Moving Reflections

Lately, I feel like I'm too focused on this move, that I'm missing out on my relationship with God. At the same time, as I think about it, buying our first house makes me very focused on God--even if I'm neglecting the opportunities during the day to connect with Him.
For one thing, we can't deny how God has provided this house for us. It clearly has been His doing. And even though I can grow anxious about finances with it, I know that we'll be okay as God has done good so far. Jehovah Jireh.

It is also is a very humbling experience. There are plenty of months that we stretch things to make ends meet. We've giving up trips to theme parks, vacations and plenty of "enhancements" in our life. At the same time, as I put each of my possessions into boxes, I can't deny how well we have it. Especially compared with other parts of the world we've seen. We have everything we need--plus so much more (too much more?).

It's also been a great reminder that we're not alone. We can't do it alone. Sure, we could hire a moving company (if it was in the budget), but we're doing it ourselves. Except we're not. My family is helping. And many friends have volunteered as well (including one coming from Alaska!). Just another reminder that we need community--and community is an enriching experience.

Community

I try (rather unsuccessfully at times) to limit the amount of television I watch. There are much more productive things to do with my time; there are better ways to grow my marriage and myself. But sometimes I get sucked in by compelling characters, good story-telling or just something that gives me a few laughs in a day.

A popular new-comer this year was Community. It's season finale airs tonight, so I admit I'm a bit late in talking about the show which is about an eclectic group of students at a community college who band together to form a study group for the Spanish class they find themselves taking together.

The show features a cynical ex-lawyer trying to get an authentic bachelor's degree to practice law again, a feminist atheist struggling with direction, a Muslim Palestinian-American pop-culture junkie, an evangelical African American single mother, a repressed Jewish former Adderall addict, a former high school athletic star Jehovah's Witness, and a racist and sexist retired business tycoon who belongs to a quasi-Buddhist cult (through which Chevy Chase make s a wonderful comeback in his career).

The group's only common bond is Spanish class. Their eccentricities and differences often lead to misunderstandings, heated arguments and hurt feelings, but they also have developed deeper friendships and even a greater love for each other. Though initially joining together over a need to do well in Spanish class, their community is formed as they learn to tolerate each other's differences, stand up for each other and even unselfishly make sacrifices for each other.

With such a mixed group, moral behavior isn't going to always be present, of course. But the group has reminded many in our culture of a need for something most of us have been missing out on: community. We all belong to communities of various natures, but we seldom experience true community. We need relationships that build us up, take us out of our comfort zones, love us and accept us.

Donald Miller reminds us that we need to be intentional about creating this relationships. We're probably not going to end up in a study group that facilitates the relationships we need. Our friendships must be intentional (they always are on some level as we decide who to invest in or not). And those relationships also require a commitment. We must decide to intentionally get together regularly for fellowship. We must be purposeful about building relationships up outside of group times. We must look beyond ourselves to the needs of others (hmmm, this is beginning to sound like the ideal church).

Interestingly, almost every person in the group on Community has been forced out or chosen to get out of the group for a time, but they always come back and are welcomed with open arms. Forgiveness and acceptance are always present. Indeed, the group comes to realize that they need each and every person in the group. Cheers reminded us years ago that "sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name." Community is reminding us that we have a deeper need beyond just being known. We need to feel accepted and connected.

Good Times

Wednesday afternoon our friends Kennan and Alaina arrived. They had just left their family in Iowa that morning. On their way to Alaska. To live there. So I'm very grateful that we were included in their journey. We took them that afternoon to the Minneapolis Sculpture Park.

From their we went to Lake Harriet for a picnic supper. Then we played a rousing game of Kubb--a Swedish game which we've seen many times around here, but never had the chance to play ourselves; it drew a few spectators.n we sat to listen to one of the nightly concets there. It happened to be 4 artists that are part of the Minnesota Songrwriters Association, showcasing their works. It was fun--we were all in a silly, tired mood. Once duet mostly sang songs about dogs (they have a CD with 15 tracks about dogs, if you're interested). We had a hard time not laughing too loud through some of it. I don't have pictures of the concert, except for the man with the dog doo bag haning out his shorts. It seemed appropriate.

Yesterday we just relaxed and enjoyed time together. Kennan & Alaina got the oil changed in their car before they started off on the next 4000 miles of their journey. Anders had a soccer game last night, so we went to that. It's been cold here the last couple days (well, cold for Minnesota in July. We're lucky to hit the upper 60s), so we pulled out sweatshirts and pants. They took off early this morning to get across North Dakota and into Canada. And they leave with many blessings as they start a new life/ministry in Alaska. Kyrie eleison down the road that you must travel.

Over the River and Through the Woods

Last Saturday we headed off to Wisconsin for the weekend. On our way out of town, we stopped to see Peaty & Erin & baby Elliot in St. Paul. (Erin & Peaty are the couple who flew us out from BC to Iowa to do their wedding last August). Just a few weeks ago their baby was born (a few weeks early himself, but he at least held off for a while). Elliot had finally been discharged from the hospital and they were ready to finally get to their new home in Iowa.

It's a cool blessing to get to be a part of people's journeys through life. We first got to know Erin through the P-Cov youth group. Then she and Peaty were on staff at camp for my last three summers while I worked there. Each of them served in my department the last summer--little did I know they'd be getting married the next year. I'm grateful for those who have invited us in.

Next we headed over the St. Croix River and through the North Woods of Wisconsin to Beth's Mom's house. I had a meeting at our denomination's annual meeting that I needed to be at on Monday, so we headed out early to have some time with family. We got to see three out of the seven families of Beth's siblings over the weekend. And the boys got plenty of time with MorMor. In fact, they didn't want to leave her house. Which is good.

And the meeting went fairly well on Monday. For those who would like more details, drop me a line.