I need to be crazy

I just finished listening to Francis Chan's sermon called "enCourage". He started out by introducing two new elders and had the congregation pray for them. He spoke how these men were already acting as elders in their body. They were leading, caring and actively participating. He could speak on their character. He then spoke about a conference he spoke at. He met all sorts of people there. A lot of the people had started organizations that were specifically designed to help free slaves, specifically girls sold or kidnapped into the sex trade. It's strange how I am so protected by my bubble that I can't fully comprehend how people do this. He spoke about how an ethics professor at Stanford had his students observe ethics in their surroundings, specifically in the poor areas around them. They ended up busting a child sex ring in that town. He wound up starting foundation to make people aware of the plight of these girls. Pretty awesome.
Francis had several other stories like this where people were moved to follow Christ's direction to aid the oppressed. He challenged the church to be bold. To make sacrifices. To listen to God's direction and follow. Even if it is crazy. I loved how he said that he finally didn't feel crazy at this conference. When he got riled up about stuff, instead of people calming him down, they encouraged him. He then spoke about how as a body, we need to speak courage (en "courage") to others to help them step out and be bold. Rather than conforming to the world, that we bring Christ to the world through unconventional and radical methods (if it is radical or unconventional to help the poor and oppressed, the orphans and the widows).

Here are the questions that I am asking myself after hearing this:
1. What are some things that I can do right now that Christ is asking me to do?
2. Where is my heart? Am I broken for the lost, the poor, the oppressed?
3. What is God calling me to? What way can I serve and best display Christ?
4. Do I trust Him?
5. Am I encouraging others? Or do I give them fear rather than courage?

I really do need to be crazy. Francis used the example of Joshua and Caleb in Numbers 14:6. Everyone thought they were crazy. But, as it turns out, it was everyone but Joshua and Caleb who was crazy. I know that I fear that life, putting myself out there and having the world tell me I'm insane for following God. I'm a YL leader. I am supposed to be cool. What would happen if I threw myself out there? Where would God take me? As much as I am afraid, it is just as exciting and desirable.

9

9 things that made yesterday fun:

1. West whispering to me "you're the best daddy ever"
2. Penelope smiling all of the time.
3. Ness' love of dark chocolate caramel.
4. Soccer league champs! Undefeated!
5. Cutest cheering section ever (Ness and Pen)
6. Graeters!
7. Having two pages left in the Magician's Nephew. Thanks power outage!
8. Seeing John Smoltz pitch in a Red Sox jersey (not pretty, but lots of potential)
9. Listening to the gigantic storm

Throwback

Right now, there is nothing more popular than bringing something back to life. Especially if it was from the eighies (Transformers, GIJoe, Keytar, etc). Here are some 80's things I thought would not go well if they made comebacks:

Gobots - yup they were just crappy substitutes for Transformers back then.
The Cold War
New Coke
Short basketball shorts
Johnny 5
Max Headroom
Michael Jackson
Wham
Goonies

Some of these things may not even be from the 80's. I don't care. I just don't want to see them again. Got any more?

Ill Communication

I have been frustrated by poor communication. How hard is it to get information to one group? Usually, if you are the holder of the information, you know who wants it. And if you know who wants it, you should know various ways to give it to them. For basic information, such as time and location of events, this should be a no-brainer. Obviously, things get screwed up. E-mail addresses are typed incorrectly, people get left off of lists, etc. But these are things that should be remedied immediately and checked often.

Now, more complicated information, such as concepts, ideas and group questions, are harder to communicate. They need feedback. They also need to be communicated clearly and precisely. There is also a lot riding on perception. The receivers need to be taken in consideration as their point of view affects how they interpret and use the information. For basic information, it is easy to send a message to say "meet here at this time" and everyone should have a good idea of what is happening. However, when there is more information with depth, communication needs to be well thought out and given well in advance to allow for questions and issues.

The long and short of this is that I am frustrated with communication around me and in my life. I fail so often to be pro-active and inclusive with all involved. Here is what I want to do with communication in my life:

1. Be clear
2. Be honest
3. Be inclusive
4. Get to the point

Obviously, this is a much more complicated part of life that requires more than these four things. And most of my issues concern communicating information to a group. I have a lot more work to do on my communication skills with individuals. But it's a start.

This weekend: Leadership, team hangout, pool party, grocery shopping, church, help out at Roots, Father's Day fun. Sox play the Braves.

