It was three days, all day long.

What I loved about this class was, though it was 10 hours long each day, the teacher mixed it up by bringing in some really incredible speakers, discussing all aspects of adoption.

One speaker entered the room and captured my attention for the entire 2 hours that she shared her story. She is a mom of 5, and only one of her children actually came from her womb, the other 4 she would say, “Came from her heart”

What caught me off guard though, was when she would discuss her adoption process, she would say “God really provided here.” Or “If it wasn’t for God, I don’t know where we would be.”

She would begin so many stories with God that I would get a little cynical and frustrated.

I don’t know if I am jaded by people discussing God’s work in their life, or what…but I have to confess that  to me, I have always believed people who spoke of God in this way were just trying to pitch something, they used this God word to justify the good things in their life and to whomever they were talking to it became a barrier because there life was not going as well.

I know this is strange, coming from a believer, and someone who claims to follow Jesus, but I fail often in giving credit to God, or expressing his power in my life, because I feel that I will come across as cheesy, and I will end up segregating myself from those who need Jesus, just as much as I do.

But

as I listened to this woman’s story, I kept seeing this God that was real…not this God that we thank for the starbucks line being short, or this God we thank when our favorite song on the radio is being played

But it was this God who was with her when she was fighting to adopt a child, or this God who there when they took one of her foster children away.

She spoke of a God who was not just in her head, but was in her heart.

And the cool thing about this God in hearts, is that he tends to act more than the God who is just in our heads.

I think the sad thing about a God who is only in our head, is that He tends to stay there and in the inanimate objects we put him in. Books, buildings…blogs.

And so we settle for a God who just was, and not a God who IS.

We preach of what God did, and neglect what he is doing.

And the problem with this, is that we leave him in heaven and not with us.

The stone is rolled, and the king has abandoned us.

And that is how we choose to live.

But that is not what Jesus leaves us with…in fact he doesn’t even leave us.

The last sentence in the book of Matthew says,

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

With

You

Always

I am with you when you think I am not

I am with you when you have finished yet another television series

I am with you when you have looked at that 20th facebook album

I am with you when you hurt

I am with you when you laugh

I am with you when you obey

I am with you when you don’t

I am with you when you have no idea what to do next

I am with you when you think you have it all figured out

I am with you in the dark

I am with you

I am with you

Always.

And if God is with us

Then I need him to move

I need God to move from my head to my heart

And if he moves to my heart, then he demands that I act,

And if my actions demand a response, then I will give them Jesus.

You see, I think the church stopped growing, I stopped growing…when I quit talking about what Jesus not only did 2000 years ago, but what he is doing right now.

Because people need more than a God who just died 2000 years ago, they need a God who rose from the dead and is with them now.

Your stories about what God is doing, will contain the power to change lives.

And they have to be your stories and no one else’s

Because people want to know a God who is real to you, and not just one you advertise for someone else.

The good news is better than programs and buildings.

The good news is that God is with you

Always.

He has been one of my closest & greatest friends for the last 17 years.

It is hard to describe a friend you love so much, especially one as incredible as Andy.

Experiencing his friendship has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

Andy and I met when we were in 1st grade. Somehow my step-dad met Andy’s dad, and got me on his baseball team. We would continue to play baseball with each other for the next 6 years. Knowing Andy, meant knowing two of his other friends, Andy Gruel and Evan Dunn as well. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was joining a tripod of incredible friends, and it would take me about 4 years to make the tripod open up to a table. But it happened, and the two Andy’s, Evan and I became life long childhood friends.

We walked home together, ate sub stop together, played countless hours of N64 together, watched movies, swam, built dirt ramps, laughed, and played baseball.

This was growing up together.

In 7th grade Andy (VanHook) announced that he was moving to a place called Hallsville, Texas. Andy was going to be gone by summer, and we didn’t know what we were going to do.

I honestly thought that our friendship was over.

I couldn’t be more thankfully wrong.

Andy and I kept in touch, he would come and visit and tell me stories of East Texas and his friends, and I would catch him up on life in Oklahoma.

Every time Andy would visit, I would realize how old we were getting. He was getting tall and becoming a man, and in my mind we were still 12 playing N64.

We stayed in touch, and would switch off visiting each other every year.

We finally graduated high school and I decided to stay in Edmond and attend U.C.O., Andy headed to Baylor University in Waco, Texas. This is when I realized we were growing up, and fast.

