Brushes with fame . . . part 1

A friend of Amy’s (and mine) made it to People magazine this week.  Jason and Sally Williams live in Baltimore Maryland.  Amy grew up with Jason and Sally, and I have known them for about 15 years.  Jason is a surgical resident at Johns Hopkins Medical Center.  In other words…he’s good…real good.  Yesterday we got an email that Jason had made it into People magazine on the promo photo for the new reality show: “Hopkins”.  In fact he made it right up front.  We were a little confused at first (thinking he was the front guy on the advertising photo for the series), so we couldn’t find him online.  Then we picked up the People magazine and saw the picture…there he is…in the section of previews for upcoming shows…in the screen shot from one of the episodes…decked out in his surgical uniform, with his hands covered in blood, with his Georgia Bulldogs lanyard around his neck, helping sew somebody up (or cut them open…I’m not real sure).

I haven’t had very many connections with famous people…but I just thought I would tell Jason thanks for giving me one more brush with fame.

“Black cartridge is close to life” – life lessons from our printer

Earlier today, the printer at the CATGrove office began to run low on black ink.  Sandy mentioned that the printer was displaying a message: “black cartridge is close to life.”  That message got me thinking about a couple things:

1.  What in the world does “black cartridge is close to life” mean?  Shouldn’t it actually say, “black cartridge is close to death”?  Or, “black cartridge is running out of life”?  Or, “hey everyone, if you don’t buy a $95 black cartridge for me soon, I’m going to stop printing any words on any of your paper…no matter how important it may be”?

2.  Life is less like a box of chocolates, and more like a toner cartridge for a color laser printer…we do ultimately know what we’re going to get…we just don’t know when.  We are all close to death.  We are all running out of life.

3.  How many of us realize we are “close to death”?  How do we live with that understanding in mind?  What changes are played out on a day by day basis as we live “close to death”?

4.  Finally, what would our lives look like if we lived “close to death and close to life”?  What if we really lived with urgency and understanding that our “life is like a mist.  You can see it for a short time, but then it goes away” (James 4:14)?  What if we woke up every morning and told God that “I am yours today…use me however you wish…lead me wherever you want me to go…I will follow you…I will obey you…I will live in the middle of life and death…dead to myself…alive in Christ”?

Time is ticking away.  We will all be dead someday.  In fact, right now we are all very “close to death.”  At the same time, though, we are also all “close to life.”  We can change the world with the good news about Jesus.  We can offer the Way, the Truth, and the Life to others around us.  That is what we are called to do.

I can’t wait to see you guys this weekend!  Enjoy the rest of your week.

I missed my community group…but they didn’t miss me

Last night, my community group met without me…actually they staged a coup and voted me off the “community group” island…then they met without me and had a great time…while Amy and I sat alone in our sadness and cried over the rejection.

Okay, so that’s not entirely true.  What actually happened is that we started getting together with two couples in their twenties (we’ve added three more people in the last couple weeks) a couple months ago.  We’ve had a blast hanging out, playing Psycho Uno and Heck, talking about life, arguing over theology, and eating some incredible food.  Last night, my 7 year old daughter had a softball tournament game near Mall of Georgia and we had to skip out on the community group.  We talked about postponing or rescheduling it, but decided to just cancel it for the night.  The coolest thing is that, the other couples decided to get together anyway.  They’re really enjoying living life together and building the relationship between them.  Amy and I couldn’t be happier that they are actually enjoying this important part of Church At The Grove…encouraging relationships through community groups.

If you don’t have a group of people that you gather with to “do life with”…you need one.  When August rolls around, be sure to sign up for one…or just start one at your house this Summer with your friends or neighbors…or, if you’re in your twenties, come hang out with us…we’d love to have you.

Enjoy the rest of your week and we’ll see you Sunday!

Stolen Gift Cards

Sunday, June 8th, I turned 33 years old. It was a great day and I appreciate all of the kind words, cards, and gifts that I received on Sunday. I also appreciate all that one of my friends did to bless me on my birthday…though I will not get to experience it.

Today, Amy called to tell me that I had gotten a birthday card from a friend at Church At The Grove. The note on the inside of the card said, “Enjoy Dinner and a Movie on us.” I love movies. And, I love Maggiano’s. This card contained gift cards to both. How cool is that?

Actually, it’s not that cool, because the envelope had been opened and the gift cards removed. Now, my friend is left trying to contact the gift card companies to report the cards stolen and I am left imagining a plate of Chicken Saltimboca and Nona’s Pound Cake. Plus, I will miss out on a great movie after my imaginary dinner.

So, if you work at the post office sorting location that the envelope went through, and you stole my gift cards, and you’re reading this…I just want to say that I hope they burn your food and I hope the movie stinks.

Proverbs 9:16-18 (New Living Translation)

16 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple.
To those who lack good judgment, she says,
17 “Stolen water is refreshing;
food eaten in secret tastes the best!”
18 But little do they know that the dead are there.
Her guests are in the depths of the grave.

Thanks for a great birthday

Hey everyone…thanks for all the kind words and “Happy birthdays” on Sunday morning.  I really appreciate it.  It was great to celebrate 33 years with a lot of friends in the CATG community.

I am looking forward to an incredible year ahead.  Lots of changes…but it will be an incredible year.  If you read this today, pray for me as I’m supposed to hear back about the teaching job today (with the county-wide hiring freeze, it’s a little touch-and-go, but we’re still hoping it will work out).

Have a great day and we’ll see you Sunday for One Prayer – “Lord make us Dangerous.”  If you missed Russ‘ message last week, be sure to listen to it online.