Thursday...yup

It's Thursday. Not Friday. I've always liked Thursday. I feel like something fun was always happening on Thursday. It didn't have the pressure of doing fun stuff like Friday or Saturday and it wasn't quite Monday through Wednesday. Thursday is like a Friday pre-party. A Friday warm up. Not that I go crazy on Friday. But Thursday is definitely the day to shake off the stress of the week and to look forward to the weekend.

I have been reading Mark lately. God has revealed some great stuff through His word. Here are some thoughts that have arisen:

-Faith is the spark for everything, especially healings. Jesus makes such a distinction to make sure that we know that He is focused on our faith, not the miracle. And if we are being used by Him to heal, it is not only our faith, but the faith of these being healed that is critical to Him moving. The miracle should not be our focus, but rather our faith and trust in Him to work. Faith is like the All Spark in Transformers. It brings life, restoration, hope and can transform. Yup, I just did that.

-I love how Mark plows through action. You just such a feel for Jesus' agenda, His mission. How can I go through my days with such purpose? Praying here, healing and ministering there, teaching the crowds, drawing everything out for the disciples. In separate moments, I am sure that it would appear that Jesus is taking advantage of opportunities. But Mark helps me see that it is so much more than that. He is driven. His focus is totally on the cross and resurrection.

-Jesus can not be trapped. Not in arguments or in a physical trap. It is only when He allows it to happen. I feel that I try and "trap" Him all of the time. I try and pick and choose who and what He will be for me. I want to put him in my pocket and pull Him out to show my friends how cool I am. I would tell them how I did it and how they can do it to. In reality, I need to submit to Him. I need to be captivated by Him. I need to serve Him. I need to let go of that little nuisance called pride.

-I don't know enough scripture. I don't know the facts. But I can tell you all about Boston's stats. Each player's BA, OBP and even VORP. But I struggle with basic knowledge. Quick, name the twelve disciples. Did you forget Thaddaeus? These are heroes of the faith!

Well, just some stuff that I am chewing on.

Yarrrrr!!!!

West has Pirate Camp this week. I am not exactly sure what goes on there, as he is pretty vague with the details. But he has fun. And he gets to dress up like a pirate. Can't go wrong there. West has also become obsessed with Transformers. Part of me is okay with this, as I love Transformers. I am even letting him play with my old school toys (what up, original Optimus Prime!). Part of me sees myself in him. Some may say that I am obsessed with the Red Sox. Those who knew me in high school would say that I might have a problem with my love for the Celtics. I hope that I can show West that he can like stuff a lot, but still be able to step away from it. I am trying to learn this myself. I have become okay with not watching every second of every Red Sox game. I try and let it go when they lose. I even try to not wear Sox stuff all of the time. Yes, I know that I still am obsessed. Work in progress people.

Penelope has come down with a little cold. I think she will be all right. It's just a stuffy nose right now. She's pretty cute when she sneezes. I remember with West a moment when I realized that he was my son and my responsibility. It wasn't like I was not taking care of him or loving him. I just remember realizing that my life would be different from then on. I have started to realize that with Penelope recently. It's a little different, already having West. But it is cool to see how God carves out this space in my heart and life for Penelope. It's funny to think what life was like without these kids. What did we do with our time (besides some extra sleep)?

Stuff I am looking forward to in the next week: the return from camp, pool party, dinner with Ness on Saturday, soccer, Ness intercessing at Chop, leadership, campaigners, tennis w/Kolia, Transformers (none of this is in order, by the way)

Good stuff.

Penelope

You have 9 months to prepare. To set up, to paint, to consider how your life will be different. And you will never be fully ready.

Penelope True Cannon arrived on the 6th at 5:58am weighing 7 lbs 8 oz. She is beautiful.

We try and quantify how God blesses us by speaking in worldly terms. We talk about jobs, money, food, etc.

Penelope reminds me that God blesses us with life. With every breath.

She reminds me to trust in Him.

She reminds me that I am not in control, and that is a good thing.

She reminds me of how the Father loves us, loves me.

We didn't know this right away when we first started to like the name Penelope, but Penelope means Faithful. We actually thought that we were going to name her True, as Ness felt that God had really put a verse on her heart:

Revelation 19:11 (New International Version)
11I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war.

God is good. He is faithful and true.