church in the U-district.
As far as the house I'm living in right now, officially named Our House, is getting back into a rhythm as well. Although this last week has been a hard week for all of us, and learning how to support each other, as well as our visitors, we've begun the process of starting community dinners again. And the neighboring houses that have started this year have begun dialogue with us about how to gather as a larger community in the Wallingford neighborhood. It's exciting to see what having four houses full of brothers and sisters in the same neighborhood holds as possibilities. We're starting with maybe a rotating breakfast with each other, and might grow into even bigger things.
Our House is also involved in another circle of friends as well, where the conversation has been just as good. This community is sort of my bridge from my friends here from school, to the time I've spent as a part of the christian traveling community this last year. There's an apartment on capitol hill, a house in ballard, and our house, and gathering together to have talks about being a light in Seattle has been so encouraging. These houses have also been hosting a large number of the post Christian Summer Camp travelers. We're beginning to band together in order to learn what it may look like to shine the light of G-d in the midst of a potential chaos of an economic depression. And not only that, but we've been given the opportunity to help the Murder House in ballard become a more sustainable living environment. We've begun the process of converting the house to run on solar panels, windmills, a greenhouse, chicken coop, rabbit hutch, and compost. It's a blessing to have the opportunity to learn about these things by practicing them on a house that's been threatened with demolishing for the last three years.
And the process of preparing for my trip to Uganda is still in the works as well. I've begun the process of asking people for financial support, and have been accepted for a scholarship from First Presbyterian Church, Colorado Springs, CO.
After a few weeks in Seattle, and can't help but be thankful for G-d's placing me here in a community like this. May the L-rd be praised for the way he takes care of all of us.
Marcus just got to Pennsylvania to spend more time with our friends the Matheneys again. Gary and Seth made it to Minneapolis, last I've heard. And Bailey is in Chicago, spending some time with Nicky.
Thank you for all of your prayers and support, but please don't stop praying for us and the various things we've found G-d calling us to.
P.S.: I apologize if I've been bad at getting back to you as of late. I will do my best to be better about that, but until that day I ask for your mercy and understanding.
I guess a good thing for me to talk about would be the community here. This is John Swanger's last week as head pastor of Scum of the Earth Church, Seattle, and although he, his son, and wife will be dearly missed I think we're all excited to see what the future has in store for this little grass roots church in the U-district.
As far as the house I'm living in right now, officially named Our House, is getting back into a rhythm as well. Although this last week has been a hard week for all of us, and learning how to support each other, as well as our visitors, we've begun the process of starting community dinners again. And the neighboring houses that have started this year have begun dialogue with us about how to gather as a larger community in the Wallingford neighborhood. It's exciting to see what having four houses full of brothers and sisters in the same neighborhood holds as possibilities. We're starting with maybe a rotating breakfast with each other, and might grow into even bigger things.
Our House is also involved in another circle of friends as well, where the conversation has been just as good. This community is sort of my bridge from my friends here from school, to the time I've spent as a part of the christian traveling community this last year. There's an apartment on capitol hill, a house in ballard, and our house, and gathering together to have talks about being a light in Seattle has been so encouraging. These houses have also been hosting a large number of the post Christian Summer Camp travelers. We're beginning to band together in order to learn what it may look like to shine the light of G-d in the midst of a potential chaos of an economic depression. And not only that, but we've been given the opportunity to help the Murder House in ballard become a more sustainable living environment. We've begun the process of converting the house to run on solar panels, windmills, a greenhouse, chicken coop, rabbit hutch, and compost. It's a blessing to have the opportunity to learn about these things by practicing them on a house that's been threatened with demolishing for the last three years.
And the process of preparing for my trip to Uganda is still in the works as well. I've begun the process of asking people for financial support, and have been accepted for a scholarship from First Presbyterian Church, Colorado Springs, CO.
After a few weeks in Seattle, and can't help but be thankful for G-d's placing me here in a community like this. May the L-rd be praised for the way he takes care of all of us.
Marcus just got to Pennsylvania to spend more time with our friends the Matheneys again. Gary and Seth made it to Minneapolis, last I've heard. And Bailey is in Chicago, spending some time with Nicky.
Thank you for all of your prayers and support, but please don't stop praying for us and the various things we've found G-d calling us to.
