We’re being talked about. Yes, I mean we. This blog is being talked about by youth guy Jonathan McKee on his blog - more specifically the post “Picking a Fight: SYAP is Stupid.” I say we because this post has 40+ comments and most of them are yours. Thank you for making this conversation come alive.

While he doesn’t agree with my level of honesty in approaching SYAP, he does agrees with my point about the event. Jonathan has some good points about See You At the Pole as well.

Check it out here…

From “what the heck is that Ventus god thing?” to “what the heck do you do?”  I’ve been fielding lot’s of questions lately about Ventus. And recently Alaina asked:

“I’d love to hear more about your concept, what you do to create the space, etc. I know that is a lot of technical stuff, but it would be interesting/easier to wrap my brain around Ventus as a concept.”

Hopefully this may shed some light…

So what is Ventus?

It’s a gathering; a community of people seeking to know the Lord more.

It’s a weekly place to meet and contemplate our lives and where the Christ fits into them.

It’s a sacred space for quite contemplation.

It’s a time to talk, hang out, to ask questions and to listen (to God and others).

We’re just broken, undeserving, messed up folks journeying towards an amazing, loving God.

What does Ventus look like?

Our goal was to do something simple and easy to replicate on a weekly basis. We wanted to create a space that felt sacred and different from our every day lives. We meet in an old church sanctuary in town. They have pews and do a regular church service the next morning (Sundays). So we’ve had to learn to work around what’s currently there.  What we’ve done to create a conducive space has been minimal and mainly based on lighting and music. People sit in pews, the lights are low, incense burns, and there’s 50-60 candles going for mood. Background music plays and is usually something ambient/chill/reverent (ie. Moby). We convert available clear spots into worship stations by tossing a sheet on the ground and decorating to suit the activity.

Simplicity is the key, getting the most out of minimal effort.  Our goal is for us to purse the Lord and we could do that in a cardboard box - so keep in mind that the mood is an important part, but not essential. It should never overtake or overshadow the true focus of the service.

What happens during Ventus?

It’s a simple service that opens with a prayer and greeting. We have a scripture reading and then unpack what it means in our lives. That usually lends itself to conversation and discussion about the scripture or whatever tangent we find ourselves on. Some week we sing hymns or praises to the Lord, but most weeks we have worship stations. Those stations will usually include elements of prayer, reflection, contemplation and expression (lectio divina, etc.). After the stations, we gather once again for a response; a time to share anything that is being impressed on our hearts from our times of reflection and communion. The service is ended with a prayer and blessing over the group. Then we hang out eating snack food (or whatever else someone brings) and drink coffee.

The service typically spans an hour.

Any other questions? Or points of clarification?

We are by no means experts in this. Long before Ventus started we were doing many of these practices on retreats and trips. Most of our wisdom has come from other more intelligent individuals from books and also plenty of trial and error.

Recently, I’ve been emailing back and forth with a bunch of people that I’ve met because of this blog. I started thinking, I’ve gotten to know so many people that I would have otherwise not have the pleasure of knowing.

I just want to thank all of you who frequent this blog. What started as something ‘to do’ has become a little community of friends.  I appreciate all of you and thank you for being a part of my life.

I’ve gotten to know many of you and look forward to the many others I will get to know.

My life is richer because of you. Thank you.

Anyone in the North Seattle area (or willing to drive) - there’s a free concert this Friday (July 11, 2008 @ 6pm) featuring Shaun Groves, Brett Hite and Catalyst. It should be a sweet time with great music. All of this is possible because of Mudpuppy. He sent me info about booking Shaun on his Compassion Intl’ Tour. I passed it along to a friend and their church booked him. I’m totally stoked. You may have heard of Shaun, but Brett and Catalyst are great band if you haven’t experienced them as well.

The concert is put on by Crossroads Fellowship Church and sponsored by Compassion Intl.

www.nwcfc.org

If you ‘re driving, take I-5 north to the Smokey Point Blvd exit (#206). Take a right and the concert is under the big top across from the Safeway (3905 172nd St NE Arlington, WA 98223).

Hope to see you there!

1. My Family - being gone 9 days seemed like a month. The wife and kids were a sight for sore eyes. It’s been a good long weekend to say the least.

2. Wall - E - Pixar has managed to make a magical and poignant kids flick that speaks to adults. I don’t know how they do it. It’s nearly a silent film, but mesmerizing the whole way through. Samuel, my 2 year old, was captivated from start to finish. One of Pixar’s best (and that says a lot). A+

3. Toilets - After squatting in the rattlesnake infested back country, I’m all praises for Mr. Crapper. Well done you silly frenchman! Well done.

4. Coldplay’s ‘ Viva La Vida‘ - Chris Martin and the gang are back with a vengeance… well a soft melodic vengeance. They’ve got a big, sweeping sound that reminds you of U2’s Joshua Tree and that’s not a bad thing.

5. Fireworks - Can I tell you that I love living in a state where fireworks are legal? Just buy the family pack for the kids and then sit out in your drive way watching all the neighbors blast hundreds of dollars lighting the night sky. Great times. Steven Colbert put it best, “Many states don’t allow the sale of fireworks. Well, to me, it is not the Fourth of July until I’m rolling on the ground, screaming for somebody to put me out!”

That’s my week, how’s your been?