The Christo Chronicles

2008-01-30T18:06:00.002-08:00

Seasons of change

Kicking and screaming, I have been vaulted into the jubilation and sorrow of life in the past four months. I have always proclaimed with eager anticipation that the next five years of my life will be full of changes whether I like it or not. And I have not been disappointed. Here is a rundown of the events that have shaped my life recently:
Wifes pregnant: My wife and I have attempted to buck the local West Bend trend and put off the prospect of motherhood/fatherhood until recently. Five years of wedded bliss with each other, combined with daily doses of the magic pill have made for one helluva ride. It's time to welcome new life. Michelle's due date is July 9th, which makes her 17 weeks along this week. She has had a wonderful time so far with no sickness.
Out with student teaching/In with teaching: After eight and a half years of school, I am finally nearing the end (for now). I am 8 credits short of my Masters after finishing my student teaching at West Bend West High School and have been blessed to be offered a position at West (which I took of course). I started last week teaching 5 sections of 9th grade global studies. I will be getting my first paycheck in seven days which will be hastily deposited to pay bills that have piled up (small pile, closer to Sunburst than Everest). I consider this my first real job from the standpoint that I have just about arrived at where I want to be career-wise (for now). I truly enjoy teaching and spending time with students. I am confident that this type of 'profession' (scratch that.....teaching is a 'calling') is what God has made me for; has set upon my heart. I am praying that somehow, someway, a position will open up at West or East for next year.
Tragedy: I had the pleasure of knowing a young man named Matthew Murray who passed away a couple of months ago in Colorado Springs, Colorado. If the name sounds familiar, it may be because of his involvement in the shootings at YWAM in Arvada and the church in Colorado Springs. Memories of Matthew and I on the Indian Reservation in Montana crepted through my mind as I sat in front of television programs while criminal profilers dissected Matthew's behavior and questioned his motives; memories of his green fleece worn religiously and his love of Nut Rolls. Unfortunately (as is often the case), all discussions of Matthew's state of mind were null and void of any reference to his spiritual condition. Matthew's evil impulses and desires were perpetuated by ill-timed rejections aimed at his already fragile personality without consideration or afterthought as to the potentially horrific ramifications. Instead of embracing Matthew in his brokenness, he was allowed to wallow in a loneliness that cannot be explained or described, seeking solace oftentimes in front of a computer to share his hurts and pains. I loved Matthew and know many others who did as well. I don't believe I have properly grieved the lives which Matthew took or the hurt of all the parents involved, and anticipate that one day, in quiet reflection, waves of sorrow and grief will crash upon me in remembrance of what hurt and loneliness can do to ones self as well as others. May this serve as a gentle yet stern reminder of the responsibility (command) we have to love as we are loved by our heavenly Father; to forgive as we are forgiven by our heavenly Father.

I would love to write more and perhaps some day I might have the privilege to do so.
Until then,
grace and peace,
Andy and Michelle

2007-11-01T19:21:00.000-07:00

Plateau

The last 9 weeks have been a whirlwind of highs and lows, of triumphs and defeats in the classroom. The first half of the quarter everything is new and the learning curve is quite steep.

But then it plateaus... its flat up here.....

Progression is slow......

Some days become grinding......

Cynicism towards students seeps in.....

The waves of self-doubt crash in.....

I believe these are the times that separate good teachers from great teachers. The good teachers get in a routine with no room for innovation and creativity. They stay on the plateau. The great teachers take more risks, allow themselves to become even more vulnerable in front of the class and push through the monotony of the plateau. Its a challenge I am coming to believe every new teacher goes through.

Oftentimes it is easy to blame students on the plateau, to point the finger.
Right?

"Commit yourself to a new approach to being together; when you hear difficult things, mysterious things, or perhaps ideas that seem to fly in the face of your usual way of looking at things, let your first response be that of wonder rather than harsh judgment or criticism:
"I wonder what brought her/him to this place"
"I wonder what my reaction teachers me?"
"I wonder what he/she's feeling right now?"
Switch from saying to asking, from advocating for your opinion, to inquiry about the
other's . . . move from knowing to wondering. Thus we are open to learning from one another."

--Parker J. Palmer

peace,
andy Christo

2007-09-26T19:13:00.000-07:00

Full Swing!

School is in full swing and things couldn't be going better. I have a great mentor and great students which is making student teaching a very valuable experience. I have a much deeper appreciation for what teachers do on a day to day basis. So much goes into separating a good teacher from a great teacher and only when sitting on the inside can one see the differences. Student teaching has become a rather large time commitment. The reason being that for myself, content still has to be learned as well as what questions to ask about content. I believe the questions asked of students is as essential as being a master of content. For without the proper questions a teacher cannot 'massage' the student's mind to produce a sincere, thoughtful response.
Things have been so stellar due to the great attitude of my cooperating teacher who exemplifies in every way what it means to be all about the students. He is a professional in every sense of the word, and thankfully, I believe its starting to rub off on my; the passion, the desire, the joy.
It is a deep and resounding peace that lingers within my soul knowing that the steps I am taking now are steps that will lay the foundation to fullfill the passions I have in my heart for me and my family; a passion for my wife, my students, and my God.

Thanks everyone,
Mr. C

"I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our Attitudes." --Charles Swindoll

2007-09-03T19:36:00.000-07:00

Ready or Not, Here I Teach!

The day has finally arrived. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. The school year starts tomorrow with yours truly in the classroom as a student teacher. I have the wonderful opportunity to be under the tutelage of a great social studies teacher and am truly thrilled. Student teaching doesn't come without its apprehensions though. The voices of doubt and fear rear their ugly heads in the quiet moments. Will students like me? Will they learn? Can I really teach? Will my colleagues like and affirm me? Can I handle this? You'd think the self doubt would have subsided after high school or college. Yet we all want to do well in our vocation; to excel at what we are called to do in our lives. A book that spoke volumes to me this summer as I have attempted to prepare my heart and mind for teaching is Parker J. Palmer's The Courage to Teach. Parker's take on teaching is so much more than lesson plans, best practice, and classroom management. Parker reminds us that the core of our being is where we teach from. And if our 'insides' are at an imbalance, we will teach out of that, profoundly effecting the students. Parker's book is so encouraging because he connects teaching with the spiritual and ties it into something so otherworldly. Thank you Mr. Palmer.

