Amazing Grace

Last night, Jenn and I went to see a movie called, Amazing Grace--the story of William Wilburforce, the British abolitionist in the late 1700's. The movie started with two strikes against it in my movie criteria: it is set in a Victorian context, and it is about Christians (not that I have a problem with Christians, but I've never been too impressed with movies about them--ask me about the "Distant Thunder" series sometime). In the end, I really enjoyed the film. It was definitely a movie about a Christian and his struggle to effect change in the world, but it was more about how this Christian lived than showing him explain his faith. The underlying theme is the song, Amazing Grace written by a priest who had once been a slave ship captain. I was most affected by the elements of the movie depicting a man (Wilburforce) who is consumed with passion for what he becomes convinced is his calling from God. For all the passion and conviction he feels about his calling, he also feels as if it is tearing him apart. He leaves the context of the politics of abolition to try and recouperate only to find that he cannot leave his calling behind. To abandon his call would be far worse than the toll it was taking on him to pursue it.


While I don't endorse burning ourselves out in whatever we are doing, I see in this story the truth that once the Christ-follower encounters God's direction and call on their lives there is no escaping it, as joyous, liberating, heart-wrenching, or discouraging as it may, at times, be. I like the idea of being so captured by Jesus that I can only continue on any path that leads toward him--anything else seems pointless. There is something about the certainty and clarity of the vision that Jesus offers that overshadows the toll life can take on us all.

Anyhow...good flick!

The Evolution of an Adventure...or Ulcer

Well, things have progressed rapidly in the last few weeks as far as our church goes. About a week ago, I had a conversation with the owner of Pickles Restaurant where he had decided he wanted to develop the half of the building we've been using on Sunday nights and lease it to us on a permanent basis--the down side was that he wanted about a thousand dollars more than our entire monthly income and we would be responsible for the construction. I wrestled with this for about three seconds since the thought of our own space and option for permanent signage on Main is really attractive. In the end, however, we decided against this option as it would stretch us so much financially and we would rather put that investment into people over a building (sort of a core concept at CTK).

Two days ago, I was sitting in Pickles (they call the back corner table my office) and the server told me that they were shutting down the restaurant on April 8th. Sure enough, all the Pickle mugs and t-shirts were on sale and they were preparing to lease the whole building to a breakfast buffet chain from Texas. This, of course, made the former offers obsolete and moved our time table forward drastically in terms of finding a new location. As it stands, we have reserved some meeting rooms in the community recreation center where we can meet on Sunday evenings. We intend to meet there as long as we need to until we can find a place that is more comfortable. The Rec Center is nice--don't get me wrong--in fact, they have a video screen in place as well as room set-up and tear down provided...for almost $40 cheaper a week. We are grateful for a place to meet and a little bummed about Pickles closing, but mostly looking forward to what God has in mind for us over the coming months.

Things to pray about are: making a smooth transition to the Rec Center (we've just started having a couple "walk-ins" on Sundays and don't want to miss out on that), possibly a different place for us to me more permanently that is as comfortable and accessible as Pickles has been, and the prospect of some cheap office space for Steve and I (since we could almost afford rent on all the food we have to pay for at coffee shops and restaurants during our "office time").

Spring Forward

We are now beginning to enter the early days of spring in Durango. This is a new experience for me--seasons. I am used to the difference between rain and no rain, hot days and cooler days, but this is amazing. All winter we've been waking up to fresh snow. I have had a great time working at the ski resort. It has been character building to be sure--dealing with thousands of people and learning to relate to my co-workers who's highest priority in life is where to get their next free drink or cheap pot. I have been able to have some great conversations with liftys (the guys who work the chair lifts) and my fellow ticket checkers. I hope I've been able to be a witness to the authenticity and grace I've come to expect from the people of God's kingdom. Now, however, I'm starting to look to spring. With the warmer weather and longer days, the whole town is buzzing. Everyone is making their plans for their next seasonal job. The concept of new beginnings and transition are not foreign to this place at all. It is exciting and it seems you have an inroad with every person you meet, "so, what are you doing for the summer?" I'm even starting to get calls from people wanting to book Hummer tours!

I think I could get used to this seasonal life--enjoying the season I am in while looking forward to the one to come. I'm curious about this spring and summer. I'm wondering what people God will bring to us and how he will equip us to care for them.

My prayers right now are focused mainly on people. It seems that recently every single family in our church has been going through some sort of crisis. These situations are not fun in any way, but they do have a way of bringing us together. There is also our house transition (selling this one and buying a cheaper one) and finances for the fall. I've been reading a book by Dallas Willard called, The Divine Conspiracy which is basically a book about the Sermon on the Mount. It has a lot to say about how to live in the Kingdom and the importance of making our requests known to God.

I am most grateful right now for all of you who have followed our journey and taken care of us from a distance. I have been inspired and humbled by every one of you who have kept up with us and prayed with us over the last year. You remind me of what it is like to relate to Jesus. It is a precious yet lopsided relationship. What you bring to our lives here, the ways in which you have supported and cared for us, I could never adequately reciprocate. Instead of this being a shameful deterrent to our relationship, however, it seems to endear you to me all the more. Steve, Jenn, and I are going to be in California the first weekend in May. We'll be sending out the details soon, but I have to say that this visit is one of the things I am most looking forward to this spring. I can't wait to come together with as many of you as possible and share what God has done in our lives and in Durango over the last year. Thank you all for your sacrifice and friendship.