Just a few random life updates:
- City living is fun. The suburbs were boring. Life’s a lot more interesting with drug houses nearby. I’ve gone from the Shire (Warsaw) to Mordor (Rochester), and like Frodo, I’m not sure the Shire would ever be a good fit for me again.
- Sierra Nevada just put out an Anniversary Ale. Get it. It’s specifically a fall seasonal, so I don’t know how long a fall seasonal anniversary ale will be around. You don’t want to miss it. Here in Rochester, I found it right at Wegman’s (and there’s always Beers of the World, of course).
- I tried the Blue Moon Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale, but after three bottles, I couldn’t get into it, so I gave it to Chris.
- Had my first Spaten Octoberfest the other night. Got the very first beer off a brand new keg, and it rivals Sam Adam’s, though I still give Sam the edge, I think.
- The book is…erm…on hold, sort of. This house is taking up all my time. Deconversion and getting an inspector to approve this place is going to be quite the job!
- NHL hockey has begun! Sabres open their season with a home and home with the Islanders this weekend. Go Sabres!
- I haven’t preached in a very. long. time. I wonder if my last sermons at every place I most recently preached just totally bombed. I used to get asked to preach like crazy. Did I preach a few stinkers? Did I get really ugly? Is it because I’m getting published on Harry Potter? As busy as I am, I’m extra restless without preaching on a semi-regular basis. I miss the days of weekly sermon prep.
12 responses so far ↓
1 Joel // Oct 4, 2007 at 7:37 pm
The city is more honest than the suburbs
2 Ben // Oct 4, 2007 at 10:13 pm
yeah man, i dunno if i can go back to living in the suburbs, either. and the other advantage to city living, street preaching! that’s killing two birds with one stone for you…
oh, and thank you–I picked up some SN Anniversary Ale on your recommendation and it is excellent.
3 christian // Oct 7, 2007 at 8:52 pm
amen to the city living. since my family and i moved into milwaukee (july of this year) we’ve seen 2 break ins, 2 attempted break ins, drug deals, road rage, and the SWAT all within 30 ft of our front door. hope to hear more of your adventures
4 chris holdridge // Oct 9, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Let’s not city worship. If you think that the city is more honest than the suburbs, you don’t know the human heart. I can manufacture more idols for myself than most suburban Americans and the city doesn’t help me not do that. We’re all liars and cheats and just because we’re white boys choosing where we want to live doesn’t mean we have the right to criticize other white boys who also got to choose where they live. I do love the city. I’m glad God let’s me live here.
5 Travis Prinzi // Oct 9, 2007 at 4:42 pm
I might have misread, but I’m not sure anyone was city-worshiping or claiming that the city was more “honest.” It’s just more fun, in the experience of those who have written here thus far…
6 Travis Prinzi // Oct 9, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Addition: I agree with your points, of course. But at least what I was writing wasn’t in any way in contradiction with it; just stating my preferences.
7 chris holdridge // Oct 9, 2007 at 4:54 pm
More fun…yes, more fun. Unless of course you’re getting cuffed on your front porch! Or trying to avoid the drug pushers who want to make you a soldier. Or unless you’re our neighbor who can now start to catch up on bills that you’re months behind in, but still can’t afford food. What the crap?! Yes, I said, “What the crap.”
Somebody did say “more honest”…unless you’re applying the sign/signifier po-mo formula here and words are meaningless. And I was merely warning against the lure of city worshiping.
I just guard carefully at awakening the us/them dragon, he’s tough to slay and like Grendel, he’s got a much meaner mother: idolatry. He’ll eat your sorry ass; she’ll drag it to hell.
8 Travis Prinzi // Oct 9, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Well, of course there are things about the city that aren’t fun. And then there are the things that, you know, are fun, like living across the street from this guy who taught me how to put my own windows in.
And I think we’ve hit a point where internet communication fails…my drug house references were sarcastic. I don’t actually think those things are fun.
You’re right, I missed that first comment where “honest” was used. It’s so teeny tiny up there at the top.
Apparently you and I have yet to have the conversation where I go on and on and on (and on and on) about how God needs people in the suburbs too, and that there’s nothing more holy or authentic or honest or genuine about a Christian moving to the city. I think the next time I write a post, I’ll write every imaginable thing I’ve ever thought about the subject so as not to be misunderstood. ‘Course, that would be so long no one would read it.
So, again, I agree with you. Wanna get a beer later this week?
9 chris holdridge // Oct 9, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Why I oughtta…
You’re right. Were you being sarcastic about writing “every imaginable thing?” That would be cool. That would be…fun.
Yes, and when we preach, we must preach the whole council of God. So if Paul speaks of man’s responsibility, we must be sure to preach on election. (ok–sacrcasmmmm…there!)
I think we have had that conversation. I just wanted to give my message to the universe.
Yes. Beer. Porch. Soon.
10 Travis Prinzi // Oct 9, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Yes, beer. porch. soon. Any night but tonight (Bob Dylan concert tonight). Seriously, just head on over. Tricia crashes at 10.
11 Christian // Oct 11, 2007 at 9:30 pm
For the record, I think God needs less people in the suburbs than he currently has. Too many of “us” are staying in/heading to the suburbs because its easier and nicer not because God is calling. Yes, the suburbs can and should be redeemed, but the city needs more lovers of Christ to stay, come back or move in.
12 chris holdridge // Oct 14, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Christian,
I’m not trying to be difficult…but I don’t quite agree. I’m sure we have much in common relative to why we live in the city; but I see things a little differently.
God does not “need” any of us anywhere; it’s a technicality, I know. But the nuance here is important. It’s what prevents sons and daughters of God from really busting on each other for no reason. Example: “I’m where God really needs me. You’re not. Therefore I am more righteous.” How can this be true? God calls us to things, certainly, like thrift, caring for our neighbors, a well ordered life, prudence, etc…even loving our neighbor. But none of those things have to do with justification or righteousness. See, if we’re doing something because God “needs” us to, over and against what someone else is not doing, we are creating a righteousness of our own.
Living in the city, since I grew up in the city, is for me actually much “easier” than living in the suburbs. Should I then move to the suburbs so as to not take the easy route? Calling is a whole other knot of intentions, the work of the Spirit, God’s provision, etc. God’s call has nothing to do with his need.
I agree that the city needs lovers of Christ. And I have a boatload of criticisms as to why suburbs are just bad ideas. I cannot bring myself to say that the city needs us “more than” the suburbs need us. Again, we ignore the fallen nature of man to assume that. Let those who live in the burbs live with a zeal for seeing Christ made much of, and let us do the same in the city. If we continue down the the other path, we end up with asceticism. The we have to beat each other with ropes 3 times a day, while we try to convince others of how right city-living is. Let’s just pray that all sons and daughters of the Most High will sense his direction in their lives, that they may follow Him whole-heartedly, whether it be here or there. And let’s live here with such zeal for Christ that all the other folks trying to discern God’s call to the city will see us and say, “I want that!”
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