Real Stories from SYMC #2

Jesus.*

Surely you knew the Sunday school story was coming?!  Seriously – from The Shelter to the speakers, the peer panels to the prayer room, the sack chairs to the sound stage – Jesus is present.  He awaits your arrival with baited breath.  He prays for you – comforts you – holds you up.  He brings times of refreshing in the desert and rejoices over you with singing (and possibly turntables).  He’s the burning bush – the thundering bass – the still, small voice.  He is in your hotel room, the ball room, and the rooms you think no one knows about.  Thankfully, He is omni-present – so even if you don’t make it to SYMC this year…Jesus knows where you are and meets you there.

We’d love for you to meet Him here!  You still have a day to drive.  Go get in the car.  Jesus is standing at the window watching for you.  You don’t need Facebook, Twitter, or even a conference to connect with Christ…simply a heart willing will do.

*Artwork by Art Vader at http://hypnotizedmonkey.org/OsborneGallery/Art_Vader.html – This guy has Darren’s favorite depictions of Jesus ever!!

What Makes You Slow Down?

I did not have time for this today.  Yet, here I sit at Discount Tire….waiting in line with a bunch of other people who also probably didn’t have time for this today, either.

I plan my day before I ever leave the house.  It has to be that way or I drive around this beautiful city by the sea all day long.  So imagine my chagrin as I left that house at 9:10 AM for a 9:00 AM meeting…only to find The Big Green Machine walking with a limp.  She had a gimp leg – a tire that was almost too flat to drive, but not quite.

So the phone calling begins – pushing back all my appointments for the day and hoping I can still squeeze it all in before the boys hail from school – for if not, this stupid flat will seep into my day tomorrow, as well.

Do you ever have days like that.  Days like this.  It was not in my plan…but it was exactly what I needed.

It’s been a really hectic month.  My wife and I were out of town for a week.  We’re in the middle of moving – which also means we’re in the middle of cleaning.  Our church has moved to a new location.  Our eldest starts driver’s ed this month – and all three of our boys have an abundance of after-school spontaneity.  I truly don’t remember the last time I just had to sit and do nothing.

So even though it’s in the midst of rivets and car horns…and although it’s costing money we don’t have budgeted right now….and since it looks like I’m gonna be here a while – I’m gonna slow down for the next hour.   I’m gonna bask in this internet-less office and read my Bible, catch up on my Group magazine, and enjoy watching these guys change 462 tires that I don’t have to change.

What makes you slow down?