I absolutely love this transparency and “tongue in cheek” questioning - it reveals our inability to even imagine the great beyond (and the One who resides there).

—————–

“I wonder whether they have rum and Coke in Heaven? Maybe it’s too mundane a pleasure, but I hope so — as a sundowner. Except, of course, the sun never goes down there. Oh, man, this heaven is going to take some getting used to.”

-Desmond Tutu, London Sunday Telegraph, April 27, 2001

ht - Friar

I have mentioned that of late I have been doing a bit of tree work on my property. After living here in Western Pennsylvania for the last four years my wife and I have started to see the way to best manage the land we have and it involves a bit of tree removal. But not just cutting down the trees mind you - but also removing the dreaded STUMP, as well. From experience, now I can tell you that is no small feat!

It all began with taking down some tall trees… and then the real work began - cleaning up all the limbs and timber. And then you have to face - THE STUMP. We tackled the stump by digging up as much soil from around the base of the stump as we could muster. In an attempt to expose the root structure. Then it was time to cut out as many of the roots as we could find - using a chainsaw and an axe. Then we let physics attempt to do it’s thing - by hooking a chain to the very top of the stump and then connecting it to the base of a nearby tree with a come-a-long; we attempted to pull up the stump.

Let’s just say, while it worked - it wasn’t as easy as one would hope. After cutting out all the exposed roots that we could get to - it still took some serious cranking, digging, more cutting (as more roots became visible) and muscle to get the roots to “let go.”

A little photo essay reviewing the process:

A Stump.

Exposing the Roots

Cutting the Roots

Cutting the Roots 2

Pulling it Down!

OUT!

As I went through this process it struck me… it takes an awful lot of work to expose and undo a root system. It was tiring process. There were times I wondered silently if I would ever get the stump out. Then I began to be encouraged; the youth worker in me kicked in and I realized this is what my work has been and still is all about. As a parent I began to feel more confident in my work - for again; this is what my “job” has been about the last 17 years. I have been about work that is unseen - working on helping young people develop below the surface. It has been about encouraging and nurturing root systems.

And what I learned while trying to get a stump to let go; roots are pretty tough!

Take heart and have faith.

I don’t know where I heard it first - but it has definitely stuck with me. The thought that was posted to my mind was that a name for the mystery of the universe, the God and King of all should be, “Surprise.” Seems fitting. A God who shows up in unlikely places: a bush on fire in the desert, in the belly of a whale, speaking through donkeys, and hanging out with sinners and tax collectors, a God who raises the dead, provides gallons of REALLY good wine at a local wedding and a God who when all the world is stirred up - surprise - ascends into heaven.

That is a God who should be called, Surprise. You never know when or where or even how such a God will show up.

It causes me to keep my eyes pealed. Keeps me alert. Grows my awareness and certainly opens my thoughts to God’s uncanny ability to speak and show Himself through and in the most unlikely circumstances.

When was the last time you sensed, Surprise?

In light of all my cutting of trees lately this bit of wisdom seemed appropos…

“Ammon questioned Poemen on the subject of the impure thoughts within the heart, and on the subject of vain desire.

Poemen said, ‘Can the axe do any harm unless the woodman is using it? Do not reach out your hands to use those things, and they will do you no harm.’”

Lately if I haven’t been outside taking 60 foot trees and digging up stumps in my spare time (there is post brewing from this!), I have been preparing for a fall where I will have the privilege of hanging out with some great people and spending some time training folks in youth ministry. I am grateful for the opportunities to be able to stay involved in youth ministry. I am passionate about it and I think I also bring something to the “party” so to speak - so while I am not actively shepherding other people’s kids on a daily basis, God hasn’t put me “out to pasture” quite yet (how is that for mixed metaphors? YEAH!!). This fall will take me to Chambersburg, PA; Kansas City; Twin Cities; Lancaster, PA; Pittsburgh and Toronto - should be quite the adventure (I’ll be leading a few seminars for sonlife, training some original material and facilitating a spiritual retreat).

I have been affiliated with a training organization called SonLife (now we are called Youthfront/Sonlife - or something like that) for some 16 or 17 years and in that time I don’t think I have been more expectant for our future than right now. We are unveiling a new revision of our seminar called Enroute, and I am finding it very invigorating - this new training is a helpful addition to the literature and language that informs youth ministry. I have been getting prepped for facilitating a training this Saturday in Chambersburg, PA - and I sorta wish it was closer to Saturday - cause I think I am ready to go! Even so, I guess if I was pinned down I would probably say I enjoy the process of sharing what I learn a little bit more than the preparation and study… but it is a close call. The next couple days I will continue to review and refine this new 6/7 hour seminar…

If anyone is still making it past these ways… I don’t know what training your youth ministry employs; but obviously I would encourage you to check out Enroute. For the money and time investment; I think that Enroute may be the best value out there!

MSNBC and Today have a great photo essay on “teenagers.” The diversity and struggles amid teens look so drastically different. But at the heart it seems to be the same issues - identity and calling… who am I (am I loveable; am I what I do; am I what I look like or own?) and what investment will I make?

Incredibly powerful images and a great photo essay.

Check it out here.

ht - Brian