It has been great weekend for me, the best so far in 2009. The reasons for that are more meditative and reflective, but all are extremely important to me. I have had the opportunity this previous weekend to do a couple of things that I've been meaning to do so for quite a while. The first is going contra dancing with a group of peers from WBC and the second is visiting a church in which my God-uncle pastors. Both have been extremely rewarding and refreshing. The dancing has been tons of fun and has given me an opportunity to revive my social life that's been dead since my departure from WBC. There's nothing like being around peers that bring about the breath that makes life a bit more bearable. Being able to also attend a church where the preaching comes from a Biblical diagram (exegetical preaching) with strong presence and power coming from the Holy Spirit is also a great reward and blessing. Truly, I haven't had that since I left Hillcrest in October/November. And mixed with an up and coming social life that was onced duped of life things for me may get back on track for me to help me feel like I"m not walking through an endless void of loneliness.
Contra dancing....quite the most interesting fun and experience I've had in a long while. Most of it, for me, reminds me of square dancing. Most of the terms and moves were similiar, if not exact, and a good portion of it was very chanllenging, it seemed. But after some practice and some great experienced dance partners I was able to perform very well. When I did swing dancing years ago, I was caught up on the dance basics and spent up the entire evening just trying to lay them flat as well as figure out control in leading. In contra dancing, it's much more easier for me to lead because the dances are very simplistic. Even little kids can do this dance (there were several on the floor that I"ve had the interesting priviledge of dancing with as well) so it's fun for the whole family. Saturday night there were seven of us. Aside from myself, there were two other guys and four young ladies: the two guys I knew, along with my lil sis from my second family, and the three other young ladies that I met just that night (although I think I met onen of them from a past encounter but cannot remember which). The trip took about a bit more than an hour (close to 1.5 hours) on the way there but only an hour back. Once we did get there we stood in line for a bit to pay and then afterwards got to a table and chilled out a bit (somewhat literally because it was very cold). About ten or so minutes passed before the mini-worshop started. To start off, I asked one of the ladies from my party to be my partner. She remained my partner for about three dances (mostly for the practice dances). I did dance with over several partners that night (as the dance requires each person to find a new partner each new dance) but by the time the night was over I had succeeded in dancing with all the ladies from my party. However, most of them I danced with several times that night; one of them I danced with only just once. Needless to say though I had a blast! I was able to follow all the dances, although the last one and the one before the mass break did I have trouble with continually. But overall, my contra dance skills are about 80%; that's mostly in dexerity and being skill. Being able to follow the dance is about 90% as well as being able to lead in the right steps. So, unlike Swing Dancing night (which I think I blogged about on my 360 blog; if I didn't then this is the first I"ve mentioned it in my blog) this night was extremely fun; I stayed on the dancefloor 90% of of the time; I only stayed out for about 3 dances, one of which included a waltz; during the first waltz I showed one of the young ladies how to do so. I haven't waltzed since dance class back in high school. Still, it was a great night and I was glad to be among peers who were all looking for some enjoyment and socialship away from the business of life. I have told them to consider me a permanent (at this point until I leave anyway) member and attendee from now on. The dance is every month, on the third Saturday, and it's very exciting. Contra dancing is now gong to be a big thing in my life that along with all the other stuff I do. I hope I will be able to resume this great hobby and activity once I relocate to Hillsboro; I just have to find a place in the neighboring communities (i.e. Wichita, Mcpherson, Newton) where this type of country dancing is held and practiced.
My whole premise in dancing, though, is twofold: it revives my social life and it gives me an opportunity to meet many young (and beautiful at that) ladies. I remember the names of two others that I danced with that were not in my party; these two were the other partners that I shared a full-dance with, although there was another (but I don't remember her name as well). Two non-party ladies were older than me and the one other looked to be about my age or maybe younger. I do remember the one young lady (who looked dressed very modestly, looked almost amish in dress) said that attended the local college in the area. We (me and another guy in our group) know her as Julie. Then there's Megan (the other "young" woman that I danced with) who was very well experienced and corrected some of my moves in a few of the dances. So, yeah, I did get a couple of names down and will be looking forward to dancing with some of the regs (that's short for regulars) again. Most of our group, except for one young lady, are also regs as well. I guess I am one too, now.... So, another month will go by before I get try again; by then I"ll be shaven in all facial and head hair so that I can really look my best and be more in a dance attitude. I was pretty stiff this time but that's normal for me since I was more focused in learning the moves and sequences needed for the dances. The next time, I'll be more "wild" (meaning just loose) and come with an attitude to work harder at dancing. And as much as switching partners is as common as spinning and turning is common in most of the dances, I am going to plan to stick with only one partner (although you're suppose to find a new partner but I"m a one woman man type of guy). However, in contra dancing, all oddies in couple combinations are allowed; that is to say that it can be girl-girl, guy-guy, girl-guy, kid-adult, kid-kid, short-tall, tall-tall, short-short, and so on pairs that can exist. While I did see some guys dancing together, humorously I add, the notion of that is still pretty weird, even though this is just for fun (nothing serious). It's still kinda funny though; you just won't see me doing that! I am trying to at least find a nice young lady who will dance with me and hopefully find a connection with; so dancing with another guy, if no female partners are available, is simply not something I'm gonna do! I guest the exception would be if the guy was my brother. (and brother in Christ perhaps). Still, I had blast! Can't wait to go back! I did get home late that night (about 1:30ish) and has the been the latest I"ve stayed out on a Saturday night ever on record, I think. So that's what partying feels like....
