Chronicles of Bridging Transatlanticism

New Pictures

2007-07-12T22:39:00.002-04:00

I figured there is no sense trying to capture in words what has gone on in the Zigler household the past 4 months so here's a bunch of pictures (with a little explanation)!

In April EllaAnne and I flew to New York to visit friends.

Somehow all these stuffed animals ended up on top of her during her nap.

Canada Vacation

Trip to Toronto

Getting Ready for football season!

Fun in the Snow

2007-02-25T23:23:00.000-05:00

David has been gone since last Tuesday. He is hiking in the Paria Canyon with a group of guys from church. So EllaAnne and I were on our own this week. We made sure to keep busy and the time has actually gone by quickly. She has spent the week saying "Da-da-da-da" CONTSTANTLY! I've read that those are often the first sounds they make but I like to think she just really missed him. Maybe if I took a trip she would start saying "Mama!" Anyway, we had a good snow storm a couple weeks ago and discovered that EllaAnne enjoys the cold weather just like her dad.

A Tiny Colt's Fan

2007-02-06T15:37:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! This is Laura, and this is my first attempt at updating our blog. David has always done it in the past, and as much as he enjoys it I decided to join in. This way, those of you who are interested, can keep updated on EllaAnne. Anyway, she turned 6 months last week. And as I'm sure every mom says, "I can't believe how quickly time flies." She is such a happy baby, and I think she has David's social personality because she loves to be with people and refuses to sleep when she knows we have company! As you can see, we are doing our best to instill our enjoyment of football in EllaAnne. I know it might sound funny, but when I found out I was pregnant one of the first things I got excited about was being able to watch football with our son or daughter. And it has been fun (and the fact that we won the Super Bowl was a bonus)! Each week we watched the Colt's games with a big group from church. EllaAnne wore her cheerleading outfit and was always passed from person to person, looking very concerned when we yelled and screamed at the TV! But all football watching aside, I think the best part of the last 6 months as been watching as others invest in EllaAnne. I feel very blessed because of the people we are surrounded by and not just those who are involved in our lives here in Indianapolis but so many of you love us and EllaAnne from far away. Thank you for taking this journey with us.

Transatlanticism

2006-11-24T22:01:00.000-05:00

So, it's been nearly two years since the conception of this blog...and when i originally created it, the BIG IDEA was to bridge distances with loved ones that seemed oceans away cleverly or uncleverly based on Death Cab for Cutie's album Transatlanticism).

Well, sometimes these notions come full circle as they did last week when a group of my friends and i went to see DCFC live at the Murat Theatre here in Indy.
Here's my reflections from the night:
I miss. I hurt.
Distance - a powerful reality...
Too often clutter, noise, and the constancy of "the current" hinder relationships of past (and even present)...and confuse memories of old...and disconnect us people from being people.
I have new friends here in Indy who have in some sense "filled" the former roles of those wonderful souls in Pulaski...and my dear friends in Pulaski replaced what seemed like irreplacable relationships from Indiana Wesleyan University glory days.
Somewhere along the way i forgot to remember my people...or more made decisions not to remember. To stir up those waters would only stimulate tears and clouded memories of "better days".
All this feathery talk to say that i hurt from the separation. Friendships shouldn't be severed. Life simply does not "GO ON"...at least like it did back then.
The pausing of those colorful songs or the closing of those cherished chapters has a profoundly seeping effect on the rest of the story -- it changes the rythym of the record.
Tonight I am deeply saddened at the altering or complete silence of many impactful relationships.
I guess a phone conversation from my good buddy Wes a few days back, after uncommunicating for many months, brought me directly face-to-face with transatlanticism.
Maybe one of the most powerful components of quality musicianship is the way a particular track/album/live performance tempts the listener to become bare to emotions, to profoundly remember, or to actually listen.
DCFC's show last night allowed me to reach a state of clearness that I've been forsaking for quite a desperate length of time.
Feeling. Memory. The magical way of going back to some distant enchanted place, event, conversation, trip, or way of being with a group of close friends. -- Humanity.
Good lyrics/Good music should draw us closer to raw humanity.
Tonight for several minutes I entered that mystical wardrobe. I was back places I hadn't been for a fortnight with people who I had been fond of and was time traveling back to great moments of accomplishment.
Yes! I am emotional! Good music catches its listener (in this case me) off guard. DCFC's melodic atmosphere evoked demons and butterflies within my core and so I wanted to cry and still am thinking about allowing a few tears to flow due to transatlanticism.

Finally, a new post :)!!!

2006-09-22T16:18:00.000-04:00

Updated pics of EllaAnne:
O.K. enough of you have mentioned how we need to not be so lazy in posting. So here we go...

The Arrival

2006-08-04T10:42:00.000-04:00

One week ago today...a tiny human being emerged into the world and into our lives.
She is so small. Her beauty remarkable - like that of her mother's glow.
EllaAnne Elizabeth Zigler:

How does one so tiny alter, hault, and yet, thrust life into a deeper reality? I may not know how but Ella has shifted my view of the world...the more I know, I don't know anything.
She's here = unfathomable!!! - not simply because of the unknown future we hold together but largely untouchable in the same way that the expanse of the mountains are magnanamous when climbing them. The landscape of EllaAnne is easy to embrace but utterly hard to comprehend her grandness.

Tired

2006-07-09T20:48:00.000-04:00

So, I have wanted to blog for a couple months now but have found myself exhausted by the demands (and unfortunately the nonessentials as well) of life. Unable to conjure up even the shortest of entries.

Honestly I am jealous at the fact that so many of my friends have the wit, energy, and time to be able to share facets of the everyday within this network. I enjoy writing/opening myself up in this small way but, how in the world are you all able to continually post your thoughts, feelings, joys?

