I have a lot of pots in the fire right now. Too much to update tonight, especially considering that I'm one-handed typing right now. Kaelyn's sleeping on my chest so the laptop is lying on the couch beside me as I hunt-n-peck with my right hand, working up a good case of carpal tunnel. I'm actually getting good at it.
More tomorrow.
With Aaron vacationing in Hilton Head, he needed a replacement to teach his CCU class. I had the chance to take his place and I have to admit: I love to teach.
It's rather fascinating because I was never a big fan of school. I was and still am, however, passionate about learning. I think it's because I enjoy telling people about the things I have learned. There's so much information out there that it's tough for some people to assimilate what's important. That's what I try to do in the pulpit or in the classroom: give people intimidating material in digestible amounts. And getting to use the Bible as a primary source just makes it that much more enjoyable.
There's always something encouraging when you see the light come on in a person, and even more when you flip the switch. Maybe that's why I feel like I'm running on all cylinders with Echo. I'm getting to do what I love.
Just thought you should know.
We had a visit today from the Badami's. Jason and Dalea were the best man/maid of honor in our wedding. We all met while in college. They sorta got me and Kelly together; yep, if it wasn't for them, we might not have gotten together. We've been able to maintain our friendship throughout the years and enjoy the times we can all get together. They were in town for a family get-together and stopped in briefly with their three kids. ***Quick note: scary that we have friends our age with three kids. Even scarier that one of those kids is eight years old.
In addition to helping me find the love of my life, Jason also introduced me to another great love: soccer. If he hadn't asked me to play indoor soccer with him our freshman year, I'm not sure I ever would've played. I can't imagine not playing soccer.
We became close friends at the end of our sophomore year. I'm not sure what brought it on, but it's been a great friendship. Some of the best stories I know involve Jason. I don't have enough time to share them all now, but if I share a few, you might understand why we click.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg. From nicknames to flea markets, it's been a ton of fun. It's good to have friends like Jason.
Saturday was non-stop. I'm almost too tired to type. But for you, faithful reader, I will carry on and make it happen. You can thank me later. Woke up this morning and headed up to Walnut Hills to participate in our local extension of Clean-up Cincinnati. Dale, Jim, Larry and me joined countless others walking the area streets picking up trash. It was great to traverse sidewalks I haven't before, meeting quite a few people. A popular misconception of the city is that the city is cold- that people are unfriendly. I swear I heard, "how you doing?" from more people this morning while walking the streets than when we circled the lake in suburban Landen.
I came home briefly to change my clothes to play soccer in a recreational league. This was an outdoor league to compliment my Friday night indoor league. The team I'm playing with was put together, meaning no one knew each other. I was probably the oldest person on me team but, hey, I have the ever-youthful look. I didn't do too bad. I felt a lot better moving with the ball, and was able to create some good things. Since no one is a keeper on the team, I played the second half between the pipes. I posted a clean sheet [no goals allowed], which ain't bad for 5 feet, 9 inches. It was a beautiful day to be out playing.
Then I came home, showered and we left for Jeff Lyon and Jess Finuf's wedding. This was our second trip to Christ's Church at Mason in the same week, and we had a great time seeing some old friends again. And for those CCMers that we didn't get to see this week, I truly apologize. Who knew it would be so hard to talk to hundreds of people in a few hours? We really love you people.
Anyway, about the wedding. It was beautiful to see Jeff head over heels [literally] for his bride. Loves her so much, he just couldn't stand [for] it. And then there was the reception. Perhaps the craziest, alcohol-free wedding I've ever witnessed. I just wish the DJ had turned the music up a little more; I still have 6% of my hearing left. Highlight of the night: having Dan Blair, Jamie Johnson, and Dale Reeves sweat all over me. Yes, I feel dirty.
Oh, and I'm pretty sure all of Warren County held Kaelyn tonight. That being said, I'm trying to figure out why I was the only one who had to change her diapers. Shout-out to the Handels who made the trip from Iowa to support the happy couple. Dang, we miss them.
Tomorrow won't slow down either as we have another full day ahead. But we're young, and dumb, so bring it on.
There's a litany of things I swore I'd never do but eventually did. And, usually, it all turned out for the better. I tried Chinese food. I wore sandals. I bought a Mac.
And the list goes on.
Today I add to the list yet another thing. After a conversation with my friends and ex-coworkers Alex and Erin yesterday, I realized it was time to give in:
I finally created a Myspace page.
I'm a web-whore.
