Posts from — March 2008

This past Sunday was the seventh public weekend for Coastland. For those who follow such things as the trends of new launches, one wouldn’t expect much momentum on a traditionally churchy weekend at a newish church.  The fact is that it usually isn’t until the third year or beyond that a place experiences larger services on traditional weekends.

Surprisingly or not, we in fact had huge numbers.  People brought their friends, family, neighbors, etc. and a great time was had by all.

We finished up a series this past week dealing with overcoming the powers that keep us stuck… When we face shortages, or suspected shortages, we naturally hoard what little we have.  The way out of such a bind is give what we have in hand.

We pooled our funds, in a combined act of overcoming the fear of not enough, and gave strongly to a new outward-aimed church in the area: an Ethiopian church near downtown Tampa. I’m not clear on the amount that was given but it was significant in light of our typical weekly offering.  People love to be generous – as long as it really gets to where change is going to make a difference. 

There was a hush in the room as the offering was taken. It was a still but awesome moment.

One guy who was there for the first time told me he began to tear up as he drove near our location. He saw our signs pointing him toward our location and he began to grow in anticipation in a way that was unexplainable. He was more or less without words throughout the morning. 

Janie has just had surgery done on her hand to repair an injury that has developed over some time.  She is able to endure more pain than me. I am of the opinion that doctors are worth going to when pain becomes unbearable – (AFTER they are checked out and they are not incapacitated during a procedure.)

This is her fourth procedure in less than a year.  Prior to that, Janie has never had a surgery – ever. Think there might be a connection between these and the risk we are taking with this church launch?  Hmm.

When We Fake It We Look Goofy – Even Freakish

My grandma from Paris, Texas was full of colorful expressions.  She didn’t so much speak English – she communicated in one metaphor after another.  One of my favorites was:

Nana instilled in me a respect for authenticity and skepticism for the fake. 

There is a bit of fake in you, me, all of us (fake = aspiring to define ourselves by something / someone we are not). (Thus far, all the people I have met on the planet are of those offspring – if you meet someone beyond that please call me at once – I’ll figure out a way to get there immediately … I really need to interview them.) 

To be a ‘cat standing on its hind legs’ is a site to imagine. 

Mainly she told me this ditty was in reference to people trying to behave properly when they were not wired that way deep down.  That is, one way inside, but trying to behave the opposite on the outside.  Life just doesn’t swing that way – at least not for long, for any of us. 

The prayer of former walking cats:

"Here I am God. Love through me – the real me. Ignite me – the real me. Invite many through me – the real me. Thank you for your invitation to me that I am – as I am!"

Let the filters fall.

Notice what is going on through me … I cease hesitating, I engage with you – let the world change. 

Yes Gerald, it really is that untangled … thank you for asking!