An esteemed senator, a govenor, and me?

Sounds like an unusual crowd, right? It did to me to.

A couple of weeks ago I got the opportunity to try something new. I have found that keeping an open mind and trying new things as opportunities present themselves has made my life a little richer and has given me a few good stories to tell.

When I was asked to give the opening invocation and closing blessing as a local ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of a new highway, I was flattererd. I was also a little unsure of what my response should be.

The people planning this event wanted to have a local pastor to be part of the event. And, after what I can only assume was the rejection by all the other area pastors, they called me. The road opening was a significant event for this community, creating a safer way for people to travel through our region. Several VIPs were going to be there, including Sen. Robert Byrd and Gov. Joe Manchin, as well as some executives from the different highway departments. But the question that I was wrestling with while trying to decide whether or not to accept their request was, what business did I have being there?

I was not doubting my own personal significance in the company of these distinguished people, but questioning the significance of having a pastor there at all. What role does a spiritual leader have at a civic event like this? Why include an invocation and blessing at all? Would it not have been enough to recognize the hard work that had been done by all who had given so much to this project?

Many people who know me, know that I have touted some pretty strong beliefs about the separation of church and state. And so, my first reaction was to pass on this opportunity because of these beliefs. I began to pray about this and seek the Lord's direction. Soon, one of the people that I admire most, Donald Miller, came to mind.

Don Miller, author of Blue Like Jazz, and many other great books, recently gave the benediction at the Democratic National Convention. In his benediction, which you can watch on YouTube (and I highly recommend doing so), he took the opportunity to speak words of truth into those in power and to those who listen and respect those in power.

This got me thinking. What could I say in a brief invocation and blessing that might speak to the people who would be gathered at a ribbon cutting ceremony for a road opening? Recognizing that the number of people in power would be few and the people attending the opening would be more interested in getting a picture of the iconic Sen. Byrd than listening to what some preacher-lady might have to say, I asked Lord for direction.

In the end, my words were few, but I hope that they conveyed some meaning. My prayer was one of thanks to God for his hand at work in the construction of this road, from the beginning designs to the lines painted on the pavement. I tried to convey that each person's role was important. Each person, each job, was needed. And although it may be small, each one is needed to make this new, safe road possible. As strange as it seems, I did sense God's presence there. I truly believe that he had been at work in this process of building a new road.

It was a good reminder to me, that God is working in all areas of life. He's working in our churches, our schools, our law practices, our supermarkets, our soccer fields, and even in our road constructions.

How is he working in your life?

(Pictures: Left:friend Kim with daughters Madison and Morgan with Gov. Joe Manchin; Far right: Mom, Kim, Madison, Morgan, and Gov. Joe Manchin; Below: Me, Dad, and Mom)

Fun and friends in the Big Apple: getting started

I've just returned from a long weekend with a friend/member of my church to New York City. I have been to New York a couple of times before, but, as always, the city offered new joys and challenges to me.

Our trip got off to a little bit of a slow start with our flight out of Charleston being canceled. We had planned to get into NYC in time to see a Broadway show, but it was not meant to be. We were so blessed to get to stay in an old friend's apartment while she was out of town and by the time we got there, we were happy to rest and re-group for our adventure.

Anyone who knows me, knows I love a plan. I like to be in charge. I like to study the map and know where I'm going - in the city and in life. But, from the moment we got to the airport in Charleston, I had to remind myself of the importance of flexibility.

While we were able to stick to "my plan" most of the time," there were moments when we had to give be open to another plan, or "Another's" plan. But, because I had such a great traveling partner, we were able to make the most of it. A good plan to start, plus a good amount of flexibility, allowed us to have a wonderful and memorable weekend.

We started at Ground Zero. It is hard to believe that what looks like an ordinary construction zone holds such emotion for so many. Although I had seen it before, it remains a moving experience. This time, we visited St. Paul's Chapel, a nearby church where so many first-responders and aid workers were cared for, fed, and shown appreciation. What a moving experiencing to be in a place where people so many people exerpienced the love of God in a tangible way: a good meal, a listening ear, even the touch of a professional massage therapist. People from all over the country sent their encouraging words to the folks working at St. Paul's.

