I haven't measured it but I bet if I did, my work and my house are less than a quarter mile from each other.
For those of you who don't know, a quick update. I got married on September 10th to my wonderful (and hot) wife, Sarah. We both work at First Glance and are living in a house that was bought and renovated recently for us to "lease to own" from First Glance.
It's a great old house with lots of character, built in the early 1900's. It has a beautiful built in wood buffet and a great old book shelf. Hardwood floors (Sarah loves them) and a small yard (I love this).
When we decided that we would live in this house and not my old house (which is still in Kenmore, but on the other side of it), I was mostly excited but wondered what it would be like to live so close to where the action is. Would students drop by at all hours of the night? Would our house get broken into? Would we ever truly leave work?
I have to say, so far, so good.
Students drop by but have been very good at keeping it during regular hours. They pop in, talk for a few minutes, hang out, then leave. Honestly, I wish they would drop by more often! But I think it's great for us to see them out of our element (First Glance) and in the real world.
Our house hasn't been broken into nor has anything been stolen. There was a rash of burglaries in Kenmore but that hasn't seem to have affected us. I feel completely safe and our neighbors are pretty cool.
The big question, though, is if we would ever truly leave work? Yes and no. Sarah and I never really leave work but it has nothing to do with the proximity of our house. It mostly has to do with us both working there. It's hard to not come home and talk shop or think through the day. The job, in and of itself, is life encompassing and it wouldn't matter where we lived.
For those still reading, I highly recommend the lifestyle. Community living has been sacrificed on the altar of comfort and Facebook, where we're friends with people who live thousands of miles away but don't even know their neighbors first names (I have been guilty of this as well).
Take some time to get to know your neighbors. You won't regret it.
Rev.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Why did the turtle cross the road?
As many of you know, I was in the Catholic church when I was a kid. I took quite a few of my catechism classes at Immaculate Conception, right here in Kenmore. Honestly, I can't remember much about it but one story that we learned that I remember very well was the parable of the Good Samaritan. (read it here for a refresher).
Our teacher had us act out the story. Someone would play the Samaritan, the victim, the priest, the Levite and of course, the robbers. Our class was mostly boys and who did we want to be? The robbers of course! We went through the story at least a few times, taking turns being the robbers and beating up our "victim" each time. I'm not sure if the robbers in the real story dropped elbows on the victim, but they sure did in our story.
Hulk Hogan would have been envious of our mock beat down.
Well today I finally got to put that lesson into action (no, I didn't elbow someone). Today was my retreat day at work and as I was going to the park for a long walk, I saw a lady stopped in the middle of the road blocking traffic. As I drove past, I noticed that she was trying to block people from running over a turtle that was in the middle of the road.
I turned around and came back to see if I could help, as I'm not sure the lady wanted to actually get out into traffic herself (we were on Ghent Rd, kind of a busy street). The little guy scrambled under her car as I went to grab him, and I had to have her slowly pull forward so I could pick him up. Once I got him, a passing stranger asked if he could have him, as he has pond in his backyard. I handed over the weary turtle and I'm sure right now, he's in his own little turtle paradise, swimming in a nice clean pond, away from menacing traffic.
Good deed for the day is done.
As I drove away, feeling pretty good of myself, I started to think of the Good Samaritan story and how it applied to this situation. Seeing a poor stranger (turtle) in need and going out of my to help. Well, not really out of my way. Again, I was on my retreat day and didn't have anywhere to be at a particular time. I was making my own schedule. Also, I knew that once I got the turtle, all I had to do was toss him in the grass and he would be fine.
How would I have handled this if it was a person involved? Maybe an old man. And what would I have done if I was on my to a meeting? If had to be somewhere or had an actual task I had to complete? I'd like to think that I would have done the same thing but . . . maybe not.
As I get going at First Glance and get more settled into my job, it's going to be easier to get wrapped up into the business of doing ministry instead of the actual ministry itself. Meetings to go to. Programs to run. Events to plan. And so on and so forth. All of things start taking up more time and I have less and less time to invest in actual people.
People are messy. People are complicated. People make dumb decisions and they make them over and over. They can't just be picked up from off the road and tossed into the grass (or given to a stranger, in my case) and everything be okay. They'll need me to be there for them for a few days, weeks, or even years. It'd be easy for me to pack my schedule full of tasks and not make time for such things.
As I start defining my role at First Glance and getting into the groove of things, my prayer and my desire is that I will keep people at the center of my life. Finding them, helping them, and sharing the good news of Christ with them.