P.S.: I apologize if I've been bad at getting back to you as of late. I will do my best to be better about that, but until that day I ask for your mercy and understanding.
9.13.2008
Week one in Seattle Finished
Coming back to Seattle has been a rather different experience than I'd expected. I left Seattle the beginning of December, with every hour of my day planned out with staff meetings, Classwork, or get togethers with friends. And now back in Seattle, especially with a couple car loads of people from Christian Summer Camp her, my schedule has been anything but mapped out. And since many of the relationships between people here have had 9 months to change, I'm learning what role to play in this community again.
Had I thought about this more ahead of time I think it would have not been surprising to me that these first few weeks when many of the folks out here are preparing to make the transition from summer schedules to school schedules, would be rather lonely in a sense. I feel it would be overwhelming for me to be in a transition like this when a friend of mine showed up again after nine months of absence.
But the good reminder in the craziness of relocation, was to keep an outward focus in the sense of servitude. So this has made it good to spend time preparing for the trip to Uganda in October.
Which continues to excite me. I'm excited to be a part of a trip to another country in order to build familial ties (if you will) in the body of Christ, but with the attitude but with the mentality of each person bringing equal parts, not with the mentality of an American "Developed vs. Developing" Colonialist mentality.
When I was in Spokane, WA visiting with my friend Spencer, I had the opportunity to meet an exchange student from Nairobi, Kenya now at Whitworth, and he shared with me about some of the things he'd been telling me about the differences between his two homes. For instance, he shared with me his gratefulness for the simplicity of the faith his friends at home had. He told me how wonderful it was to just simply have your faith unriddled by theological debates about things like creation vs. evolution, and so forth. The connections this builds with me for with the desert fathers' conversations about simplicity, really excites me to be learning about.
Please continue to be praying for my preparations for this trip. Both for finances and preparations on my end of the trip.
Bailey and Marcus are on their way East on I-90 and Gary is still here in Seattle with me. Keep posted for more updates.
Had I thought about this more ahead of time I think it would have not been surprising to me that these first few weeks when many of the folks out here are preparing to make the transition from summer schedules to school schedules, would be rather lonely in a sense. I feel it would be overwhelming for me to be in a transition like this when a friend of mine showed up again after nine months of absence.
But the good reminder in the craziness of relocation, was to keep an outward focus in the sense of servitude. So this has made it good to spend time preparing for the trip to Uganda in October.
Which continues to excite me. I'm excited to be a part of a trip to another country in order to build familial ties (if you will) in the body of Christ, but with the attitude but with the mentality of each person bringing equal parts, not with the mentality of an American "Developed vs. Developing" Colonialist mentality.
When I was in Spokane, WA visiting with my friend Spencer, I had the opportunity to meet an exchange student from Nairobi, Kenya now at Whitworth, and he shared with me about some of the things he'd been telling me about the differences between his two homes. For instance, he shared with me his gratefulness for the simplicity of the faith his friends at home had. He told me how wonderful it was to just simply have your faith unriddled by theological debates about things like creation vs. evolution, and so forth. The connections this builds with me for with the desert fathers' conversations about simplicity, really excites me to be learning about.
Please continue to be praying for my preparations for this trip. Both for finances and preparations on my end of the trip.
Bailey and Marcus are on their way East on I-90 and Gary is still here in Seattle with me. Keep posted for more updates.
9.09.2008
A New Chapter of things
About forty people showed up to our little camp out in Idaho called Christian Summer Camp, and gathered together in fellowship for skill share sessions, worship, prayer, and good ol' horsin' around. And somehow Gary, Bailey, Marcus, Mando, Seth, Bear and I all made it out to Seattle so only Adam has separated from the group, but the day is coming upon us when a lot of us will split up.
Marcus and Bailey plan to go East and visit friends in Pennsylvania, Gary plans to spend some time with his lady friend, and so on and so on... And I will plan to stay here in Seattle for a "hot minute."
I've decided to come stay here in Seattle to spend some time with good friends who have been a part of my growing process for a number of years now, and maybe a mentor or two. Also I've decided to be committed to the Seattle branch of Scum of the Earth. I've felt a desire to be committed to a small local church in order to be of service there for a while and I really felt G-d pressing me to that. So that's where I am.
