Sabbatical highlights

One month in...

Lots of time to be a brother, uncle and son. Learning how to do it better I hope. Civil War Days in Lake Villa, Laser Tag, and Go Karts with Zach and Derrick, plus a rigorous turorial in Halo Reach, among other notable adventures. Lots of trips into Chicago, one of the best of cities, especially in the fall. Bike rides along lakefront, great playlists, catching up with old friends, exploring. Praying. Feeling like a child again. Great for awhile to be just another guy free to roam in the city, discover, eat, drink. Seeing, hearing, receiving, taking in. One blessed day where I got to not only see grandma’s old house on Berteau, but actually go inside, thanks to providential encounter with the owner who happened to be walking out as I was outside. Two theology classes, one on Paul and one on Jesus (can’t go wrong there, right). Good books, getting into some of the emergent/missional authors. Especially liked Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller, which I’m sorry I only now got around to, seven years after its publication (typical for me, late on the trends...) Also getting into Bradbury, fellow Waukeganite. Thanks to Tom for getting me three of his books... very thoughtful, as usual. Visits to other Christian churches, notably Willow Creek (subject for whole other blog) and Life on the Vine (one of Brett McCracken’s “Hipster Christianity” churches, though they are not at all convinced the title applies to them!) Making new friends, especially Dale, the monsignor from Scranton who likes to wine and dine in the city just like me. And can’t forget... Oktoberfest and then The National show at the Riviera with Jeff this past Sunday. Awesome! Rode the Triumph in: way there... fun! way home... brrrr.

Oh yeah... also leaning how to use my new super phone (I was a long holdout).

Working on just a few things, musically. Key song fragment/seed has also been my prayer:

let me drink
and have my fill
and return home rejoicing
that the cup
will be full again
tomorrow

So far, God has been coming through (as usual)! Grateful and happy.

Here is something that moved me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppSCEaT6SIA

Laura Marling. Goodbye England (Covered in Snow).

Modesty, mystery, reserve. She just stands up there like a child, singing and looking up. She plucks the guitar so gently, it's like a prayer. Absolutely beautiful.

and I tried to be a girl who likes to be used
I'm too good for that
there's a mind under this hat
and I called them all and told them
I've got to move

She's an artist, not a product. She seems to know it, though humbly. She's a person, a soul, an angel. Well, actually, no. Better. She's a human being.

A refreshing contrast to some of her higher profile contemporaries.

I speak because I can
to anyone I trust enough to listen.
You speak because you can
To anyone who'll hear what you say

Yes, you speak, and share your voice with us. What a gift that you have trusted me to listen. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Ms. Marling.

I can't give up that quick
my life is a candle and a wick
you can put it out, but you can't break it down
in the end we are waiting to be lit

Amen.