random thoughts from a coffee shop

I am sitting at the Daily Grind next to Correy. He is fixated in his book, Crazy Love. I am just sitting here, thinking. I love local coffee shops... for many reasons.













One, being, the non-corporately brewed coffee that is cheap... not the equivalent of 2 gallons of gas. And I love the simplistic names they have for their sizes. Small. Medium. Large. My non college educated brain can't take anything else. One time I was in Starbucks and I was trying to figure out how much a small coffee was, but I didn't see the word "small" on the sizes. I saw "Venti". It really confused me. I wasn't sure if Venti was equivilent to a small, or a little bigger than a small, or a little less than a medium. I don't even know what Venti means. I think its a Greek word or something. (Yes, I do have some opinions against institutionalized coffee. Can you tell?)
Two, I love the local feel. This coffee shop in New Philly epitomizes Ohioans. Simple. Friendly. Sincere.
Three, I love the smell. Every half hour or so Tammy, the owner, grinds up some beans. What is sweet about it, is that there are about 50 containers of coffee beans around the shop, just set out for inquisitive customers like me.
Fourth and last, I love that I would thoroughly enjoy sitting here all day with one or two close friends.

I was thinking about the Church and coffee shops and how the Church has set a subconscious precedent that coffee shops are where discipleship happens, one hour a week. I disagree with that mindset.

When I look at the Gospels, I don't see Jesus sitting by a java bar in Jerusalem, interviewing his disciples, using a structured text in order to prepare 12 men to change the world. I see Jesus walking by the shores of Galilee, yelling at two fisherman "Come! Follow me". I see the two brothers look at each other and throw the caught fish back into the water as they make their way to the shore to take up Jesus's offer. I see the three of them walking, and Jesus saying "Hey, there is this party I got invited to. Its a friend of mine's wedding actually. Lets go!" I see Jesus and the twelve climbing mountains, walking miles in between towns, staying in peoples homes, and eating breakfast at sunrise on lake Tiberius. The point I am making is that discipleship happens in the context of life, not the context of a coffee shop. I agree that a coffee shop can absolutely be setting where discipleship takes place, but the coffee shop is not the means discipleship. The Holy Spirit is.

I love Off The Wall because discipleship happens. It happens in a variety of places and in a variety of settings none of which are constrained to a specific location. The idea of "lets get coffee and talk about the depths of your life in one hour" is so American. Now, I am by no means bashing weekly 1 hour coffee meetings. In fact, I have them regularly. But, the people I meet with understand that our meeting is not the means of an end. Discipleship will not finish when I get in my car and go home. Because, I am being discipled by Jesus, through the Holy Spirit and God's Word, under the authority of Travis Troyer and Don Stubbs who are both under the authority of Countryside Chapel and Almighty God.

Life is so interesting sometimes. God reveals something to you that gets you thinking for weeks and then you realize that what he revealed is just a piece of a bigger picture. And I am like "shoot!". "God, i want to know now!." That is kind of what I feel like now. God is teaching me so much... and I don't know what it is for. But I know "that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

If I knew the reason for everything, it wouldn't be an epic adventure anymore... would it?

It is amazing what a little coffee and the Holy Spirit can do. Now I am excited. And I am going to Texas tomorrow. Sweet.


JN

Quenching the Spirit

I was at the gym this morning in the locker room, and I heard Don singing. Don sings all the time. This morning, he had 'Stronger' by Hillsong United stuck in his head. I think that one is one of his favortites.

Before I came to Off The Wall, I was never much of a singer in public. I have a crappy voice and I never really wanted to have other people hear me sing worship songs in the grocery store or wherever I happened to be in public. But the funny thing is, Don has a pretty bad voice too. He jumps keys all the time and forgets lyrics and mumbles. But he keeps on singing. For Don, singing is about worshiping Jesus, and he doesn't really care what people think or where he is.

I remember the fist time I met Don. It was about a year ago. We were in a Starbucks in New Hampshire, and Don walked in singing as loud as he possibly could. This was my first 'Don experience', as I like to call them. I stood next to him as he ordered his coffee and sang 'The Motions' by Matt Redman as loud as he could to the barista. She just looked at him like he was crazy and didn't really know how to respond. I wanted to go hide in a corner.

