Starbucks and Salvation

From Albuquerque to Arizona...and another one of "those" conversations.

We arrived in Phoenix Monday afternoon around 4:30.  By my calculations, we travelled just under 2000 miles since leaving Lawrenceburg, KY on Thursday!  Pretty good haul...

I'll have some random thoughts on the finale of our trip in a moment, but first, more about the conversation...if you have followed my life/blog or know me personally, you know it seems like I have a tendency to have conversations w/ people who feel "wronged" in some way by religion/church/Christians.  Sunday morning, we left Albuquerque, headed for Flagstaff, AZ.  Katie saw a sign for "Old Town" Albuquerque and wanted to check it out, so we did.  It was a great idea by her, as we were able to see some fabulous old time Spanish architecture, and see a lot of neat shops and sights.  We went to a Christmas shop, and struck up a conversation w/ the woman working.  She asked what we were doing heading to Phx, etc...and I told her I was a pastor moving to start a new church.  She asked, "What denomination?"  I told her SBC, and she immediately rolled her eyes.  She just as immediately put her hand out and apologized saying, "I'm sorry for rolling my eyes.  I grew up in Charlotte, NC and quite honestly, just do not have good memories of Southern baptist life/religion."  I assured her there was no need to apologize, that I was not offended and quite the contrary, I was working as a pastor to combat that perception of the SBC.  We had a great conversation about what did work and what didn't...what needed to be changed and what should stay the same.  One comment she made struck me as powerful; she stated, "Since I've moved out here I've had several great spiritual experiences with God, and I now know He is not the God I was led to believe in when I was young."  I couldn't help but ask what she meant, and her reply was she now knew God as her loving Creator, and One who was out to help her and draw close to her...not One who was sitting in heaven waiting to cast down lightning bolts whenever she messed up. 

I often wonder if other pastors have as many of these conversations as I do.  I often wonder why it seems as though people with these stories are 'attracted' to me.  Maybe it's because I listen...maybe it's because God is using these people/instances to remind me what notto be...maybe it's just because there are a LOT of wounded people out there, and most of them carry wounds that were inflicted by the church.  Regardless, I am grateful for these conversations, and pray God will continually allow me to speak on His behalf in the truth of who He is...

Now, thoughts from the last leg of the trip...

1) Western geography is truly amazing...from about 15 miles east of the New Mexico state line all the way into Phoenix, it was just one awe-inspiring sight after another.  Literally with every hill we popped over or every corner we rounded, the landscape had the ability to both change and amaze in an instant.  From the mesas of NM, to the painted deserts of NE Arizona, to the largest pine forest in the U.S. in Flagstaff, along the red rocks of Sedona...truly an unbelievable sight.  Driving out west may take a lot longer, but the sights you receive that you can't see from a plane 37,000 feet up are worth it...if you ever get a chance to do it, take it.

2) As we drove through NM and Northern AZ, we were deluged with signs for Indian reservations/gift shops, etc...as I explained to Katie how the Indians were driven out west and how their land was really taken away from them, I couldn't help but feel for their history.  Perhaps they've made the best of it and work hard at the opportunities they have now...but I couldn't escape this overwhelming feeling of exploitation as we drove through the area.

3) Phoenix had thunderstorms tonight...and a major hurricane is looking to move up the Gulf of California and impact Phoenix the end of the week into the weekend...welcome to the city Rose family!

4) I loved the fact that Katie sang louder in the car to songs like "Everlasting God", "You Never Let Go" and "You Said" then she did to Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus...leads me to believe we're doing something right as parents.

5) We stepped back into time at Puerta de Luna near Santa Rosa, NM on the way out...saw a church built in the 1800's that is still in use.  Breathtaking isn't even a word to describe it...

6) Gotta say I wasn't all that impressed with the whole "Route 66" aspect of the trip...maybe we didn't spend enough time on the Route itself.  Perhaps next time we'll veer off I-40 more frequently...

7) Really anxious to see how Kenzie does with the adjustment here...

8) It was truly an incredible sight to see massive, sprawling farms in North Texas...you'd see hundreds or thousands of acres spread out, then a house on the horizon in the middle of it all.  It's nice to not see urban sprawl all over the place.

9) If you ever get to visit Sedona, eat at the Olde Sedona Cafe...the chile rellenos are DELICIOUS!!!

10) Overall, a great trip...would I do it again?  Sure...if I could somehow skip over the area between Amarillo and Oklahoma City...and parts of Arkansas. 

Oklahoma City to Albuquerque...the adventures.

Left out of OK City and ran straight into road construction...pretty much 60 mph all the way to Amarillo Tx!  So that was not fun...however the day was not a total bust, as you'll read about below...

1) Lunch at the Big Texan was great!  The steaks were good, the atmosphere awesome, and Katie really enjoyed herself!  A whole lot of dead stuffed animals all over the wall...:)

2) We visited Santa Rosa NM after lunch, and drove a few miles south to Puerta de Luna, a little village dating back to the 1800's.  Really cool place, and got some great pics! 