At the end of eternity when I'm before God in judgment, I'm not sure that he will care if I missed a few meetings. But I'm positive that he will be upset if I missed an opportunity to share the message of the Gospel with someone in need of it.
Thank you.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Good Friday
Good Friday is here and I have my first retreat day at First Glance. I have to tell you, it's been awesome. I've had time to read the Bible, a book on leadership, and had a great experience at the Good Friday service at St. Bernard's.
While I was waiting for the service to start, I took some time to read over the death of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. Here, we read as Jesus goes from being arrested, arraigned, and then executed in pretty short order. I was struck by the typical things. The brutality of it all, the way Jesus handled the situation, and the reaction of his followers.
What jumped out this time, though, was new to me. I'm guessing people have already had this thought and might have even written books on it but hey, it's new to me!
The charge against Jesus that was mostly maligned against him was that of insurrection. The priests who wanted him dead had no authority to kill him as they were under the rule of the Romans. The charges were that he was "subverting the nation" and that he "opposes payment of taxes to Caesar" and "claims to be king" (Luke 23:1-4).
The first two were totally false and Jesus had actually preached the exact opposite of those (Luke 20:20-26). The last, about being a king, Jesus confessed to and Pilate really didn't care. I'm guessing Pilate thought, so this itinerant preacher says he's a king, whatever, he's crazy. However, the people persisted and Pilate conceded.
The next part is what's interesting. Apparently, once a year, the Romans would let one prisoner go. I'm not really sure why but they did (think it had something to do with appeasing the people). When Pilate asks them who they want released, they shout for Barabbas. Now Barabbas had actually been thrown into prison for what they were accusing Jesus of! Insurrection! (Luke 23:18-19).
And this is what's interesting to me - Jesus goes to the cross innocent of those charges and another guy is set free who was guilty of them. This, of course, led me to think of myself and my own rebellion. Starting with Adam, all people are guilty of rebelling against God. We're all Barabbas and here's Jesus, the one who is innocent (and again, preached the opposite of the charges) who goes to the punishment.
It was a very humbling moment. Knowing that Jesus was dying both literally and figuratively for the crime of rebellion and insurrection.
Today my heart was broken with this knowledge. An innocent man died for my sins. . .
At Mass, they went through the Stations of the Cross, that is, 14 events leading up to the death and burial of Jesus. At each point, they read a prayer written for the particular point. Station 12 is the death of Jesus and honestly, when I read it, I was almost brought to tears.
While I was waiting for the service to start, I took some time to read over the death of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. Here, we read as Jesus goes from being arrested, arraigned, and then executed in pretty short order. I was struck by the typical things. The brutality of it all, the way Jesus handled the situation, and the reaction of his followers.
What jumped out this time, though, was new to me. I'm guessing people have already had this thought and might have even written books on it but hey, it's new to me!
The charge against Jesus that was mostly maligned against him was that of insurrection. The priests who wanted him dead had no authority to kill him as they were under the rule of the Romans. The charges were that he was "subverting the nation" and that he "opposes payment of taxes to Caesar" and "claims to be king" (Luke 23:1-4).
The first two were totally false and Jesus had actually preached the exact opposite of those (Luke 20:20-26). The last, about being a king, Jesus confessed to and Pilate really didn't care. I'm guessing Pilate thought, so this itinerant preacher says he's a king, whatever, he's crazy. However, the people persisted and Pilate conceded.
The next part is what's interesting. Apparently, once a year, the Romans would let one prisoner go. I'm not really sure why but they did (think it had something to do with appeasing the people). When Pilate asks them who they want released, they shout for Barabbas. Now Barabbas had actually been thrown into prison for what they were accusing Jesus of! Insurrection! (Luke 23:18-19).
And this is what's interesting to me - Jesus goes to the cross innocent of those charges and another guy is set free who was guilty of them. This, of course, led me to think of myself and my own rebellion. Starting with Adam, all people are guilty of rebelling against God. We're all Barabbas and here's Jesus, the one who is innocent (and again, preached the opposite of the charges) who goes to the punishment.
It was a very humbling moment. Knowing that Jesus was dying both literally and figuratively for the crime of rebellion and insurrection.
Today my heart was broken with this knowledge. An innocent man died for my sins. . .
At Mass, they went through the Stations of the Cross, that is, 14 events leading up to the death and burial of Jesus. At each point, they read a prayer written for the particular point. Station 12 is the death of Jesus and honestly, when I read it, I was almost brought to tears.
