(eventually a picture of Kirstie Alley with her mouth hanging open will grace these posts, but I am having a problem with the technical side of things at the moment and have not worked out the kinks quite yet)

Looking Backward, Moving Forward:

I know you all come here for breaking news, so I announce this here first: 2009 is officially over.

I personally announced this moment in my own life by closing out my existing journal (one that lasted for several years of hit or miss writing) and opening a new one. I found myself quickly listing off many dreams for 2010, ones that deviate from the traditional "Make, then Break" resolutions that most of us fret over for a few weeks each year. These are dreams which are big and small, easy to achieve and extremely far out of reach, but Sharon has taught me that even the biggest dreams are worth pursuing.

A few choice snippets from the list (those that I am willing to share in this forum):

• Simplify in every sense of the term
• Buy Local
• Pull someone back from the edge
• Have a story to share every day
• Live Hope, Give Hope, Every day, Any way.

Books of the Completed and Started Varieties:

I closed 2009 by shelving anything that I sat semi-finished, a physical way to close out the old year. My target this year is to read 52 books (a book a week) and I did not want any lingering struggles in the way.

Barbara Rossing's The Rapture Exposed was first up this year. Thanks to a thoughtful gift from Patrick and Margaret, I was able to read Rossing's critique of prevailing dispensationalist readings (or misreadings?) of Revelation and the ethic of John that pervades it. It was a great read, one made a little bit more unique by the fact that Margaret was able to get the author to personalize it with a note for me. How cool!

Now up is Annie Dillard's The Maytrees, a recent Swaptree acquisition and a long-time resident of the to-read shelf. Dillard has been a big literary influence on my own writing and I also had the opportunity to take a seminar class on her works at Hillsdale: having new material from her is always a joy for me.

Those of the Tune-age Variety:

I picked up Lady Gaga on vinyl this week. Both albums. Enough said.

Rattling of the Proverbial Cage:

The man who asked for the hot dog at Starbucks the other night, then f-bombed me when I told him we didn't carry hot dogs. Next time?

Geocentric Reflections:

One week to get back into the routine, then we'll pick up with some Corktown opportunities the following week. Bible Study & Coffee Night, anyone?

Highlight of the week:

Celebrating December 27 at Andy and Emilie's wedding. Andy and I grew up together and it is a real honor to share that day with them every year (although we win by 3 years!). It was a beautiful service and an awesome reception at the Iroquois Club in Bloomfield Hills.

Books of the Completed and Started Varieties:

I finished Pride and Prejudice and Zombies this weekend and am still reveling in the joy that was reading it. It is extra cheap on Amazon right now (less than $9!) so you should go pick it up and read it immediately.

Also finished this week is Peter Leithart's Solomon Among the Postmoderns, an interesting look at postmodern thought and intellectualism in contrast with Solomon. Because of the familial relations I will refrain from a review, but I would encourage you to read it and post your thoughts (and thanks to Mike for loaning me his copy to read).

Thanks to plenty of gift cards, I have purchased a few volumes of the Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible, the finally edited and published Yoder work, Leitharts's Deep Exegesis, and a book discussing racial influences on theology. Lots of good winter reading ahead.

Music I’m digging:

Nothing much new on this front, other than listening to the latest offerings from 30 Seconds to Mars and After Midnight Project thanks to the recent concert experience.

Ministry Update:

The Christmas gift/grocery delivery went off without a hitch. We were able to bless many people who in turn bless their friends and neighbors, and it was a very rewarding experience.

Looking Forward To:

2010. New challenges, new wins, new opportunities to reflect Christ's love and sacrifice.

Highlight of the week:

Two Starbucks stories, both from yesterday.

1. Having a Starbucks customer ask me about my TWLOHA and One bracelets, then tipping generously because I am a "giving person" and will "probably give it to people who deserve it more than [the customer]." It was a surreal experience, and one that made me feel good about myself for a few minutes, but it also encouraged me to keep promoting these organizations and keeping the discussion open.

2. When a coworker asked about TWLOHA yesterday, I gave her a brief synopsis of what it means, and finished with the words "suicide and depression" right as a customer walked into the store. His face expressed concern and he said something to the effect of "wow, what a morbid Starbucks" and I backtracked and gave him a glimpse of TWLOHA as well. I apologized for the confusion and told him he walked in at just the wrong time, but he smiled and said "thanks for the explanation, and no, I think I walked in at just the RIGHT time." He tipped kindly as well. I love talking about TWLOHA, and the need for this conversation and support. 

