Andy's Wall

Trip to Lake Brownwood

2009-08-14T20:31:00.000-07:00

Every other year, my parents, siblings and I, along with my mom’s sisters and their families, meet at a magical lakefront property in Lake Brownwood, Texas. There, we enjoy all sorts of water-sports (water-skiing, jet-skiing, knee-boarding, wake-boarding, fishing, the cousin-blob, etc), fabulous home-cooked meals, telling stories, singing and worship, taking naps, celebrating birthdays, playing on the Wii, solving 1000 piece puzzles, and relaxing together. Our amazing accommodations, courtesy of Dale and Rita Brown (Ben’s wife Trisha’s family), are spacious and delightful for spending a week at the lake.

This year was made all the more special by the fact that Jenna decided to be baptized into Christ during our time there. She has always wanted her baptism to be at a beautiful and special place, and with lots of family on hand to help celebrate, Lake Brownwood was the perfect venue! We are so proud of and delighted for Jenna in this vital step she has taken on her faith journey.

Here and There

2009-08-14T17:02:00.000-07:00

During my sabbatical, I have enjoyed some times to connect with old friends, valued mentors, confidants, and loved ones. Pictured below are a lunch meeting with my long-time friend Jon Reed (minister of the Hilltop Church of Christ in El Segundo), a dinner date with Carrie, and a Dodger game with the extended Giboney side of Carrie’s family (Dodgers won!). For a people-person like me, times like these are priceless!

In Malibu with Jon Reed

On a hot date with Carrie

With the Giboney crew at Dodger Stadium

Sedona Family Reunion

2009-08-10T10:18:00.001-07:00

During the weekend of July 23-26, we drove to Sedona, Arizona for an extended Wall family reunion, stopping en route in Flagstaff to visit long-time college friends Rick and Connie Krug and their kids.

Krug and Wall Kids

Growing up, my visits to the Wall side of the family were always confusing. My dad is the 10th of 11 siblings and has 5 brothers and 5 sisters. Some of his siblings are 25 years older than him, which means that he is younger than some of his nieces (one by six years). For me, this meant that most of my first cousins are 10 to 20 years older than me. It was confusing to me because most of the kids my age were my second cousins. Now that I am older, I can cognitively process this information but it’s still tricky trying to explain it to our girls.

However, we enjoyed nice visits with the various family members who gathered from as far away as Washington, California and Texas to share in the fun.

With the Wall First Cousins

Some friendly family competition on the volleyball court

Spectacular Sedona Cliffs

East Coast Trip (Part 7 of 7) -- New Hampshire & Main

2009-07-21T06:45:00.000-07:00

We spent our final day and a half on the East Coast with long-time friends Paul and Leanne Clark and their teenage sons, Drue and Devin. We have known the Clarks for 20 years, since we were M-Div students together at Abilene Christian University. They have served a congregation in Nashua, New Hampshire for the past 9 years. It was great to reconnect and our families enjoyed a less "historical" and more "relational" final stop on our odyssey.

In addition to enjoying ice cream together ("The Big One" in Nashua serves up a wide variety of generous and tasty concoctions), playing cards, playing a fun basketball game called knockout, watching some of the MLB home run derby, and getting caught up on life, we enjoyed a day trip to the coast of Maine. We took in several lighthouses, relaxed at a gorgeous and unusual rocky shoreline (which looked like petrified wood), did some rock-climbing and wave-evading, and enjoyed New England seafood (at least, those of us who go for that sort of thing did).

East Coast Trip (Part 6) -- Plimouth Plantation and Mayflower II

2009-07-19T17:40:00.000-07:00

During our final day in Massachusetts, we visited the Mayflower II, a full-size (and seaworthy) replica of the original ship complete with wonderfully informative characters dressed in period costumes. The ship's "captain" (see below) was a particularly excellent and knowledgeable character who spoke in a strong Scottish (?) brogue, knew every aspect of ships and sailing, and helped us better appreciate the rigors and hardships endured by the initial passengers and crew of the Mayflower.

Ready to board the Mayflower II

Hoisting the anchor with the windlass

We also explored the Plimouth Plantation, which presented life at the first colonial settlement from the perspective of both the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people. I appreciated learning more about the lives and challenges of those early settlers and how being persecuted for their faith led them to seek a new life on a new continent. However, I continue to be deeply unsettled by and ambivalent about the legacy of the white man's displacement of the native americans. The cultures and civilizations that my ancestors displaced and/or eradicated (whether intentionally through conquest or inadvertently through disease) leaves me feeling unsettled about the whole "manifest destiny" thing (though that language wasn't used until the 1800s).

At the Plimouth Plantation

Inside a Plimouth Plantation Home

East Coast Trip (Part 5) -- Boston, Massachusetts

2009-07-17T14:13:00.000-07:00

Following a great day at Old Sturbridge Village, we went to Boston, where we stayed on the MIT campus in the apartment of Bob and Jan Randolph (Loyd's brother & wife).

On Saturday, we caught the "T" (Boston's subway) to downtown and explored the Freedom Trail, which winds through town by a host of historic sites, from Paul Revere's house and the Old North Church (immortalized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, "Paul Revere's Ride") to the Old State House and the Old South Meetinghouse, to Boston Common and Bunker Hill. We also visited enough grave sites to make Jerry Rushford proud.

Freedom Trail Marker

Follow the Red Brick Line

In Paul Revere's family pew at the Old North Church

In front of the Old North Church

Our teacher at a historic educational site

A bit of Boston humor

East Coast Trip (Part 4) -- Old Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts

2009-07-17T11:56:00.000-07:00

Following our three day adventure in New York City, we spent the next three days in Massachusetts.

Old Sturbridge Village
Our first stop was at Old Strurbridge Village, one of the country's largest living history museums, with a great staff of craftspeople and historians in costume, 59 historic buildings on 200 acres, three authentic water-powered mills, and two covered bridges. If you're familiar with Colonial Williamsburg, Old Sturbridge Village depicts life a century later (1830s New England).

We loved interacting with the townspeople and watching the blacksmiths, tinsmiths, coopers (barrel makers), cobblers, wool-dyers, potters, farmers, and other various craftsmen and women ply their trades. I was impressed by the amount of work that people in 1830 had to do simply to have clothes on the backs and enough food to see them through the next harvest. Before the automation brought by textile manufacturing, a wool coat would take about 31 days to make (including 9 days of carding the wool and 13 days of spinning it).

In the Potter's Shop

Wall Family Portrait (minus Mom)

At the Village Parsonage

Wall girls having some dressup fun

East Coast Trip (Part 3) -- New York

2009-07-16T14:56:00.000-07:00

Manhattan, New York: "if I can drive it there, I'll drive it anywhere!" (With apologies to Frank Sinatra.) By far the most exciting (or nerve-wracking) part of our two week East Coast trip for me was driving the streets of Manhattan. Fortunately, I've been driving the LA Airport for years and it turned out to be some very useful training. But nothing in LA quite prepares you for NYC's volume of foot-traffic, since "nobody's walking in LA."

