Imago Dei

The Image of God (often appearing in Latin as Imago Dei) is a concept and theological doctrine that asserts that human beings are created in God's image and therefore have inherent value independent of their utility or function. This understanding is taken from Genesis 1:26-27 from the Bible. (Thank you, wikipedia.)

It's not "I'm a God, ey" or "I'm a dago" or "Imago..wha?".

the image of god.

And now it's a community of people right here in the heart of our city. A community that loves its members. Lots of churches do that. But this love flows out of the upper chambers of the Gateway Building and spreads across the bricks beneath, where the homeless gather. And across the open field beneath the Bob Micheal bridge to Taft Homes to feed those that are hungry. It's only been seven months since its inception, but something is alive in this place.
It may just be a small ripple in what can seem like a sea of endless need, but it is movement. And like a stone dropped into the water, it's influence will radiate.

This weekend, a few members of Imago Dei opened its hearts to one of the city's homeless. They put her in an apartment of her own, they furnished it, they got her a job, and they welcomed her into their lives. One life touched. One small ripple.

Let it radiate...

catch up

It’s hard to believe. 30 days from now, I will no longer be single. Lately the weeks seem to be over before they start and I often have to check the calendar just to see what day of the week it is. All the little details of the upcoming event are swirling in our heads. People have said that once the day finally arrives, and passes quicker than the photographer’s shutter, it’s a bit of a let down. All the anticipation and effort exerted to make this the most memorable day in your short history is exhausted. But I’m ready. Let’s do this.

Gina has had six bridal showers (which should be some kind of record), which has resulted in the transformation of my dining room into a Bed, Bath, and Beyond warehouse of sorts. There are piles of foreign objects, which I assume are for cooking, and enough sets of Fiesta Ware to serve a polygamist family. Just imagine if all that was power tools…..
Just doesn’t seem fair.

Work has been good. Despite the economic fallout, I still have a job. It was announced last Friday that the program I’m in is getting reduced to 10% next year. My supervisor is currently shifting through 100 resumes and will likely only be able to hire one person. Guess the timing of getting in here when I did was a little more than lucky! I was supposed to find out where my next rotation location was in September, then was told I’d find out in October, and now it’s almost November. The good news is that it will most likely be a local placement. It would not have been fun to spend the first six months of marriage 100’s of miles apart!

Not much else is new around here. I’ve just been cleaning and organizing the house to try and make room for my future wife’s belongings. We’re going to try and cram two housefuls of stuff into one little home and whatever’s left on the lawn is up for grabs (or maybe we’ll just say it’s lawn furniture. That’s what they do in Pekin, anyways).

p.s. The rotator cuff is as good as new. Only took about 8 weeks to heal. I’ve also gained 18 pounds in the past 3-4 months, and I’m darn proud of it. I’ve struggled my whole life with weight-can’t seem to get enough of it!

30 days…