A low-tech virtual tour

Kitchen view #1

Kitchen view #2

Our cozy living room

Yet another living room view

The den/study/home office/some-day formal dining room

Going upstairs

Master bedroom

Bedroom #2

Bedroom #3

Going back downstairs

The Passing of Uncle Robert

This weekend my family and I celebrated the life and mourned the death of my Uncle Robert. The Staples family gave me the great responsibility of co-leading the funeral service with another local pastor. I wrote the eulogy and sang both "It is Well with My Soul" and "On Jordan's Stormy Banks." I was overwhelmed through the whole process. Ever try singing at a funeral of a dearly loved one? I believe God strengthened me to be able to comfort the family and also challenge them to re-evaluate their love towards each other and their love for God.

Uncle Robert was a special man and I had the huge privilege of spending lots of time with him when I was a young child. My mother was his legal guardian after my grandfather passed away because Robert was born mentally retarded. I never met my grandfather, but my mom says I caught glimpses in Uncle Robert's sense of humor and generosity towards others. Even when I was a teenager he'd come to visit my family even though we had moved to Maine. We'd go for rides in the "Maine Woods" looking for moose. For years, when he'd call on Thurdsay nights, he'd always check to see if we'd seen any moose lately! He loved matchbox cars, remote controlled trucks, real Jeeps, and anything that would go through mud! It's not too often that your grown Uncle would be as passionate as you in the toy aisle! But that is what made him special--he never lost his childlike nature. You couldn't help but laugh if you were around him. You'd even forget, if only for a minute, all those things nagging for your attention and sapping you of joy. Without us even knowing it, Uncle Robert taught us how to love and how God intends for our joy to increase as we truly love one another.

Through the looking glass: we have windows!

Are you going to church on Christmas?

This year, Christmas falls on a Sunday. Talk about bad timing! That is if you regularly gather with Christians to worship on Sundays. So what's your church doing this year? Will you have a service next week, Sunday December 25? Or would that be a terrible idea? Think about it: taking time out of Christmas morning with your family to celebrate the birth of Creator-Redeemer Jesus, the Messiah?! I can tell you, that it was mostly a no-brainer for my fellow pastor and me to decide that we would definitely call the church together for a Christmas celebration. I was actually surprised that this would be a problem, even some of my family was shocked that our church would not cancel at least the Christmas or New Year's service.

Apparently, at least one megachurch as decided "that organizing services on a Christmas Sunday would not be the most effective use of staff and volunteer resources." (Check out the whole article online: Some Megachurches Closing for Christmas. )

That's pretty sad if you ask me. Don't get me wrong, if you know me well, you know that I believe that worship does not begin and end on Sunday. Corporate worship is a small part of our whole life of worship. So there's nothing "magical" about going to church on Christmas day. You won't turn into a "super-Christian." You will however have an opportunity to tangibly re-connect to why we supposedly celebrate Christmas!

I'm curious to find out what your church is doing this Christmas, and if you do meet for gathered worship, let me know how it went. What a blessing we have this year to celebrate Jesus' birth and anticipate his return.

Merry Christmas and Maranatha!

Finally, a roof over our heads

Bloggin is so easy when you're just posting pictures. Have a nice day!

Taylor Sorensen

I just finished listening to Beams of Heaven (#4 CD from Indelible Grace) and one track stood out above the rest, "Lead On O King Eternal." The guy's voice kept reminded me a lot of Bono. I had to find out who in the world it was. Taylor Sorensen. Check out his website and listen to some of his tunes: Taylor Sorensen I think you might like him. Not your typical Christian Artist.

By the way if you have not availed yourself to Indelible Grace, get off your butt right now and go buy their CD's!!! They have done a marvelous job at newly arranging old, forgotten and sung-to-death hymns. We've been singing a slew of their songs at our church and people are liking them and loving God!

The roof will be next

My father in law packed up his backhoe and headed home. Excavation complete: at least until next spring when we put the finish touches on the landscaping. The contractors say they'll have the roof up this weekend.