The weekend continued on Sunday as I went to attend church in the Temple Hills, Capital Heights area here in Maryland. Kendall Baptist Church, where my God-uncle is the pastor (God-uncle through my God-mom/God-aunts relationship with my mom, her best friend, whom I"m stayed with for a bit when I returned to DC in 2007 and has been a part of my life since forever), is located near the Naylor Road station. I didn't take the subway there, however, but took the P12 from the nearby 7-eleven from my part of town to Iverson Mall. I then walked down from there to the church (about 15-20 minutes for me). I got there at the peak of Sunday school and had about 15 minutes left before service actually began. I was pretty excited to see Pastor Jones and his wife again as well as my God-aunt (who is an usher at the church). Service began a bit late (maybe five or so minutes off but that's normal for a black church in most cases to start on what we call CP time, Colored People Time -- a phrase introduced to me by my mom some years ago. It entertains the famous stereotype that black people are never on time for anything but work off a different clock than the one given by a watch or clock. Hence, by using the concept of CP time I am implying that we got started at a time not that was not the official time but rather another one set by the intiator of the service -- the choir in this case) but overall service was done by 1:30 or so. The highlight of the service was the sermon on murder, the text coming from Matthew 5:21-25 (30). Pastor Jones preached an exception message on murder that was both biblical (it agreed with other passages of Scripture both in message and context) and exegetical (it was all done in proper context with the intended meaning located and shared with proper study and word usage) and ver powerful (I had felt the Holy Spirit's power move across the congregation that filled with heavy conviction and potentially changed the lives of those who were listening). Even I was very deeply moved and felt the work of the Lord move across my heart. I did reflect on the message and although I'm not angry with anyone (enough that would be considered murder anyhow) it did make me reflect on some things that I"ve been "ticked off" about. I have not had the greatest attitude lately and it just seems like I"ve shown my discontent by attacking individuals for the smallest issues. One of those, I have been greatly mistaken, has been some things I have accused my roommate for. I am so sorry about that and was mistaken, although I know as well that I will be more careful about what I do in the future while I stay here. It just comes to show you that when a person is really discontent with life they will be discontent even in the most least of things. Still, it was a great message and greatly needed on Santity of Life day.
After service, I did catch up my with God-aunt and she asked me how I would get home; I assumed she was going to take me home but she didn't; that's my bad lol. Still, I met the middle-aged minister who led us through the majority of worship service who offered to take me to the bus stop after service. I did catch up with Pastor Jones and a BIC (brother-in-Christ) named Victor. I thought Victor was a bit strong willed and extremely bold because he told me that I needed to join the church for all legitament reasons. I told him that I would think about it and talk with him more; the ironic thing is that Pastor Jones was going to share the exact same speech with me before I stopped him (humorously of course) after I caught up with him. We had started talking and catching up and I shared with him that I would be around more often since I am no longer at Hillcrest; as soon as I said that, he was going to persuade me to join the church but I was like "Thanks pastor, but I know where you're going and I told Victor I"d think about!" Now granted, it was a laughable moment, but just as much as I am seriously considering if (for reasons that I will share in a moment) I am also considering the latter of not doing so because I am expecting to be in town for only another five months. The question is why would pastor Jones be so eager and excited to have me on his team? The reason is I am from Washington Bible College; that may seem like a "so what" moment, but those who are familar with WBC know that many great and wonderful preachers have come from our now struggling institution. The Bible education and quality studies of WBC have carried me a long way in the most simplistic ways; one of which is being able to understand Scripture in both proper context and being able to spot something false in preaching and teaching, which is mostly what I"ve been dealing with in attendence of the previous churches I"ve hopped to in the past weeks). The quality and value of getting an education at a regional accredited Bible college is very sophisticted (and expensive) and a very blessed opportunity. Unfortunately, that opportunity is too expensive for me to the point where, for the second time since my first time there in the fall of 2002, I've had to put it on haitus for finances. That's what led me to take so long in returning after about 4years (since my departure in September 2003). Now, with my transition underway, the final course of attendance will be online (possibly in 2010, if not later this year once I'm settled in Kansas for the 2009 fall semester) depending on my financial situation by the start of the next last semester of 2009. Anyway, I'm going on a rabbit trail that's not necessary as I've blogged about that already.