Here on the streets of Indianapolis I am confronted with the struggles of entering a new phase of life (fatherhood)...Laura and I are both blessed/cursed by the opportunity of opening our home to the mostly neglected neighborhood kids = we have nearly a dozen 9-12 yr. old boys playing pool, football, frisbee, eating popsicles, knocking down our fences, or simply chatting with us on the front porch as soon as we get out of our car from a long day of fostering/mentoring/admonishing/encouraging/ equipping/being within the framework of city/church relationships...

I am just plain tired. Tired from lack of sleep from Laura's tossing and turning. Tired of lack of space. Indy has been a difficult scene for me to find sanctuary. Fellowship has been remarkable but completely draining as of late. I'm not trying to complain as I am finding my place here but I'm in need of some stillness.

Anyway, I needed this forum tonight just to process "out loud" what's been going on lately.

Baby Girl Zig

2006-03-31T11:57:00.000-05:00

Baby Zig may still be mysterious but the wait to find out the sex comes to a distinct close. Yesterday, through the technology of a sonogram-wand-thingy gliding over Laura's large tummy, we found out that I will be a father who must fend off the enormous crowds of boys scampering after our lovely daughter.

Little Baby Zig Girl will enter this world in fleshly form around August 15, give or take a few days. We are still trying to adjust to the concept that we are having a girl. Before yesterday, we simply were having a baby, and now, this baby has a particular lens in which the world will be viewed/discovered/lived out due to her sex.

One area already streaming through my mind are the discipleship/life implications of a father to his daughter. These implications are beyond my grasp. She will have many questions about her role in the world. She'll ask, "Am I really pretty daddy?" or "Do you think he likes me?" or "Does God truly cherish me?" I am already pondering how I can answer these while injecting her with the reassurance of her value to me, the world/Kingdom, and ultimately her King. The crucial role and responsibility of a dad to his girl must constantly be nurtured. Nurtured through the small stuff of life that spills over into the large. Of course this remains true if we were to have a boy but the context changes dramatically. This unique blend of holistic formation for our daughter will be of grand importance for Laura and me.

Luckily we have incredible parents, siblings, and friends to help with the implications of having Baby Girl Zig. We shall see how each of you impact her becoming...

As for her name, here are our top options (in no particular order):
Ella (Anne)
Emma (???)
Riley (Hope)

Simply Small Adventures

2006-03-20T22:04:00.000-05:00

So...Last week I found myself emerged in small adventures with good friends:

Arriving at the Fancy's home exhausted @ 4AM only to wrestle with the boys and then continuously annoy Magee as he fidgets into the tiny bed where he and Brandon will share space ... Breathing in the air rushing in from stormy Lake Ontario ... NCAA Basketball games with old friends in the parsonage living room ... Air hockey in Bud's basement ... Playing "house" with Taylor in her room, caught off guard by her zeal for LIFE in the innocence of little things -- like being enamored by a glow-in-the-dark-sucker-ring. (Also recognizing even more the magnitude of having a child of my own).

Enormous amounts of pizza (with hot chicken wings..."Tommy like wingy") at a small mom and pop joint in Pulaski after snow ball fights and gorge climbing at Salmon River Falls ... Bottle rockets shot off by the infamous Zach Fancy while in the back seat of my Mazda creating black clouds of puffy smoke combined with deafening blows to our ears...

The Old Toad Pub in Rochester, NY where Brandon and Magee viscously dueled in a battle royale of darts. Brandon won. ... Visiting wineries for the vivid smells and luscious tastes offered by the Finger Lakes Region ... Feasting on Boar's Head lunch meat at a small deli/cafe in Watkins Glen followed by exploring the state park that was closed due to weather but reopened due to the luster of Brandon...

Frequent stops along the way to play boyish games with a small squishy football (one of those physical therapy-type foamy balls) or wrestling in "the ball section" at McDonalds...

Ahhhhhhh. Those are the days.
Good laughs. The open highway. Music. Conversation. Beauty. Pilgrimage (the art of roadtrip or maybe the essence of discipleship).

Drive

2006-03-07T17:49:00.000-05:00

I like living in Indianapolis. Most days. The past few have been tough to swallow though. Its not as if the days have been horrible, just lacking some spunk, some zeal, some sort of spark for a quest "outside".

People have told me that I live my life like its an adventure and to a certain amount, I agree. Adventure happens by living into the large/small opportunities that are presented to us each day. But on days like today, that seems like a bunch of crap. This town may be great but they don't call it "naptown" for nothing. I'm in need of a legitimate adventure whereby I leave the walls of Indianapolis for the open space of upstate New York.

On the morrow 3 brothers and i will head for Letchworth state park, the Finger Lakes, and Lake Ontario. My traveling partners are well suited for this task. Brandon Schenck, Chris Magee, Josh Cantey, and I were made to travel together. To enjoy the wind through our hair, listening to good music, and sliding down some snowy hill that we never should have climbed in the first place.

Adventure is certainly what we make out of a given day, yet, sometimes adventure must be intentionally created by the road we take. So, what could have been a blah trip by myself to Rochester, NY for a district board meeting (to keep my pastoral licensing with the Wesleyan Church) has turned into a space for creativity to flourish via the personalities of my co-travelers.

I am ready for a break from Indy for a few days.

Meetings. Emails. Planning Sessions. Chores. The weight of responsibility. These can take a back seat while we collectively enjoy the art of the road trip - short though it may be - a road trip nonetheless.

The Mobility & Baby Zig

2006-02-06T08:41:00.000-05:00

As I sit here typing these words the realization has hit me: The last time I submitted a thought-out post was nearly two months ago.

Life (this paradoxical, metaphysical, spiritual span of time and space) can quickly become all the more sweet while taking on the weight of complexity in a short eight week span, during which time Laura and I learned we would become parents around August 17, 2006. We are currently 3+ months along in the pregnancy...

