Soma SchoolThe full night’s rest and the brief run this morning really made a difference. I felt significantly better and was able to engage more. Some people were glad to see a nicer side than the mean and intimidating tired Filip.
The first part of the day picked up right where we left off with the Story of God in the Old Testament. I was sharing my thoughts with one of the young ladies that are part of the church (you can tell it was a better day since I made new friends) that the reason I love the story is the way it interacts with both the Biblically “educated” and those who have not had any exposure to Biblical material. On the one hand I enjoy listening to the way the Bible is reorganized for people like me who have spent most of their 20s in Bible school. On the other hand there are few other joys that I have experienced than to see someone make a discovery in God’s Word or a connection with their personal lives. I love being in the middle of that. I have thorougly enjoyed listening to some of the people who are being exposed to the storying concept. At the same time I learned a lot of things, mostly things I had heard before but they now clicked or made more sense after I moved them inside my head. I love the image of God in the redemptive thread through the Bible. He is a pursuer, one that makes sure that evil is dealt with so that man can once again be in His presence. The story of the two goats on the day of Atonement shows how God wants to make it clear to us that he is willing to wipe away our slate and bring a fresh start to our relationship. We can’t do that in any of our relationships; who can forget the wrong suffered or perpetrated? Sure we can forgive, but it will always come back to tempt us. God’s message is very powerful: We can have that relationship with Him where He does not remember our sins against Him.
The second part of the day was the same content I had heard a year ago. We talked about the four identities of the church: Family, Missionaries, Servants, and Learners. I was asked by a member of the church why I came to this conference a second time. I told him about the struggles I had this past year and how I felt that “me at Soma” was who I would like to be (Ideally) but unfortunately the rest of the year was a far cry from it. And it has been a tough year for me with ample struggles to be selfless and show grace to those around me. So I felt I needed to hear this stuff and experience living in the Missional Community at Soma in Tacoma.
The day ended with a visit to a Missional Community. This is their (enhanced) version of a small group. I had a blast meeting some new people, talking with some other seminarian guys that are here for the conference and interacting with a few of the children of the families that were there. We ate some good food and talked a little about the rhythms of their missional community.
After we got done, we got in the car and drove two of the guys to their host before driving back to our hosts. I forgot to mention that our hosts were very generous and offered their Honda Pilot to use for the day. As I was turning onto the street were the guys were living, I was struck by the thought and sight of a car coming from the right out of a parking lot into the street. Sure enough the though and sight were followed by a loud bang, a couple of screams from inside the cars (I won’t mention names) and it was all over: my first car accident! I tried to move the car but it would not work. I got out, made sure the other driver was alright (she was). Then got back and looked at the car. The damage was minor, despite the loud noise. There was a minor bend in the front fender and one (maybe more) arm controllers were broken. The other car had a bent license plate. Because of the broken control arm I could not move the car. We had to call the cops and the owner of the car (our hosts) and deal with it. The whole deal took about 40 minutes. Everybody was cool about it. When the police officer was writing down my information I mentioned that I work for security back at my school. His response was the question: “Have you seen that movie with the Mall Cop?” Yes, that’s who I am associated with… Anyways, it was my first accident in 8 years of driving. And it was “a missional” accident.
Lessons about myself (more or less significant)I cannot hear the word “completely” with a blank slate. No matter the context it makes me think of a South African pronunciation.
I really like babies and they like me too (or at least my niece and the one I met tonight).
I am a lot happier when I get enough rest.
I meant to link these posts to the ones I wrote last year. So here it is,
Soma School Day 2, 2008.
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