Twist of Faith

A Pirate Looks at 40

2010-02-10T21:38:43Z

This weekend marks the eight month countdown to turning 40. So, the bucket list continues. I’ve thought a lot about what I want to do/accomplish/see/etc. before this great and terrible day. Some ideas sound more like New Year’s resolutions than life goals. It gets me wondering about life goals, life plans, and bigger picture thinking when it comes to one’s life. Not in a cliché way of thinking, but in some real thought provoking ways of disciplining life around big ideas like spirituality, health, emotional and intellectual growth, parenthood, creativity, and vocation. I did some journal writing a few weeks ago to continue the process, that is to say, to help me get some things down on paper that have been swimming around my mind for a while.

I wonder what will happen. I wonder about getting from idea to task, since I’m heavy-handed on the idea side of things. Any help is welcome and appreciated.

How do you move from idea to work to fruition?

Late Friday Afternoon

2010-02-06T04:30:50Z

With a heavy heart, I went to visit a saint from our church late this afternoon when I heard she had had a stroke and was in the hospital. She's a person who worked tirelessly in our clothes closet giving a bit of dignity (and style) to our local community. Visiting in her nursing home is always an uplifting experience. Today was no different. I was told her son had left just minutes before I arrived and he must have selected the channel she was watching/listening to. As I sat beside her for a while, we listened to beautiful music (that I wish I could link to right now) that was playing through the television. I held her hand. I asked her simple questions thinking that her ability to communicate was diminished. I was wrong.

After a few songs, I told her wanted to say a prayer for her. As I prayed, her tear-filled eyes looked directly into mine. My eyes and cheeks filled to overflowing. And God became flesh and was dwelling among us. Not in me. Not in her. But, in us.

She had tried to say several things during our visit, but I couldn't make out what she saying. Her speech was slurred and unintelligible until I concluded the prayer. With tear-puddles in her eyes, she said, "thank you." I said, "I love you." She said, "I love you too."

And God made a home among us.

Blogging in 2010

2010-01-04T16:00:32Z

Is this a good idea? Do people still read blogs or has Twitter and facebook limited how much of a person's thoughts someone night read? I just might try this and see.

Thanksgiving post

2009-11-27T01:21:45Z

Digesting the good food and thinking about heading to the beach tomorrow. Early to bed for the littlest Newell.

bookstore results

2009-06-05T19:00:06Z

I went to the bookstore today looking for resources to help me plan a possible marriage enrichment seminar later in the summer. This is what I walked out with and why.

"Trading Places" by Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott...This looked like the most interesting of all the books in the marriage enrichment section. Plus, we had a video lesson preview pack at the church that was just sent back before I previewed it and these two folks seem be in a place to comment well to married persons. Furthermore, I think I ran across them while I was a campus minister, but I can't remember. Anyone read them?

"The Promise of Paradox" by Parker Palmer...I love anything by him and this is a re-print of an earlier work that I had not read. I like the idea of working through paradox and Christianity. Like he says, my life is full of paradox. This should a interesting and a blessing. This may the beach read in a week.

"Marketing Your Church to the Community" by Peter Metz...It's hard to find something good when using the words marketing and church together. I am always highly suspicious of stuff like this, but hopefully not too cynical to learn something.

"Weavings" (May/June 2009 Issue)...A great resource for spirituality that I haven't used in a while. The theme is "Cling Always to God." It even has a centerfold artistically saying "To cling always to God and to the things of God - this must be our major effort, this must be the road that the heart follows unswervingly." (John Cassian) Not swerving is a necessary discipline.

Who knows? I might even read these books.

a little workout music

2009-06-02T14:54:22Z

Here's what on the playlist for today...and yes, it does lean toward some U2 since I've not been listening for a while.