However, and wonderful opportunity has arisen for me to go with the International Bible Society to Uganda for a pastors conference with my mother, a pastor from Paris, IL, and one of the pastors from Scum of the Earth Denver. I've been asked to come along and help lead worship for this conference.
Had it been a "mission trip" I probably would not have joined the 10 day trip, but apparently some of the pastors and leaders of different ministries in that part of Africa have asked for young white people to come and hold conversation with people specifically on the topic of reconciliation. While I don't yet know how prepared I am for this, I am excited to learn from pastors who's congregations have a faith with beauty that comes from simplicity.
Josh Peebles (Scum of the Earth) and I will spend a few days after the conference with a number of people there and then fly back together.
Please pray for the finances involved in this trip, seeing as plane-flights to Africa are not the cheapest things in the world. In fact the budget for our two-and-a-half week trip is supposed to be about $2500. And the truth is I don't know very many people that ever live on that kind of budget.
As far as this blog goes, I think being in a more stable place than Marcus' I will be posting on this blog more than he, but I hope you may be able to look forward to updates from him as well.
Thank you for your continuous prayers.
Marcus and Bailey plan to go East and visit friends in Pennsylvania, Gary plans to spend some time with his lady friend, and so on and so on... And I will plan to stay here in Seattle for a "hot minute."
I've decided to come stay here in Seattle to spend some time with good friends who have been a part of my growing process for a number of years now, and maybe a mentor or two. Also I've decided to be committed to the Seattle branch of Scum of the Earth. I've felt a desire to be committed to a small local church in order to be of service there for a while and I really felt G-d pressing me to that. So that's where I am.
However, and wonderful opportunity has arisen for me to go with the International Bible Society to Uganda for a pastors conference with my mother, a pastor from Paris, IL, and one of the pastors from Scum of the Earth Denver. I've been asked to come along and help lead worship for this conference.
Had it been a "mission trip" I probably would not have joined the 10 day trip, but apparently some of the pastors and leaders of different ministries in that part of Africa have asked for young white people to come and hold conversation with people specifically on the topic of reconciliation. While I don't yet know how prepared I am for this, I am excited to learn from pastors who's congregations have a faith with beauty that comes from simplicity.
Josh Peebles (Scum of the Earth) and I will spend a few days after the conference with a number of people there and then fly back together.
Please pray for the finances involved in this trip, seeing as plane-flights to Africa are not the cheapest things in the world. In fact the budget for our two-and-a-half week trip is supposed to be about $2500. And the truth is I don't know very many people that ever live on that kind of budget.
As far as this blog goes, I think being in a more stable place than Marcus' I will be posting on this blog more than he, but I hope you may be able to look forward to updates from him as well.
Thank you for your continuous prayers.
8.26.2008
some recent pictures
a few recent pictures have been added if you want to see:
photobucket.com/traindevie
password:(youngerbrothersfirstname)-(lastname)
photobucket.com/traindevie
password:(youngerbrothersfirstname)-(lastname)
Sudden and perhaps unexpected
A long time ago in December of last year, when marcus and I decided to take a trip traveling, we set out with a number of things in mind. We both set out to learn about Christian Community and a desire to see the way that different parts of the body of Christ, and we both new that there would come a time in the fall when we would probably move on to something else.
Then in February we ended up traveling with some other folks and G-d gave us a school bus with a vision. And so from that time on we began learning about Christian Community specifically a nomadic Christian Community through practicing this lifestyle for close to six months.
Now it is almost September (my projected end date for traveling), and all of the members of the "Train de Vie" had been feeling for a while that is was time to move on to something else. So we began praying for insight on what to do. And while we didn't pray nearly as much as we could have nor as much as we would have desired to, G-d gave us an answer to our prayers.
During our stay at Cornerstone music festival we met a lot of different people from all over the place and participated in our own unprofessional version of networking. So while we were staying at the new Scum of the Earth building in Denver with the decision making date, in regards to the bus, drawing near, a friend of ours from Cornerstone showed up.
Brandon stayed with for a couple of weeks being a G-d-send of encouragement, not really knowing our position with the bus. Yet, without knowing our position with the bus, he began telling about some of his visions and desires for the future. And soon enough we began to see his passions for G-d and music. He told us that he had a dream of obtaining a bus to convert to veggie oil, so that he could help ensure the future of some of the music he is a part of. In fact, he told us that some of the other members in his band had come to the conclusion that if they weren't able to tour in a manner more caring for G-d's creation, they wouldn't tour.