Books of the Completed and Started Varieties:

Unfortunately there has been little movement on this front, mostly due to work schedule and the forced Saturday Sabbath in which I did, literally, nothing. I am loving Leithart's Solomon Among the Postmoderns and am working slowly through Webb and Schmemann as I feel inclined, but it has been a slow reading week generally speaking.

Music I’m digging:

Did you know that I only like about 4 "Christmas songs?" Here's the list;

• White Heart - Little Drummer Boy
• Otis Redding - White Christmas
• Mick Jagger & Joss Stone - Lonely Without You (This Christmas)
• Lady GaGa - Christmas Tree

You'll note that two of these are not really "Christmas" songs at all, except that they mention Christmas things in them. Then again, many "Christmas" songs are innuendo pop songs themed around Christmas, so I want to hear zero complaints from the "Christmas music" lovers out there.

Something That Blew My Mind:

The lingering middle finger that many show our city. How is it that people like Newt Gingrich can get away with saying this: "The other side is not going to improve anything. And if we are not careful the other side is going to turn the whole country into Detroit. Then we will all be uneducated, we will all be poor, and we will all live in dangerous places." Regardless of your partisan affiliations, this is not acceptable. A full blog/open letter will be forthcoming.

Ministry Update:

Blessings for our adopted family are pouring in this holiday season, but if you would like to help out, there is still time. We are accepting donations through this weekend and will be purchasing groceries and basic-needs items just before Christmas. It is a real joy to be able to bless a neighbor and community member at any time, but it feels extra special this time of year.

Looking Forward To:

Holiday visits. My brother will be in town this weekend for a concert, followed by a trip from my whole family on Christmas day. It is always a real blessing to see my family and this time will be no exception. Considering that we have not had a full "family Christmas" since at least 2004, it is a big deal for all of us.

Highlight of the week:

Asking a Starbucks customer (a regular) for his man card when he told me he has been going to couple's yoga with his girlfriend. The laughter that erupted made my day. And subsequently, the highlight of the first Monday Brief in weeks.

Books of the Completed and Started Varieties:

Since the last MB, we have had some significant movement on this list, so I will attempt a comprehensive bullet-pointed list for your expectations of complete honesty and accuracy:

Those Books of the Completed Variety

• Deep Church - Jim Belcher 
  • A good look at a middle way between Emergent and Traditional Evangelicalism.
• Reconciliation - Martin Smith
  • A sacramental view of Confession and Reconciliation in the Anglican tradition. His theology is weak at times, but his understanding of this practice is fantastic.
• New Monasticism - Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove
  • A thorough explanation of the varieties of new monasticism in contemporary society, he expounds on the need for both traditional church and prophetic monastic communities.
• The Great Emergence - Phyllis Tickle
  • An average expectation for an Emergent-driven future with a solid reflection on church history and structural shifts.

Music I’m digging:

It continues to be a "rediscover my iTunes library" season for me, as recent weeks have experienced audio visits from Green Day, MxPx, and Emery. Most recent additions to the collection include GaGa's Fame Monster and her free "Christmas Tree" single, but otherwise, it's old school Friday every day right now.

Somethings That Blew My Mind: 

• Blood borne Pathogens training. It was horrifying, especially the randomly and rudely inserted "oh look, jaundice face" photos in the presenter's PowerPoint presentation. I am now convinced I will die of one of many Blood Borne Pathogens, and no longer have the desire to encounter humans again. Which throws much of my life goals into jeopardy.
• An awards show for "the music voted best by college students" gave an award to TWLOHA founder Jamie Tworkowski for the work the movement has done. This continues to assure me of the power of this movement and the purpose of speaking Love and Hope into the lives of those around us.

Ministry Update:

We are blessed to be working with His Church Anglican in Livonia to bless a family in our neighborhood this holiday season. Job loss, bankruptcy, etc. have hit many families, and basic needs are going unmet. We are compiling gifts for the family members as well as collecting money to purchase basic must-haves (groceries, winter clothing, etc.) and I would be ecstatic if you were able to donate a few bucks towards helping them out. More details about it are here, and if you have questions please do not hesitate to ask me.

