As you may have noticed in the last several days, I am trying to be more intentional and frequent in my blog posts. I wanted to take a few minutes today to reflect on this summer.
I am sitting here asking myself, "Wait! Is it really August 28?" I find it hard to believe that in a little over a week, it will be Labor Day and students will be returning to school. It seems like only yesterday that students were celebrating the end of the school year and we were gathering on the campus of Rochester College for Elevate. And now, it's time for buses, bells, and books. Really?
So what am I taking away from this summer? Well, I am still thinking about that. But here are a few things I have learned this summer.
The biggest lesson I have learned is to create space for others, especially my family. I tend to be a very busy person and I fill my schedule with things to do. While I still had a hectic summer, I found myself making more time for things like sitting in the backyard around the campfire with my wife and son. I didn't do this enough, but I feel like I made some headway.
I have also been challenged to make more room for God and others in my life. Often, I am so busy that I don't have time or space to stop and listen. That means my time with God often gets pushed aside. It also means I don't always have time to listen when someone else needs a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen. I have a long way to go with regards to this, but I feel like I have made progress this summer.
I am continuing to learn the value of self-control. Since it's a fruit of the Spirit, it's not as self-centered as it sounds. I have been learning that in areas where I lack control, I need to allow the Holy Spirit to invade and assume control. That means I need to make space (this keeps coming up, doesn't it) for God to dwell in my life. I don't do that enough, so I often lack the self-control I should have.
However, not everything in the area of self-control is going poorly. Through a variety of circumstances, including self-control, we have paid off our car and we are about to finish paying off some other debt as well. In addition, I have lost over 50 pounds through watching what I eat. I feel like this has been a year of considerable growth in the area of self-control, but I have a long way to go.
I am sure there are more things that I have learned, but these are the things on my mind right now. I look forward to seeing what other lessons God has in store for me as summer transitions into autumn. Seasons remind me that life is never static and always in transition, so I am waiting to see what awaits in the season ahead...
shine!
Jason
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
From Luther to the Lake
This morning I am sitting in Tony's lake house on Eagle Lake, watching the sunrise and reflecting on the week. It seems like this week has been much longer than seven days. We started out with a weekend retreat at Luther Seminary where we spent a few days with Sara Barton. It was a chance to evaluate our Rule of Life and share our lives.
Sunday morning we worshipped at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church and then we went to Como Park. Sunday evening was spent with the community of Solomon's Porch, first in their worship gathering, and then over a Burrito Bol at Chipotle. Our evening ended by settling down at Tony's house.
Monday and Tuesday were action-packed days spent with Tony Jones, Doug Pagitt, and Carla Barnhill from the Porch. We also had a chance to Skype with Nanette Sawyer from Wicker Park Grace in Chicago. Tuesday afternoon was spent at the home of Tim and Jill Geoffrion, where we had a chance to talk about leadership and experience a prayer labyrinth.
After spending the night at the home of a Solomon's Porch member Tuesday night, on Wednesday, we traveled up here to Tony's family cabin a few hours north of the Twin Cities. We have spent the last few days reading, discussing, reflecting, praying, journaling, boating, and more. It has been a holistic learning experience around the idea of hospitality. I have enjoyed spending time sitting at the feet of Tony Jones and Mark Love. They, along with my cohort - Doug Sanders, Mark Brazle, Wayne Beason, Ryan Woods, CindyLou Owen, and Courtney Jenko - have challenged me to think about what it means to be a follower of Jesus and extend hospitality to God, others, and creation.
Well, it's time to go make breakfast for everyone. I am making scrambled eggs and bacon. I'm looking forward to our last couple of hours together this morning as we continue the conversation...
shine!
Jason
Sunday morning we worshipped at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church and then we went to Como Park. Sunday evening was spent with the community of Solomon's Porch, first in their worship gathering, and then over a Burrito Bol at Chipotle. Our evening ended by settling down at Tony's house.
Monday and Tuesday were action-packed days spent with Tony Jones, Doug Pagitt, and Carla Barnhill from the Porch. We also had a chance to Skype with Nanette Sawyer from Wicker Park Grace in Chicago. Tuesday afternoon was spent at the home of Tim and Jill Geoffrion, where we had a chance to talk about leadership and experience a prayer labyrinth.
After spending the night at the home of a Solomon's Porch member Tuesday night, on Wednesday, we traveled up here to Tony's family cabin a few hours north of the Twin Cities. We have spent the last few days reading, discussing, reflecting, praying, journaling, boating, and more. It has been a holistic learning experience around the idea of hospitality. I have enjoyed spending time sitting at the feet of Tony Jones and Mark Love. They, along with my cohort - Doug Sanders, Mark Brazle, Wayne Beason, Ryan Woods, CindyLou Owen, and Courtney Jenko - have challenged me to think about what it means to be a follower of Jesus and extend hospitality to God, others, and creation.
Well, it's time to go make breakfast for everyone. I am making scrambled eggs and bacon. I'm looking forward to our last couple of hours together this morning as we continue the conversation...
shine!
Jason
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
What's been going on?
I have not blogged in a few weeks, so I am going to try to reflect on what I have experienced over the last couple of weeks...
From August 7-14, I was in Cincinnati with 26 RCC students, a handful of adults, and a team from the Warrenton (Virginia) Church of Christ. It was an incredible week where everyone worked hard and accomplished a lot for the Kingdom. Our team painted three houses and spent time with children in the community (as well as feeding them a meal each day). Even though the temperatures were in the mid-90's all week (with a heat index well over 100), everyone worked without complaining. I was amazed by their attitudes and desire to finish the tasks before them. I am pretty sure that Cincinnati impacted most us as much, if not more, than we impacted it. It was a great week!
