Shawn Stutz http://shawnstutz.com On a Great Journey Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:35:56 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 NEXT… now type away! http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1196 http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1196#comments Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:33:42 +0000 admin http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1196 Here is the next picture.

Directions {PICTIO DIVINIA}:

1. Look at the picture. What sticks out to you in the picture and why?

2. How does the picture make you feel, make you desire, or even wish?

3. What scripture or spiritual truth does this picture remind you of?

Type up a great masterpiece in the comment area.  I’ll post my comments before the next picture goes up.

]]> http://shawnstutz.com/?feed=rss2&p=1196 0 PICTIO 2 http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1191 http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1191#comments Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:33:10 +0000 admin http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1191 And the social image experiment continues… here is the next pictures.

Directions:

  1. Look at the picture.  What sticks out to you in the picture and why?
  2. How does the picture make you feel, make you desire, or even wish?
  3. What scripture or spiritual truth does this picture remind you of?

Comment away… and once again I’ll post my comments before the next picture goes up.

{HINT:  Are you drawn to the size, colors, void, people, lighting, activities in pic?}

]]> http://shawnstutz.com/?feed=rss2&p=1191 1 PICTIO DIVINA EXPERIMENT! http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1182 http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1182#comments Sat, 17 Jul 2010 14:00:57 +0000 admin http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1182 I’d love to try a social image experiment.  Over the next few weeks, I will post a picture that is interesting on multiple levels to me.  My hope would be that you’d take a moment and follow the steps below, then post a comment or two.  It’s easy… fun… and as quick as you’d like it to be.

Here is the first of many pictures that spur conversation and curiosity in me.

  1. Look at the picture.  What sticks out to you in the picture and why?
  2. How does the picture make you feel, make you desire, or even wish?
  3. What scripture or spiritual truth does this picture remind you of?

Now comment away… can’t wait to hear what you get.  I’ll post my comments before the next picture goes up.

{HINT:  Are you drawn to the size, colors, void, people, lighting, activities in pic?}

{HINT:  click the photo for larger view}

]]> http://shawnstutz.com/?feed=rss2&p=1182 5 Been awhile… http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1179 http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1179#comments Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:31:09 +0000 admin http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1179 Well it has been awhile since I’ve posted here.  And since that time, a lot has happened.

I took a family vacation to the classy land of San Diego where we saw Shamu and the other caged Zoo animals– lots of walking but lots of fun.  Shortly after that I went with the fam back to East Tennessee to visit the in-laws and chill in the raging Southern humidity– ugh.  It was steamy, but the fellowship &  food was great (and greasy– not the fellowship).

After returning I spent most of the month reading.  I was able to finish the following books; all of which I recommend:  The Furious Longing of God, Patched Together, Working the Angles, & Forgotten God. Now I’m re-reading Sacred Companions, and starting Praying the Psalms. Scroll over the titles for a mini-review.  Reading has definitely become a renewed passion.

In addition to reading, my writing times have been revived.  I have finished the outline, intro, and a few chapter or two (almost).  It’s slow going with the schedule I keep and the creative space it requires.  I hope to have a pretty rough draft by the end of the year, but we’ll see.

At Big Valley, we are finishing up an in-depth look at the Book of James on Sunday nights in Catalyst.  It has been a great study as well as an extremely convicting one.  There is no doubt that the scripture can grip the heart like no other work of literature ever.  If you get a chance, come and listen to the conclusion this weekend and go back and podcast the rest.

Of course, there has been riding too (sounds like writing, but very different– ha!).  I finished the LIVESTRONG ride in in 5:47 (which was about the same time as last year).  That was shy of my 5:30 goal, but for doing the ride by myself with no shared drafting efforts I felt good about it.  And without a doubt, I have watched tons of TOUR de FRANCE (bummed that it’s not quite the Tour de Lance this year though– go Schleck!).  Hands down, cycling announcers Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen are the best announcers around.

And finally… the whole first week of August will be spent cycling from the border of Nevada (near Lake Tahoe) to Monterrey, CA.  I will be serving with the Brigade Summer Camp ministry as a spiritual coordinator for a group of five guys; mostly high school and young adult.  This is a trip where we will have SAG support so I don’t have to carry all my equipment on the bike like last year (YAY!).  It’s going to be quite a bit of climbing but our longest day of 108 miles will consist of 7000′ of descent (whew!). This will be a great opportunity to be a shepherd on a road bike– combining two passions; not too shabby.

So, needless to say, life has been a whirlwind.  However, in the days to come, I hope to be a bit more active in this digital realm.  Come back tomorrow for a look at a fun visual experiment called Pictio Divina!

Later…

]]> http://shawnstutz.com/?feed=rss2&p=1179 0 LIVESTRONG :: SAN JOSE 2010 http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1175 http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1175#comments Tue, 25 May 2010 04:39:29 +0000 admin http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1175 Reasons to Ride… Again!

The LiveStrong Challenge is one based out of the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s goal to raise global awareness about the fight against cancer.  In addition to awareness, every cycling event raises millions of dollars for much needed cancer research.

I’m riding again on July 11, 2010.  I hope you can donate to the cause and help me out!

{read more about this adventure here}

]]> http://shawnstutz.com/?feed=rss2&p=1175 0 It’s been awhile… http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1173 http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1173#comments Thu, 13 May 2010 05:47:22 +0000 admin http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1173 It’s been awhile since I’ve posted.  Wrestling with time like most people; therefore, the abrupt nature of this post.  I hope to post more in the near future.

I’ve actually been reading a bit more… so there might be a book review or two coming soon.

Another thought I’ve had was to post a series I’d like to call “Pictio Divinia.”  With a bit of time, there might be some fun posts soon.

