Day Two - The Awakening

Tuesday was a great day to be in Ocean Shores. I dont know how many tuesdays out of the year you can say that, but yesterday was one of them. In passing the other day, Aaron mentioned that Oceans Shores has more suicides per capita than any other Washington city. I dont know if he was just trying to explain what he was feeling at the time about the place or if he had actually heard it somewhere, but yesterday was one of those days you would have wanted to experience.

You ever had one of those days where you just feel alive? The people, the place and the activity all align and BAM! its a great day? It was almost perfect, but, I missed Tanya like crazy. She truly is my best friend and no great day can be the best day without her.

We left the hotel about eight am to a beautiful sunrise. We walked over to the local coffe/gifts/crap shop. They have a Tulley's sign on top, but when you get up close you notice the "we proudly serve" in very fine print. I could not believe my mouth, IT WAS ACTUALLY VERY TASTY! I almost fell down. I mean, come on, when was the last time you had a decent drink from a place like that? They had kites and flashlights that would shock you right next to the mini sand scultures. I was amazed, a good start to a great day.

Earl continued his discussion on narative by opening the floor for questions. he handled them very well. Even the "look at the ground" questions and made meaningful conversation out of them. I was impressed.

His talk was very engaging and thought provoking. Communicating the gospel in creative ways. Here is a quick recap;
1. Stay short - 25 minutes, only the best stuff
2. Keep it interesting and relevant
3. The goal of preaching is not too explain the Bible but to lead people to the reveleation of Christ.

One of the main questions being thrown at Earl was something like this: "If this is the way we are going to connect with people, what do we do with everything we were taught at Northwest, the exegetical three point sermon." I was screeming out in my mind, "THROW IT AWAY! ITS SO BORING!" But he responded by saying that it is all about context. There is a context where three point is the best tool to use. Although he feels that in most contexts today, narritive is better. He made a comment that I have always felt but not yet articulated, you mind does not work in outline form, it works by images, so why do we work so hard to speak from outline, when we can naturally speak from images. It is always very refreshing to find out you are not crazy. So it was a good day there. Although I do believe that I am a long way form where I need to be on my communicating journey.

After too much pizza and a nap, peter and I hit the beach on some mopeds. How do I say this? These mopeds were the biggest POC's I have ever seen. The company puts controls in them so they can not accelerate very fast and they have a top speed of about 25. As a guy, you get on a machine like this and even though it looks like something Barbi would ride, you still want to peel out, wheely and fly like a bat out of hell. Uh, nope, not on these. But it was great to cruise the beach and whatnot.

Les spoke last night about connecting with the insider. Maintaining good relationship with long time Christians as you strategicly go after the non-Christian. He is so passionate and gifted. I thank God for bringing Les into my life. A man worth following.

Following the evening session we went bowling. The cool part about bowling here is not what happens in the alley but what you take away with you. My entire suitcase smells like that place. SWEET!

Rounded out the day with a phone call to Tanya. I tell you what, that voice of hers is so incredible. I never knew I could love someone so much.

What a great day.