"There are no formulas for good teaching, and the advice of experts has but marginal utility. If we want to grow in our practice, we have two primary places to go: to the inner ground from which good teaching comes and to the community of fellow teachers from whom we can learn more about ourselves and our craft" -- Parker J. Palmer

2007-08-06T18:40:00.000-07:00

Blood Water Mission

Michelle and I had an awesome time volunteering for Blood Water Mission at Lifest in Oshkosh some weeks ago. For those of you who don't know, Blood Water Mission is an organization started by the band Jars of Clay to address the urgent need for access to clean water in Africa. BWM operates on the premise that 1$ will provide clean water for 1 African for 1 year. Its a hard statement to wrap your head around. We met some wonderful people named Matt and Kelsey who are passionate about making a difference in Africa.

www.bloodwatermission.com

2007-07-15T17:22:00.001-07:00

We're back!
Michelle and I had a great trip with a number of stories to share and remember for a lifetime. The trip was slightly different this year because we stayed in a town we rarely stay in and brought some young people with us. But nonetheless, relationships were strengthened, progress was made on the construction of a foster home, and the love Michelle and I have for the Crow people has continued to grow.

2007-06-12T21:11:00.000-07:00

An Urgency

What if I were to give you appalling statistics of a people group in the world today that are victimized at an alarming rate?

The female demographic of this people group is raped and sexually assaulted at 2.5x the rate of the country they are found in.
Of the reported rapes and sexual assaults, 86% of the perpetrators are outside of the women's people group.

You would probably announce this as an atrocity, comment that it could only be happening in a war-torn, impoverished, 3rd world country, and then cut the conversation short so you could go to Starbucks before your PTA meeting.

Do you want the answer? I don't know if you do.

These figures pertain to Native American and Alaskan Native women.

Yep, that's right, in our own back yard.

If that weren't enough....

34.1% -- one in three Native American and Alaskan Native women -- will be raped in their lifetime.

thanks for reading,

andy Christo

p.s. source(s) available upon request

2007-06-10T20:29:00.001-07:00

Coincidence?

In a couple of days I, along with a couple of friends, will be in Montana on the 'rez' building a home for a family (mentioned in the previous posting). Funds are minimal but enough to go ahead with the beginning stages of construction.

One of the more recent hurdles in beginning such a mammoth project is how to dig the foundation. The nearest town that would have a backhoe is 70 miles away, and with minimal funding to begin with, to rent one would be a big blow from the get-go.

My friend Ronny from Colorado was praying to the Lord, asking what to do about the foundation. In the meantime, the town our project is located in, Lodge Grass, has endured some major flooding in the past couple of weeks. The water reservoir is at its capacity and starting to overflow, and the Little Bighorn River is at flood stage, threatening low-lying homes and roads.

One could only imagine what the tribe brought into town to dig trenches/moats, and to build barriers to protect homes and roads: a backhoe.

Not only is a backhoe in town, but the operator will dig the foundation in exchange for using the dirt removed elsewhere in the city.

Sweet deal,

Andy Christophersen

2007-06-05T19:39:00.000-07:00

Crow Indian Reservation

The following is an article I wrote for the Kings Kids newsletter out of Denver, Colorado. For those of you that don't know, it is the organization with which I travel to the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana.

Indian summer is a name given to a period of sunny, warm weather in autumn, not long before winter. This time can be in late October or early November in the Northern hemisphere. It can persist for just a few days or weeks. Kings Kids has its own version of Indian summer: Crow Indian summer. As the years go by, the King’s Kids Crow Indian summer increases in duration as commitment grows as well as the size of projects.

This summer, a group of young men and women will give up a couple weeks in the summer to build relationships with kids through a basketball camp. In addition, young people will use their construction skills to undertake a mammoth task of building a home for a foster family with 9 adopted children. Estimates for the project are in the six figures.

The questions I ask myself are these: Do I really believe that the Lord can work through our trips to the ‘rez’ to accomplish things we otherwise could not do on our own? Do I think the Lord will ‘come through’, or do I approach the throne timidly as if my requests to the Lord may reach His ears by chance like pulling a lever on a slot machine. Are my pleas to God on behalf of the Crow people and the building project filled with eager anticipation and expectation, or am I going through the motions asking God for guidance and help because I’m supposed to, not expecting my prayers to be answered.

The Lord hears the prayers of the righteous and they please him (Prov.. 15:8, 1Pet. 3:12). Matthew 7:7-12 speaks of petitioning the Lord and receiving what we ask for. As we prepare our hearts for the Crow Indian summer, whether you are a giver of resources or a volunteer of your time, approach your Savior boldly and with confidence, in great anticipation that your prayers will be heard and answered.

Peace,

Andy Christophersen

2007-06-05T19:08:00.000-07:00

Sailing and .... Natives?

Michelle and I had our friend Kenny Pretty on Top stay with us for a week. He's from the rez we visit frequently in Montana. He's a crazy good guitar player. We had a great time. Kenny is such a warm hearted man. You know, those people you enjoy being with no matter what you are doing or where you are.

The day Kenny left, Michelle and I went to Lake Michigan to do some sailboating. Our neighbors Chris & Andy Mitchel invited us on Andy's Dad's boat. It was our first time sailboating and we enjoyed every minute of it. We both had a chance to steer the boat with a cold one in hand, pull some ropes, and enjoy the sun.

