Well, a few weeks back, well - I had a great week. Things were peachy and smooth. Stuff was just on point - things fell in place - God blessed our ministry and family relationships in a powerful way.
This week is great, but not because it was GREAT! It was part of the struggle of life in a sin sick fallen world, but life to be thankful for nonetheless.
First, my 1 year old got sick - always hard to see little one's in pain. Next, the stomach monster went from Ky to Momma. When Mom is sick - life gets chaotic. All the brothers out there who are Dads can say "Amen" with me at this time.
I also learned about myself during this "down time" - I had planned to finish 5 seminary papers doing Biblical theologies on NT books/themes. The papers due date had been extended from late Nov, until the end of Dec. They were due before 2005. The sickness was going to require my papers to be late - and affect my grade perhaps. For some reason this frustrated me privately. I knew the right thing to do was to be with my kids and love them while Mom was out of commission. I knew this to be right, I felt it to be right - it just was right. And I felt great purpose in caring for my family.
But for some reason, in a separate part of the soul, I just was disappointed about my papers laying around late. Sometimes I just care about silly stuff, getting all As, knocking every ball out of the park. But this was a great week because God broke through into my stupidity.
I just was able to not care if the papers were late or not - it just ceased to bother me. And when it became time to write the last one. It came out with great fluidity. A grace was on the process so that it finished much quicker than I anticipated.
There is great sorrow in this world, and we have but very small problems. I am thankful that this week was hard...another sort of week that in some provendential economy is good for us as well.
Out...
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POC Blog
The random technotheolosophical blogging of Reid S. Monaghan
Holiday Reading
My Reading List for the Holidays:
- Finish or keep plugging through Marsden's Jonathan Edwards - A Life
- Read Amy Carmichael of Dohnavur By Frank L. Houghton in preparation for our "Inverted Souls in Church History" series at our spring Inversion Gathering. I am going to do a biographical sketch of a person each semester - the first being Amy Carmichael
- Welcoming but Not Affirming: An Evangelical Response to Homosexuality by Stanley Grenz - in preparation for a discussing of loving and engaging with the homosexual community.
- And if God grace me with bonus time - I would love to get to Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity by Nancy R. Pearcey. We'll see...
Should be a great holiday season!
--------The Anatomy of a Great Week
Some weeks in my life have been very hard - the weeks in which my wife and I miscarried were hard - and each one, and we went through five, was harder than the previous one. I have had excruciating weeks in my life - where hope, though still burning in our hearts as embers, did not have the grand flames that other weeks have had.
This week however, November 28 - December 2004, was a great week! In such weeks - in which I not only see and savor Jesus Christ with great clarity and affections - but also see my life involved in things of eternal signifcance - I just get overwhelmed with gratitude to God. This week, in a kind providence, God graced my life with the following:
- Systematic Theology - I have to admit, that I love theological and philosophical reflection, and this week, I finished up a class in "Prolegemena, The Doctrines of Revelation/Bible, and Theology Proper - the Doctrine of God" - do those terms not just sing! I took a final exam this week which was just a great enjoyable experience - thinking deeply and learning - that is part of a great week
- Inversion Fellowship - This week we had great meetings with our Inversion leaders as well as our bi-weekly Inversion Gathering. This week at our Gathering we discussed The Intersection of Truth and Life, specifically we talked together as a young adult community about moving Towards an Integrated Christian World and Life View - in other words, how does a view of what we believe effect how I live and understand our complex world and its contemporary issues. It was an awesome night...
- Virginia Tech won the ACC in Footbally by schlacking the Miami Hurricanes. It was a fine day to see guys I have mentored and discipled for the past several years achieve a great victory on the field. Plus, I love football and it has been a great season to be a fan.
- Fellowship Bible Church - This week I had the humble priviledge of teaching at our new church. The Lord really blessed me in my preparation and deliveray of a message from HIS word in John 8:37-59. God never ceases to humble me that he would use me for his glory in the lives of others - I am so thankful that he does not share his glory with anyone, including those who teach - yet I am also thankful that he would use me, although in a small way, to affect others for his name sake.
- My wife Kasey - I cannot believe how much of a hero my wife is in my life. She is tirelessly loving our two girls (who could be a bullet point of blessing in their own right), she is encouraging me in my calling, be a friend as we walk life together, and is a great example to others around her. I cannot get over how much of a blessing this woman is to me - she is the answer to the first "selfish" prayer I ever prayed way back in 1992. God could have given her and her alone to me - and I would have been blessed waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay beyond anything I could imagine. Thanks Kasey - I hope you read this - I love you.