The rest of the morning we spent doing something much lighter: shopping and eating in Chinatown. We bought designer knockoff jewelry and purse and at authentic Chinese dumplings at a great restaurant which had been recommended by a friend.

The afternoon brought us to see Phantom of the Opera, the show my friend was dying to see. Although we were in the nose-bleed section, the talented actors and crew brought us right into the experience. It was a magical afternoon, being pulled into the dramatic events of the opera house.

The day came to an end with a great meal in a fun diner where we could relax, share our woes of aching feet, and get ready for another exciting day ahead.

Are You Heading Home?

"Are you heading home?" The nice man sitting next to me on the plane asked me. It's a simple question, really. And yet, I stutter, "uh...well...no...not anymore...."

He just kind of smiles and waits, knowing that there has to be a longer answer to such an easy question.

How do we know when we're going home? In a time when people are likely to live in several different homes, much less different states, what makes a home?

With my family mostly in one state, friends in many others, and my own house in still another, I have wondered from time to time where my home is.

Coming back from my trip to Los Angeles, I have realized that home is more than a place. I came home to my friends, my church family, my dog, and my bed (is there anything better than your own bed after you've been traveling?). For a while, I resisted calling this place home. Although I can now happily say, "I am home."

I choose to make friends. I choose to develop relationships. I choose to know other people and let them know me. That's what makes a place a home.

The old saying goes, "Home is where the heart is." Maybe a better one would say, "Home is where you are known." Home is the place where people know and love you, the real you.

My answer to the man on the plane was actually right. I had left West Virginia (home) and had stopped in Houston (home) on my way to LA (home). I was heading home and leaving home at the same time.

I'm glad to be home.

The City of Angels

In a couple of days I'm heading to Los Angeles. Yay! I moved here to West Virginia five years ago from LA and it's been a few years since I've been back to visit. I'm excited to go back for a great conference (http://www.presbyterianglobalfellowship.org/) and to see a few friends and family members.

What makes me so excited to visit this crowded, polluted, image-obsessed, mudslide-prone, and earthquake-happy city? Why should I be so excited about going back? When I visit Houston to see my family and friends, I look forward to going home, to being in the place where I grew up, where I went to church and school. There's nothing like going home.

But, LA is a different It's like seeing your best friend. She was the friend who saw me through four years. She saw me through my first earthquake, brain-draining theology classes, making new friends, dating dramas, call-questioning moments, happy hours, and about a million cups of coffee.

Like an old friend that you haven't seen in a while, I'm looking forward to seeing how she's grown and changed, and thanking God that certain things will never change.

Hopefully, over the next few days, I'll be adding some more thoughts about my old friend.

Refrigerator Friends

Have you ever heard of this term? Refrigerator friends? I heard it recently and can't stop thinking about its significance. A refrigerator friend is one who will come into your house and open up your refrigerator, looking for something to eat, without thinking twice about it.

I got home a couple of hours ago from spending the day at a friend's house. This is a friend that I spend a lot of time with and see almost everyday, and yet the act of spending almost 6 hours at her house on a Sunday afternoon seems the most natural thing in the world. She is a refrigerator friend, for sure.

This idea of a refrigerator friend is one that is becoming attractive to so many people, because of the increasing isolation in our culture. As a single person who lives alone, I have to make a point to schedule time with other people in order avoid being isolated. If we go to someone else's home, someone who we're not particularly close with, we might sneek a peek in their bedroom; we'll probably snoop around in their medicine cabinet; and we might even steal a glance into their "junk room" or "junk drawer." But, only with close family and friends will we look in their refrigerators.

The people who easily become refrigerator friends are people who have the gift of hospitality. Lots of people have you over to their home and treat you so kindly that you are constantly aware that you are a guest in their home. Their home is clean. The meal is prepared with great care. The host takes makes sure that you enjoy yourself. You have a good time.