2007-05-23T20:52:00.000-07:00

Changes

Summer is around the corner, with many changes on the horizon. School has just finished as of yesterday (Tuesday). There are a couple of loose ends, but the meat and potatoes are handed in. What a relief. We have a friend with us this week, his name is Kenny Pretty On Top. He's from the 'rez' in Montana and is a worship leader at one of gatherings out there. It is great to have him and his laugh with us. He is leading worship at Kettlebrook Church this Sunday at 9 & 10:30. A few things I have been pondering:

Is there an instance in the Gospels where Jesus refused to heal someone of disease or sickness (can't find one)?
War in Iraq: stay or go? Your damned if you do and your damned if you don't.
Sometimes the very things we should address in our lives are pushed off due to busyness and/or commitments. This is not necessarily bad. The time spent not obsessing and over-analyzing it may be a welcome respite.
Could I listen more than setting a person up to deliver my agenda?
Student teaching is exciting, not getting paid for 5 months while paying $7,000 to not work for 5 months..... not exciting.

talk to you soon....

andy & michelle Christo

2007-05-06T19:18:00.000-07:00

Where have I been?

One of my desires is to continue writing on this stupid blog, but I sometimes have a hard time staying the course. So here goes again.

School is almost done for the semester and it can't come soon enough. There is a light at the end of the tunnel (8 years of college and counting) and I am getting excited. Not the exciting like they have your favorite flavor at Culvers. But an exciting that stirs the heart. It seems as though life has been on hold. And whether that is right or not, I think changes are soon to take place. Next school year I will be student teaching at the local high school in town with a teacher that I am super-stoked to be working alongside. After thats completed in January, I will be 8 credits shy of my Masters in Education (MAT) degree form Cardinal Stritch. Student teaching will be the last semester where I will have to work on a limited capacity to go to school. I will finally be able to pursue full time employment!

This summer is shaping up to be excellent. I will be painting in between trips to Montana (my second home) and hopefully Mexico to celebrate Michelle and I's 5 year wedding anniversary. I know, 5 years!

Michelle is doing great. She is in a book club that she really enjoys, and will soon be in a women's bible study for the summer. She enjoys work and is starting to entertain thoughts of motherhood. She will be joining me in Montana, Mexico (she wouldn't miss it for the world), and a possible trip to Vegas with her sister(s) during the summer.

My hope is to share thoughts on my blog once a week during the summer, and then to continue during my student teaching experience. Wish me luck.

peace,
andy & michelle Christo

2006-10-04T09:07:00.000-07:00

2006-10-04T06:51:00.000-07:00

4:56:44!

I forgot to tell everyone, I have also been training for a marathon and ran the Milwaukee Lakefront this past Sunday. It was pretty sweet. I had some support, including my wife MIchelle, Tony Tucci and family, and Alicia and Rachel. Thanks guys! The following are some thoughts I had as I was running:

Miles 1-5: Why am I going so fast?

Miles 5-10: Why am I going so fast?

Mile 11: My legs are starting to feel heavy.

Mile 13: Almost halfway!

Mile 13.1: How the heck am I going to make it another 13.1 miles?

Mile 16; I have to at least make it to 20 miles

Mile 18: I can't start walking now.

Mile 20: Why is only one nipple bleeding?

Mile 22: Is this what hell is like.

Mile 24: I am in hell.

Mile 25: Why are old people passing me?

Mile 25.5: I can't believe I'm going to finish.

Mile 26.2: Grace.

2006-09-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

Where have I been?

Hi everyone! Been gone for a while. Wish I could commit to writing more regularly, but life gets in the way sometimes.

I wanted to give friends an update of what I've been up to and what I'm going to be doing:

Spent 2 weeks this past summer on the rez in Montana building a home and hanging out with friends. Our friend Edson from Montana came and visited us in Wisconsin for a week also. We had a great time and WE MISS YOU EDSON!
I did some much needed work around the house in the past couple months such as installing some new windows and getting some painting done.
School started earlier this month as well as work at Tri Center Alternative School. Quite an adjustment from summer where I found myself looking for work throughout the summer. I'm glad to be in school (9 credits). I feel sometimes like I'll never reach my goal to be a teacher. But knocking out credits every semester and learning along the way renews my drive to accomplish what I started out to do.
Michelle is enjoying her job, as usual. She has a great attitude, and is such an unselfish woman. She'll be traveling the next couple of month for work including California (I'm going along) and St. Louis twice (no thanks).
My parents and sister are finally moving back from Michigan. I'm super-stoked to have my family back in town and look forward to hangin' out with my lil' sis' Hannah.

What I will be doing:

In October I will be going to Montana for a couple of days to deliver and install some furnaces for families on the rez. Pray that my truck will get out there, it's getting a little old to be traveling cross country.
In November, I will be going to California (Huntington Beach) with Michelle as well as Montana to give turkey dinners to families on the rez.

What I have been learning:

That I take on too many things at once. As a result, I cant' devote the needed time and attention to the task at hand. I have gave up some things this fall such as a group bible study, volunteering Sunday mornings, and a Monday night basketball league, in order to focus more on school, cross-cultural ministry, and the GRAIN XCHANGE. I have a hard time saying no to people, more out of people-pleasing than God pleasing. I need to do what's right for Michelle and I in relation to God first, the rest comes second.
The GRAIN XCHANGE is a youth group I'm helping out with at church. It's fun hanging out with kids and connecting (or at least trying to connect) with them. Also working with other leaders in close proximity is somewhat new as well. I have found that honesty rooted in gentleness can go a long way towards keeping communication open and God-honoring.
Many of my suspicions and doubts on spirituality, God, and church seem to have a sliver of credibility to them. I'm searching for answers, and have been adjusting my life according to the answers I'm getting. I am meeting with my brother every week which has helped tremendously. I'm finally receiving the teaching and challenging that I have longed for and have had a difficult time finding until now.

Questions I have been asking:

Do we as Christians fully understand what it means to be a disciple?
Am I making a difference?
Should sitting at the Lord's feet take precedence over serving? (A resounding YES?) No, I didn't say it should REPLACE serving.
How do I spur a friend on to engage God more deeply?
Should I start shaving my head because I am getting so bald?

