A Year in Review (In Ten Pictures or Less)

And it has been all about the people.

(clockwise from upper left) Tony, John, and I at Matthew's Wedding. Me in Colorado unaware that a blizzard was imminent. Me running an 8k in Chicago. Pearce and I at MSU. The Fantastic Four on New Year's Eve.

Mandi and I. (I look like a thug.) Charlie, Michael, and I at the Bresa. Ashley and I. Me at Clint's Wedding. My sisters and I on Mackinac Island.

Tony Campolo

This crazy sociologist just won't leave me alone. I just keep going back for more and more of his podcasts. Looks harmless enough right? Ha... yeah right. He has the nerve to actually ask us to do Jesus taught. Well, I'm hooked. And that's the Gospel truth. I'll add more later...

Mission Year Podcast 2: Tony Campolo - Getting Beyond the Kingdom of Ticky-Tack

This was a very important sermon for me to hear at just the right time in my life. The funniest thing about Tony is that he at first comes across as a classic Baptist preacher... but listen a bit longer and I guarantee you'll like what he has to say... though it is hard teaching.

My favorite quotes:
"I'm not hear to tell you about what Jesus can do for you. I'm here to tell you about how Jesus can make you to be the kind of person that really loves people."
"There is nothing more boring than this guy with his Porsche who is like 'I've got a jacuzzi.' Big deal..."
"You say, 'What? Do you want to turn us all into Mother Theresa?' Yeah. That's what I would like"
"I want you to go back to your home churches and have people say, 'We don't understand these kids anymore. They're weird.'"
"I know what you're saying. You're saying, 'Campolo, you're making Christianity too hard. I mean goodness, I was ok with this belief stuff but you're asking me to change the whole way in which I live.' Of course I do! That's what Christianity is all about. Changing the whole way you live."
"Oh, the world is so full of dead people..."

More to come...

The New Apartment

The view from Portage St. It's still a work in progress but you can see the multi-colored movie theater to the far left of the apartments.
The living room... furniture coming soon.
My bedroom, including my childhood bed. Who says you have to grow up?
The kitchen. We need more cabinet space but all the appliances are brand new.
The view upon entry from the hallway.

I think it's going to be a great year in Kalamazoo. I walk to work and never have to actually go outside between my apartment and my office building. (Skywalk!) Should be nice come winter time.

My roommate Kyle is just going to be a cool guy to get to know. I think we have a similar sense of humor and while we have a lot of common ground, our opinions will differ on a number of things as well. I'll appreciate his perspective on many things.

I miss this place....

Ministry

This is Goldsworth Valley 3 at Western Michigan University. The second year of Campus Crusade for Christ at WMU began this week and this is where I'll be helping out as a Cru volunteer. I'm really hoping God blesses our ministry and that the Spirit is preparing men in Valley 3 for our encounters with them. Western is ready for some truth...

15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (2nd Timothy 2:15)

My prayer for the semester...