Generation Whine

"We are a chosen generation..."

The words sung by Chris Tomlin have followed me like an unwelcome spirit as I have left the Passion conference a few weeks ago. "Chosen" for what? And really THIS generation? My Generation?

Generation Y. We, as all the generations before us, will be defined by our actions and the legacy that we leave to those after us. The Great Generation lead us out of the Great World Wars. They conquered one of the greatest terrors this world has known. The Baby Boomers went to outer space. Generation X lived the Cold War, the Vietnam War and ushered in a new movement of counter culture. MTV and the rise of mass media are to their credit. But what of us? What legacy are we leaving? What is to be said of us?

As Generation X'er begin to enter into their senior years we enter our 20s and 30s. Generation Y is known as a generation of idealist who are too overcome to move. Slothful, lazy, disinterested and apathetic. We are known as a generation of whiners. Our parents and grandparents tell us that we don't know how good we have it. What do we have to complain about? Information is at our finger tips at any given moment. Any desire we have, excitement, adventure, relationship, intimacy, can be met at any given moment with a few key strokes. We close the doors, turn out the lights and disappear into our computers. 

We meet in coffee houses and churches and pubs and we see what the world is becoming and we despise it. We look at what the generations before us have left us and we are disgusted at their wars and their greed. We vow that we are going to be different, that we will be the ones to right the wrongs of those that have come before us. We plan and we strategize and in a matter of hours a group of us has solved world hunger, we have found a way to give every child in Africa a pair of shoes and healthcare, we've fixed broken political systems and found a way to put a Bible in the hands of every village in the world, but as soon as we step out of the coffee shop all of our ideas vanish. They disappear like a snuffed flame and as the smoke dissipates, carried off by the wind, so our solutions dematerialize. The moment we step outside of the comfort of the coffee shop we are overwhelmed by the enormity of the world and suffer instant defeat. We are better than this. 

What if you truly believed that the person you see in the mirror could accomplish the dreams of your heart and mind?

How would that change the way we lived? What do we have to do to make that happen? As a generation we have to become finishers. We are wonderful at creating ideas and when we are put in large groups we can be inspired and motivated to do amazing things. The Passion conference in Atlanta raised $1.1 Million over double the $470,000 that was the goal. We are capable of extraordinary things, but we consistently settle for less. 

"If only I had an enemy greater than my apathy I could have won"
-Mumford and Sons "I Gave You All"

What if we believed that God could move in us to do greater things than we could imagine (Eph 3:20)  That we are more than conquerors (Rom 8:37) That we were not given a timid spirit, but one of power (2 Tim 1:7) There are people all around us who are doing extraordinary things. Which one of us is going to be the next Larry Jones (Feed the Children) or Blake Mycoskie (Toms shoes) or Louie Giglio (Passion)? Which one of us is going to be the next one to rise to the occasion and make a difference?

What happens when we believe that we can accomplish something bigger than ourselves? Extraordinary things. We are a chosen generation. We each have things that have been put in our hearts that fire us up. Those things were not put there purposelessly. Not all of us are meant to be revolutionaries, but none of us are called to be dormant.

My best friend from home, Danley, is a great man. He inspires me, encourages me, and I could not be more proud of him. God has used him in amazing ways in my life. We have gone through the awkwardness of our early twenties together. When Danley and I met we were frustrated with everything in our lives. Neither of us wanted to have anything to do with another human and somehow, two guys  whose pictures were next to jerk in the dictionary (ask our friends from that time they will tell you no different), became friends. Danley is an awesome guitar player. He is also now a great husband to his wonderful wife and I am having the privilege of watching him become a great father to his son. Danley is passionate about worship, has been since I have met him. He knows that God has given him a talent and though he isn't touring the world, he takes the opportunities that he is given to do what he is passionate about. He loves it and watching him play you know that this is what he was created to do. There are some of us that are called to go to foreign countries, some to start movements, some to preach, some to be the Sunday morning lead guitarist, some of us are called to help organize the church directories, teach sunday school, or watch some toddlers so that a family can worship together. The point is no matter what it is that lights that fire in us we have to start doing it.