Statements I am declaring:

Knowing your Bible is crucial for leadership, discipling, and just plain ol' being a Christian.
I want to teach.
Eternity is a long time.
Pleasing people instead of God is never a good thing, especially in church.

2006-05-04T10:22:00.000-07:00

Books I have read:

I have made a goal of mine to read 35 books this year. 35 books of QUALITY that is.

Here is where I am at so far. I think its kinda' cool to see sequentially the topics my heart has gravitated towards throughout the year.

(In order since the beginning of the year. If you'd like more information on the titles mentioned, such as the author, feel free to contact me.)

1. Jesus is not a Republican

2. Courageous Leadership

3. A Shaping of Things to Come

4. A Million Little Pieces

5. Organic Church

6. The Younger Evangelicals

7. Good News about Injustice

8. To Own a Dragon

9. Irresistable Revolution

10. Serving with Eyes Wide Open

11. The Next Christendom

12. Confessions of a Reformission Rev.

Currently Reading: Changing the Mind of Missions

2006-05-04T09:24:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I haven't written in a while. Thought I'd bring you up to date on what my wife and I have been up to:

My boss at work is on maternity leave, therefore instead of blogging and surfing the 'net for endless hours I have actually had to work for the past two months.

My wife has been hard at work and being rewarded to her loyalty and sacrifice. She just recently received a promotion as well as a substantial raise.

I had the opportunity in April to go up to the reservation in Montana for a couple of days and go hiking and snowboarding in Colorado. My wife later met me in Estes Park for a wedding. Good times.

I have broken down and have finally joined a small group. It is going well and I enjoy studying the book of Ephesians.

In the summer I will be assisting Dan D. in leading a youth group for Kettlebrook starting in the summer. This summer my wife and I will be heading to the 'rez' again to help build a house as well as install furnaces for some needy people. Michelle's boss has graciously offered do install as well as finance the new furnaces. Thanks Steve! Check out their company on the internet at http://www.onehourair.com/milwaukee-wi/

My trip to Africa with Tony Tucci is being pushed back to August (tentatively). We are attempting to team up with an organization called bloodwatermission. It has been slow going and we are anxious to solidify plans yet remain patient and open to see what opportunities may arise.

I have been learning to administer grace in how I perceive others, realizing that I am digging my own grave if I continue to remain critical of others decisions and actions. As some of you know, my tongue can be rather devisive and I am learning to listen rather than speak. This involves not being so vocal on my concerns for the church; rather serving and seeing where my strengths and gifts are.

I will attempt to write more in my blog (if anyone cares) and I will talk to you soon.

Andy

2006-03-01T07:39:00.000-08:00

Global dialogue with Steve Mayer

I had the opportunity to talk briefly over the phone with Steve Mayer, Global Outreach Associate at Mars Hill in Grand Rapids. Steve shared with me some of his thoughts on the current state of global missions as well as some great insight on short term missions trips. Sorry this is so long. I usually give up on long blogs myself. But be patient and read through. Here are a few highlights:

For churches with international missions teams in their infancy, it is important to be very specific as far as what region or people group you are reaching out to. Being focused and specific allows for the community of believers to gain a greater sense of what the mission of the church is. "Too many mission options" can become nauseating and lack focus. The phrase tossed around in our conversation was "directed visions vs. a menu".
In regards to building relationships with national churches, NGO's are somewhat preferred. Churches underestimate how large of a commitment going "one on one" with a church overseas can be. Time consuming and costly are but a few reasons NGO's may be recommended over church to church relations.
Perhaps the order in which we reach out to others in an international church missions context could be retooled. It seems as though the regular routine is of relationships not being a means to an end. That relationship is the beginning followed by giving, sharing, loving. What if we changed it around and had giving, sharing, and loving, FOLLOWED by relationship being the end?
We all tend to become wrapped in the "nobility of concern". A warm fuzzy feeling consumes us as we log onto www.one.org and sign the petition to President Bush asking him to do more to alleviate poverty. But when it comes down to helping out 1 or 2 people in our hometown who are downtrodden or have AIDS, it becomes extremely difficult. How do we translate concern globally to locally?
And finally, the language used when referring to short term (S.T.) missions trips can be helpful in describing what we really are doing. What is great about S.T. is that the return ticket signals the end of your commitment compared to being involved in your community. When involved in community, it's always there in front of you. Instead of calling it "short term missions" or "service opportunity", we can call it simply a "learning experience".
We need to listen more when traveling overseas as to what the resurrected Jesus is saying to us about our Western Church through learning from the churches in Rwanda or Southeast Asia, etc.

Thanks Steve for your time.

2006-02-14T10:07:00.000-08:00

THANKS STEVE!!!!

Just wanted to extend a hearty THANKS to Steve Argue for visiting us in West Bend, Wisconsin. A little background (limited) on Steve. Steve heads up a ministry called http://www.intersectcommunity.com which trains up leaders in the church, and in particular, trains youth leaders alongside their youth groups. Steve also has a blog http://www.alreadynotyet.blogspot.com with some valuable soul searching questions. Be sure to check both out.

Anyways the Kettlebrook leadership had an opportunity to gleam some insight from Steve on what it means for the church to be "missional" as well as some other questions the leadershop had pertaining to church in general.

Being missional involves being "intentional", "go" rather than "attract".
We are all part of the grand narrative of the Bible, that we are actually part of Adam's story and Jesus's story, this is merely another chapter.
Touched on some issues involving leadership, small groups, multiple ministries inside a church.
What, in particular, do the people of West Bend culturally espouse to. Who is a West Bend person?
The changing face of an evangelical.
What works at a particular church that we admire will not necessarily work at our church due to the cultural context in which we find ourselves in.

These are only brief snippits of what our gathering entailed. What was great about this time together was that I hope it forced leaders to think creatively, outside-of-the-box, as to what God has in store for our city. Our time I believe conjured up more questions than answers.

