Author: Wick

Over 3 hours. Just me and the road. And whatever CD I put in. Or silence. It was nice. I think every once in a while, I should just take a long drive. God is there with me.

The trip began with Pigeon John’s latest release, which was good…but not enough Pigeon. Then I tried to find a talk radio station…nothing good. So I put in a podcast I’d burned of Jurgen Moltmann speaking at Seattle Pacific University. “The Vital Power of Hope”. I’d read some of his stuff back in college, but admittedly not much since. I really enjoyed it. Although looking at hope also brought the topic to what stands in the way of hope….a difficult conversation at times. Sometimes we purposefully say “no!” to the Hope (Yes!) of God. Not saying “we don’t smile and be nice”…but saying sometimes our choices/life go in the opposite direction of where we see God leading.

It reminded me of what I posted last week about Christ being best understood by those who understand their need for HOPE. I really liked much of what he had to say about this specific hope, though…what it is, what it isn’t…and what it could be. How different it is between a Christian Hope…and any other kind.

I hope I get called back for “Deal or No Deal”. I hope in Christ. One of these hopes gives my life source, and draws me towards a future redemption. Doesn’t take long to figure out “hope” can be much more than wishful thinking. It’s real, it’s here….tangible…and at the same time, “not yet”…

Tonight we also had our first meeting as Conference Leaders for the Free Methodist National Student Ministry Team (NSMT). Really exciting stuff. Not about events. Not about numbers. Not about exciting new techniques. But about BEING. About connecting with those in ministry around us, and connecting with the youth. Not in order to “do” ministry….but to “be” the embodyment of that HOPE of Christ. I’ve heard it before, but it’s a good reminder, and seemed to be a theme of the day.

still only boasting in Christ…..but my kid is way cuter than yours. 🙂

Leaving tomorrow morning for the SHIFT Conference at Willow Creek. Then coming back to jump right into “Living Sacrifice”…on Friday and Saturday….a youth conference we’ve put together for Decatur, IL. (by “We” I mean several youth pastors who get together in this city regularly) Oh, and Detroit plays Nashville Thursday night, and Saturday afternoon.

Then Sunday….with church, and a children’s ministries meeting in the afternoon…..church in the evening.

It’s gonna be a busy week. 🙂 But I like it.

Last night, it was decided. Somehow, Chicago defeated Nashville…relegating Nashville to the number 8 spot in the Western Conference. Which means that Detroit and Nashville will face each other in the first round of the playoffs.

Detroit defeated Columbus Thursday night, clinching the President’s Trophy (most wins in the season) for the 6th time. No other team has more than 2 in their trophy case.

So anyways…Detroit vs. Nashville. They faced each other 8 times in the regular season…both winning 3, and 2 games decided in a shootout. I was hoping we could get through the playoffs without facing a central Division team…our records in the central Division aren’t encouraging.
Our 2 most recent games, we won 6-3, and won 1-0 in a shootout.

So it seems this match-up may highlight one of my favorite things about the playoffs, especially since the rule changes that happened post-lockout….ENDLESS OVERTIMES. 🙂 No sissy shootouts. They play until there’s a winner….even if it means 6 or more periods of intense hockey. As Detroit and Nashville are closely matched at times, there’s a pretty big chance of this happening….I would love it. (as long as Detroit eventually won, of course).

In any case, I think this first round will be the challenging one for us. Once we get past this…it won’t be a breeze….but the dynasty that is “DETROIT REDWINGS” is intimidating enough to screw up any of these other younger teams that don’t face us regularly.

Side note: If you want to see an interesting game, watch NBC Sunday at 11:30 CST. Final game of the regular season for Detroit and Chicago, and neither has a ton to play for in that game (except Detroit playing for the Jennings trophy, fewest goals against in a season)….it should give a lot of ice time to the younger players. We don’t get to see a lot of them. Chicago will win….but it’ll still be worth watching.

And then??? THE RACE FOR THE CUP. GAME ON.