a place to belong

After being involved with the same church for a little over 6 years, the Baird's may have found a new community. We actually "visited" this group about two years ago and due to where we were on our theological journey we ran back to safer ground. I am feeling so blessed that our return felt to be "God's timing". It was our first time to meet the pastor. Last time we visited, he was in India with a team delivering some kind of harvesting devices/tools that were designed to help the locals harvest their crops faster to make sure they didn't miss their very short window. He is a great guy that I actually went to college with...we didn't really know each other but recognized each other's names and faces. Our wives know each other pretty well.

From what I can tell they are truly living out the gospel in their neighborhood. The pastor and his wife have moved into an urban area that is in the beginning stages of a revitalization....the very beginning stages. It is still an area that is a perfect example of a once vibrant area full of restaurants, bars, and grocery stores that has devolved into an area of urban blight. They took a run down part of a strip that is trying to make a come back and are in the process of turning it into something very special. Check it out HERE. Art, music, a free clothing store once per month...good stuff for sure. The pastor has a "real job" as a free lance graphic designer (how freaking awesome is that Kathy?)

Our number one concern was our kiddos. They have become extremely spoiled living the good life (pun intended) at lifechurch.tv where they have moon bounces, customized video Bible lessons each week, hi energy leaders, etc... The first question my daughter asked was, "Are we going to one of those churches where they open a book and sing that opera stuff?" Which is funny because they have probably been in worship settings like that less than 10 times in their whole lives. Our kids had an absolute blast and are begging to go back! Further confirmation that we may have/probably found a home.

We are going to miss this weekend due to some travel stuff but I'm going to lunch with the pastor on Monday. Looking forward to playing the theology game in finding out who and what he is reading:) We were both trained at the fundamentalist Southern Baptist school Oklahoma Baptist University so it should be interesting.

We are kinda bummed to be leaving life but unbelievably excited about the future and joining in where God is already working. It will be a challenge for sure. Now it is time to put our words/talk into action. No more excuses for us!