It is Friday morning, just after 10:30 and I still have not heard from Ben. He was to meet with the US Consulate today. Please pray for Ben's health. He sounds worn down and sick from many sleepless nights.
Michelle should be home this evening from LA. She has an MRI at noon.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Prayer and Praise
Dear friends,
I wanted to share some big answers to prayer. First, it looks like we may have a good chance getting Carolina soon. Ben has found an advocate who works in the US Embassy’s office. Plus, two pieces of paper work that came through today that are crucial to here coming. Ben and Caroline hope to have a meeting tomorrow (Friday) at the embassy. Please pray! We have been close several times before only to have the enemy snatch her.
Second, Michelle and a good friend traveled to LA yesterday to meet with one of the top research pituitary doctors. They met from 7 pm until midnight. Michelle will be running test until Friday afternoon. Her doctor called her the “perfect patient” and invited her to join his research at UCLA. This means all her expensive tests will be paid for, plus they are going to pay a little stipend along with travel and hotel expenses. I knew there had to be some way to make money out of our adventure? The real good news is that he believes there is real hope for major improvement in Michelle’s health. He has already dramatically changed Michelle’s treatment plan. It was good to hear hope in Michelle’s voice today.
Oh, by the way, the OB plant is jamming along. We have had two launch team meetings and both went great. Dick Kaufmann said I set two Harbor records. First, I had the largest number of attendees to our initial launch team meeting and second, the largest decline from week one to two, so much for records? We did have several families out last week but we also had several new folks too. What is really cool is the diversity the group and how our Heavenly Father is knitting us together.
Now, I just want to show off. It’s been in the 70’s and beautiful all week. I’m so thankful the Lord called me to San Diego !
I wanted to share some big answers to prayer. First, it looks like we may have a good chance getting Carolina soon. Ben has found an advocate who works in the US Embassy’s office. Plus, two pieces of paper work that came through today that are crucial to here coming. Ben and Caroline hope to have a meeting tomorrow (Friday) at the embassy. Please pray! We have been close several times before only to have the enemy snatch her.
Second, Michelle and a good friend traveled to LA yesterday to meet with one of the top research pituitary doctors. They met from 7 pm until midnight. Michelle will be running test until Friday afternoon. Her doctor called her the “perfect patient” and invited her to join his research at UCLA. This means all her expensive tests will be paid for, plus they are going to pay a little stipend along with travel and hotel expenses. I knew there had to be some way to make money out of our adventure? The real good news is that he believes there is real hope for major improvement in Michelle’s health. He has already dramatically changed Michelle’s treatment plan. It was good to hear hope in Michelle’s voice today.
Oh, by the way, the OB plant is jamming along. We have had two launch team meetings and both went great. Dick Kaufmann said I set two Harbor records. First, I had the largest number of attendees to our initial launch team meeting and second, the largest decline from week one to two, so much for records? We did have several families out last week but we also had several new folks too. What is really cool is the diversity the group and how our Heavenly Father is knitting us together.
Now, I just want to show off. It’s been in the 70’s and beautiful all week. I’m so thankful the Lord called me to San Diego !
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Did It Really Take?
For a few months, Faith and Isaac have not been interested in praying. In the mornings, we do our Bible time over breakfast then pray for the day. At bed time we do individual Bible time and prayers. They come up with excuses like, "I'm too tired to pray, you pray daddy." I don't want to force them into loving God, so I have been praying for wisdom.
This past week one evening, I put Faith and Isaac on each side of me on the couch told them I wanted to tell them the greatest story ever told. I took out a pen and paper and started drawing pictures of creation. My rendering of Adam and Eve was something to behold. Our time was pretty special. Faith tracked with me and had good questions. She even wanted to draw Jesus coming out of the tomb. Isaac was doing cartwheels and wanting to play with his trains. At then end, I asked Faith if she should tell me the story using the pictures we drew? She got it! Faith asked me if she could pray to receive God's free gift of eternal life? We prayed a sweet little heart felt prayer.
Faith is six years old. Would there be any real change? Overall, she was already a pretty amazing little girl. I just put Faith to bed a few minutes ago. She prayed one of the most beautiful prayers I have ever heard. I asked her why she like praying more? She said, "I love praying to God, now that He's in my heart. It is like getting a big hug from God!"
This past week one evening, I put Faith and Isaac on each side of me on the couch told them I wanted to tell them the greatest story ever told. I took out a pen and paper and started drawing pictures of creation. My rendering of Adam and Eve was something to behold. Our time was pretty special. Faith tracked with me and had good questions. She even wanted to draw Jesus coming out of the tomb. Isaac was doing cartwheels and wanting to play with his trains. At then end, I asked Faith if she should tell me the story using the pictures we drew? She got it! Faith asked me if she could pray to receive God's free gift of eternal life? We prayed a sweet little heart felt prayer.
