One of my favorite artist...

I have been a fan of Laura Loe for the past few years. Her simple style and beautiful colors are wonderful. You can find more of her paintings at her website...

This picture above reminds me of my conversations with Scott Falk in the apple orchard at Calvin Crest. One of my favorite times of summer.

I have been a foolish man...

...to think that I could change the church, to bring it to a new understanding of the grace, mercy, love, peace, power, redemption, healing, communication... of God. I thought that once they heard this and experienced it, they would understand it. I was wrong to think I could change an institution.

So, I have decided to ignite the Body of Christ. My focus is not on the institution but on the lives of people that He brings to me. I need to be a man of integrity to be available to the ones He is directing instead of the pipe dream I have been having. Change cannot be done by defining worship services but in directing people to Him. He says, "Come and follow me, and I WILL MAKE YOU..." So my place is to directed them to Him to "make us..." I have been doing this all wrong, I have been trying to MAKE THEM.

And I pray that if that is not the way for me to go He will take me out of here.

Sundays with Rudy...

It is always a delight to hang with Rudy Carrasco from Harambee, Pasadena. He is the one who got me started blogging and thinking a bit out of the box. Virtual conversations are good but I miss the breakfast at the counter.

Thanks for the conversation Rudy...

And it begins again...

What a marvelous staff.

We started today with most of the staff coming up. A few to come soon and one dear one has mono and will be out for a few weeks. We will wait for Ms. Bonesteel.

Tonight I sensed the Lord wanted to speak through Genesis 1:1-3, In the beginning. I felt strongly Him say that He creates out of nothing. It is not what we bring to but it is what He creates. So our gifts and resumes, our fears and failures are all worthless to Him. For He will create that which He will use for His purpose and glory.

I am deeply thankful.

Love, Peace and Joy...