Monthly Archive for June, 2007

Renaissance Man

So I went to a great sushi restaurant yesterday for lunch. It was Ah-mazing (”Fusian” - on Woodberry); it was so good that I took Byron back there for supper. During lunch, I kept thinking that he would love the modern yet organic decor, and he would think their new age/jazz music was cool, etc…

When we got there, they gave us the table I knew he’d like (it has these cool orange wingbacks - super comfy).

So as he was “popping” edamame, and drinking Voss (his favorite sparking water), I began to think about how much he’s changed since I met him over 20 years ago. To say that he’s different now is an understatement. He didn’t branch-out very often, back then, in the area of food, decor, music, or the way he dressed. He was a typical “meat and potatoes” Texan - everything normal and predictable - no surprises! Then, he met me, and God called him into the pastorate…

For years he did the whole normal pastor thing, the double-breasted suits and the pastor hair (he DID have hair). He never was particularly political, but he could “bring it” in the pulpit - so he was always “successful”. His administrative skills and loyalty (and the utter lack of the typical “messianic complex” that most in the ministry suffer from) caused him to be a great associate, then senior pastor…Then, he began to desire more - more than the safe, predictable ministry at which he was excelling.

So he did something that was absolutely contrary to his very existence up to that point. Something that no one would’ve recommended. He changed. He changed everything from his philosophy of ministry to his hair. He shaved his head and threw out the preacher pretense. He started looking for ways to experience more out of life than canned green-beans and pot-roast. He began to truly look at people as opportunities for connection rather than a project to feel successful (I think the latter may be taught as a seminary course “How to feel successful in your ministry by how many circles you can run around in without ever truly effecting life-change” - well, the title may not be that long). He began to refuse to be in bondage to the dictates of the religious, but instead really asked “What would Jesus do?”. He began to demand more of himself and those around him, and ask the question, “Why is this community of faith placed here in this area - are we accomplishing the work of Christ, or just building a legacy unto ourselves…?”

He asked, and the masses answered - vehemently (the religious) and overwhelmingly (the unchurched). He was vilified, attacked, threatened, lied-about and betrayed - and yet he continued to push for more…more change, more authenticity, more love of the person of Christ rather than the tradition of man…He walked on through the fire and the storm, and never wavered except to say to me, “If it becomes too much, just say the word, and I’ll leave it all behind, today, because I am no success in my ministry if I lose you and the kids…”

So, sitting at dinner last night at a sushi restaurant, watching him eat exotic food, comment on his new love of a very different decor than he was supposed to appreciate, and wearing a brightly colored “floweredee” shirt - And all because I wanted to go there, and I wanted him to try the food and see the decor, hear the music, and I had given him the pretty shirt…etc. I considered all of the ways he had changed.

So, I commented on how different he was than “back in the day”, and he answered, “Yeah, I’m different, and it all boils down to one thing: “I fell in love…”

That is what it all boils down to with him: LOVE. He has learned, through adversity, to love with abandon. He has been willing to sacrifice everything for love. He is one of the few people in this world who has earned the right to say, “I would die for you.”, and you can believe it. He is becoming a true “Renaissance Man” on a mission of love and mercy. It’s a beautiful thing to observe someone doing what they were truly born to do.

So, to me, he’s a renaissance man - my renaissance man - and I love him and am grateful for and proud of all the changes…It’s been quite a ride, and I’ve never been more excited to see what’s in store for tomorrow. I am truly blessed.

Peace.

Published
by
angiebledsoe
on June 28, 2007
in family and love
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The Other Three C’s

Happy, happy Wednesday!

Today I got to hang-out with the other C3 pastor’s wives. We’re a small group now - so we’re tight.

There are many things I’ve learned over the past year - some of them I hoped and expected to see, like the movement of God, the development of more diversity in the church, and God’s complete faithfulness through the struggle (all of these have surpassed my expectations!)

One thing I didn’t expect was the feeling (and, in some ways, reality) of “mass exodus” - so many losses, many of which I didn’t see coming, and the grave disappointment which inevitably followed. I stopped telling myself, “I know them, they won’t bail!” I definitely stopped saying “How much worse could it possibly get?”

Of course, the Enemy knows our fears, and each time someone would go, there would be the temptation to panic…to give in. But, the fear is always overcome by love. All of the strife and contention has led to something - many things - that are beautiful. It’s all about the “other” 3 c’s: change, which leads to conflict, which causes chaos - which facilitates growth!