Faith is six years old. Would there be any real change? Overall, she was already a pretty amazing little girl. I just put Faith to bed a few minutes ago. She prayed one of the most beautiful prayers I have ever heard. I asked her why she like praying more? She said, "I love praying to God, now that He's in my heart. It is like getting a big hug from God!"
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
What is the real "stink" about skunks? M Huster
OK, it has been a really long time since I have posted anything on this blog. Unfortunately, my health has been terrible because I seem to catch every new bug out there that my kids bring home from their germ infested schools!
However, this post is not about that. We have noticed something very strange around here lately and it seems that no one is really talking about it. Most every night, we start to smell that aroma that is not pleasing to the nose. It is that distinct smell of a skunk. At first we thought it was the San Diego river that is just a few blocks away but our security guard finally solved this puzzle for us. He came running over one night trying to avoid being sprayed by a skunk. Just the other evening this also happened to Jim.
So, my question is, why do we never see skunks as "road kill" on our streets? Back east you couldn't drive down a street without coming across a skunk in the road. I mean the east coast skunk has so much more wide open spaces and places to hide. There is more land than road...But here in the city we are all crammed up against each other in our houses, busy streets, big city, buses, trains, cars, you name it, it is really congested here. So why don't we see dead skunks in the road?
I guess our Darwin theorists would say that the west coast skunk has evolved and made adaptations to its' environment. Maybe it has a new sensory system that has evolved to let it know when oncoming traffic is approaching. Could it be that this system has improved the skunks eye site to see and understand the colors of traffic signals? These skunks are not afraid of man. No timidity here. They actual approach humans. Maybe they have developed a sense of humor too, like, "Let's see how fast this guy can run." and laugh about it over a couple of drinks at the bar down the street. Could it be they have a neighborhood watch program? Since everything in California is so regulated to the point where we have to pay to park in our driveway, the skunks may have also bought into this regulation system as well. The west coast skunk has become an environmental conservationist. They keep our roads free and clear of debris. However,work still needs to be done about our air quality.
As for the east coast skunk, well, it is still just a shy, small brained animal with a bushy tail that can't seem to stay out of traffic even when the odds are all in his favor.
However, this post is not about that. We have noticed something very strange around here lately and it seems that no one is really talking about it. Most every night, we start to smell that aroma that is not pleasing to the nose. It is that distinct smell of a skunk. At first we thought it was the San Diego river that is just a few blocks away but our security guard finally solved this puzzle for us. He came running over one night trying to avoid being sprayed by a skunk. Just the other evening this also happened to Jim.
So, my question is, why do we never see skunks as "road kill" on our streets? Back east you couldn't drive down a street without coming across a skunk in the road. I mean the east coast skunk has so much more wide open spaces and places to hide. There is more land than road...But here in the city we are all crammed up against each other in our houses, busy streets, big city, buses, trains, cars, you name it, it is really congested here. So why don't we see dead skunks in the road?
I guess our Darwin theorists would say that the west coast skunk has evolved and made adaptations to its' environment. Maybe it has a new sensory system that has evolved to let it know when oncoming traffic is approaching. Could it be that this system has improved the skunks eye site to see and understand the colors of traffic signals? These skunks are not afraid of man. No timidity here. They actual approach humans. Maybe they have developed a sense of humor too, like, "Let's see how fast this guy can run." and laugh about it over a couple of drinks at the bar down the street. Could it be they have a neighborhood watch program? Since everything in California is so regulated to the point where we have to pay to park in our driveway, the skunks may have also bought into this regulation system as well. The west coast skunk has become an environmental conservationist. They keep our roads free and clear of debris. However,work still needs to be done about our air quality.
As for the east coast skunk, well, it is still just a shy, small brained animal with a bushy tail that can't seem to stay out of traffic even when the odds are all in his favor.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Will the True Church Planter Step Forward
Man, what an amazing few days. I preached a sermon and was examined on the floor of Presbytery Saturday, and I PASSED! What an amazing feeling of relief. But it gets better. I have known for little over a month, that this past weekend was going to be Harbor Ocean Beach's first gathering events. I planned two dessert vision parties. One for Saturday evening and one for Sunday afternoon. Things were lining up well until two weeks ago when I was given the dates for my exams. Same week, no problem, right? After a study session a week ago with Doug Swagerty (Senior Pastor of the Harbor network of congregations), it became clear I had a long way to go to get ready. So for about a week, my life was all about studying. Note to any aspiring church planters: don't plan your first launch events the week of licensure exams.