In 1 Thesselonians, Paul commands "Do not quench the Spirit of God" or in another translation "Do not put our the Spirit's fire".

I quench the Spirit so much. Probably every day. I can not recount the number of times I have been in a setting of worship at a church or at youth group and God tells me to get on my face and my response is "NO!". I am like "God, what will all these people think of me!?" But the worst part about it is that I am worshiping God with my brothers and sisters in Christ! Why would anyone of us care what position we take in worship. That is the reason we all gather, to worship. And the funny thing is that whenever I happen to see someone on their face or with thier hands raised, I am like "wow. that is awesome. I am going to worship like that." But why are we so hesitant to get on our knees when no one else is. It really should not matter.

Yesterday I was in subway ordering a sandwich. I love subway. It is by far my favorite fast food restaurant. This subway is right across the street from the house and I tend to be a frequent customer. So I see the same guys working there. God has had a way of telling me to talk to people. I don't know what it is, but something inside of me says "talk to this person". I get that a lot. So i am standing in line and I hear God say to talk to the guy making my sub. And I am like "no, i don't really want to right now. I don't want to inconvience myself." So I stood there fore about 2 minutes watching him make my sub and that urge would not go away. So i finally just couldn't take it anymore. So I asked the guy if he liked working at subway and told him that I wanted to get a job there really bad. The conversation really was not that big. I talked to him for about a minute and he gave me my sub and I left. As I was walking home, thoughts just filled my mind as to why I don't listen to the Holy Spirit. So often I repeatedly tell Him "No".

If we are to grow in Christ, it is essentinal that we do not quench the Spirit of God and put out it's fire.

Can you say confidently that in this season of your life you are growing in Christ?

If not, have you ever asked yourself if you quench the Spirit?

Would you define yourself as a passionate, obedient follower of Christ?

I feel like God is teaching me so much right now. I hope this blog encourages you to chase the Spirit and followe wherever He leads. When we are obedient in the small things, like listeing to "God tugs" and asking the cashier at Walmart how her day is, God faithful in giving us opportunites to Glorify Him in the big things.

JN

my random thoughts on Christmas day

I am sitting here on my couch in my parent's warm home, snuggled up next to my dog with a hot cup of amaretto coffee on Christmas afternoon. The vacation has been really, really, special. It is my first vacation as a non-resident of 21 Essex Avenue in South Hamilton Massachusetts. So Christmas is different, but still very much the same.

In a lot of my blogs, so far, I have either told a story or just shared my thoughts. This one, however is going to be written on the spot... meaning, whatever I am thinking at the moment is going to appear on your screen.

It just hit me how much I haven't appreciated the people in my life, until recently, specifically, this past October when I left for Off The Wall ministries in Ohio. Two days ago, I was on a train by my self, headed for Boston. I was going to see 7 of my friends from the Compass program. (This past summer I spent 1 month with 26 youth from all around New England hiking mountains, taking seminary courses, and teaching children English in Costa Rica, all the while learning more about life and following Jesus.) As I was staring out the window, seeing the harbors of the Atlantic pass by I got a very depressed feeling. Now I like being alone, but I am realizing I much prefer the company of people that I love. I am learning that I could go on adventure after adventure to the four corners of the Earth, but if I am not with people dearest to my heart to share the experience with, then the experience is only an experience, not a memory. I feel like to define something as a memory, it must be an experience that is shared.

So as I was on that train, I started thinking about my friends who were awaiting my arrival in Boston. And I got really, really, excited. But the reason I got excited was not that they were just my friends, but they were by brothers and sisters in Christ. I call a lot of my friends brother or sister, but I never actually stop to sit down and think about what that actually means. It blows my mind that my closest friends, are not just my friends, but through Christ's blood, have become by spiritual family. Took look into the eyes and call someone 'brother' or 'sister' knowing that their heart has been captivated by the same Savior that has captivated mine.... that is an indescribable joy that only God could think up. (And He did)

Well I am going to have to sign off. My parents are taking my sister and I on a walk to strawberry hill, a now snow covered marsh that's shores kiss waves of the Atlantic.