XII - He is dead. The world's only true
goodness hangs lifeless on the cross.
Mary's child is dead. This is what sin
has caused; the silencing of the eternal
Word. Jesus, forgive me. Every time I
choose sin I share in the guilt of this
crucifixion. Stand by me in the presence
of evil that I may always choose
goodness and life. Lord, give me the
grace to repent of my sin, to do penance,
and to amend my life.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Sea Change
I sent this letter out last week. I'm posting it here now for all to read and to consider. . .
Recently, I have been given the opportunity to work full time at a teen outreach center in Kenmore known as First Glance. Many of you are very familiar with this organization as I can’t stop talking about it.
First Glance is a teen outreach organization that operates in Kenmore. Their mission statement is “First Glance exists to connect students and their communities to Christ and the Church through real, loving, and non-threatening avenues.”
Words cannot fully express how excited I am about this. Working at First Glance combines two of my loves in life. Teen ministry and Kenmore. When I “discovered” First Glance it was like finding the very opportunity I had been searching for my entire life!
It’s because of this love of Kenmore and the Gospel that I would like to work there. First Glance not only works to connect students to the Church, but also provides many programs that help our students break the cycle of drugs, teen pregnancy, violence, and hunger. With over one hundred volunteers, and over two hundred teens coming through their doors, they are continually in need of additional full-time help.
When I start at First Glance, I will be a full-time intern. As part of my duties, I will be co-leading our Monday night Young Adults programming and will be leading one of our two recreational nights. Also, I will be creating and running a young adult volunteer program and a work program.
With me there helping, the other leaders at First Glance will have more time to work on their core ministries and we will be able to better serve the community.
You can help by praying for First Glance and for me. Please pray that God will prepare me for the work ahead as I minister to the teens and families of Kenmore, and that we at First Glance can continue to meet very real needs in that neighborhood. Though I am confident that God will fully provide all I need, I also ask prayers to be lifted up regarding my financial needs. As I move into this local mission field, I pray that God will grant me the discipline along the way to work hard, pray hard, and have faith.
Beyond your prayers, if you are led to join this mission by financially supporting me, I would be humbly grateful. Please consider supporting me with a one-time, monthly or annual donation. I need to raise $850 a month for the next two years (First Glance is able to provide $850 a month as well). Therefore, if 20 people can commit to giving $40 a month, I would most of the way there.
Your support provides an opportunity to meet the physical and spiritual needs of a community that is hurting. I’ve included a page that explains the process for giving, including an easy on-line giving option. First Glance is a non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible. I’m excited for this journey that God continues to lead me on and I would greatly appreciate any level of support you are able to offer.
Some might call this a “leap of faith” for me but I have seen God provide this and even more at my time with First Glance. From small acts of kindness to students and people in the community, to students coming to Christ and experiencing a life change. I’m excited to get a front row seat to see what God is going to do with the people of Kenmore.
I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to read this letter and for considering helping. I can assure you that I will work hard to make sure that none of it is wasted and that it is put to good use.
Sincerely,
Steven Motich
First Glance is a teen outreach organization that operates in Kenmore. Their mission statement is “First Glance exists to connect students and their communities to Christ and the Church through real, loving, and non-threatening avenues.”
Words cannot fully express how excited I am about this. Working at First Glance combines two of my loves in life. Teen ministry and Kenmore. When I “discovered” First Glance it was like finding the very opportunity I had been searching for my entire life!
It’s because of this love of Kenmore and the Gospel that I would like to work there. First Glance not only works to connect students to the Church, but also provides many programs that help our students break the cycle of drugs, teen pregnancy, violence, and hunger. With over one hundred volunteers, and over two hundred teens coming through their doors, they are continually in need of additional full-time help.
When I start at First Glance, I will be a full-time intern. As part of my duties, I will be co-leading our Monday night Young Adults programming and will be leading one of our two recreational nights. Also, I will be creating and running a young adult volunteer program and a work program.
With me there helping, the other leaders at First Glance will have more time to work on their core ministries and we will be able to better serve the community.
You can help by praying for First Glance and for me. Please pray that God will prepare me for the work ahead as I minister to the teens and families of Kenmore, and that we at First Glance can continue to meet very real needs in that neighborhood. Though I am confident that God will fully provide all I need, I also ask prayers to be lifted up regarding my financial needs. As I move into this local mission field, I pray that God will grant me the discipline along the way to work hard, pray hard, and have faith.
