loving the outdoors and a good book

I got to go camping with some guys from church this past Friday night and am headed on a trip to the White Mountains of New Hampshire at the end of the week. I am loving it. It makes me so happy to be outside, that sometimes I find myself just looking around with this silly grin on my face. The trip this past week was great, except for me not bringing enough charcoal. We had to finish off our burgers on a frying pan over the camp stove. Otherwise, it was a great time of being together. It is wonderful when there is nothing particular that you need to do and you can just talk, watch the fire, play cards or whatever.

Yesterday I finished The Wounded Heart, which I've been reading for the past 2 months. This is an excellent book which is very insightful as it considers the terrible damage which can be inflicted upon the human soul and examines the various responses to life in a broken world. I could say a bunch, but one of the primary things I've begun to understand from reading this book, is the role that contempt plays in my life. Dan Allender (the author), talks about self contempt and other centered as ways by which we deaden ourselves to the disappointments and hurts that life throws at us. Here's the quick example: going out to dinner you deeply desire a Philly cheese steak, but at the restaurant they don't have it on the menu. In coping with disappointment you can engage in self-contempt, "Why am I being so stupid, being upset over a cheese steak." Or you can engage in other - centered contempt, "This restaurant is terrible" or, "that was such a bad choice to come here" (directed to the person who chose the place). This may seem kinda silly, but if you look for it, I think you'll find contempt for yourself and others is rampant. That's some of what I have seen.

a few pics to summarize

I'm a day late for posting this week and I'm okay with it. Yesterday was a good day of spending time with teenagers and accomplishing some good things. We had a lunch discussion at a fast food place called, "Five Guys Burgers and Fries." We talked about this article on hell (teenager's choice) and it worked out okay. I'm not sure if theology lunch discussions work or not, but it was a good thing to try out.

Anyway, below are some pictures from the Hartford Project and a little shot of Mt. Washington where we will take some teens hiking next week. I am super psyched.

Love Wins on Barbour St. - Carnival in a rough part of the city, clothes closet, 2 bouncys,

packing lunch, prayer walk: in front of gov. housing specifically for grandmoms raising grandkids and Mt. Washington is on the right

time in NY

This past week the church staff went up to Hillary's dad's farm for a brief retreat. It was a great time together as we went tubing down the Batenkill, took walks around the farm, enjoyed meals together, and strengthened our relationships. We (staff and families) were there a little over 24hrs and we'll hopefully be able to go for a little longer next year, but it was a great opportunity just to be together. There is something about time spent over meals, walking, and sharing experiences that is important. It is easy to be task driven and we took somewhat of a respite from the continual motion to be together without a big agenda. Thursday night, before the mosquitoes were too bad, we enjoyed a cool evening and sat outside reflecting on the past year. We talked about what God has taught us, the health of our marriages, and our hopes for the next year. I am very thankful to serve with these friends.

in between

This past week (Weds-Saturday) we were in the Poconos staying at Club Chateau on the Lackawaxen River. The name sounds luxurious, but as Hillary opened the trap door and walked down the stairs into the basement to use the shower she didn't sense the luxury. My family started going there about 10 years ago when my uncle was a member and it grew into a 4th of July tradition that whoever could make it would be there for the weekend. It is a pretty low key affair as we sit on the porch, watching the river go by, eat three to four meals a day, and have a fire in the evening. We also go on a hike, read, play games, kayak, and do some fishing. It is an extremely relaxing time. This was the first year that Hillary came and it was a lot of fun to introduce her to a neat experience that I have always enjoyed.

We got back Saturday and Hillary left Sunday afternoon for her Dad's. She'll be up there this week and on Thursday I will join her along with the rest of our church staff for a brief retreat. We'll hang out around the farm, go swimming, and take a trip into town. So right now I'm a little out of sorts as I am between two trips away and am having one of those days where it seems like very little is getting done.