So on this Christmas day, I wish you joy and peace in abundance. I pray that you are filled with awe and wonder at the mention of the name of the King, who, about 2000 years ago, lay in a manger as a helpless babe. (historians think Jesus was actually born in March, but that is beside the point)

Remember our Lord today and everyday. His birth, life, death, and resurrection.

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2:8-14


JN

Hope in the midst of sorrow

A good friend of mine recently got back from Piedras Negras, Mexico. Joe has been going there once a month for the past 2 years. He has been building relationships with locals, working with a children's home and doing service projects. His last update really inspired and encouraged me, so i thought I would share it with you. Blessings

JN


"Wow what an amazing gift to have a home in Piedras Negras. This past weekend renewed my mind and humbled my heart. This is the common trend among those who are willing to admit that the power unto all life is within the hands of God. His hands are like that of a mighty warrior, strong to uphold those who are faltering and powerful to defeat the enemies coming to take away the joy of the destitute. Five of us had the oppertunity to follow and learn from a small group of prison ministers this weekend. Somthing amazing happens when you leave your comfort zone and personal agenda behind for the call of Christ, suddenly you become part of the human race. Within the prison walls you find ripe ground for deception, cold stone floors to rest upon, flys to walk upon your skin, cold steel to encamp your spirit, and faces in an ocean of ambiguity wondering why on this planet they exist and wander. Their names are traded for new ones describing their sadness, prostitute, criminal, dog, scoundral, son or daughter of shame. Yet Gods plan is to change those names to ones that represent the sons and daughters of a king. However stern walls and razor wire fences ensure that hope is out of reach, the sky becomes their only means of of escape, yet often that is stolen with their detention to a rigid cell. Yet there on the unforgiving chilled stone floor you find the stark truth of the human condition. We are all beggers, our souls are bare before the Lord who sees our deception, dishonesty, and disgrace. His understanding and insight of who we are as ones fighting against his Lordship brings us into awe of his grace. This weekend the power of the gospel washed my life all over again.
The word contrite, used to describe those with whom God dwells in Isaiah, is not just a mere brokeness. Contrite means ground into a powder, not just undone and sad, not just fractioned into a few pieces, not self pitying and low but crushed and ground into a dust. This is what I experienced in the prison among the the cells. The word gospel, used to describe the message and life of Jesus, is not mere good news. Not simply ask God into your heart and he'll help you do what you can not do, but surrender your life to his Lordship and follow him unto life. It is unparralleled possesion of the entirity of the eternal power of God by gift in Jesus Christ. This is also what I experienced in the prison. The contrite powder of those womens souls was mixed with the water of life, which produces a solid foundation as powdered cement mixed with water produces a solid foundation for a home. Four women in the prison asked to recieve this water of life. After listening to the witness of a restored heart they all were found wanting. Every one had been known as a prostitute, had given their bodies away in hopes to find a lasting relationship of love. Yet none had found it. Anna, the lady who shared her life story, was molested at the age of 5 by her uncle. Everytime she saw her uncle until she was 12yrs old he took advantage of her, forcing her to perform sexual pleasure for him. She made a promise in her heart to kill any man who ever touched her again. She eventually heard how Jesus came to earth, a gift from God, and lived on earth. How he taught and claimed to be the representation of the almighty God that created this very earth. How all people have choosen to reject God and sought to find pleasure in inferior things. How he promised to take away the barrier between herself and this pure God. So she surrenderd her life to him. He changed her name, that now she is a princess, the daughter of the most high king. She still harbored anger and pain in her heart from geing molested from such a young age. She could not believe that she could ever be restored. She was pursued in college by a man, whom she told to go away many times. Eventually she went on a date with him. But she would not allow him to touch her. After some months he asked her to spend the rest of her life with him. She decided she would tell him her story. She told him that if he touched her she would kill him, he told her that she would have to kill him then. She was amazed he wanted her after finding out she wasn't a virgin,a big deal in Mexican culture. The honeymoon night came and she knew what was expected. The next morning her husband said "You're a liar, you told me you were not a virgin". She realized that through her walk with Jesus the former shame had been taken away and Christ had restored her 100% percent. Now she has 3 children, a loving husband, and a satisfied soul. She gives her life to the women in the prison to show them that there is no situation or condition of the heart that cannot be washed clean in a response to the call of Christ.
Now my heart and mind burn. What is it going to take to wake us from our slumber? How many more hours will we waste infront of the television. How many dollars will we throw away on emptieness? What will it take to shake our souls into life and quit living in fear? How could any one witness this and not be changed? And guess what your story is just like Annas. You have been scared, you have been taken advantage of, you have lived in unforgivness, you have hated your fellow man based on your pain. You are the child who throws your life into empty things that don't satisfy, rejecting his ways of love, honesty and purity. We are the children of shame selling our lives out to idols and things. What will it take for us to see that we no longer are under this curse? How long will we refuse to accept Gods way and look for our own glory in every situation? Wake up oh sleepers for tomorrow we die, who then will get all the things we have reserved for ourselvs? What are we living for that will truly be used and sustained when we're gone? The giving away of our lives every day in shareing and bearing the burden of the broken is our call. For out of the salvation of God we discover that the meaning of life is vast and deep finding its root in God, Jehovah. How can we complain about our jobs, or our school work, complain about our rich food not being good enough. Who are we? We are but nothing in sight of the almighty. When will we awaken, when will we throw our lives away for the love of him? When will we live in faith and say "Today is the day, the Lord is my rock eternal I will lean on his power and trust only in is insight and strength."
WAKE UP, ARISE, PULL MY CHILDREN FROM THE PIT, STEWARD YOUR BLESSINGS WELL, DEPEND ON ME, I AM FAITHFUL declares the Lord and we turn our deaf ears to him time and time again.
This is what sitting in prison does. This is what following Christ produces in your soul, to pleasure most and find your joy in doing his will. I hope you have found some encouragement in this. I pray you find some conviction in it to examine your heart, to be honest with your heart. I pray you discover the treasure and Joy Christ truly is, for in it is life. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"

