The Eye of God?

The pictures coming from the Hubble telescope are among the most amazing things you can ever come across. This one -- called the Eskimo Nebula -- appears to give credence to its nickname, "The Eye of God." For more cool shots, check out these at Pixcetera.

Join the Conspiracy

If you are looking (as many of us are) for a new way to give this Christmas, check out this idea. It may be that instead of giving presents as we normally do, you can give "presence."

Hope

One of the faith communities that Christine and I are a part of is Church of the Beloved in Edmonds. These highly creative friends have just released a fantastic set of worship music that is your free to download and listen to. We have found the music (and the community itself) to be highly inspiring to us. Check it out yourself: Hope for a Tree Cut Down

Fishing for the Sun

Spent a beautiful day this Sunday in Byblos, one of the older cities here in Lebanon. As the sun set, I saw a lone fisherman apparently trying to keep the sun from setting.

In Lebanon

In Beirut this week for a series of meetings. What absolutely gorgeous city it is! Here is a view from the air.


Of course when you are in meetings, you get to connect with people! Here's a shot with one of my longtime heroes, Lucien Acaad, the former head (among other things) of the Bible Society.

Who and What is Mars Hill

I am often asked what the relationship and/or difference is between Mars Hill Graduate School and Mars Hill Church (led by Mark Driscoll) here in Seattle. As people in both are eager to say, "there is no relationship!" Here is an excellent news article that helpfully walks people through the distinctions of both. http://crosscut.com/2008/10/30/religion/18602/ Just to let you know, I am much more a fan of the school than the church.

Obama E-Motions

Got an e-mail tonight from a sore loser (who will go nameless here). They were not happy with the election results. Among other things they said:

"Not one of any of the people who voted Democrat this year gets to complain at all in the next 4 years when your taxes go sky high cause they will, 1st prediction. Not one of you gets to complain when we are so weakened in our military that we are attacked again on our soil and maybe someone you love dies because the democrats will weaken our military (they said they would) and we will see another (at least one) attack on our soil because of it. Not one gets to complain when our economy goes even more sour, cause raising taxes never grows the economy only the government (and you are very gulible if you believe they will stop the flow at $250,000). No one gets to complain when you see people who won't work for a living spending money they got from you who do work for a living. Not one. Sorry, I am a sore loser, that's why I never played sports in High School. Thanks to every one, citizen or not who voted for socialism!"

Some of what was written, I tend to agree with (taxes will go up, the military will likely have less priority, etc.). However, here was my response:

This is America, regardless of how we voted today we get to complain. We also can do that officially every two years in elections. However, let's pause and reflect a bit on some other things about tonight.

Given our history, is it not a great moment for America when we get to celebrate an African American becoming President? Can we recognize that America is still a place where anyone can rise to be the leader of the land? It is not true anywhere else on the planet.

Can we not celebrate the engagement of younger voters - not opting out as my generation did in the 1960s and 1970s - but participating in the system and making a difference?

Can we not celebrate the way in which we all can participate in a leadership transition without violence?

Can we possibly applaud followers of Christ who may have been so disillusioned with our current and inept government led by GW Bush that they decided change was just too important and voted for Obama? I know many. Are they less Christian?

Can we look at the ways in which the new opposition (Republicans) can now possibly come up with an idea-driven philosophy that can envision people (not overly present in the McCain candidacy)?

Can we realize that President-elect Obama is now the President of all of us and deserves (needs) our prayers and our good will (if not our support)?

Can we realize that regardless of the party affiliation of the President, God is still in charge and that there are much bigger issues at stake in the world than American politics?

For my Republican friends, just remember that you survived 8 years of President Clinton and -- shockingly -- the world did not end. In fact, in many ways (not all) we prospered as a nation.

Just some quick thoughts.

WEA Thailand

In Pattaya, Thailand this week for meetings of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA). (Does it appear that I am traveling a bit this fall!!) For 10 years, I worked with WEA leading their Religious Liberty Commission (RLC. I was so encouraged to meet with my friends here who lead the alliance of churches in Mongolia. To think that a mere 18 years ago, there was no church and very few believers.

I also very much enjoyed seeing my long-time colleague and friend Godfrey Yogarajah, from Sri Lanka (speaking at this panel discussion), get appointed as the new director of the RLC. Way to go, bro!

Partnership Training in Indonesia

I am in Indonesia this week helping to lead partnership training for sports ministry leaders from Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei, Singapore, and Indonesia (among others). Cool young women and men who are dedicated to using sports as a community outreach and development strategy. As is often the case, I learned much more from them than they probably did from me!

