Author: Wick

Watched a documentary last night called “Hell House“, after reading a post about it on the “Re-Thinking Youth Ministry” blog. It’s basically the story of an Assembly of God church in Texas that creates their own version of a haunted house. Instead of chainsaw massacre’s and ghosts; there are scenes like: A gay man dying of AIDS because of poor choices, a girl having an abortion that goes wrong, another girl getting raped after getting drugged up at a rave, etc…..and finally ends with all of these people suffering in hell. All sorts of thoughts flood through my head as I try and figure out what to say. Here are just a few…

– It’s a good reminder that even the people we disagree with in large ways theologically, are still human. The man much of the story follows and his family have a story that is very compelling. Single dad raising several kids, 2 with special needs, because his wife ran away with another man.

– Some scenes of the “hasha-baba-baba” sort of speaking in tongues. Kinda freaky. The pastor says, “Let’s all speak to God in our own love language”, then the entire congregation goes nuts with jibberish. I wonder if God hears this the same way I hear Addison when she speaks words that don’t exist. I know she loves me, but I can’t wait for her to use actual words. 🙂

– There is one scene where a few teens in Slipknot fan apparel argue with one of the men running Hell House. They don’t understand why the church has such a “limited view”. Too much cussing to be a useful scene in youth ministry, but might be appropriate fodder for an adult small group. Some of the questions the teens raised:

The sign outside our hotel said it all, “Days Inn – There You Go”. We’ve just returned from an Anderson family vacation. It wasn’t Vegas. It wasn’t Hawaii. Nope, Wheel of Fortune played no role in this one. It was just a getaway from the routines of life to refresh and spoil our kids with a little one on one time.

Sure, we saw the Reindeer Ranch as it began to rain thursday night. A few minutes in the pool area. Spent time at the Mall in Champaign’s play area. A couple hours at the Children’s Museum in Champaign. Hit Curtis Orchard on the way home for a wagon ride and some fresh donuts.

But the spectacular wasn’t found in activities this trip. It wasn’t found in incredible scenery or entertainment.

We stayed at the Day’s Inn in Rantoul. The city where you’re not tempted to go out and do tons of fun things, because there’s really nothing to do. In a hotel where many of the rooms are under construction, the breakfast is toast and juice, and they don’t turn lights on in the main area until it’s too dark to walk, to save money.

So where was the spectacular? Hearing our daughter sing to songs in the car she’d apparently known for some time now, but is usually too shy to let us hear. Taking Addison to a buffet for her first experience of “eat whatever you want” American gluttony. Reminding myself that Sophie does a WHOLE lot more than just eat and poop. Watching TV on the internet with my wife, even the episodes I’ve already seen.

Seeing smiles and hearing laughter in moments that usually life is too busy to enjoy. Being reminded that they’re there throughout my week, right here at home.

It is good. 🙂

In honor of a regular personal update, and to show you how stinkin’ cute my daughters are….I offer this video for a blog post today. See, I am human. 🙂

So recently, we’ve discovered Addie knows more than she’ll tell us. 1,2,3’s and A,B,C’s….but hardly ever will cooperate by saying/singing them. Here’s a rare moment where she shares her knowledge….and it’s freakin’ cute.