Crazy Disciple

Moments in heaven

I am sitting on a terrace at 2200 meters, and this is my view.
Amazing isn't it? Well today has been amazing and also heart-
breaking... I broke my camera this morning. It wasn't a result of a
hard fall while skiing, nor even a soft fall, it happened while
cleaning the camera, safe in my hotel room.

I can surely get it fixed, but to say that it is a heart-breaking
moment is an under statement. To top it off, I have several days
left in Switzerland, and no camera... I had really thought that there
would be some opportunities to shoot some beautiful shots there.

I can't let this ruin my trip, nor be a source of negative self
thoughts, but man I feel wounded right now. It's funny, but it isn't
just the loss of a thing; it is the loss of access to my art, to my
form of expression, it's almost like the loss of access to a part of
myself.

Maybe I am being over dramatic, but from this place... 2200 meters
above the sea, in the amazing Alps, I really miss my camera.

I guess the iPhone will have to do!

Off to the mountains

The train has just started moving, and somehow I have found myself in
the rear-facing seats... That must be why they were so cheap.
Anyway, it's nearly 8am on Sunday morning and I have just departed
Paris. The time seems relevant as it it still dark outside, and I
will soon be blessed with the view of the sun rising over France. That
should be amazing!

It's always interesting to see how things work out, especially when
reality seems so different than the original expectation. I didn't
get to finish this post, and now it's nearly 10am! The sun has fully
engulfed the countryside and just in time to see the rolling hills of
eastern France. We just pulled out of Dijon, where we picked up a lot
of people heading this same direction. That is only significant
because I was sitting in a seat that was not assigned to me (better
view, and facing forward). That seats rightful owner boarded in
Dijon, so now I am back in "my" seat. No worries, I can still see
outside.

The views of the French countryside offer little in terms of
excitement, but there is an air of peace surrounding them. The quaint
little houses and vibrant-green lawns are exactly what you might
envision this part of the world to look like, the only surprise being
that the cold seems to have little impact on the color of the
grass... Crazy.

We're over half way now, and the semi-frozen ponds and creeks seen
through the window seem to reflect a cooling change in climate. I
still have yet to see real snow, but it IS coming.

So anyway, I should send this before I chronical the entire four hour
train ride without saying anything of significance. So much more to
come... It's exciting!

Leaving it all behind

I have been away from the United States now for more than 100 days, and at least 2 major holidays.   In the last few weeks, or maybe even month, I have been feeling some homesickness and just struggles in regard to being where I am at, and doing what I am doing.   In talking on the phone last night with one of my dear friends, the realization of why all this was happening finally hit me.  

Now in the eyes of most everyone (including myself) it was over 100 days ago when I left everything to come to Europe and be a part of this grand plan for a church, a faith, and my God.   The picture of that is almost magical, definitely romantic, and what so many Christians dream of being able to do.   (Admittedly many Christians think it is stupid, and wouldn't go that route with a ten foot pole... but that is another post.)  So physically, and visually, the departure, the letting go of all of that materialism and life happened when I departed the US, and came to France.   What I have just come to realize however, is that the *REAL* withdrawal, the *REAL* abandonment of materialism and "things" is what is happening now.  This is where the real work is done, this is where the *real* change come in to play...  this is the real deal.  It's not enough to walk away from something, I have to purposefully move the importance of that object in my heart to a lower priority, and let God truly take its place.   I wish I could say that was easy, or that I have done it completely over and over again, but moreover what i am realizing, every day is that I haven't done it.   There are still many many things in my life that are in a place of importance that only God should be.   I wonder if this will be an ongoing battle, or if there will truly come a point in my life when I won't have to fight for that balance any more...   I expect that when the battle is over, is when life is over. 

Joyeux Noel

Yes, it's Christmas... And you should be with your friends or family,
not reading a blog! I must tell you I am having a wonderful Christmas
with some wonderful people.. I hope you are too!

More updates and photos to come soon, but until then... Merry
Christmas my friends!

Holiday plans, and holiday wishes

 
I am sitting here after indulging on some rather interesting nachos made of French tortilla chips and Swiss cheese.  They may not be completely authentic, but Pastor Mark brought over some Pace Picante Sauce (Hot) from Switzerland and that seemed to bridge any gap between French "cuisine" and Mexican FOOD.  Man, what a TREAT!!!!!

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and I am almost surprised at how excited I am for the holidays this year.   All of my friends and family back home have really bent over backwards to bring (or ship) pieces of home to France for quite an amazing holiday.  I must admit, I feel so very deeply loved.  Thank you so SO much!!  So my plans for Christmas begin tomorrow at 5:30 PM, when I jump into a car with François and Geraldine and ride along to the Dinger (pronounced "Dawnjay") house out in the French countryside.   The Dinger's are an amazing family who do so much for the church, they have INCREDIBLE hearts, and always seem to be going above and beyond.   I cannot even begin to tell you how BLESSED I feel to be invited to spend Christmas with them.   I will do my best to blog and update as the festivities commence. 

