Cool Church XP

Alan Heading Out. Where to Next?

I love riding my bike, especially during the summer.  Sometimes I just feel the call of the road to get out and go, and I don my gear and start riding.  With nothing but a stretch of asphalt in front of me, I explore God's creation.  God has brought Cynthia and me to that kind of place in life.   We just feel like we have been called to get out and go.

In early October I spent time away at the mountains with Cynthia asking God lots of questions about what He had next for us.  Stay the course at Abundant Life, start an artist’s retreat, a gallery in the city, work with a para-church ministry, all of the above…  I was reading Shane Claiborne’s book “Irresistible Revolution” which challenges Christ followers to “care for the least of these” and could feel God stirring in my heart.  I finished the book and handed it to Cynthia and asked her to read it, too.  I told her I thought God was calling us to do something.

Four days later I was contacted by a recruiter for a rescue mission in California about becoming their new director.  I didn’t open the e-mail for several days, but when I did, my words were (forgive the language) “Crap, this is me.  God, is this what you want me to do?”  I responded to the e-mail about the same way.  “This looks a lot like me.  I think God wants me to talk to you guys.”  In the last few weeks I have emerged as the recruiter’s top candidate for this role.  Earlier this week the recruiter turned over a 20-page profile and a 2-1/2 hour web interview to the mission’s CEO for consideration.   

I don’t know if this is what God wants from the Clothers next; we are holding our next calling with an open hand.  We have recognized that God is calling us to something new, and as such I have asked George and the Elders to transition me out of my role as Executive Pastor here at Abundant Life, so we can both prepare for the future.  In the mean time, I'll be around on staff through December and help out as needed after that.

I have loved my staff role at Abundant Life and love my church family.  I am excited for what God has in store for all of us.   Will you please join Cynthia and I in prayer for whether this position in California is what God is asking us to do next?  And if not, what He is calling us to?  Thank you for your prayerful support and friendship.  I'll keep you updated on how things develop!

Here's the official letter...Download Clother Transition 11.24.10

I can see clearly now...

I mentioned on Facebook that Cynthia and I got new glasses on Monday.  As we drove down the 205 I looked over at the Bank Tower downtown, and it was SO clear.  What a difference. 

Today, however, we are both struggling a bit getting used to the way things look through these new progressive lenses.  Cynthia says it's like being on drugs or something (first time for her wearing glasses, let alone with progressive lenses).  Things don't look the same. 

I can't help but relate our experience with our new spectacles to what it's like to be reborn in Jesus and starting to look at things differently.  And as we mature, God brings more and more into focus as our perspective changes to be more and more like His.  Sometimes we are blind for a while in areas, and one day wake up and say "wow, I see it now!"  The Bible serves as the gateway to our new worldview.

I used a photo of Shane Claiborne's eye up there.  We just read his book, and he sees things differently than many.  He lives on the streets of Philly loving the poor and homeless for Jesus.  That's what the world looks like to Shane.  I think sometimes that God gives us each glasses based on what He wants us to see, where He wants us to grow, to be passionate, so we will naturally go there with lazer like focus.

What is God putting into focus in your life?  What new things does He want you to see?  What are you passionate about?  Where has God called you to grow?

God Speaks through a Plastic Bag in a Bush

After visiting the weekend service at our Sandy Campus today, I wanted to take a few minutes to sit quietly and pray while looking over the Sandy River valley from the viewpoint on Bluff Road.  I headed to Joe's to get a big creamy doughnut and a coffee, and then off towards the viewpoint.

Jonsrud Viewpoint is one of my favorite spots I stop at while cycling.   The view out over the valley is amazing, and you feel like you're on top of the world.  I jump up on the rock wall, sit cross-legged, and just take it all in, remembering how small I am, how big God is, and how He cares about little ol' you and me, even in the simple things.

As I was driving to my destination, I started a mental inventory of my car's trunk trying to think of whether there was an old plastic bag or something in there I could use to sit on since it was kind of wet out.  And then I remembered cleaning out all the trash and stuff a couple of weeks ago.  Hmmm....  I guess I could just stand there for a change.

As I pulled into the parking lot and into the empty space right by the lookout, what is right smack in front of me?  A nice size plastic bag in a bush.  What I needed right there when I needed it, to keep my back side dry as I sat on the wet rocks.  I snatched it up and off I went to my favorite spot.  I sat there quietly, taking it all in, and thanking God that He cares about me.

OK, so maybe the plastic bag was just a coincidence.  Or perhaps a timely reminder that we can see how God takes care of us even in the simple things, if we're willing to look for it.