Patrick O'Connell

Asking Questions

I met with my friend Jeremy last week to catch-up. We talked church planting and family and calling. I found myself asking him question after question about his experiences with his church plant.

After Jeremy arrived back home he emailed me and thanked me for asking him so many questions. I am not sure what benefit he received from my cross-examination.

That's the way I need to do it. I want to stay learning. I've been involved with seven church plants in the past 4.5 years and you might think I have it figured out. But I don't. 

It was great catching up with Jeremy. I hope we have the opportunity to work together again soon. And I am grateful to Jeremy for his willingness to share his expereinces with me.

18 Hours in the car with Tommy Bowman!

Man am I upset. I just  spent 20 minutes writing this post about the Externally Focused Conference road-trip that Tommy and I attended only to lose the whole thing because I accidentally forgot to save it. Ugghhhhh! I am not rewriting the thing so here are the major bits:

• Tommy and I left after church Sunday.
• We rented a Camry and the guy told us it had satellite radio.
• It didn't have satellite radio but we were too far down the road to turn around.
• We brought CDs but the CD player wouldn't work.
• So we talked and talked and talked and the miles drifted by.
• Not being registered for the conference when we tried to check in.
• 1.5 days at the Externally Focused Conference.
• Staying at Glen's house. (Thanks Glen!)
• Tommy buys an adapter so we can listen to our iPods in the car.
• Drive home and working on ideas/organizations/strategies for our Reachout ministry.
• More talking: family, growing up, church, music etc.
• Windmills outside of Salina: at least 75 of them, each at least 200 feet tall.
• Trooper pulling me over. Giving me a warning. Then searching the trunk for illegal immigrants and drugs.
• Showing him all of my materials from the Externally Focused conference to corroborate my story.
• Playing name that tune in 10 seconds or less.
• Listening to music and telling stories around the songs, albums etc.

I had a blast with Tommy and I learned a ton at the conference. But next time we are definitely flying.

Wandering

When was the last time you spent an afternoon wandering around?

Although I don't recommend this too frequently, I did have the chance to do so Saturday with my friend Sean M. We are serving together at Restore and so it wasn't long before we were discussing our mutual obsession with books. Sean invited me to spend Saturday afternoon with him at one of his favorite bookstore, Prosperos. It's a used bookstore in the Westport area of KC. It's one of a dying breed of shops with charm and character that you simply cannot find in the books chains.

After a great lunch we got us a cup of Joe and walked over to the bookstore. We then proceeded to spend an hour or so wandering the shop and talking books. I didn't need any books and thus it was all the more pleasant to simply browse. I really enjoyed connecting with Sean.

I actually felt relaxed. I am grateful to Sean for the invite and look forward to the next time. In the meantime, I am going to try more time in my calendar simply to wander.

The McMahon's Are In KC!

Last Sunday we went to CCCs Naperville North Campus to see Troy McMahon lead his last worship service. You see he and his wife Janet are moving to Kansas City to start a new New Thing network church.

Troy was one of the first people I got to know at CCC and his invitation to the journey was a turning point for me and my spiritual walk. He has been a spiritual mentor to me ever since. I will be eternally grateful. He has a heart for people and has a uncanny knack for connecting with them. Because of his gifts as a leader and his vision for a church in KC there is no doubt that God is going to do some great things through Troy.

Janet is the most authentic person I have ever met. She is a tremendous leader, a gifted speaker, and full of spiritual insight.  She has been supportive of me personally and I have learned much from her. She will undoubtedly do much for the Kingdom in KC.

I know that the CCC community will miss Janet and Troy (and their three great kids). But it's a testament to the missional nature of CCC that it's willing to pay such a personal price to further the Kingdom.

Troy blogged about his last day. He mentions that the relationships he's built are eternal and that we should all take comfort for we will one day be able to dance together again in the presence of God. What comfort there is in that thought.

Matt in Haiti

I received an email from Matt who is in Haiti. He writes:

"I got here safe and in awe of such a beautiful country with staggering poverty."

