Hola my friends.
I hope you're still connecting to and trusting the beautiful, loving, and power-full Papa.
It is also my prayer that Christ might continue to bring to us
the Cause(s) which stir the soul and make a difference.
Joy and I stayed with our boy David for two days in Chicago. We met three of his best friends and fellow students at the university. These young people are committed to studying and learning the skills needed to help the people on the margins of society. I'm telling you their lives give me great hope for this world. And yet, if we are seeking,we all do our part to further the way.
And just imagine that...God working from generation to generation to further God's way for the broken of the world.
Plus the music group from Iceland, Sigur Ros, was in town and some of the boys went to see and hear them perform. The music is wonder-full.
Adios friends. I love you.

Bring It On!

Man, I love fall time.
The cooling of days and nights
and the pure beauty of the changing leaves
are quite a gift.
I cherish the combinations of colors like orange and brown, green and gold, yellow and red.
Fires at night.
Sweaters.
Change.
New Beginnings.
A little bit of the old along with the new.
Bring it on Creator of the seasons
of the earth and in our lives.

The Barbarian Way

I've just finished reading The Barbarian Way by Erwin McManus, which was also the basis for a sermon series at my church. McManus writes that the Christian church has become too civilized, and we must return to the barbarian way of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. My favorite part of the book reads:

"Somehow Christianity has become a nonmystical religion. It's about a resonable faith. If we believe the right things, then we are orthodox. Frankly whether we ever actually connect to God or experience his undeniable presence has become incidental, if not irrelevant. We have become believers rather than experiencers. To know God in the Scriptures always went beyond information to intimacy. We may find ourselves uncomfortable with this reality, but the faith of the Scriptures is a mystical faith. It leads us beyond the material world into an invisible reality. We become connected to the God of eternity. Who you are at the core of the spirit. God is Spirit. To walk with God is to journey in the spiritual realm."

God, help me be not just a believer, but an experiencer. I've spent many years (maybe too many) reading the Bible, and reading and hearing what other people think and say about the Bible. I'm done with Believing, I want to Experience! I want to walk with You in the Spirit. Amen.

9-11

So much hurt remains in many hearts from that horrific day.
And so much pain has been inflicted since.
Oh our God, there is so much brokeness and suffering in humanity.
Yet, there was, and also remains, so much nobility amidst the struggle.
Teach us to love, understand, forgive, protect, and carry on with you to bring forth your kingdom.
I hope your Word to those lost and to our world is "I am the God of love and hope, and my way is ultimately in charge."

Amazing Slideshow

A friend shared this slideshow with me. The photography is just amazing! Here is a sample of the incredible images. Go to the link below to see the slideshow.

Reflections of Christ

Saved

We had the best visit yet with my parents in the nursing home.
Joy and I went to see them with our daughter Rachel and our friends Kevin, Jennifer, and their 2 year old girl Pahdmae who is a cute little ball of light.
My mom and dad enjoyed all the company, and I believe and hope that they are beginning to make the adjustment to their new home. I love them so very much.
I praise God for this miracle, and I thank all my friends for their love and prayers.
The kingdom of God is like a family who was saved by Almighty God, the prayers of the community, and the workers in the nursing home who do their daily jobs with skill and kindness and treat the residents like Jesus himself.

Amazing! (At least to me)

Tears flow freely...tears when I'm deeply moved!
Grace sees me through again and again!
Listening to a great audio book...Into The Wild!
Watched a wonderful movie last night...Lars And The Real Girl!
Very cool Labor Day with best friends and our kids!
Start meeting again with Bishop and colleagues tomorrow!
Made a homemade pizza tonight!
My wife turns 54 this month!
My parents are in the nursing home!
The gospel of the kingdom is the one thing!
I SAW A SHOOTING STAR LAST NIGHT WHEN JOY,JAMIE, AND I WERE ON A WALK! AMAZING!!!