I got to enjoy one of the things I have missed...long road trips with my wife. We crazily drove to and fro Cleveland, TN (8+ hours one way) in the course of 30 hours. But those moments between nearly missing exits came something that is critical to us, conversation.
One of the things that has always intrigued me about our relationship is that a car ride of any great distance brings out the conversations we don't usually have. These conversations are focused on the some of the big things in our lives -- dreams and visions, hopes and desires. Put aside our conversations about kids homework, laundry, and all the other daily clammerings we pontificate about.
It is in these moments that our hearts are laid open before each other with the deep stirrings that God is putting in us. It is the moment that while we are usually nowhere near where we are going, we talk clearly about where we are.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Giving Back
So I have the distinct pleasure of living downtown. Okay, so downtown Lincoln, IL is not downtown Chicago or New York. The hustle and bustle of life stops here pretty much by 5 PM. The nightlife is limited to a few local pubs and some restaurants that dare to stay open past 7:00. On the upside, just got a brand new coffeeshop - so my withdrawl will be satisfied. But nonetheless we are positioned in the heart of this community.
As I walked all 4 city blocks that make up downtown the thought struck me "am I just a consumer of this community?" Now granted I am a consumer - I will consume coffee from the coffeeshop. I will consume or at least buy guitar strings from the music show. I will feast on amazing Italian from Guzzardo's. Outside of all my consumptions am I contributing back to this community? Sure I work in a church, but that does not equal making a contribution to the town.
As followers of Christ I think we need to look for ways to give back. As churches we need to be leading the way in contributing instead of just consuming. As an individual, I need to be seeking out those that could just a cup of encouragement, a measure of joy and a dash of hope in their lives. I am challenged not just to be a consumer, but somehow to be a contributor to my downtown.
As I walked all 4 city blocks that make up downtown the thought struck me "am I just a consumer of this community?" Now granted I am a consumer - I will consume coffee from the coffeeshop. I will consume or at least buy guitar strings from the music show. I will feast on amazing Italian from Guzzardo's. Outside of all my consumptions am I contributing back to this community? Sure I work in a church, but that does not equal making a contribution to the town.
As followers of Christ I think we need to look for ways to give back. As churches we need to be leading the way in contributing instead of just consuming. As an individual, I need to be seeking out those that could just a cup of encouragement, a measure of joy and a dash of hope in their lives. I am challenged not just to be a consumer, but somehow to be a contributor to my downtown.
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