Excited? Yes. Scared? Not really. My current disposition has me quite reluctant to the fact that we are having a baby. Now, please hear the full scope of what I will try to convey...I (we) are speechless with anticipation...This is a monumental occasion ushering in a new stage of life that we will certainly embrace with passion...But that's just it: passion requires sacrifice. Repeated sacrifice (which, of course, is all the more costly). Less of self, more love for another. Hard stuff. The essence of Christ's Christianity.

The difficulty for me has been letting go of this current permutation of existence where most formation has been about Laura and me. Just the two of us. I have so enjoyed being married to my wife for the past 5 and a half years. For pity sake, I am just learning what it means to truly love the Woman - a woman - my woman. Suddenly, I will have to learn how to love a child and relearn how to love my wife in the midst of parenting. Frightfully fun, huh?

Maybe another sphere of difficulty for me (us) has been losing our bent to mobility. Here's what I mean by mobility: We've been able to travel many miles and with many faces to many magical lands...We've basked in the moments of sleeping in on Saturday mornings with little responsibility in which to be encumbered... We've hosted many events at our house until the wee hours of the morning chatting about films, God, sports, and the uncatchable enigma of life.
Basically we have been completely flexible like a spider web to go and do whatever we would like at any time we would like...

And now we are posed with the unexpected life-force we have termed as "Baby Zig". Honestly, I do not want to die. I am least looking forward to dying to this current expression of my humanity. Being the two of us has set well with my soul. Our marriage and outside relationships will never be the same again - both in the enhancement of and the negation of current aspects. Baby Zig will recreate us.

The dying process over the past 3 months has come with both much sorrow and beauty (Dang, my wife is fine!!!). Once again, dying to self is freakin difficult.

I am the least bit worried about being a "good" father for I know my heart will be given to this child with much ease. I am however worried about losing a lifestyle which I have grown quite adept to = mobility. Sure Laura and I have planned to be parents who travel with their kids; parents who create a culture of adaptation; parents who roll with the punches of ministry relationships; parents who won't allow schedules to rule our marriage/lives. We have plotted, discussed, and decided these ideas but we all know a baby, child, pre-teen, teen will completely ratify the way we go about our day-to-day.

So, for these reasons compiled with many more I have found myself unable to press computer keys that would provide any meaningful insight into the Zigler family.

Rocking the LifeBoat Theory : Part of Christ & Part of Each Other

2006-01-23T23:09:00.000-05:00

After a week of complete relaxation, hearty eating, and much needed processing in the Rivendale-like land of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, I was assigned the task of preaching/teaching the "husbands/wives" passage from Ephesians 5:21-6:9. With many strong female personalities in the midst of our small church congregation, needless to say, I was a bit nervous about dealing with terms such as "submission" and "head".

Somehow I was able to articulate the beautiful imagery Paul set up about how Christ treats the church in a gentle-yet-straight-forward-sort-of-manner.

Here are a few draft notes and thoughts for your comments:
***The BIG Idea: Part of Christ and Part of Each Other:
Principalities and Powers and societies and institutions seek to dominate or to lord over others (creating status, class, rankings) by dividing relationships whereas Christ ushered in (and continues to usher and pursue and re-inject himself) a new type of society/kingdom/dream where we become part of Himself/part of His Body. The way of Jesus is marked by several ripe fruits of the Spirit: mutual submission, Love, and Obedience (which are really the same ingredient). In this type of Upside Structure “head/leader” comes to mean responsibility rather than control. The head pampers and supports and nurtures the rest of the Body for the sake of the Body. And this is an illustration of Christ’s love his church.

Intro: Brian Regan – “Dinner Party/Me Monster” sketch (I Walked on the Moon DVD - www.brianregan.com)…
Donald Miller – The Life Boat Theory (Searching for God knows What - www.bluelikejazz.com )
Society sends signals that declare our relative value and tell us where we fit in the hierarchy, but this text gives a different system of valuing. The hierarchy does not exist. We all have roles and tasks, but they do not make one person more or less valuable.

We, as followers of Christ, must recognize these drastic differences (LIFEBOAT THEORY) that have come to be blurred throughout the ages and fight against their rule, not against race or sex, but against the principalities and powers. We begin to crush this dark reign by heeding the instruction of Paul in common, everyday relationships.

The focus of this passage is the beautiful imagery of Christ sacrificing for us with an unblemished love and then continually pursuing us with a love that purifies us and causes us to do the same for others. Or as Stott phrases it, “What stands out in Paul’s development of the theme is the sacrificial steadfastness of the heavenly Bridegroom’s covenant-love for his bride.”

People led by the Spirit submit to one another. All Christians are to mutually submit to each other. Submission is nothing more than a decision about the relative worth of another person, a manner of dying and raising with Christ, and a way to respect and love other people. In fact, for Christians, authority and submission are one in the same thing. - Snodgrass (NIV Application Ephesians)

Submission by its very definition is out of fashion in today’s individualistic, consumeristic, “me monster” society. Freedom and stair steps are the rage.
Think dark powers at work when we go to work .
Think Beauty and the Geek = girls who would never talk to a certain segment of guys because of their ranking in the Life Boat and the exploitation of "the geek" to greater expand the gap between social stratus

Mutual submission is illogical…but that’s where Christ comes in…somehow as if it were a deep mystery he reveals a way that doesn’t seem to make sense but in actuality is the best way. According to the gospel, submission is freedom. Submission is nothing more than a decision about the relative worth of others. With mutual submission, we give up rights and support each other. Mutual submission is love in action.