]]> http://shawnstutz.com/?feed=rss2&p=1173 0 Wildflower Report http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1169 http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1169#comments Sun, 25 Apr 2010 13:46:45 +0000 admin http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1169 Here are a few pics and “phone” videos of the day!  Went pretty well… I’m sore though.

]]> http://shawnstutz.com/?feed=rss2&p=1169 0 Wildflower Century http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1156 http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1156#comments Sat, 24 Apr 2010 12:05:07 +0000 admin http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1156

Today I’m riding the Wildflower Century in San Luis Obispo, CA.  And from what I’ve seen so far, it’s going to contain quite a few hills.  A friend told me that “you’ll either being going uphill or downhill… no long flat stretches.”

It was nice to cruise through the green rolling mountains yesterday to get here.  There is something majestic about the California coast, especially in the Spring and Fall.  I can’t even imagine being an early explorer that stumbled on these amazing sights. I stopped in Morro Bay on the way down and had the seafood lunch (chowder, fish & chips) followed by coffee at The Coffee Cottage.  You you should visit if you’re here.  They have a great location and a relaxing view of the bay, ships, and big rock!

I hope to post some pictures on Facebook throughout the day… it’ll just depend on signal strength.    100 Miles of shear fun (and work) just around the corner.

]]> http://shawnstutz.com/?feed=rss2&p=1156 0 Being & Accomplishment http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1146 http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1146#comments Fri, 23 Apr 2010 21:14:25 +0000 admin http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1146 I was thinking the other day about the spiritual discipline of celebration. It’s not often that we think of this topic as a spiritual discipline.  But it actually makes sense.  We should take time to celebrate all that God gives us… all that we have been blessed to experience because of His grace.  We shouldn’t have to earn a moment of celebration based on our religious duties.  We just celebrate being.

These discipline thoughts come from much of Richard Foster’s work in The Celebration of Discipline.

To me, it’s much like the difference between a birthday cake and a trophy.  Trophies are the rewards of accomplishment and achievement.  Birthday cakes are given just because you exist.  Your being is celebrated… the grace of being alive verses a celebration of somehow working your way out of the womb.

The same is relevant in the areas of faith as well.  We celebrate because we are alive in Christ more than just because we’ve accomplished much in His Name.

Got a reason to celebrate today?  I think so!

]]> http://shawnstutz.com/?feed=rss2&p=1146 0 Back from Mexico http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1148 http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1148#comments Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:15:46 +0000 admin http://shawnstutz.com/?p=1148

Well, I’m back from Mexico.  Actually I’ve been back since late on Friday.  It’s just taken me awhile to recover and sit down to type up a report.  These were so many good, funny, spiritual, clumsy, creative moments that I can’t list them all.  But I hope to bullet point quite a few amazing moments of the trip.  For deeper details, come to the Mexico share night at HSM on April 21st.

Alright, here goes (in random order and significance… bold some favs with good stories):

  • This was a trip bathed in prayer
  • I’m not a fan of car rides lasting longer than 5 hours… 14 one-way is insane
  • Mexican border/drug dogs might be past retirement…

  • “Otay” can be substituted for “copy” on a CB
  • Great spiritual conversations about shepherding in car with Sass
  • SAFETY!
  • Huge mountains & valleys in Mexico were filled with wildflowers
  • Seeing the Mexico Camp Site assembled for the first time!  Wow!
  • Sunrise service with 9+ Mexican Churches… language barrier for sure, but I knew it was about Jesus rising from the dead so that helped!
  • Watching students love God through singing
  • “Mighty God” prayer time at the Beach – “That Guy” awards were given too!
  • EARTHQUAKE! 7.2  – Shook my trailer like crazy!
  • Beef Tongue Tacos and Rice Pudding!
  • Morning Prayer/Lectio time with some 40 kids!
  • Singing “How He Loves” Monday night… God is Speaking that to us!
  • Great conversation with a HS girl about listening to God speak through scriptures to her
  • Driving through land-mine Mexico roads seeing the different work sites!
  • Joel & the High School Staff — Love God, Love Students, Lead Well
  • “You would…”
  • Exploding and Inflatable “PEACE“
  • Mexican Bakery smells!  Un-believable!
  • “Checking the Rotor Specks” on the “Veranda”
  • Chuckling with Chad & D.J. about anything or everything
  • The Altar during sacrifice night!
  • Connecting with rising Seniors in a powerful way!
  • Emily in Word and leading camp kids to Jesus!
  • Hearing Kevin Chacon’s story update
  • Worship Teams… Quimi/Sam & HSM Worship Band
  • Students building a HOUSE for a pastor in 3 days!
  • Prayer time with Pastor Heuventino - A Man of God!
  • “Spider-Killer!”
  • the Hotel bathroom in San Dimas– square feet & what an amazing shower!
  • Speaking Spanglish there and a few days after as well!
  • And finally…
  • Students on a VBS team colored GOLD (which they acronym-ed God Opens Locked Doors).  They were supposed to work at a church named the Open Door church.  However, upon arrival they lost their site and were praying about what to do.  Another place became and option and get this– it was a church that had been closed up and locked for almost four years!  The students asked permission to clean it up, UNLOCK IT, and use it as a VBS site for the week… and they did!  The church doors opened and ministry began again.  The ill pastor of the church regained some hope, reconciled years of bitterness with other pastors, and God’s work will continue there for sure!  It was pretty amazing for me to watch happen!  The students prayed and God Opened Locked Doors!

There are so many great stories contained in these comments for sure.  All in all, my first trip to Mexico with Big Valley was quite the success.  God is good!

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