stir the pot

I had the opportunity to visit my parents in Peru a couple weeks ago. I was brought back to my culinary roots. I was reminded anew that there is no better flavor than the “sazon” that is masterfully concocted in a Peruvian kitchen.

Chifa - Peruvian Asian Fusion

Cilantro Rice with Calamari

Ceviche

Comida Criolla (Medley of Peruvian dishes) - Arroz con mariscos, papa a la huancaina, tamal verde, lomo saltado.

Seafood Buffet - ceviche mixto, causa con camaron, conchitas a la chalaca, sushi

Seafood Buffet - papa con camaron, pescado enrollado con esparago blanco, chicharon de pulpo, arroz con mariscos

Provecho!

I don’t appreciate the feeling of being bamboozled. That awful moment when you realize that what you have purchased is something entirely different than what you thought it was.

Several weeks ago I had it happen at breakfast while drinking apple juice. I noticed the subtle way that the label was suggesting that there was something more to the story behind what I was drinking. There I was drinking what tasted like, smelled like, and even looked like 100% natural apple juice.

But it wasn’t, inasmuch as apple trees do not naturally produce one single huge concentrated apple per tree. The stuff is made from concentrate and made in the “style” of natural.

When again did natural become a “style”?

*Bamboozled*

I kind of felt the same way after reading a local chain restaurant promoting their “NEW SIGNATURE” sandwiches, only that time I caught the apparent contradiction and simply shook my head. But this time I had PAID for the stuff and was drinking juice that had the appearance of what I was looking for, but that in essence, wasn’t it at all.

***

I wonder sometimes if we don’t do this with grace?

You know, where we sing songs with lyrics like “NOTHING but the blood of Jesus…” and read verses from Hebrews that state:

“Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more” (10:17)

“So also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.” (9:28).

Or others from Romans that tell us:

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (8:1)

“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” (8:15-16)

…only to then include a bunch of our personal fears or biases - ultimately additives - that take the amazing right out of grace and that suggest we still have payments to make on our love lay-away plan, or that God is still angry at His family as He punishes us with all sorts of crazy stuff. Is our message “God is Love, so you better be VERY, VERY afraid?”

Does the message of the Gospel of GOOD NEWS smell, look like, and initially taste like grace, and yet leave us with the bitter after-taste of religion and self-performance to maintain fellowship with God?

Do we present a God who is loving during the preview weekend and orientation, but then turn him into a stern task master once the “application for enrollment” is accepted and classes begin?

Our world is thirsty for forgiveness and reconciliation and love from God. And I believe God wants us to be 100% representatives of Jesus, who is Grace himself, and not adopt a “style” that merely resembles God’s unfailing, never-ending, undeserved, unearned forgiveness and love for us.

“So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” - The Apostle Paul in II Corinthians 5:16-21

I’m thirsty for Grace. The 100% All JESUS kind of grace.

Last spring a friend I met on twitter invited me to join a conversation he was having on his blog around the simple question: What is The Good News? It was such an honor to be part of the conversation with a diverse bunch of people from around the world.

Once the series concluded, JR Woodward had the idea of compiling the vignettes into a book. And said book is finally here. I’d like to thank JR once again for inviting me to be part of the conversation, which is a conversation we hope never stops, but spreads.

I am sure everyone of the pastors, church planters, bloggers, and authors who contributed shares the hope that you’ll enjoy this new book, ViralHope. (It can be purchased online or directly from Ecclesia Press for bulk rates.)

The Good News is good because the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection changes the personal story of those who choose to embrace its reality and power for today. When the pain, unmet expectations, and missed opportunities, the emptiness and struggle of our life stories encounter the Light of God’s love and His unyielding desire to mend what has been broken, something good and worth sharing happens. - Excerpt from my essay.

The first meeting.

I marvel at what God has done in one year.

This week last year there were six adults and three children who were on board to plant Bloom - Luke and Amy, Rodney and Dawn, Stephanie and myself and our kids. I remember the excitement that was mounting for our first Bloom informational meeting. The whiteboard was ready, cookies and coffee were fresh and hot, and we had our presentation planned and on the tips of our tongues. We had invited some friends and let others who were interested to hear about the church plant know about the meeting that was to take place in our basement.

And we prayed. In fact, up until that first meeting, the bulk of what we had done was only pray. Months and months of praying… and now the meeting day.

Would they see the cause? Would we be able to unpack all the excitement that God had placed in us? Would others join the cause and help us plant? We were looking completely to Jesus to see this through.