We are given opportunities throughout our lives to do the things we are the most passionate about. They may last lifetimes or only moments, but we, as a generation, can no longer sit idly and watch them go by. We were called to be doers. To be warriors. To be strong and courageous. We are called to live lives that are manifestations of the spirit that lives within us. It is time that we started to do it.

What if you truly believed that the person you saw in the mirror could accomplish the dreams of your heart and mind?

Choose to believe it and show us what God is capable of through you.

Thinking back. Looking forward. Living now.

There have been several times where I have sat down to write my next blog entry. Each one filled with anticipation as I look to put my thoughts and heart on the internet to let everyone know what is really going on in my life. Reflecting on those posts that never made it, I am glad that they are stuck in a cyberspace time capsule. This blog will be getting a lot more action as the year continues on, but for now I think a good update is the best bet.

Life has changed. There is really no other way to put it. No flattering way to dress it up or make it sound like anything other than what it is. Life has changed, and so have I. I've been uprooted from the place that I have always called home to a place where temperatures (we're supposed to hit -50C tonight with the wind chill), life, and priorities are drastically different. I have gone over some of the more subtle cultural differences in some of my other posts, but I think that I have finally, truly begun to settle down and be me again. A journey which was a bit harder than I thought.

Sarah gave me a copy of a devotional book called "Streams in the Desert" in my first "care package" that I received. Today was talking about looking at sorrow as opportunity. I was instantly reminded of a Winston Churchill quote "A pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." I came to Canada wide eyed and bushy tailed, but within a few weeks I had begun to do something that I am not sure that I have ever really done before and most definitely not to the extent that it happened here...I began to feel sorry for myself. It threw me totally off. I was stuck in this weird mental and emotional spot where not only could I not properly reason how to get out of this funk. I didn't even realize that the cause of it was probably me having a good ole Eeyore  "whoa is me, where is my tail, oh bother" pity party and to be perfectly honest I should have sent out more invitations, because you all would have loved it! It was a party to end all parties! It lasted for months! Sitting where I am now I can reflect back and see where I have sucked life out of some of my friendships and missed many opportunities as I tried to reconcile what it was that holding me back. A harsh but true reality.

I got the opportunity to go the Passion conference in Atlanta, Georgia during the Christmas break, as I was home visiting family and friends in God's Country (aka Texas) and the rest of the USA. Louie Giglio spoke the first night about being fully where you are. Passionately being where you are. This, for me was not a new message as I have heard it several times since I have been here, yet it struck me differently. I cannot tell you exactly why, but it did. Maybe it was hearing it from a voice that was unattached to me or maybe it was just because I found myself in a setting where I wasn't worried about being stubborn and having to stand my ground. Who knows. God moved in me during those four days and He began to remind me of the work that He had started. My perspectives began to change, and though they weren't new (in fact they were going back to a place they had been just months before) they still had to be changed.

My dad and I have a great relationship and as I have gotten older it has morphed into a great friendship. While we were taking an afternoon drive, I, eager to share what God was doing in my life and finding that I had a captive audience, explained to him how my eyes had been opened at Passion. What he said in response stuck with me.

"You have to be fully where you are that is true. Beware that you do not fall into the trap of setting anchors in places. Anchors are meant keep you from moving. They are only there to tie you down and pull you back to where you were. They can be places, or people or jobs, whatever they are they will always keep you tethered and the more you set the less you are able to move. You will never reach your destination. It is better to set buoys (that is such a weird looking word). Buoys are meant to guide you and direct you. You can always return to the buoys and each time you do they will help to guide you. They will mark the dangers on your path and help lead you to the next destination on your journey. You can't try and be in 50 places at once with anchors everywhere or you'll never get anywhere. You have to be free to go and explore."

It hit me hard. And suddenly the ever dimming light bulb in my head flickered on terrifying the cockroaches that had taken residence there and forcing them to flee. Thanks dad.

