Family Gatherings June 25, 2006
Posted by stevelavey in Family.add a comment
Summer is always the time to get together with family. A chance to unwind, build deeper relationships with ones you love, laugh a little, love a little, eat a lot (unfortunately) and be in community. My wife and I spent Saturday at the lake at her summer family reunion, a gathering of 30-40 people. As I enjoyed the day, talking over a beer with family, meeting her cousins' neighbors, watching the kids go tubing on the lake, swimming with cousins and playing in the sand at the beach, I began to ponder the same activities in our church family.
Are we intentionally getting together, just enjoying the time with each other? Are we intentional about fellowship? Do we celebrate the ups and downs of life together? In our case here in the bustling city of Chicago, do we celebrate the city? Are we happy to be here? Are we doing life together or has the busy-ness of everyday taken those precious community moments away from us? Do we bring our neighborhood friends over to meet some church friends, like we did at the lake with the neighbors?
I don't want to be part of a a church that focuses on activities…I have enough going on in my life…..I want to be part of a church that is growing together….a group of people who are earnestly committed to engaging with God here in this awesome, influential city…..who want to share that engagement with friends and co-workers……a group of people who want to change the city with the Gospel….to come alongside what God is doing here in the city and pour our lives into that work.
Father’s Day June 21, 2006
Posted by stevelavey in Family.add a comment
Today I got invited to the Cubs-Tigers game by a friend who own his own company and rented out the Batter's Eye, the perfect place to have a party in dead center field in Wrigley Field. While it was great to be with friends, it was painful to see Mark Prior get shelled in the first inning (ERA after first inning: 54.0!)
You know, now that I am a father, I realize the significance of this day every year. I have an awesome father, Gilbert Lavey, who gave me the appropriate amount of praise, discipline and drive to succeed in life. Thank you Dad! I also realize as I talk to folks that many did not have a great father. How do you begin to get your arms around a loving God as your father when your earthly father was a bad or nonexistent example?
As I watched this online video about our heavenly father, I am reminded about who our eternal father is and boy, am I thankful this day!
I read an awesome poem that epitomizes my growth in my relationship with my own dad. For many years, I thought I knew best but in the end, I understood the wisdom that my dad has and how I should let it flow over me rather than trying to constantly brush it off. Check out this poem of truth