I wrote back that we are praying for him.

Matt is Headed to Haiti Tuesday

You may remember me telling you about my friend Matt. Several months ago he joined the Global Family Rescue Rwanda Mission only to have his plans dashed by the Rwandan Government. (Evidently the Rwandan Government wanted to control the flow of funds into the country which put the kabash on a number of efforts by non-profits to provide relief.) The full story is available on the Global Family Rescue website which is presently under construction.

Matt got right back on his feet and volunteered for a mission to Haiti instead. He's headed there this week on a mission trip.

It's the first time he's ever done something like this. He stopped by last night to pick-up some old soccer balls my kids no longer use. Matt is going to give them to kids in Haiti.

Despite being a little nervous (he has a young family and his wife is pregnant with their third) he is stoked about his trip. He's really stepping out of his comfort zone to do something bold for the Kingdom. Matt has been on this incredible journey the last year or so in which he's really pursued his relationship with God.

I am really proud of him and I admit I am really jealous. I wish I could go with him. He's a inspiration to me and a dear friend.

The trip will  undoubtedly have a big impact on him.

Please keep Matt and his family in your prayers while he's working to show the world the love of Jesus.

AlphaOmega: First Contact

My friends Nick and Heidi have made a really cool video, AlphaOmega: First Contact, that is currently featured on the SciFi Channel Website, Scifi.com. They are a talented duo and I am really happy for them. Check it and don't forget to leave them a comment if you like what you see.

Saturday Morning Run And A Promise

I just got back from a fairly easy 6 mile run with Tony and Ben. We start out early (6:30AM) and with the sun rising, hit the trails.

Dawn is simply the best time of day.

We kept a good pace (just about 8 minute miles). The grass was covered in dew; the trees were blooming; birds were singing.

Ben made an observation that Spring is evidence of God's promise. The world comes back to life--just as God planned it. Tony and I agreed, the abundance of that promise all around us.

After the run, we stretched and prayed before heading home.

It's hard--really hard--getting up early on Saturdays, but I never regret it. I think of all the benefits of an early start: The whole day is before me and I've got a good work out in. I've spent time with friends, and I've been reminded that God always fulfills his promises. Now, if only every day could begin this way.

We Got By With A Little Help From Our Friends

We have some awesome friends! Once word got around that we are holed up in our house with three sick kids, our friends offered to help. We received all kinds of offers of assistance and we were very grateful for them. But what helped us most were the dinners we received.

Sunday morning after service Scott and Sandy showed up on our doorstep with a bag full of groceries. The bag contained a complete dinner of chicken soup, salad and dessert.

In the evening, just as we were getting ready to make that dinner, we received a call from our friend Jen. She had already made dinner for us and was coming over to drop it off! Less than 30 minutes later her husband Bill was standing on our doorstep with a hot dinner of ribs, asparagus, and potatoes and sherbert for dessert.

(Did I mention that this is a respiratory illness and so our stomachs could handle the feast!) 

Had it not been for these dinners, we would have been reduced to peanut and honey sandwiches.

Tonight my wife is going to make the chicken soup and salad that Sandy and Scott dropped off. I can't wait.

The good news is that our daughter returned to school today. She's not 100% but getting there. The boys are in the thick of it--hopefully another day or so of this--and my wife turned nurse seems to be OK.

We are truly blessed to have friends like this in our lives.

Brian Is Leaving For India This Week

My friend Brian E. leaves for India this week. He is scheduled to be there on a work assignment for almost three months. He is married with two great kids and I know that the separation is going to be hard on them all. Still, Brian is excited. "The trip of a lifetime," he told me.

He will live in Bangalore but wants to spend some time traveling around the rest of the country if time permits. His big goal is to have get to Nepal although I know he's been having a little trouble getting a visa.

I'll admit I am a little jealous of Brian--I mean India! For three months! I know Brian is stoked about this adventure and I know he'll be changed by the experience.

I'll keep you posted and post pictures if/when he sends some my way.

Keep him in your prayers will you.