Let it Snow... Let it Snow... Let it... stop snowing

I really like snow... I like to drive in the snow... I like to play in the snow... I like the way it looks and feels... I like looking out my window at the snow falling... you could say I'm infatuated by it...

Right now it's snowing in Portland... it's been snowing consistently since the 14th of December... In north east portland, where Stacy and I live, there is about a 1 1/2 feet of snow and ice on the ground... and the snow continues to fall... we woke up to 3" this morning, and we should get 3' more by 10 p.m.

Like I said before, I like snow... but this snowfall has had it's consequences on my need for community... I find that the prolonged snow exposure has caused a selfishness fatigue. I feel a certain amount of cabin fever setting in. I'm actually disappointed I don't get to share my excitement with those I care most about...

The absence of having the worship gathering (worship service) has been difficult. We haven't met as a congregation for 2 Sundays due to the snow. In turn, I urn for being with my family of faith. I miss being with the people God has entrusted to my care (and me to their care).

I hope we are able to have a good turnout for our Christmas Eve worship gathering... I wait with anticipation for our time together and urn to share life together... it's amazing how absence makes the heart grow fonder...

This urning might be what advent is all about. I believe that there is a sense within us all of wanting what could be... I hope for reconciliation... not only personally... but in the context of community...

I have concluded that we must place ourselves in one another's orbit for reconciliation to happen... for what good is personal reconciliation, redemption, or revelation if they are not for the good of the community?

Fear = Lack of faith....

I have been thinking about I John 4 lately. The words that are written are an invitation out of fear, especially the fear of the unknown.
I can't help but be fearful of the unknown dangers, toils and snares that lay before us as individuals, culture and world. I tend to worry about things I can't control rather than exercise my faith... Worry is a way for me to participate in fear.

I believe that God has yet to abandon me, and I don't think God is about to start abandoning me (us) any time soon... it's just that I fear what I can't control... I fear the unknown future...

When I'm afraid i don't function in being present in the 'right now' of life. I usually gravitate toward an overwhelming sense of doom... that things aren't going to work out... that everything is going somewhere I don't want to go...

I once saw a bumper sticker that said, "Where are we going? and why am I in this hand-basket?"

If my fear is all tied up in what I can control then where does faith come in?

I have no idea how this whole economy thing is going to turn out... I don't think I'm supposed to know, mainly because I need to exercise my faith...

Faith that God is up to amazing things. Fear is my lack of faith.

"Perfect love drives out all fear" I John 4: 18

Big Ideas

So, I've been meaning to write down some of my 'big ideas' for a while... mainly to get them in a tangible form (instead of rattling around in my noggin) and to get some of your big ideas.

So heres a list of 'big ideas,' I'll unpack them in future posts:

Following Jesus is Simple (but not easy)
One must be a student of others
The now is vital to understand the 'not yet' of the kingdom... I think Jesus was more interested in us living into the now...
Mystery is essential to faith
God is not interested in competency
God is not interested in efficiency
God is not interested in safe
Faith is active and participatory not passive and apathetic
Values are the most difficult and time consuming issue in our lives
Restoration and reconciliation are byproducts of grace
Fear is a trademark of sin
Embracing non-arrival is a faith-filled act
Holy Leisure is a gift from God (Holy Leisure = doing nothing for God)
Placing ourselves in other people's orbit is vital to knowing God
Collaborative ideas create ownership
Community is a gift

The list will grow... but I'm excited about unpacking some of these Ideas with you...

let me know what 'big ideas' you'd add to the list...

grace and peace,

cv

L'Aubergale Vs the Car Seat

Our new dog L'Aubergale (Pronounced Low-ber-gale) was so frustrated with being left in the car earlier today that he chewed a bit of car seat to pacify his frustration.
I returned to the car this morning with L'Aubergale excited to see me, happy that I was back... and ready for the next adventure...

My response to this meeting, however, was with anger and frustration.

I was mad at him for being a puppy...

the damage is done... no catching him in the act, etc (the way to curb bad behavior in dogs is the 'redirect').

I felt a new kind of fear of the unknown... questions like will L'Aubergale tear up the whole car, given the chance? or was this a one time thing...

I had two meetings this afternoon that made it necessary for me to leave L'Aubergale unattended in the vehicle... needless to say, it was very difficult to concentrate on the discussion with the images of naugahyde, foam, and bare metal seat frames running through my head...

Guess what? I bought him a huge bone (which he ignored) just to give him other chewing options than the car... I gave him that more to pacify my fear than to give him a gift...

When I returned both times after my meetings he was fast asleep... no chewed up vehicle... no other destruction... all my fears unwarranted...

I am so motivated out of fear that I think it's chronic... but it's not working anymore... fear isn't a real motivation... it's an emotion that I react out of, but not a motivation...

Maybe, perfect love drives out all fear (I John 4)? I'd rather be motivated out of love than reacting out of fear... even at the expense of buying new car seats...