Thank you Steve for your passion, gentle spirit, and for the 'radical tension' that you showed to the leadership of Kettlebrook. Steve is great at asking critical questions and then not answering them himself, because he's is wrestling with these questions as well; not providing a program or one-size-fits-all ministry that we can add to our church. Rather, Steve is saying, 'Look, I have questions too, and maybe we can help each other on the journey'.

2006-02-14T09:03:00.000-08:00

Books I have just finished reading:

Just want to update y'all on some recent books I've read.

A Million Little Pieces by James Frey

Scrap all the controversey, this book was a great read. James really puts a face to those who abuse alcohol and drugs. A little disturbing from a theological perspective. James Frey, throughout the book, denies the help of God or a god, and insist he can do it on his own. He eventually does do it on his home, on his terms. Will this attitude last long after this book is forgotten and the royalties dry up. Only time will tell.

Organic Church by Neil Cole and Leonard Sweet

On the recommendation of Mike Moran, I picked up this one. Love the enthusiasm from a man who has started over 700 churches in 32 countries through his organization www.cmaresources.com
Neil is adamant on once an individual chooses to follow Jesus, then they "Go" and form churches themselves. I was looking for a little more discipleship, mentoring, and leadership training before these individuals went out, but I didn't find it.

The Younger Evangelicals by Robert Webber

Must Read! Must Read! An awesome book on how the younger evangelicals (born post '75) appoach church, worship, activism, etc., and compares them to two other categories of evangelicals: traditional and pragmatic evangelicals. An excellent book, highlighting the positives and shortcomings of each respective group and how we often miss each other yet all strive after the same thing: Jesus. Right up there with A Shaping of Things to Come by Alan Hirsch and Robert Frost.

2006-02-14T08:46:00.000-08:00

MEXICO VACATION

I hope heaven will somewhat resembel Riviera Maya. I have a hunch I won't be dissappointed. Michelle and I were in Mexico for a week in the beginning of February for some R & R. I know what some of you are thinking, 'Andy, your whole life has been R & R!' I'm not gonna argue against that. My wife on the other hand has deserved this trip for quite some time now.

I read, Michelle tanned and relaxed, I snorkeled, Michelle tanned and relaxed. That was pretty much the jist of our trip. Throw in a couple CUBA LIBRE'S here and there, and we were set.

2006-01-16T08:39:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to let you know what I have been reading up on as of Christmas.

Willis, Clint; Jesus is Not a Republican

Hybels, Bill; Courageous Leadership

Frost, Michael & Hirsch, Alan; A Shaping of Things to Come: Innovation and Mission for the 21st Century Church.

The Willis book was a collection of essays pertaining to the current political trends. The essays that I alligned my convictions with seemed to be few and far between. But it was good to get a different perspective.

Hybels book was a great book on leadership. How do you choose leadership? What should you look for in a leader, etc? Not to big on the whole seeker sensitive church (an attraction of product and program, rather than Jesus) but he knows his stuff when it comes to leadership.

And the most recent book I finished, A Shaping of Things to Come, was AWESOME! Thirty pages into it and I told my wife, this is definitely in my top 10 favorite books, and it didn't dissappoint. If you have an interest in the current state of the Church in the West, pick this book up. The authors suggest radical changes in the church, a complete paradigm shift (attractional church to missional church, hierarchical leadership to apostolic leadership, renewed creativity and imagination in the church).

This book has raised many questions in my mind regarding the church I attend. But has also given me hope that all is not lost.

I am currently reading a book entitled Good News About Injustice by Gary Haugen. I'll let you know how it is.

Peace,
andy

2006-01-13T09:18:00.000-08:00

Donald Miller Interview

Check this out! Great interview. Don talks about homosexuality, politics, errors of the church, and, oh yeah, how could I forget, penguin sex.

http://www.wittenburgdoor.com/archives/donmiller.html

2006-01-10T08:57:00.000-08:00

CHECK OUT THIS LINK!!!!!

Hi y'all! Check out this link. Dan Kimball saw a person wearing this t-shirt in an airport. I encourage you to comment on his site or on mine. No peaking at other comments before yours!http://www.dankimball.com/vintage_faith/2006/01/true_story_what.html#comment-12721803

2006-01-10T07:44:00.000-08:00

What a sweet weekend! I know its a little late for this but decided to share some pictures of a killer weekend in December.

I went out to Detroit to visit my parents and sister and to take in a Dave Matthews show (my 16th!). The show was great. 'Christmas Song' is a must to here live. That was Saturday night. Sunday I drove cross-state to Grand Rapids to attend a community of believers that I am very fond of. It's called Mars Hill Church. They have a great teacher by the name of Rob Bell and are on the cutting edge as far as living a life holistically to Jesus. I also had the opportunity to meet a man named Steve in Grand Rapids. Steve is a friend of a friend in West Bend and he invited me to his house after church to share a meal with his family and to hang out. It was awesome.

He really opened my eyes to some thing going on in the world with regards to being a Christian in the new millenium. Steve also (althought indirectly perhaps) showed that its okay to question the status quo when it comes to Christianity; that its healthy to have doubts and to delve deep to find answers for church, faith, etc.
Drove home (Wisconsin) later that afternoon and night. The next night, my wife scored some tickets for the 311 show in Milwaukee. To make a long story short, my friend Michael and watched the show from the stage and then went backstage and got our picture taken with Nick Hexum, lead singer of 311. It was a great weekend. Reminded me of how blessed I am to have opportunities to do things like this.

2006-01-09T08:03:00.000-08:00

AIDS

I'd really like some feedback on this one. I've been thinking about the issues swirling around our brothers and sisters in Africa. Me and my friend Tony are planning a trip across the pond to see what we can do to make a difference. So this is what I want to know:

Is helping the people of Africa trendy?

I've heard before a study was conducted on evangelical Christians and found that 3 percent of evangelicals said they would give financially to AIDS ministries. Is this statement viable?

