Ipods in toilet scare airlines

In the “strange but true” department, here’s a story of a guy flying up to Canada to meet some friends he met while playing “Warcraft” and accidently dropped his Ipod in the airplane toilet which caused an inccident. He recaps the experience here.

Loving community enough to share it.

Last week at Enoch’s Path, we were visited by a friend from the RCA. One of the best things he said all night was that we have something pretty special with our community, and it’s so special that we need to not dishonor it by keeping it to ourselves.

One of the biggest tensions with me (and maybe others) has been this whole “marketing” piece when it comes to “being” or “living-out” church. How do we let other people know that they can be loved, and empowered to bless the world through our community without sounding “modern” or “seeker” or whatever?

This continues to be a rub, but one worth wrestling with. Last night, my partner in ministry Eric came up with some pretty creative ideas for this, and I am anxious to see the end result.

As we seek to spread the word, without “spreadin the word” so to speak, I hope that we continue to keep our focus on what it means to be a church community. I pray that we continue to focus on listening to where God leads us to be a blessing.

Anyway, if anyone else out there wrestles with this, please comment and help us out.

Writely Beta

This is my first post using “Writely” the new Google technology that mimiks “Word.”

It’s pretty sweet. You can upload existing Word docs, (and other formats) and edit them online. You can also automatically insert tags for blog posting.

Another thing is that multiple users can log on and edit documents as well!

I am going to keep playing with it.

you should try it too! Go to www.writely.com

chad

Why we fight

Mel and I just got done watching the compelling movie “Why we fight” and it is well worth the time. It examines the military-industrial machine and the Bush (imperialism) plan.

Please watch this film.

Saturday, August 19th 2006

11:12 am

Day off from work. Slept in a bit, and was watching the movie “Zathura” with the kids. Tomorrow is our annual Aldricih family reunion in Lainsburg (apparently there’s also going to be a circus in the same park, should be interesting).

Not too much is new here. I feel like I have been neglecting this blog – probably because when I was a full-time pastor I had more time to write each day. Things are moving ahead with some new plans re: enoch’s path. Mel started working this week, which is nice too.
Ok, this is too random to keep writing. I am obviously tired and can’t think straight. I will try to write more later.

chad

Life work

So last night after work, two guys from the office and I went to the local bar and split three pitchers of beer and some snacks. It was the first time in my life when I have done something so “normal” in the business world. It was a lot of fun. One of them pointed out that we are like a family – only, we spend more time with each other than his family.

Sadly, that is true. I really like the guys/girl I work with, but I spend 8 or more hours a day with them, five out of the seven days a week. That’s not how I want to live the rest of my life. I want my time to be more spent with those  I love.

I am working on it…

My life right now

I found this site somehow online. Basically, it sums up what I do all day. Pathetic huh? This guy has all these drawings of jesus including this one:

creepy huh?

if you want to see them all go here.

UofM Goes Wireless

According to a story on Slashdot, Washtenaw county in southeast Michigan is going completely wireless for everyone! Interesting to note that this is the same county that is building a new center for Google. (The county includes the city of Ann Arbor, where the University of Michigan resides)

Church de-tox – year 3

“Sometimes God bloodies your nose, then puts you back on your bike and walks you home.”  – Rich Mullins

I just like that quote for some reason.

I am at home with Mel right now while most of American Christians are dozing in the pews. It still feels awkward to me not to be in a church building while watching the show unfold in front of me. (or, being one of the talking heads up front) It will take awhile, I’m certain, to completely detox from that type of institution. Don’t get me wrong, I am not 100% against the modern form of church. In fact, there’s much in that system worth celebrating. It’s just that I myself don’t have any use for it much anymore.

Today, Enoch’s Path is meeting to discuss some possible changes in direction which would allow me to focus on the community full time. I don’t know if its the right path, but am seeking some type of confirmation from God on this. With my physical state, it would be a huge help not to have to work a “real” job and minister. On the other hand, there is something truly authentic about “bi-vocational” pastoring that I like.

This weekend has been speant with just Mel and I alone. We went out to PF Chang’s last night (one of our fav. places to eat) then went and saw “Taledaga Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” -  We both felt that it was like “Anchorman” was for us, in that when we went to “Anchorman” the first time we thought we wasted our money. Now, it’s one of our fav. movies to watch.

As I stated in the previous post, I am moving farther away from “Emergent.” I’ve started purging my “emergent” links and rss feeds. I am not moving out of what’s been called “emerging chuch” thinking, just the “Emergent” organization. I’m not totally giving up on them either. I just need some time away from it all to really discern whether or not it’s worth my time or not.

I guess I am feeling like there has been so much hurt and pain that I and my family have gone through over the past 3 years…and I want to take some time to really become the husband my wife deserves, the father my kids deserve and the best person I can be. So, for some un-determined time, I am going to focus on my family, my work and Enoch’s Path.

Anyway, my God’s shalom be with you.

Friday Aug 4th 2006

So here I sit at our computer. It’s 11:45pm and we’ve just enjoyed watching season 1 of one of my fav. tv shows “The Office” – Mel just bought it for me for our anniversary. She’s so sweet. (I got her ten roses that I picked out)

Life’s pretty interesting. It’s amazing what can happen in a day. One stress is released, another jumps in to fill the void. If you understood the crazy year or so we’ve been through, you’d understand my pessimism.   Things are going pretty good though. I got a pretty big award at work today from the president of the company. So that was nice.

I’ve been catching up on blogs that I have been reading for a few years now and am contemplating taking an “Emergent” break now. It’s not that I have anything against the conversation turned organization per se (ok, that’s not true entirely either)…I just think it might be healthier for me to pour my energies into something different for awhile. All in all, I have to admit that while I appreciate the freedom to grow and ask, there’s enough going on to make me say, perhaps I can better be utillized elsewhere?

I love the church-thing that we’re a part of in Lansing and am contemplating making a move that would allow me to focus 100% on that right now but am cautious as to the ramifications on the community.

Oh, good news. Mel got a part-time job at our bank. That’s pretty great. It not only gives us some breathing room financially, it gives her a life outside the apartment.

I am writing pretty scattered right now which probably means that my night time meds are kicking in.  So, I will sign off with that.

Peace