Set-up of the degradation of women in the ancient world (different apartments; veiled faces; little public and social scene; easily divorced; exist only for the care of legitimate children; and much more)
The daily Jewish prayer of men and how they admit to God that they are glad not to be women…

v.23 – Does not focus on authority, but on the self-giving love of both Christ and the husband. “Head” in this context suggests “responsibility for.” The husband has a leadership role, though not to boss his wife or use his position as privilege. Just as Jesus redefined greatness as being a servant, Paul redefines being head as having responsibility to love, to give oneself, and to nurture. A priority is placed on the husband, but, contrary to ancient society, it is for the benefit of the wife. The biblical concept of authority is not tyranny but responsibility.
Both headship and equality must be given their due. The truth lies in the tension of the text. - Snodgrass
“The new creation in Christ frees us from the distortion of relations between the sexes caused by the Fall, but it establishes the original intention of the creation.”

Of course the sexes are equal (in that each mirror attributes of God), but this does not mean that they are identical. God has made and makes men and women different, and one of their basic differences lies in the ‘headship’ which he has given to man.

Submission/headship would have been easier concepts for women in ancient times to grapple with (due to the oppressive nature already present in society)…the looming question for women today who are gaining authority/power/influence in 2006’s social structure is: “Will you give up your desire to control your own destiny?”
And this question first and foremost has nothing to do with the Man or marriage but with the person of Jesus Christ. “Will you submit to His Headship/His Role in your life and as a result or byproduct submit to the role of a husband?”

And maybe a correct counter question for us men is: “Will we strap on the responsibility of sacrificing ourselves for the sake of a woman/the Woman and thereby act as Christ did/does?” or “Will we intentionally give up our rights as the ‘dominant’ sex in order to nurture the Body of Christ rather than our quest for superiority?”

v.25 – gave himself up = The Cross as the measuring stick…Creating a new society, new man, new fidelity
Illustration: Grampie Mitchell & the way he unselfishly sacrificed for Grammie who had MS and Polio – 2 analogies of a husband’s love for his wife in sacrifice and care
v.26 – Gave himself up and injected some of himself in her in order to present her as worthy to God…but also allows her to be who she truly is
v.28 – love thy neighbor as thyself = not many of us love ourselves in the proper way…
v.29 -- The Head as the responsible unit for pampering/nurturing the rest of the body.
***vv.30/31/32 = He has incorporated Himself into us, made us part of an undissolvable union…Paul uses the Body, the Building, the Bride throughout Ephesians to display the unity with God and each other.
Members of His Body will always cause difficulty to understand yet Christ has revealed the way for us to enter true Life and it is a wonderful perplexity to enter.
v.33 – the Bridegroom sacrifices for the wife so she can become what she is supposed to be – the Bride. = Beautiful. This is the 3rd time Paul mentions how a husband should love his wife. Why wouldn’t she want to submit if her treatment was in this manner?

6: 1-4: Places importance on instructing children both for parents and the church. The warning: Idolatry. “Children are not the goal of life, but a context for living out life in Christ.” – Snodgrass

6: 5-9: The most important realization of this text is that we are all slaves unto Christ. This should help us redefine our social structure.

The Wild Kingdom of Narnia

2005-12-15T21:34:00.000-05:00

Saturday afternoons when its slightly snowing are a great time to make the trek to a cinema for viewing an epic of marvelous proportions. The occasion becomes especially magical when its ripe with family and good friends. This double bonus took place a few short days ago as many of my favorite people were present at Republic Theatres for the first instalment of The Chronicles of Narnia.

I'm not going to review the movie as I normally would do due to the ridiculous amount of scrutiny its taking. So please view without much further critical readings making an adequate ruling yourself.

My few small pieces of advice would be to separate this film from the Lord of the Rings trilogy = They are uncomparable!!! Secondly, allow the movie to be a creative work of art distinct from the masterfully written book.
Last observation: Try to appreciate the incredible casting = I was highly impressed with the White Witch's (Tilda Swinton) glasslike motion as well as her piercing glares accomplished through her forceful eyes. She also was beautiful, mysterious, elusive, evil, and an all around perfect White Witch. Father Christmas' character was a delightful treat, not to mention the stellar costuming and acting of Mr. Tumnus (James McAvoy). I also thought most of the performance by the children went far beyond my limited expectations. And maybe the most underappreciated cast member, the Professor, whose short humerous scenes provided quirky, brilliant texture to the story.

Instead of my typical review I'll include an excerpt from my favorite sequence in the book:
“They say Aslan is on the move—perhaps has already landed.”
And now a very curious thing happened. None of the children knew who Aslan was any more than you do; but the moment the Beaver had spoken these words everyone felt quite different. Perhaps it has sometimes happened to you in a dream that someone says something which you don’t understand but in the dream it feels as if it had some enormous meaning—either a terrifying one which turns the whole dream into a nightmare or else a lovely meaning too lovely to put into words, which makes the dream so beautiful that you remember it all your life and are always wishing you could get into that dream again. It was like that now. At the name of Aslan each one of the children felt something jump in its inside. Edmund felt a sensation of mysterious horror. Peter felt suddenly brave and adventurous. Susan felt as if some delicious smell or some delightful strain of music had just floated by her. And Lucy got the feeling you have when you wake up in the morning and realize that it is the beginning of the holidays or the beginning of summer. – C.S. Lewis – The LionThe Witchand The Wardrobe

The Sanctuary of Selkirk

2005-11-25T22:23:00.000-05:00

Back home again in Mexico, NY. Sitting by an electric, toasty fire after seeing nearly a foot of snow fall to the chilled earth. A few hours earlier I bundled myself up in my Marmot fleece and gloves and slid on a warm hat to endure the blustery wind until I came upon on old friend -- the healing waters of Lake Ontario. I cleared off the layers of white gold and sat on a frozen wooden bench where the shoreline of Selkirk State Park was close at hand. There I could hear the swirling breeze dropping crystalized pellets of snow.
It feels comfortable to be back here -- easy, homey, relaxing. Snow so intrigues me, making me truly still inside. Its ingredients of water and atmosphere and heaven fit together in a frozen format that beckon me to you Creator. Thank you tremendously for all the stages provided by each of the grand seasons. Blankets of snow are delightful to my soul.