I'd really like to here from someone who doesn't necessarily have a heart for Africs.

Thanks everyone.

2005-12-21T07:43:00.000-08:00

Well, after failing to complete this page how I see other blogs with pictures displayed, I will swallow my pride, an give you this for now. This is but a glimpse of what Michelle and I do on the Crow Indian Reservation over Thanksgiving.

I don't think I can put into words what visiting the 'rez' every year does for my soul. To see a sovereign people within our own borders, struggling to make ends meet, broken on the wheels of living, yet still hopeful and clinging to ancient traditions is a struggle that unfolds before my eyes. I cherish the friendships I have made and look forward to continuing my travels to Montana througout my life.

One of the great stories of going to the rez every fall is the opportunity to do a 'sweat' with Kenny Pretty on Top and his brothers and son. The sweat is made up of cherry branchesbowed to look like an igloo with numerous canvases covering it. The inside holds approximately 6-8 people. Granite rocks are heated up in an outdoor fire for 3-4 hours and then place in a pit inside the sweat.
There are four stages to the sweat:

1) Preliminary stage: Allows for newcomer to get accustomed to the heat. About 7 cups of water are poured on the granite rocks producing a steam most would not even experience in their local sauna at the YMCA. The prelim stage is about 10-12 minutes long whereupon the entrance will be opened allowing the steaming hot air to escape.

2)First 'real' stage: Canvas opening is closed and the pouring begins. About 9 cups of water are poured over the rocks in spread out by a couple minutes each. Breathing certainly becomes a factor, as the air is so hot, you have to slowly breath.

3)Second stage: After a ten minute cooldown period, the canvas is closed and now 11 cups of water are poured. The heat becomes extremely not around the head if you are sitting up. It is about this time that the 'amateurs' (me) lay down. Concentration is a must or you start to panic and hypervenilate.

4)Third and fourth stages: Similar to the first and second stages, although 13 and 15 cups of water our poured over the rocks. I've made it to the third and fourth stages once, yet rumors abound that the Natives took it easy on us white men. We were told that the second stage alone can exceed temperatures of 170 degrees.

Over the duration of the sweat, prayers are spoken in the native Crow language. It brings to mind the verse in Revelation when every 'tongue, tribe, and nation' will bow before the King. All the more considering my last experience in the sweat consisted of three white men, four Native Americans, and one Africaan from Mozambique.

How often do we think of heaven's makeup being mostly white, speaking English. With thousands of languages spoken around the world, including within our borders, this is far from truth.

2005-12-21T07:32:00.000-08:00

My Day So Far.....

Two kids are sick

Drama queen just threw up.

One kid arrested for drinking.

Former student showed up smelling like booze.

Its only 9:30 in the morning.

How's everyone elses day going?

2005-12-02T07:33:00.000-08:00

One more thing everyone,

Haven't updated anything substantial lately on my blog. School is winding down and, as usual, it's kicking my arse. As well as family time over Thanksgiving. But stay updated for some thoughts and stories on the following:

My recent trip with my wife Michelle to the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana.
Some thoughts on the issue of AIDS.
A review of Mark Driscoll talking about young men (awesome!)
A revelation I had on a cure for AIDS (really excited about this one)

Blog you soon!

Andy

2005-12-02T07:30:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone,

Heading out for the weekend. Gonna' go see Dave Matthews in Detroit and visit my parents as well. On Sunday, crossing the state to listen to Rob Bell speak at Mar Hill Church in Grand Rapids. Tell y'all about it after the weekend.

Peace

2005-11-23T19:35:00.000-08:00

F-BOMB CHURCH

I would like share a couple of thoughts on the previous article posted on my blog in regards to the F-bomb used in the church. I will present them in bullet point because I'm having a hard time organizing my thoughts coherently. As far as the link is concerned, sorry, there must be a glitch that won't let you just click on the link for this article. Try to copy and paste it in the address box or type it in manually.

It would just be plain easier to say no to this woman and draw a line in the sand in regard to saying the F-bomb in church. I commend the pastor for even entertaining this idea.
The F-bomb has evolved from a mere sexual reference to more commonly used as an adjective or adverb.
I think using this word in a church setting hinges on the demographics of a church i.e., young, old, children, socioeconomic status, etc.
I hear many times the reference to the Bible verse explaining let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth. It is not my intention to be snide when I say this, but who determines what is unwholesome talk? Using the f-bomb to describe as a sexual act is to me derrogatory and demeaning to the whole sanctity of sex, but I am completely comfortable hearing it in everday language.
Could the real authenticity of this woman's poem, the emotion, anger, and pain, be conveyed any other way? In this instance, I don't think so.
I have used the f-bomb plenty of times before. Do I use it now? It does come out occasionally. Does that mean I am against it being used? Not necessary. I didn't grow up in a family where it was used at all, therefore I don't intend to use it in my vocabulary. For some people the f-bomb was used in the home as much as they eat food; frequently, everyday.
My brother asked a great question, "Does it add value?" Great question. In a specific context, yes it does.
I believe the pastor of this flock took every precautionary measure and took a calculated risk. I think he did a great job. There are three more parts to this article/blog and can be found at the link I provided before on the right side of the page. Thanks for reading.

2005-11-17T06:20:00.000-08:00

WHAT THE F*CK!

How did I know that would get your attention! Here's an article brought to my attention from my friend Mike. Very interesting. Deals with saying f@ck in a church setting. Would love to hear some feedback on this one. I'll leave mine very shortly.

http://blog.christianitytoday.com/outofur/archives/2005/11/expletive_undel_1.html

2005-11-15T12:26:00.000-08:00

CHURCH

Here's a recent excerpt taken from an email conversation I've been having with my brother. Interesting take on how the church is supposed to love each other in the church. I always hear the position of 'we need to love those outside the church'. Gave me insight, hope it gives you some.

The whole conversation really revolves around one question: “What is the church?”

