Radical.

"A wealthier man in our church family came to my office after we had been studying the story of the rich young man. He sat down, looked at me, and said point-blank, 'I think you're crazy for saying some of the things you are saying.' Then he paused, and I wasn't sure what direction this conversation was going to go. He continued, 'But I think you're right. And so now I think I'm crazy for thinking some of the things I'm thinking.'

For the next few minuets, he described how he was selling his large house and had decided to give away many of his other possessions. He talked about the needs he wanted to invest his resources in for the glory of Christ. Then he looked at me through tears in his eyes and said, 'I wonder at some points if I'm being irresponsible of unwise. But then I realize there is never going to come a day when I stand before God and he looks at me and says, 'I wish you would have kept more for yourself.' I'm confident that God will take care of me.'"

- David Platt in Radical p. 123

"So what is the difference between someone who willfully indulges in sexual pleasures while ignoring the Bible on moral purity, and someone who willfully indulges in the selfish pursuit of more and more material possessions while ignoring the Bible on caring for the poor? The difference is that one involves a social taboo in the church and the other involves the social norm in the church."

- David Platt in Radical p. 111

Above are two quotes from a book called Radical, which talks all about taking back faith from the American dream, that my dad is going through with his small group. I read the finances chapter. There are a handful of puzzle pieces related to where my life is going that are all starting to come together. This is a start.

Summer is ahead.

It's been a few months since I've posted. I left all of you hanging somewhere in the middle of Europe. Once I rejoined everyone I figured we'd just talk about it in person. I got too busy with enjoying everything to think about documenting it. I had a delightful quarter all in all. I had three new flatmates who were terrific, I lead worship along with another good friend at InterVarsity, I was recognized by PUMA as a good candidate for a footwear development position they have open (still in process), I learned an absurd amount of engineering and... point being, I had always figured when I stopped observing life and got lost in the craziness, I would stop blogging, but that wasn't true this time. I didn't want to waste a second. Now I'm on break with time to reflect more and write more.

This break, I'm at home mostly. I just got into rock climbing at RIT, but I can't do that here so I'm returning to my old love of tree climbing. The picture above is from a tree in our back yard that I've never climbed before. It's challenging and fun with a beautiful view from the top, over our house (you can just barely make out our roof at the bottom of the frame), across the valley, and to the sunset beyond. I think I'll post a handful of these this break.

I like life.