So we began talking and praying about how his visiting us unexpectedly like this, our individual needs for the future, and our desire to continue to bless other with the things G-d had given us. And to put it simply, we felt like this was the door G-d had opened for us, and him. So we felt like this was a wonderful opportunity to practice our understanding of the Scriptures telling us to "freely give as we freely had received." And now our friend Brandon has a school bus with a wonderful mural on it, and many other things, that G-d has provided through the beautiful people who have helped us along the way.
So what this means:
For now the Train de Vie crew is now on it's way to Christian Summer Camp in Idaho, and Train de Vie has a new first mate named brandon who has taken it to Portland, for its first steps in a new life. I have plans to spend some time in Seattle after Christian Summer camp for which Gary will come along for (for we don't know how long), Marcus and Bailey will make their way to Michigan and then to some other placed back East with ending plans in Denver again, and Adam has made his arrangements to live in an apartment in Denver.
We want to thank you again for your continuous prayers. If you would like to continue praying for us that would be greatly appreciated, as well as your prayers for Brandon and inevitable future of adventures.
What will happen with this blog in the future will be posted soon.
Thanks for taking the time to read this
Then in February we ended up traveling with some other folks and G-d gave us a school bus with a vision. And so from that time on we began learning about Christian Community specifically a nomadic Christian Community through practicing this lifestyle for close to six months.
Now it is almost September (my projected end date for traveling), and all of the members of the "Train de Vie" had been feeling for a while that is was time to move on to something else. So we began praying for insight on what to do. And while we didn't pray nearly as much as we could have nor as much as we would have desired to, G-d gave us an answer to our prayers.
During our stay at Cornerstone music festival we met a lot of different people from all over the place and participated in our own unprofessional version of networking. So while we were staying at the new Scum of the Earth building in Denver with the decision making date, in regards to the bus, drawing near, a friend of ours from Cornerstone showed up.
Brandon stayed with for a couple of weeks being a G-d-send of encouragement, not really knowing our position with the bus. Yet, without knowing our position with the bus, he began telling about some of his visions and desires for the future. And soon enough we began to see his passions for G-d and music. He told us that he had a dream of obtaining a bus to convert to veggie oil, so that he could help ensure the future of some of the music he is a part of. In fact, he told us that some of the other members in his band had come to the conclusion that if they weren't able to tour in a manner more caring for G-d's creation, they wouldn't tour.
So we began talking and praying about how his visiting us unexpectedly like this, our individual needs for the future, and our desire to continue to bless other with the things G-d had given us. And to put it simply, we felt like this was the door G-d had opened for us, and him. So we felt like this was a wonderful opportunity to practice our understanding of the Scriptures telling us to "freely give as we freely had received." And now our friend Brandon has a school bus with a wonderful mural on it, and many other things, that G-d has provided through the beautiful people who have helped us along the way.
So what this means:
For now the Train de Vie crew is now on it's way to Christian Summer Camp in Idaho, and Train de Vie has a new first mate named brandon who has taken it to Portland, for its first steps in a new life. I have plans to spend some time in Seattle after Christian Summer camp for which Gary will come along for (for we don't know how long), Marcus and Bailey will make their way to Michigan and then to some other placed back East with ending plans in Denver again, and Adam has made his arrangements to live in an apartment in Denver.
We want to thank you again for your continuous prayers. If you would like to continue praying for us that would be greatly appreciated, as well as your prayers for Brandon and inevitable future of adventures.
What will happen with this blog in the future will be posted soon.
Thanks for taking the time to read this
8.19.2008
Mansion Kids*
I want to begin by apologizing for the delay in posting on this blog, because I realize that many of our friends and family read this blog to know how we are doing and how to be praying for us. And, we really don't have an excuse for not having posted anything. Our collective apologies.
To give you an update however,.....
The last few weeks have been filled with daily tasks and good conversations. We've torn out old furnaces from the basement (piece by piece), made planting beds, and given more tours than I would have ever expected.
Our average week has looked a little like this:
Sundays; help with the Scum of the Earth Bike Shop, and Church in the evening.
Mondays; normally includes some sort of dumpster-diving adventure to pick up produce, juice, breads, pastries, tortillas, "LARA BARS", and ....
