Names of God

I was putting together a solo experience (time alone with God) for tomorrow morning for my students when Kelsey pointed me to this video. It is incredible and a great way to just meditate on the characteristics of the Almighty. Take three minutes and thirty-eight seconds when you have a chance to just be and enjoy...



...and now go buy it on iTunes. And, listen to it when you need to be reminded of these things. It's written and sang by Laurell Hubick (note: all the links in this article are to a different Laurell as she is no where to be found on myspace). She can sing.

the latter.

"At the end of ten days the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah" (Jer. 42:7).

Wait.

Be still.

Give him time,
the space.

To speak.

And listen,
closely.

He will
deliver.

Will you hear,
by waiting?

And in your hearing,
obey?

Hear.
Obey.

Maybe the latter is really my
problem.

"So Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces and all the people did not obey the voice of the LORD, to remain in the land of Judah" (Jer. 43:4)

wordless.

you. are. massive.
birds. seas. rocks. horizon.
so far. so wide.
waves. moon. clouds. blue.
millions. of shades.

people. kids. dogs. walking.
cared for. lonely. loved.
empty. empty. empty. full.
so creative. so vast.

where are you? there. here.
now. always. then.
mountains. hills. green.
rolling. majestic. thank you.
light. lights. noise. sight. smell.
of salt. of sea. of life.
of hope. aheadness. faith.

breathe in. again. lifted.
of burdens. oh. so sweet.
hard. reality. worry. doubt.
handled. held. heard. hurled.
upon. your back. amazed. flat.

wordless.

Wealth in Smallness.

Sitting across from William yesterday at dinner time was an incredible chance to hear from a seasoned Irish man who has read a lot, thought a lot, and had more wisdom than I could ever hope to attain. Yet, I passed him for the first 4 weeks with mere “hellos” and “how are yas?” One of my students reminded me of the cool and crazy reality that every single person we pass in a given day has an incredibly detailed story – perhaps just waiting to be told. I got to hear a few more pieces of William’s story and I, once again, realized my enjoyment of hearing stories.

William shared a quote he had heard recently that struck me and I wrote it down. We were talking about wealth and the way people in Ireland and the US approach money and prestige. The Frenchman Francoise de La Rochefoucauld said:

“Wealth can be measured by the greatness of what we have or the smallness of what we want.”

William is obviously further down this road of wanting less and I yearn to get to a place where I am truly wealthy because I desire very little that this world has to offer.

As I begin my second month in Ireland, my desire is to be marked by a consistent contentment and satisfaction in the here and now because I know the source of my hope and joy.

Night Hikes, Notre Dame, and Newness

Today I was asked by one of my students how I felt about change and where I ranked on the risk-taker scale. I sat there right after cooking a brunch for 30 people (yes, I'm learning to cook for 30 people...very quickly learning...and also being humbled) and realized how much I like my job. Part of the reason I am enjoying it so much is that these students are challenging me. I am amazed at the ways these students are engaging in a new situation, a new culture, a new bedroom, new friends, new classes. Newness surrounds them.

And, I realize that newness surrounds me as well. But, their response to a new life is challenging the way I approach this new phase of life for me. I haven't reflected as much as I'd like, but I am realizing that each day I am being challenged in my leadership and in my character. I am being forced to be about others above myself. I am learning to juggle many responsibilities and realize that I will disappoint people. I have made mistakes. I have been humbled by the lack of "productivity" my life might produce.

So many exciting things have happened that I'll only share a couple. I got to go on a night hike last night from Greystones to Brey. This trail follows the coastline of the Irish Sea where you are on the edge of a cliff most of the way. On a night with a full moon it was a breathtaking sight and a great chance to have a blast with 6 students. We sprinted to catch the last train back home and we made a chipper run and we ate the chips along the sea. I just kept saying, "Guys, where are we right now?"

Then, one of the students spent much of the day today helping me get the Notre Dame game online television. I got to watch the whole game and I was quite excited. That was my first chance to watch the Fighting Irish in Ireland.

So, as I reflect on the change and risk question I was asked earlier today, I realize that I am blessed to be able to experience the kind of risk and change this job has afforded. It hasn't felt like that much of a risk because I have felt an extreme sense of peace about where I am at right now. And, I have tried my best to embrace the change of life that is inevitable these days.

In Ireland.

Friends. Family. Loved ones. Strangers. I am currently a stranger in a foreign land, and while I share a common language with the fine people of this country, I am reminded daily that I’m “not in Kansas anymore.”

There are a myriad of little things to figure out each day. Whether it’s mobile phones, banking, greetings, meal plans, students’ names, locals’ names, etc., my brain is being worked overtime. At the same time, I love the adventure of figuring these things out and being forced to be a learner in everything that I do.