As I sat on that bench for what seemed like many hours I began to pray...I prayed something like this, "Father, open my eyes/ears/heart to the reality of spiritual existence. Please make me sensitive to pain, anger, deceit, pride, and falsity -- Enable me to call out the pseudo in people. Please provide Laura and I with vision as we walk with the people of Indianapolis so we may help release the prisoners from gloom...
I am so scared of what my new role with Trinity may entail...the water I must wade into...the escaladed intensity of what full time status may mean for the duration of our stay in Indy. I know I am now forced to face the urgency all around our broken city, and you Father, are begging of me to trust you like never before...to more readily embrace the economy of the Kingdom."

And so once again the sanctuary of Selkirk provided rest and rekindled fire locked within my bones.

Tree Selection

2005-12-04T22:58:00.000-05:00

The Christmas Season offers an array of enchanting activities. One of those traditional happenings comes with the scrutinizing selection of a perfect tree. And since no glowing-blemish-free tree has ever existed, we simply pick the one that feels best for our family or until our hands and the women we come with get to cold to care anymore.
After living in a country town for the past four years and never cutting our own tree down we thought it best to venture to the outskirts of Indianapolis near the small town of Sheridan where we could properly cut and cart our very own Christmas tree.

The day was perfect as the clouds spit out a small amount of snow and the temperatures were in the 20s. Perfect tree hunting weather!
Not only was it inexpensive but it generated much anticipation and cultivated a fresh tradition.

Book Readings

2005-11-04T01:31:00.000-05:00

Have you ever read a book and wondered what the author might sound like as he/she read their own material? Well, often I try to create/recreate the voice of the author in my mind so my imagination will be intrigued. I enjoy listening to other people read, so I think its a way for me as I am reading an author's work to "hear" how they would speak emphasizing certain phrases or whisper at times to draw me closer into the story.

The past two years during the Christmas season our family (Laura, Aram and I) usually find ourselves driving dozens of hours to the winterwonderland of Nova Scotia Canada for a visit with Ed/Janet. While taking in the soothing scenery we would also read from Donald Miller's books, Blue Like Jazz & Searching for God Knows What. It was delightful to soak in the words to our squishy little minds to mull over the articulate and thoughtful flow of Miller's voice. These two books have had a tremendous amount of impact on how we perceive the gospel. Donald has allowed us to step back and review the story of the gospel with a tweeked set of lenses.

Anyway, all of this to say that last night Laura and I went with some friends from Trinity to hear Donald Miller read segments from his yet-to-be-released book To Own A Dragon and his latest release Through Painted Deserts (which is a remake of Prayer & the Art of Volkswagon Maintenance for those who haven't just recently jumped on the DM bandwagon). He read exactly like I imagined in my mind. Somewhat bland but highly captivating in an articulate sort of way -- very writeresque.
Donald even looks like you might imagine him to look like = tall, stocky leaning toward bulky, reserved yet cheery.

Jimi, B-Blev, Kendall, Hannah, Andy, Laura and I waited around discussing our views of Donald's material only to find ourselves the last people to be in the building besides Don and the staff. We all chatted with him by making light conversation about the Houston Astros, why he rewrote Prayer & the Art of VW Maintenance, and if he still liked Blue Like Jazz after 2/3 years. He was quite accommodating to our group and generous with his humorous replies and quotations which he deposited in the front of each of our books.

Aram: Just to let you know, we told him you said hello from Scotland. We also told him you were adventuring similarly to how he and Paul did in Prayer & the Art of VW Maintenance. You would have enjoyed the readings tremendously. I could see you creating a reading forum mirroring last night's atmosphere.

Here's a pic from tonight with Jeff, Meredith, Amanda, Don, and myself. A group of us went to hear DM in a compact coffeeshop in Marion, Indiana. The atmosphere was energetic yet stuffy as I felt that most of the college folk who attended were only there for the trendy, cool thing to do. Still, it was worthwhile to be part of a group of people who are seeking the vibrance of a timeless gospel.

Kendall and B-Blev came along again bringing a fresh new group (including my sis Trisha) who were introduced to the art of book reading. Also joining us were my dear friends Wes & Ellen Pate who are in town visiting for the weekend. Several other Indy folk flooded the scene, including one Josh Garrels who opened up the evening with a few magnetic song selections from his hippie-like-chill album Stone Tree.

Once again great conversation filled the airways as we visited a nearby Steak n' Shake where we laughed while sipping on chocolate shakes, listening to the banter of theological dialogue, and enjoying the company of our large, diverse group.

In Response

2005-11-02T17:48:00.000-05:00

After reading the comments on my last post regarding the Nano, I have made my decision...Late last Friday afternoon, I entered the Apple store to discover the new video IPOD. The decision was relatively easy since my educator discount could be applied to this ingenious device. I was able to purchase the video IPOD for only $40 more than what I paid for the Nano. 30 Gig and video capability -- sexy and sleek -- oh yes!!! As my friend Geoff Wybrow said, the only thing he has held in his hands that is more sexy is his wife. I would agree! (Not that I have held his wife in my arms but I have held mine :)

Thank you to my friends who responded with supreme knowledge and insight.

The Nano

2005-10-26T19:50:00.000-05:00

So, just a week ago someone who attends my church sent me an anonymous note which read, "David please buy a Nano. Love God" -- complete with a sketchy drawing of me jamming out to the tunes.
Inside was a generous amount of funds to put toward the mp3 file king known as the Apple IPOD (www.ipod.com). Without the permission granted from this note (and God), I surely would not have allowed myself to think about owning such a novelty item (especially after posting an entry like my previous one).
After much deliberation, last Saturday evening I purchased this small portable device in hopes of creating a more simple way to enjoy the arena of music. Too often I have been known for lugging around my bulky CD wallet but now...slim, compact nanolisciousness.
Thanks God ;)

I still haven't opened the package as I am heavy in debate about swapping for a 20gig IPOD where I could store most of my collection, minimizing the clutter of CD cases. So, what do you think?

