a coherent collection of random statements regarding God, words and tunes

13er #1

(or #2, technically, since after all, Bierstadt was a 14er...)

Anyway, a fairly simple goal this weekend. A mile shorter each way , but about the same ascent (2,400 feet) -- basically I'm losing that first and last mile from last time, and it's 1,000 feet lower than Bierstadt. Still, I need some serious altitude/steepness practice so that I can REALLY tackle Longs Peak next year, and thus drive down my street, point for the benefit of envious passengers, and say "Yeah, I did that...." 

So, without further ado, I give you Mount Chiquita (it's the one in the middle, between Mount Chapin & Mount Ypsilon):



Good timing, too, as my work plate is escalating on a near-daily basis lately. And I'll have a different traveling partner this time. Instead of Dave (who's stuck working the weekend 4:30 a.m. -1 p.m. shift at IBM), I'll be going with Drew, who's quite the interesting story that I haven't told here yet, so why not now?

Marion and I were on vacation last month, and I was wrestling with yet another book, called Life After Church (IVP) by Brian Sanders. Really good stuff. Basic message being, "God doesn't just call you out of something; he calls you to something." Thus, I likewise sensed God saying, "It's time to get back into the game." Whatever the heck that meant.

Anyway, I get back into the office. Not two hours later, I receive an e-mail. Shortened and bracketed version: "Hi, I'm Andrew ******. My wife and I attended Living Word Alliance Church [the church that started in our living room in West Milford, NJ 12 years ago]. When we told the congregation we were moving to Loveland, everyone said we had to look you up...."

Wait. It gets wilder. "We're moving to Loveland to plant a church...." Seriously, what are the odds that a couple from the church plant we started in a town of 35,000 1,800 miles away would just HAPPEN to be moving to the same somewhat larger city of 65,000 four years later -- to plant a church???

I don't know our role yet. Maybe it's just to help Drew and his wife Kathryn get settled here. Although I DO relish the role of "spiritual pioneer," as it were -- LWAC would probably be too big for me now . I've been sensing for awhile that when Growing Out is FINALLY done being written in hopefully December, that the next thing will get clearer. Still, this is wild. 

Anyway-er, we've been reaching out to them and trying to help them get settled in (Drew's actually interviewed for a job at Group, too, so who knows?). We've also been able to catch up on the history/status of LWAC. Sounds like they're already outgrowing the building they purchased a year or so ago & are thinking about multiple services or even satellite services. Freaking satellite services. Although the thought of Tim trying to do AV on that level, or pretty much anything past turning on the power switch, is more than a little terrifying.

It was also nice to see, in the flesh and for the first time in four years, actual fruit from what started in the living room of a 4-room house in West Milford, NJ a dozen years ago. Once in awhile you need that kind of confirmation.

Anyway, all that stuff I'd said I'd get to next time last time? Yeah, next time....

Posted by: burninglight at 11:04 | link | comments (2)

Comments:

#1  31 August 2009 - 07:27

 

How'd it go?

Rick

Anonymous

#2  31 August 2009 - 08:21

 

Easier than Bierstadt, if only because of the extra mile. But as SOON as we got to the top, it began flurrying. Then a few minutes later, thundering and lightining.  Being 2,000 feet above tree level, we boogied quickly. And of course, by the time we got to safety it was sunny and dry. Welcome to Colorado, Drew. :)

burninglight

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