In humility and power,

Joseph Courage"

The Son

I reading this book about Antarctica earlier today. I wasn't actually reading it... I was looking at the pictures. I confess. But what struck me most, other than the indescribably beautiful ice figures and deep blue glaciers, was the sun. I find it amazing, that anywhere on the planet, every single human being can appreciate the warmth and beauty of the sun. Even (especially) in frigid Antarctica.

A few summers ago my parents brought my sister and I along on a cruise to Bermuda for their 25th anniversary. The cruise was nice. The food was fancy. But the best part of the entire cruise, at least for me, was standing on a railing on the top deck watching the sun set over the open waters of the mid Atlantic. I have never seen a more beautiful sunset. And the thing that I loved most about it, was, I wasn't the only person being captivated by it. There were probably about 20 other people, mostly lovers, but a few elderly people, just standing there, being hit by the radiance of the sun. But it wasn't the sun that had taken a hold of my heart. It was The Son.

I know that there is something in every human being that longs for something more that what we can see. I know this because I have felt it. There is something inside us that wants to escape to some other reality... some fairytale that we grew up believing. But then we actually do grow up and the world convinces us that fairly tales are not real. And we lose that wonder of a place that is better than the one we are trapped in. That day on the mid Atlantic was no different than right now, and my neighbors are no different than the ones on the cruise. Deep within us, we all desire for something more.

C.S Lewis said "If we find ourselves with a desire that this world cannot satisfy... maybe we were made for another world".

Maybe we should let our selves be captivated by the true Son. After all, His light will shine forever, and He will never set.



from a warm home in New England,

JN

Everything we see is a Miracle

It is funny how you can have your mind set on one thing and then all of a sudden, your plans are changed by what would seem to be an a coincidental accident. Life's interruptions are God's opportunities.