Yes, it has been a GREAT week. Out
--------A fine trip to be with friends
For the past week, we had the blessing of returning to Blacksburg, VA - the place we spent the last six years in ministry. I was able to do 3 of my favorite things in Blacksburg:
- Speak at an Athletes in Action Meeting - spoke to the athletes on "Community Done Right" from Colossians 3:18-4:1
- Go to a VT football game - I had a great time watching the game from the sidelines - a big time schlackin of Maryland (55-6)
- Was able to be with our church family there - Blacksburg Christian Fellowship - it was a privilege to bring the Word to the people there
I am now on my way back to Tennessee - our new home - to resume our ministry and life there. It is such a blessing to serve with so many wonderful people in the family of faith. One faith, one hope, one baptism, one God and Father over all. I am truly humbled to walk this life with so many awesome people. No eye has seen or ear heard what God has prepared for those who love him.
Thankful today
Out
--------A Different Wood
Today I walked in the woods by our house...I first walked among the trees and streams of this wood several months ago, in the humid roar of the summer months. It was a wood lush with green vines, overgrown paths, and spider webs cast on seemingly every tree. Today it was a different wood...gone were lush vines, the trees are in there fall metamorphosis, shedding their heavy greens for the coming sleep of winter. There was a fresh clarity of view, there were clearer paths, I could see the surrounding landscape - things just seemed to make sense. Perhaps a reflection of my own life - with its many cobwebs and uncertainties, with joy robbing barons which surround my heart. Excessive viewing of the square box, lack of solitude and thought, the schizophrenia of too diverse a menu of activity, ignorance of Holy Writ and the serious study thereof. Perhaps God is clearing these webs in my soul - much as the wood clears out from a tangled jungle of life. Life does have its seasons (Ecclesiastes 3) - and such is the make-up of wisdom to know the seasons of one's own soul. One thing is sure, I have many paths to walk - both in clarity and in tangled mazes. Another is certain - the captain of the ship knows the course - he will bring me to his desired ends, and in this truth, I live.
God has no need of me nor his acquaintance with me of any great privilege to Him...but he does still call me to himself - and by his grace, I pray he may use me greatly in his church...In that hope, I simply pray.
Out...
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The Blessing of a Child
Most nights I speak blessings over my oldest daughter - tonight I found out she had been listening. Tonight at bed time - Kayla laid her hand upon my cheek and said "God, may you bless Daddy, may you grant him peace, may you protect him all of life, amen!"
Melted...
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Family
I love my family deeply and when they are sick or hurting it takes a toll on us all. The past few days our little baby has been sick and now my wife has come down with an intestinal issue as well. I hope that it will soon pass and their health will soon return.
Tonight we had our first gathering of leaders for our new young adult ministry - Inversion Fellowship. I am thankful to work with the next generation and to help them see and savor God - to love him with their minds, to think, to care, to set their hands to a Kingdom plow to be agents of redemption in culture and the world.
Continuing a read in the life of Jonathan Edwards - the question now is can one accept the theological vision of a thinker, yet reject parts of his metaphysical framework - I think yes. It has been good to linger some days in the 18th century - in the fresh and difficult soil of the new nation - soon to be called the United States. It has been a great progress for me not to romanticize eras past (be it the 13th century Christian philosphers, the birth of the University, and faith/reason in concert together, or the fresh fires of the Great Awakening in Edwards time) while feeling the fresh breeze of history upon the soul. It is a great debt I owe to many people who encouraged me to think, to read, to read old books, and history.
Out...
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On the Road for a couple of weeks
The next few weeks we will be on the road a bit:
- Preach at our church in Blacksburg, VA
- Spend 2.5 days in Ohio at AIA Headquarters
- Officiate a good friends wedding
- Some Vacation Time with Kasey's Family
- Back to Tenn
Life at 26,000 feet.