Upon arriving back home a few days after Passion my family was in full wedding prep mode. My youngest brother was getting married (both younger brothers have now tied the knot) The wedding was great and I am happy for Thomas and his new bride Danielle. The wedding was on a Saturday and the next day I said good bye to too many people. Sarah had flown down as she was also back in the States for the holidays. Taking her to the airport at 5am in the rain had all the makings of a Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks movie. I had half a mind to break through the TSA barrier grab her and just escape to Aruba (I hear it's super nice), but the thought of the ensuing man hunt and what might happen if her mother, who is a lovely Christian woman that I respect tremendously, got her hands on me was enough to make me just stand and watch as she moved through security and slowly out of sight. The 200yd walk in the cold rain back to the car felt like a scene from a sappy music video, complete with me longingly looking back at the doors to the airport. I think I finally understand why Yeti (my 2 year old Akita) whimpers when I leave. It's hard to see someone you love go when you're unsure of when you will see them again. Thomas and Danielle then left on their honeymoon. Matt (the other married younger brother) and Autumn left to go back home a few hours away. Finally the wee baby girl walked out the door as the sunset, on her way back to college.

I shared my last two days in Texas (that word looks super awesome!) with my parents and one of my best friends James, who was stuck in Dallas due to snow (Dallas snow is nothing like real snow). Said my last good byes and headed back to Minneapolis, MN. Once I hit the ground I hopped the shuttle to my truck, started her up and began the 6 hour drive back home to Thunder Bay. I have been back for almost two weeks and I am more here now than I have ever been. (Que triumphant music) Here in this city there are boundless opportunities for Life, Passion, and Adventure. I think back to all the things that I missed because I was too busy feeling sorry for myself or trying to hold on to something that I just needed to let go of. But, I can't dwell on the opportunities that I may have missed, nor can I look too far down the road wondering what may lie ahead. Instead I must live in the now, making the most of every opportunity (Eph 5:16).

We have seen some amazing things happening in our church since the start of the new year and we are believing that there are many more amazing things to come. Our student ministry program is beginning to really begin to gain momentum and start to grow. Please join with us in praying that God continues the work he is doing here. I promise to be much more diligent in updating this blog for 2011. Thank you for all your continued love and support, y'all are awesome.

Pookie

The logical progression of lunacy

It's been a few days since I have done one of these and my how quickly life changes. It's like when you let someone borrow your car and get back into it for the first time. You know your vehicle well, you may even love it, and when you step into it, back into that familiar setting where you spend hours of your life (some of seem to live in our vehicles) it's not the same. The steering wheel isn't the right height, the seat is either too close to the pedals where it feels like you're knees are so close to your chest that you may not get another breath, or too far away making you feel a little helpless. The cup holders are left out, when you would have shut them. The emergency break isn't set right or IS set and when you get ready to take off your car resists as the smell of grinding and burning something or others fills the air around you. That little flip on the bottom of the rear view mirror is turned the wrong direction and the mirror seems like it was set for someone who is forty-eleven-thousand feet tall (it's a real number ask my grandmother and if you say it isn't you better be ready to duck for cover) and not at all for you. It's your place and often we view our cars and trucks as extensions of ourselves and yet somehow it feels like nothing is what it is supposed to be, you feel a bit lost or frustrated, even anxious. So it is with change in our lives. As slowly we being to readjust the mirrors and seats, push the cup holders closed again, shake our head at the unset E-brake, bring the steering wheel back to that perfect driving height, take a deep breath and start the engine, because no matter how weird it is that everything in our space was just dumped on its side and turned around we have somewhere to go, there are people depending on us, or maybe we just have something to prove to ourselves so, we suck it up and push through.

I feel many days like I have stepped into a life that someone else borrowed. I am often having to readjust things and find ways to once again become comfortable within my own situations, which can be anything from the places I am at to relationships back home and how they have changed as it seems that distance can become a strain on any relationship no matter how strong or deeply rooted they are. I have been assured that these moments will pass and while that assurance may one day be comforting, today, having heard it over and over, it is obnoxious and sounds like clanging symbols in my ears. My friends and family are dear to me and the thought that they are hurt by the lack of communication or the thought that I have in some way replaced or forgotten about them is a painful pill to swallow.International communication at least on this continent, is difficult to juggle, I can no longer just make a call home on the drive to work. It's hard to adjust to as many of you know that I am constantly on the phone whenever I am doing something and I am almost always going or doing something. I hope you all know that you are loved and hold a special place in my heart, I would never do anything that I thought might hurt you and you all mean more to me than you will ever know.

