Rain...

October greets us
With a soft kiss and hug
Autumn colors begin

Another Nellie Update..

I called the hospital this evening and the operator said that Nellie has been released from the hospital.

I need to say this...

I was watching the new show on NBC, Studio 60, and of course they started putting the christians in a wacko light. But then they didn't. They only put the wackos in a wacko light. Then, I started thinking about all the shows that I do watch and they are painting a correct picture of some christians, not all. And I do need to say it, they aren't that wrong. Behavior-centered christian are small and petty.

I know too many who are reactionaries and never proactionary. Instead of giving out a cup of water to those who are thirsty, and who isn't thirsty, they pass out tracts and judgement to those who already feel condemned. It becomes like the criminal who just when on a rampage and killed three people, robbed a bank, and jaywalked and now has a cop hostage and the cop says, "you need to let me go because this just became a federal offense." The bad guy says, "It doesn't matter, I am already condemned to die."

When I walked out after Little Miss Sunshine there was someone from church in the lobby and she asked me what movie we saw and I pointed to the theater and she said, "The 'R' rated one?!" I didn't even know it was R rated. But to define it as JUST the "R rated one" is very shallow.

I would ask that we don't judge until New Years and start handing out more cups of cold water and tell them of the Lover of their Soul and Flesh, the Creator of Cold Water, and spend time with them instead of straight arming them into the abyss of indifference.

Those who don't know Jesus will think it odd until they see the love of Jesus in us. But they will continue to think it odd when we are in their faces condemning them. They are not the enemy. They may vote against what we believe to be true and right until they see truth served up in love and in a cold cup.

There I said it...

Update: Nellie

Nellie is still in the hospital, as of 11:00am today, Saturday. She was given some blood thinning medicine to dissolve the clot in her lung and to prevent further random blood clots, which presents another little problem, she needs to clot after having surgery to remove a cyst. Yesterday, Friday, she looked better and was hoping to go home today. For the inquiring minds, I will do better in keeping you up to date.

Saddened...

We are saddened by the news of the death of Susanne Scaringi, the wife of Tony Scaringi, who was on summer staff about 10 years ago. Susanne was beloved in many communities around the Seattle, Washington area. She was an avid bicyclist and athlete, worked with kids, and was very involved with Young Life and their camp program, Beyond Malibu.

She was killed in a bicycle accident. She was 27.

Our heart and prayer goes out to Tony and her family.

Great movie...

Last Saturday, Christel and I met up with Ryan and Nellie had some coffee then saw Little Miss Sunshine. Great movie. Still thinking about it and burst out laughing in the middle of nowhere...



Cory Piña loves this poster. So do I.

A sign for the times...

Bill Dodge has design and built a new sign for Sherwood Forest, Calvin Crest's facility for two programs, 4th - 6th grades and for "A Week in the Forest for People with Developmental Disabilities."

The back of the sign is as beautiful as the front. Craftsmanship!

Great job, Bill.

Good Quote...

True evangelical faith cannot lie dormant. It clothes the naked, it feeds the hungry, it comforts the sorrowful, it shelters the destitute, it serves those that harm it, it binds up that which is wounded, it has become all things to all people.
- Menno Simons

Prayer needed...

My dear friend Nellie McKenzie is in the hospital and is bored.

She has a blood clot in her lung and is taking some meds that thin the blood and they are keeping her in a protective environment.

Please pray that she would dissolve the clot and not be bored...

Thanks

Jesus Camp...

Oh boy, Dan...

I watched some clips and the trailer from the documentary, "Jesus Camp." I really don't know what to say that I haven't already said.

But I have to address the line from the trailer, "This means war... this means war!" and then it says, "Are you a part of it or not?" I do believe there is a battle for the minds of children, but what this film is missing is the heart. Minds need to be renewed, hearts need to be won. And that battle is not mind altering propaganda, but truth spoken in love and grace.

I am not worried about what this will do to the ministry of CalvinCrest. I am more worried about the message this sends to the outcast, the marginalized, those who seek hope...

In an appropriate email I got today, it said... "Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one bungler destroys much good."

Oh boy...

PS
I would hope that one wouldn't look at this as representative of a faith in Jesus, as one wouldn't look at the Democratic National Convention as a representation of democracy...