the Eclectic Soul

Support this....

My friend Penny's daughter Madeline has suffered from Type 1 diabetes since 2002.  She and her mom made this amazing video to raise awareness and to secure support for her upcoming walk for the cure.  Give it a watch and support diabetes research where ever you live. 

Why I Got My Ear Pierced...

This past Friday I did something that I should have done almost two years ago: I got my ear pierced.  Now before you gasp, let me invite you to read the story before you pass judgment.  Hopefully then you'll understand [and besides, I had my ear pierced for years in college, even when I was in the midst of the ordination process, but I digress]. 

Almost two Junes ago now, Lisa and I had what was an awesome vacation with our two best friends and favorite people in the whole world, Jon and Siri Davenport.  We had been planning the trip for months, actually 6-9 months prior.  Like many things in life, it started out with a conversation that began with, "wouldn't it be great if...." and before we knew it, we had chosen a week, late June 2007, picked a place, the Wisconsin Dells, and were busy making preparations.

One of the many things that Jon and I talked about during our many weekly phone calls was the fact that his two boys, Seth and Jared, had wanted to get their ears pierced on this summer vacation.  Jon told me that he thought that he might like to do it to; first to show support of his boys, they were a bit apprehensive, and two, he had always said he wanted one.

In a moment of exhilaration I said, that if he did it, I too would do it in solidarity with his boys.

Being that Jon and I were both pastors and leaders of local congregations, there was some talk between us as to how our churches might react.  Both of our congregations were somewhat rural and not very progressive, so as good leaders we were trying to be sensitive by at least asking the question.

Well June finally came and before we knew it we were together for a week of hilarity, relaxation and amazing fun and fellowship.  About the middle of the week the boys decided that it was time, time to get pierced that is.  

We traveled the town, scoping out the best place to get it done and came across a tattoo parlor on the main drag, it looked clean and well kept and the personel seemed to be friendly.

If my memory serves me right, being the good father that he was, Jon went in first. After a minute or two out he came with the familiar golden bead seated in his now reddening ear.

Next was Seth, desperately trying to be as brave as his dad, he went in, “pop” and came out with the twin golden bead of his dads.  Everyone looked at Jared, who was a bit timid and wasn’t all too sure that he was really willing to go through with the ordeal, but sure enough he soldiered up and went in, and came out; same read ear, same gold bead.

Then, all three looked at me, and well, I froze.

Not because I was scared, of the pain that is.  I knew what to expect.  I was terrified of what people would think; what my congregation would think.  I serve a great church that unfortunately was going through a bit of a trying time, adjusting to someone who was probably casting more vision than they were ready to swallow at the time.  So, needless to say, I didn’t want to throw gasoline on an already smoldering fire. So...

I didn’t go through with it.

I broke my promise, and I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening, the rest of the trip actually, torturing myself; wishing I had gone through with it.

Little did I know that two months later, I’d be burying my best friend.

Even as I write this I still get a lump in my throat.

I’ll never get that moment back.  I’ll never be able to call him up and say, “hey Jon, I’m finally brave enough to do it, so lets go.”

Never.

I missed an opportunity to share an amazing and unforgettable time with my best friend and let fear and other people’s expectations and opinions get the best of me.

I’m sorry Jon. So sorry.

So, this past Friday, I spent the morning at the local Starbucks, finishing the Sunday message, packed it up, had some lunch, and went down to the local tattoo parlor and had my ear pierced.

Was I still concerned what the wonderful congregation that I lead was going to say?  Yep.  Did I do it anyway?  Yep.

So, Jon, I wear this earring proudly, in honor and memory of you.  Thanks for loving me.  Thanks for sharing who you are, were and always will be with me.  Thanks for investing in a friendship with a crazy fool like me.  And thanks for all the ways that you have and continue to inspire me.

You’re a braver man than I ever could be.

I love you, and I miss you man.

Grace & Peace, 

E

P.S. tomorrow is my first public worship service that I will lead with my new accessory.  Pray for me ;)

Gettin' the Led In...

A little over a year ago, last June to be exact, my best friend and our families were camping together.  One night, when he, I and his two boys Seth and Jared were going out for a firewood run, we were listening to this song...and yes, we were embarrassing the crap out of his kids!

Tonight, when I was getting some of the Led into my iPod I couldn't help but stop, listen to this song and laugh.  Yes, Jon, you are Over the Hills and Far Away, but you're never far from my thoughts!

