Where oh where did my little blog go?

Its been three weeks since I posted. It may be three more. We're getting started up at Grace Park and between baseball camps, car washes, having people over for dessert, and worship gatherings, I'm at a loss for when I can blog. I haven't been staying up until 1:00 A.M. lately either. That seems to kill my creative processes. (-:

mass

Well, I went to mass this morning. I wasn't sure what to expect but it was interesting. The building was actually set up "in the round" for the most part. I was shocked. The pews were in semi circles facing each other with the table for communion and pulpit in the middle. The two readings were from 2 Cor. and Matt. There wasn't a single mention of a Church Father or tradition. It was rather refreshing. I spent most of the time in prayer since I didn't know when to speak out loud like everybody else (There was about 70 people in attendance including a youth group from a church in Memphis, TN).

I had planned to spend the day in seclusion in hopes that it would rejuvenate me and get me ready for the long summer and fall months as we plant a church. Instead, I realized how much I'd like to spend the day with my wife. I drove straight home and found her at the beach. I had told myself I wasn't going in the water at all this year but that's where she was so that's where I went. I then spent the rest of the day sleeping. All in all, I would call it a good day. Some people seek to do as much as possible on vacation. I try to accomplish as little as possible. I plan on going to the labrynth and Stations of the Cross (see last post for definitions) tomorrow or Friday before I leave.

sabbatical

Before you read this post, I need to define a couple of things I'm about to use:
Stations of the Cross - The 7, 14, 15 or more stations that are the traditional route of Jesus to the Cross.
Labrynth - A guided prayer trail where you don't ever get lost. You simply go through the labrynth and allow the path to guide you in what you pray.
Prayer Rope - Its a rope with knots in it (33, 50, 100) so that you can pray through a certain prayer a set number of times. It is not a rosary.

Well, I'm sitting in a beach house at Santa Rosa Beach wondering if I'm going to get the "sabbatical" day I've been wanting. I am at my wife's family's traditional vacation where a beach house is rented and we spend a week relaxing. Or trying to relax. I decided a couple of weeks ago that I am going to spend a day in seclusion. After looking around for a place to go, I'm not sure I'm going to make it a whole day. I started calling around looking for a church that had the Stations of the Cross and found one with a labrynth too. I first called a Greek Orthodox church looking for a place to pray and find a prayer rope. Here's how it went,
Greek Orthodox Secretary - "Hello, Greek Orthodox Church"
Me - "Yes. I have a question. Is it possible for me to come to your church tomorrow to pray? I'm on vacation with my family and I'd like to take some time out and spend it in prayer."
GOS - Are you Orthodox?
Me - No. I'm just a Christian looking for a place to pray. Also, do you have the Stations of the Cross?
GOS - Please hold. .... Awkward Silence
GOS - I'm sorry. Maybe you should try the Catholic churches.
Me - Oh. Thank you for your time. Do you know where I can find a place to purchase a prayer rope by any chance? (I was told Greek Orthodox churches sold them so I thought I'd ask her).
GOS - No.
Me - Well, thank you for your time. Sorry to bother you.

I thought it was interesting that someone wouldn't open their door for me to pray. I called a Catholic church in the area and they were very helpful. They have a Station of the Cross AND it is in a labrynth AND its outside in a garden. Other than the fact that I will be soaking with sweat when I'm done, I'm pumped. I'm trying to get my father-in-law to go to mass at 8:00 in the morning but no such luck. I think he wonders why I'm going. I think I'm wondering why I'm going. I'm not Catholic nor plan on being Catholic. I just need some time with God and I want to experience the path Jesus traveled on the way to die for me. I guess my next blog (which you'll read before this one (-: ) will tell about how it turns out.

Freedom

I've struggled for the past couple of years when it came to teaching through the letters in the New Testament. All my sermons started to sound like, "I believe we see three principles in this passage from Paul's letter to XYZ that we can use to ..." I hated sounding like that because I've heard it so much in the past. Don't get me wrong. I love Paul's writings. Its neat to see that even in the Greek translation of the letters there are times when Paul would give us three points and he would alliterate them with the same Greek letter. I'm not opposed to the Sesame Street sermon. (You know, this sermon was brought to you by the Letter P and the Number 3) I just want freedom.

I may have found an outlet. I began teaching through our core values at Grace Park and faced the dilemma of teaching on Colossians 3:23-24. How do I teach it where it doesn't come out canned? Well, I looked to the teachings of Jesus and found an illustration out of the Sermon on the Mount that fit the context. I may try it on the next core value that happens to be in Colossians as well.

Narrative passages, stories, seem to resonate with me more than the letters ever have. What's your thoughts? Do you enjoy the stories about Jesus' life (the Gospels), stories about Adam and Eve, Noah, Moses, etc. (Old Testament Narrative), or the letters (Epistles) more?