As a pastor, I've gotten to visit a lot of people in their homes. I understand that often times people may treat me differently if they think of me as "their pastor." And all these meals and visits have been wonderful. But, I've started to think that those who have the true gift of hospitality are less concerned with the house being clean or the meal being perfect and are more concerned with being with their guest.

People with the best gift of hospitaltity are more like refrigerator friends. Hospitality means making you feel like you are at home. In your own home, you speak your mind and ask for the things you want to eat and drink and do. In a place of hospitality, you are free to be yourself.

Today I am thankful for a refrigerator friend who shows me un-ending hospitality. Because of her hospitality, I am able to spend 6 hours at her house without realizing it. How would are lives change if we took a little more effort to be refrigerator friends? It means that we might have to learn the art of hospitality. We might worry less about the cleanliness of our house and a little more about the person coming over for dinner.

In the pool or on the deck?

I was reading one of my favorite blogs recently (http://stuffchristianslike.net/) and on there I saw a link to another blog (http://boomama.net/) which I had never read before. On this site, the author was sharing a humorous rant about people who go to the pool, but never actually get in the pool. She said, "I mean, if I’m going to put on a swimsuit? And wear it in public? Well, I’m dang skippy gonna get some kind of reward for that, and I can’t think of any better reward than SOME RELIEF FROM ALL THE HEAT."

Because I am new to her site and I don't really know if she was thinking the same thing as me, I won't assume that my analogy is original, but I couldn't help but see the similarities to following Jesus.

Why would someone be willing to put on a swimsuit, in public, and then not even go in the pool? Why would someone go through the trouble of going to church, but not jump in to the living water with both feet? What keeps people from enjoying the reward that is right in front of them? Is it a fear of looking foolish? Yes, I guess, I might act a little silly in the pool from time to time. I might even flash back to my nine year-old carefree-summer days and see how long I can do a handstand in the pool. (And yes, I realize that this is much less attractive thing to do at my age.) But guess what? Who cares? The pool demands that you act childish and silly. The pool is not there to look at and speak fondly of.

I have met people in my life that can tell me everything about the Bible and Jesus, but I get the impression they have lived their lives on the pool deck - getting a tan, contemplating the beauty of pool, thanking God for giving them the pool, and even inviting other people to join them at the pool. But, they never get wet.

BooMama says, "There are a lot of people who go to the pool without ever getting in the pool. They just sit beside the pool. And then, if they do get in the pool, they do not put their heads in the water."

Doesn't following Jesus mean more than just getting our feet wet? Now men may not understand this, but I know a lot of women will relate. Have you ever tried to be in a pool and not get your hair wet? It's a lot of work, isn't it? There you are, stepping in to a nice, cool, relaxing pool, and yet, you can't really enjoy it. You're constantly thinking about not getting your hair wet. And trust me, from a vanity standpoint, I have done this many times. But not anymore.

I'm jumping in. I want to be all-in when it comes to living for Jesus. Isn't that what he has called us to? If I have been brave enough to put on a swimsuit in public, that is, if I have been brave enough to tell the world that I am following Jesus, why would I then, try to maintain control of my life and not get my hair wet?

So, if the next time you see me, I hope my hair is still wet and that you can tell that I have been swimming in the living water.

Texas Summer

This summer I went to Houston and Dallas to spend some time with some family and friends. As always, I spent some quality time with Mom and Dad in Houston (pictured here in their backyard). We spent most of our time just relaxing around the house - well, at least, that's what I did - hey, it's vacation.

One of the joys of my trip to Houston in June was spending time with this lovable, rambunctious, sweet, smart, and adorable boy, Ethan (my cousin's son). Whenever I'm home to Houston I try to spend some time with him and it is always too short. He is growing up so fast and the two times a year I get to see him just don't seem enough. Ethan is always such a joy to be around. My parents live near his parents and I'm glad that they get to see him more often. They have gotten to be a kind of third set of grandparents, which I know they love.