This was our first trip to New York City and I wanted to share some first-timer's impressions:
* Running in Central Park is never lonely -- people are running all over that park! (I can't wait to run the New York Marathon!)
* New Yorkers were very helpful when we were lost on the subway system -- we just had to ask. Though I'm sure they could be out there, we did not meet the stereotypical neurotic, rude, self-obsessed New Yorker.
* You're never far from a place to eat anyplace in the city (though the Central Park food carts only serve hot dogs and ice cream).
* The view from the Empire State Building at night is spectacular, perhaps even better than the day view.
* The homeless sleep on steps of the cathedrals at night; I was pleased to see that those who are following Christ are visibly providing for "the least of these."
* Times Square is like Las Vegas with taller buildings.
* Once you figure out the difference between "uptown" and "downtown," the NYC subway is a very efficient way to get around.
* New Yorkers are not Dodger fans (just wear a Dodger t-shirt and they'll tell you).
* Everyone who's been to New York has a favorite restaurant there.
* The Lincoln tunnel is way too long to hold your breath all the way under.
* We did not see any single family dwellings in all of Manhattan.
* New York is not a cheap city to visit or to live in.

With Lady Liberty

Lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe

Mary Poppins on Broadway

Rowing on Central Park Lake

On the 86th floor of the Empire State Building

East Coast Trip (Part 2) -- Pennsylvania

2009-07-16T13:27:00.000-07:00

After five full days in Washington D.C., we headed north and spent an afternoon in Gettysburg (and discovered Friendly's Diner) before driving through Lancaster county and staying at a bed and breakfast located in the heart of Amish country.

At the various Gettysburg sites, I was reminded about how deeply and how long the nation had been divided on the issue of slavery. It was a conflict that was brewing for decades; many politicians and leaders simply tried to postpone a definitive decision until they were out of office. I was also reminded that in addition to the issue of slavery, the matter of States' rights was also at stake. It must have been an agonizing decision for Abraham Lincoln to decide to go to war in order to preserve the union but in retrospect, it was the right call. Gettysburg exemplified the painful losses of the Civil War (11,000 deaths, 51,000 total casualties) and is the location of President Lincoln's famous Gettysburg address ("Four score and seven years ago").

Gettysburg -- atop Little Round Top

In Amish Country, we stayed at Fassitt house, an 1845 home which served as a stop along the Underground Railroad (32 documented runaway slaves stayed there between 1845 and 1862). I had forgotten that harboring runaway slaves was against the law even in the pro-abolition North and those who did so put themselves and their property at risk. Our girls stayed in the Freedom Room, whose closet still has the original trap door and hiding space intended for runaway slaves in case of emergencies.

We enjoyed driving around the gorgeous farmland and seeing the Amish families sharing in meals and volleyball games, as well as their horse and buggy carts. We watched an incredible sunset and then were delighted by thousands of fireflies putting on a fireworks show of their own at dusk.

Sunset in Amish Country

On Monday, July 6, we drove into Philadelphia, the one-time capital of the Unites States and the leading intellectual and cultural center of the Colonial era. We visited the Liberty bell and the Visitor Center, took a carriage ride, ate cheesesteak sandwiches (well, some of us did), enjoyed "Once Upon a Nation" street performers, and went on a tour of Independence Hall. I also learned (in no uncertain terms) that the Superbowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers, though located in Pennsylvania, are not much appreciated in Philly.

Cheesesteak baby!

My favorite stop of the day was at Independence Hall (the building pictured on the back of a $100 bill), where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated, shaped, and signed/ratified. Those who signed the Declaration of Independence essentially were signing their own death warrants if the revolution against the British failed. I appreciated being reminded about the significant debates regarding how to shape the fledgling U.S. government -- how to provide a government that sought to prevent a "tyranny of the majority" and to create checks and balances through the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. I don't think I had ever realized how independent the various states originally were (more like a confederation of sovereign nations) and how vigorously the tension between federal powers and state powers was debated. I found myself admiring the thought and the give and take that went into creating the founding documents of the United States.

Look Familiar? Philadelphia's Independence Hall

East Coast Trip (Part 1) -- Washington DC

2009-07-15T13:12:00.001-07:00

During the past two weeks, our family enjoyed the trip of a lifetime, fulfilling one of our dreams of taking our girls (and myself!) to see some of the major sites of the historically and culturally rich East Coast. (I have not been able to post because we have had five people vying for time on the laptop along with inconsistent internet access.) We were able to visit parts of nine states (and we barely missed Delaware and Rhode Island), covering some 6000 miles by plane, 800 miles by car, and many more by DC metro, MTA New York City Subway, and the Boston "T."

Our East Coast Itinerary

We returned home yesterday (July 14), and I am sifting through 1563 pictures and countless memories, wondering how to "sum up" this rich, educational, and fun trip. I think my best strategy will be to do it in sections. In this post, I will focus on our five days in the Washington, D.C. area. If you'd care to see a lot more pictures, please check out Jenna and Jessica's posts on Facebook.

While in the DC area, we were royally hosted by Carrie's long-time family friend, Paul Gibson and his wife Melanie. They were a wonderful resource to us in figuring out how to get around and what to see. We enjoyed their three adorable children and even got to run together by a wooded riverside in beautiful Virginia.

The Smithsonian Museum:
* Air and Space Museum -- was especially taken by the systematic and creative persistence of the Wright brothers in achieving the first successful flight (and how these two very different brothers successfully worked together by playing to their strengths).

* Museum of Natural History -- of course we loved all the animal and fish exhibits; but I was surprised by how fascinating the minerals and gems section was; it struck me that God not only created great and diverse animal and plant kingdoms but also that God made the various elements of the universe to combine in some practically useful and spectacularly beautiful ways. I’ll never say “it’s just a rock” again!

* Museum of American History -- enjoyed the Abraham Lincoln exhibit and the display of the U.S. flag that inspired Francis Scott Key’s “Star Spangled Banner.” Was also drawn into an interactive exhibit for kids on the creative process and various approaches to stimulating creativity.

Capitol tour, Supreme Court, Library of Congress
These are most impressive edifices, with gorgeous architecture and a grand scale, and with reminders everywhere of the great leaders who have shaped U.S. history. I can easily see how working in such a space could be intoxicating to the ego and be a serious temptation to pride. But I was also able to see how this grand experiment we call the U.S., with her two houses and three branches of government, was built on careful thought and reflection as well as through vigorous debate and give and take.

The Capitol Building

Mount Vernon
I gained a new appreciation for George Washington during this visit, as it seems he was a man who genuinely enjoyed (and perhaps would have preferred) the simpler life of running and farming his estate and yet who responded twice to the call of service and duty, first to be the general of the revolutionary forces and then to be the first president of the United States.

At Mount Vernon

National Mall monuments (Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson), the White House, and the War Memorials
We visited these sites on the 4th of July, and I was particularly struck by many of the words at the Abraham Lincoln memorial.

From Lincoln’s 2nd Inauguration (1865, toward the end of the Civil War):
(said of the North and the South) “Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully.”