Purposeful Aimlessness

2005-10-24T16:29:00.000-05:00

Last Wednesday we took our little brother Aram to the Chicago airport where he departed for the rich, earthy Scotland. He anxiously arrived in Dublin, Ireland last Thursday where he spent the day celebrating the birth of his sweetheart Lauren (who just happens to be studying abroad through Taylor University). Traveling around with Lauren's group, he was able to take in the sights, sounds, experiences offered by Romance on the shores of the grainy beaches.

After reading several reflective emails from A-to-the-Ram, it seems as though his spirits match the typical Aramesque features we have all come to know/love/admire -- a seeker full of questions, wonder, and hope. Keep seeking my eager brother.

Just today, after several days of hiking he has found the comfort of a cozy bed at the Castle Rock Hostel in Edinburgh.

The most difficult aspect in Aram's departure for Laura and I has been the way in which he offered stability/tranquility/simplicity to our fast-paced/often fractured Indianapolis existence. For sure, his presence will be missed by many, especially us.

As for his adventures, may they be full of purposeful aimlessness. (To check in on Aram's trek, visit http://aramgorn.blogspot.com)

I am positive that in spite of his absence we will learn how to Live equally as adventerous as Aram during the daily grind here in Indy.

God inspire us!!!

Control or the Embrace of Release

2005-10-25T22:09:00.000-05:00

An advertisement fitting to our bland, matrix-enticed system of Americanism. This sign along Binford Avenue here on the streets of Indianapolis has both boggled my mind and embarrassed/concerned me.

What a tragedy to be caught up in a society where we crave control so incessantly that we paste it to those silly billboards on the side of the road next to our master-planned neighborhoods. Unfortunately most of us who claim to be followers of Christ cling to this master maybe even more than our "unsaved"/pagan neighbors. We may not say we believe the motto, "More means better", but our actions, attitudes, and ultimately, our lifestyle only accentuates the desire for MORE temporary control & material.

God forgive us for our arrogance, ignorance, and the constant batting of our eyes at the poor/oppressed/marginalized...for the sake of this greedy, oily idol we think is $ but in actually is CONTROL. Or at least the illusion of control (It seems to me that the quest for more ends up controlling us).

God rescue us!!! You designed us to want MORE than lies and illusions. Open our eyes so that we may truly SEE the Kingdom you embrace = a Kingdom of RELEASE where we surrender to a majestic/mysterious/loyal King who offers us a new society based on sacrifice, conscience, sharing, love, and awareness beyond our stuff.

Two Months of Grandeur

2005-10-17T10:30:00.000-05:00

As I gaze at my calendar in a state of shock, I realize that October grows to a close. We have barely shared any happenings from September or October. This entry will try to communicate some of our thoughts, feelings, happenings over the past 2 months...

+++ My MOTHER (thru marriage) and a good family friend, ASHLEY (Ashley is training to be a pilot in the Royal Canadian Army plus she's freakin' cool to talk to and could kick any guy's butt), came to visit us in the beginning of September. We ate mostly at Einstein bagels = one of our favorite places to eat when Janet comes to town. Heck, its one of our favorite places when she's not in town (Mason I got the everything bagel with cream cheese just for you ;) Of course the girls were super busy rearranging the house and repainting the entry way room. Janet and Laura have a knack for creating beautifully elegant spaces for cheap. Aram and I took some high school kids camping and watched Star Wars at the dollar theatre while the ladies do their thang.
+++ BARN BASH - Laura, Aram, and I traveled back to Pulaski, NY to be part of the event we helped inspire (which was inspired by an event our college ministry created along with our dreams of connecting communities with the platforms of music/art/food) . It was tremendous to, not only see everyone, but to be reminded that we helped steer the ethos of our former church through living this into existence. This one day in the life of Pulaski Wesleyan Church has been one of the most clear images of the way Church should live out its mission.
The images most visible to us: Various churches of many denominations working together. Music piercing the hearts of both young and old. An energy of hope, warmth, and Life. A ragamuffin group of skaters influencing the marginalized teens of a small community. Volunteers cleaning up trash not because they were told but because they wanted to be part of a Story much larger than themselves. Hundreds of conversations bleeding into ONE over warm apple cider or steaming chili. The Kingdom being sparked through laughter in the 3 acre corn maze.
Being a part of this atmosphere truly made me miss being a full-time youth pastor.

+++ BRIAN REGAN -- This man offers some of the best medicine (www.brianregan.com) . The elixir of laughter. What a beautiful night with friends (Nate Hershey and Marta) and Aram. Laura and I treated our little brother to a wonderful feast at a great restaurant (the Rathskellar) in downtown Indy and then we headed over to the Murat Temple for 2 + hours of comedy.

+++ NAZARENE PASTORS -- Larry and I have been spending a fair amount of time nurturing a group of pastors struggling with their identity, the established church, etc. Each of these 4/5 guys want out of their denomination but we have been pushing them to picture what it could like like if they hold firm in their current position and infect others with their life-giving attitudes. We'll see what the future holds for these creative forces who feel like they are being help back by the corporation-type church.

+++ INDY PASTORING = I have been trying to uncover the facets of my identity/place/position with Trinity - a city church. I had been wrestling with the notion of even being a "pastor" but after much prayer/contemplation/reading under the old oak tree in the park across the street from my house, God has allowed me to firmly grasp ahold of the concept that who I am is a pastor.

Recently, a group of people from our church have been broken into several times. Last Tuesday, Beth had her car stolen for the second time -- the same car stolen for the second time. A group of us went over and ate together while praying for this war-torn area. It was exciting to be with a group of people who actually prayed instead of complained about where they lived or their missing stuff.