Beyond your prayers, if you are led to join this mission by financially supporting me, I would be humbly grateful. Please consider supporting me with a one-time, monthly or annual donation. I need to raise $850 a month for the next two years (First Glance is able to provide $850 a month as well). Therefore, if 20 people can commit to giving $40 a month, I would most of the way there.
Your support provides an opportunity to meet the physical and spiritual needs of a community that is hurting. I’ve included a page that explains the process for giving, including an easy on-line giving option. First Glance is a non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible. I’m excited for this journey that God continues to lead me on and I would greatly appreciate any level of support you are able to offer.
Some might call this a “leap of faith” for me but I have seen God provide this and even more at my time with First Glance. From small acts of kindness to students and people in the community, to students coming to Christ and experiencing a life change. I’m excited to get a front row seat to see what God is going to do with the people of Kenmore.
I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to read this letter and for considering helping. I can assure you that I will work hard to make sure that none of it is wasted and that it is put to good use.
Sincerely,
Steven Motich
stevenemm@gmail.com
Ways you can give:
If you are interested in partnering with me in this ministry financially, there are many avenues to give.
You can add First Glance to your bank's online bill pay system and set it up as an automatic monthly payment. Be sure to put "Steven Motich's Salary" in the notes section.
You can also send your donation directly to:
First Glance
You can add First Glance to your bank's online bill pay system and set it up as an automatic monthly payment. Be sure to put "Steven Motich's Salary" in the notes section.
You can also send your donation directly to:
First Glance
943 Kenmore Blvd.
Akron, OH 44314.
Please be sure to place “Steven Motich’s Salary” in the Memo section of the check.
All donations to First Glance are tax deductible.
Akron, OH 44314.
Please be sure to place “Steven Motich’s Salary” in the Memo section of the check.
All donations to First Glance are tax deductible.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Discipleship
For the last few months, I've had discipleship on the brain. When I look though the New Testament and how Jesus did ministry, discipleship just screams from the pages. The way he taught, the way he acted, the way he spoke.
Below are some of my thoughts. This is more of a brain dump than a treatise on discipleship. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.
1. Jesus taught a lot of people but his main focus was his 12 disciples. They were the ones he explained to things more clearly. He traveled with them exclusively. He knew that they were the ones he was leaving His church to so he spent most of his time with them. And this was 12 guys. Not 100. Not 1,000. Just 12. And even among those 12, he had 3 that he focused on more closely.
2. Not all of your disciples are going to make it and they're going to fail often. Judas betrayed him. Peter denied. Jesus straight up called Peter "Satan" (when was the last time your pastor called you Satan?). Doing this discipleship thing is going to be filled with frustration and heart ache as the people you're discipling fail. I can't imagine what Jesus thought as he saw them struggle so much with something that he just explained.
3. Yes, I think I should have disciples. However, that also means I should be someone's disciple. When I was reading (part of) the book that contained Mother Theresa's letters, I noticed that she wrote to people who were her confessors, that is, someone she could write to confess her sins and her trials. People criticize the Catholics for having this but I think that, in the right context, this is a great thing.
More on this later. These are just some opening thoughts.
2011 is going to be great. I can feel it.
Rev.
Below are some of my thoughts. This is more of a brain dump than a treatise on discipleship. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.
1. Jesus taught a lot of people but his main focus was his 12 disciples. They were the ones he explained to things more clearly. He traveled with them exclusively. He knew that they were the ones he was leaving His church to so he spent most of his time with them. And this was 12 guys. Not 100. Not 1,000. Just 12. And even among those 12, he had 3 that he focused on more closely.
2. Not all of your disciples are going to make it and they're going to fail often. Judas betrayed him. Peter denied. Jesus straight up called Peter "Satan" (when was the last time your pastor called you Satan?). Doing this discipleship thing is going to be filled with frustration and heart ache as the people you're discipling fail. I can't imagine what Jesus thought as he saw them struggle so much with something that he just explained.
3. Yes, I think I should have disciples. However, that also means I should be someone's disciple. When I was reading (part of) the book that contained Mother Theresa's letters, I noticed that she wrote to people who were her confessors, that is, someone she could write to confess her sins and her trials. People criticize the Catholics for having this but I think that, in the right context, this is a great thing.
More on this later. These are just some opening thoughts.
2011 is going to be great. I can feel it.
Rev.
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