I really hate Myspace. I think it's an ugly site. I've had lots of people in their twenties recommend it to me, but after listening to Alex [who is no longer in his twenties to say the least] I decided it was now time.
So you can find me at www.myspace.com/beitcarr. Add me as a friend. Send me emoticons. Blah, blah, blah.
God help me.
We struggled long and hard about naming Kaelyn. We knew the name would stick with her for her entire life [unless she goes Prince on us and replaces it with a symbol], so it's something we didn't want to screw up. I've already noticed that Kaelyn's a name that you have to repeat to a few times to people who have never heard it. True, the first day of school will be difficult, but it it's not too common. It's a beautiful, unique name that should serve her well. So I wonder how long and hard TomKat thought about the name of their little girl Suri. In an effort to be creative, they sought out a Hebrew name they thought meant, "princess." It's actually, most likely, a derivative of the name Sarah meaning, "Lord." In modern Hebrew, it means "Cabinet Minister." And you thought Kaelyn was bad [by the way, it's Gaelic for "meadow"].
Here's an article about it. My favorite quote in this article is from an Israeli television reporter commenting on the confusion taking place there about the name: "We seem to have learned a new Hebrew word — and from Tom Cruise, no less."
This whole incident reminded me of this article an Old Testament professor wrote about Hebrew tattoos. When you start messing around with another language, especially one that has so many little nuances, just make sure to double check the original meaning.
1) Russell Smith is the Pastor at Covenant First Presbyterian Church downtown- one of the oldest [if not THE oldest] Protestant Church in town. Yes, he's a Presbyterian [they look just like us]. And I've never been friends with many Presbyterians. So for that, I like him. 2) He's tremendously intelligent. If you read his blog, keep the Merriam Webster website up in an adjacent window to figure out some of the words he uses. But despite this . . .
3) He doesn't think less of you for not knowing what he knows. The other day I ran into him at Panera and we started discussing our ministries. He likened his current situation to that of Athanasius. At first I nodded my head but finally gave up and admitted I had no idea what he was talking about. He stopped and explained it to me in a non-condescending manner, that I thoroughly appreciated. Now I know who Athanasius is.
4) And finally, insightful writing like this that forces us Christians to examine how we live out our faith. I was so impressed that I had to write this entire post about him.
Thanks for making us smarter, Russell!
This new video game will help you. HT: KaleoBill
The good news here at Beit Carr: I didn't make this list.
Wayne: Am I supposed to be a man, am I supposed to say it's okay, I don't mind? [splashes water in his face for tears] I don't mind? Well, I mind! I mind big-time! And you know what the worst part is? I NEVER LEARNED TO READ!Cassandra: Is that true? Wayne: Yes . . . everything except the reading part.
OK, truth is, I can read.
I actually enjoy reading. Let me restate that: I enjoy reading now. Somehow I never warmed to the assigned reading given in school. But since I wrapped up the previous phase of my academic career, I've been perusing volumes at a torrid rate [reading helps your vocabulary . . . reading a thesaurus]. I can wrap up one or two books a week, flying through pages as if it's a race.
But since we've made the move to the city, I've found it difficult to get back into books. I'm not quite sure why, but I can't bring myself to want to finish, or even start, a book. It's not that I've given up reading. I've actually been reading the Bible and Biblical commentaries much more than I ever have, yet I still can't get back into books.
I know I'm going to overcome this eventually, but I'm trying to discover what's at the root of this. Here's what I've discovered. 1) I don't read fiction. I'm not sure if I've ever admitted this here, but I just can't read fiction. I've read about four fictional books in the past five years. If I want to get wrapped up in a story, I'd prefer to rent a movie and get it over in two hours as opposed to multiple days. If I'm going to spend my time reading, I want to get some info out of it than a story. I'm a jerk like that.
2) I read online. I spend at least an hour reading online each day. I read all sorts of things, from news to theological articles to various blogs. I'm still assimilating new information, but it's not in paper form. I guess this makes me a better environmentalist because no trees die so I can read on the internet . . . except the ones I go chop down to get exercise after spending so much time online. 3) I'm listening more. The iPod and high-speed internet have increased the opportunity for my preferred learning avenue. I'm definitely a better aural learner than visual, so listening to various sermons, podcasts and seminars have allowed me a different way to get info. 4) I'm writing more. And not just here on the blog. I've been typing thoughts on various subjects as well as all my sermons. Encouraged by Aaron a few years ago, I began manuscripting my messages and it's been a great habit. Of course, reading helps you become a better writer, so maybe this isn't the best reason. 5) I'm a more selective reader. I really don't think some of the people writing popular books today should be writing. As a minister, I tend to read theological-type literature. Stopped by a Christian bookstore today and the only books I had any interest in purchasing were written by people who have been dead a long time. I struggle reading devotionals because I already have this really cool devotional called, um, the Bible. And almost all those church growth books are crap, so I'd rather not spend the money and be ticked off later.