Tuesdays; Vegan community dinner at Josh Peebles' house
Wednesdays; Help with the Scum of the Earth Bike Shop, Bread Baking Class at the Denver Civic Center, and an occasional movie at the Tin Man
Thursdays; a stop by the Derailer Bike Shop, a house dinner, and meeting (to check in with each other
Fridays; normally left unplanned
and Saturdays; normally includes some sort of gather of friends
However, we try to begin every day in prayer together, and normally there is at least one of us at the house working on one thing or the other.
Since our last posting our friend Brandon from Alaska has come to stay with us and therby given us much encouragement.
Our friend Mando has also moved from staying with our friends Johno, Sarah, Aaron, and Julia to staying with us most nights.
And most importantly Bailey has returned from her trip to Florida and is once again in the ranks of the formerly known as "bus kids".
Marcus has been on the hunt for a job and I've spent some time working for United Restaurant Supply Inc. in Colorado Springs and then come back to Denver and begun my short stint in Driving a Petty Cab for Colorado Rickshaw in Downtown Denver in the evenings. Which brings to mind the hot topic of the last few weeks; the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
With the Democratic National Convention approaching Denver is preparing to host the largest group of visitors it has ever seen. And supposedly driving a Petty Cab during this time will be quite the adventure.
This time could deffinitly use a lot of prayer concerning the interaction between protesters, convention goers, and the people of denver who will be trying to live through this potential storm of events.
After our time here, the majority of the people staying at Scum's new building are planning to go up to Idaho, to spend some time with our friends at a camp out called Christian Summer Camp.
Please be praying for the upcoming weeks, during which I think all of us will be experiencing a lot of changes and times of transition in our lives.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I will be sure to have something posted with more detail in the near future.
*Once upon a time our traveling band of hooligans was dubbed the bus kids, however, all of us hated this. But as of the other day, we've been dubbed the mansion kids, due to the size of the house we've been staying in.
Still don't know how to feel about this...
To give you an update however,.....
The last few weeks have been filled with daily tasks and good conversations. We've torn out old furnaces from the basement (piece by piece), made planting beds, and given more tours than I would have ever expected.
Our average week has looked a little like this:
Sundays; help with the Scum of the Earth Bike Shop, and Church in the evening.
Mondays; normally includes some sort of dumpster-diving adventure to pick up produce, juice, breads, pastries, tortillas, "LARA BARS", and ....
Tuesdays; Vegan community dinner at Josh Peebles' house
Wednesdays; Help with the Scum of the Earth Bike Shop, Bread Baking Class at the Denver Civic Center, and an occasional movie at the Tin Man
Thursdays; a stop by the Derailer Bike Shop, a house dinner, and meeting (to check in with each other
Fridays; normally left unplanned
and Saturdays; normally includes some sort of gather of friends
However, we try to begin every day in prayer together, and normally there is at least one of us at the house working on one thing or the other.
Since our last posting our friend Brandon from Alaska has come to stay with us and therby given us much encouragement.
Our friend Mando has also moved from staying with our friends Johno, Sarah, Aaron, and Julia to staying with us most nights.
And most importantly Bailey has returned from her trip to Florida and is once again in the ranks of the formerly known as "bus kids".
Marcus has been on the hunt for a job and I've spent some time working for United Restaurant Supply Inc. in Colorado Springs and then come back to Denver and begun my short stint in Driving a Petty Cab for Colorado Rickshaw in Downtown Denver in the evenings. Which brings to mind the hot topic of the last few weeks; the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
With the Democratic National Convention approaching Denver is preparing to host the largest group of visitors it has ever seen. And supposedly driving a Petty Cab during this time will be quite the adventure.
This time could deffinitly use a lot of prayer concerning the interaction between protesters, convention goers, and the people of denver who will be trying to live through this potential storm of events.
After our time here, the majority of the people staying at Scum's new building are planning to go up to Idaho, to spend some time with our friends at a camp out called Christian Summer Camp.
Please be praying for the upcoming weeks, during which I think all of us will be experiencing a lot of changes and times of transition in our lives.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I will be sure to have something posted with more detail in the near future.
*Once upon a time our traveling band of hooligans was dubbed the bus kids, however, all of us hated this. But as of the other day, we've been dubbed the mansion kids, due to the size of the house we've been staying in.
Still don't know how to feel about this...
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