Even Better Than The Real Thing, U2, Achtung Baby
Walk On, U2, All That You Can't Leave Behind
Full Force Gale, Van Morrison, Best Of Van Morrison
All At Once, The Fray, How to Save a Life Rock
15 Step, Radiohead, In Rainbows
No Way Back, Foo Fighters, In Your Honor [Disc 1]
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart), Journey, Journey: Greatest Hits
Move Along, The All-American Rejects, Move Along
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking (Live), U2, Rattle And Hum
Jesus Christ, U2, U2 Medium, Rare & Remastered

40 minutes of treadmill, elliptical, and stationary bike

Appreciation

2009-05-05T16:30:18Z

I received two great bits of appreciation in the last few days. The first came in the form of a facebook message from a former student and current colleague in ministry. She went out of her way to say thank you for the role I played of being a college minister during her undergraduate years. I was moved to tears by her message. (Of course, when “I am moved” it is always “to tears.”) The second came in a voicemail basically saying, “Hey. We’ll be in town and want to hang out.” Again, it was from a former student and current ministry colleague. And again, the tears.

There’s something about being told “thank you” that makes so much pain disappear. Here’s what I mean.

Leaving college ministry was hard, very hard. I was in a place that I thought I would be for the rest of my life. I remember looking in the mirror the morning of my first interview and saying, “I really want this.” The funny thing is that I got it. The odd thing is that I got more than I bargained for. I was criticized for my theology within the first three days. I spent a good deal of a decade feeling underutilized and unappreciated by “the man.” I hit walls and found new boundaries on more occasions than I can remember since I’ve tried to block out some of the bad times. My anger and resentment grew to embarrassing and sinful levels. To be quite honest, my grief is still an issue.

The amazing therapy of feeling appreciated has worked wonders in my spirit. Too many times I missed the appreciation, but not because it wasn’t there. I missed it because I chose to focus on what was wrong with life. Grief turned me into a deaf cynic. Hearing these words of “thanks” helped me focus on the grief I feel and confront the realities of the past. Instead of being bound or trapped, I am liberated for good days of ministry and service.

Here’s what I propose to those of you who have endured to the end of this emo-post. Let someone know how thankful you are for them. Let them know what kind of influence they have been in your life. Or, simply call them up and find time to hang out. (No need to send any of those words my way. I get what I need. Chances are that if you’re thankful for me, I know it already.)

Who knows? Your appreciation could speak volumes.

outreach

2009-04-24T14:26:38Z

Yesterday, I finished listening to the audio of a seminar I went to in San Diego at the NPC in February. I was reminded of something very interesting and that I've found to be very true. Don Everts pointed out that the first "threshold" in postmoderns becoming Christians has them trusting a Christian. More times than not their stories begin, "I had a friend who was a Christian."

will work for signature

2009-02-17T22:02:05Z

I just answered the phone at the church (big mistake). A mother was hoping we could help her son get some "community service" hours. He needs to complete 12 hours before the end of day tomorrow "for the courts." Partial transcript...

Mom: Can't he just pick up trash or something and the pastor sign a little form. It wouldn't take that long honestly.
Pastor Newell: Wouldn't it need to take 12 hours?
Mom: No. All the pastor has to do is sign this little piece of paper saying that he worked for 12 hours.
Pastor Newell: I'm confused.
Mom: What about washing the windows? Everyone needs their windows washed.
Pastor Newell: (awkward silence)
Mom: Can't you just help us get this little paper signed?
Pastor Newell: I don't think we have 12 hours of work, but...(interrupted)
Mom: OK. Well, thanks. (hangs up the phone)
Pastor Newell: (dumbfounded silence)

patriotism

2009-01-21T02:57:26Z

I have never felt as patriotic as I do today. Other words come to mind...Pride, Honor, Humility, Respect, and...emotional. Our oldest daughter asked me this morning/early afternoon, "Dad, are you crying?" Let the record show, yes, I did...and yes I am. Sitting here watching, "We Are One" on www.hbo.com, I ask (with a little help from John Cougar Mellencamp), "Ain't that America?"