I'm sure I'll get back into "book learnin'" soon. But, right now, I'm doing fine.
Here's a photo from Saturday [thanks, Dave!]. That's five generations of women, from nine weeks to ninety-three years.
What's happened to Tom Cruise? He used to be the coolest celebrity in the world! Now he's just creepy. I've written about him and Katie Holmes before, so I couldn't let this opportunity slip by. Tom Cruise wants to eat placenta after baby's birth.
OK, so it's already come out that Tom made the statement as a joke during a GQ interview. But if you joke about something like that and some people actually believe it, what does it say about the state of your wackiness?
In the delivery room with Kaelyn, I jokingly asked if they could pack up the placenta for me. All the nurses and doctors chuckled. None of them thought I was seriously seeking a doggie bag.
Of course I didn't demand that my wife remain silent during delivery. Nor did I refuse anesthetics for my wife. Oh, and I didn't advocate that we not bathe the baby and leave her alone that first day. But then again, I'm not a doctor [Oops! Neither was L Ron Hubbard].
Tom Cruise is now a caricature. He will never be taken seriously again.
I wouldn't imagine that A-1 would help it go down any better.
So here's what's happening with Echo. Yesterday was the half year mark- six months since our first service. Considering that the true church plant litmus test is, "are you still alive?" I would say that we're doing really well. We have about twenty committed core members, in addition to a slew of people who have checked us out. We've been able to reach out to a handful of people in the community and are planning on reaching out this spring and summer to our neighborhood. We knew it would be a slow process at first, but it's definitely been worth it.
Using the Walnut Hills Christian Church has gone well. They've been great landlords as we've maintained WHCC as our meeting place. There was the Sunday that the boiler just happened to go out . . . on the coldest day of the year. But we planned ahead and brought some portable heaters . . . which were useless as we blew some fuses. So we ended up huddled in the church parlor, all wearing our coats as one little heater tried to warm up the 44 degree room. But, as most resourceful church plants, we managed to make due.
Our people have been phenomenal. It's been a wonderful experience getting to know each other better. There have been quite a few instances so far when someone at Echo has had a rough time and really needed support and we've been able to provide it for each other. And they've been willing to step up and get the job done. It's a huge blessing to journey with people like this.
And we brought on a new staff member. Tye Von Allmen [the schlep who only reads this blog when he's mentioned] is our now our worship leader. Tye just returned last week from his honeymoon as he and his wife Andrea settle down here to get their music careers going. By the way, you really need to check out their stuff here and here. It's been awesome to have Tye, not only because he's a great guy, but his ministry has freed me from having to lead worship and focus on my teaching on Sundays.
So six months in, things have gone well. But now, it's on to what other things God needs us to be doing.
We desperately want to reach the neighborhood, but it's been difficult to get our name out there. In order to accomplish this, we're going to do an extensive marketing campaign at the end of the summer, declaring Sunday September 10th as the day we relaunch Echo.
A few things about how/why we're doing this:
1) I had hoped we would be able to grow more organically and not have to use marketing techniques. Unfortunately, that's not been happening as easily as I had hoped for. I'm sure we could wait for a few years and see it happen, but I don't think it's worth it. Our concern is for the people of the city and the sooner we're able to get our message out there the better. And it's impossible to get the message out there unless people know that we exist. So we need some marketing to get our name out.
2) I've never liked church marketing. Even the terminology makes me feel icky. We've lived in places around town where we received numerous postcards from churches trying to get people to attend their gatherings. However sick I was of their postcards out in the suburbs, we realized that no one is doing it down here. Six months living here and not one postcard has hit our door. Probably because few new churches are being started here. Somehow we need to let this community know that there's a new church in town. A postcard mailing is, most likely, the best and most cost efficient way to get that accomplished.
3) We have financing. If we had to use our own money to do it, I'm not sure it would be the best investment. A mailing is useless if you can't afford to pay the rent. But God has blessed us with the opportunity to do the mailing because of the support of the Christian Evangelizing Fellowship. This group has been planting churches in Cincinnati for over fifty years. They believe in us and our ministry and want to give us the best opportunity to get started on the right foot. Without their support, I doubt a mailing would be possible.