And then there were walls

Things are moving right along now. By this time next week the carpenters may have the roof on. What a blessing to be building our first house. It seems as though all of our date nights are spent at Home Depot lately! This is an undeveloped market for Starbucks. They definitely could provide a little atmosphere.

Subfloor

Finally, construction has begun! In one day, MGM builders was able to set the center beam, nail all the floor joists and lay down the first floor sheathing. They say they'll have the roof on in about two weeks. We can't wait!

Framing starts Monday!

This is for real this time--the contractors will actually start framing our house tomorrow, Nov. 21! They claim that the roof will be on in about two weeks. Heidi and I finalized our kitchen plans this past Saturday. No granite tops this time around. Wicked expensive. Anyway, there should be plenty of pics the next few weeks. Be sure to check back soon!

MP3's for 14 Cents

Yeah, my friend Dwight tells me the other day about this website where he just bought several albums for 14cents per mp3. I just tried it, and guess what...it's totally legal, and it totally works. Just picked up Jack Johnson's "In Between Dreams" and Norah Jones "Come Away with Me" for a total of $3.92!! Crazy huh!?

Check it out for your self and let me know what you think: Legal Sounds.

The Foundation is in!

Foundation coated and ready to be back-filled.


One day after pouring, the forms were taken down.


Forms--ready to be filled with cement.

Footings

After weeks of clearing our lot, we finally had our footing poured. By the end of the week, the rest of the foundation should done. Next week...framing begins!

I am in fact a hobbit

Here I am, looking a little shorter, a little stouter, and a whole lot more Hobbit-like! Tolkien would be proud.

Fryeburg Fair

Every year, Heidi and I try to make it to the spectacular Fryeburg Fair. It is the cream of the crop of county fairs, and if you've never been...you're missing out! I actually only (mostly?) go for the food. Sure the animals are cute and all, but it's really an excuse just to eat wicked bad food that tastes really good. Enjoy the pics.

Our first house lot

My father-in-law and I have been clearing our land the past couple of weeks. The sun lights it up beautifully. Probably next week we will be putting the foundation in! Heidi and I are so excited. We never dreamed we'd be building this soon after returning to Maine, but alas, we've been blessed!

The Story We Find Ourselves In

There's a lot of talk today about "story." The emerging church has tried to capitalize on this as an inroad into reaching the postmodern generation. If by story they mean we need to see our lives a narrative, well, that's a great starting place. But let's go further. Let's challenge the assumption that there is not grand metanarrative to history. Let's challenge the notion that there is no real, absolute purpose to life. There is a story that we all find ourselves in and it is recorded in Scripture.
The new book, The Drama of Scripture, will capture your attention by drawing you into this story...God's unfolding story of Redemption. THIS is the story we all find our selves in:

Act One: God establishes His Kingdom: Creation
Act Two: Rebellion in the Kingdom: Fall
Act Three: The King Chooses Israel: Redemption Initiated
Scene 1: A people for the King
Scene 2: A Land for His people
Interlude: A Kingdom Story Waiting for an Ending: Inter-Testamental PeriodAct Four: The Coming of the King: Redemption Accomplished
Act Five: Spreading the News of the King: The Mission of the Church
Scene 1: From Jerusalem to Rome
Scene 2: And into All the World
Act Six: The Return of the King: Redemption Completed

The Drama of Scripture is case-in-point of why biblical theology is so important. We can talk about "story" all we want, but if we ignore the real story that unifies Scripture and the reality that we call "life", we are gonna settle for cheap substitute. Check out the book. Hey, the authors also have an oustanding website that has articles, outlines, syllabi, and even powerpoint slides. Huge amount of quality resources

Link:

The Drama of Scripture Website

My (almost) annual trek up Mount Washington

Since I was about 14, I've tried to hike Mount Washington or some part of the White Mountains annually. If you have not availed yourself to this spectaculare corner of God's creation...what can I say...you are so missing out on life. More often than not, I think about hiking and that's where it ends. But last week, the weather was perfect, and I had a few days off before I started at Windham Baptist so I off I went.

