The Big Story

In a Word? inaword

To accept this nomination, I have to answer the following questions with one word answers and nominate 10 other blogs for the "I heart your blog" award. Here goes...

1. Where is your cell phone? THERE
2. Where is your significant other? THERE
3. Your hair color? BROWN
4. Your mother? ENTHUSIASTIC
5. Your father? CALM
6. Your favorite thing? ELLA
7. Your dream last night? FORGOT
8. Your dream/goal? INFLUENCE
9. The room you're in? DINING
10. Your hobby? FITNESS
11. Your fear? SHARK
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? WOLLONGONG
13. Where were you last night? EDMOND
14. What you're not? BORED
15. One of your wish-list items? MICROBOUNCE
16. Where you grew up? STILLWATER
17. The last thing you did? VIEWED
18. What are you wearing? BOARDIES
19. Your TV? NEVER
20. Your pet? MAYBE
21. Your computer? MacBook
22. Your mood? EVEN
23. Missing someone? YEP
24. Your car? CAMRY
25. Something you're not wearing? GLASSES
26. Favorite store? NAMCHE
27. Your summer? AUSTIN
28. Love someone? MUCHLY
29. Your favorite color? HALLOWEEN
30. When is the last time you laughed? TODAY
31. Last time you cried? JULY

Okay, here are my 10 nominees - IN ORDER AND LIMITED TO:

- COREY
- SHAWN
- RUSTY
- GREEN
- LITTLEJOHN
- LAURA
- JON
- REX
- MATTHEW
- B

me, 4-ish

Notable Conversations

One of the young women who works for our apartment complex loves to see Ella (who wouldn't?), so when we take Ella for a walk we usually go by the main office. The woman, I'll call her "Grace", came out yesterday to see Ella and talk with us. We spoke for a few minutes out by the big water fountain the Ella likes so much.

So, Nicole talks about how we're missionaries about to move to Australia and Grace listens and inquires curiously. The conversation had almost come to an end when I say, "So, Grace, what's your faith background?" She talks a little bit about how her fiance's family are from a particular religious group and they tried going along with them, but it just didn't take. Then, with genuineness and enthusiasm she says, "I believe in God. I thank Him everyday. I have a relationship with God." I take the message as, "I'm good. I don't need more religion. Everything's fine. Don't bombarde me with information." I just say, "Well, good," but I wonder whether I should invite Grace to church services with us or have she and her fiance over for a meal. How could we possibly fit a meal in with them and what does she need our church for if she's so satisfied and enthusiastic without an organized church?

So, today I am walking around with Ella by the fountain and Grace comes out. I'm thinking, "I should invite them to church services, I really should." She greets Ella as usual, but then asks confidently, but without direct eye contact, "So, where do you and your wife go to church?" I say, "Round Rock church of Christ . . . and . . . [a little bit of an awkward stutter] we'd love to have you and your fiance join us some time." She says, "Yeah, for a while now I've just really felt like . . . GO!" She inquires further about what time and where the church meets and we go to her desk where she can write directions, and Nicole's phone number and I get to show Ella off to other staff.

What did I learn? I learned the same thing I always learn: God is at work in human hearts and lives. Not that I have an unessential role, but my role is secondary to His.

It is certainly true that, " . . . he commands everyone everywhere to turn to him and change the way they think and act."

But it is also true that, "He has given them the seasons of the year and the boundaries within which to live. He has done this so that they would look for God, somehow reach for him, and find him. In fact, he is never far from any one of us. Certainly, we live, move, and exist because of him."

He is never far from any one, even one away from church. Yet, there is something we are missing if we don't have the "God's people" connection.

In fact, I would say this "God's people" connection is in the three most core beliefs that I hold:

I believe there is one Creator God, meaning Lord over and Redeemer in all things.
I believe He raised Jesus from the dead, a sign of God's ultimate authority and re-creative power.
I believe the world needs to be connected to God's people and vice versa because God has the highest stake in them for His new creation.

Reckoner

Radiohead - Reckoner - by Clement Picon


Reckoner
You can't take it with you
Dancing for your pleasure

You are not to blame for
Bittersweet distractor
Dare not speak it's name
Dedicated to all you
All human beings

Because we separate like
Ripples on a blank shore
Because we separate like
Ripples on a blank shore

Reckoner
Take me with you
Dedicated to all you
All human beings