08.30.08
Posted in books, christian resources
at 2:09 pm
Living overseas sometimes means that we’re a little behind on what’s going on back in the US. The internet has changed things dramatically, but sometimes we’re just out of the loop.
Today I finished The Shack by William P. Young. I had heard that there was some kind of controversy about it, but never really heard any details. This is a case of me being very glad I was out of the loop, because I was able to read this story without any outside interference.
I remember as a new Christian I read The Pilgrim’s Progress, and was amazed at how a fairly simple story was able to clarify so many things that were somewhat muddled in my head about the Christian walk. Hind’s Feet on High Places, The Lord of the Rings, even Dante’s Divine Comedy were all stories that helped a growing Christian to understand the heavier topics of our faith. The danger with allegory is that every detail of the story has the tendency to become doctrine in the mind of the reader - even if that wasn’t the author’s intention.
I don’t remember any other book making an impression on me like The Shack did. It allowed me to see God in a new and refreshing way, and more importantly, showed me how He relates to me and I to Him. It’s not a theology textbook. It’s not the Bible. It’s a simply-written story that moved me to tears on more than one occasion. Even now, I’m still scratching my head as an image from the book pops in my head and makes it hard to talk over the emotions that well up.
I’ve poked around on the internet to try and figure out what the big problem is with this book. I suppose I should have known that people get threatened when their pre-concieved and 100%-human notions about the nature of God get challenged. When a different kind of box to put God in comes along (and aren’t all allegories just a different box?) people get upset and cry heretic.
I would encourage anyone to read this book. Read it with a grain of salt if you have to. Certainly read it as the work of fiction that it is. And then stop and ask yourself what you can learn from it, and how your relationship with God might change.
And change it will…
Permalink
08.24.08
Posted in Newsletters
at 6:37 am
It’s newsletter time. More information about the upcoming move, things to pray about, as well as pictures of some gladiators we saw in Pompeii.
August 2008 Newsletter
Permalink
08.22.08
Posted in family, kids
at 10:25 am
For the first time since moving to Italy, we needed to head to the American Embassy. Americans who have kids abroad need to go there to register their child’s birth and get a fancy “Report of Birth Abroad” form.
We checked in right on time for the appointment, and gave the helpful clerk all of the forms we needed. She had us sit down and wait until the vice-consulate called us. Not long after, he called us to his window. He said he had no problem approving our application for our newborn’s citizenship. He signed a paper, looked at us, and said, “Now she’s an American citizen.”
And I got a little misty eyed. I was a little amazed that this man could grant (and I suppose deny) citizenship with the stroke of a pen. And I was also proud that my daughter was officially part of the country that I am proud to be a part of. Living in Italy has given me a new perspective on my home country, and perhaps the voices around me have emphasized some of its flaws. But I’m still 100% American.
Permalink
07.20.08
Posted in Newsletters
at 8:53 am
Here’s our monthly newsletter, free for the taking. Let us know if you’d like us to add you to our mailing list!
July 2008 Newsletter
Permalink
07.17.08
Posted in Ancona, church, culture, photography
at 5:46 am
A friend of Marcus recently took us on a guided tour of Ancona. I’ve lived here for over two years and hadn’t ever done any kind of tourist things, and was kind of looking forward to learning some new things.
As we winded our way through some of the historical streets on Ancona, we came upon a building I had driven by, but hadn’t ever noticed. It’s very ornate, and over the years has been the home of many rich merchants. Our tour guide explained a very unique feature of the windows. First, they have rounded arches, which are very typical of Roman architecture. But they are also double windows, which are typical of Venetian architecture. But they also have pointed tops, which are typical of Arabian architecture.
Ancona has been influenced by all kinds of cultures over the centuries. The ruling power of the time left its mark on the economy, the language, the government, or in this case, the architecture.
I immediately thought of the church. Right now, we have Italians, Americans, and Romanians who are all active participants. We’ve had Irish and French visitors. Sometimes the cultures clash a bit, but for the most part they all come together and make a really beautiful thing.
Permalink
Posted in Ancona, Uncategorized, church, family, friends, photography
at 4:34 am
We have a group of 15 university students from College Heights Christian Church here in Ancona right now. They’ve been a great group, really ready to dive in and experience the culture and learn about our church.
On Monday, they hosted a day at the beach. They invited people they had met and we also invited the church to come and enjoy hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill (something that few of them had ever experienced).
It rained off and on all day, and after weeks of hot, humid weather, it was cool and windy. Just about dinner time, some church members showed up, and we got the grill going.
That’s when the storm clouds rolled in. The owner of the beach let us use his outdoor seating, which had a roof. We started seeing lightning hitting the ocean near us. And then, all of the sudden, it hailed on us. Ice was bouncing off the roof and into the area where we were seated. We quickly moved the food out of the rain, and took shelter under an awning. One of our church members said he had never seen hail before! And about 10 minutes later, it all stopped. We shook our head and laughed at the horrible weather for beach day.
And then we noticed the rainbow:
I’ve never seen a rainbow so large before! It was a full semi-circle that went into the sea on one side, and up and over the city of Ancona. I tried to stitch two pictures together above to give you an idea of how big it was.
God has the best endings.
Permalink
07.12.08
Posted in Ancona, photography
at 10:30 am
Click below for a larger size…
Permalink
Posted in Ancona, culture, family
at 10:19 am
We’re in the middle of an apartment search. Unfortunately, our landlord needs her apartment back and has given us six months to get out. It’s not the best timing, but we’re doing our best to stay positive about things.
A realtor called me back today. I had called to inquire about an apartment, and she had a few others that might work. She described several which sounded good, and she said she would contact the landlords for me to set up the appointments.
An hour or so later she called. One of the landlords was nervous renting to a foreigner, and wanted to know what I did for a living and would only make an appointment if I could show proof of income. Neither of these things is illegal, unless she only requires these things from foreigners.
Neither the landlord nor the realtor has ever seen me. My accent on the phone was enough to tip them off. Unfortunately, I’ve seen countless examples of racism here. I’ve been in many a conversation where the subject of “those darn stranieri” gets brought up. I usually listen and then point out that I, too, am a straniero. At which point they quickly point out that I’m not the kind of straniero they’re talking about. They mean those stranieri that don’t have the same color skin as they do.
I know my little confrontration with racism was just that - very minor. And I imagine the landlord will apologize all over himself when they realize that they asked the “good kind of foreigner” for proof of income. But I can see where a bunch of seemingly little examples like this could build up over time and cause a whole lot of tension.
Permalink
07.08.08
Posted in Ancona, family
at 10:17 am
Today we were pleasantly suprised to get a note in the mail from the mayor of Ancona, Fabio Sturani. I’m pretty sure that’s his actual signature. “Benevenuto al nuovo cittadino” - Welcome to the new citizen.
I know … you’re probably jealous.
Permalink
06.24.08
Posted in Newsletters
at 9:48 am
Great pictures of Francesca (if I do say so myself) in the newsletter this month. Hope you like them. Also a few reflections of our friend Massi’s death. And as always, the ever-exciting finance report.
Please get in touch if you need us!
June 2008 Newsletter
Permalink