I Miss My Friend....

It's been a really difficult couple of weeks.  One year ago this month I lost my best friend to a freak lung fungus he contracted, probably on a camping trip that our families took together a few months before last June.

I've been moody, irritable, and down right melancholy.  I really miss him. He's the kind of guy you could call at any time.  We talked almost daily.  I miss that. 

Friends, could you remember his family in your prayers; his boys Seth and Jared and his wife Siri.  I can't imagine how bad they miss him too. 

Thanks.

Mourning; but not as one who is without hope!

Peace,

E

My Boy D.G.

My boy D.G. at the Emerging Church for the Existing Church Conference in Colorado taken via Doug Pagitt's iPhone.

Prayers for Baby Noah...

My friend Grant has become a first time grandpa...which is wonderful.

What isn't wonderful is that for some reason, his new grandson, Noah has been having seizures and they really don't know why. They've rushed him to a children's hospital and are going to eventually give him an MRI but for some reason the hospital can't seem to get him in immediately [What the ???!!!...]. Baby Noah is less than an week old and his poor new mom and dad are beginning to feel the pressure.

Please pray for little Noah...

Please pray for his mom Jessica and his father Bill...

Please pray for my friends [first time grandparents] Grant and Debi....

Thanks friends, I can always count on you...and I'll keep you all updated as we pray together.

Love Wins,

Eric

Pray for Dan Kimball

Friends, please lift of prayers for Dan Kimball and his family.  Just a few days ago [Sunday] he lost his father following complications after a freak accident.  Dan has been a prophet voice for the church in the 21st century and he and his family are hurting right now.

Thanks.

Peace,

E

More Prayer Needed....

Friends, let me just say that I'm sick of asking for prayer for people I love.   But Jared, my friend Jon's son [yes Jon is the one who recently passed away] is still in the hospital battling a lung infection called Blastomycosis, which is actually a lung fungus.  It is the same thing that Jon had had.

"J" [Jared, I call him J] has been in this medical roller coaster for the last several weeks.  He's on a heavy dose of antibiotics to battle the fungus and is fighting a valiant battle.  The infection is pretty tenacious and seems to have a mind of it's own.  The doctors are convinced he'll win in the end but it's just going to be an uphill battle.  Needless to say it's hard to keep a 9-year-old in the hospital without him getting a little stir crazy!

Pray for Siri [Jon's widow], Seth [their oldest son], and Jared.  They haven't even had a moment to figure out what life will be like without Jon.  They just need a break! They need a miracle!  Please pray for them!

Thanks!

Peace,

E

Please Continue to Pray...

Friends, it's been a VERY hard few days.  I am blogging from our denomination's annual School for Congregational Development conference in Kansas City, Kansas.  In my post below I asked you to pray for my friend Jon.  Well I am asking that you continue to pray. 

I am a mess.

Jon is only 36 years old and he is currently in a medically induced coma on a respirator fighting with everything he can muster to keep his body from going septic- all this happened in the matter of a week!?!?  His amazing and wonderful wife, our friend Siri called me today to say that she thinks that it might be time for my wife and I to come.  The doctors had said that all they could do was make him comfortable.

My God, we were just on vacation together about six weeks ago with our families!

My phrase for the last few days has honestly been, "what the hell!?"

Yet tonight, Jon seemed to make a small turn for the better.  His oxygen level has increased a bit and his blood pressure was making a small but measurable rebound.  He is still EXTREMELY critical.  So, pray....

Abba of Jesus, death was never your plan for the world.  I ask you this night to hold my friend and your son close.  May the power of your resurrection life spill over into his body and bring healing.  Be with his wife and his young sons.  Draw them to your chest and hold them tightly.  I refuse to believe that this is your will for Jon's life.  Abba, you are the Author of life not of death.  I beg you to heal my brother and my friend.  May you turn this trial into a testimony of your amazing grace.  Yet whatever may come, may I echo the steadfast trust of Job:  even though you slay me, yet I will hope in you.  Amen...and amen.

Thanks my friends.

Peace,

E

Please Pray for My Friend...

My best bud in the whole world is not doing good.  His name is Jon and he pastors a church in northern Kentucky.  He was admitted to the hospital today with double pneumonia.  Please pray for him, his wife Siri and their two kids.  They could really use a touch from God right about now.

Thanks friends!

Peace,

E