In Pastor Jones' mind, my studies at WBC and the knowledge acquired there is extremely valuable. WBC has sent of thousands of soldiers in the Lord's army armed with education that is both sound and strong that snatching one of us is like snatching up sound leaders and teachers that will turn the world upside down for the gospel. Granted, that's not all of us from WBC, but I would say a good deal of us turn out to do well in the future. Training at WBC or CBS (our instition's seminary) is like training at MIT or Yale in value when it comes to ministry. The most valuble thing from this institution, however, aside from education, is networking. Many people have come and gone from WBC, some like Pastor Lon Solomon in McClean, VA. Thus, this leads me to the comment he made to me as I was I recovering from our big laugh; he told me, in paraphase and not verbatim, but that having someone on the church's team from WBC is a huge blessing and an opportunity not to pass up. I know he said something of the sort, to be honest, but his words were very thought-provoking. Once again, I"ve taken my education at WBC for granted; it also points to my weakness in not being in sync with my studies and the fermented desire to further that study through personal Bible study in my own time. I also take into account the last time I was there who hard it was for me to stay on track and really put an honest effort in studying my work. I must honestly say that while the last two semesters (fall of 2007, Spring of 2008) were my best in terms of grades and GPA, my efforts to study were horrible and my work as a student wasn't at the level they should have been. I should have done better, not just in grade, but in quality and value. That is where I am left out in terms of the appreciation and value of a WBC education. Nevertheless, I have considered the possibility of joining Kendall Baptist; I am not planning on making that decision soon, but maybe in another month I will be able to come to a solid conclusion. My other reason for not wanting to join Kendall is because as a believer there is what's called meaningful membership and being in right standing. I must confess that by Biblical standards I am not in right standing as a believer right now; I need to time to assess and readjust the patterns and practices in my life in order to actively share and use my gifts to help build up this church; that and I need to time to figure out if God wants me here despite the fact that I am planning on leaving the area in the near future. Perhaps because it is also this reason Pastor Jones desires to have me around; he won't get his opportunity to have a WBC bredded student as part of his team. So...how could I pass this up? Nevertheless, I am putting this into my thinking about about column; I won't know for a while. For now, I am just attending.
Anyway (sorry for the long rabbit trail of thoughts), after church I was essentially gracefully treated to a nice (and lavish) dinner at a Thai resturant in Livingston, MD. It was very wonderful and I had a great time fellowshipping with the family of the minister that offered me a ride yesterday. Also, my dad is in town working for a limo company for some really high dough (which is greatly needed for the family). Part of his work will include some things for the inaguration tomorrow. I am having dinner with him and my big brother today around 3:30 today; surely, it will be a treat. Still, though, life goes on for me.
The past few months have been harsh and the start of this year appeared to have sprinkled vineager on some open wounds, but now it seems like there are some remedies that are appearing to help me heal in a very healthy way. It will be soon that my spiritual life will be back into a light, salt-filled walk with a fire and desire that is only felt on Sunday morning (the desire to teach and even preach God's Word still lingers inside me and it just won't go away no matter how much I suppress it) and my social life will be seasoned with monthly social gatherings that futher open the door for me to meet people my age and possibly a woman that would be bring a nice healthy balance to my life. But even if not, I still have fellowship with people my age and being able to get out and engage in a social outlet is equally important. I have some other social gatherings happening this week as well as next month. So I will have the great delight of hanging out with old friends and hopefully new ones will follow suit. I want the last months I spend here in the DC/MD to be a memory worth keeping and unregrettable. Last years was filled with some much stuff in the latter part that many of the memories are bittersweet and I constantly debate whether or not to keep them in my memory bank; easier said than done, especially since as a writer my memories, experiences, and dreams are the sole material in which all my work is derived. It's not memories, it's my life. My life, then, itself, becomes the whole book in a large a play that is orchestrated by God Himself. How much of that story, I wonder, will I succeed in writing and publish one day...time will tell I guess. For now, it seems as that I"m slowly beginning to resuscitate from a bitter dark cell of unhappiness and loneliness to a room filled with life and spiritual power that has the potential to revive my inner motivation to be encourage and be optimistic about the future. I guess I am slowly regaining myself once more....gee, I've sured missed me!
Thanks for the article, always happy to read your essays!
Posted by: wart | 01/24/2009 at 03:08 AM