Hanging

My life is really random sometimes.  And I love it that way.

Hanging with the Jews

Last week I got to go to a Messianic Jewish church [which meets in a Baptist church somewhere off of West End].  They were celebrating the Feast of Pentecost.  What I was hoping for was a lot of dancing, lamb, and curly sideburns.  Instead, what I got will be documented in a few photos taken by Josh’s Iphone.

There are two pictures of a 3oo year old scroll.  It is made of horse leather and hand written.  There are no vowels used in the Torah whatsoever [I was too involved in taking in the sight to ask why].  They use the little pointer called a “hand” to keep place.  This way no oils from human hands will age the leather.

The other picture is of a piece of bread cut from a loaf of unleavened wheat bread which is traditionally offered on the first day of the feast.  It was tasty!

The congregation number about 30. It was made mostly of seasoned saints, but there was one guy my age and a few youngsters in the mix too.  The service felt pretty much the same as one at my own church.  There was an open forum for anyone to speak or ask questions led by the rabbi.  I didn’t speak because I’m generally shy in large groups of unfamiliar people, but Josh tore up II Chor. 5.  Then we ended praying around a man who has a lung condition as someone played the piano.  I couldn’t tell any difference from being at my own church with my eyes closed.

After service we went down stairs to the cafeteria to have some fellowship.  I sat at a table with Dave Ramsey’s business partner, Rabbi Ken, Ernie, Josh, and a few other men.  I tried humus for the first time and enjoyed some fruit.

It was a good experience over all.  I’m pretty excited to go back and take my dad.  He loves anything Jew.

Hanging with [Christian] Rappers

The next day I went with Ernie, B. Funk, Joey, and Christian to see Lecrae and few other Christian rapers in concert. The drive down was pretty fun. Joey started writing a rap song, but I’m not sure he ever finished. We got to the venue [Crichton College] about 10 minutes before the show started. Thus, we were in the balcony. At first I wasn’t so excited about this, but when the show started I was thankful. Mainly because I’m a white boy who cannot dance. In the lower level people were getting down with the music while on the balcony I was able to do my own lame white-boy-head-bob and just take in the sight. Ernie and the others accused me of not participating, being something close to a wet blanket, and not enjoying myself.  This was not true.  As I stated above, I’m shy in unfamiliar places with unfamiliar people.
My favorite part of the show was probably when Flame did “Hold On” with Tedashii. At the end of the song, the lyric “Hold on/ Be strong/ Don’t you ever give up” repeats over and over again. The whole auditorium was yelling it at the top of their lungs. I closed my eyes and pretended it was all directed at me. It was a deep. I felt it way down in my heart.

The rest of the show was good too. Overall, Lecrae was my favorite. I’ve heard his stuff the most so I was probably a little biased.

I was only disappointed with two things. First, Lecrae didn’t do “Identity”. Second, in the people they chose to come on stage and dance.  All but one were a little embarrassing.  Memphis did not represent.  It did however make me fill a little better about my own moves.

Hanging out in Heaven

The past two experiences got me thinking about Heaven.

[This seems like a good time to insert a song.]

The goal of both places was to glorify the Lord. Yet, both places were completely different from each other.

God is so big. The human race is made in God’s image. The human race is so diverse. I don’t think “made in His image” just refers us being relational creatures. I think it’s even down to each person’s sense of humor, artistic style, way of thinking, and even dance moves. The means of which He gave us to relate to each other. All of it comes from Him. [That's what we call a contradiction around here.]  OK it is that we are relational, but even deeper, all the means that we use to relate to each other.

So what will it look like when we are all in heaven gathered around Him with one cause?  Our only thought is to praise him… forever.  What will happen with Lecrae and Rabbi Ken are sitting next to each other in eternity praising Jesus? I don’t know, but it’s going to be mind blowing. I hope I get to be in the mix.

Hanging with a Five Year Old

This last Wednesday my nephew turned five.

That is insane! I can’t believe it’s already been five years since I was waiting for Heather to have him.  Jackson was my first nephew. I’ve had so much fun getting to know him. I have loved watching him grow into a real interactive human being. He’s so smart and inquisitive. He’s a performer and thinker. He’s shy and silly. He’s a whiner and bender of rules. He’s the perfect little five year old. He’s taught me so much. I hope the next five years go slow.  Here is one of my favorite picture of the two of us.

Hanging out with the toilet

My whole family has been sick all week. It’s been that 24 hour virus where you get achy, start having stomach pains, throw up, and then reverse.

I hoped to miss out on this since I don’t actually live with those who have been sickly. However, on Friday night I got to experience the displeasure of this little bug. Then I felt it in full force on Saturday.  I took most of today to recover.  It was horrible. That’s all I have to say about that.

Hanging out at Shephersville

I’m currently in the middle of finishing my laundry so that I can pack. I’m on my way to a good old fashion camp meeting in the middle of some Kentucky hills. It should be an interesting experience. There will be about 13 guys staying in a hotel with about 5 beds. The meeting should be pretty good too. I’ve never been to another place like it. It’s old and a little smelly, but I love it.

Travis