Yesterday around 2 in the afternoon, the 5 of us were walking around New Philly handing out fliers for a Christmas Caroling event sponsored by a local church. I went with Ben. Correy, Link, and Mikey went down to the mall. Ben and I walked down to the local coffee shop and I had to stop at the bank which was right next door. As a came out of the bank, I see Ben standing with this tall, unkempt black guy. I was like "huh, I wonder if this guy wants to hand out fliers with us or something." I introduced myself to the man. He said his name was Joel.

He then went on to tell me something I was completely not expecting... that he had just been released from the County Jail and needed a ride back to Columbus by 7 the next morning or there would be a warrant out for his arrest. I then thought to myself "I dont think we are going to be handing out anymore fliers."

So Ben and I took Joel back to the house. As we were walking, Joel began to tell me how he is from Columbus and he was visiting his girl about a half hour from New Philly. Some stuff happened, the girl says some stuff, and Joel lands up in County Jail for a night. He gets released this morning, goes to a homeless shelter to eat and then is told that he has to find a way back to Columbus by 7 am the next day or he will be arrested again. No officers or judicial workers would give this guy a ride to the place they demanded he be! It really sucked for him, and he was in a really rough spot.

So we get to the house, give him some coffee and cake, and tell Don and Travis what is going on. Joel is freaking out. We call the homeless shelter to see if they can do anything about it. Nothing. So then, immediately, Lincoln is like "you guys can take my jeep." I love Lincoln's heart. I looked over at Joel and he looks like he is feeling guilty that he is making us take him back to Columbus. Then Correy looks directly at Joel, and says "Joel. You are getting home. These two gentlemen right here are going to drive you. Don't worry. We are taking care of it. You are getting back to Columbus.

Man, I love the Body of Christ. I love Correy's boldness. That is something I am really learning. To be bold. Correy speaks his mind. And he doesn't care. I really appreciate that about him. Anyway, so Joel was really relieved.

Ben and I ended up taking Joel back to Columbus. It was about a 2 hour drive, but it was worth every moment. Ben and I drove an ex-convict back to Columbus. 3 years ago, I honestly would have never believed you if you told me that I would drive an ex-convict 100 miles in order to help him not go to jail again.

It is amazing how Christ will transform your life. Ben and I felt so much joy in helping this man out. I feel like God has all these opportunities for us all the time, but we just are not willing, or not listening. Ben was listening and willing.

Joel was a miracle. As we heard more of his story, I realized that everything about life is a miracle. I will never forget what this man said to me. He looked at me and said "Man, i have been through some rough (explicative), but what has kept me alive is God." Joel went on to tell us how he has been wanting to change, and how he wants to know God with his heart, not just believe in Him in his head.



The Divine has intervened in human affairs, and has not only intervened, but cares about human affairs enough to become that which He has created in order to ransom those He loves. Joel made me realize that even more yesterday.


The rolling hills of Ohio were never more beautiful on that cold, December night. As we drove off into the sunset, I could not help but smile and know deep within me at God is good. This thing that we are all apart of, following Jesus...... it...is....so...real.

True Blessings in this Christmas season,

JN

Old Friends and New Ones

The trip to Chicago is coming to an close. I will write a blog about it when I get home.

I dunno. Today, I caught up with one of my close friends from back home. It was really good. We joked around and talked about each others lives for a while. Then we started talking about how good it will be one day when we are at each others weddings, and what an indescribable day it will be. So I am in Chiago now, with a bunch of new friends. I just think it is so awesome how God puts people in your life that you grow up with, you come to love as brothers and sisters, and then one day you graduate high school and begin the next chapter of your life and those friends become the "old friends" and all of a sudden you are surrounded with "new friends". Now I don't really like either of those terms, but today, I reconnected with an "old friend". After we finished talking, I went outside to the frigid city air. It was 25 degrees out and I didn't have a coat, but it didn't matter. I looked up at the sky and just thanked God for the people He has put in my life, old and new.

I really love those moments. And I love how whoever is reading this can appreciate what I am talking about because it is a thing that all humans expereince. What amazes me is that every day I am away from my old friends, I appreciate them more. The memories we made together are that much more special.

So I don't really have a point to this blog. I just want you to appreciate the people God has put in your life, and realize how good God is.

That all,


from the windy city,

JN