ANYWAY, the most exciting part for me is that we will all be spending the night out in the French countryside, and waking up together Christmas morning.  I cannot remember the last time that I actually shared the experience of waking up Christmas morning with anyone...  what a joy that will be!!!!  I would love to brag about all the amazing things that will be happening out there, but the truth is that I have NO IDEA of how it all works...   But I can rest-assured that it will be a great time with some amazing people.   I will keep you updated!

After Christmas, I return back to Paris for a couple of days before taking a train over to Switzerland to meet up with the Vittoz family for a little bit of mountain goodness and expected insanity.  I have heard that the snow in Switzerland is AMAZING right now, and apparently I am going to get the opportunity to test that FIRST HAND!!!    Expect a BILLION pictures of blue and white...   Gotta love the alps!  After skiing and spending time with the Vittoz, the plan is to head back into Lausanne for New Years eve and then ultimately back to Paris in time for church on the 4th.   I wont even get my feet rested before jumping back on a train and heading to Germany for the Origins 2009 conference.   It's going to be a busy couple of weeks...   but man, what a ride.  

Christmas for C3Paris

The first annual Christmas dinner for C3Paris was a huge success!  It was an amazing time to share with each other, and the Christmas spirit was in the air!   It was especially nice to have the dinner at a restaurant, so everyone had the opportunity to just enjoy the meal and the fellowship.  We even ran the restaurant out of lamb, and then out of chicken...   we definitely put them through the wringer!   It was fun.

Now we are into the Christmas week, all of the kids in Paris and surrounding areas are out of school on vacation, and families are prepping for Christmas eve in just three days.  I am even heading out to FNAC (a little bit like Best Buy, but all French) with François today at lunch... it will be interesting to see if it is as big of a mess as I know the American stores would be today.  I hope not!

Joyeux Noel, Bonne Fête, and Merry Christmas!

Some old friends

I awakened this morning to two reminders of familiar faces gracing my wall.  This picture is of two Christmas tree ornaments sent to me by the Goolsbays...   While they aren't quite as soft, or as warm as my boys... it still gives a bit of a feeling that they are here with me.  Good stuff... very good stuff.  

It is however eight o'clock Sunday morning, and the cool morning air brings in some relief to my recovering lungs.   I still have remnants of this chest cold...  yuck.  The sun has yet to show itself, but the hints of it's existence peer over the facing buildings along boulevard Saint Martin.  Today is an amazing day, it's church day...  and our last church service before Christmas.   In fact, today after church, 35 members, friends and family of C3Paris will be converging on a restaurant next door, for our Christmas meal together.   It should really be incredible.

The reason we are doing all of that today, is that we don't have our own "church" space, we rent the use of a theater on Sundays, so that gets in the way of having a Christmas Eve service or anything outside of the normal schedule.   It's a minor thing though really, with some creative scheduling, amazing things can happen.  The best part is that we get to celebrate over many days...   that is a LOT of fun. 

Happy Sunday, and Merry Christmas (just a little early.)

Wow, I am SOOOOOOO blessed....

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!!  My mother sent me this GIANT stocking full of pieces of home, and it arrived today... alongside an amazing box from the Goolsbay family.   By the way, Pastor Mike, those lights were 110volt, not 220, you should have heard that pop, it was SO COOL!!!  Thanks to you all for impacting my environment over here, it makes a HUGE difference.   Thank you, thank you, thank you.   

        

More Perspective - Life in Paris

I just read a blog post from someone I respect, and it candidly mentioned some of the limitations of their rental home in the United States.  It tugged on my heart in an intense way, as there has been "big ol bites" of reality that I have been wanting to put on this blog, but kept lacking in the right reason.   Well tonight, it's 1am and I found the inspiration in those choice few words.  

This reality-check was further spurred by another dear friend, someone whom I respect deeply, talking about the needs to find more space for their family.  Now let me make this clear, I am not chastising either of these people for their words, observations, or ANYTHING...   all I want to do is show you a different reality.

Paris, to anyone who visits, can be an amazing place.  Even the photos I post on this blog show an incredible city, with incredible people, working very hard to have a life worth passing on through multiple generations.   What we don't see however, is the horrid paradox that so many French people live in.   The cost of living in this city is ASTRONOMICAL, and it is fueled by an ever-increasing demand for space. 

Currently, in the metros, there is an advertising campaign that illustrates life in Paris better than any words.  The ad shows a photo of a family of 4, living in a 12 square meter apartment.   12 square meters, that is around 120 square feet, and an apartment of this size can cost anywhere from $600 to $2000 per month depending on the location.  It's amazing.  

So next time that you feel a little cramped, or maybe like you would enjoy an extra bedroom, or maybe that it is time to move...  take a second and thank God for what you *do* have.   There are people here that don't have a choice, they are living in conditions that we cannot even fathom in America.   Space, is a commodity...  and it is something that I would have never appreciated had I not come here and lived life without it. 

Here's a photo of that ad.   Click on it and blow it up, you simply MUST see this full size.

Why is this funny?

I really don't know why this makes me laugh so hard...