Mike and I have pushed forward on discussions for a metro Detroit theological society to bring conferences, seminaries, priests, ministers, and lay people together. We've been surprised by how quickly the positive responses have rolled in.

Paperwork progress continues for me (slowly but surely) regarding postulancy, membership in the Company of Jesus, and seminary.

Looking Forward To: 

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES ARE COMING. That makes me very, very fat happy.

Highlight of the week: Kris and Aaron's wedding in Hillsdale this weekend was a blast. Friends from college, it was great to celebrate with them on their big day. A minor "Your Mom's House" Reunion erupted, some funny faces were made, and a NattieMo dance party wrapped up the evening. Good times were had by all.

Joe may not have had fun, but Natalie, Matt and I danced it out (to Maria's jealousy and chagrin).

Book(s) I’m reading: Finished DeSilva's Sacramental Life last week and will make sure it is one I recommend to those inquiring about the Book of Common Prayer. It is a useful tool for understanding the spirituality of the BCP and was impressed that IVP published it. Boyd's Myth of a Christian Religion and David Tracey's Guerrilla Gardening were also wrapped up this week. Boyd wasn't as good as the first book on the topic, but I was generally pleased with it. Tracey was entertaining and enlightening. I'm still working on Jacob's Year of Living Biblically as well as Teresa of Avila's The Way of Perfection, and there are a few other titles on the reading list still as well.

Music I’m digging: New Showbread = WIN for America.

Something(s) that blew my mind: I start teaching incoming freshmen on Wednesday. We have a two-week training program before school starts, but I am teaching for the training program each morning. Man, summer ended quickly.

Ministry update: Lots going on, nothing to say about it just yet. Stay tuned.

Looking forward to: Tigers game with friends on Tuesday. Going to Boston in October. 

Highlight of the week: Spending the weekend up north with my family, including trips to Mackinac Island and the Macinac Bridge, St. Ignace in the Upper Peninsula and Mackinac City on the south side of the bridge. And that was just Saturday! Sunday we spent the afternoon on a boat in the Grand Traverse Bay with some good friends. I swam (albeit briefly) in two Great Lakes over the two days (Huron and Michigan, for those playing along at home). I feel rested and couldn't have had a more stellar weekend. 

Book(s) I’m reading: Picked up a few books on the Island over the weekend, although I was generally disappointed with the selection of comprehensive history books (the Island was first "discovered" in the early 17th century and played a vital role in the fur trade, the American Revolution, and the War of 1812). Also made some hefty progress in Hays over the past week, and continue to be impressed by the amount of knowledge and exegesis in the text. I can say with certainty that it will be a constant reference moving forward. 

Music I’m digging: We listened to Lady Gaga a lot over the 500 miles of driving we did. And I've had ABBA's "Money Money Money" in my head since Saturday morning at Fort Mackinac. No idea why.

Something(s) that blew my mind: The fact that Mackinac Island has been a tourist spot since basically the 1840s. Considering how far it is from a large city or settlement, this is pretty impressive to me. It was also odd how many family and friends have been through Mackinac this summer.

Ministry update: A ministry team gathering scheduled for later this week to discuss fall/spring opportunities in Livonia. Lots of emails need to be sent to get some things on the schedule for this fall in Corktown too. Very busy, but it is good to be working with such incredible people. Also was interviewed by Justin for his blog. He asked lots of good New Way Corktown questions and posted my answers in depth here.

Looking forward to: Catching up. I'm feeling very behind right now.

Highlight of the week: Joining Giles and Matt at the Tigers game Saturday to help Susan celebrate her birthday. For the first time in my life, I had the...joy of sitting next to the opposing team's fan (although he was friendly and not overly hostile since it is our park). The Tigers came from behind and won in extra innings, and we had an absolute blast celebrating the victory.

Me, Giles, and Matt enjoying seats in the shade. Sox fan looks concerned in the background.

Book(s) I’m reading: Since last week, I finished up Wright's Justification. Accepting the accusations that I am a "Wright fan," I still think Wright does a fantastic job presenting his perspective on Pauline views of righteousness and justification. His tone is a bit snarky at times (he's British, are we surprised?) but I think that it is a highly valuable work. I also read through Evelyn Underhill's The Spiritual Life and Henri Nouwen's Encounters with Merton. Since the reading list has been cleaned up a bit, I'm now pushing to get through Hays' Moral Vision, which I just picked back up this weekend.