It has been a delight to get to know people. I would say Irish people, but I’ve met people from the UK and South Africa as well. One can never assume where a new acquaintance might be from originally. And, while this heritage doesn’t seem all that important at first, there are deeply held cultural differences which I am learning daily. The Irish are a grand people and I’m thankful for the chance to learn from them and understand their culture more and more each day.

I’ve been in Ireland for a week now. This is my third tip in 3 months but I’ll be staying this time. The Taylor students arrived on Monday and it’s been an exciting whirlwind of activity ever since. While it is exhausting, I am realizing how great a job it truly is and I’m excited for what is t come. I already feel like I just have this huge family and my heart already aches to think I’ll only spend 3 short months with these people.

All that to say, I plan to keep those who are interested in the loop as my life continues on in this transitional phase.

You Must Suffer. by John Piper

This video is a bit long, but it something to think about. I'd be interested to hear what you think about some of Piper's claims about suffering and pain as a follower of Christ.

Home...alone.

My family is currently spread across three continents. I am blessed to be holding down the fort (i.e. watering the flowers, mowing the lawn, and chasing the dogs) in Milford, IN. It's 92 degrees and 46% humidity today, yet each member of my family is probably dealing with more of each.

It is humbling to write that my family is all over the world. I realize we are very fortunate to be able travel, see, and experience so much. I understand that many cannot do the same (or maybe have no desire). But, I know that through these experiences we have been changed a lot. We have seen poverty, hunger, filth, hurt, and sin all over the world. Likewise, we have seen beautiful mountains, gorgeous lakes, endearing smiles, hopeful energy, and Christ at work.

We've seen joy. We've seen sadness. All of these things have affected the way we view the world and the way we view people. These experiences have affected the way we view our neighbor.

Hopefully, we will never take for granted these experiences or begin to feel entitled. I know that I am grateful.

If you get a chance today, pray for my family. You can check in to see how things are going in the Dominican Republic and Nepal/Bangladesh at the sites below:

Kory, Alison, Mom, and Dad
Kalyn Marie

May every experience you have to see more of the world alter the way you view your world, your neighbor, your family, your life.

C&U: Eastern University

Photo courtesy of Vernetta Mickey's Picasa Web Album

Eastern University is located just outside of Philadelphia in St. Davids, PA. Talk about a unique looking campus. I'm sitting* in the "Student Union" which holds the dining commons, coffee shop, post office, campus ministries offices, and several classrooms. This place is an old Mansion donated by a man back in the middle part of the 20th century. Old buildings everywhere. All of them made of stone. Sports fields are tucked in between buildings, ponds, hills, and trees. At this time of year, it's quite beautiful.

Eastern is known for its commitment to social justice. Its students have gone out to make incredible differences in the world in the name of Jesus. Shane Claiborne, author of Irresistible Revolution and Jesus for President, is most notable. Speaker and author Tony Campolo has been a faculty member at Eastern for quite some time and is well known for speaking out on controversial evangelical issues.

All that to say, Eastern is a cool place. If you're on campus, talk to some students. You're likely to see a student walking around barefoot. Ask them why? It was intriguing. Or you might see a student that just got back from downtown Philadelphia. You're likely to see students from all over the world. Eastern is a school with a history that has lent itself to vast influence. They truly push students to move beyond themselves. It's a cool place.**

*I wrote most of this like 6 months ago and am actually sitting Payne's.
**I'm done with my thesis and am therefore going to, occasionally, write some stuff here.

The College Series

I've been sitting on my haunches trying to determine if I wanted to write anything on here related to what I've been thinking. Truth is, my mind has been on overdrive the past month or so. The problem is that I've had little time to parse through the meanderings of my brain which, unfortunately, can leave me numb at times.

So, for now, I decided to start a series about all the colleges and universities that I've visited (or want to visit). I am in the latter half of a masters program in higher education and student development at Taylor University. As I've done some recruiting for our program, I've realized how few people realize what this type of degree prepares one for. Well, my pad answer for why I do it is: "I just wanted the opportunity to invest in the lives of young people who are at a key crossroads in life."

The truth is that I just like college campuses. I just never want to leave them. (Slight exageration). But, they are unique places. They are alive with energy, promise, hope, and spirit. That's the positive side. They are also alive with lots of problems. Who ever thought of the experiment that would throw thousands of 18-22 year olds into a medium sized city, with minimal rules, and less rule enforcement to fend for themselves. If you think about it long enough, it's crazy!

But, it's also the reality. It's my desire to step alongside students who are asking questions of meaning, identity, purpose, future, justice, forgiveness, hope, reconciliation, truth, etc.

This series, however, will simply highlight certain institutions and some things I've discovered while I've been there.