After a few days home to catch my breath (which really means taking care of all of the details that get neglected when you're out of town), I left for the trip I am currently on. Last Friday, I spent the day traveling to Minnesota for a retreat and week-long intensive class for MREML program. Over the weekend, I stayed on campus at Luther Seminary, hung out with Mark Love, Sara Barton, and my cohort. We discussed a variety of things and ended the weekend worshipping at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church and then Solomon's Porch.
The last two days have been spent hanging out with Tony Jones, Doug Pagitt, and the authors of the other two books we are reading for this class. (Well, we had to Skype with the one who lives in Chicago.) We have been spending our days at Solomon's Porch and our evenings enjoying the Twin Cities. (Despite what Ryan Woods says, the Twin Cities have some good coffee and good coffee shops.) One of the highlights of the week so far for me was walking through a prayer labyrinth this afternoon.
The next couple of days will be spent further discussing hospitality as leadership (this is the title of our class). I am still trying to process the things we are hearing and learning, and I am listening to hear what God might be trying to tell me in this season of life and ministry. When you turn 40 - as I did in May of this year - your perspective on life makes a shift. Well, at least mine has. I am realizing that I have (statistically) lived over half of my life.
What am I going to do with the rest of my life? What does God have in store for me? What do I need to learn? How can I listen better to God? What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus?
As I reflect on the last couple of weeks, I realize that God is not done with me yet. He has turned dread into joy. He has opened my eyes to new things. He is transforming frustration into hope. And there is so much more He is doing that I am not realizing.
I have more questions that I do answers. I continue to learn that the more I discover, the less I know. God continues to remind me that He is God and I am not. Every time I think I know what I am doing, I realize that I am pretty clueless.
I consider myself a cautious optimist. I try to look at the glass as half full without trying to convince myself that I am promised a free refill. As I consider my life, my family, and my ministry, I am hopeful for the future. I believe that God has great things in mind for the Steckel family and the Rochester Church. I know that the road ahead will not always be easy, but I can find peace in the fact that regardless of where the road leads, God will be there.
Well, I could go on (and I already have too much), but this is just an update on where life has taken me over the month of August. I miss my wife, I miss my son, and I miss my Rochester family. I can't wait to get back home and reunite with all of them as we continue on this journey of faith that we are pursuing as a family and community.
shine!
Jason
From August 7-14, I was in Cincinnati with 26 RCC students, a handful of adults, and a team from the Warrenton (Virginia) Church of Christ. It was an incredible week where everyone worked hard and accomplished a lot for the Kingdom. Our team painted three houses and spent time with children in the community (as well as feeding them a meal each day). Even though the temperatures were in the mid-90's all week (with a heat index well over 100), everyone worked without complaining. I was amazed by their attitudes and desire to finish the tasks before them. I am pretty sure that Cincinnati impacted most us as much, if not more, than we impacted it. It was a great week!
After a few days home to catch my breath (which really means taking care of all of the details that get neglected when you're out of town), I left for the trip I am currently on. Last Friday, I spent the day traveling to Minnesota for a retreat and week-long intensive class for MREML program. Over the weekend, I stayed on campus at Luther Seminary, hung out with Mark Love, Sara Barton, and my cohort. We discussed a variety of things and ended the weekend worshipping at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church and then Solomon's Porch.
The last two days have been spent hanging out with Tony Jones, Doug Pagitt, and the authors of the other two books we are reading for this class. (Well, we had to Skype with the one who lives in Chicago.) We have been spending our days at Solomon's Porch and our evenings enjoying the Twin Cities. (Despite what Ryan Woods says, the Twin Cities have some good coffee and good coffee shops.) One of the highlights of the week so far for me was walking through a prayer labyrinth this afternoon.
The next couple of days will be spent further discussing hospitality as leadership (this is the title of our class). I am still trying to process the things we are hearing and learning, and I am listening to hear what God might be trying to tell me in this season of life and ministry. When you turn 40 - as I did in May of this year - your perspective on life makes a shift. Well, at least mine has. I am realizing that I have (statistically) lived over half of my life.
What am I going to do with the rest of my life? What does God have in store for me? What do I need to learn? How can I listen better to God? What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus?
As I reflect on the last couple of weeks, I realize that God is not done with me yet. He has turned dread into joy. He has opened my eyes to new things. He is transforming frustration into hope. And there is so much more He is doing that I am not realizing.
I have more questions that I do answers. I continue to learn that the more I discover, the less I know. God continues to remind me that He is God and I am not. Every time I think I know what I am doing, I realize that I am pretty clueless.
I consider myself a cautious optimist. I try to look at the glass as half full without trying to convince myself that I am promised a free refill. As I consider my life, my family, and my ministry, I am hopeful for the future. I believe that God has great things in mind for the Steckel family and the Rochester Church. I know that the road ahead will not always be easy, but I can find peace in the fact that regardless of where the road leads, God will be there.
Well, I could go on (and I already have too much), but this is just an update on where life has taken me over the month of August. I miss my wife, I miss my son, and I miss my Rochester family. I can't wait to get back home and reunite with all of them as we continue on this journey of faith that we are pursuing as a family and community.
shine!
Jason
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