Last night I was on a plane landing in Nashville descending down from 26,000 feel. I looked and saw all of the small individuals lights - the lights of homes, stores, automobiles, and street lamps all became visible even from such a loft height. I began to think about how each of those lights has a purpose in the world "down there." To illuminate a home, permit reading in a late night hour, to bring light to dark alleys for safety, to pilot cars through the darkness on to their destination. Lights supporting life down below. I then thought of all the individual lives that these lights are serving - and I felt small. There is such a smallness in being human. We travel through space a breakneck speeds, on a rotating sphere comprised of ores, oceans, and organisms. The thoughts of the Psalmist began to travel in my mind. "What IS man that you are mindful of him!" Even more so, who am I amidst these millions of lights and lives taking place in the saga down below?
The startling truth that rings through in the message of Jesus is that among the billions of people who are living and have lived, every individual is vested with a glory unknown to any other part of God's creation.
He does love the sparrow, yet we are more valued. He clothes the flowers in beautiful splendor, yet we are more loved. Not one hair on our heads is missing or has fallen to the earth unnoticed. One small life, one significant small light.
As I looked away from the city into the darkness of the earth from 26,000 feet, I could not help but think about how lights illuminate the darkness, cast out fear, and bring truth to confusion. How much more does God intend his people to shine forth in a world darkened and broken by sin.
Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 2 Corinthians 4:1-7 - ESVWe are but small people, but oh what light and treasure does God place into our broken jars of clay. --------
Caring for a family in new lands
Kasey and I are in Tennessee land these days. We have moved and have been "close" to finishing unpacking for several days - just when we are almost there - another box surfaces. I am really praying for wisdom in loving and leading my family in these days. Kayla is doing great; all of life is an adventure for her. She is really enjoying having her Daddy around so much. I too am thankful to be with her so much. Ky hasn't adjusted well with the move throwing off her schedule - that has made the nights a little longer than they were in Virginia. It will be quite a while before Kasey has a new schedule with the girls so her life seems a little bit thrown for a whirl - she has been such a hard worker in getting the house together. She is starting to be a little hard on herself for not getting it all cranked out. We just need to live in grace with one another and the transition. On to bed time fun with Kayla...
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An Ode to Stuff...
Stuff flows in and flows out
Stuff piles in our attics and garners much clout
Stuff sneers and and lingers with a life of its own
Stuff fills up and explodes and will constantly roam
Furniture, knick-knacks, and storage galore
And yet we continually buy more and more
Stuff stays around from primary school days
with little league trophies leading the way
Stuff that sprawls and Stuff that spreads out
If I could just one day through it all out
Oh stuff how we love thee in the great USA
How much of our hearts do you steal away?
Will stuff, homes and things gain rule in our souls?
Oh God grant us mercy that it never take hold
What is the solution to our dilemna this day
To follow Him faithfully and to give it away
Open hands are an enemy of an abundance of stuff
and may God grant us the words - Enough is Enough...
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Arriving in Franklin Tennessee
Kasey, Kayla, Kylene, and I are arriving in Franklin Tennessee this week. Though we have arrived in town, it still feels as if we are in a process of arriving. What do I mean? Physically we are in town, the boxes are gradually emptying and we are finding our way around this great town south of Nashville. We are slowly merging our hearts to this our new home. It will be a process for us this summer as we will be in and out quite a bit, but overall we are so thankful for where the Lord is leading us. Are there questions and things yet to be known? Oh yes, and we thank God for the adventure. We are praying that Kayla will adjust well and not miss her friends in Blacksburg too much...well, we are praying that for us all.
Many Blessings to all of you who have prayed for us as of late.
Reid
PS - No, we didn't us follow the truck schematic 100%...the motorcycle wouldn't fit so we will get that later in the summer. Overall the move wasn't that bad - a 7 on a scale of 1 to 10.
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Boxed in and all booked up!
These days, life is starting to get a little crazy. An armada of boxes has assembled in my home threatening an all out invasion any day now. If that were not enough, the seminary class I ordered (an external studies class) arrived late with an abundance of books to read and papers to write. Life will be in flux for quite a while now, but I have noticed my prayer life deepening as a result. I don't like chaos that much and as much as I can with my feeble efforts try by God's grace to order my world as much as possible. Case in point. Last night I couldn't sleep because I was thinking about how I will get all our "stuff" (save that for another blog) into a moving truck. To confirm I am one weird dude, I got out of bed and produced the following:
Yes, Mom - that is strange - but I hope it packs well - :)
On a more sober note, a friend of mine e-mailed today with news that his wife has cancer. A very operable one with a good prognosis, but still a very humbling piece of news. Praying for him today.
