Monthly Archives: December 2007

To Celebrate God

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A guy that I’ve never met named Marty posted this quote on Alan Hirsch’s blog…I especially like the definition of the Church at the end of it…It’s from 1962; “A Private and Public Faith”, by William Stringfellow

“The religious suppose that only the religious know about God or care about God, and that God cares only for the religious. Characteristically, religion is precious and possessive toward God, and institutes and conducts itself as if God really needs religion, as if His existence depends on the recognition of religion. Religion considers that God is a secret disclosed only in the discipline and practice of religion. But all this is most offensive to the Word of God. The best news of God is that He is no secret. The news of God embodied in Jesus Christ is that God is openly and notoriously active in the world. In this news the Christian Church is constituted; it is this news which the Christian Church exists to spread…The Church, unlike any religion, exists to present to the world and to celebrate in the world, and on behalf of the world, God’s presence and power and utterance and action in the on-going life of the world.”

I love the feeling I get in my heart of being able to celebrate God’s presence both in the world, and on behalf of the world…Love it!

A Few Books I’m Reading…

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Since being in the States I’ve had a fair share of time on my hands to study and whatnot…here’s a list of them..

Made to Stick was a great follow up to ‘The Tipping Point‘ as it unpacked how ideas actually stick with people. As a communicator, arm-chair sociologist, and ‘creative type’ I really enjoyed the book. If you are in a place in life where you need people to not only remember, but also to trust your ideas, this book will give you a good amount to think about.

On a completely different note…Disciplines for the Inner Life is a book that few friends use and highly recommend for a personal study book. I’ve only been going through the book for a few days, but I can already see that this is a book that will continue to challenge me on the road ahead. The title alone got my attention as I am a die-hard believer that true and lasting change comes from the inside out.

This is one of the latest ‘churchish’ books I’ve been reading and to be honest…one of the best I’ve read in a while. A lot of time ‘organic’ is talked about, but that word is the only vocabulary to use to describe what ‘organic’ really looks like. “So what’s the difference between organic and organizational?”, somebody asked me. I was like, “Well, organic is more…you know…organic. Like things just naturally grow and progress on their own and stuff.” I know in my heart that I desire for a more ‘organic’ approach to life and to ministry, but haven’t really had a language to talk about it until reading this book. So if you wondered what/how/or why ‘organic thinking’ is important, then check out this book.

I’ve wanted to read this book forever, but always found myself reading different things…now I have it, thanks to Kent and Wendy P, who gave me a copy! I think that this is a book that anybody who is asking, “Is this all there is to church?” should read. Be warned though, because Shane brings the pain (i.e. truth) and doesn’t let go. It’s not so much that what he says is so radical…it’s the fact that he is actually taking following Jesus seriously…this isn’t this type of book to pick up to look for new ideas, or new ways to be mad at ‘institutional church’ (whatever that means). This book will either challenge and inspire, or offend you. It calls us to a new/old way of living that is beyond the talk.

I’m thinking about trying to create a page to just continually add books to that I like or that I’m reading…I think it depends on how nerd I want to go with this. Regardless…’readers are leaders’ *wink* and you should read books that give you new vocabulary, new ways of thinking, and new ideas to chew on…because the point is grow up and books help us do that…if we let them.

A Year With Maisie

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Maisie’s Cup Cake, originally uploaded by justinpowell.

I can’t believe that it’s already been a year! A year ago Amy and I were visiting Jen in the hospital in Paris. A year ago I was holding my little baby girl in my arms for the first time. A year ago I couldn’t wait to get over to the hospital to be with my family. A year ago I proudly walked around the hospital saying to all the midwives ‘Regard! Ma petite fille!’ and they would all look as though it was the first baby they had seen…until like the third day of this. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was learning how to change a diaper and give Maisie all of her vitamins.

This year has taught me a lot…revealed parts of me that I didn’t know existed. I’ve seen both extraordinary tenderness (well, for me) and also extraordinary impatience! The thing that I have (internally) loved the most about my year with Maisie is the many ways that I have learned about God by being a dad. I’ve experienced unconditional love and being proud of someone just for being. I know what it’s like to want life’s best for another person and being committed to seeing that happen. I’ve felt the tension between trying to be protective and also giving Maisie a bit of room to learn on her own…i.e. learning how to crawl and sit up on a wooden floor!

The list could go on and on about the ‘outside’ things that I have loved…Seeing Maisie crawl, sleep, laugh, cry, eat vegetables, take her first steps, get teeth, try to make sentences, figure out a sippy cup, make calls on our cells phones, etc…I loved walking through Paris with Maisie in the poussette. I loved seeing her try to figure people out. I loved going down into the metro and trying to figure out how to wade through all the people with a stroller…’trying’ being the operative word.

Looking back, it seems like she’s been in the family a short while and forever at the same time.

This year has also taught me a lot about my wife. After Jen gave birth to Maisie I realized something that I never thought I would say: Jen is much tougher than me and could easily kick my butt if she had to. Seriously though…I’ve seen in her and Maisie’s relationship why I would love to relate to God as a mother as well as a father. Jen’s commitment and care of Maisie is unbelievable. I am so proud of how Jen ‘mothers’ Maisie and I love to see the bond that they have. Their unique love is cool to witness and I am so thankful for Jen.

So the first year is in the books and I can’t even begin to describe what it’s been like. I don’t feel like this post does that a good a job! How do you describe a little life that is indescribable? I think that a year with Maisie is the one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received…thanks God.