The other thing that I didn’t expect is the outcome of the loss - the gain. Gaining the knowledge of the blessing of true friendship, gaining the gift of understanding pain, gaining the freedom to be who God created me to be without reservation or condemnation. The safe place of real, solace-type friendship is rare - I have discovered - but it does exist, and I experienced it again in full measure today. And I am thankful.

I hope everyone feels the depths of true “shelter” friends at least once in their lives - we can all begin by being that for someone else. It’s awesome - and, for me, it’s so “C3″.

Happy, happy Wednesday! Love someone today. Peace.

Published
by
angiebledsoe
on June 27, 2007
in friends and life lessons
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What Day Is It?

I woke-up in a bad mood. Last night, my boys left to go visit their cousins in south Florida. So, no “Splash-Zone” for me today. (By the way, the Splash-zone “authorities” made me go put my large iced-coffee in the car before entering…I’m telling you, it’s a conspiracy! (see Happy Darn Wednesday).

Instead of frolicking with my boys, I went to the office and tried to fill in for Byron’s secretary, Peggy, who is out of town. The morning began with me spilling my large iced-coffee all over my desk and floor (it’s like someone is trying to tell me something - like, “always use spill-proof containers!”), then the day progressed downhill from there.

Apparently, my office computer has developed quite an attitude over my growing love-affair with my MacBook, and it wouldn’t cooperate - it refused to even recognize me on the network! Back to my Mac - I love her, she always accepts me, never judges - even when I write stupid stuff. She always acts shocked that I would delete any of my pearls of wisdom by saying, “Are you sure you want to delete this?”. I know she’s really saying, “You’re awesome, Angie, and all of your words are wonderful…” I love her…But, I digress.

So, anyway my office computer reminded me, once again that I have no marketable skills, and Byron needs to check the amount on his life-insurance policy, unless he wants me to turn to a life of crime should something befall him, God forbid!

Tonight is band practice, so I need to get my stuff together, so I can worship the Lord properly…Maybe I just need to get some coffee. This time I’m going to “Cuppy’s” where I know I’ll be treated right! I’m gonna try to act happy the rest of the day, or Byron will remember that we haven’t worked-out yet, and make me work-out my grumpiness on the Bowflex…I need to fly under the radar as much as possible…Peace!

Published
by
angiebledsoe
on June 26, 2007
in coffee and random
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The Remains of the Day…

Another Sunday has come and gone. This one was packed with good things:

*Although, I was particularly tired during our a.m. band practice (mainly due to my husband putting me through a sadistic Bowflex/elliptical workout the day before wherein I had to put my head between my knees to keep from passing out), the worship sets were filled with passion and energy, and the congregation responded with the same spirit.

*Byron’s message about our real Enemy: Satan, was profound in it’s doctrine, yet so practical that it caused all of us to reflect on who we allow to get the power in the limited time we have left on this earth - are we wasting our seconds or utilizing them to their full potential. Plus, I learned that Byron is going to live until 2057 (according to Deathclock.com), so I say, “Why kill ourselves with grueling workouts - if your gonna live that long anyway?”

*It was good to see the faces of people I’ve never seen before, great to see returning and increasingly more familiar faces, and awesome to see friends who ARE friends - like aloe for the soul…(see “Sunburns”).

*Happy Birthday, Monica! And welcome home Travis and Sandi!

*We had a good lunch with great friends. (mine was healthy and nutritious!)

*We got a long nap - a couple of hours. WONDERFUL!!!!

*We took the boys to Barnes&Noble to get a new book, get Starbucks, and catch-up on our blog-reading.

*I was reminded again today of how much I love books - new books, old books - I love the way they look. I love the way they smell even… I think I’m gonna hang-out there more often, and try to find my library card…

*Reading the blogs of the other staff wives and women in the church, the past few days, has made me so thankful to have such strong and faithful women in my life. The honesty and insight I’m hearing from them is inspiring. It fills me with hope…

So, today was a great day, and I’m tired - but it’s the good kind of tired - Tomorrow I get to go back to the splash-park with some of my “girls” - it’s for the children (they are our future, you know - just doing my part).

Now, I have to go to sleep - Byron tells me my muscles need proper rest to repair, so we can break them down, to build them back…blah, blah, blah…(see what I’m dealing with - I need an intervention!).

Good night - Peace.

Published
by
angiebledsoe
on June 25, 2007
in church, friends and sunday
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