REACT Board Retreat

The annual REACT Services Board retreat was held this year at the Edgewater Hotel and with dinner together at the fine Anthony's Restaurant in downtown Seattle. Board meetings had taken place earlier in the day at Mars Hill Graduate School so we were ready to have for some celebratory times with some soecial friends and spouses!





The next morning we then ferried over to Bainbridge Island for breakfast and some teambuilding together. What a great group of guys i am privileged to have as part of the REACT Service team.

Bean Town!!

In the spectacular city of Boston this week for meetings on the church in China. The place we are meeting is just two short blocks up from the famous Boston Commons where I just had to get a picture!

Spokane Boys!

A short visit to Spokane this weekend to visit the boys. As usual lots of food and fun was had by all!

In addition we took in a soccer game and watched them play for their school league. Here, some apparent in-game strategy conversations are going on (John and Joe are in the white shirts).

Dallas adventures

This whole week I'm in Dallas for a series of meetings regarding Ethne Movement, the Int'l Partnership Associates, and Iran. Then I'm up to Denver for the Missions Exchange conference. Here I am at the Ethne meetings having some fun with my good friends Remo from India, Octavio from Mexico, and Edwin from Malta.

Aug/Sept Signpost

So this past weekend as part of the 25th wedding anniversay year, we visited the places where we spent our honeymoon. At what used to be the Westwater Hotel in Olympia and then Salishan Lodge on the Oregon coast. To say we had a great time was an understatement. The Salishan portion was a surprise to Chris so that made it extra fun for me!

Here we are taking a walk at Salishan's semi-private beach.

Michael Phelps and the Olympics

Everyone has been captured by the amazing accomplishments of Michael Phelps at the Summer Olympics this past week. Some say they actually saw him trying to swim home, too! Is there nothing he can't do?

The Goss Exhibition

This week, our friends, Glenn and Jennifer Goss were here in Seattle and a small exhibition of Jen's work was shown at Mars Hill Graduate School. We also had a few conversations with some local artists and Glenn made a presentation at Church of the Beloved on his work as a trauma counselor among refugees in North Africa. Here she is putting the finishing touches together as Glenn looks on. For more of her art, check out her current website.


Of course, we also had to show them some of the sights of the Puget Sound and an obligatory ferry ride -- this one was to the San Juan Islands.

Yankee Stadium, Baby!!

Because of a very, very kind friend of mine, we had unbelievably good seats (how about Row 1 on the dougout?) at the Yankee game today. Here's the three of us enjoyed the fine ambiance of the Stadium before the game against the LA Angels (Yankees won, 14-9 in a great game).

New York, New York!!

The boys and I are in New York this weekend. Among the things we took in was the 9-11 Memorial. We are standing next to a large piece of metal from they found from one of the planes. The Memorial is a stark reminder of what happened that day and its impact on our country even now.

Coeur D'Alene

The Coeur D'Alene, Idaho area is one of the more beautiful places in the northwest. Here we are having dinner with some of the family at the reunion. The national known "floating green' on the 18th hole of one of the premier golf courses is in the background (on Coeur D'Alene Lake, of course). You have to take a boat launch to putt out!

Family Fun!

The family is in Idaho this weekend for a big family reunion. Christine's cousin, Jim (second from the left) who is a middle school principal, leads a rock band on the side that played for an all-day community event. We all had fun listening and dancing to the music!

The Global Children's Forum

Wheaton College was the site of the Global Children's Forum (GCF) these past few days. The group of about 35-40 ministries launched a new partnering effort to address the spiritual nurture of children. I had the privilege of assisting in the facilitation of the meeting (looks like I'm even having fun!).

Millenium Park

One of the cool new spots right on the Chicago waterfront is Millenium Park, with art galore, a long bridge over Michigan Avenue right to Lake Michigan, an amphitheater, and other things. Here is the now famous "Bean" sculpture -- one of the centerpieces of the park.

Chicago Adventure

Christine and I had a fabulous couple of days in downtown Chicago this week (thanks to free air miles and a sweet deal on Priceline). A boat tour of the city was clearly in order, especially because the weather was literally picture perfect.

Another 25th Signpost

The first "psuedo" date Christine and I had was a Seattle Mariner's baseball game. In honor of that, we went to a game last night at Safeco Field for our 25th Anniversary June milepost. Dinner afterward at the popular Metropolitan Grill wasn't bad either!

World Refugee Sunday

Celebrating World Refugee Sunday today in a "refugee" church in Kampala, Uganda primarily made up of Congolese and Rwandans. Their music absolutely rocked (no surprise). Uganda has the most impressive refugee policy in the world allowing people in dire need from violence, war and disaster a place to call home.

In Uganda

In Uganda this week to help facilitate the Refugee Highway Partnership Roundtable meetings. Here is a shot of the leadership team -- an impressive group from every region of the world.

