so far...crap.

Earlier today I posted that things were going well during this chaotic week. They still are, sort of.

I had some down time today...I needed to get to the church. I was going to leave at 4, then I decided I'd leave towards 4:30 and grab some dinner on the way. I watched some funny youtube videos for a half an hour...then I clicked on one more and said to myself...last one.

I then almost stopped at Sam's Pizza, where Shaina was working for dinner. Instead I decided I would just go to Wadsworth, go to the other end of town and pick up Taco Bell. I did that, tried to get them to substitute a nacho for a taco and they wouldn't let me...that's another post.

I took the taco bell and typically, I would pull into a spot and eat then drive, but today I decided I would eat at the church. I started driving on 94. Typically I take 94 all the way through town and then turn on the church's street. Today I was in the left lane and happened to catch a green left turn arrow at one of the lights early on the trip...Since I had an opening and sometimes missing all the lights on 94 makes the trip faster, I took a left. I then took a right onto Highpoint and began heading toward the church. I saw a squirrel on the road, so I slowed to a complete stop, and the squirrel scampered into the yard.

I began accelarating, and about 200 yards later, out of the corner of my eye a dog darts out from the yard onto the street and collides with my front passenger side. I come to a stop, pull in the nearest drive and start going back to the dog...3 women and a little boy are already surrounding it. I pick the dog up to take it to the nearest car to run it to the vet, but I can tell things are not good...no heartbeat...dead dog. I now have blood all over my shirt and jeans and it has soaked through onto my undershirt and through that onto my skin. Good freaking times.

The neighbor (thank God for her) helps me dig a hole to bury the poor thing in the owner's backyard. She informs me that the dog was their first ever pet...They were going through tough times because she had lost her husband not too long ago who died at the age of 24 of an aneurism. I decided she didn't need to tell me that.

Buried the dog...went back to check on the owner and her 4 year old son...she's still crying and I offered a second apology and she said I just needed to watch my speed. I silently nodded and that was that...I had bloodstained clothes, mudclodded shoes and hands, a messed up fender and wheelwell and a cold taco (I wanted a nacho anyways) and I lost the hour I was planning to use to organize the murder mystery dinner...The day could have gone better.

I'm not feeling too bad about things though, don't get me wrong. I couldn't have been going more than 25 miles per hour and the dog was running from the opposite side of the street to the owner's house. It stinks and it was sad...but for whatever reason I don't think this story...or this blogpost is quite finished yet. Why did I wait the extra half hour, choose taco bell, choose the left turn I never make and come to a complete stop for a stinkin' squirrel? To kill a dog? I think there's more to this than that doggone it.

Kenya and the Invisible Children

http://brianwurzell.wordpress.com/2008/10/30/a-sad-day-in-kenya/

Go to this site to read up on a sad day in Kenya.

So far...so good.

The crazy week is going well so far. We had a great turn out for help on Tuesday night for dinner prep for our Wednesday Night Small Groups. All the prep work we did Tuesday made Wednesday flow pretty smoothly. Wednesday I got up extra early to do the take home portion of my Greek Midterm, then I took the actual in class midterm for Greek. Went straight from class to church to get the meal going, then straight from church to basketball at 8:30. I got home around 11 and Shaina and I crashed until after 10 today! We both had the mornings off, so it was great to catch up on sleep. The rest of my week is geared towards fundraising.

The goal we are working toward for our Kenya Mission Trip is $36,000! That is no joke. I believe wholeheartedly in what this trip is about and the long term and eternal implications that come out of this developing partnership.

We need more of you to come to the Murder Mystery Dinner! I'd love to see 20 tables represented! Invite your friends, Force your families, It's gonna be a hoot!

My Saturday is potentially nuts. I will be in at the pizza shop at 3 a.m. to get the pizza prep done for the day, to Wadsworth for Fundraiser #1 at 7 a.m. and then prepping, setting up and running Fundraiser #2 until between 10 and 11 p.m. I'm not sure, but an 18 hour day might wear me down. haha. But I will press on because the stakes are too high. There are kids who need love, food, drink, medical assistance and Christ. 18 hours is nothing compared to the cause of Christ in reaching the Least of These.

