Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Aqualung, my friend

I used to listen to this Jethro Tull album over and over and over. Ahh, the memories. I always thought it was a very artsy album.

I have to admit though, I don't have a clue what "aqualung" means. Sounds like some kind of fish or something. But it makes me think about my friend who passed away last year from lung cancer (among other cancers). I miss him. Our church misses him. I took him way too much for granted. He had a great servants heart. Something I lack. I am self-centered. I have trouble breathing if I get crowded by too many people. My lungs need air. I need space... time... Or, at least I think I do. That is how I function best.

My son stayed up late last night talking to Jane and I about his "girlfriend." He didn't know if he should break up with her or not, and it was complicated by the fact that he wasn't really even sure if they were boyfriend/girlfriend. They had went out before, then broke up, then decided they would kind of go out, but take it real slow. But that is hard. Plus the fact that they have completely different friends and interests. I don't think she stimulates him emotionally. And Isaac is probably too much like me. A simply complicated individual. Cursed by a big heart but a hard time living by it. Open but afraid. Fearless but tentative. The ultimate in contradiction/confliction. I wish I knew what to tell him. He is a good boy/man.

Well, not much today. I met with a pastor friend. there used to be three of us, but one broke up with us last week. He just couldn't stand to meet with us anymore after doing it for 5 years. I think he is mad at me, because I refused to tell him what he wanted to hear; plus I did tell him some things that I thought were downright wrong of him to do, say, think. He is a dangerous man - not just dangerous thinker. I worry about him, because I believe he doesn't have peace with himself and with God, and that is a dangerous person to put in a pulpit. Animosity, bitterness, and anger do not mix well with God's grace and love.

But wht do i know about God's grace and love. I feel guilty this week for not doing much. For spending time reading and on the computer. I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing.

Aqualung, my friend, teach me to breathe underwater. Teach me to swim through dark places and emerge where I should. Teach me.

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Welcome to my mind

Danno's Dangerous Mind

Greetings friends and flobies,
I think I have my site up and running, and I think the links work, and I think YOU can actually post and/or comment. I'm not sure why anyone would want to, but i hope someone will someday.

Why the 'Danno's Dangerous Mind' blog? Well, sometimes I think I have a dangerous mind. You know, I get to thinking things, and... since I'm a preacher, if I go with things, and say things, who knows what the result might be. It's a scary thing. Because, the truth be known, I sometimes thing strange thoughts. And it scares me because I don't always think everything all the way through, or I'll get caught up in the moment of something, and... you know, you just never know what might come out of my mind, and what somebody might find appealing. Especially myself.

Currently I'm trying to find good books to read. I LOVED Donald Miller's books, Blue Like Jazz & Searching For God Knows What. Also, Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. Right now I'm reading Dan Kimball's, The Emerging Church. I don't like reading books liek that so much. When I read books on how we should "do" church, or do it "better" or how we should be preaching to today's culture and stuff... man, it depresses me. It makes me feel inadequate. I would much rather read something that would draw me - personally - deeper in touch with God. I'm just not that into form. Maybe it's more function I'm into. I dunno.

Anyway, back to why I'm trying to find good books to read. My son reads basically everything I read. Isaac is 17; Carrie is 20. I can't keep up. They are surpassing me. Which is good. But it's hard for me to try to teach them anything anymore. They should probably be teaching me. And they do in many respects. I love my kids. They are the greatest. There are none better, and never will be. Not that others aren't okay, but I wouldn't trade Carrie and/or Isaac for anyone or anything.

Well, gotta go. jane will be home shortly. She's my wife. And a good one mostly. Better than I deserve.

hey... God bless ya, you know. And much peace to you.
Danno

Trial run

Hey... this is my first post on my first very own blog spot. Just an outlet for... whatever, you know. I will post some dangerous stuff later.
later...