I am off to the College Conference at Calvin Crest. December 29 - January 1. Jordan Gravette is running the whole enchilada, I am stepping back.
This year may usher in a host of changes in our lives. More than technology, I pray for faith, passion, love. I pray we don't just fall in love with the church and the new way it can operate, but fall in love with Jesus fully and boldly. I pray as we fall in love with Him we will be annointed in authority and power to do the work to which God would call us. He would call us to new tasks, with love and discernment, setting captives free and equipping them with strength, hope, and love.
Our conversations should bring passion to our hearts, encouragement to our souls, and fodder to our minds. New stories from new friends and loved ones should attract our attention not cynicism. I want to be encouraged not depressed.
29 December 2003
24 December 2003
One more thing...
I get nice emails and comments from wonderful people. You are a part of the healing taking place in my life.
Blessed, blessed, blessed. Thank you.
Blessed, blessed, blessed. Thank you.
Merry Christmas
We had some of the tamales which were very tasty.
Off to Christmas eve services at Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church. For ten years we use to be very involved. Leading worship in three services, now bubkis. Tony who? That is alright with me. I like being with my family in the shadows. Things change.
Off to Christmas eve services at Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church. For ten years we use to be very involved. Leading worship in three services, now bubkis. Tony who? That is alright with me. I like being with my family in the shadows. Things change.
23 December 2003
The Falks...
Too much chinese food helps the soul but involves much gas.
Scott and Carol Falk invited my family over tonight and we had so much food I couldn't believe it. Then some great chocolate cake.
We laughed a lot. Beth and Luke were there.
Nothing profound, just a marvelous time of the year.
Scott and Carol Falk invited my family over tonight and we had so much food I couldn't believe it. Then some great chocolate cake.
We laughed a lot. Beth and Luke were there.
Nothing profound, just a marvelous time of the year.
The gift of family and tamales...
I love this time of year. My son, Simon, comes home for the holidays and we are together again for a short time. We travel to my parents and have a wonderful meal full of laughter and calories.
Tonight my son came home from Pasadena with a bag full of tamales from Mama's Tamales. They are incredible. Tamales from different cultures - Mexico, Central and South America.
What a gift.
My children are growing up so fast. Hillary is 15, Taylor is 20 and Simon is 22. It was just yesterday that I was up all night before Christmas putting together bicycles and other toys. They are spending time at their girlfriend's and boyfriend's home during the holidays. We share them now. Life goes on further away from home than before. Other influences and opinions than mine. I am starting to be influenced by them now. They are shaping my imagination and outlook. I cannot hold on to my role as the "papa" (to be sung as if you were in the first five minutes of "Fiddler on the roof"). I still have responsibilities but there is something else going on that is equally important - respect. I was responsible for training them up in the way THEY should go and now it is up to them to walk in it. Not my ways but THEIRS. They are unique. God calls them by name, not through me any more. It is up to them - one on one with God. This is when it gets fun folks.
Peace.
Tonight my son came home from Pasadena with a bag full of tamales from Mama's Tamales. They are incredible. Tamales from different cultures - Mexico, Central and South America.
What a gift.
My children are growing up so fast. Hillary is 15, Taylor is 20 and Simon is 22. It was just yesterday that I was up all night before Christmas putting together bicycles and other toys. They are spending time at their girlfriend's and boyfriend's home during the holidays. We share them now. Life goes on further away from home than before. Other influences and opinions than mine. I am starting to be influenced by them now. They are shaping my imagination and outlook. I cannot hold on to my role as the "papa" (to be sung as if you were in the first five minutes of "Fiddler on the roof"). I still have responsibilities but there is something else going on that is equally important - respect. I was responsible for training them up in the way THEY should go and now it is up to them to walk in it. Not my ways but THEIRS. They are unique. God calls them by name, not through me any more. It is up to them - one on one with God. This is when it gets fun folks.
Peace.
22 December 2003
Wireless blogging...
I got a new PDA w/ WiFi. I lost my other one. Huge dread. This will help when I'm out recruiting staff next month. .
20 December 2003
Finding a place at the inn…
This time of year always makes me think of Jesus being born in a stable. The children’s Christmas pageant always seems to bring it up, Advent brings it to prayer, and crèches abound on street corners in front of churches and in living rooms of friends. The wise men, shepherds, angels, the animals well represented – ox and ass, sheep and goats, doves, Joseph and Mary all standing over the manger with baby Jesus asleep on the hay. Lots of money being spent on representations of the simplistic way the Word became flesh.