For the most part, the meeting is still a blur in my memory. All I remember was the excitement in the room, the attentiveness of all who came, and the bustle of animated conversation that followed when we concluded. I remember going to bed that night with the biggest smile on my face. 17 of the 19 who attended were on board.

It was really going to happen.

God was really going to plant this church.

And He has.

He used a group of unlikely friends and amazing people to plant more life in St Paul. What an amazing memory this will always be for me.

I had a cup of coffee last week with a new friend who is an amazing musician. She told me she wrote a song after coming to Bloom. After reading the lyrics, I had to thank God that the message of His love and forgiveness is being heard.

Here are the lyrics to the song she wrote and said I could share on my blog. She plays tomorrow night in Minneapolis. I’m looking forward to her show. (Tickets here.)

Someday soon I’ll stop smoking, cut the habit of my drinking,
sell all of my posessions and be new.
Someday soon I’ll learn to breathe again and easily take in the wind,
that winter’s cold catches in my lungs.
Someday soon I’ll learn to hold my tongue
when temptation asks me if I could use a little “harmless sin-like fun.”
Someday soon I won’t get down with boys who just don’t get my source of life,
called God, called Hope, called Christ; but still I do.

Still I do, still I do, still I do.

Someday soon I’ll press my feet upon the pedals of my bicycle
and travel across the country, just to see it.
Someday soon with my guitar I’ll play every single corner dive bar stage
from New Orleans to Thunder Bay and every state between them.
Someday soon I’ll buy a half-breed dog to feed and take on long ass walks,
just to prove I’m able of not forgetting to.

Some day soon, someday soon, someday soon.

Well I went to church hungover from the whole month of October,
yeah, and most the year before this morning came.
Well I walked in feeling guilty, like the filthy whore they named me,
and found my seat near 40 minutes late.
But the preacher, he said “congregation, this will only take a second to say.”

He said “Grace is not a concept; it’s a person we call Jesus.
And every fault you fathom, he forgave.”
He said, “Open up your hands - imagine nails that pierced right through.
See the first and next commandment condemnation never held a candle to.”

So if you want to change, so if you want to change, so if you want to change,
then understand your Savior waits.

Then understand your Savior took the blame, he took the blame.

-Naomi Dornfeld

ps: A song from her concert in Mlps.

Today I made a killer batch of fresh guacamole for lunch. It was awesome.

But my guacamole has not always been this good. In fact, it was merely mediocre until I tasted my friend Amy Dusek’s guacamole at a game night at our friends Craig and Rachel’s home. I remember nothing other than the guacamole that night. It was epic. I was convinced she had found a recipe from ancient Greece - because this was some serious ambrosia.

I left that night reassuring myself that someday I, too, would make guacamole like that. I was determined.

But my next batch was uneventful. I tried making guacamole again after that and it was still mediocre. In fact, I remember one day my wife Stephanie had some friends over and I whipped up some for them because I wanted to know what they thought.

“Too much onion.”

“Good. But it’s still missing something…”

I now look back at all those blasé batches of guacamole and realize how important they were to me experiencing amazing guacamole today. Each time I tried making it, and then was brave enough to share it, and then, most importantly, asked for feedback, I got closer to what I make now.

Attempting then failing. Then asking for feedback. Attempting again, asking for more feedback, only to try again.

In life, I want to be unafraid to attempt something, invite someone to taste, then ask for feedback.

Because it makes for amazing guacamole… among other important things.

Guacamole:
Avocados
Red Onion
Fresh Cilantro
Roma Tomatoes
Fresh Lime Juice
Fresh Garlic
Kosher Salt

…I’d give you amounts, but this way is more fun. Perhaps you should try a batch and ask someone to taste, and then ask for their feedback.

I wrote a simple question in my notebook on my first day at work, nearly four weeks ago.

Can I make a difference in nine weeks?

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this experience and I wondered if the time frame was too narrow for me to even notice any difference being made. And now having learned that my contract has been cut short and that today is my last day, I’m left reflecting on the time I did have working with all of you.

I want to say thank you. It was fun getting to know so many of you. Despite the mountains of work you all bravely encounter daily, you found time to small-talk with me by the copy machines as you waited for Joan/Bev/Barb to be done printing their PQBs. (I’m pretty sure that machine belongs to them!)