These next few weeks are going to be full of things to do at the church. Retreat after retreat is happening and though it may have a title that would imply that it is going to be all fun and games, retreats are a remarkable amount of work for those of us involved. It started with our staff retreat which we just got back from, will progress to the Shift (Jr. High) retreat from Friday to Sunday, then a couple of days off and into the wilderness we go for the men's retreat, which will be, from what I understand, on an island in the middle of a lake 100s of miles from anything civil. I am actually looking forward to the temporary escape from the internet and cell phones. It will be nice to not have to worry about answering emails and whether or not I should post something on Facebook for an event we are doing. The next few days will be challenging and I will need your prayers to have the strength to make it through.

Life here as a whole has been great. I am finally settling in and starting to call this place home. The two guys who live in the basement with me are awesome. Paul, the Irishman, many of you have heard me talk about him and Sean, who is a student at Lakehead University, a mighty handsome man, and quite available ladies...It makes me feel more at home having two guys with which I can share theories, bad ideas, and the occasional joke that may tip toe over the line of appropriateness, but quickly jumps back before anyone notices. The ministry here is unique and I will be excited to see how well it can be implemented back in the States. God is challenging and shaping me in many ways, it's exciting and difficult at times but worth every second and ounce of energy that it takes to power through. It is all a part of the growing process and I know that right now I am being constantly refined, as painful as that may be at times. A quote from the good Doc Swanson comes to mind as he was imparting wisdom to me at Guitar Center (I do know how oxymoronic that sounds) "Pookie, you gotta find a way to take the things that you are crappy at and not suck at them. If you really wanna get to the next level that is what you're gonna have to do. Now seriously next time make sure you zoom in and push Right Trigger twice, you noob" I finally got the hang of Splinter Cell that night and I am sure that advice has its applications in the real world. Thanks Doc.

I ask for prayer and patience from you all. Adjusting to a new way of life has not been an easy process. Pray that I have the strength, courage, and serenity to do the things that I need to do here in Thunder Bay. Pray also that I am able to do those things with excellence. I love and miss you all very much. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Pookie

About, Aboot, Aboat...it's all really the same thing

I am writing from a little coffee shop that I have a feeling is going to become a home away from home for me here in Thunder Bay. The Seattle Coffee House, has a serene atmosphere that is so much more than inviting and comforting that it difficult to describe. The sounds of typical acoustic coffee house music, mixed with a little jazz and the occasional folk remake of a popular rock song fills the air with a soothing vibe as the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and tea wafts through your nostrils. All seems right with the world. It's as though your troubles and baggage were checked at the door by an invisible bell boy who kindly offers to bring them back when you are ready or lose them somewhere in the basement, whichever works best for you.

I am finding that Thunder Bay is aptly named at the trickle of rain lends a calm to my racing mind as I am reviewing another week here. Life is changing in so many ways and the product of the last few weeks work are coming to a head tomorrow as our programs kick off. Paul, my Irish friend, room mate and supervisor, and I are about (aboot or a aboat depending on your preference) find out whether all the planning we have done is going to cause us to sink or swim. Although by the sounds of the consistent rain I may be swimming out to the truck here momentarily. We are trying new things. Neither of us being from Canada, we have a different perspective on ministry and come from very different backgrounds. We are being bold in some areas by standards of the Canadian church and may find ourselves rethinking and re-planning our entire year and budget in just a few short weeks if things don't go our way. Only time will tell.

I am finally settling into my place here. Doug, our pastor at Redwood Park Church, got back this week and things are in full swing. With the reentry of the boss man focuses have changed as Doug is now taking back the reigns from those who have been directing the cart this summer.

Side note:
A giant man who sounds like he is talking through the opposite end of a 60 gallon barrel and has vocal chords that must stretch all the way from top to bottom of his 6'6" frame, just announced that it is going to be raining all weekend. I love the rain, something about it reminds me of old black and white movie romances. I digress...

We had our first staff meeting on Wednesday and the ball has begun rolling as we are now moving forward into the year! We will be reading a few books this year as a staff, thought provoking, theologically challenging and down right difficult to reconcile books. It is so intriguing to see how much our view of the world and God is shaped by the spectacles that we view the world through. We are starting with a book by N.T. Wright called "Surprised by Hope" a book about our view of the life after. There is a lot to wrestle with within it's pages, and it causes for great discussion as we are all working out what we believe, what the bible says, and if those things actually are one in the same. I am truly blessed by our staff as I find even though there may be differing views in discussion we are truly seeking to sharpen one another.

