Beach boy

We did a quick trip to the ocean this a.m. I think we'll be back :-) (After all we do all need tans.)

Thoughts While Cheryl's Away

Currently I'm experiencing life without my wife and son. Here are the top thoughts that I find going through my head...

5. Hope I don't forget to tell Cheryl that.
4. Hope Cheryl doesn't find out about that (don't worry, she will--this is usually in reference to housekeeping matters).
3. Sure would be nice to have that iPod back.
2. Wonder what Cullen's up to. Boy, he was a cute little ringbearer.

And, last but not least...

1. Man, it's going to take up my whole day to keep this place neat!

Come home!!

Cullen the Ringbearer

Yes, Cullen finally fulfilled his destiny to be a ringbearer! He was an integral part to the marriage of his cousin Kelly to her new husband Matt on June 14, 2009. Below is how it all played out...

Haunted University

Cheryl and I were in Michigan last week for a family wedding. We went to Ann Arbor, home to the University of Michigan. We enjoy visiting different university campuses when we travel, and Ann Arbor is one of the best. It is extensive, spacious, green (meaning the color), bookstoreful, and temperate. All of this assumes a summer visit, by the way.

Most pics turned out blurry (the camera was drowsy), but here's one of me and Cullen who was dancing near the diag.



I spent a lot of time in Ann Arbor in my teenage years. First, to buy used records and books. Then, to visit my sister and brother-in-law who taught me about the Christian life after I had been converted to Christ at age 17.75. Then, to visit my good friend Rob who was attending U of M.

Some old haunts:




And by the way, here's an updated photo of my mom and her five children:

Fifteen Books

Finally, a Facebook quiz I can believe in. Hat tip to Joel Pearce. The rules are:

This can be a quick one, don't take too long to think about it. Come up with fifteen books you've read that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than 15 minutes. Tag 15 friends, including me because I'm interested in seeing what books my friends choose.

I will not tag 15 friends, sorry, but I'd love to know your list. Here is the list I came up with quickly, without much thought, in order to maintain honesty. I'm sure I'll regret certain books not being on this list. As with my circle of friends, most (not all) of these tend to be books I read early on during a foundational time in my life--there are many excellent books that should be here but did not enter my system early enough.

1. The Bible – and in particular, the burgundy bonded leather one that my mom gave me as a gift after I became a reluctant but joyful convert to Jesus Christ in 1988

2. Knowing God – J.I. Packer

3. How Long, O Lord? – D.A. Carson

4. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams

5. Desiring God – John Piper

6. A Quest for Godliness – J.I. Packer

7. He is There and Is Not Silent – Francis Schaeffer

8. The Church Before the Watching World – Francis Schaeffer

9. Hackers – Stephen Levy

10. Peanuts (all of them) – Charles Schultz

11. Far Side (the first ¾ of them) – Gary Larson

12. Calvin and Hobbs (all of them) – Bill Watterson

13. Doonesbury (all of them prior to Garry Trudeau’s sabbatical in the mid-80s, after which he lost his sense of humor completely)

14. No Compromise – biography of Keith Green by his wife Melodie

15. The Resurrection of the Son of God - N.T. Wright

Mark Driscoll says "Hey"

In the midst of our action-packed life as of late, I was quite happy for Ken when doors quickly opened for him to attend the Advance 09 conference on short notice. But when I heard about it I wished I were going! I said to Ken the day before he left, "I wonder if you'll get to meet Mark Driscoll?" With 3,000 people expected it didn't seem likely. So I said, "Let's pray that you get to." "Why?" Ken said, "What would I say to him?"

What, indeed. Where should I start?

How about thanking him for making all of his media available, not just his incredible sermons but all of the talks from the Acts 29 church-planting conferences, material that is so applicable to and encouraging for (and yet absent from) pastoral ministry, and that it is all available for FREE? How about thanking him for being "reformed-theology-meets-refreshing practicality-and-applicability, in a no-holds-barred, passionate, authentic, contemporary way"? How about thanking him for being such a huge encouragement, yes, even a lifeline of sorts, to your wife as we serve the church?

Is that enough? Because I can keep going.

I first started listening to Mark Driscoll four years ago in NJ. I enjoyed him immediately, even read his first book, but my listening wasn't what one could call consistent. My life and schedule didn't lend itself well to that. As I was converted to a stay-at-home mom in VA, with afternoons full of home improvement projects while my little guy napped, I've listened to Driscoll podcasts on the iPod, at least weekly and at times daily, for the past 18 months. A steady diet, if you will. I won't go into the gory details of all I have learned about myself in this process. Suffice it to say I have identified and am disposing of (by God's grace) some major idols in my life. And my perspective on being married to a pastor has radically changed.

THANK HIM.

Well, after Ken got to Durham it seemed even more unlikely that he would have a chance to say anything to Driscoll in person. He called yesterday at the end of the first day's talks to report that, as suspected, the speakers did their thing and were gone. Furthermore, Ken is not even staying at the host hotel, but a mile away. Nevertheless that afternoon Ken prayed again, "if it is your will Lord."

A few hours later last night, Ken and the elder who is with him were looking for a dinner spot, walking down a street a few blocks off the main drag. As they walked, who should be coming *directly* their way but Driscoll, walking with a tech guy. Their paths met, Ken stopped them, and after some introductions and pleasantries, gave Driscoll some version of what I had suggested. Told him how much we both really appreciate his preaching. Told him that he (meaning Ken) has a "Yoda-wife," who has been greatly helped.

Driscoll thanked him and as they parted, said, "Say 'Hey' to your wife for me."

Advancement

I've groomed the lawn and the Lord has watered it. I've had a restful five hours of sleep, dreaming about our family mole. I've packed my bags and books. And so now I'm ready for Advance09!

This is a conference in Durham, NC, in which 3/4 of my favorite preacher-mentors combine to discuss the topic that couldn't be nearer to my heart and soul--the church.

I have often said, I do not love the church because I am a pastor; I am a pastor because I love the church. (Note: But if you think that by "church" I mean buildings and pews, we need to talk!)

Following this conference, I'll be back to preach - would be hard not to - and then off to Michigan for Kelly's wedding and then Florida. The wedding will be great fun, whereas Orlando will be all business... well, business and worship and relationships. Kinda hard to explain.

I'm off.