Fortunately I live in upstate NY, it is April, and daffodils don't smell. The saying is to "stop and smell the roses," but they are a long way from blooming - and it would have to be a whole rose garden to catch the scent these days. Yet, this time to pause and type when I could be packing for a trip, unpacking from a move, or considering how to be ready for all which lies ahead, I am able to get a wiff...

There are times when taking an extended time to consider the wonder in the smallest details and the slightest nuance is fully enriching. There are also times when the blur of life allows one to see things in its impressionistic beauty. Our Seder dinner tonight was wonderful. Sharing it for the first time with everyone around the table reminded me of when it was new to my mind. It wasn't a time to ponder, but to remember and refeel. There is so much more to Jesus - just how he fullfilled the century old traditions within the Jewish Passover is absolutely amazing! And tomorrow the fact that he rose from the dead, got out of the grave, and still lives - well that is beyond amazing.

In the blur of it all, the picture of God's love and the life He has blessed me with is breath-taking. The swirl of color, energy and texture - it's a beautiful thing!

He is Risen!

A very good Good Friday

A Catholic Priest, Orthodox Priest, Episcopal Priest and Reformed Minister walk into a room... It's no joke, it was my day. This afternoon I was honored to help lead a prayer and worship time like no other I have ever participated in.

Initiated by an Episcopalian Priest in his thirties, held in a Catholic church which seats 800 people, joined by a Priest from a branch of the Orthodox church I had never even heard of before meeting the man (Antiochian), and welcomed in as a Reformer - together we held a Good Friday observance of the Stations of the Cross. A time of hearing from 14 Bible passages recounting Jesus' crucifixion, joining our voices in song, and honoring the One who redeemed us by the cross. It was a simple yet powerful time, punctuated by the 8 different voices showing the powerful underlying unity of the cross throughout all Chritianity.

It was all made possible by relationship. The ministers involved all gather monthly to have lunch. In this simple act of grabbing a sandwich, meeting in a church basement, and getting to know each other - something which might seem like (and sometimes feels like) a waste of time - we were able to make a large and profound statement within our community. And once again my mind returns to discipline.

It is yet another discipline in my life - one that I have done since becoming a pastor - to gather with other pastors when invited. This is the fourth group I have been part of: the first was primarily mainline pastors, the second primarily evangelical independant pastors, and now there are two I make time for. One being younger pastors, many are in newer churches often of a Baptist leaning and the other a gathering of primarily Catholic/Orthodox ministers. Each group has enriched my life, and leads to activities where God's hand is clearly at work. It is not always easy to take the time, but by remaining faithful... you never know.

PS. Jashton was an acolyte, carrying a flame to each Station of the Cross in the sancuary filled with hundreds of people - he did great and now knows what a cassock and a crucifix are.

Life is moving by - two days at a time!

It seems that I'm ending this Lenten journey two days at a time. It certainly seemed that I had written an entry yesterday, but unless tonight is actually Wednesday, or yesterday was...it has been two days once again between entries.

But rather than fitting one days worth of activity into two, I think it is much closer to putting four days worth into two - and somehow that collapses all sense of time. After a wonderful worship service tonight I finally made it to my office - only to discover 11 hours late that I had completely bypassed an important event in my day.

And as compressed as life has become this week, everything will not get done. Even with all time task continumes collapsing into a fluid mess - it still won't all fit. And that is okay. So many good things are happening I can't get too bent out of shape by what isn't. The house is becoming a home, Holy Week activities are blessing many, I've had time to connect with each of my boys, many things will be ready before I head out on the missiopn trip, and so much more.

All this to say that my deepest thought I can force through my finger tips is that two days at a time is a fine pace for a special week. Whatever that means....

What is that Stuff?

"Every part of me is tired." As I take a moment to write a thought or two, that is what my wife shares with me, and I agree. We have now owned our house for one week and 10 hours, and we are tired. It is a good tired, but the push to make life happen sometimes take it out of you. It also forces re-prioritization.

My last entry, which mused on the importance of maintaining disciplines, asked what gets in the way of the disciplines which make us who we want to be. Well, sometimes, the who we want to be does. I want to be a home owner, I want to have a nicely maintained house, I want to get the work done up front so there is less interferance with life. These aspects of who I am, because of my disciplines, cause it to be be just fine to not have my life dictated by them.

But all the same, even though every part of me is tired.
Even though there is more work to do on the house than I can possibly accomplish before my upcoming trip.
Even though my awesome wife continues to unpack around me...I blog...because it helps me become the me I want to be.

Good Night. Tonight we are all in our own new rooms...