“With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

We ran into some friends at the National Mall in DC on the 4th of July

Summer Reading

2009-06-28T20:00:00.000-07:00

I have been enjoying my reading: this week I finished “The Shack” by Paul Young and “The Lost History of Christianity” by Philip Jenkins. I have also been regularly reading the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and Pauls’ defense of his ministry (2 Corinthians 2-6) -- such rich and significant portions of the New Testament. I have now completed my memorization of Colossians 3:1-17 and have enjoyed that process of deeply saturating my mind and heart with that great text.

You've probably heard about The Shack, a work of Christian fiction. It tells the story of Mack, a man who experiences a terrible loss in his life and then wrestles to come to terms with God and his faith. The heart of the book (without giving too much away) presents a highly imaginative and creative encounter between Mack and God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Through a series of conversations and experiences, he grapples to make sense of his tragic loss. This book challenged some of my perceptions of God in some healthy ways -- it probably overplays the personal, individualistic aspect of our relationship with God but it also provides a good corrective to perceptions of God as remote and uninvolved with the creation.

A favorite quote (God speaking of his creation to Mack):
Mack: You do great work!
God: Thank you, Mack, and you've seen so little. For now most of what exists in the universe will be seen and enjoyed only by me, like special canvasses in the back of an artist's studio, but one day..."

I like to think I've seen some beautiful places on planet earth. But the above quote reminded me that earth is an absolutely miniscule portion of God's universe -- think of the incredible vistas and places we've never seen that God has prepared!

***

Philip Jenkins' historical work The Lost History of Christianity is subtitled "The Thousand-Year Golden Age of the Church in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia -- and How It Died." It challenges the West-centered view of church history that presumes that the significant and interesting things that have gone on in Christianity originated only in Europe. Jenkins describes how for at least 1000 years (in some places longer), Christianity had thriving churches and Christian centers of education and culture in Africa and Asia. The stereotypical view that the expansion of Islam quickly wiped out Christianity in the Middle East, North Africa and further east does not accord with the facts. Muslims and Christians coexisted in many places for centuries with some occasional outbursts of persecution. In fact, the influence of Eastern forms of Christianity upon Islam would have been quite apparent for hundreds of years, particularly to those familiar with the Syrian Church.

At the heart of Jenkin's thesis is the following: The particular shape of Christianity with which we are familiar is a radical departure from what was for well over a millennium the historical norm: another, earlier global Christianity once existed. For most of its history, Christianity was a tricontinental religion, with powerful religion, with powerful representation in Europe, Africa, and Asia, and this was true into the fourteenth century. Christianity became predominantly European not because this continent had any obvious affinity for that faith, but by default: Europe was the continent where it was not destroyed. Matters could easily have developed very differently.

Last Week in June

2009-06-28T17:46:00.000-07:00

After having been gone for essentially a month, my family and I have truly enjoyed being together this past week (although Jenna didn’t get back from San Felipe until Thursday night). Carrie and I have spent some good chunks of time researching and finalizing plans for our upcoming trip to the East Coast -- we are very excited about the time we will spend in Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York and Boston. We will visit historic and cultural sites, see old friends, and share in some memorable family adventures.

I have also enjoyed some quality time with my girls, whether in swimming together, going for bike-rides, hosting cousins for a sleepover, practicing volleyball, watching some movies (Jessica and I are enjoying our annual trip to Middle Earth with the Lord of the Rings trilogy), and enjoying meals together on the patio (the weather has been perfect this past week, especially during the mornings and evenings). I also continue to run several days each week (James Stephens and I did a 12 miler on Saturday) and am trying to figure out what my next race will be (perhaps a marathon or half-marathon in late fall).

Cousin Swim Party

This Sunday morning, I visited two churches: South Bay Calvary Chapel in Gardena and RockHarbor Church in Costa Mesa. A few observations:
* I lowered the average age at Calvary and raised it at RockHarbor.  * With shorts and a Hawaiian shirt I felt underdressed at Calvary (lots of coats and ties) and about right at RockHarbor.
* Calvary had a wonderful diversity of ages and races; RockHarbor was predominantly young and white.
* Both churches made effective use of audiovisual technologies.
* Both churches made appeals for volunteers for a wide variety of ministries; I was especially impressed with the missional efforts in India, Mexico, and area childrens’ homes in which RockHarbor was heavily invested.
* Both churches are gearing up for VBS and both advertised a variety of activities for middle school and high school students.
* The worship at both services was led by a praise band -- there were moments during both services in which I connected with the lyrics but I deeply connected with RockHarbor’s emphasis upon confession and dependence on God.
* Women did not have a meaningful speaking role at either service -- I’m not sure if this was typical or exceptional.
* Calvary’s preacher used the King James Bible and RockHarbor’s the NIV. Both preachers based their sermons on a variety of scriptures.
* Nether church offered the Lord’s Supper for the entire congregation though RockHarbor made it available at the close of service; both took up an offering (duh!).
* I ran into four people I knew at RockHarbor, including Tadd Wooton’s brother Troy and his family (I performed their wedding 8 years ago).  * Both churches are large: Calvary has about 10,000 members and RockHarbor 5,000. Though different in makeup and personality, both are obviously having a sizeable impact in their communities and beyond.

South Bay Calvary Chapel

Fun Reunion: Troy and Shannon Wooton, Hudson and Finley

P.S. While I was in Orange County, I had to return to my favorite Mexican food hole-in-the-wall, Taco Mesa. Yum!!!

Taco Mesa: Home of the best blackened chicken tacos on the planet

Spirituality Class -- Favorite Quotes

2009-06-24T16:35:00.000-07:00

My “Ministry of Spirituality” class with Dallas Willard and Keith Matthews is now complete. Our family is now making plans for our East Coast trip.

A number of your reported that you enjoyed the favorite class quotes section. Here is a final section of favorite quotes from class or class readings:

Poverty and Wealth
* Beware of presenting God as stingy, shabby, mean or small; God is not poor.
* God would rather let you have money that let crooks have it; but be sure that money doesn’t make you crooked.
* One of the worst ways to help the poor is by being poor.
* The problem of wealth is not about possessions or their use but about the amount of trust we place in our possessions and wealth.

  Desire
* Sin is a radical addiction to my self-sufficiency.
* The answer to lust is love, the treasuring of human beings.
* Temptation does not leap on you unawares; there is always a lead-up.
* You cannot deal with desire by trying to satisfy it; desire is not self-limiting.
* Human desire is not holy; just because you desire something does not mean that it’s right.  

Anger
* Everything I can accomplish with anger I can do better without it; if you approach others with anger, you will get anger back.
* In the moment, all anger feels like righteous anger.
* Revolutions routinely fail because when people get caught up in anger, they often beget even more anger through violence or injustice.

  Kingdom of God
* God doesn’t simply want us to not do wrong; God is interested in our involvement in his kingdom purposes.
* The divine conspiracy is God’s intent to overcome evil with good in history and to draw each of us out of our own little kingdoms into his great kingdom.