The Friary at Southsea

Visiting these few days with Mike, Jane and Katey (of course Puzzle, too!) at the Southsea Friary. Mike has been a good friend and colleague for 20 years. Check out his blog at: http://friarmike.typepad.com/

I was in the area the weekend of the England FA Cup Finals, played between Cardiff and Portsmouth. A big screen was put up on the shore and nearly 50,000 people were there to celebrate and enjoy the game -- including yours truly -- with Mike and Jane. Mike lives within walking distance of the sea and the party went well into the night because of a 1-0 win by Portsmouth.

Meetings in England this week on the Middle East (I know, it appears that I am never home!). We are planning a major conference on the region next year. Fairly usual for me to be the only American (and caucasian!) in a international planning group. These folks are from Egypt, Jordan and Malta.

Dallas for the NEP

In Dallas this week for meetings on the Near East. In two different sessions about 70 leaders were involved -- including 8 from the Middle East. We are strategizing about how to respond and engage more intentionally with with the opportunities in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Iraq. Specific initiatives have been launched on prayer (check out http://www.cryoutnow.org/), business development, youth, refugee response, media distribution, and leadership development. REACT Services helps lead this effort through our facilitation.

Gonzaga Baseball

We were in Spokane this weekend for the Gonzaga-U. Portland baseball games. It was a three-game sweep by the home team Zags, though John doesn't look too happy about it here!

April Anniversary Signpost

A couple of shots of the happy couple celebrating the April version of the 25th anniversary (it is in December). This one in Guatemala City on the way home at one of the finest Italian restaurants we've ever been to. Figures you have to go to Central America to find good Italian!



Here we are dancing the two step (or at least we are trying to) in Puntarenas where we were the last few days of our time in Costa Rica. Hey, does it look like we actually might know what we are doing here? Sure we do, -- we are having fun!

Chris on the Zip-line

Okay, so Christine was on the zipline, too! Here we are on one of the mountain platforms waiting for the next ride! They call these "canapy" rides because you are literally on the top!


And here is the girl coming on down the line! Sadly, we lost some of our best photos that unfortunately included some of those that showed her doing it in "superman" style. She always has been the main daredevil in our family. . . .
:-)

The view from our room at the Hilton Papagayo Resort. Oohh, those frequent stay points finally being used! Obviously, it was nice to have a private deck with our own hot tub looking over the bay -- sweet!

Sunset over the Gulf of Papagayo. We stayed here for three glorious days. This Hilton is one of the few all inclusives they have in the world -- and it was nice.

Costa Rica!!

We had a fabulous time in Costa Rica taking in the sights as well as riding the ziplines through the rainforests. As one who doesn't even like rollercoatsers, I was a bit dubious, but it was an absolute blast! It was like being a cable car -- only MUCH faster.
More to come on this great trip.

Another 25th Celebration Signpost

This year, our 25th wedding anniversay (yes, we did get married at age 10), we are doing something every month to celebrate. This fine month of March we did a series of dinners out with family and friends.

We went out for a fine meal with my sister, Kit and her husband John at Frankie's restaurant --owned by a friend of ours.

Tonight we went out with our friends, Bob and Sheryl, who joined us for a very good meal and some great conversation. We're having fun with multiple parties!

Snow in nearly April?

We got over an inch of snow this fine Saturday afternoon which is one of the latest snows ever for the area. As much as it was a nice reminder that it is not summer yet, it did make the yard look good. Quite a nasty contrast, however, to the 80+ degrees I had in Florida!

Ethne to Ethne

In Orlando this week for the leadership meetings of the Ethne Unreached Peoples netowrk. This movement is seeking to mobilize more resources (people, prayer, money, etc.) toward the 27% of the world that has no access to the Gospel. "Ethne to Ethne" means peoples to peoples. This is truly a global effort, led this cycle by colleagues in Latin America. Here are two friends, Victor and Jose, who are providing leadership from the region.

Stations of the Cross - Beloved Version

Went to the Church of the Beloved's (COB) experiential stations of the cross tonight with friends. An fresh, artistic expression of the liturgy surrounding the passion of Christ that we presented over three evening. They had thirteen "stations" of reflection and prayer and here are just a few.

A sculture by Ryan Marsh, the leader of COG, of the death of Jesus. His face is covered with a black sheet and there are three round kneeling places.

This is a painting by Scott Erickson of Jesus being taken down from the cross. I was taken by the way the identity of the person is hidden (so it could be any one of us). Also, the fact that there's no way you couldn't get blood on you.



This was the final station -- the burial of Jesus. Each of us who went through the experience were to take a handful of dirt to place it (throw it) on this iconic picture. The whole experience -- accompanied by an audio track of scriptural readings -- made the passsion a more real event for us.