80's Tribute Week 4

Contrary to what my wife thinks, JOURNEY may be the best daggone music from the 80's. I thought I knew a couple songs, but holy toledo, they must've had 70 top hits!

Journey...love em now or leave em in the 80's?

Excellent Sermon

Andy Stanly brings a great message on perspective when it comes to politics. It's worth the 30 minutes...Great biblical teaching in a well framed historical setting with a relevant application.

http://www.northpointministries.org/player/player.jsp?occurrenceID=3057

Pondering.

Monday Morning Meanderings-I am sitting in Starbucks, reading deep theological treatises for this evening’s class. This week we are studying Ecclesiology, or “church”. I’ve read 100 pages on what different people from different traditions have had to say about what church is and who church is. One line from theologian Michael Jinkins (quoting the church fathers) really sticks out… “There is no salvation outside the church.” This is loaded, but I believe it is true. God’s redemption is meant to take place in the context of COMMUNITY.

-I see that longing for community here at Starbucks (though many including myself would shudder at connecting Starbucks to anything positive about God…that’s another post). Husband and wife sit across a table sharing coffee, conversation and gazes. Friends catch up and share their struggles, hurts, fears, victories and excitement. Community is a longing of every person’s core.

-It’s snowing. I think God is calling me south.

-I have a crazy busy week with midterms, cooking for our Wednesday Night Small groups night at the church, important meetings with area young adult leaders to discuss what might be “rising up” for the next generation of Christ followers in Wadsworth. Then, we have a huge fundraising day on Saturday with pizza assembly and delivery, then our first ever Murder Mystery Dinner. I am already aiming for Saturday night when I am bed at midnight and the week is over…good or bad…its over.

-I need God. Not just ‘cuz I have a busy week, but because he is the source of life. I am empty without him. I really am. I have nothing to offer apart from him.

-I didn’t do much schoolwork yesterday (Sunday). I laid on a couch and watched football and napped for a good portion of the afternoon. I used to feel horrible about that…not anymore. I need one afternoon where I can just disconnect. Combine my time of resting with a Browns win and a Steelers loss and all in all, it was a great day.

Operation Frostbite

I challenged Shaina a few weeks ago when the weather began to change and the nights started to get pretty chilly, that we could not turn the heat on in the house until November 10.So far so good, but forecast for tonight and tomorrow is a wintry mix with some snow accumulation possible!

It will be a test of our fortitude and wherewithall, but if it saves us 20 bucks then by golly, what's a little frostbite?

Is your heat on? When did you turn it on?

80's Tribute Week 3

oh dear.

Missio Dei

Latin term...the Mission of God...

Ok novice online theologians unite...

What is God's Mission in the world. 5 words or less. Lets see what you got!

Murderously Fun

November 1 is a big day! The EDGE is hosting a Murder Mystery Dinner at the church to raise funds and awareness for our mission trip to Kenya. This is going to be a fun night. Tickets are $20 per person or $140 per table of 8. All proceeds go to our trip.

Get your reservations at www.wadsumc.org. Click "Sign Up". We really need people to come...so far we've been slow out of the gates, so hopefully you can make it!

Trust me, It's to die for!

grace

Here's a good monday message. Dr. David de Silva lectured at the Ashland fall lectureship today. While I would say the talk lacked zeal and generally was hard to stay attentive towards, there was something profound that will hopefully rock your world!

It has to do with the word GRACE. This word in first century Greco-Roman culture was not a spiritual word. It was not a Christian word. It was simply a word that meant "favor". There were three aspects of grace that helped to define it.
1. The Giver...usually one who was more well endowed than the recipient. He or she bestowed unmerited favor upon the recipient.
2. The Recipient. Not only did the giver give the gift, the recipient had to actively receive it.
3. The Reaction. Not only did the recipient receive the grace, but they had to respond to the gift by showing 'faith' and good will toward the giver.

This concept of grace should challenge us. When Paul writes about the grace given to all who believe in Christ, we have to understand it in this light. There is a threefold ideology that should be present...God's gift, our acceptance of that gift (which seems to call into question Reformed Theology), and our response toward the giver of the gift.

The above picture is of the Three Graces. This shows the united nature of the three elements of grace.

