Fitting into Christ

Posted on
Reply

I stumbled upon Rachel Held Evans’ blog a couple months back. Not sure where from, but nonetheless. She recently posted a mini-series on being her quest for a spiritual home. I would recommend both posts to you. (Part I and Part II)

Her words resonate with me. From her inner-monologue, to her paradoxical connection-to-yet-distance-from so many Christian traditions. I even relate to the sense of wandering after a failed church plant.

These words, given to her by a Friend she met in Knoxville, struck home in a particular way:

“I feel at home because my home is inside of me. I’ve made a place in my heart for the Spirit, and it never leaves.”

I long to feel at home.

In a similar vein, this week I listened to a message Frank Viola delivered at the 2011 Momentum Conference entitled Epic Jesus: The Christ You Never Knew. In the message Frank drives home the mystery of Christ in us. This, Frank argues – with great passion and conviction, I must add – is the point. The love and life of God, made manifest first in Christ and now expanded across creation through the church, is God’s eternal purpose. It is the one thing God had in mind from before the very beginning.

I am starting to grasp this at an intellectual level, but I don’t yet believe it has really penetrated my spirit. Until it does, I think my sense of misfitting will continue. To be captured by God’s purpose is to be home.

Vacation 2011 – Day 8

Posted on
Reply

Today was a busy and active day in Charlotte. After a pancake breakfast, the Fishers and we headed out to the Whitewater Center for some outdoor fun. We only had time and budget for one activity, and rock climbing won the day.

20110709-102807.jpg

We weren’t up for that one just yet, so we tried a few easier courses. They also happened to be in the shade. Samantha was the only experienced climber in our family, having gone once before as part of a Brownie expedition.

20110709-103012.jpg

Jake wasn’t about to let that deter him. He didn’t quite reach the top, but he made it about 15 feet up one of the courses. I think floating down may have been his favorite part.

20110709-103140.jpg

Kerri took to it as well. She made it to the top and was already arranging a follow up date back in Dayton by the time we were leaving.

20110709-103317.jpg

With appetites on full alert, we next brought picnic lunches from Price’s Chicken Coop to the park. Now that is finger-lickin’ good food.

20110709-103637.jpg

The day ended with sandwiches and sweet potato fries at Duckworth’s. I believe we duly earned the beer sampler.

One last bit of news to wrap up a loose end from yesterday: Anne won the game of Catan that we finished this afternoon. I believe my students may see the game, too.

Vacation 2011 – Day 7

Posted on
Reply

Today was the most hectic and sundry day of our holiday. We started in Seneca, and after a complimentary continental breakfast at the motel we dropped in on a long-time family friend, Jane Foster. It was a wonderful treat to see her.

20110708-080738.jpg

Our next stops were drive-bys of our old places in Clemson. First we visited the house on Oak Street…

20110708-080931.jpg

…and then we drove past the house on what is now called Tant. We also went past the YMCA and my old elementary school.

20110708-081153.jpg

An hour’s drive later we were having lunch with my brother outside Greenville. I think tackling him may be the single event toward which the boys were most looking forward.

20110708-081512.jpg

Our last stop of the day is the Fisher home in Charlotte. We’ll be here until Monday, and if Tom has his way we’ll spend every spare moment playing board games. This is a new one I bought jus for this occasion, Catan: Settlers of America. There is a good chance that my students will see this at some pint I. The near future.

Vacation 2011 – Day 6

Posted on
Reply

Not a lot to day about this day of the vacation. We packed up and hit the road early toward our next destination, Seneca, South Carolina. I had a webinar to participate in this evening, so Kerri picked up some carrying to eat in the hotel room. Tomorrow, I’ll show off a couple more of my childhood homes, we’ll have brunch with my brother, Jeremy, and then we’ll ouch on to Charlotte for a couple days with the Fishers.

Vacation 2011 – Day 5

Posted on
2

Day 5 was the last day of our holiday’s Florida leg, so we were off to the beach once again. We went to the more tourist-centic Panama City Beach the previous day, so this time we headed the opposite direction toward Mexico Beach. I was hoping to show Kerri and the kids my old house on Tyndall AFB, but the security checkpoint was moved years ago. We did, however, get to make one stop.

20110707-104738.jpg

This is he first house I lived in when we moved to Florida nearly 30 years ago. It seems pretty much unchanged; i don’t remember blue trim to be honest. Surprisingly it has not been washed away by a hurricane. We stayed there for just a few minus while we waited for base housing to open up. Out the sliding door, turn right, and 60 steps later you’re in the Gulf.

After paying on the beach, building sand castles and what-not, we headed back to the house to rest before the magic show.

20110707-105752.jpg

Luke and I were both pretty excited, and the show didn’t disappoint. The grand stage illusions were fine, but I most enjoyed the smaller, audience-centered, bits. The show was quite funny.

20110707-110554.jpg

The kids got autographs and a photo afterward.