Pray for us as tomorrow starts our first step into the new year and we launch our programs. I am especially excited about beginning P90X with many of the staff members this week. We are going to take before and after pics measurements the whole 9 yards, can't wait to get back into a solid workout routine! Please continue to pray that I am diligent with my schooling as my time is being filled rather quickly. Continue to pray for my friend, Sarah as she has finally made it to Scotland and is beginning to experience life in the Highlands and process everything that goes along with leaving your family, friends, and culture to live in a place where for most of us our historical knowledge is purely based upon the magnificent cinematic colossus known as Braveheart!!! I do want to thank you all again for your constant encouragement and support. Pleases keep it up it is needed more than you will ever know.

Until we meet again friends,

Pookie

Why Not Try Blogging

Well, here I am world, on the internet for all to see and critique. It feels oh so exposing and I don't know if pieces of my fragile ego are going to quite be able to wrap their little arms around this whole idea just yet, but as is the saying where I am from "Go big or go home" and since going home isn't going to be an option for a while, that leaves me with very little recourse...

I have been in Canada for a week now and things here are quite different from the states. Best Buy is called Future Shop. Walmart's rival one-stop shop is not Target, it's Canadian Tire. Burger King has a walk up window and no drive thru, however I am told they are going to fix that. Starbucks has a presence, but as far as coffee shops go Tim Horton's is a superior product and has vastly more locations. Football fields are quite a bit bigger and for some reason in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada we get Peachtree TV a station from Atlanta, GA. Needless to say there are many things that to me are very different about this place, not the least of which is getting used to the metric system. When someone says it's 36 degrees outside that means put on your shorts not grab a jacket.

I am learning to love things here and am thankful for the support that I have from home. I am living with the pastor, a man named Doug Doyle, and his family. Today, I found myself helping in the garden pulling weeds. Doug had asked myself and Paul, an Irishman who also works at the church and lives in Doug's basement, to help with the yard work. It took me back to days when I was younger and gave me time to reminisce and think about things. As I tried to decipher what should and shouldn't be pulled from the garden. I could almost hear the conversation that would have erupted between my brothers and I

Me: "Dude I don't know where the weeds start and the 'plants' start"
Matt: "What some people consider a weed could be highly sought after and paid for else where based on what is indigenous to the area"
Thomas: "That's retarded, weeds are weeds."
Matt: "No, dude they aren't, there are different types of ..."
Thomas: "Just because you used the word indigenous doesn't make you right"
Me: "I'm just gonna pull all this stuff because it looks like a tiny version of every plant I have seen in a horror movie"
Dad: about 5 minutes later "Awwww man who pulled up my Japanese Whatchamacallit?"
Matt and Thomas: in perfect unison "Lucas"
Matt: "In Japan that is probably a weed"
Thomas: "I bet you would be the best weed puller ever in Japan, Lucas"
Me: "I bet it's not even indigenous to Japan"

I couldn't help but smile as this ridiculous and highly probable scenario played in my head. I wondered too why I jumped so quickly to weed the garden of a man I had known for less than 24 hours. It made me think of the many times I could have done the same when asked back home, but instead found an excuse to go somewhere or play some game or just be outright lazy and disobedient. Maybe it is part of the maturing process, but I couldn't help but wonder how many times I had dropped the ball on a 20 minute job that could have brought joy instead of frustration to a relationship. It is amazing how your perspectives change the way you think about your past.

It's late here and I have to be up in a few hours for my second Sunday service at Redwood Park Church. I know that God has some amazing things planned for me this year in Canada and I can't wait to see what they are. Pray that I stay diligent to the cause here, disciplined in my school work as I am taking some correspondence courses, and true to what I am called to do. Please also be praying for a friend of mine named Sarah who is about to make a journey of her own to a foreign country. She is going to pursue her masters degree. Moving away to chase your passion is exciting and exhilarating, but scary. She is going to do wonderfully. Pray that her transition is smooth and that God open the doors for her that He would have her walk through.

Know that you are all loved and missed, please feel free to drop me a line by email or facebook, your words of encouragement are greatly appreciated and always needed.

Pookie