Scripture, Worship, Prayer
* We need to drink at the well of the greatness of God.
* The Bible provides the best information regarding the most important questions of life.
* Read the Bible with the assumption that you are already wrong about a lot of things.
* Our study should lead us to worship.
* How far from being lovers of God are those who rarely think of him.
* Worship is the single-most powerful force in the renovation of the soul.
* Prayer helps remove the habit of self-reliance.
* Facing the silence of God challenges us to love the giver and not merely the gifts.

Service, Confession, Submission
* Servanthood is not a leadership technique; it is leadership. It is not a path to greatness; it is greatness.
* Confession enables us to drop the burden of pretense.
* Submission frees us from the burden of having to have our own way.  

Use of Time
* If you have too much to do, who do you think gave you too much? OR If God kept your calendar, would he schedule every minute of the day?
* Hurry is a state of frantic effort one falls into in response to inadequacy, fear and guilt.
* Do not say, “I don’t have enough time;” say rather, “I have chosen to spend my time thusly.”
* True spirituality is honest about human limitations.
* It is more important to plans for your weeks, months and years than for your days. [Put in the big rocks first!]
* Work a modest day, then step back to rest. This will keep you close to God.
* What is your personal strategy for becoming Christlike over your lifetime?

Father's Day

2009-06-22T19:43:00.000-07:00

For the first time ever, I celebrated Father's Day without one of my girls (Jenna is on the San Felipe mission trip with the youth group). However, we had a nice lunch with the rest of our family and I enjoyed a favorite Sunday afternoon luxury: a nap!

For worship on Sunday morning, I visited Agoura Bible Fellowship. I enjoyed getting to learn about their youth group's summer mission trip and am amazed by the many creative ways young people use their gifts for the Lord.

With Two Out of Three on Father's Day

Class Pics

2009-06-18T21:50:00.001-07:00

My Spirituality of Ministry Class is almost over. It has been a great experience in so many ways. I'll try to provide a reflective summary during the next week. Until then, here are a few favorite images from the class.

Class Picture

A day in class

The Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center

This has been a great time for prayer, study and meditation

Our class enjoyed some great times of story-sharing and laughter

Our three teachers: Keith Matthews, Dallas Willard, and Jan Johnson

Michaela's Graduation

2009-06-17T21:53:00.000-07:00

Today, I took a brief recess from my "Spirituality of Ministry" class to celebrate Michaela's graduation from Brookside Elementary School. We both had bittersweet feelings about the end of our family's time at this wonderful school. I am so thankful for the many wonderful teachers our girls have had and for the ways in which their lives have been blessed by them beyond the lessons learned in the classroom.

As Dad, I can hardly believe that all our girls are now "youth group age," which means we're saying farewell to children's ministry (sniffle). I feel the same sort of gratitude for Penny White's leadership of this ministry area and for so many who have generously and graciously loved on our girls, teaching and modeling the Christian faith for them.

We're proud of our graduate!

Spirituality Class Update

2009-06-15T21:19:00.000-07:00

After six days of class, I am up to 29 pages (front and back) of class notes. This is in addition to some 170 pages of notes provided in our class binder. Suffice it to say, there's a lot I'm chewing on. Here is a grab-bag of some favorite quotes from class thus far; I've tried to sort them by topics.

On our human will
* Don't tell God "I can't" when what you really mean is "I won't."
* How can someone be responsible if they are not given space to do so? [a great insight into why God gives us free-will and how we can approach parenting]
* God will not, as a rule, compete for your attention. [which is why we typically have to get quiet in order to hear God]

On the Church
* Alchoholics Anonymous developed because churches weren't welcoming drunks.
* Does the gospel I preach produce disciples or religious consumers?
* The main problem with organized religion today is that it's distracted [focused on secondary things]
* There must be more to Christianity than "keep them coming" on Sundays.
* Legalism is a form of superstition. [Like, say, a lucky rabbit's foot that provides the illusion of control.]
* God gives us gifts in order to bless others, not in order to prove anything about us.

On the spiritual disciplines
* The spiritual disciplines are not righteousness but wisdom. [They don't make you right with God; they empower you to become the person God wants you to become.]
* Often we theologize ourselves out of prayer (perhaps in trying to protect God from "failure").
* Jesus took naps.
* In solitude, we learn that we are not alone.
* Listening is one of the greatest gifts we can give (and can often be the greatest witness to our faith).
* How easily do I buy into the assumption: "if you're not busy, you're not important."

One to grow on
* May you come to see that Jesus has faith in you.

Dallas and Jane Willard

A Great Weekend!

2009-06-15T08:09:00.001-07:00

This past weekend (June 13-15) was wonderful in many respects. It began at noon on Friday with a 24-hour silent retreat for my "Spirituality of Ministry" class. I spent my time reading and memorizing scripture; watching a long, lingering sunset as the lights of LA "came on" in the valley below; taking a long, meditative walk in the gorgeous gardens on the grounds; worshipping God in silent praise and adoration; and praying/journaling my thoughts and prayers to the Lord. That time was a wonderful time to get centered and I am grateful for all who made it possible (thank you)!

Saturday afternoon, I went home and enjoyed time with my family, including being in the car for the first time while Jenna drove! (She did a good job, though Michaela donned a bike helmet to needle her sister.)

Sunday was about as perfect of a day as I can remember:
* Got up early and went for a run; soaked in the first sunlight I've seen since coming back from Israel.
* Attended the Simi Valley Church of Christ for early service, then went to Cornerstone Community church for late service.
* Met my family and some friends for lunch at Sharkeys.
* Worked with Carrie to plan our upcoming trip to the East Coast.
* Went to my friend's home in El Segundo to watch the Lakers win the NBA Championship!
How can you beat that?!

With my friend Daniel Joliff at the Simi Church

Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley

With Mark Manassee and Scott Lambert Following the Great Laker Victory!

Ministry Class Update

2009-06-11T21:56:00.001-07:00

It has been an excellent week in the "Spirituality of Ministry" class that I'm taking through Fuller Seminary. There are about 25 students from four countries, 13 states and about 18 denominations present. Several of them are on sabbatical as I am. Our class sessions typically go from 8:30 to noon, 1 p.m. to 3:30, and 7 - 9 p.m. This evening, Christian author Jan Johnson came and talked about scripture meditation and led us through an exercise in Ignatian prayer -- very rich and meaningful!

Jan Johnson (center) and some fellow students

We are sharing breakfast, lunch and dinner at the retreat center each day and are enjoying many conversations, not to mention some great meals! Our class camaraderie is growing each day; tonight (Thursday), several of us who went to catch the Laker game and some dinner.

Did I mention the Lakers won?

I think I forgot to mention that the class is taking place at the Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center in Sierra Madre. The center is located at the very base of the San Gabriel Mountains and is literally the last property before the mountain wilderness area begins. The center has several beautiful gardens, a lovely chapel, and is adjacent to a variety of trail heads that lead into the mountains (yes, I have enjoyed running on them!)

The Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center (from the mountain trail)

Self Portrait above the Retreat Center (It was quite a jog to get to this view)

My Attempt at an Artsy Picture

Spirituality of Ministry Class

2009-06-09T21:42:00.000-07:00

On Sunday night, I began my next big sabbatical adventure: a two week class at Fuller Seminary called the "Spirituality of Ministry." The class is taught by Dallas Willard and Keith Matthews; there are about 25 doctor of ministry students in the class. I'm enjoying taking the class as a auditor! I have met at least four others who are also taking this class during a sabbatical season in their ministries.