Trinity-Type-Highlight: Laura and I have started meeting a teen couple who have asked us to be their mentors. This felt right and whole. For the first time since we've moved here Laura has been able to tangibly be involved in some ministry.

+++ THE COLTS = Sunday afternoons during football season have traditionally been a time for complete relaxation -- maybe one of the only times when I can turn off my mind. Needless to say, we have been watching the Colts play with grit, passion, and smarts.
Finally our team has some defense!!! Let's hope they can maintain the consistency. Peyton is playing with confidence/patience, not trying to force plays like in years past.
Football is brilliant. Monday Night Football = genius

+++ David the HANDYMAN = I am laughing as I type these words for the simple yet plain truth that I am the furthest from being a handyman. For my wife's sake, I am desperately trying to become at least knowledgeable in this department. A few weeks ago Sween and I spent a massive amount of time installing a new storm door in our porch entry area. A project which should have only taken a few hours tops turned into a phenomenon of 8 (EIGTH) grueling hours. I'm thinking now that the $59 installation would have paid for itself. Anyway, you live and learn. I am well on my way to becoming a handyman.

+++ THE SICK NIN = Lexi, our beautiful, fat cat has been taken over by infection. A generous amount of time has been spent cleaning up the products of an unhealthy cat. We took her to the vet to find out she really isn't that fat but she indeed was sick. The freakin formula they gave us has to be shot into her mouth with one of those syringe-type deals. Lexi hates medicine! It took Aram wrapping her in a towel...me holding her head, prying her jaws open...and Laura to quickly inject the pitiful liquid into her mouth. She also "caught" pink-eye so we spent several minutes everyday holding her down to put those drops in her eye. Fathering a cat is tough work.

+++ ARAM TIME = We have been spending huge amounts of time picnicking, watching movies, playing card games, and talking on the front porch with our soon to be foreign brother. Aram and I started a neighborhood football revolution by simply playing pass in the park right arcoss the street from our house. Before we knew it what seemed like dozens of kids were fired up about playing two hand touch. Most of these kids don't have parents who would take the time to do much of anything with them. Aram and I had a blast teaching these boys how to properly throw a ball. It was certainly a memorable experience.

Larry, Aram and I also spent a night in the Indiana Wilderness known as Morgan-Monroe. For Indiana it was extremely wild. Aram taught me the best way to make a fire, especially if you only have one match. During our firemaking we were stung by many ground bees and forced to move to an even more magical spot where we could stare at the magical moon. Our conversations focused on our fears, expectations, dreams for the next stage of life. We read a chapter from Rob Bell's new book Velvet Elvis as well as visioned for the future of Worn Soles (our family pilgrimage trip venture).

Another Aram Highlight: We went to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse for the first time. Of course the only way we could ever afford this was if we had a gift certificate. And we did! Prime Rib = yummy!!! Our family enjoys eating together and I am glad. This was our going away party for Aram.

Aram is already missed...before he has even exited the hemisphere.

Other images from Barn Bash:
Zig sharing a message of simplicity during one of the coffeehouse sessions.
Laura visiting with her friend Jamie.

Stombaugh and Trisha enchanting us with their delicate melodies.

Jake Burns of the skate team Enemy Opposition(www.enemyopposition.com) announcing each move and sharing Life through humor and hope, and amazing 360 kickflips.

Dave Pelsue of Kids in the Way energetically challenging us with his lyrics and his bold statements of becoming the Church God has always dreamed for us.

The car bash was amazing to watch. The smallest of people taking out their aggression on this poor inanimate object. 1500 people floating about the Stooks' property, enjoying the music of KITW, food, and hayrides.

Front Porch Sittin

2005-09-29T01:13:00.000-05:00

Late into this eerie Wednesday evening which has now become a howling, early Thursday morning...And in the midst of a dreary/windy yet comforting cold front...I find my heart warm with the tinge of encouragement offered by my brothers (James Moore, Aram Mitchell, Ben Blevins and Laurence Mitchell) in the Faith who are dealing with the same core issues. Despair also exists in my heart but glistening hope prevails tonight.

...I long to "feel Alive" like days of old. I want to hug those ancient memories of what I thought was "Life to the Full".

...As we scratched to embrace the front porch atmosphere -- the change of warm summer air to blustery fall tones as well as the brotherhood generated by textured conversation along with the soothing act of pipe smoking -- we generously found ourselves processing the conclusion of our honeymoon phase with "Life to the Full"/John 10:10. That is the ending of fluffy quotes and mostly hollow everyday living...

The wind of awareness penetrated us there on those clanky wooden slates of 3906 Ruckle. Here's what the whispery wind said at least to me, "You have officially entered the phase of being 'life to the full'." Our conversation with each other and the weather allowed us to peel back the onion to find a deeper layer which requires much more of our hearts. = It requires more initiation on our behalf to be involved in the hassle-filled lives of those around us; a gritty wrestling with faith; creating more intentional spaces of listening to God's Spirit rather than feeding our sense of security.

In a world which clings to skepticism/pessimism, I still believe in the more real reality of being Fully Alive, especially after our front porch sittin'.

A Striking Question

2005-08-30T22:39:00.000-05:00

In the past few days I have been spending a bit of time reading a variety of blogs, trying to gain some perspective on God/the church/music/tastes/etc. Coming across two entries, one by a fellow named Kevin Rains whom i've never met and the other by an acquaintence who I am hoping to get to know a bit better since he and his family have returned to the States from Thailand -- His name is Joel Vestell, a missionary linked with an intriguing group called ServeLife (Joel has become friends with my friend/co-pastor of Trinity = Todd Fisher...they are heading to India/Thailand to work with ServeLife and some local pastors). Anyway, these two posts stopped me in my place, internally dwelling on the ramifications of the question posed. The question, "What comes first -- mission or community?"

