The Borders Girl

Yesterday, I was making a purchase at Border's Books. While waiting in the check-out line, the cashier asked me if I wanted a Border's Card (I guess for frequent customers). I replied, "No thank you, I'm illiterate." She gave no response. Apparently she wasn't amused by my dumb joke. Sometimes when I say something that I find oddly humorous in my own mind, and those present don't share my sentiment, it makes me struggle all the more not to laugh. I began to wonder if the cashier thought I was some kind of weirdo or something. So I began to laugh even harder, yet nobody else was around, so I began to look even crazier. And then it just snowballed. Do these things only happen to me?

Denver to Ogden

I swear I saw a field just outside of Denver that contained two to three camels. Then me and Jenn ecountered a town (population: 1) or something of a town called Buford. The beginning of that day was a bit lengthy. I entertained Jenn by getting really into the first six or seven songs on Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Then a most surreal "event" occured. I will choose to describe our time at a rest stop in Rock Springs as an event. First, we encountered road construction, so the exit to the rest area was not clearly marked to begin with. As we went through some cones and saw little or no signs of civilization, Jenn asked, "Are we supposed to be driving on this, or are we offroading?" And at that point I thought we were offroading (honestly). Then as we went under some bridges and came to a dirt road intersection, I said some bad words and wondered what kind of "micky mouse operation this was". A guy in another vehicle was laughing at my confusion. When we finally traveled through about a two mile labrynth and found a gas station, we were mesmorized by not only the people, and the clothing and dialect, but also the choice of subject content contained within various conversations. Nobody had sleeves, and one notable discussion included a guy who had come across a small fortune and was fighting off the ladies who had a newfound interest in his recently fattened wallet. Jenn was funny because she made little attempt to hide her laughter at this man and his $80,000 reward, and his heigtened status within the dating community.

When you travel across the country, it's great to stop and observe the diversity. Later that day, we stopped in Ogden and left for Boise, but I still think I need to give a little more time, to try to describe that leg of the tour. Right now, I'm in a Panera Bread in Seattle and I need to move on, but you will hear from me soon. I will keep you posted. Yinz are the best. Blessings from the road.

No Clowns, No Playgrounds, Just Good Food!

So I am on the road. This blog I am posting from my girlfriend, Jenn's computer. I wish I could put into words all that I've seen and experienced thus far. Last Wednesday, we left from Zelienople and made it to St. Louis. I felt so free, that I couldn't stop smiling all day. G.P.S.'s are amazing. I borrowed my dad's. He named it Tanya. Now from St. Louis we left on Thursday morning heading to Denver. The last time I traveled to Denver through Kansas I remember being bored. But this time, I just loved it. Maybe it was the company. Then we saw this Arby's sign that read: No Clowns, No Playgrounds, Just Good Food! The sign seemed angry. We laughed at the no nonsense attitude with which Arby's presented its case.

Anyway, in Denver, we were on this road (Rte. 86) that was a scenic route. I looked at Jenn and said "I will never forget this as long as I live!" I felt like I was on the edge of the universe. We were listening to slow Led Zeppelin tunes like: "That's the Way", "Tangerine", and "Thank You". There is something to be said for the feeling one has when you are half way across the country and light years from the stresses and concerns of every day life/ministry.

The trip from Denver to Boise, and then from Boise to Bend require posts of their own, but what I'd like to say thus far is that this is exactly what I've needed for maybe the better part of a year! Going from one position/church to another with no time to breathe has had me so focused on the task at hand that I feel like I haven't had time to slow down and focus on the giver of life. In my first six days on the road, I have felt the Lord tell me some things. Things that I haven't been breaking my back to hear. Sometimes, when we just slow down for a minute, the answers just seem to appear. At least that's the way it's been for me thus far. Next time we talk I'll tell you about a sunset that I wish I could've shared with the world, and a rest stop in Wyoming that I could not only preach a sermon on, but maybe a series. God speed!

What does "I Shall Be Released" Mean?