Dallas Willard is a philosophy professor at USC and a long-time author on Christian Spirituality themes. My favorite of his books is "The Divine Conspiracy," which is his study of the Sermon on the Mount. Some of our in-class assignments include:
* Getting 10 hours of sleep for the first 3 nights
* Read Matthew 5-7 & 2 Corinthians 2-6 daily
* Memorize Colossians 3:1-17

Some favorite quotes so far:
* "The saint burns more grace than the sinner." [We all live by God's grace and are utterly dependent upon it]
* "Thank God you don't have to be right about everything."
* "People will forget everything you say but they will remember who you are."
* "What passes for fellowship in many churches is actually carefully calibrated distance."
* "Grace receives people."
* "If you want to get to heaven, go now! Why wait?" [God's kingdom reign is presently available to all, though there are some rival kingdoms still about vying for power.]
* "The gospel is about life, not just sin."
* "The kingdom Jesus brought is one that does not rest on the ability to kill but the ability to give life."

With professor Dallas Willard

With members of the class

The Weekend

2009-06-09T21:20:00.001-07:00

I enjoyed being "home" this weekend. I got to take Jessica to a volleyball tournament.

Our volleyball player...

... and her team!

I also paid a visit on Sunday to the Hilltop Church of Christ in El Segundo where two life-long friends serve as ministers.

With Jon Reed and Scott Lambert

Final Day in Israel

2009-06-05T10:43:00.000-07:00

We got up early Tuesday morning for a fast and furious final day of sightseeing, beginning with a boatride from Tiberias to Capernaum. I enjoyed my views of the western shores of Galilee as well as the thought that my Lord and his earliest disciples had traveled these waters and viewed these same shores. At Capernaum, we visited a later Synagogue that is believed to be built upon the 1st century synagogue in which Jesus ministered during his Galilean ministry (Mark 1:21 ff., 3:1). At the local museum, we also saw a simple fishing boat found in recent years which is believed to date to the first century; some call this "The Jesus Boat" and while I doubt it was the actual boat Jesus went on, it gives us a very good idea of what those boats would have looked like. We also paid a brief visit to what's left of the Jordan River, a quarter mile stretch that is released from the Sea of Galilee and is maintained for the sake of tourists.

The Synagogue In Capernaum

At the Jordan River (such as it is)

We continued our trip with a stop at Tel Megiddo, an ancient city at the western end of the Jezreel valley which commanded the great road connecting Egypt in the South with Syria in the North and Mesopotamia in the East. This strategic site was the scene of countless battles in biblical and world history. The city itself shows archaeological evidence of having been destroyed and rebuilt about 27 times over a period of 3600 years! No wonder the book of Revelation envisions this location as the site of the last great battle of the world: Armageddon (which comes from the Hebrew "Har Megiddo"). Due to its strategic location, Megiddo was one of King Solomon's chariot cities and also for King Ahab (husband of the infamous Jezabel). I couldn't help but wonder how much of our human history is really the story of Megiddo: build and destroy, rebuild and destroy, rebuild and destroy (sadly, this pattern can also be true for churches); I found myself thinking, "This is such a waste and a shame; there has to be a better way!"

A commanding view from Megido: It still sits along an important trade route

Our final stop of the day was on the Mediterranean Coast, at the most impressive ancient city of Caesarea Philippi (not to be confused, as I often do, with Caeserea in Northern Israel). The city was initially built by Herod the Great in tribute to Caesar. During the time of Jesus, the city boasted a 4,000 seat theater, a huge hippodrome (horse track) that could accomodate 12,000 spectators, a luxurious public bathhouse (complete with hot, medium and cold water baths), a lavish temple dedicated to Rome and Caesar Augustus, a high level aqueduct bringing in water from 12 miles away, and an impressive man-made port. It is difficult not to be impressed by these ancient Roman building projects that utilized engineering and aesthetics in such remarkable ways! This is the city of which we read in Acts 21:8-9 where Philip the evangelist lived along with his four daughters who prophesied; this is also the location at which Paul made his defense to Governor Festus and King Agrippa and appealed to be sent to Caesar (Acts 25-26). Here Festus gave the famous response: "You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you will go!"

The Aqueduct at Caesarea Philippi

Part of the Hippodrome at Caesarea

In Northern Israel

2009-06-05T09:55:00.000-07:00

On Monday, Evertt and I drove to the northernmost regions of Israel; from there we were able to see parts of the bordering nations of Lebanon and Syria. We visited the Tel Dan Nature Reserve, site of a 5,000 year old city (originally called Laish), which the Hebrew tribe of Dan captured during the conquest/settlement period of Israel (Judges 18:27-39). This is also the location at which King Jereboam tried to create a rival location to Jerusalem for the worship of Yahweh, God of Israel, during the divided kingdom (which grew out of the high taxes levied by Rehoboam, son of Solomon). Jereboam put up a golden calf in Dan and created a place to offer sacrifices to it (see I Kings 12:28-30; 2 Kings 10:29).

The location where Jereboam's altar sat

We also drove to Banias, which was also called the Hermon Stream Nature Reserve. During the time of Christ, this ancient city was renamed Caesarea Phillipi. Mark 8:27 ff. records that this was the location at which Jesus famously asked his disciples "Who do people say that I am?... But who do you say I am?" It was a city with temples dedicated both to pagan and Roman emperor worship, a place in which Jesus' question to his disciples takes on special meaning.

Temple of Pan and Pan's Cave

Holding up a keystone arch at the Palace of Agrippa II

This site (Banias) is one that John Wilson and teams of Pepperdine students helped excavate during the 1990s.

We also traveled to the highest and northern-most part of Israel, Mount Hermon, where we rode a ski lift up to an elevation of over 6000 feet and caught some great views looking southward toward Israel.

On our way down Mount Hermon

Sunday in Nazareth

2009-06-05T09:19:00.000-07:00

Part of the blessing of my trip to Greece/Israel was being able to make connections with the local Christians. While in Israel, my travel guide Evertt Huffard introduced me to the congregation he served as a missionary during the late 1970s and which he continues to visit and encourage each year. They are a delightful group of Arabic believers; in fact, most of the Christians in the Galilee region are of Arabic descent, which ran counter to my expectations (which just goes to show my ignorance). They are prayerfully considering going through an elder selection process, which they have never done in their 60 year history.

In addition to attending several worship services, we were invited to some wonderful meals in the homes of various believers. I'll mention one meal in particular: following worship on Sunday, we were invited to the village of El Laboun (where there is a Church of Christ school that has been in operation for 40+ years). There, the Zeneih family hosted three other families and us to what I could only characterize as a full-blown feast: I counted at least fifteen unique dishes in addition to several types of grilled meats, with kinaffe (what else?!) for dessert. I was blown away by this gesture of welcome and hospitality!

A Feast in the Village of El Laboun! How many unique dishes can you identify?

