What's Up at The Wharf...

Upcoming events at The Wharf:

This Saturday (June 28) at 12:15 we will meet at CCC to carpool to the OKC food bank to serve there, we will return to CCC at 3:30...

That evening we will meet back in the foyer of CCC at 5:30 to go to Celebration of Freedom together...

Sunday (June 29) meet at CCC at 4:30 to carpool to Warren Theaters in Moore to see GetSmart, you will need: $7 + cost of food at theater :: student id (for discount) :: a smile (its more fun that way)

July Community Group : Begins July 6 at 6 p.m. in the pavillion at CCC :: Topic = "Isolation Play - Putting on the full armor of God" - you bring yourself, we provide the fun, the dessert, and the volleyball...

Tents & Mountains

I climbed a mountain (or what felt like a mountain) last weekend. I went camping...in a tent. I'm not much of a camper, and I don't feel overly excited about those things that go "bump" in the night. But I do love a good experience, the kind that lends itself to a memorable story worthy of a life-changing challenge. Perhaps you might bare with me for a few minutes...

So, this whole camping thing...From cooking our food over the fire to sleeping outside under the stars (on an air mattress) to watching longhorns and buffalo (or is it bison...) in the wild, I took in the beauty of nature through this first-hand camping account. Saturday morning, though, is what put the icing on the cake so to speak.

I was with a rather large group of TwentySomethings, predominately males (it was almost a 3 to 1 ratio, for which any other time I would be most happy). However, the outdoors seems to ad the "ly" to man--bringing out the true guy within. That's how this whole idea of hiking (which I define as walking and climbing up a slight hill) turned into wading through snake invested weeds and scaling rocky mountainsides. (Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit...but you get the jest).

Between deep gasps for air and water breaks, I managed to survive the intense climb unscathed with only minor cuts. I realize, as I think back on that experience, that the hike--while physically challenging--created community in a way this group had never experienced before. True of any type of situation like this, the physical endurance and ability of each person varies slightly. But this didn't keep us from climbing together, ensuring that all climbers were safe and close to the group.

Life should be like this. So many times we live in isolation when life's circumstances throw curve balls in our direction. We allow the hidden "sticker" bushes to push us into tight, dark holes, believing all is best kept in secret. How untrue this is. Life is to be lived in community, where we intentionally make it a point to reach out to those around us, inviting ourselves to join them on this journey called life.

See, life is hard. Sometimes we're forced to climb rocky mountains, but oh, how we miss the view along the way when we do it alone. It's in those moments that our eyes are fixed on the incredible difficulty that lies ahead. That's why a good friend...a solid community...proves necessary during tough moments.

I finished the hike. It was hard, and I was tired...but I finished. And as I picture that landscape in my mind, I'm reminded of the view from the mountain top. It was breathtakingly beautiful. I'm proud of my achievement. But more so, I'm excited that I didn't have to go alone. The view from the top wouldn't have been the same.

What's your mountain look like? Maybe I could carry your pack for a while...

Rain

It's 9:30 p.m., and I'm lying on my bed listening to the rain pound against the window. I find it a bit ironic how similar life's circumstances are to the rain. There are those times when I think a tornado would be the best way to describe how I feel--how life is quick, unpredictable and scary. Then, there are other moments when it's as it is now outside my window.

I can hear the hail, wind and rain only growing stronger with force. I'm not afraid because I like storms and I'm familiar with these types. Oh, it still causes me, subconsciously, to be a bit more on guard, wondering if perhaps there might be extreme severe weather to follow. But the sounds are familiar enough to bring the reassuring comfort that things will turn out fine.

And then of course...there's that last type of rainy weather. It's the gentle, soothing rain--like that on a summer afternoon, the kind they make CDs of so people can spend 15 dollars to feel like they're sleeping in a rainforest. It's the kind you can dance in without inhibitions of lightening strikes or blowing winds...the kind that makes life a little more worth living because of the fresh feeling to follow.

For me, I've felt the hail storm in my life lately. I realize that life isn't worth living without feeling and emotion. However, it's that risk...that wondering...'what if I try this, and I fail; what if it doesn't work?' that makes it even more difficult. I don't like to get hurt or to hurt others, but this type of rain storm makes no promises of how we'll feel in the end. It simply invites us to take a risk.

So while there's much unknown, there is this one thing I've learned about this type of rain. I may not be able to control the winds or the strength of the hail, but I do determine how much debris I'll carry around.

So what's the forecast in your neck of the woods?

the wharf...

for those of you are are unfamiliar with what "The Wharf" is... It is the name of our new college ministry at Crossings... The Wharf in the dictionary is described as a place where boats can come and refuel and its passengers can rest... And so what better way to describe a ministry than a place to rest and refuel... Welcome to The Wharf!  

Hope everyone is having an awesome summer!  The RedHawks game was awesome last night... too bad we had to leave a little early due to rain... Thanks to all who showed up though!