At 5:45AM, the first rays of sun were hitting Pinkham Notch and I set out. Just me, the cob webs, and about 50lbs of dew I quickly soaked up from the branches. I went solo 'cause I also wanted a day alone with God, to clear my mind and heart with all the new adventures staring me down.

Bootspur to Davis Path to Mt. Washington Summit and down Tuckerman's Ravine: my itinerary.

New Camelback backpack and old New Balance sneakers: my gear.

Exhausted body and renewed soul: my results.

Have fun looking at the pics!


First views off from Bootspur Trail


My favorite rock overlooking Tuckerman's


A cairn, looking towards Lake of the Clouds


At the Summit


Tuckerman's from the Hermit Shelter


Cascade Falls

Maine...the way life should be

Heidi and I are settling down here in the good ole' state of Maine. Still living with her wonderful parents in Sebago, but we are trying to figure out if we are going to rent or build this fall. For the meantime, we get to wake up to beautiful vistas of Sebago lake every morning.

Just recently, Windham Baptist Church voted unanimously to bring me on staff as their associate pastor. This a huge answer to prayer. God is so good to us! My primary responsibilities will be planning and leading corporate worship. In so many ways, I cannot imagine another a better place to serve. My responsibilities match my passions and gifts, I get to serve alongside one of my best friends, the congregation has a passion for the supremacy of God, and my wife doesn't mind living near her family again. Come up and visit us sometime. 10:15 AM every Sunday!

New England Bible College was also kind enough to invite me back to teach a class this fall, New Testament Survey. Not only that, but I will be co-leading a study tour in Egypt and Jordan this coming January.

As good as Maine is, Heidi and I miss our dear friends from Seminary. We hope you are all doing well. Stay in touch.

My last "Hurrah!"

Heidi and I will be officially moving off the "holy hill" of Gordon-Conwell, not June 30th, as originally planned, but around July 15. This is a huge relief to both of us. Mostly me, because I'm currently on sabbatical. Well, sort of. Actually, I'm attending what's called the Spurgeon Sabbatical. It's about 15 pastors and one token student (that's me) whose soul purpose the next 10 days is to exhaust our lives for Jesus together. So moving next Thursday would have been a nightmare! Check out the schedule:

8:00am-8:45 Breakfast
9:00-9:30 Community Worship
9:45-12:00pm Study of 1 Peter
12:00-2:00 Lunch and Pastoral Reflection
Free time (i.e. take a nap)
5:30-6:30 Supper and Pastoral Reflection
6:30-7:45 Theological Discussion
7:45-8:30 Community Worship

As you can see the days are quite jamm-packed! But this is one the best experiences of my life. I've been so encouraged and challenged by the love and witness of these dear brothers. Each day after lunch and supper one of us shares with the rest something about our ministry and/or lives and then we pray for that particular person. Yesterday I shared. That was so powerful, Spirit-led, hope-renewing.

Studying through 1 Peter is fantastic. Dr. Hafemann leads all of our study and discussions. He is an exegetical machine. It is truly a gift to be able to learn under him this one last time, just in the nik of time. Exaltation of the Exiles our study is called. Lot of talk about suffering and our hope in the promises of God. I'll probably write on some of that over the weekend.

Link:
Spurgeon Sabbatical

Store Wars

If you thought Revenge of the Sith was the conclusion to the Star Wars Saga, you thought wrong! Check out the short film by the Organic Trade Association: Grocery Store Wars.



Link:
Grocery Store Wars

I'm ready to blog again!

A lot has happened since April!!! Check out the pics below for some highlight of our Post-Seminary-Graduation Life.

First Congregational Church, Hamilton--our home church for the past 3 yrs

Heidi and I celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary at Periwinkles.

Fenway Park--Boston 5, Orioles 1

"WIning and dining" at Plymouth Plantation

Nobska Light at sunset in Falmouth

Eroding shoreline (and fence!) on the Cape

Sunset on Cape Cod

Why call them "hoods" if you don't wear them on your head? Brian and I thought the colors were much more spectacular this way.

Me, receiving my degree (holder). None of us actually recieved them on stage. Nope. We had to trek through a Nor' Easter to get the fine piece of paper.