one thing i really don't like about moving is finding a church. 'church shopping,' if you will. simply because there's such a buffet of churches to choose from: think dancing is from the devil? try a baptist. hip, but not so hip that you're edgy? find a church with a televised service and a choir made up of 40-somethings. need to get your God-fix without the pesky fellowship and obligation to a 'church family'? a mega-church it is! fed up with 'church'? find yourself a new church plant that's 'breaking the mold.' they're everywhere...just follow the college students. i should know, i was one of them.

not that each of these places can't be legitimate in their heart for Jesus and mission for a hurting world, but it can be quite daunting and exhausting to find a place that resonates. it's especially hard for me, because my home church is my home. it's comfy when your dad is the pastor and you don't have to worry about introducing yourself to people. everybody at avalon community church knows my story, knows my heart, and knows my love for Jesus.

but this whole colorado experience has been about taking my love, my faith out of its comfy context and making it stick. like when you throw pasta on the wall to see if its finished. can my relationship stick despite the distance from its childhood home? is God still God here, so far away from the sea? do i love Him as freely and as recklessly when everybody around me doesn't know--and therefore isn't familiar with--the life we lead together?

now is the time when pushing comes to shoving.