I love birthdays..especially when they are at Takaoka

So, my niece turned 11 last week and the family celebrated at Takaoka. The great Japanese style steakhouse here in Fort Wayne. Every time you sit in front of a fire hot table and watch an Asian or Hispanic (lunch chef at Benihana last time we went) slice and dice his way through dinner, it's gonna be a good time. Our chef was really good last night and pretty funny, he even make a rap song joke by singing Fat Joe's "Lean Back" when he lit the onion on fire and chuckling. I nearly lost it because I was the only one that got the reference.

Last night was also Birthday Night. In the hour and half we were there, there were probably 10 birthdays celebrated by a grainy recording of Happy Birthday in Japanese and sprinkler lit rainbow sherbert.

So, if you find yourself in need of a fun evening with your date of choice, consider a little Japanese at Takaoka.

Timber!

Timber!

What Does Easter Dinner Look Like For You?

“Lk. 14:12-14 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbours; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.””

Mine needs to look a little like this...

The Journey is blinding

Yeah Right...Maybe?

Lk. 12:32-33 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

Could we really live this out? Could we, in today's society, the society that consumes and suffocates us, live in a way that our pockets would be emptied for others and not ourselves? Could we sell our possessions and give to the poor?

If we can't live this exactly, then how can we come as close as possible? Could we relocate into a marginalized, under resourced area of town? Could we start a new business or learning center to educate and train individuals?

I don't know.. There are more questions than answers, and I think it's because just about any answer that moves you one step closer is the right answer. And, when answers come, more questions come requiring more steps towards answers.

Journey on my friends

First Ride

It is such an amazing day outside today. Such a great feeling to actually begin feeling Spring is on the way and to get outside and be active.

Today, I get home from a few meetings and decide it looked like a good day to put in the first bike ride of the year. I break out the air pump, pump up the tires, and hit the road to the coffee shop. I get there, have a nice cup of tea, and decide to take off for home.

Let's just say...as nice as it was riding to coffee, it was even better walking home. Guess it's time for a new tube (hopefully it's just a tube)

Double Blogging

Wanted to inform everyone that I am also blogging at.... www.atthelink.com. A blog that I set up for my new job and NeighborLink. I'm trying to keep them both going at the same time. So, if you don't see anything new here, check that blog out as well.

We're going to change the World together.. I can feel it.

The journey is just beginning....

Week 2

So, it's the beginning of week two as Executive Director at NeighborLink. It's been great so far.

List of things experienced so far:
1. My first non-profit networking luncheon
2. Developed my first few proposals for growth
3. Have a number of meetings set up with existing partnerships
4. Overwhelmed feelings of what did I get myself into

I've got so many ideas and thoughts rumbling in my head. Accumulated from five months of unemployed reflection on my life, state of this world, who is God in my life, what does it mean to live missionaly, what does it look like to invite others into a missional worldview, giving my time to and abilities to non-profits making a difference, and countless conversations with those engaged in the margins.

I believe that the Lord has given that time for this time and platform in my journey. Five months of questions and burdens only to have the platform to pursue the answers and relief from those burdens.

It was true when I was let go from Big and it's true now, God responds to the prayers that you place at His feet. I asked for a radical new way of living and that's where I am given the choice everyday to live.

The choice is ours.. To respond or not to.

Be a blessing..