Out
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Coming up on 8 years
This Tuesday, Kasey and I celebrate the wonder of eight years of marriage. We thank God for his grace to see us through each of those years. It is amazing to see all the changes that we as people go through in such a short period of time - yet certain things about one another remain constant. Our circumstances have certainly changed. After spending over five years without children, the last 2 and a half have been with little babies and toddlers about. We never could have guessed the changes little Kayla and Kylene have brought to our lives, even our marriage has been deeply impacted. Although it has been adjustment, my love for Kasey has deepened as I have watched her grow as a mother. Her beauty and heart shining out to all of us on what we have coined "the Monaghan Home Team." I pray that God grants us many more years together and gives us the grace to love, forgive, and to grow towards one another in the years to come. As we move to a new place, we will undoubtedly lean on each other more without our existing networks of support and friends - I pray we enjoy this time as a great gift of God.
I am my beloveds and she is mine - enough mushiness, but I love that woman.
Out
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Packing up boxes
This week we have finished packing up the AIA office into boxes and moving it along to other souls. I have also spent time drafting a 13 pager documenting all VTAIA ministries and systems the Lord has raised up here over the years. It has been a sad time for Kasey and me. We had our Servant Team dinner on Sunday night - a great blessing to finish with our dear leaders.
We shared with them from 1 Thess 2 - how they were our joy and crown then they turned the tables on us and blessed us big time with a special gift.
A great gift to remind us of the faithfulness of God in the past as we trust him for tomorrow.
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One final stop on the AIA Journey
I am on my way to Xenia, OH location of the AIA World Training and Resource Center for some meetings with my campus ministry brothers and other leaders of the organization. It has been a great road with AIA – Kasey and I have been involved with the ministry as students and staff for some twelve years. It is hard to imagine our lives apart from AIA, which has made the last few weeks a bit difficult as we transition our various responsibilities. This week I will say some goodbyes to some great friends and soldiers for the cause of Christ; I will miss them dearly. Although I hope to see people from time to time reality is that our paths will be less intertwined. How will that feel two years from now, or five? I am just hoping and praying that Kasey and I will develop deep relationships and camaraderie where we are heading. We are hopeful to that end and thankful for the AIA friends the Lord has given.
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So it comes to an end...
Tomorrow night is my last AIA Meeting with the VT Hokies. In some ways it breaks my heart and I can't believe we will not be loving and leading these students in the coming years. VTAIA has long been God's song in our souls and now the song is reaching its final chorus. Such is the world with nothing at all being permanent.
Only one life, Only one life, and it soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last. -- Anonymous--------
Humbling Times...
The past few weeks have been a challenging season for us. Not that I can in any way say that we are suffering or that we have not been given immeasurably more than we could ever thank the Lord for. Yet this time of transition for us - finishing with AIA before moving on to Fellowship Bible Church has been challenging both spiritually and emotionally.
In some ways going to be a Pastor has brought great feelings of unworthiness, inadequacy, and fears of insignificance. I also feel like "lame duck staff" with AIA with little left to contribute as I am "on the way out." This has been very tough on me yet I have seen the Lord at work in a real way. I have been touched afresh by God's abundant grace to sinners (of which I am both categorically and experientially qualified), trusting more deeply to find my adequacy in Christ, and have abandoned myself to be nothing so that God may rightfully be known as everything.
I am off to a world where I will be "new staff", into the unknown, just hoping to have something to contribute. But HE is my portion and my song, so I will not fear, I will offer all that I am in service of His Glory - when I falter or succeed, his grace is my hope and refuge - there is no other way.
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Date with a great little girl today
Today, Kayla and I will take our monthly coupon from our Chic-fil-a "Cow Super Heroes" calendar and go on a great Saturday date. She awaits me upstairs with joy and expectation - Wow, what a privilege to be her Daddy.
Out
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Just Tired...
Our family has truly been through a bit of a whirlwind as of late...I'm just realizing how weary we have become.
- We had a new baby arrive 3 months ago
- We have just worked through a major decision to leave the staff of Athletes in Action to join with Fellowship Bible Church in Nashville, TN.
- We saw the Lord sell our house in one day
- We saw the Lord provide a new place in another day
- We are in the midst of a semester of ministry at VT
- We are transitioning all our responsibilities with AIA to other leaders
- We have a two and a half year old dynamo.
- We are just tired...