Saturday evening came and I pulled up to the Brewster's home (hosts) with Faith and Isaac, and Michelle and Greg right behind, thinking I wonder if anyone else is going to come tonight? Two couples I had poured a little time into called at the last moment to apologize for not coming. Amazingly, I had peace about our pending party of seven. But by 7:30 the Brewster's living room was maxed out and we were scrounging around the house and garage looking for chairs! I was so blown away. Most of the folks who came, I had little-to-no contact with before the meeting. I had not gathered anyone. What a great reminder - that Jesus is the real church planter here in OB!
The same scenario played out for Sunday's vision party. I hoped ten people would come. I invited more young singles to Sunday's dessert party. I had not seen any of them in well over a week. It's a weekend and there are so many options living in OB. So maybe if eight showed up I would be excited. Well, we packed out another living room again. The two parties were awesome. I was so encouraged by these folks' passion for a new congregation in OB.
Thank you for your prayers. The real Church Planter showed up big time!
Saturday evening came and I pulled up to the Brewster's home (hosts) with Faith and Isaac, and Michelle and Greg right behind, thinking I wonder if anyone else is going to come tonight? Two couples I had poured a little time into called at the last moment to apologize for not coming. Amazingly, I had peace about our pending party of seven. But by 7:30 the Brewster's living room was maxed out and we were scrounging around the house and garage looking for chairs! I was so blown away. Most of the folks who came, I had little-to-no contact with before the meeting. I had not gathered anyone. What a great reminder - that Jesus is the real church planter here in OB!
The same scenario played out for Sunday's vision party. I hoped ten people would come. I invited more young singles to Sunday's dessert party. I had not seen any of them in well over a week. It's a weekend and there are so many options living in OB. So maybe if eight showed up I would be excited. Well, we packed out another living room again. The two parties were awesome. I was so encouraged by these folks' passion for a new congregation in OB.
Thank you for your prayers. The real Church Planter showed up big time!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
One Small Step for Jim, One Giant Leap for Ordination
With great excitement and relief I am glad to share that I passed the written and oral examination for licensure in the South Coast Presbytery here in southern California. It was actually an encouraging process. The canidates' committe was warm and friendly. I had heard horror stories of committees eating up and spitting out canidates, but I am convinced they were all for me. The questions they asked were thoughtful and approriate. The next step is to preach my sermon on Romans 5, "Rejoicing in Suffering" and to have a brief examination on the floor of Presbytery this Saturday. It is by no means a lay up, but the committe is not going to put you on the floor unless you are prepared.
I am so thanful, that in God's providence, my inlaws were visiting for eight days. They filled in the gaps with the kids while I disappeared for hours into my study cave. GLORY!
Please pray for our first two vision parties here in OB this weekend. Our first one is Saturday evening and our second is Sunday afternoon. I am so ready to start focusing my attention on planting this congregation.
Thank you again for all your prayers for my studies and examination. It could not have gone any better.
I am so thanful, that in God's providence, my inlaws were visiting for eight days. They filled in the gaps with the kids while I disappeared for hours into my study cave. GLORY!
Please pray for our first two vision parties here in OB this weekend. Our first one is Saturday evening and our second is Sunday afternoon. I am so ready to start focusing my attention on planting this congregation.
Thank you again for all your prayers for my studies and examination. It could not have gone any better.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Glory
One of my favorite books I read to Faith and Isaac is Curious George. Right after George (a monkey) is captured, he is taken by the man with the big yellow hat on a big ship. George is left to himself to explore the ship but told "not to get into trouble". "Once on the deck, things quickly begin to to happen and before you know it, first this, then this and before George could blink, he was submerged underwater." The good news is I don't feel washed overboard, yet. Things are starting to ramp up quickly. First, the date for my oral examination for my license in the the South Coast Presbytery is next Tuesday at 9:00 am. Please pray that my studying would honor him.
Next, I am super stoked (surfer lingo of excited) to share that I was able to lead young man named Mike to the Lord on Friday. It was so amazing to see how the Holy Spirit had prepared his heart! He was so pregnant for the gospel and about exploded when he received it. Also, I am getting things lined up for our first offical gatherings for the OB church plant. We will have two dessert vision parties in the next two weeks. I can't hardly wait!
Next, I am super stoked (surfer lingo of excited) to share that I was able to lead young man named Mike to the Lord on Friday. It was so amazing to see how the Holy Spirit had prepared his heart! He was so pregnant for the gospel and about exploded when he received it. Also, I am getting things lined up for our first offical gatherings for the OB church plant. We will have two dessert vision parties in the next two weeks. I can't hardly wait!
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