re:create ’09 Day 1 & 2

It has been absolutely amazing to be at re:create again.  I am SO grateful Neil is here with me this time!  I won’t be able to adequately describe what we’ve been doing and what I’m processing as a result, but here’s a snapshot.

• reconnected with Cynthia, who was a fellow woman-attending-alone last year.  
• Like me, Cynthia brought her husband this year, so we’ve enjoyed learning to know Todd.
• reconnected with Chris, Mark, Rich, Marina, Bryan, Mark,  Carlos, J-Vo, and Tahni, all of whom I met last year.
• Met Brent & Tam (finally and with great joy), Joel, Fred, Jan, and Alastair, all of whom I learned to know through blogging over the past year.  
• am bowled over by what Randy and Chris are able to put together for this gathering
• Listened to some amazing jazz by the Adam Nitti Band.  AMAZING.  Watch Adam Nitti play bass and be inspired to become better at whatever you do.
• Worshipped with Carl Cartee, who taught us a few new songs.  Which we will be learning at our church.
• Considered the tension between senses/experience/emotion/beauty  and  reason/thought/ideas/truth, a topic skillfully unpacked by Dr. Steven Guthrie
• Was surprised by a peek into the history of contemporary Christian music via Billy Ray Hearn and Matthew Ward (formerly of 2nd Chapter of Acts).  Was equally surprised by how this conversation was emotional for me. Watch a clip of Matthew at Joel’s site. 
• Was bowled over by Ian Morgan Cron‘s ideas about connecting deeply with God through contemplative disciplines. Seriously will not get over this one for a while.
• Heard new songs by Meredith Andrews, Matt Boswell, and Michael Farren. 
• aaaand had a sweet time of worship led by Michael W. Smith… just he and a keyboard and about 100 people in the room.  Watch a short clip at Cynthia’s site. 

Now gearing up for day 3.  Will spend the day listening, thinking, talking, discovering, laughing, crying, and worshiping. 

It is good.