The title of my blog is "I Shall Be Released". Perhaps my first ever post back in February should have addressed this. I was sitting with some friends, one of whom, was helping me set up my blog. The first thing that came to mind was a song by Bob Dylan that I had been listening to. On the album "The Last Waltz" by "The Band", there is a compilation including Dylan, The Band, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Ron Wood, Ringo Starr, Van Morrison and Eric Clapton to name a few. The song that closes out the last performance was Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released". About a year and a half ago, I was listening to the album almost constantly. Recently, I examined the lyrics, and I found as I have with many a Dylan song, I am not quite sure what the heck he was talking about. But the greatest songs transcend time and space, and for me, "I Shall Be Released" just speaks of the freedom from the bondage that Christ offers. I am blown away by the victories He has won in my life! And the lyrics seem to point to a time "any day now" that the freedom will be apparent. The old self falls away. It has for me, and sometimes I'm not quite sure how. So that day, when my friend Jason asked me to come up with a title, that was what rolled off my tongue. Check out the entire album, or the DVD which was brilliantly directed by Martin Scorsese. The musicianship is something to behold. Blessings my friends.

Humorous, Followup Details to My Baptism

Here are some details I haven't told you regarding my baptism on Sunday: there was a young man who was baptized just before me who almost slipped and fell on his way into the baptismal. So I decided to be extra careful upon my entrance. In my caution, my foot rubbed against the back of the baptismal, making a very loud and awkward noise that could be heard easily as far back as the sound booth. Of course, I decided to say the first thing that came to mind which was, "excuse me!", which I said with a volume that could also be heard throughout the church. So at that point, there were at least some in the congregation who questioned whether or not I had actually just had a nervous bodily function. Any way, I muttered under my breath to Rich and the elder present in a somewhat frustrated tone, "That would happen to me on the day I get baptized!" They seemed to find this relatively humorous, and since they did, I did as well, because anybody who knows me knows I find laughter hard to avoid. So they lowered me under the water three times. The first time I emerged from the water I noticed Rich trying not to laugh. So of course I had a smirk on my face. The second time, I was actually holding back the laughter as were they. And by the third time, we were all laughing. I figured at that point, the Lord knows me, and understands that he created me in such a way that I will laugh just about any time any place, even as I publicly proclaim my life in Him! It was great!
Later that day, we had an awesome youth event at our church where several area youth ministries joined us for an evening of fellowship, worship, and teaching. It was really something to behold.
And then last night I got together with the guys I do music with on Sunday mornings, and we had a really cool practice (which is rare because practice can be a grind). But I am so blessed by the people the Lord has placed in my life in my nine months here. I love the hearts, and I love the passion I see in so many. So today, I am sitting here in my office wasting exuberant amounts of time blogging. I love God and I love days like this one.
Working here at Conway is wonderful. I feel like myself. And we can never really be alive until we are ourselves. So go and do what makes you feel alive, because what the world really needs is to see people who are truly alive. Until next time. Boom.

Baptism

A few months ago, I saw that our church (Conway Alliance Church) had a "Baptism Sunday" scheduled for April. I came to believe in and trust in Christ way back in the mid to late 90s, and I always had it in my heart to be baptized. As a youth intern at a church in Harmony, Zelienople, I had actually seen a student who I was mentoring get baptized in a pool! I always believed in my heart that I wanted the same for myself. My church does full immersion baptism. There was a time this was done in the nude. (never in my church!, but various times in history!)
So, this Sunday, along with four students from my church, I took part in the sacrament of baptism. I was quite nervous beforehand, and I'm not sure why. It was such an amazing experience for me. It has been so evident in my life how much the Savior truly loves me (when I have been often unlovable). An elder from my church named Rich along with my Pastor and long-time friend and mentor Rich Grassel baptized me. The day was truly blessed. I was truly blessed to have so many that I truly loved be there to witness. And I couldn't think of a better group of students to make this proclamation with me than those present that day. I love you all!

Benjie Helped Me

I'm a 29 year old man. A simple man, one could say a slightly technologically challenged man. But I have a buddy named Ben (Benjie) who knows the deal. He came and helped me with my blog today. I finally know how to add pics! In fact, this is the good lookin' fella right here. It's all gravy from here my friends. So now each and every time, you view my blog, come prepared to have your minds blown!