Nazareth Church Preacher Maurice Jadon, his wife Inam and daughter Natalie

At the Nazareth Church

At the Nazareth Church

Around the Sea of Galilee

2009-06-04T23:15:00.000-07:00

During my final two days in Israel, we stayed in Tiberias, a resort town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. I enjoyed being close the the area of so much of Jesus' ministry. As I looked at various rock cliffs, I couldn't help but think that Jesus gazed upon these same cliffs during his time on earth. A few favorite memories from around the Sea of Galilee...

Sunset Over Galilee

The hill commonly seen as the location of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.

At Capernaum, primary hub of Jesus' ministry

On an early morning boat-ride traveling from Tiberias to Capernaum

The mountain believed to be the location of Jesus' transfiguration

Father Knows Best!

2009-06-04T20:32:00.000-07:00

When I asked my Dad what he'd would look for if he went back to Israel, he said to be sure to get some kinaffe, an Arabic dessert that combines the soft, salty taste of cheese with the sweet, crunchy taste of this syrupy concoction that is topped with what looks like shredded wheat.

I tried kinaffe three or four times, in two differing forms, and was not disappointed. My favorite came from Nazareth. So the age-old question, "Can anything good come from Nazareth," now officially has two correct answers.

Other favorite meals/foods inlcluded:
* Soulvaki/gyro (Greece)
* Felafel and Shwarma sandwiches (Israel)
* Several amazing dinners at the homes of one Greek and two Arabic families -- you simply cannot beat Mediterranean hospitality!!!

This One's For Dad! (Kinaffe)

Home Again!

2009-06-04T19:52:00.000-07:00

I arrived home safely yesterday (Wednesday morning). Suffice it to say that the girls and I were very happy to see each other again! I'm very grateful for the opportunity I had to travel to Greece and Israel and for all that I was able to experience and learn there.

I will soon add a few posts about my last several days in Israel. Thanks for your prayers!

A Quick Post from the Sea of Galilee

2009-06-01T11:15:00.000-07:00

Warning to all visual learners: I'm again on a computer at which I can't upload pictures.

Sunday was a wonderful day. I worshipped with the Nazareth Church of Christ in the morning and guest preached for a small village church (more like a gathering of believers) a half hour away from Nazareth. We are now staying outside of Tiberias, on the coast of Galilee.

On Monday, we got up early and headed north to Dan and Banias/Caeserea Phillipi, in the North of Israel. It was fun thinking about some of my friends from Conejo who participated in the archaeological dig at Banias. We also went to the top of mount Hermon. We tried to get into Gus Halav, Hazor and Capernaum but they were closed. I enjoyed a walk along the Sea of Galilee this evening.

Tomorrow is my last day in Israel. Your prayers for a safe flight home are coveted. Thank you to so many of you who have been encouraging Carrie as her Mom faces cancer -- it means so much to me to know you are caring for her in my absence!

Jesus' Other Home Town

2009-05-30T11:51:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, Evertt and I got up early to visit the excavation at Sephoris (Zippori), a ancient city less than five miles from Nazareth that was a community in which Joseph may have done carpentry-work and which Jesus probably would have visited in his younger days. It boasted an impressive reservoir aqueduct and some of the best mosaics in Israel (including one they call the "Mona Lisa of Zippori" which is composed of 1.5 million tiny stones in 23 colors -- a picture will not do it justice!).

One of the main roads in town is pictured below -- it was called the Decumanus. It is very possible that Jesus would have walked on this very road during his lifetime.

W.W.J.D? Where Would Jesus Walk?

We also paid a visit to an archaeological site called Yoda Fat (no Dwayne H., I'm not kidding!). It was a small town in the hills of Galilee that the Romans besieged during the Jewish rebellion in AD 66 and following. The famous Jewish historian Josephus was a general there and once the Romans broke through and killed the people of this city, he surrendered to Vespatian (who soon became emperor of Rome) and went on to write an important history of the Jewish people.

A herd of goats atop Yoda Fat

Saturday afternoon, Evertt and I went and visited a few families from the church in Nazareth. We saw Maurice and Inam Jadon (the local preacher) and his son and daughter-in-law Awney and Sahar. Maurice shared about some of the hardships he has faced as an Arab Christian in Israel. We also visited with Suhiel and Mayada Shlayan, and their sons Wassim and Basil. We were received with incredible Arabic hospitality at both venues (can you say food!) and I truly enjoyed getting to know these brothers and sisters in Christ. This is an experience that no tour group could ever have provided.

The Shlayan Family of Nazareth

Dead Sea and Jordan Valley

2009-05-30T04:25:00.001-07:00

Evertt Huffard and I got up early Friday morning to visit Masada, Qumran, the Dead Sea, Bet She'an, and Ma'ayan Harod, before staying the night in Nazareth. To learn more about these places, read on. If you're not interested, your work here is done my friend -- just skip down to the pictures.

As you probably know, the Dead Sea is the lowest spot on planet earth, 1300 feet below sea level. It's also very hot and very dry, not unlike Palm Springs. Our visit to Masada was both educational and impressive -- Masada was a palace/fortress built by Herod the Great that Jewish rebels took over in AD 70 and the Romans lay siege to for two years. It is perched on an rock high above the valley below. It was amazing to think about the trouble Herod took to build it and the trouble the Romans went to to quash the Jewish rebellion.

My intrepid leader and tour guide, Evertt Huffard

Rockin' that safari hat! Looking North from Masada

OK, here was a disappointing revelation: there is no more Jordan river! The water that flows from the sea of Galilee has been diverted by both Israel and Jordan for irrigation, drinking, etc. Sort of like what we've done to the Colorado River before it reaches Mexico.

Qumran is the site of a major manuscript find in 1947; those manuscripts were left there nearly 2000 years ago by a community of Jewish rigorists who pulled away from society to live in purity and holiness in anticipation of the Lord's righteous judgment upon the sons of darkness.

Here is one of the caves in which a Bedouin shepherd found the first group of scrolls.

We visited Bet She'an, a well preserved Roman city complete with bath-house and theatre, just a stone's throw away from where King Saul met his cruel demise. Our final stop was at Ma'ayan Harod, the creek at which Gideon instructed his troops to stoop down and drink, and God told him to reduce their number from 10,000 to 300 (Judges 7-9).

Ma'ayan Harod (a.k.a. Gideon's Creek)

Jerusalem -- Day Three

2009-05-30T03:49:00.000-07:00

In Israel, one must plan around the Sabbath as virtually everything closes on Friday afternoon, at least in much of Jerusalem. Of this I had been sufficiently forewarned. However, a corollary to this advice is that many places close a day early when there is a major Jewish holiday, such as, say, Shavuot (Feast of Weeks, a.k.a Pentecost). Which was this past Thursday!

So I began the day by learning that the Yad Vashem (Holocaust museum) would be closed. Throughout the day I ran into other closed sites such as the Dome of the Rock and the Ramparts walk. However, there were still plenty of places to visit.

