Can I go to Jail?

God is amazing! Today, on my way home from the brand-new grocery store around the corner, I was brainstorming and praying for ways to tell the Story of God to the people of my city, and God placed a desire to tell the story in the jails. 

I've never been to jail.  I've never visited anyone in jail or prison.  But, I watched my neighbor get taken down and arrested just a few Saturdays ago.  The funny thing is, I had decided that very day that I would invite my neighbor (Let's call him Bob) over that night to join the men from my Gospel Community at my house for some basketball and hang-out time.  I walk outside on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and he's getting arrested! (Well, taken down by the deputy, punched in the neck, then arrested).  That didn't turn out so well. 

But, back to my desire to go to jail with the Story of God.  Today, the very day God put it on my heart to tell the Story of God in the jail, "Bob" called my house from jail and gave my wife his contact information, she prayed for him, and he expressed his desire to get some letters from us.  He says he'll be in for 18-24 months.  So, I believe I have a captive audience!  Inmates in the St Johns County Jail can get two 50-minute visits per week, and they are allowed to have "Religious Materials" mailed to them.  I am definitely going to pursue looking at The Story of God and Gospel Centered Life with "Bob."  I really don't know how I don't pray more.  Stuff like this always happens when I pray.  God is great, so I don't have to be in control!

photo by Funky64 (www.iltuocalendario.it)

Homecoming & Satisfaction

Homecoming was bumpy.

I flew from Sea Tac to Dallas to catch a 2 hour layover there--only to discover that my flight back to Philly was delayed due to weather. By the time midnight hit (EDT) my head hit the pillow. So nice to be home.

Speaking of homecoming, my daughter got a text tonight from a friend. That friend wanted a boy she liked to ask her to homecoming. Instead, he asked someone else In addition to throwing up, or forcing herself to throw up (I'm not sure which), she passed out over the stress of it all.

I showed my girl the list of the 4Gs, which one do you think your friend needs to hear? She thought she needed number 3:

Because God is good, we don't need to seek satisfaction anywhere else.

My daughter's friend isn't the only one who needs to know that; I do.

Home and Forgetful

So we've made it home from Soma School, October, 2009, and I'm already afraid that I'll not be able to live out all the implications gathered from our experience in Tacoma.  I'm already failing to believe that God is Great, so I don't have to be in control.  I know we won't be perfect gospel/missional community leaders.  I know Jesus was perfect already.  Lord, help me in my unbelief.


I can't wait to have people over (this Sunday night!) to begin going through the Story Formed Way.  Pray for us, as we invite some friends over for some spirits, soda, snacks, and story.


-the Andersons (Zachary and Natasha)