4) We're not ONLY counting on this mailing. This is just one aspect of what we want to do to get our name out there. I, for one, have been working hard to create community contacts to let people know about Echo. And we're going to use the summer as a chance to do a few outreach events for the more needy people in our neighborhood. And for months, we've been praying that God would give us fifty core members by this summer. We're not putting our faith in a mailing, but in God to bring us the people we need to be a more effective community.
I don't view our first six months as a failure. Quite the opposite, it was necessary for us to see that Echo was possible. Over a year ago, when Kelly and I decided we needed to move to the city and start a church, I had no idea how or if it would work. But God has used these past few months to reassure us that Echo is needed here. Our core group is getting stronger, our vision is getting clearer and we have survived.
There's a lot of work ahead of us, but we're looking forward to it. Of course, it won't be easy, but nothing worth it ever is. If you know people who might be interested in joining us on the journey, let me know. And if you know people who want to support us financially, we have yet to turn someone down. But most importantly, pray for us as we try to make a difference in this city for Jesus.
Just got back from watching the Reds at GAB. I think they might sweep the Marlins. That's what's great about baseball in April: we're all delusional enough to think that our team can keep it up and make the World Series. I still have a dream, friends. A boring, quick update post for tonight:
Kaelyn was up between 2 and 4am, so another night of little sleep. I'm ready to bribe the little girl into staying asleep.
Had to get a new tire as the old one couldn't be patched. Had it bought and back on the car by the afternoon.
On this, a weekend-delayed Tax Day, I got my tax return back. And for the first time ever, we have something to spend it on. More on that in a few days.
Kaelyn had a doctor's appointment today. Had to get four shots, but Kel said she was a trooper and didn't really cry. She's developing well, way ahead for a premie. She's up to 9 pounds, 5 ounces.
And, finally, talking to people up at Mason yesterday, a lot of people commented that they check out the blog only to see if there's an update on Kaelyn. So I thought I'd please the masses and throw up a pic. Kelly took this one this evening. It's a winner.
In the words of Nick Burns, "And by the way: you're welcome!"
Here's the weekend recap: Friday:
Saturday
Sunday
And that's all I have to say about that.
Tonight [or this morning, however you like it] we left the house at 12:30am to go walk up a bunch of steps. But they're not just any steps. These are part of a sacred tradition in the lives of thousands of Cincinnatians. They're so hallowed that they're even getting a million-dollar makeover sometime in the next few years, despite the fact that they only see major traffic one day a year.
The Good Friday tradition of "praying the steps" is one of the best known spiritual events in the city of Cincinnati. The ascent of the 85 stairs from St. Gregory Street to the Holy Cross-Immaculata Church in Mount Adams, is a tradition that dates back 150 years. The priest at the church explained the history in a recent Cin Weekly article:
"The whole story seems to be that in 1850 our Bishop Purcell (namesake of Purcell-Marian High School) was returning from a trip from Rome when his ship encountered a very terrible storm. People wanted to gather together and pray, and during that prayer he apparently promised God that if they were saved from the storm, he would erect a church at the highest point in Cincinnati.
"So, when he got back, he erected a cross at the top of the hill, marking the place for the church. From the beginning there weren't many streets up here, so people used to walk this mud path up the hill, especially on Good Friday to pray. Then the city built steps all over Mount Adams because it was a way for people to get up here.
"The church building was finished in 1859. The steps began as wood, then concrete - actually the city's supposed to redo them again." And it's been a Catholic tradition ever since.
I know what some of you are already thinking. Steve: you're not Catholic. That is correct, but after much thought, I don't give a rip. Nobody forced me to pray to Mary, so all was well. And the whole climb took over an hour, so an hour of prayer never hurt anyone, especially me.
I always wanted to pray the steps, and when we moved to edge of Mount Adams I was certain we'd make it there. With Kaelyn coming early, I thought this might be a family tradition that we could start this year. The weather was perfect for it, and Kelly suggested a nighttime trip as opposed to daytime. So we packed up the sleeping baby in the car, parked a block away from the church, loaded Kaelyn into our handy-dandy baby backpack, and headed on up.
There was a good crowd there already; we saw quite a few young people who were joking right up until they reached the foot of the stairs and then got silent. Once you hit the stairs, there was a calmness that came over the observers. I swear, the trek was about as moving as some of the experiences we had in Israel. Standing on each step, holding my wife's hand with my daughter snuggled on my chest, offering prayers of praise to God was wonderful. It was a great night.