Biblically the word church in the greek is ekklesia, which is broken down into two parts, “klesia” meaning “called” and “ek” meaning “out”. So the word ekklesia or church means “called out ones”. And biblically it’s broken down by location, “the church in . . .” So the the church is the Christians in a given locality. What locality? Well in the bible there are three: universal, city, and house. Everyone, everywhere, for all of time that has put their faith in Christ is born into the universal church that we are all a part of. All the Christians in west bend are the “church in west bend” and within the church of west bend are Christians “who meet in homes”. Those are the only three breakdowns in the bible. If you find any others, let me know. We may make other distinctions but I believe God only sees those three.

And I’ll leave you with one last food for thought. . . I believe that the church is supposed to be more focused on love for each other than love for the lost, or rather that radically committing yourself in love for other Christians is the best way to love the lost, because the love between each other is the most attractive, drawing thing and the way God always meant it to be. Now days we add to our number, or a building, or a program, or a website adds to our number. In the book of acts it says that “God added to their number, daily those who were being saved.” We commit ourselves in selfless love to each other and God adds to our number. I think one reason we don’t is because it costs far less to put on a service and get things like charismatic personalities, good multi media presentations, cutting edge music, and a good children’s program than it does to have the character to live daily in love with people.

2005-11-15T10:52:00.000-08:00

CUBA LIBRE!

http://www.boston.com/news/world/latinamerica/articles/2005/11/08/un_urges_washington_to_end_cuba_embargo?mode=PF

Am I missing something here?

Way to go U.S.!!!! (insert sarcasm)

2005-11-10T18:41:00.000-08:00

What a night!
Saw a former president!
Witnessed a close friend naked in a tub!
Shat in Mitchell's car!
Had a beer!
Could the night get any better?

2005-11-10T07:41:00.000-08:00

LINKS

Here are some great links. I'll leave a brief description for each one. Pass them along if you feel they are noteworthy.

http://www.mmiblog.com/monday_morning_insight_we/2005/11/dear_god_please.html A great article discussing the idea of those that come to church to "be served" compared to "serving" as well as the idea of not attracting to Chrisitians to your church.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/011/19.128.html Philip Yancey wrote this article dealing with implications of being labeled an 'evangelical' and how this title alone may play into delivering a Biblical message to friends.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2004/002/1.24.html Interview of Rob Bell from Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids, MI.
http://www.enterstageright.com/archive/articles/0905/0905evac.htm?GXHC_gx_session_id_FutureTenseContentServer=aaaac279156e6d6f&GXHC__sitestat=2005-10-1128022448035 Exposes some of the lies drummed up by Bush-bashers in regards to Hurricane Katrina.

2005-11-10T07:19:00.000-08:00

Political Acceptance Speech

Well - - We did it!

(Applause)

Thank you...

This campaign was about proving something to the people of this state...

We proved that you wanted to get big government off your back once and for all!

We proved that you wanted something done about the problems of immigration!

And we proved that a grown, claiming he represented the people of his home state, would drop his pants and bend over for any corporation with a lobbyist and a checkbook!

More important...

We proved that we could write laws that would directly benefit those corporations at the expense of the less affluent...

...And vote that legislation into law without letting the public know!

(Applause)

Yes! Thank you!

We couldn't have done it without the slickly-assembled attack ads that distorted my opponent's record and cast doubt on his personal behavior...

or the major news media, whom we routinely intimidated by calling them "liberal"...

But most of all, we couldn't have done it without you, the people of this great state!

You cynical, apathetic, ignorant, beaten-down sheep!

If there's one thing I've learned about you, the American people --

--it's that you--

--fear change!

That's why, as your senator, I've used carefully-crafted catchphrases -- like "family values" and "hiring quotas" and "fiscal responsibility" and "global competitiveness"...

...because they suggest my concern while barely concealing my contempt for every single one of you!

You know there are some people who have nothing better to do than tear down this great nation that you believe in!

But during my years in the senate, I've learned one important thing...

With enough time and money, you can manipulate the American people into accepting just about anything!

(Disclaimer: Relax, applies to both sides.)

Adapted from a comic book entitle "U.S.", written by Steve Darnall and Alex Ross, distributed by DC comics.

2005-11-01T18:46:00.000-08:00

INTEGRITY

I think its safe to say I have become somewhat bitter towards the Republican party. And I think I have some valid reasons for this.
Delay, Frist, Libby. What do they all have in common? They all serve the conservative agenda, and all have been federally indicted or are being investigated. I know, I know, innocent till proven guilty, right? Well, from what I know about this party (or agenda) is that they espouse Christian virtues yet conspire to drag people's names through the mud, funnel money to their campaigns, and do what whatever they can to maintain and expand power. In my eyes, if you claim to be a Christian, and you are in politics, your name should never, I REPEAT, NEVER, be even hinted in these investigations.
Now I know the Democratic party is not without fault. Lip service is paid to religion and a god, specifically during election years. But we all know that it is just that; lip service to garner more votes, which is wrong. But the other party (or agenda) actually used rhetoric that coincides with an evangelistic fervor. Almost as if they actually believe what they are saying. Which is very dangerous. Acknowledging God with their lips, but their hearts being far from Him is not a place I ever want to be; or my leaders to be.
I've heard the argument recently that I should the policy, not the person. That's like applying for a new job, you're previous job fired from for stealing from the company, and telling the interviewer that you believe its wrong to steal from a company. And then proceed to present a policy for this new company on how to punish those who do steal.
Or even better, I'm standing before God on my day of judgment, and I tell Him that I believed that He had a lot of really good things to say, and I shared those things with others, but what You said in the Bible was really not for me.
In conclusion, I hold the Republican party on a pedestal, and rightfully so. But they have continually showed a lack of integrity and honesty which has caused their moral superiority to crumble.

2005-10-06T09:23:00.000-07:00

WHO AM I?

