new. words.

i love words. silly to say, but yes, i love words. they're so... so... communicatory.

i also love new things. even if they're actually old in and of themselves, the fact they're new to me means i love them. example: music that's been out awhile, but i'm just now listening to it. has the rage already passed and i'm way behind the times? absolutely. do i still embrace it like i was the first? of course!


not surprising, i love new words. and so today, i share with you new words, actually... a phrase... a hybrid... and a word.

the phrase: Mugging Down - (verb) 'making out while hugging; kissing passionately.' I heard it in this context (from a nameless new Nashville friend): 'I kissed a boy last night... just a kiss... we weren't mugging down or anything!'

the hybrid: Sexting - (verb) .... i'll let Luke explain

the word: Intinction - (noun) 'the action of dipping the bread in the wine at a Eucharist so that the communicant receives both together.' My favorite way of taking communion also has a technical term associated with it? And I thought everyone just appreciated the bread being a little bit softened by the grape juice/wine!

Anyone want to share their new favorite word?

airplane conversations

In August, I moved to Lawrence, KS. A wonderful town. Frankly, I don't consider it Kansas; I have to remind myself I live in Kansas. Artistic. Creative. Liberal. Environmentally & socially conscious. Diverse. An emphasis on intellectualism & the academic. Internationally aware. Expressly postmodern. In so many ways, Lawrence feels right to me; it feels like home.

I came to Lawrence on a hunch that God is relevant here... still relevant here. And my hunch includes the notion that to invite people to interact with God & spirituality is to use new words, different metaphors, fresh practices. I do believe that Jesus fits in this place, but maybe not in a way that people thinks he does, or in the ways people are trying to make him fit.

I am a part of a House Church in Lawrence. And we're figuring out what it means to express things just a little bit different.


When Annie and I were initially figuring each other out, she asked me a question I appreciated, but wasn't sure how it answer: 'When you tell a stranger on an airplane that you're a house (church) pastor, do they turn away awkwardly? Or are people receptive and curious?'

I think I responded that people either are intrigued to know more or quickly change the subject. But hey, isn't that always the response when you begin discussing spirituality with a stranger!?!


As I think about the question more, I would say the overall response has been in one of three categories: indifference, misunderstanding, or stereotyping. I must say, I deeply appreciate those precious few who genuinely turn to me and ask: 'interesting. tell me more about that.' It's not easy pressing into the unknown, attempting to do something fresh and a little bit outside the box. Most of the time, I flip between two thoughts: this really is silly & unnecessary... or... yes, this really is good & true, and I'm not doing a damn thing about it.


A few weeks ago, I read these words on Rustin's blog. Absolute life to my soul:

“Experimental groups seeking to engage the Christian faith in a postmodern context will often lack the resources, profile or success record of the Boomer congregations. By definition, they are new, untried, relatively disorganized and fearful of self-promotion. They reject the corporate model of their Boomer forebears, and thus do not appear, according to existing paradigms, to be significant. But don’t be fooled. Somewhere in the genesis and genius of these diverse groups is hidden the future of Western Christianity. To dismiss them is to throw away the seed of our survival.”

–Gerard Kelly, RetroFuture (as quoted in The Shaping of Things to Come)

Maybe somewhere in our genesis and genius good, true things will be planted.

many thanks to micah

While in Rome, Micah, my pullout couch sharing compadre, did a wonderful job expanding my musical horizons. Limbeck should be noted.


The group that really captured me was Arcade Fire, specifically their Neon Bible album.

Their song Intervention has been on repeat for the last 7 months since leaving Rome. With lyrics like this, how can you not love it...?

Been working for the church
While your life falls apart.
Singing hallelujah with the fear in your heart
Every spark of friendship and love
Will die without a home
Hear the soldier groan, "We'll go at it alone"
Hear the soldier groan, "We'll go at it alone"

Intervention, great song. Even better, Rainn Wilson introducing them on SNL before playing.

Enjoy.

Oh, and here are the complete lyrics if interested.

holding out

When originally sharing our pictures, Annie and I decided to downplay our amazingness, and the fact that, frankly, we're both pretty big deals. As a result, we asked the lovely Ashley P to slightly edit the photos.

Today, we share with you one of the originals:



Sorry B. Didnt mean to playa hate.


(a special shout-out to K-Dub and her amazing photoshop skillz...)

Even in Lawrence

Tuesday evening, driving home on Mass, I stopped behind an old, rusty Dodge truck. On the left side of the Dodge sign it read: DON't. On the right: JESUS.

Yep: DON'T DODGE JESUS


(sorry, no picture available; i didn't think of it in time)

No Artists Named Patty

I'm not sure when this happened, but sometime between the age of 12 and 23, I vowed I would never listen to any singers with 'Patty' in their name. I'm not certain where this came from, but I have a hunch it stems from an over-saturation of Sandy Patty as a youth.

Today, I humbly acknowledge that I was wrong. Patty Griffin. Oh my.

Nashvegas Pt. 2: a Review

Sarah informed me Sunday afternoon that I wasn't to use "Nashvegas" any more. Tragic.

(for reference, it comes from a bumper sticker Annie proudly displays: "Viva Nashvegas! Eat more rhinestones" uhhh. ok?)

For all those interested, Nashville was delightfully refreshing. Honestly, I was quite amazed by how much I appreciated the culture and I LOVED the architecture; there definitely were a few dozen houses I wanted.

It was great to be with Annie, meet her friends, see her place (great apartment girl!), eat good food, enjoy nice weather, drink the best hot chocolate I've ever tasted (coincidentally, also the most expensive!), but my favorite was Saturday night... the Bluebird.


The Bluebird Cafe was amazing; absolutely splendid. I have a deep love for live music and a deeper love for good musicians... and the Bluebird definitely showcased both! For two hours four musicians took turns playing their music. My favorite was Josh Stevens; Annie's was Meg Allison (also present Amy Loftus & Justin Thompson); Josh & Meg accompanied each other on every song, which was pretty tight.

So, if you're even in Nashville, hit up the Bluebird, but call ahead and reserve your spot ($3 reservation fee, plus a minimum order of $7 per person. There are also free spots, but get there early: first come, first serve).


Viva Nashvegas! I will be back.