I always wanted to have a Chia crèche. You know those ceramic figurines with grass growing all over them. I figure it is as orthodox as the plywood ones. Someday…
I always wanted to have a Chia crèche. You know those ceramic figurines with grass growing all over them. I figure it is as orthodox as the plywood ones. Someday…
New Friends...
There is a new director at Summit Adventures, Tom Smith. We are going to become friends. We met, had coffee, and decided to be open and honest with each other. A person we could go to and bounce off ideas and frustrations and spend time laughing.
A new friend...
I am turning 50, when my father was this age he seemed to lose his friends. There were his business associates, artist friends, customers who greatly respected him. But I never heard him talk of confidants. I surround myself with good people, better than me. I am blessed by the friends I have. I could have coffee everyday for a month with someone different. It gives me different perspectives.
Each one is different. Some are in their 20's and some in their 70's and in-between. Some ordained and not, senior pastors and youth pastors, some are plumbers, carpenters, dentists, teachers, executives, sales, students, and camp people. They all love Jesus, and are committed to the faith.
I find it interesting that they want to be with me. I am not trying to defecate on myself (or is it deprecate?) but I get calls.
I enjoy people, their stories and food. Maybe because I have these academic disabilities that I enjoy listening to stories instead of just reading about them. Sharing our time, ideas, dreams, and fears are very much needed today in the church and in business. Listening as well as being intimate brings life to others. It is essential. We desire to be heard, considered as valuable, know that there is a place in someone's life for us, someone will know when we are gone... you know, a friend. (a loved one)
I am hoping to diversify in ethnicity and cultures in this new year to come. I would love to hear new stories, strange and foreign to me and my thinking. I don't know how to do this but I will start by lingering and listening. There is the market in town owned by a family from the middle east. I am not sure where they are from but I would like to get to know them better. See if I can ask them some questions and listen.
I hope God will give me new friends this coming year that will make my heart bigger and soul more like Him. I am thankful for the ones I have now and attribute my love and faith to many of them (you). Peace.
A new friend...
I am turning 50, when my father was this age he seemed to lose his friends. There were his business associates, artist friends, customers who greatly respected him. But I never heard him talk of confidants. I surround myself with good people, better than me. I am blessed by the friends I have. I could have coffee everyday for a month with someone different. It gives me different perspectives.
Each one is different. Some are in their 20's and some in their 70's and in-between. Some ordained and not, senior pastors and youth pastors, some are plumbers, carpenters, dentists, teachers, executives, sales, students, and camp people. They all love Jesus, and are committed to the faith.
I find it interesting that they want to be with me. I am not trying to defecate on myself (or is it deprecate?) but I get calls.
I enjoy people, their stories and food. Maybe because I have these academic disabilities that I enjoy listening to stories instead of just reading about them. Sharing our time, ideas, dreams, and fears are very much needed today in the church and in business. Listening as well as being intimate brings life to others. It is essential. We desire to be heard, considered as valuable, know that there is a place in someone's life for us, someone will know when we are gone... you know, a friend. (a loved one)
I am hoping to diversify in ethnicity and cultures in this new year to come. I would love to hear new stories, strange and foreign to me and my thinking. I don't know how to do this but I will start by lingering and listening. There is the market in town owned by a family from the middle east. I am not sure where they are from but I would like to get to know them better. See if I can ask them some questions and listen.
I hope God will give me new friends this coming year that will make my heart bigger and soul more like Him. I am thankful for the ones I have now and attribute my love and faith to many of them (you). Peace.
15 December 2003
What's up Chuck?
I read an editorial of Chuck Colson saying that the emergent church is dying. I couldn't figure out what that meant. Does he think that all of these people are just going to wake up one day and decide that the mainline denoms (if you change the n and m it spells demons) were right and we need to go back, sit down and shut up and except that they know better. I don't think so. I am with more people who are fed up with "church" and are looking for another place to go. They are not finding it in the souped up models with lights and glitz, the top-down models of leadership, the bland large Costco models of warehouse ministries, etc. The conversation comes down to house church fellowships: intimate times of vulnerability and prayer, family interactions, age and gender mixing, conversations leading to action instead of getting bogged down in committee, diversity of thought and culture instead of homogeneous cookie cutter veneer.
The main thing I am looking for is the presence of the Spirit in power and deed, equipping the saints to do His work with love and authority. I don't want entertainment. I don't want a different style. I want to focus on Him.
The main thing I am looking for is the presence of the Spirit in power and deed, equipping the saints to do His work with love and authority. I don't want entertainment. I don't want a different style. I want to focus on Him.
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