Norma, thank you for always being so kind.
Paula, thanks for the pretzels and triscuits.
Cindy/Kaitlyn, thanks for always being so willing to print up more faxes.
Joan/Bev/Barb, thanks for always delivering the PQBs with a smile.
Sara, thanks for sharing your story with me and letting me read the poem you wrote.
Amy, thanks for always reminding me that Friday was right on the horizon.
Crystal, thanks for putting up with the fax beeps by your desk.
Rachel, thanks for the egg salad sandwich and for always opening the door for me.
Sherry, thanks for offering to let me use your hand lotion after a long day of folding letters.
Ann, thanks for all your good humor and quick whit.
Karen, thanks for sharing your “southern belle” drawl with all of us.
Jack, thanks for always being willing to fix the postage machines when I got stumped.
Michelle, thanks for putting in that good word when my wife came to visit.
Dawn, thanks for the “framable” forms and good conversations.

And Bridgett, thanks for sharing your family photos with me. It was the most meaningful moment of my entire time there.

Taryn, Stanley, and Troy - my brothers in the struggle against the ever increasing mountains of paper - thanks for all the laughs and for making what would have been boring work thoroughly enjoyable. I hope I’m better at “the game” by the time we all see each other again. Shoot. I just lost, didn’t I? Oh, and don’t forget rule 13…or 9,000.

Sandee, thank you for giving me this opportunity to be on your team and for being such an inspiring leader. It was a pleasure to be able to work for you, even if only briefly.

I guess what I’m saying is that you all turned the tables on me. I was aiming to make a difference and I’m not sure I had quite enough time, but I do know that you all have made a difference to me. My life journey now moves on, and this chapter in it, though short, will not be forgotten. Thank you all for being so kind.

You all are a great bunch of people. My prayer now is that you’ll continue to look out for one another as you take on the new challenges as your company continues to grow.

(And I also hope that some of you will begin to consider taking a day off here and there.)

Grace & Peace,

Danny “the temp”

Goodbye Party

I’ve resisted writing about becoming bivocational because I dreaded droning on about the factors and rationale behind having elected to take a full-time temporary position as a mailroom clerk on top of being a full-time pastor of a new church plant.

Before I turn that page, let me just say: God is with me. With that certainty I wake up every morning, pack my lunch and head off to do some of the most mind-numbing work I can imagine. Scanning, faxing, folding letters, and pushing ever mounting piles of paper. I’ve told my wife that I manifestly don’t like what I do, but I’m so glad I have this opportunity to do it. I’ve already learned so much about myself and ministry in the process.

I’m ready to break my silence on the subject because today I had two amazing moments with God while at work.

The first came early in the morning, when one of the ladies who works in our office invited me over to see some pictures of her family. Doesn’t sound like a big deal, but considering that everyone in this office is over-time-busy, rushing to meet daily deadlines and quotas for their own mountains of paperwork, I know that the time she was taking to show me these pictures was precious to her. It was the difference between yet another late night in the office and getting home at a decent time.

Among the pictures she showed me were several of her 21 year old son. She told me about him and the fact that he had passed away five months ago. I could tell how deeply she misses him and how much strength she was having to muster up to talk to me about him. It was one of those life moments that pass in slow motion.

It was a real human connection in the midst of computer screens, clicking keyboards, and running copier machines. If Holy really means “set apart,” then this moment was most definitely Holy. This sweet woman invited me into her life for a moment. For those few moments, we both stopped being flesh-covered machines and we were fully human.

“What is compelling this moment? Why the sudden vulnerability? I’m just the office temp that pushes send on the fax machine all day.”

And yet, a bridge was built today.

As a pastor, I long to connect with people in the REAL. I long to experience the times when I know light is shining in dark places. But before today, I’ve often wondered if people were connecting with me because my picture was up on the “pastor’s wall” of the mega-church lobby hallway. Today the moment was pure and unencumbered by all that. The moment was a gift. I walked away sensing that God was showing me that my call as a pastor is not a title that only works in the confines of a church building - it is a gift that is meant to build bridges in the most unlikely of places.

And then the mail machine jams up on me…

My second experience with God came as I was running the postage machine and stamping bins of mail. The mailroom I work in processes A LOT of mail everyday. Today the mail machine jammed on my watch. It happens. It’s not fun when it does. But this time the jam stopped the flow on envelopes and left a letter on the top of the pile that punched me in the gut. On the top of the pile was the name of a close friends who lost his job a couple of weeks ago. And I knew that in that envelope was paperwork set into motion because of his termination of employment.

What are the odds?

PEOPLE ARE NOT NUMBERS, DANNY! THESE ARE NOT JUST LETTERS WITH NAMES ON THEM! ALL THESE NAMES ARE REAL PEOPLE WITH REAL STORIES!

The weight of the moment almost crushed me. Because I know my friend’s story. I sat in his truck a few days after he got laid off and saw the tears in his eyes. I felt his pain. And I began to wonder what the rest of the stories were in the stack of mail bins that were already full.

