Gary Kurtz is our good friend and resident photographer (as well as expert on everything from tree herding to tree camping... yes, tree camping... as in sleeping in a tree).
With a theologian's eye, Gary captured this shot of Jason Tuggle leading Worship at the Well this weekend. What thoughts about worship does this image evoke? What story is it telling? What message is it crafting?
Thanks to all of our friends who helped us pull off FreeFranklin last week. Several people contributed money and manpower to Love Chapel Hill, one quarter at a time. It was exciting to hear our folks coming back with stories of surprised parkers, wondering why someone would do that for them. I like the way Justin put it, saying we were "interrupting the pattern of their daily routine" with unexpected love.
Even our DS (my pops) and our Assistant DS (Ernest Mullins, our greatest champion) participated in this quiet conspiracy. We are consistently moved and humbled by this kind of support and belief from our friends and leaders. One of my favorite moments from the day came when a guy gave dad two quarters to "help with the cause." Love is contagious. Pray that we keep catching it. And giving it away.
It's been a good week here in Chapel Hill. Several good friends came to town to watch the game and celebrate Carolina's win. Dustin AhKuoi even put in for vacation days several months ago just in case. That is love.
Here are a few videos to relive the experience. Starting off with the classic, 'One Shining Moment.' As a kid out at Webb Court (aka Jake's), this song was the soundtrack running in my head as I played basketball for hours. Enjoy the inspiration.
Cool time lapse shot of the celebration on Franklin Street. Can you see us? Another reason to Love Chapel Hill.
This is a special day around here. It's not Christmas in Carolina, but it's pretty close. You can taste excitement, breathe anticipation.
With the gravitational pull of a Death Star tractor beam, 'The Game' locks onto every conversation, every train of thought, and drags it in.
It's classic. It's epic. It's Carolina-Duke. There is nothing like this in sports. Yeah, I said it. Nothing. A national rivalry between neighboring giants.
To prepare for tonight, do yourself a favor and watch this video. Consider this clip your pre-game warmup. Like layup lines for the soul. It captures the moment and meaning in image and word. It's written by Fred Kiger, a teacher from my high school, and one of my new favorite writers. His passion for the game, especially 'The Game', is pure and poetic. You can almost smell the Carolina pines in his voice.
So, suit up in your favorite shade of blue. Sip a little Cheerwine or your momma's sweet tea. And soak up the best that basketball has to give us.
Driving back home last night after a late work session with Justin, I start praying for Chapel Hill—the people and the town. Praying that Jesus will teach me how to live and love like He would. I decide to skip the shortcut, and drive the long way home, taking me down Franklin Street. Just a moment or two after making that decision, my phone buzzes.
Maybe it’s Sarah checking in. Or Jeremiah. I left him a rambling, "trying to be funny" voicemail earlier.
Instead, it’s my phone's calendar appointment reminder for an event labeled “08/08/08: Where are you? And what are you doing?”
Several months ago, probably somewhere back in early March, Sarah and I had no clue what we were going to do after seminary. We were searching, wrestling, wondering. In the throes of this confusion, I picked out 08/08/08 and wrote myself a note in the future. ‘By then, we will be somewhere, doing something,’ I thought. ‘Wonder what it will be.’
So, last night around midnight, my phone buzzes with a note from the past.
08 / 08 / 08: Where are you? And what are you doing?
The answer: Headed down Franklin Street. Praying for Chapel Hill.
A quick list to catch you up on life since landing in NC a week ago.
1. Last Friday I finished up a week at Indiana South District camp. To all my new friends there: remember who you are in the eyes of the Father, be baptized into the new pattern of life pioneered by Jesus, and stay filled with the Holy Spirit. Peace up, A-town down. 2. I came home from camp on Friday. We loaded up the u-haul that night. We moved to NC on Saturday morning. 3. Sarah’s parents, David and Mary Ann Presher, helped us move out of Wilmore, and move in on this end. They are awesome. Thanks so much for all of your help and support. 4. Sarah’s dad led the way in assembling in our new furniture, from a store that shall remain unnamed. Let’s just say that if Dave hadn’t been there, I probably would have searched out the nearest Swede and punched him in the face. 5. We now have new phone numbers. If you need it, email me at matt@lovechapelhill.com. (While in the store, we saw Carolina basketball player Danny Green. Pretty cool). 6. We had NC East District Conference this week. Still feeling incredibly encouraged by the moving support and love shown to the four church plant / mission projects. 7. We have pretty much settled into our new place. Here’s a brief video tour. The film is not exactly Sundance material, but she'll do. Come and visit us soon. Much love.
Swing by the new lovechapelhill.com. This is the home of the city on a hill project, a new church plant in Chapel Hill, NC. Our mission is to love God with everything we have, and everything we are. And to 'Love Chapel Hill' in His name with His heart.
Massive thanks to partner and seasoned globe trotter (not the trickster basketball kind, although that would be awesome to see) Justin Simmons for pouring extensive time and talent into making this happen.
And here's a little 'love chapel hill' old school mixtape to listen to while you check it out. (Featuring the hill's native son James Taylor, of course.) Reminds me of the good ol' days when you waited through all of G105's 'top ten at ten' so you could record your favorite jam, only to have the dj yap over the entire first half of the song. Props to friend and celebrity blogger Chad Brooks for the mixtape discovery.
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." -Matthew 5:14, 16
The way of Jesus is more than a faith, more than a collection of common beliefs. The way of Jesus is a movement, leaving a trail of transformed lives in its wake. It is a rolling, rising tide of grace. And we have been swept up in it.
The same grace that searched us out with the hope of rescue is sending us out with this message of Love.
We have answered an unshakable call to plant a new church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. To form a new community of Spirit-filled Storytellers, creatively expressing the mercy of God. To live as captives to the truth that sets souls free. To become what the prophet Isaiah called, "a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor..."