Freshman year of college, I remember we were both dating girls at the time who we thought could be “the ones”. Andy drove up with his girlfriend (not his current wife) and my girlfriend (at the time) and we waited for them to get to my apartment, so that we could go on a double date together. I still remember opening the door and laughing the second we saw each other.

Without planning…

We were wearing the same shirt.

We went to dinner in matching shirts, and laughed a lot. Needless to say, the only relationship from that night that still exists is the friendship between Andy and I.

I visited Waco often, and loved getting to know the guys that Andy became friends with. They were guys that all needed a friend like Andy, someone to make them laugh, and someone that would be there for them in all circumstances.

I remember talking to Andy on the phone at length about what all college guys talk about: Calvinism, girls, and  Jesus.

Somehow we never could find the answers to our own questions, but knew exactly what the other needed to hear.

I remember when Andy started talking about this girl named MK. By the sound of his voice, I figured this was the girl he was going to marry. He was really nervous to talk to her, and I knew something was up, because Andy Van Hook doesn’t get nervous.

I remember meeting her and thinking what an incredible girl for my longest childhood friend.

I remember going down to Baylor last fall and walking around the campus with Andy, dreaming up ways for him to propose.

I remember Andy driving up on my 22nd birthday to surprise me.

I remember coming down in December for the night that he proposed.

I remember that she said yes.

And I will never forget this past weekend, watching him commit his life to her.

It has seriously been one of the greatest joys of my life being Andy’s friend. He is someone that changes the people around him, and makes them into something better.

He is kind and genuine.

And I have yet to cross paths with anyone that even remotely resembles him.

Can’t wait for this album to come out in August, thankful this song was on YouTube!

Enjoy!

I usually don’t write about my job much on this blog, only my thoughts.

But today I wanted to write my thoughts…

About my job.

The other night I received the following text from an anonymous number

(I knew it was someone I should know, but I was too afraid to ask who, until later)

The text read:

“Question. Why middle school? For you…What draws you to them specifically? answer whenever…just wondering.”

I decided to write back the best I could, and so here is a bit of what I wrote and a little bit more that I forgot to mention.

Hope you enjoy.

What draws me to them?

Great question.

Many would say that I am crazy.

Some would say that I am just using this position as a stepping stone until I become a little more mature and can be in high school ministries.

Some think I am not capable of doing anything better.

Besides the crazy part, I disagree.

I do Middle School Ministries because it is their last glimpse of innocence

They are children when they enter and they exit as complicated teenagers.

They are testing limits and figuring out personalities.

they are strange.

And I absolutely love it!

I love seeing an awkward kid get welcomed into the group

I love seeing over confident, sporty kids lose at something…only to realize life is bigger than sports.

I love the quiet kid who engages the entire time I speak, as he sits in the chaos that is around him in the other chairs.

I love how the girls constantly care about whether I am dating someone or not, and giggle when I ask about their dating life.

I love the boy who is playing games on his iphone in the back, and thinks that I think he is reading his YouVersion bible.

I love the way they laugh.

I love when a student asks to read the scripture.

I love the way they remember things that I forget

I love when they ask “Why?”

I love the look on their faces when I go to a game or school event that their families didn’t show up for.

I love waiting with the last kid, who is embarrassed because his parent is late again.

I love remembering their names

I love the cards and pictures they make for me

I love when I can be there for them.

And in all of this, God is constantly reminding me that in loving all these things, he is making me into something better,

something that points to Him.

I love who they are making me become.

Yes, there are days I want to leave it all and just go be a selfish college student, but God loves me and these students too much to allow me to do something stupid like that.

They are drawing me to him,

and in that

I am drawn to them.

I hope this answers your question.

P.S. Who is this again?

Sincerely,

-AB

I go and watch 3 movies in a row at Tinsletown (only 3.75 a movie before 5:00pm)

I eat entire Little Caesars pizzas and catch up on all of “my shows”

I space out on twitter and facebook at my desk.

I stare at James Harden’s beard

I find more shows to start and commit my life to, and then convince myself I have accomplished something when they are finished.

After this two week period though, something changes.

I feel convicted and disgusted. I feel as if I have wasted a part of my life that I will never get back. I get tired of talking about movies and shows. I grow bored of myself, because I have had to be entertained by other people’s thoughts for two weeks.

I lack vision and creativity, because I would rather someone else spoon feed me their own.

And I have grown very, very tired of this.

Because it has felt more like existence lately than living, and I desperately want to get back to living.