Here are the posts:

"Gordon Cosby said something a few years back that haunts me. He said that in all his years of service he has never (and he emphasized 'never') seen a group go from community to mission. Rather, he said one should organize around mission and community will follow. I'm paraphrasing but that is the basic idea. This haunts becasue most things I have done over the past 10 years have been attempts to create community that will eventually be on mission together. We (VC, Community House, my west Norwood transplant homies) have done a decent job - and sometimes even better than decent - at creating community. But our tasking has been spotty at best. Of course I need to define mission before others begin to pick this apart... for us mission has been tied to being an incarnational presence in west Norwood, loving, serving, being present, healing, mercy, and justice. Now, it's not that we haven't 'done outreaches.' We have. It's not that we don't love our neighbors. We do. In theory more than reality, in abstraction more than in sacrifice. Some have done better than others. I applaud their efforts. Oh, and this not a " WE NEED TO DO MORE... MORE MORE MORE.... MORE IS BETTER... IF YOU REALLY LOVE JESUS YOU"D BE DOING MORE" post. It's an honest attempt for me (me me me)(us us us)(VC VC VC)(Brownhouse brownhouse brownhouse) to not make the same mistake again. You see, we're once again starting to think about things like a 9 month training program... but wrestling with the question "To what end?" becasue that question determines where we start. So, we're starting to go back to the beginning to find the future... we're asking why we came in the first place. We're retelling the old stories of Dave and Jody and their young kids moving into the neighborhood and talking about what it might look like to see lives transformed by Christ via a church that is bought in for the long haul. We're starting to remember that this has more to do with precious, beloved souls that line our streets and not so much to do with us or the conversations we are a part of or notional (oops... i meant 'national'.... or did I ) movements.

+++ Lord, have mercy on us! We commited for a lifetime and now we're seeing that it might just take us that long to figure out the basics! Speed our learning so we can work intelligently and wisely and fruitfully with you for the years we have left. Do something really small and beautiful among us. We long to know you and love our neighbor. Show us the way again. In your mercy Lord. +++" - Kevin Rains
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
"What comes first? Community or Mission?
Thank you Kevin Rains for stimulating the question and thought that has been on the forefront of my mind these days. Kevin pointed out that he heard Gordon Cosby say one time that he has NEVER seen community produce or lead to mission but that you should always rally/organize around mission and then community will follow. I know Henri Nouwen writes more or less the opposite about the model of Jesus was"solitude, community, then mission/ministry" - Perhaps it is not an "either/or" but "both/and" simultaneously - Always longing, searching, wanting more of each. It is true indeed that when we rally solely on "community" we get introverted and isolated from culture and the those who do not know God. We want our 'Christian country club or elitist society' - We must always have people in our hearts and minds that are "the lost coin" - Jesus came to bring them also and so should we. The primary purpose of the church is both community and mission. It is 2 sides of the same coin...However I would say that if one were to error on one side, let us error on the side of making more of mission and moving out into our communities, work places, and the streets of the world to bring hope, peace, and love. "

So, what do you think?

Death Cab "Plans" Review

2005-08-30T18:18:00.000-05:00

The anticipated release of Death Cab for Cutie's new album "Plans" finally comes to an end. Today I purchased one of the greatest former indie rock band's major-record-label-release (say that sentence 3 times fast). To be honest, in my initial 2 listening sessions, it hasn't quite reached the foundational quality of their former records. (Quality = both lyrically & the crisp musical atmosphere they create with the gelling together of instruments, romanticism, and simplicity) Not that the record will be a major disappointment upon futher listening but the mediocre lyrical content mixed with the overuse of synth makes for a more sterilized sound than expected.

Tracks #1 "Marching Bands of Manhattan" & #2 "Soul Meets Body" had me on the edge of my heels with the same emotional rawness of Transatlanticism/ previous albums while rest of the album, especially the second half of the disc sort of blends together with a tepid texture.

Death Cab has quickly become one of those bands who influence a crop of younger musicians and indie rock listeners. I am no musician but this band certainly have been on the top of my play list for the past few years. In no way do I believe they have sold out by switching from Barsuk records to Atlantic, as their songs still resemble the stylistic focus of the band = they haven't changed their sound to sell more records. On the other hand, it doesn't feel as though their creative potential was maximized in the production of "Plans."

Maybe after continual listening my ears will hear differently...

Misadventures of Zig & the Weinkton

2005-08-16T18:32:00.000-05:00

Whenever Zach Fancy gets together with the Zig, chaos soon will prevail. -- The kind of chaos which entails concerts, the game of pool, thriller-type movies, disc golf, bike rides, and conversations filled with faith mixed with analysis of the 2005 NFL season.

One of those glorious, chaotic nights Laura hooked us up with tickets for Switchfoot at the Indiana State Fair. After seeing these guys perform the previous year in Charlotte with a dismal effort, I wasn't sure what to expect. Luckily the both of us were blown away by their on-stage antics and quality of their sound.

These SoCal boys put on one heck of a show!!! I had just seen Coldplay a few nights before so I was already a bit skeptical but Switchfoot's lead rocker Jon Foreman dazzled us with his climbing ability (this pic above was taken after he had exited the main stage area, climbed up the scaffolding and entered the pavilion where we were sitting) , not to mention power-rock-n-roll ballads full of reflective lyrics. I read recently that Jon considers himself a ruthless idealist, vowing he will remain so until he "sees things match up with the way they should be." Relevant magazine recently reported that his lifestyle actually live up to his lyrics. = The band frequently performs benefit concerts for Sudanese refugees...and are part of events that support Care House (an organization aiding at-risk teens and single mothers)...and are involved in activism groups such as DATA (Debt, Aids, Trade for America).

Switchfoot incorporated a great blend of fun, creativity, humor, intensity, mission (thinking beyond themselves), and passionate music. All in all, an instant memory for Zach and me to hold onto for years to come.

I'd say this evening was the highlight of our adventurous time together.