Monday Mind Dump | More #Misbehavin

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We’re now three weeks into 2012 and things are settling down into the standard rhythm after a fairly hectic holiday season.  Kids are back in school, heading towards spring break, and work has returned to somewhat normalcy.

So, what could I possibly have on my mind?

Well, the way my mind works, once things become somewhat automatic, it frees up brain cells to contemplate life, the universe, and everything.  In other words, it leaves plenty of time to be misbehavin’.

First – This was a great weekend.  I skated out of work early on Friday to spend some QT with Charlotte.  One of my outcomes this year was to definitely spend more time dating my wife.  I truly believe that it’s one of the keys to a successful marriage.  We got to hang out, run some errands, and came home with our new phones.  I’m loving my Droid Bionic.

Saturday was nice and relaxing.  Spent some time watching Battlestar Galactica (I’m blaming Rod for this..haha!) and then, in the evening, I got to see Rachel Held Evans (thanks Rob @ Tempe First!) on her speaking tour promoting her new book, A Year of Biblical Womanhood.  If you ever get the chance to hear her speak, do it.  Following that, Charlotte and I headed off to Rula Bula to say goodbye to some great friends who are moving to Wisconsin and starting a new chapter in their lives.  Tom and Melanie, you will be missed!

Sunday started off with a great service at Mesa First UMC where, as is becoming standard practice, the sermon seemed to be directed right at me.  They’re doing a series modeled after Christian bumper stickers, with this week’s being “Jesus is Coming – Look Busy!”.  The meat of the sermon was based on the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42).  Pastor Jim talked about how the common interpretation is that the “right” thing to do is to put everything down and sit at the feet of Jesus and how, although that’s not a bad thing, that’s not the only thing.  He taught about finding God in every moment, illustrating the difference between kairos and chronos.  This has a particular impact on me as, during my studies, this was one of the subjects I had to write a paper on.  It led me to give up wearing a watch and focus on being more event-driven (kairos) and less schedule driven (chronos).  It also made me realize that as far as I’ve come, I’ve got twice as far to go.  I’m not normally one for being cryptic, but it’s led me to a life-changing decision that I’ll be writing about more as the details come together.  It’s one that may allow me the sort of freedom that most people only dream of.  I don’t know who is more surprised about this decision, me or Charlotte.

On Sunday afternoon, EmDes had a special guest.  The one and only Rachel Held Evans!    Knowing how busy her schedule in Phoenix was, it was a great honor to have her join us for a rather energetic conversation on how to approach the Gospel and the authority of scripture.  As an added plus, she was gracious enough to do this:

Yes, I am a bit geeked out over this.  What can I say, though, I’m a Theology nerd through and through.

This week is a 4-day work week (yay!).  The java stout is conditioning in the bottles, waiting to accompany me to the Emergent Conversation on Process Theology next week. I’ll be exploring more on authority vs. authoritarianism, concepts that can easily be crossed.  I am also thinking of exploring the theology of Battlestar Galactica, particularly the theme of the Cylons as agents of God’s wrath.

Who knows.. some interesting thoughts in my head, and some exciting life changes coming up this year.  Just another way I aim to misbehave in 2012.