So...how are you responding to the Giver of Grace?

The tabernacle

Today, I had the opportunity to bring the teaching of the Lord to our church. I worked us through the Old Testament notion of the tabernacle and how that is a relevant message for Christians in understanding what Heaven will be like.

I had a great time. I am learning more and more that God has wired me to utilize creativity or 'out of the box thinking' in worship and in teaching. I was blessed beyond description. The last service of the day in particular was powerful. There were a few of the older saints of the church who came forward and knelt before the Lord. There were tears and communion taking place in their midst and I was blessed to be a part of that. God is good...God's people are as well.

I thought I'd share the powerpoint slides I used. They were partially intended for humor, but more importantly they provide a visual aid for a difficult concept in the Bible.

New Creation

New Creation from FC Post on Vimeo.

I like when people think of new creative, redemptive ways to share in worship. This is the case here. This is the former lead singer of All Together Separate.

What do you think about this? Weird? Sweet? or Weirdly Sweet?

80s Tribute Week 2

During the initial filming of this video, the lead singer of Dead or Alive got his eye poked out by the extremely long nails of the random floating arms in the video...hence the pirate patch.

blog worth reading

Pete Wilson has good things to say. If you dig mustard, you'll love wax.

http://withoutwax.tv/2008/10/16/why-i-believe-a-financial-crisis-is-good/

Margins

We are either people who live within margins or people who live outside their margins. Those who live within have got to know the power of the word "No". Those who live without, don't have time to say "No".

I am marginless this week...and most of the time for that matter. I work 2 jobs and am a full time grad-student, a husband and a guy that tries to stay in shape by playing basketball. I am really feeling pressed this week. Deadlines, Timeframes, Due dates, Schedules, Meetings, Obligations, Expectations, Assignments...its neverending.

Yesterday as I was running from my last class of the day at 4 p.m. to Smithville to pick up my stuff for the rest of the night, then heading to church for dinner and Alpha, I decided to stop at WalMart and pick up some flowers and a card for Shaina. The card I got was perfect for how I feel right now...It said something along the lines of "I'm sorry I'm so busy and if I had 5 more minutes each day..."

If I'm honest though, 5 more minutes is not what I need. I'd fill them with the rush and frantic tasks that are swarming all around me...What I need is boundaries...margins.

The problem is, I don't know where to start. I would actually have to budget time to think about how to limit my margins and frankly, I don't have time for that. So here's to a week of Marginlessness: where everything gets done halfhearted, or not done at all. Prayer time and scripture time are both limited or eliminated...time with Shaina is obliterated, and my blood pressure has to be a few points higher.

How are your margins?

35-14

Good times had by all. Hopefully the Browns will start a streak now!

aww buddy

Just got a call from my buddy Todd inviting me to the Browns vs. Giants Monday Night Football game. Sweet!

Now, I do have a Theology class at seminary that goes from 6-9 p.m. but it seems like good theology to go to the game. After all, The Browns are God's team. haha.

Anyways, the Browns haven't seen much Monday night action in recent history so to be in that atmosphere is going to be a lot of fun!

You want a prediction? well, the G-Men are pretty tough, but hear it here first, the Browns will pull off a huge upset at this point in the season. Josh Cribbs will be the X factor and all of the sudden the race in the AFC North will get a little more interesting. Pittsburgh will be in front, but Baltimore and the Browns will be tied and ready to make a run. Browns 24 Giants 18. Mark it in the books.

'80s Tribute Week One

No one-hit-wonder had more of an impact in 1980 rock-pop music than Devo.

May they never be forgotten...what a profound video...

How's your worship service?

Is this how your time in church goes?

When the moon hits your eye...

Wow. you look hungry. Nothing fills you up like a Sam's Pizza fundraiser pizza!

Best of all, if you buy them from me, the proceeds go to our Kenya mission trip. For 10 dollars you can have a cheese, pepperoni, or pepperoni and sausage pizza. For 11 dollars you can get a deluxe!

We really need support for this! Obviously some of you aren't passionate about eating pizza or in delivery range, but maybe you want to support this important endeavor. Here's something you could do: pledge to sponsor Shaina and I per pizza we sell. Maybe you do $1 per pizza, $2 per pizza or even .50 per pizza. This would motivate us to keep selling, and we would actually see more direct profit that way.