Due to some constructive criticism bestowed upon me by my friend Tucci, I have decided to expound more on my interest, beliefs, and convictions. First and foremost, I am a Christian. A Christian who loves what the Bible teaches about treating others, treating ourselves, and treating God. I would live my life no other way than to passionately pursue all that Jesus has to offer for my life, my wife, and those near and dear to me, as well as the earth and all those who live on this beautifully created world. This is why I breath, my very existence.
Secondly, I have a beautiful wife named Michelle. We have been married for three years and a whole lot more to come. I love my wife more and more each day and am thankful for all the things she puts up with; from my impatience, to committing to too many things, to being stressed for no reason. She is definitely the better half.
I am intrigued with the current political climate of our country and the polarizing effect it is having. Just like religion, the discussion of politics brings the best, and more often than not, the worst out of people. I love these discussions; to initiate and to learn from them. I am very critical of the Republican party who tout God on a ballot, and then cast Him away in the name of greed, business, freedom, and democracy.
I passionately believe that Jesus calls us to take care of the poor and oppressed. This issue is not to be taken lightly. Billions of people live off of less than a dollar a day while I buy a two dollar coffee today, throwing half of it away, because it doesn't taste good. I believe Jesus loves these marginalized people with a fury that none can describe. I pray that the Lord would grant me but a speck of that indescribable love for the down and out. I believe the Lord has called me to serve the meek and the mild; locally, nationally, and beyond.
I spend a lot of time studying and reading up on the complexities of the crisis in Africa; 12 million orphaned children, 3000 dead daily of malaria, 6500 dead from HIV-Aids daily. The numbers are large and about to get larger. This global inequality must be squashed, with the church leading the way on the front lines of restoring Africa.
I long to see a nation of restored families, where divorce is the last, not the first, option. I pray a day will come soon when young women will take responsibility of their bodies; not giving themselves away to any Tom, Dick, or Harry only to result in yet another fatherless child, or worse, a lifeless child. My wife recently checked out the new births at St. Joseph's hospital in Jackson. Out of the 17 newborn pictures, 11 were single moms and/or out of wedlock.
I hope this sheds some light on where I am coming from as far as posting these blurps. I encourage questions, criticism, praise, threats, whatever helps you sift through these questions and ideas I post. Thanks

2005-10-06T08:52:00.000-07:00

I recently went to the Redgranite correctional facility with students from the Tri-Center Alternative School in West Bend. The students had a chance to talk with inmates and ask them any questions they might have. I was amazed at the inmates standing in front of me. Out of 9 inmates that were in this program (R.Y.TE., Reaching Youth Through Education), 4 of them were convicted of homicide, one for vehicular homicide, and three for armed robbery. The thing that got me though was this: I was just like them. Sure, I didn't grow up in the ghetto and my parents didn't go through a divorce. But I had the same interests as them (family and being successful), I had the same desires as them (to be a positive influence). I even looked and talked like them. I could relate to them. They were people I would befriend on the streets. I actually liked them.
We have this misperception that those that are locked up are monsters; monsters that look different, talk different, walk different. There is something inherently wrong with them that could not possibly be wrong with us. They can't function in society and as a result are locked up.
This could not be further from the truth. These are real people like you and me that made wrong decisions (like we do), succumbed to temptation (like we do), got caught (like we do), punished (like we are) and as a result, are behind bars. We need to look at these people behing bars with an understanding that they are very similar to us and that rehabilition is the answer rather than locking them up and throwing away the key.

2005-09-15T06:32:00.000-07:00

Here is an excerp from an article on the 8 Millenium Development Goal's (MGD's) the UN has established to combat poverty, particularly in East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa www.un.org/millenniumgoals/. This piece deals with the 0.7% of GDP which rich countries are supposed to devote to foreign aid. This information comes from the magazine the Economist.

One target that can be measured is the 0.7% GDP which rich countries are supposed to devote to foreign aid. Many donors have promised "efforts" to reach the target, but only five have met it. Mr. Bolton does not intend even to try. "The United States has consistently opposed numerical aid targets from their inception in the 1970's," he wrote to his UN colleagues.

But Jeffrey Sachs, the economist who is the MDG's chief intellectual sponsor, thinks the 0.7% target now has more than history to recommend it. Suppose, he says, we gave the money needed to reach the poverty line to everyone below it. How much would it take?

Martin Raviallion and his colleagues at the World Bank put the international poverty line at $1.08 per day, measured in 1993 purchasing-power parity dollars. They estimate that in 2001, 1.1 billion people fell short of this line, by $113 on average. Giving $113 a year to 1.1 billion people would cost $124 billion. As Mr. Sachs points out, this is little more than 0.6% of the the combined GDP of the OECD's 22 donor countries, measured in the same purchasing-power parity dollars. Thus the promise to devote 0.7% of GDP to fighting poverty has a theoretical rationale today that it did not have when first proposed in 1970. With an aid budget that size, the "poverty gap" could in principle be filled.

Mr. Sach's thought-experiment is intended as no more than an "eye-opening" illustration. But it is nonetheless misleading, argues Surjit Bhalla, a former World Bank economist who now runs Oxus Fund Management, a hedge fund. As Mr. Bhalla points out, the "dollars" used when measuring poverty around the world are not the dollars given in aid. The first is a unit of purchasing power. The second is a unit of currency, which has varying purchasing power depending on where it is spent and what it is spent on. As Mr. Bhalla points out, a dollar earned in America buys much more in Ethiopia or India than in Japan or America itself.

So how many dollars would have filled the poverty gap in 2001? Not $124 billion, Mr. Bhalla reckons, but only $25.1 billion. In fact the rich world gave more than $46 billion in aid that year, and has been giving more than enough to fill the poverty gap in almost every year since 1990.

Unfortunately, a victory over poverty cannot be so easily purchased. The rich world cannot pour a given amount of money into one end of an MDG pipeline and expect to see, emerging from the other, a predictable number of people freed from destitution and disease.

2005-09-14T12:25:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,
After being inspired by a fellow blogger in town, I have decided to give this a shot. I always got something on my mind, but don't know who to say it to. Well here ya' go.