Music I’m digging: I haven't listened to much this week, but the weather the past few days has made me sing The Temptations "I Wish it Would Rain."

Something(s) that blew my mind: How much different I feel after the first week of biking to work most days. I managed to bike 24 miles last week and walk 3 on Saturday (back and forth to the Tigers game). What a difference!

Ministry update: Had lunch yesterday with some friends about the garden project as well as ministry at His Church Anglican. Plans are starting to take shape.

Seminary/ordination update: Hoping to have pictures from the service posted eventually. Also need to come up with some more money so that I can pay for a seminary class this semester.

Looking forward to: Weekend trip up north, which will include Mackinac Island on Saturday with my family.

Highlight of the week: Tons of them, most notably the gardening approval (previously mentioned on DSimmer.com) as well as the opportunity to meet and spend time with Blake Lewis. Blake is a photo/video journalist from Brooks Institute in California. He has traveled to Detroit to capture the story of the city's homeless and give them a voice. It has been exciting to share a beer or two with him, and I look forward to seeing the completed project (he has posted a few of his photos of Detroit here).

Book(s) I’m reading: Working now on N. T. Wright's Justification along with a collection of Thomas Merton essays titles Passion for Peace. Wright brings his usual accessible-but-scholarly touch while Merton's essays give a glimpse of him unfamiliar to readers of his autobiography and works on prayer. Highly recommended. As a result, I've edited the reading list, which now includes two new titles on urban gardening as well. *Have since finished Merton. It was as good as I thought.

Music I’m digging: Eminem's Beautiful. I realize most people have an opinion of Eminem at this point, but please watch the video (edited for language) here. It reflects his talent as an artist, his introspection, and his love for the city of Detroit. 

Something(s) that blew my mind: How quickly the school year is approaching. This means my regular teaching gig will happen in only a few short weeks. Oh man am I not prepared!

Ministry update: The blessing to the work I'm doing for His Church Anglican (Livonia) is that it duplicates some of the work we're doing in Corktown. Building relationships, raising up leaders, all of this falls in line with how we believe ministry will need to work in Detroit. Part of what we're working on for the fall is Evening Prayer, Compline and Bible/Beer study time. Let me know if you'd like to be involved in any of those.

Seminary/ordination update: The service was incredible. Preaching in Flint went very well (as well). It has been a relatively quiet week since the investiture service, but I think we would all agree that that is a great thing.

Looking forward to: Every day. I'm so thankful for what we've been given right now. Come visit us!

Highlight of the week: So many of them. The first half of the week was spent with Giles family (and extended family, and extended-extended family) south of Atlanta. It was ridiculously hot for me, but it was a lot of fun. Plus I got to grab food at Chic-fil-a and Sonic, which makes a trip down south that much better. But 100 degree weather in June? No thanks, earth. Keep your hands and heat to yourself.

Book(s) I’m reading: Made some progress on the summer reading list over the past two weeks. Finished Timmerman's Where am I Wearing? in Traverse City and Esther de Waal's Seeking God in Atlanta. Finished up Simon Chan's Liturgical Theology this weekend, which leaves a slightly shorter reading list to conquer between now and Labor Day.

Music I’m digging: I'm not sure that I really heard any music on vacation. Except for that one pop singer from the 1980s that the radio stations are trying to play non-stop. I heard him once or twice. Boo.

Something(s) that blew my mind: The number of people who wish to save the Michigan Central Depot/Station is absolutely astounding. Over 60 volunteers worked on Friday to create new plant life behind the station fence, as well as hauling out debris and trash from the lot (inside and outside the building). On last look, there were three full dumpsters.

Ministry update: Now that we're back from vacation, we'll hopefully have more on this in the next week or two.

Seminary/ordination update: Excited for this weekend. Saturday is my investiture as a Lay Pastor, Sunday I am preaching in Flint. I got approval from the seminary to hold off on full enrollment and take another class in the fall. Now I just need to find the money to pay for it, and we'll be fine.

Looking forward to: Next Monday. Because that means that this exciting but stress-filled pending weekend will be over.