Archives for May 2005

I can’t believe I’m admitting this on the web. But I officially have what my track coach in high school called PMS- pre meet syndrome. It’s that nasty I feel like I’m gonna puke, can’t wait to start, excited, scared, nervous, amped, and freaked out feeling you get everytime you stand around waiting to be called to the starting line before the gun finally goes of and you do what you’ve trained so hard to do. I have it- because I’m teaching in “big church” on Friday night and then twice on Sunday for the first time here. I’ve tried to hold it at bay, but like the incoming tide- it’s here whether I like it or not. I’m trying to pray and give it all to God. I know that after I teach a few times in this new space, I’ll relax and feel comfortable again- it’ll feel like I’m home in front of friends. But right now, it just feels like PMS. Ok- that’s all. I’m gonna go pray and study and ask God to do whatever I cannot. Which is a lot. Peace.

So, i went to Target to get some stuff for Bible study and princess Lea walked by. I kid you not, hair in buns on the side of her head. White outfit. Everything. It was 5:30 pm and there were at least 200 people in line outside of the theater half a block away. There’s 3 radio stations doing live broadcasts and one tv crew. It’s now 9:43pm and I’m at my computer. Tens of thousands of people all over the country evidently are lined up (or now inside on the East Coast) to see the latest transformation of a man going from the force to the dark side with the revenge of the sith. I passed up a ticket tonight to a 12:01am showing in LA because it was either the “wisest thing I’ve done in a while” or the biggest proof in the world that I’m “old and out of it.” But here’s the real kicker for me right now. Honestly, I don’t really care about Starwars but a bunch of our culture deeply does. Some are even fanatical. I care deeply about Jesus- fanatically- but a bunch of our culture does not. Ironically- they are both in the same line at the theater tonight. I almost was with an entire youth staff from a church of thousands. I have friends that are passionate followers of a different force in the same line as princess Lea look-alikes. But then again, I guess that’s true of every line I’ve ever stood in- one common desire but different destinys. Maybe, just maybe I’ll have enough forethought to ask God to use me to bridge the gap and spur on conversations of a different Force. Jesus was a master at transitioning conversation. He asked a woman at the well about water and ended up talking about her soul. He answered questions about rules with conversations about conversion and sacrifice. I wonder how easy it would be for Jesus to turn a conversation in line at Revenge of the Sith to an Eternal One? I wonder how much he wants to do that but his followers will be lured away? I wonder if I would? I wonder if I already have? I pray not.

Why blog? Don’t really want to be trendy. Don’t want to try to impress people- plus what overflows from me is just that- what overflows. I’ve been kickin the idea around in my head for about 3 months now. I have interviewed 2 or 3 friends who blog about their experience and process for deciding to begin a blog. The reason I did this was and is for 3 reasons. 1. I have some long term friendships I hope can be maintained by us sharpening one another via what God’s sharing with us and we post. 2. I hope it will discipline me to really process my life and thoughts more intentionally. 3. I think it will help me to be a better writer, something I desire to do over the long haul. Aight- there ya have it. Have no idea how often I’ll post here. But, the first overflow has now spilled over onto the web.