We are all surrounded by life stories. Real life events. Real pain. Real loss. But the incessant drone of work and duties and efficient postage machines is drowning it all out.

So my reflection on becoming bivocational is one of thankfulness. This temporary assignment is nothing less than a neccesary paper jam in the ministry machine I created in my mind after all these years.

Ministry is not efficient output. Ministry is people.

Ministry is not task lists. Ministry is bridge building.

I can’t wait to see what I’ll learn over the next six weeks. I’m paying attention.

I love cooking. And I love igniting people with purpose that is greater then themselves. Today, both of these passions collide into what I know will be an amazing day. Later this afternoon I join a 12 member team from Bloom to prepare and share a meal at the Family Place , a day shelter for homeless families in St Paul, MN. Not only do I get to cook with friends from my community, but we also get to experience the joy of serving others from our community in St Paul who are at the moment in need.

Our community embrace team fell in love with this organization the moment they connected. Not only are they committed to help families who have had the unfortunate turn toward homelessness get back on their feet, but they are also committed to educating others about the true face of homelessness in Minnesota. Much to our own surprise, 47% of the homeless population in St Paul is youth and children. Like many, we assumed the face of homelessness was predominantly adult men, until the Family Place introduced us to a group of the kids playing with toys in their family room.

The Family Place provides a shelter out of the cold for families to gather and provide support, comfort and direction as they move forward, which is a welcome alternative to having to ride the city bus all day, walk the skyway system, or avoid mall security to stay warm. The shelter has showers, laundry facilities, and computers and staff to assist in job searches and placement in affordable housing.

What caught our attention the most was their commitment to dignity and community connection. And no where is this commitment more obvious then at the dinner table. The food that is prepared by communities of faith and other volunteers is served family style. There are no cafeteria lines, paper plates, or people behind counters handing out food. We all sit together around set tables, volunteers and new friends, and we break bread together in a moment that demonstrates we all have need, the daily need for nourishment. Children, who may have sensed their parents loss of circumstantial control, get to experience their own parents putting food on their plates from dishes at the center of the table.

I had the fortune of planning our team’s menu. I spent quite a bit of time thinking it through. We wanted our meal to not just be food, but a piece of our community. We wanted the dishes to represent us and what we eat at our tables. We want those we meet this afternoon to sense that even in the food we are offering a piece of ourselves, our families, and our own personal histories.

I can’t wait to get the apron on, sharpen the knives, and get to cooking. I can’t wait to see the face of one of my new friends as they take that first flavorful bite. It will be a moment where the mission of Bloom comes alive anew for me, the mission to create opportunities for people to experience the grace of God.

Our Menu:
- Mama Judy’s Beef Au Jus Sandwiches
The best part of this is that Mama Judy herself got excited about what we are doing and has been making 26 lbs of the most tender, succulent beef that has been cooking in an au jus that kings would bathe in if they could.
- Rodney Beans
Our friend Rodney is our AV Team leader and he comes from the great state of Mississippi. His recipe is not for baked beans, it is for “Rodney Beans.” These beans typically make their appearance at Memorial day parties, Super Bowl parties, or on occasions where we beg him to make them.
- Oriental Cole Slaw
We were looking for something with a tangy crunch and thought this would create a good balance to the other dishes. We took a look at several recipes and pulled the best. We’ll see how it goes.
- Corn Bread
This name is a misnomer since it is more like corn cake. This down South recipe has an incredible balance of savory and sweet. This recipe shows up at Joy’s table, Dawn’s parties, and has accompanied Mama Judy’s sandwiches in the past. Our new friends will think these moist bites are dessert.
- Chocolate Cake
Bruce and Susan will be bringing a family recipe and Stephanie will be making a few of her cakes with our girls to give us a head start. We hope they like chocolate, because these cakes will have plenty

If you are looking for a meaningful opportunity to connect with the community of St Paul, check out the Family Place.

This past year has been by far the most challenging year of my life. There were several times I was sure I had reached the end, that I would not be able to go on or get back up. But here I am today, taking a moment to reflect on the wild adventure this year has been, and all is well with me and my beautiful family.

God has been good. He has been very good. And I look forward to the plans He has for us in 2010.

As I welcome the New Year, this is my prayer for all of those that I know and love. It is a Psalm of David.

“May He grant the dreams of your heart
and see your plans through to the end.
When you win, we will not be silent! We will shout
and raise high our banner in the great name of our God!
May the Eternal One say yes to all your requests.”
Psalm 20:4-5 (Voice)

Happy New Year!