I wouldn't even ask if I didn't believe that what we are doing was not of high KINGDOM VALUE and that we have the potential to be used by God to save lives, spiritually and physically.

On a political note...I know the economy is in the toilet. But God's Kingdom should never be limited by stock market plunges or economic uncertainty...It truly is as Jesus says, where your treasure is...

Who's eating pizza, or pledgin' support per sale????

Kenya Mission Trip

The Edge is going to Kenya in June. I can not even begin to tell you how excited I am for this. Here is just a glimpse into the need and what we will be doing.

Most missionary agencies that work in areas like Kenya are focused on the densely populated regions of the country. While this is important, the vision that a "trickle down" effect would reach the less populated areas of Kenya is unfulfilled. The need in these rural areas is huge. High poverty, Low nutrition (the pic above is of three kids whose hair has turned orange due to malnourishment), High at risk levels for AIDS, High percentages of AIDS orphans, High percentages of single grandmothers parenting countless children. Empower International www.empowerworldwide.org is targeting these more rural locations.

As the prophet Jeremiah states, God has a plan for us and it is hope and a future, Jer. 29:11. These kids, in all ways, the Least of These (Matthew 25), deserve a hope and a future. Empower seeks to do this through a variety of ways. We will partner with this ministry to do what we can in two weeks.

*We will teach Fidelity and Abstinence in light of what God has for us. This is huge because some cultures in rural Africa believe a myth that if they can some how have sex with a virgin, they will be immune from AIDS, which obviously leads to continued spreading of the problem.
*We will host soccer camps. Soccer is huge over there and it just so happens that our group has some pretty talented grass fairies (me not being one of them!)
*We will build/construct/do maintenance wherever there is a need.
*We may have opportunities to participate in micro-economic endeavors. I am pumped about this and will post later about how God is using micro-economy and Empower Int'l.
*Above all we will have a chance to love on these kids, many who are malnourished, most if not all who are in need of hugs, love and affection.

We've just begun the fundraising process and could use your help! Stay tuned for posts on this. I am excited to keep you posted on how God provides for this trip.

If you are a parent of any of those going on the trip, this informational video could be helpful.

Holy Spirit

So I have a theology class right now and my first assignment is to write a credo (creedal statement) about our beliefs of the Holy Spirit.

This is maybe the most difficult topic to come to any conclusions or finality on.

So...here's your chance to get into a grad student's theological credo...

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE OR WHAT HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED RELATIVE TO THE HOLY SPIRIT?

a day in the life...

Here was my Wednesday:

Alarm went off at 3:15, I went to work at 3:30 at the pizza shop. I busted my butt to get all of the prep work done for the day (it's a school week, which means double and sometimes triple the workload.) I got done at 6:45, went home, showered, put together my school stuff and took off for school at 715. Arrived at the school at 750 and got situated for my Greek class at 8. From 8-Noon I was in Greek. Had a lunch pizza hut trip with a couple of fellow theologians and returned for my Missions Class at 1. Sat in that class until 4, took off back to Smithville, returned at 445, saw my wife for the first time, played the guitar for a few minutes and then back in the car, this time to Wadsworth, arrived at 530, talked to Shaina's dad, met up with my buddy Todd and ate dinner at the church, then went to our Alpha group from 630-8. Convinced Todd to come to basketball and went and played at open gym from 830-10:30, got home, had a bowl of marshmallow mateys, checked a day's worth of emails, showered and climbed into bed at midnight, only to be back up at 530 to work again today.

I just got done with the prep work and I feel like sleeping.
-Notice how much time I spent in quiet with the Lord.
-Notice how much time I spent furthering his kingdom.
-Notice how much family time I had.

At basketball I found myself angry a lot. I am a uber-competitive person and it gets the best of me. I was not Christlike in playing with these guys and it seems obvious to me that these actions stem from my insanely busy and rushed lifestyle all day. The absence of my time with the Lord deprived me of drinking for His cup and deprived those around me to be deprived of my Christ witness...Can you relate to this at all? How do you juggle your day with consistent time with the Lord?