How do I respond to these convictions?

I usually set goals for myself, lofty at times, but practical things I want to challenge myself to do.

Here are my 3 hopes for this summer:

1. Read/Write- I want to read a book a week this summer. I want to journal and write down thoughts that are stirring inside of me as I read. I want to inhale and exhale ideas. I have been given some wonderful suggestions for books to read, and I will also be going through some scriptures I am less familiar with…I want to learn some things this summer.

2. Volunteer- I want to give away my free time. I find joy in the interactions I get to partake in during volunteering, but usually my mind forgets that joy, and I would rather justify sleeping in. Not this summer though, I want to spend time with people. Whether it is for a non-profit, or simply playing chess with the old man at Full Cup, I want to interact and focus a day on others instead of myself.

3. Sabbath- “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.” God made something for us, he made the sabbath. Some people have way more on their plate than I do (Spouses, kids, multiple jobs, etc.) but for me the sabbath is to settle down on the busyness of my life, to put my phone in a drawer and turn off the tv. To go sit on my back porch, or share a meal with a good friend. The sabbath (for me) is eliminating all the things that are trying to take me away from the current moment. I used to believe it was about doing something to “check out” but I am becoming more and more convinced that is actually about checking in to the present.

Those are my 3 hopes for Summer 2011.

I hope I am changed by the experiences.

What are your hopes for this summer?

What do you want to dedicate your time to?

-AB

P.S.  Currently Reading- The Good and Beautiful God By: James Bryan Smith

Currently Listening to: Outlines By: Sleeping At Last

]]> http://alexbuchner.wordpress.com/2011/05/21/hopes-for-summer/feed/ 4 thelaststonedropper Widescreen Summer Lonely Tree http://alexbuchner.wordpress.com/2011/05/08/kingdom-things-a-very-sweet-16/ http://alexbuchner.wordpress.com/2011/05/08/kingdom-things-a-very-sweet-16/#comments Sun, 08 May 2011 23:29:36 +0000 Alex Buchner http://alexbuchner.wordpress.com/?p=398 ]]>

A couple weeks ago I got to celebrate the 16th birthday of a girl who is an orphan.We call them foster kids in America, but I think the bible would call them orphans.A friend of mine has decided to pour her heart and time into this girl’s life, and she is actively helping rewrite this little girl’s story.

It’s really beautiful.

My friend decided to throw this girl a surprise birthday party for her 16th birthday.She asked a couple other friends to be there, who asked some of the high school students at my church to be there, and when it was all said and done about 25 people showed up for this girls sweet 16.

25 people who had only encountered this girl a couple times

25 people who decided that on this Friday night, they would be doing something for someone else.

What transpired that evening is something I will never forget.

Never.

I arrived at the party about twenty minutes after the surprise had happened, the kids were eating and enjoying themselves and I walked over to ask my friend how the surprise had gone. My friend told me that when she asked the girl if this was her first surprise birthday party,the girl responded,

“this is my first birthday party ever.”

Huh?

16 years old.

Never one, single birthday party.

16 years old.

Not a single gift.

16 years old

No candles to blow out.

16 years old.

No car waiting in the driveway.

16 years old.

No song of celebration ringing in her ears.

16 years old.

“This is my first birthday party ever”

As her words echoed in my mind the rest of the night, the cake was brought out and the candles were lit.

Everyone started singing Happy Birthday

A song that was clearly written for this moment

for this girl.

And then she bent down to blow out her candles and make a wish, her first birthday wish.

As she blew the candles out, they relit themselves.

(They were the trick candles, and so the only way to put them out is to stick them in water.)

Confused, She blew them out again

They relit

She blew them out again

They would relight

After she continued this process, I started realizing the redemption in this moment.

Every time she blew out the candles, they would relight.

Redeeming all those missed wishes

Redeeming all those lonely, quiet birthdays.

Redeeming what she had lost.

There are moments in this life where God’s kingdom is very evident,

and in the smoke from the candles

I witnessed it.

In the laughter, and joy that was in the room

I witnessed it.

God is alive in birthday parties for orphans.

Though I don’t think she can be defined by that title anymore.

Because orphans feel alone,

And this little girl does not.

My friend is redefining and redeeming this girl’s story.

And it is a very beautiful thing.

Christ in us, the hope of glory.

how it bursts through the darkness,

and makes broken things whole again.

Good News, so good, that even the cynics are silenced.

