Got People?

Last night I emailed a few friends and asked them to pray for a meeting I had today,
because a few of us supervisory types had a hugely important conversation with someone.
The meeting went well through the grace of God, and I could feel the power that came forth from the lips and hearts of my friends.
As the song writer says, we get by with a little help from our friends.

Joy and I kid around that "we've got people." We've got people to:
help us take care of my parents;
help us figure out some things about our future;
take care of our little dog Jamie;
and yes, even pray for something on a moments notice.

But what if someone feels like they ain't got no people and feel freakin alone?
We've all felt that way before and know someone who feels like that right now.
Help us Jeshua be their people.

God bless America.

God bless President Barak Obama.

God bless our world.

God bless us as we seek to do our part to further God's Dream.

My heart and my hope is full.

A Connection Celebration

I have come to understand that the major part of my job is to create CONNECTIONS...
connections between pastors with pastors and churches with churches...
connections between these churches and the work of the church in the state of Indiana and the world...
and connections between pastors/churches with a vision that what we are all about is the changing of lives and the changing of the world.
Creating connections is a good thing because, as my papa would say, it is very important message to let people know in this world that they are not alone!
Maybe it's because I'm getting older that these relationships are becoming more and more important. I think about how wonderful and absolutely crucial are connections like:
Our family and the staff of the nursing home with my old mama and papa;
My bottomless adoration for my wife;
Our relationship with our children;
Our friendships;
Those who feel alone and just want someone to care;
The simple yet profound interactions we have with both folks we know and strangers
on a daily basis;
The invisible connections that hold our society and world together;
The one we have with the Source of our Shalom.

Went to Florida. Sweet. Back to work. Also Sweet
Tonight I'm inside and warm, and it's cold outside.
Watched Frontline online. Thanks David for turning me on to that.
Learning to appreciate different kinds of people...big picture types and anals, quiets and louds, those loving change and those not. But even those people aren't always just one way or another.
I love you God. The gifts of life, love, purpose, community, family, and your presence.
I've always been afraid of death, and who knows I still may. But two things have happened lately. First, I've decided that at the end of my life I am going to say "thank you" to God for this most amazing journey. Secondly, I had a dream the other night in which the Spirit flew me into space and showed me a planet which she said was heaven. Hmm.
Trying to focus on Wesley's 3 simple rules.
Do no harm.
Do all the good you can.
Stay in love with God.
BY THE WAY, GO SEE GRAN TORINO! AMAZING!!!

Let's enter into this 2009 gig together!
And thank you God for all the blessings found within 08.