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“You are going to feel like hell if you never write the stuff that is tugging on the sleeves of your heart — your stories, visions, memories, visions and songs. Your truth, your version of things, your own voice. That is really all you have to offer us. And that’s also why you were born.”
Anne Lamott

“You are going to feel like hell if you never write the stuff that is tugging on the sleeves of your heart — your stories, visions, memories, visions and songs. Your truth, your version of things, your own voice. That is really all you have to offer us. And that’s also why you were born.”
Anne Lamott

It May Be Time for a Break

George 0 Comments

I’ve been working diligently on the renovation of our “blue house” we purchased last fall. I have been aware that it seems as though much of my time is being consumed by the project. This also includes my thoughts, even through the night. That would not be so bad but apparently my thinking is a zero sum proposition, so the more I think about the renovation project the less I think about more important matters.

My concern was confirmed this morning, A friend and I were headed to breakfast in Nicholasville this morning. Our route took us by Lowe’s (my second home). We were  engaged in conversation and as I came to the entrance to Lowe’s, without hesitation, I turned into the parking lot. Apparently not only is my conscious thinking being dominated by the project, so is my sub-conscious thinking.

I suppose I could use that experience to illustrate how when our lives are consumed by the kingdom of God, our kingdom work will become instinctive. That may be a good point, but for now it may be a good time to take a break.

A New Adventure

George 0 Comments

Yesterday our daughter Tanya shared some exciting news with us. She has been accepted by Vanderbilt University School of Nursing for enrollment in their Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program. It is a one year program which will require travel to Nashville once a month for eight of the twelve months. She will begin this coming August. It is a great opportunity and I very pleased for her and her family. Congratulations Tanya.

Michael Spencer Remembered

George 0 Comments

I have thought a lot about the Internet Monk (Michael Spencer) since his passing on April 5. He had a profound impact on me. I am not alone in that experience as evidenced by the comments and remembrances on the internet. I never met nor spoke to Michael yet we shared a kinship. Our relationship was the product of a mutual citizenship in the Kingdom of God. But there was something that made our relationship unique beyond our common bond as Jesus followers. I had been unsuccessful in defining just what made my relationship with Michael different from others until I read an excerpt from a eulogy delivered at his memorial service. A quote from that eulogy answered my question.

‘Michael put into words my own struggles in ways I wish I could but couldn’t. I know I’m not alone in this. His was putting himself out there so that we can read and shout, Yes! Exactly! Someone understands!’

That is it! I cannot count all the times while listening or reading Michael words that I would shout, “Yes, yes!”

Thank you Michael. I will miss you greatly.

The Life of Faith

George 0 Comments

I found this quote from Eugene Peterson in his book “The way of Jesus” to be encouraging and challenging.

The life of faith does not consist in imposing our will (or God’s will) either on other persons or on the material world around us. Instead of making the world around us or the people around us or our own selves into the image of what we think is good, we enter the lifelong process of no longer arranging the world and the people on our terms. We embrace what is given to us – people, spouse, children, forests. weather, city – just as they are given to us, and sit and stare, look and listen until we begin to see and hear the God-dimensions in each gift, and engage with what God has given, with what he is doing. Every time we set out, leaving our self-defined  or culture-defined state, leaving behind our partial and immature projects, a wider vista opens up before us, a landscape larger with promise.

Easter Weekend

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I enjoyed the Easter weekend. We joined the Crocketts and the Gabeharts for EasterSunday. Melissa and the kids stayed over Monday and we all celebrated Madison’s ninth birthday a day early. Here are some pictures from our time together.