I enjoyed my visit to the Garden Tomb, an alternative site for the death and resurrection of Jesus that looks more like what we Protestants would expect -- a tomb carved out of a rock that you can enter, as well as a more peaceful and beautiful garden setting. Even though I don't think this location has as much going for it as the "downtown" site of Jesus' resurrection, it did allow me to envision what such a place may have looked like before it was paved over with cathedrals. See below.

You've got to love my hat!

I also visited the Jerusalem Archaeological Park and Temple Mount excavations, where I got to wander around just below the Temple Mount where the Temple of Israel once stood. A favorite moment was getting to walk along the ramparts of a short part of the Jerusalem wall and imagining what it may have been like to be a soldier on patrol looking down through the turrets to the valley below.

I also visited the Tower of David, a museum that provided a great overview of the history of Jerusalem. From the roof, I got my best view of the old city of Jerusalem.

Of course, my day would not have been complete without getting lost (for my third day straight) in the Bazaar that winds its way through Jerusalem's narrow streets. I finally had to tip a boy to show me the way to the Damascus gate.

For three straight days, I have also visited the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. It is the traditional site of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection located in the old Jerusalem city that is now covered over by what I can only call a cathedral complex -- a hodge-podge of buildings that are shared/divided by the Greek Orthodox, Catholic, Coptic (Egyptian), Syrian Orthodox, Armenian and Ethiopian Churches. During my visits, I have been pondering the death and resurrection of our Lord, the power of those events for humankind and for me, and the tragedy of the divided Church throughout history. I have enjoyed exploring the various segments of this vast edifice as well as sitting in various parts of the cathedral (inside and out), taking in the art, and watching the pilgrims who have traveled from all over the world to be here.

On my third visit, I witnessed a beautiful and poignant work of art created by God himself:

Light From Above

Shalom from Israel

2009-05-27T00:20:00.000-07:00

First the bad news. The hotel lobby computer I'm renting access on won't allow me to uplink pictures to the blog. :( I promise I won't write a thousand words to try to make up for the lack of pictures. Also, this computer has no spell checker (so reader beware!).

Now for the good news: my visit to Israel is going great! Evertt Huffard, who is the dean of Harding Graduate School and a former teacher, met me at the Tel Aviv airport Monday morning (following a flight from 2:20 to 4:30 a.m. -- ugh!) and we drove to Jerusalem, where I'll be through Thursday. Evertt grew up in Israel, spent time in Israel as a missionary, is fluent in Arabic, and has led about 25 tour groups over here. Needless to say, I'm in good hands!!

Our Jerusalem hotel is an easy walk from the old walled portion of the city of Jerusalem (nearest the Damascus gate, for those of you who know). I am loving, absolutely loving walking through the various sections of the old city, through the narrow streets lined with merchants selling everything from music to clothing to souveneirs. Just the sights, sounds and smells are worth the price of admission: the spice shops and the cooking of meats; the Arabic music and the periodic calls to prayer going out from the mosques; the pealing of the church bells; the jostle of people of countless nationalities working bargains or following the Via Dolorosa; priests, nuns, monks, rabbis and imams walking around in all their garb and headgear; the Arab women with their headresses; the Hassidic men with their beards, curly locks, black clothing, and wide-brimmed hats.

I can't begin to describe the feeling you get as you ponder how much history is packed into this ancient city, of civilizations that have come and gone, of world religions clammoring over the same holy soil, of buildings and ruins representing bygone eras, of churches and temples and walls commemorating various moments in the life of Jesus and other religious events. One thought keeps haunting me as I take this all in: NOTHING IS FOREVER! At least, nothing that we humans build -- no building, no civilization, no empire.

Here are a few highlights so far (each of which deserves it's own section with commentary): walking through Hezekiah's tunnel, the Western Wall excavations tour (or Rabbi's tunnel), hiking around the Mount of Olives and through the Garden of Gethsemane, visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (traditional burial/resurrection site of Jesus), taking in the panoramic view of the city of Jerusalem from across the Kirdon Valley (and remembering Jesus' lament for the city "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem..."), seeing the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed (unfortunately, the Israel Museum is under rennovation), seeing the magnificent outdoor scale model of first century Jerusalem, visiting the pool of Bethesda, and visiting Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity (traditional birthplace of Jesus). I have been touched by beautiful art and architecture in a number of these sites. And I have been saddened by the constant reminders of the conflicts that are present in this region of the world.

OK, I promised to keep it under 1000 words but I must be pushing that limit. Shalom for now.

Sunday in Athens

2009-05-24T06:47:00.000-07:00

What a pleasure and privilege it was to worship with the Downtown Church of Christ in Athens and to guest preach for them.

I saw several long-time family friends, including the man in the following picture. His name is Manoli Berbesabas. In 1973, he was a 20-year-old young man when my father baptized him into Christ. He is pictured here with his daughter Sophie and son Basiles, who is considering the call to ministry. Perhaps you can imagine my feelings to meet this man in whose spiritual journey my father played a part, who 35 years later introduces me to his children who are walking with the Lord. Friends, this is "Where Amazing Happens!"

Manoli, Sophie, and Basiles

Preaching with Alexander Melirrytou Translating

Ancient Wonders

2009-05-23T12:35:00.000-07:00

When I was a boy growing up in Athens, our family took so many visiting Americans to the Acropolis that on more than one occasion I exclaimed, "Aw Mom, do I have to go to the acropolis again!" (Never mind that it is one of the seven ancient wonders of the world!)

Today (Saturday, May 23), I voluntarily visited the Acropolis and Mars Hill and enjoyed every minute of it. My host, Alexander Melirrytou, went with me and shared many interesting historical and cultural insights.

I also enjoyed getting to have dinner with Kostas Koutsoumbas and his family; Kostas is a dear friend from my childhood time in Greece.

Standing on Mars Hill where Paul delivered his famous speech to the Athenian philosophers (Acts 17).

In front of the Parthenon

With my friend Kostas and his son Panayotis

It's All Greek to Me

2009-05-22T04:40:00.000-07:00

By God's grace I have landed safely in Greece and have been warmly welcomed by Alexander and Eleni Melirrytou, who serve the downtown Church of Christ in Athens.

Today (Friday, May 22) I am spending time in my old neighborhood in the suburb of Glyfada with the Melirrytous and trying to push through jetlag. I am looking forward to dinner tonight with my old friend and brother in Christ, Kostas Koutsoumabas.

Coffee With Alexander and Eleni

In front of one of my favorite childhood beaches, "Varkiza"

In front of Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, where our public school occasionally took us for worship services (Greece has no separation of church and state)

Helping with dishes after a delicious lunch of Greek salad, tyropita (cheese pie), jajiki sauce, mini-pitas and prosciutto -- YUM!!

Summary of Week 1

2009-05-18T12:10:00.000-07:00

Hi friends,

I’ve just competed the first week of my ministerial leave. It has been a good week.

