Last night...

On Friday my internship site had its annual fundraising program called "The Big Event." It was set up kind of like Oprah with a host showing different clips of the different guests and then inviting them up to talk to them live. The host was the president of my graduate school, an incredible author/counselor Dr. Dan Allender. What was really incredible was that I got the opportunity to get on stage - just me and Dan to help set the tone for the evening. We were talking, cracking jokes, sharing stories, etc. in front of a ton of people. I felt so honored to have this opportunity to represent both Eastside Academy and Mars Hill Graduate School. But even more so was the incredible priviledge it was to share the stage with with Dr. Dan Allender. This is a man that I have learned so much from, and a man that has modeled many things that I now long to live out. He is a friend and one that I have the utmost respect for. And I got to share the spotlight with him and help others to laugh. This truly was a memorable moment!

I can't believe it...

Today on my way home from meeting with clients all day at Eastside Academy I stopped by Mars Hill Graduate School to pick up my cap and gown and tickets for my graduation! May 7, 2005 I do the graduation walk. It is starting to sink in!

What are the odds???

So this last weekend U2 was here in Seattle doing a couple of shows at the Key Arena. They were sold out so I couldn't go! LAME!

The stage was set up right in the center of the arena so everyone could see them more equally. But they had a section of seats called "THE INNER CIRCLE" which they filled randomly as people showed up to the show. So here is where it gets crazy...out of the 12 people I know that got to go to one of the shows 10 got randomly picked to be in the inner circle. Two of which (Bernd & Gerd) were dead center first row. And not only that, but they got to shake hads with Bono! Is that not AWESOME!?!

Can you say "jealousy" and "envy"?

U2 lyrics that move my soul...

I must own the fact that I will never be able to write like Bono. But thankfully God created Bono to help express some of the glories of language and its ability to paint pictures. For some reason this song has really been my hearts cry and I can't get enough of its lyrics. THE LOUDER THE BETTER!

Miracle Drug - Off of "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb"

I want to trip inside your head
Spend the day there
To hear the things you haven't said
And see what you might see

I want to hear you when you call
Do you feel anything at all?
I want to see your thoughts take shape
And walk right out

Freedom has a scent
Like the top of a new born baby's head

The songs are in your eyes
I see them when you smile
I've seen enough, I'm not giving up
On a miracle drug

Of science and the human heart
There is no limit
There is no failure here sweetheart
Just when you quit

I am you and you are mine
Love makes nonsense of space
And time will disappear
Love and logic keep us clear
Reason is on our side, love

The songs are in your eyes
I see them when you smile
I've had enough of romantic love
I'd give it up, yeah, I'd give it up
For a miracle
A miracle drug (a miracle drug)

God I need your help tonight

Beneath the noise
Below the din
I hear your voice
It's whispering

In science and in medicine
I was a stranger
You took me in

The songs are in your eyes
I see them when you smile
I've had enough of romantic love
Yeah, I'd give it up
Yeah, I'd give it up
For a miracle

Miracle drug
Miracle Miracle drug

Something to work on...

Two things that I realize I need to work on in my life came up the other day in one of my classes at Mars Hill Graduate School. The first came in the form of a quote that went like this...

"Is your comfort more important than someone else's pain?" - unknown

How easy it is for me to hear and not listen and to simply try to "Pastor" someone out of whatever it is they are going through. I think I am doing that for them, but it really is about me not being comfortable with sitting with someone in the midst of their pain. I want to be a man who knows how to empathize with others. Which leads me to the second area I need to work on. This time coming from a definition...

Empathy: “Ability to put oneself in another person’s place; to understand how someone perceived the world and how those perceptions affect the person’s feelings.”

I know I can guess what it would be like to be in someone else's shoes, but to actually seek understanding from that person as to what it is like for them and to allow myself to experience all of the pain is very uncomfortable.

I have come to realize that this practice of empathy is not only necessary, it is redemptive. It is the living out of the Gospel. It is a true expression of sacrificial love! Me sacrificing my comfort (which I love) for someone else's pain.

Here is a quote...

I have been going through this book called "Renovation of the Heart Student Edition" by Dallas Willard in my youth ministry. It is not bad so far. In the book it used a quote from the Matrix where Morpheous is talking to Neo. It goes like this...

"Neo, sooner or later you are going to realize just like I did that there is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path."

This quote made for some good discussion at The Mix! but was even more engaging when I shared it in one of my counseling groups with students at Eastside Academy. They loved it, because they are struggling with addictions to drugs and/or alcohol, and for some reason the movie and the leading up to this quote seemed to have an impact.

This quote addresses the issues of knowing truth and truly experiencing truth. I believe Jesus, put it like this... "Then you will experience for yourself the truth. And the truth will set you free." John 8:32 The Message

Day one...

It is true. I Rich Sclafani have decided to try a blog. It is my hope that you will engage life with me in all its glory, joys, pains, dance, confusion, songs, stories, and laughter!

I chose text.soul.culture as my blog title. It comes from my education at Mars Hill Graduate School. The school in which I am about to graduate from with a Masters of Arts in Counseling. The idea I have is to share the thoughts, questions, irks, frustrations, convictions, and beliefs that I have with regards to these categories. I chose the quote from FBDO because it is one of my all time favorite movies and it has been a life practice of mine ever since I first saw the movie. If you have not seen it you are missing out!

That's it for know. Thanks for visiting my site. I look forward to journeying together. Who knows where this will go?!?