Variety – The Spice of Life

Randy’s January, 2011 Update:

The Spice of Life:

This letter contains a variety of things that have happened over the past few months.

Al Gore Slept Here!

Al Gore stayed at my house for three nights!  It’s true, Al Gore!  What you may not know is that Al actually prefers the name Alex, and Alex is in fact only nineteen years old.

Before starting college, Alex decided to take a year off after high-school and experience parts of our country on foot without an agenda.  That’s right, he’s walking, with no plan.  He started in Maine and walked to Boston, New York and then to Philadelphia.  He took a time out from his walk to fly here to Chicago from Philadelphia to visit Moody Bible Institute, where he hopes to attend college in the fall.  Then he flew back to continue his walking journey.

This is how he described the start of his adventure, on his blog:
“On September 19, 2010, I flew to Portland, Maine from my home in Gilbert, Arizona.  I did not know anyone there and I had never been there before.  After picking up my giant backpack from baggage claim, I walked out of the airport.  And that was as far as my plan went.  From there, it’s been all God.  There is a time for everything and this year is my time to Trust.  I will walk, God knows where, for the entire school year.  I am excited and very scared.” – Alex

Housing Alex was a unique, random event.  He’s the son of a friend of a friend.  I love being able to open my home to people.  There are so many fascinating people to meet in the world, doing so many interesting things.

Please pray for Alex as he continues his journey of trust.  You can follow along at: A Time To Trust  (his first post).

Lutheran Church Outreach:

I was invited to share with a Board of a Lutheran church a couple months ago.  They have a desire to attract more young people in their twenties and thirties.  They were wondering what I’ve been learning through the ministry I’ve been doing.  It was a blessing to be with them.  It brings great joy to my heart when churches are open to asking themselves the tough questions about building bridges with the next generations.

Please pray for them, and other churches, as we all attempt to figure out how to best love and share the love of Jesus with the next generations and our world.

Spiritual Mentoring Lunch:

One of the pastors I meet with invited me to a lunch with a couple of his staff members.  The staff members are going to be leading a five-week workshop trying to develop some spiritual mentors among their congregation.  We discussed some of the things I do with people that I’ve found powerful and effective.

Please pray for them as they put on this workshop beginning in February.

Tuesdays With Morrie Eulogies:

In the book “Tuesdays With Morrie”, terminally ill Morrie attended the funeral of a colleague who had died suddenly of a heart attack.

“ ‘What a waste,’ he said. ‘All those people saying all those wonderful things, and Irv never got to hear any of it.’ ”

The book goes on to say: “Morrie had a better idea. He made some calls.  He chose a date.  And on a cold Sunday afternoon, he was joined in his home by a small group of friends and family for a ‘living funeral’.  Each of them spoke and paid tribute.  Some cried.  Some laughed.  Morrie cried and laughed with them.  And all the heartfelt things we never get to say to those we love, Morrie said that day.  His ‘living funeral’ was a rousing success.  Only Morrie wasn’t dead yet.”

Last weekend a group of young people I’ve mentored surprised me with my own “living funeral”, to celebrate me and to tell me publicly the things they wanted to say to me.  It was really special.  I tried to receive their loving words as best I could.  I feel very blessed to be surrounded by such quality people.

Hopefully this doesn’t mean I’m going to die soon!

In my “thank you” email I commended them on their great idea and wrote, “I think we should kill off someone every week!  Who’s next? ☺”

When my mom died suddenly almost four years ago, it was a very real reminder of how important it is to have said the things you want to say to those you love while you still have the opportunity.  You never know if you’ll have another chance or which conversation may be your last.

I encourage everyone to speak your words of love, affirmation, apology, and whatever else you’d like to say to those you love today.  Maybe have a “living funeral”.

Word For The Year:

On the radio, I heard about a pastor who doesn’t make New Year’s resolutions, because those are often based on his own willpower – what he can accomplish on his own without God.  He prefers spending time listening to God and allowing a word to surface that may represent the work that God wants to do in him internally throughout the new year.

They gave the example of the word “Present” – to be more present in each moment and more present with the people you love.

 

I think my word for 2011 may be “Joy”.  I sense God wanting to do some internal work in me in that area of my life.  We’ll see what happens.

What might your word be?

Thank You:

Thank you for following along on this new beginning – a brand new year – and for your prayers, encouragement, and support that make this whole ministry possible.

May God bless you in this New Year, this new beginning.

In His Love,
Randy