Continuing the Conversation recaps some things we talked about on Sunday and invites continued engagement with the conversation.  Hopefully, it’s one more avenue for Beggar’s people to keep engaging as well as an invitation for folks not with us on Sunday to join in.

Sunday we began a series on Jonah.  The question I found most provocative as we looked at the first chapter was, “how do we react when bad people prosper?”  If I’m honest, it’s relatively easy to say things like, “God’s mercy extends to all people”, but much harder to live in that reality sometimes. 

It was also interesting to view chapter one of Jonah as a study in depression.  Thanks for the conversation…

 I just finished this book – what a fantastic read!  Anyone who’s game for an intriguing, mysterious, and profound narrative should pick it up.  Casares’ story works on many levels and the plot slowly reveals itself in an incredibly provocative fashion.  Although it’s relatively difficult to find good stories, it’s even harder to find good stories that are well told.  If you love the art of good story telling, mystery, and intrigue you will love this.  It doesn’t hurt if you’re a science fiction fan either. 

By the way – the book opens a somewhat existential dialogue about the nature of humanity and existence itself.  Although I don’t agree with the most obvious conclusions, what a great conversation…

Moving to the Crossroads…

It’s official – Beggar’s Table Church is moving to Kansas City’s crossroads district.  Last night we visited our new space and held a prayer time over our continued mission and ministry. 

I’m soooo excited and happy to finally have a cohesion between our location as a church and who we are.  Here’s a glimpse, however, of my warped personality (something my wife has to live with daily).  In the midst of my genuine excitement and joy, I insist on brooding over potential setbacks and misfortunes.  I swear I can’t help it!  Anyway, we’re stoked over our move and last night was a blast, but I assure you, being in an anonymous location has one distinct advantage: no ones mad at  you. 

Leadership is something I do…not necessarily something I’m good at……

Continuing the Conversation

Continuing the Conversation recaps some things we talked about on Sunday and invites continued engagement with the conversation.  Hopefully, it’s one more avenue for Beggar’s people to keep engaging as well as an invitation for folks not with us on Sunday to join in.

Last night we were privileged to have Sally King share with us about depression and grief and how the church can embrace and respond in a healthy manner to these very real conditions.  Among other things, Sally emphasized that depression is an increasingly common illness that isn’t easily “fixed” by simple prayers, good wishes, and one-time spiritual events.  It was very educational and helped us as we strive to be a congregation that breaks the church’s conspiracy of silence about depression and embraces grief and suffering in the prophetic tradition.    Thanks Sally!

Memphis BBQ

We are back in KC having survived the family vacation.  Although we’ve taken many road trips before with our young kids, this was the first family vacation where our children actually behaved like they were a brother and a sister traveling a long distance in the backseat together.  In other words, there was a lot of arguing, yelling, and whining…and some of it was from the kids. 

The highlight of our trip (for me) was stopping in Memphis for BBQ dinners on the way to Gulf Shores and on the way back.  On the way there we stopped at a lesser known joint located down the street from Graceland.  It’s called Marlowes and was quite an experience.  I inadvertently wore a Jayhawks shirt into the restaurant only to have the manager call me out in front of the entire restaurant shouting ”You gotta be kidding me – you wear that here!”  Among the comments I heard throughout our dinner were, “you’ve got a lot of nerve” and – my favorite – “rock chalk my a__!” 

On the way home we stopped at Corky’s – a well known destination. 

My brief observations of Memphis BBQ – it’s all about the pork.  Both places featured pictures of pigs…I found out Memphis is all about pork which means ribs are what you order…no beef sandwiches. 

The places that sell the good stuff in KC are not traditional restaurants.  In other words, you wait in line (more often than not) and order food “cafeteria style.”  In Kansas City you pretty much only order BBQ…nothing green is available except for coleslaw.  Both places in Memphis, however, were very much restaurants.  They offered a lot of other dishes besides BBQ and had waiters and waitresses filling your drinks.  Overall good stuff, but KC BBQ has nothing to worry about…