Three observations:
1) What a way to start off Good Friday! I rarely have stopped to observe the day that Christ was crucified. We Protestants tend to jump right past the day and get Jesus out of the grave ASAP. I'm forever grateful for an empty tomb, but I hope I can always take the time to be somber because of Christ's sacrifice on the cross. His brutal death is my reason for hope. That's why the day is Good, but it first had to be horrific for it to end up Good.
2) Not being Catholic was a distinct disadvantage when it came to the journey: no Hail Mary's or Our Father's to throw out. It's a little intimidating, thinking that you have to come up with something for each of the 85 steps, but once I started praying I almost wanted to slow it down a bit. There's been too much to be thankful for this year.
3) Kaelyn did really well. About two-thirds of the way up she started getting antsy. Kelly had brought an emergency bottle, with only a small amount of milk, which the little girl downed in no time. She then proceeded to fall back asleep. I'll brag: everyone was looking at her because she was so cute. Who knows: she might be the youngest person to ascend the steps this year [I'll take the assist].
I'll wrap this up with a beautiful photo of Kelly and Kaelyn with the church in the background:
What a wonderful night!
We've reached the five year point since the Cincinnati "riot." I put "riot" in quotes because it shouldn't have been classified as a riot. The killing of an unarmed Timothy Thomas at the hands of a Cincinnati police officer was an excuse for this extended thuggery; it was an unseasonably warm week, Spring Break for Cincinnati Public Schools, and people used this as an excuse to go crazy. I'm not saying that there aren't still racial issues that are city needs to solve, but "the riot" was more about vandalism than racism. It put an unnecessary black eye on the city that has yet to fully heal. So with the shooting today of Kabaka Oba, a local activist from Over-The-Rhine [where the "riot" took place], people were shocked. Even more worrisome was the fact that it happened just outside City Hall, minutes after he had spoken to City Council. Conspiracy theories were easy to find [read this article with some absurd quotes], with some people assuming it was an organized hit. The reality: Oba was shot by someone he knew who had a personal gripe against him.
This actually happens all around America every day: a victim being familiar with person who assaulted him. But when it happens in the city, it always has to be about something more, some societal ill we haven't resolved. And all we're left with is that the city is crazy. Too crazy.
This is how it works here in Cincy: the local television stations lead with the story at 5:30, 6:00, & 11:00 [10:00 on WXIX], each claiming to have exclusive info and breaking developments on the story. Reporters interview anyone who had anything to do with the crime, but especially people who have nothing to do with it [see: politicians and activists]. They pander to suburbia's worst fears. They reaffirm to the people who left town that they made the right decision, that they're much safer living farther out. And our cities are left to fend for themselves.
I'm starting to believe that our town might be oversaturated with media coverage. With so many entities trying to outdo each other, fanaticism is bound to happen.
Hence, "the riot."
I'm just ticked that many people's only perception of the city is drawn from the interpretation of a few local news producers. The truth is, things are bad. But they've always been bad. And they always will be bad. But I'm just not convinced it's as bad as we're led to believe. No one lives in utopia.
There are many positive things happening in this city, but we're never allowed a second to enjoy them because we're waiting for the next bit of drama to unfold. Personally, I've had enough drama. I'm about ready to swear off local news.
The city might be crazy, but so am I.
I don't play video games anymore.
I had a Nintendo in junior high [who didn't?] and a Sega Genesis in college [too much free time] but I gave away all those entertainment systems before we got married. I briefly flirted with World Cup 1998 and Tiger Woods Golf, but since then I've gone without.
I don't play video games because I could easily become an addict. I know guys my age who spend hours each day playing PS2 and X-Box. I refuse to become another statistic. I have too many time wasters in my life to succumb to another one. But now:
"Father, forgive me, for I have sinned . . . "
I found Kelly's old Game Boy the other day; yes, a sixteen year-old, LCD, handheld Nintendo Game Boy. For some reason, she's held onto it for all these years. It was packed away in one of our moving boxes [um, from two moves ago]. There's only one game for it: Tetris. But that one game is enough. I've been on a Tetris kick, picking it up during any lull in my day. I can't get enough of it, and it's starting to mess with my mind. I'm seeing shapes in my head and have this innate desire to stack things together really tightly. Plus I've been scouring iTunes for Russian-sounding music.
I might need a twelve-step program to get off this thing.
Here's an article the Enquirer did on MoCA, the new coffee shop that moved into Walnut Hills. They have great coffee and free Wi-Fi. I'm hoping to go up there tomorrow morning and get some work done.