3) We were amaaaazed at how quickly the terrain changed on our drive.  NW Oklahoma and North Texas were very similar...lots of flat land.  N Texas especially was intriguing, as it would be HUGE areas of ranch/farm land with a house dotted in the middle!  Then, about 15 miles before we hit the NM border...BAM, the flat lands changed to mesas/plateaus, small canyons, and gorgeous landscape!  It was really cool!  I know flying is a lot faster/easier, but driving out is a pleasure to see the sights!

4) Storms began rolling in from the NW over top of the mesa's...they were some of the most beautiful sights I'd seen...the clouds were distinct in color, and varied in shape.  Really exquisite in their beauty.

5) Not overly impressed w/ Albuquerque...I'm sure the "old city" is nice, and probably quite interesting, but the main city itself is not.

6) Katie is a lot like me, w/ varied musical interests.  Yesterday we listened to quite a bit of Taylor Swift, praise music, old school rap, and Aerosmith!  She has developed a love of Aerosmith due to Guitar Hero :)

7) Speaking of Taylor Swift, after listening to 2 of her c.d.'s, I'm convinced someone needs to help her heal her heart...the girl writes/sings a lot about being dumped.

8) As PHX approaches, my mind is spinning.  Obviously the first week or so will be getting our house settled, Katie in school, etc...but then, I hit the ground running to begin building the church.  I really need to sit down somewhere and develop a game plan.  I've got SO much stuff going on in my head in terms of ideas, etc...looking forward to it but not having a plan is annoying me.

9) I literally could have stopped EVERY 15 miles or so and taken pictures...but then I wouldn't have arrived in Alb. until Sunday and that wouldn't have been good ;)

10) Have developed a huge affinity for Hyatt Place hotels...we stayed in one in ATL on our way home from vacation, and we've stayed in 2 this trip.  Always clean, big spacious rooms, and nice amenities like a 42" flat screen, and wireless internet.  If you've not stayed in one, you should.  You can Priceline 'em pretty cheap!

Well, off to the next day's adventures...today we hit the Petrified Forest, Meteor Crater, Winslow Arizona, and settle in Flagstaff for the night.  Will keep you posted!!!

From Lawrenceburg to Oklahoma City...Days 1 and 2 in the book!

First, let me state I am TOO excited about getting back to blogging on a regular basis!  I've missed it, there has just been too much going on lately to do so...but with this entry, I plan on being back on a daily basis!!!

We've traveled some 800+ miles in 2 days, going from Lawrenceburg, KY to Oklahoma City, OK.  It's been a really good trip, and the best is yet to come!  I have some things lined up for Katie to see the next couple of days that I think are really going to leave an impression on her (and me too for that matter!).  Some thoughts from the past couple of days are...

1) I wonder if anyone has ever had their life transformed by those corny Christian billboards along the highways?  I'm not doubting it has happened or can happen, just wish I knew if it ever has.  (You know the ones, "Jesus said if you're ashamed of Him, He'll be ashamed of you" a very loose interpretation of Matthew 10:32,33)

2) I listened to about an hour of talk radio Thursday dealing with the current health care reform issue from a Christian perspective.  Much of the discussion was over the issue of our tax dollars paying for abortions, and how we as "good stewards" of the $$$ God entrusts us with should make sure that doesn't happen...I'll agree, but offer these questions: Jesus said to render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and I'm guessing some of what the Roman gov't did with tax monies collected probably went to immoral causes...was Jesus wrong?  Also, as "good stewards", how many of us fail miserably in that area in a thousand other areas with our finances?  Note, I'm not advocating abortions/paying for abortions, just think that the "good steward" argument borders on the ridiculous.

3) I've heard it stated around 80% of the United States is undeveloped and full of trees/grass, etc...I think it is all located between Memphis and Oklahoma City...that stretch of I-40 is colorful, but BOOOORRRRRIIIIINNNNGGGG!

4) There was a really creepy lady checking Katie out at the pool today, and I ended up having to sit down w/ Katie and having a long talk about people...I hate that my daughter's innocent nature is having to be compromised so soon, but I gotta protect and teach her. 

5) Both Arkansas and Oklahoma had signs up at the state line saying "Speed limits enforced!!! NO TOLERANCE!!!"  However, I only saw 1 police officer the ENTIRE time I was on I-40 in Arkansas and didnt see any in Oklahoma until I got within a half hour or so of Oklahoma City...interesting.

6) Wish I would have had time to show Katie the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial tonight...she needs to know history, however horrible it may be.

7) Chewing sunflower seeds is the best thing to keep you alert while driving...not that I got sleepy or anything ;>)

8) Beale Street was a very cool place...can't believe I had never been there before!!!

9) Miss my family...and my friends.

10) The Big Texan in Amarillo awaits us for lunch tomorrow...so, I need to go to bed.  If you've not heard of the Big Texan, check this out...and no, I won't be trying it...

No Time For Posting...

Life right now is BEYOND hectic, as we are trying to get our home packed up, and I fly out Monday the 17th to spend 4 days in Phoenix finding us a place to live...so, most likely, there will be very few, if any, posts between now and Sept. 1...looking forward to getting back on here regularly very soon...

Until then, watch this for your comedic pleasure...