This will be the first of many posts about God’s kingdom…

I hope you enjoy this glimpse of it.

On Tuesdays I get the opportunity to spend time with about 15 five and six year olds. I am in a class that requires a field study, and so every Tuesday I have gotten to form relationships with these students, and every Tuesday I get welcomed with loud shouts of my arrival.

I love it.

Today in group time, as we were all circled around the big blue carpet, the teacher was describing all the things the children were going to get to do. She was explaining the plan for the day.

Suddenly one of the boy’s hands shot up in the air.

Everyone got quiet as the teacher called his name

“I am a great painter.” he said boldly.

I would like to tell you that this was relevant to what the teacher was talking about

but it wasn’t

It was a statement, something that he almost needed to get out of him. Something that whether or not the world was listening, he needed them to hear, and so as the class quieted, he informed them that he was not just a painter, but a great painter.

He was not showing off, this was different.He was letting everyone know that he was worth something. He was reminding himself and those around him that he had something to offer.

I think the reason this moment carried so much weight for me today, was because sometimes I forget who I am.

Sometimes I doubt my talents, I insecurely forget about them. I focus on the things I cannot do, and allow other’s successes to become my failures.

I believe with all my heart that I have something to offer this world, but I lack the boldness of a 6 year old who informs his entire social network at group time, that he is indeed a “great painter.”

I want to be someone that knows what they were created for.

I want to see my friends come alive in the things that only they can do.

I want you to know that a 6 year old boy knows he is a great painter.

Because we were all 6 once.

And some of us have forgotten what we are great at

Maybe today you need to be reminded that you are as great at something,

as my 6 year old friend is at painting.

And my friend is a really great painter,

just ask him.

If you dwell in christian circles, there is no doubt that you know who Rob Bell is.

Chances are you have strong opinions of him as well.

Whether you love him, or write him off as a heretic,

You know who he is.

You have enough time to watch a nooma, read one of his books, podcast him, or even buy a ticket to see him on tour.

You know who he is.

You have talked about him positively or negatively, you have had arguments over theology, and you have judged him for better or for worse.

You know who he is.

With his upcoming book “Love Wins”  coming out, a lot of buzz is going around about Rob being a heretic and universalist.

You still know who he is.

And yet, I would venture to say you care more about your opinion of Rob Bell than you actually care about Rob Bell.

I once invited my brother (who is an atheist) and my friend Mo (who is searching and always open to new thoughts) to see/hear Rob Bell speak.

They both responded with the same question, “Who is Rob Bell?”

I loved it!

How refreshing it was to be outside of the circle with some people who have always looked at it from that perspective.

My brother wasn’t able to make it, but my friend Mo came with me to the event. It was in a concert venue in our town, and so the atmosphere was familiar to Mo. He didn’t feel like an outsider because the venue was chosen to be welcoming to all.

Mo loved it.

I loved it.

And I was thankful for the experience and the conversations that started that night.

But the issue is not Rob Bell, as much as the issue is theology.

Those being predestined to be correct in all matters tend to attack…attack like other experts in the law once did.

Three things:

1.The book is not out yet

2.You talking about him, is even better press for him. (Rob Bell would probably thank you)

3. If Rob Bell is not against you, what does that say he is for?

In the end you know who Rob Bell is.

You are talking about him.

And if you are talking about him…chances are Jesus and the scriptures will come up in that same conversation.

And that makes me happy.

Who is Rob Bell?

Someone that starts great conversations.

And one of my heroes.

Sincerely,

Alex Buchner

P.S.

Here are two endorsements from two people have actually read the book

“In the current religious climate in America, it isn’t easy to develop an imagination, a thoroughly biblical imagination, that takes in the comprehensive and eternal work of Christ in all people and all circumstances in love and for salvation. Rob Bell goes a long way in helping us acquire just such an imagination. Love Wins accomplishes this without a trace of soft sentimentality and without compromising an inch of evangelical conviction in its proclamation of the good news that is most truly for all.” – Eugene H. Peterson, Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology, Regent College, and author of The Message and The Pastor

“Love Wins is a bold, prophetic and poetic masterpiece. I don’t know any writer who expresses the inexpressible love of God as powerfully and as beautifully as Rob Bell! Many will disagree with some of Rob’s perspectives, but no one who seriously engages this book will put it down unchanged. A ‘must read’ book!” – Greg Boyd, senior pastor at Woodland Hills Church and author of The Myth of a Christian Nation