more work

things are moving. the framing is being started today and should be done by the end of the week.

atl and then some.

Over the past two weeks, many things have happened that have been blogworthy. I have neglected this right of mine to blog.

But, still, God is at work. He is allowing for things to get difficult and smoothing out some other areas.

I went to Atlanta last week to hear the teachings of Rob Bell. It was going to be a double awesome thing because Shannon was supposed to meet up with us. Unfortunately, she was busy trying to finalize school board stuff in Atlanta and wasn't able to join us. Rob Bell, in the meantime, was phenomenal. He talked about String Theory and Quantum Physics. It was a mind numbing evening. In his teaching he spoke of the difference between the knowledge of our minds and what we do with it in our hearts. His words spread throughout my life. This doesn't simply apply to a spiritual level, but to everything; our relationships with people we "love", etc.

Our minds are capable of knowing a lot, but when that knowledge doesn't translate to our hearts, doesn't drive us to take action, then it is meaningless and we are not being the complete beings that God created us to be. If how we love others IS how we love God, then there should be a much deeper connect between the things our mind knows, the words that we say, and the actions that we take. At the same time, if we know what God wants from us or does not want from us, and we continue to do the opposite, then we do not love God. There is a respect and obedience that is required when dealing with the God of the universe. The same God who came up with String Theory and Quantum Physics is involved in our lives, and to ignore what we know is His love and guidance, is to walk away from the reality of that God; it is to break all law of science and nature, and life itself.

It is exciting to realize that the God who is involved in the details is also involved in the big picture of things. But it also incredible to realize that we are capable of drawing ourselves closer to God by taking action in the things and places we know He is working. And if how we love others is how we love God, then I pray that I start loving others a whole lot more.

breaking up...the concrete

if we were to hypothetically start construction on the coffee pub today, these pictures are what it might look like. Happy Bastille Day to all!

let the games begin

I am overwhelmed with the realization that the Coffee Pub is happening. Today the signs around the Coffee Pub were put up. Our name is up on the Manor @ Midtown(e) sign. People are stopping when they see us to ask when we will be open; that they are waiting and are excited.

I stood inside the Pub today and looked out the front doors at the logo which now graces our entrance and I "saw" everything. It was real. I felt like I was in a real coffee shop, not just an empty building.

So not only is there the excitement of the signage coming up, but the plumbing guys are "scheduled" to go in today and tear up the concrete to start laying pipe. (Yea, I said laying pipe).

I will be updating with photos much more often. Also check out our MySpace page.

is this thing on?

Wow. Been a bit dead in the blogging world, eh?

I have been in a weird funk lately. Satan seems to really work hard on me sometimes, and the way he gets at me is through feelings of loneliness and insecurity. I start to worry that I am a terrible friend, that I am a burden. I used to joke with my friend Aly that one day I was going to dig a hole in the ground and hide in there, where I couldn't be a bad friend to anyone any more.

Those are the thoughts that Satan has been throwing at me. Add to that the stresses which I tend to hide concerning the Coffee Pub. It is an exciting time, but that means a whole lot of work, and a lot is riding on RJ and me. Now, God is good and we are so not alone in this; and if we truly think about this, none of it rests entirely on our shoulder. However, the brain has a funny way of blowing things out of proportion when it can't respond to reality.

And that's where I end up with the feelings about loneliness and fear that I my friends have had enough of me.

Tonight, in our Parish, we discussed something that I am aware of but rarely accept it as a reality that I allow to exist. God is always present. Heck, I preached on it this past Sunday. We can't invite God in, because God is already here. It US who shows up. It is encouraging to remember that even when I begin to let Satan twist my brain activity, that God is right there reminding me to ignore that liar.

and if I refuse to listen to God, I can still use that to make me a better friend, right? That way, good can come out of what Satan was trying to destroy. Ha! I'll show that bastard!

Well, until the next fit of blogging energy.