I’ve divided up some of the highlights into categories:

Reading/Reflections
Completed the following books:
Christian Spirituality: A Historical Sketch, by George Lane
Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, by Richard Foster
The Life of Anthony, by Athanasius

Began reading the following:
The Laws of Simplicity, by John Maeda
The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius, by Ignatius Loyola
Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The Wisdom of the Desert, Thomas Merton
Creative Ministry, by Henri Nouwen

Out of my reading, here are several insights I’ve been reflecting on.
1) From Christian Spirituality: A Historical Sketch. During much of the first 1500 years of the church, the contemplative life (prayer, withdrawal from society, self-denial, penance, avoidance of sin, meditation upon Scripture, personal sanctification, mystical union with God) was seen as the highest expression of spiritual devotion to Christ. It wasn’t really until the Renaissance, first with the Franciscans and Dominicans, and later with Ignatius and the Society of Jesus, that a greater emphasis was placed upon combining the contemplative life with going into the world and doing good. The idea that one could experience union with God by going out into the world and laboring among people seemed new (though I believe one can find it in Scripture).   While I see the value of the contemplative approach to spirituality, I find myself drawn to an action-oriented spirituality that is ready to serve the kingdom of God. Active engagement with the world that is nourished by intentional withdrawal from the world seems to be a healthy balance for living spiritually.

2) From The Life of Anthony. This is an inspirational account of the life of one of the first Christians who withdrew from the world and went to live in the dessert; it tells of his many great deeds of faith, self-denial, and how even by withdrawing, he was a blessing to many who came out to the desert to seek his wisdom. While I drew much inspiration from this good man’s unflinching devotion to Christ, I could not relate to the absolutely flawless portrayal of Anthony’s life (he comes off sounding better than the gospel portrayal of Jesus). Still, there is much lasting Christian wisdom in this telling of the life of Anthony.

3) From Celebration of Discipline. I have read Foster’s famous book before and yet was struck by two things this time around: a) how simple and obvious much of this book on the classic spiritual disciplines appears; b) how rich and suggestive it still remains as a very readable and highly practical introduction to twelve of the spiritual disciplines. As I read Foster, I found myself thinking, “I’ve heard this; I know this; but I simply must incorporate more of this into my life routines and disciplines.”
As I read the chapters of submission and service, I was struck by the fact that I am very proud and am easily hurt when I don’t feel like I receive the respect I “deserve.” It was a moment of insight that helped me find release from a wound I’ve been nursing for about 13 years.

Family -- It’s interesting how much more emotionally available I feel toward my family; in other words, I have more energy to give to them at the end of the day:

Worship
Visited Calvary Community Church for worship on Sunday; enjoyed hearing their new pastor and bumping into some old friends

Personal
Got in three runs this week
Was invited to go to game 7 of the Lakers playoff against the Houston Rockets! Loved it!

Farewell For Now

2009-05-06T15:42:00.000-07:00

I learned this past week that my ministerial leave has become a source of consternation for at least one of our younger members at the Conejo Church. This youngster recently peppered his mom with questions about my “sabatnical”:
• He's leaving? Why?
• But doesn't he rest every night like I do?
• Are you sure he will come back?
• Who will take care of his office?
• Will he take his computer with him?
• Wouldn't it be easier to read in his office where his books are?
• I just don't get it!

Good questions all. This initial series of four articles, writing in anticipation of this ministerial leave, seek to articulate why I’m leaving for these months and what I plan on doing. My "sabatnical" officially begins Monday, May 11 and continues through Monday, August 24.

The word that keeps coming to my mind as I think about this season of ministerial leave is “gift.” You, the Conejo Valley Church of Christ are granting me a very generous gift of time, financial support, and encouragement that I might pursue spiritual renewal, personal growth, and ministerial enrichment. My prayer is that you also will see this time as a gift for our Church: a season to hear fresh voices from the pulpit, an opportunity for you to experience the blessing of using your gifts to serve in a greater way, and a chance for the Conejo Valley Church to reflect upon its history and calling in God’s ongoing mission to our ever-changing world.

Thank you for this wonderful gift. I do not take it for granted. Please pray that we all may share the benefits of this season. Know that I will bear you up in my prayers. And rest assured that I am looking forward to returning to the Conejo Church this fall to re-engage in ministry with renewed faith, energy, and creativity.

Midlife Evaluation and Renewal

2009-05-06T14:16:00.001-07:00

[The following is a reflection piece I wrote in early 2009 concerning this summer's ministerial leave.]

I recently celebrated my 45th birthday. I’m officially half way to ninety! At the same time, I have passed the 21 year mark of serving full-time as a minister in the local church. Assuming I retire from full-time work at the age of 65 (which in this economy is looking increasingly dubious), then I am about half way through my career.

Because of these milestones in my life, it strikes me as providential that I am gearing up for a time of ministerial leave this summer. This sabbatical will be a period of several months in which I will be away from my ministerial duties and weekly commitments with time to become a student again, to refresh my spiritual calling, to reflect more deeply, to pray more intensely, to travel and read more widely, to seek out mentors, and to think afresh.

But my ministerial leave is only half the story. This year will mark the 36th year in which the Conejo Valley Church of Christ has been in existence. While I’m not sure this means that the church is in “middle age,” my perception is that we are past the early stages of congregational life in which a church struggles to establish its identity. At 36 years of age, I believe our congregation is at the stage in which we need to push back against the temptation to maintain, to coast, or to rest on our laurels. I believe that this is a most appropriate season for us as a congregation to become students again, to refresh our congregational calling, to reflect more deeply, to pray more intensely, to seek out appropriate models, and to look ahead to our next chapter of ministry together.

I am taken with the idea that we can go through this season of reflection and preparation together, carefully listening to one another and our community as we discern God’s calling afresh. There is something exciting about looking back on where we’ve been and prayerfully looking ahead to where God may lead us. There is something powerful about intentionally asking how we need to grow and change in order to more faithfully bear witness to our Lord and serve our community. I am especially energized by considering fresh and creative ways in which we may use our gifts to be the blessing of Christ to our community and our world.

Please continue to be in prayer in anticipation of this upcoming sabbatical. Please pray for God to guide my preparations so that I might utilize this gift of time well. Pray for our congregation that we may be energized by the additional opportunities for leadership and service during this season. Pray for all of us as we look ahead and ask, “What is God up to in our community and how can we better be part of it?”

A Time to Keep Silence and a Time to Speak

2009-05-06T14:13:00.000-07:00

[I wrote the following reflection piece in May of 2008, in anticipation of this summer's ministerial leave.]

In 2003-2004, the elders of the Conejo Church established a ministerial leave policy for the ministers of our congregation. Full-time ministers who have been employed for seven years are entitled to a ministerial leave of three months.

I am very grateful for this policy as I plan for my upcoming ministerial leave during the summer of 2009. That summer will mark my twenty-first year in full-time ministry, my eighteenth as a preacher, my eighth as the minister of the Conejo Valley Church. At 45 years of age, I will be primed for a season of reflection, self-evaluation, and revisioning in preparation for the second half of my ministry career. After 36 years in existence, the time will also be right for the Conejo Valley Church to reflect upon its history, its gifts, and its calling in God’s ongoing mission in our changing community and the larger world.

Some questions that would be profitable for both Conejo and me to reflect upon during this ministerial leave include: What fresh and energizing goals do we need to embrace at this point in our ministries? What ministry skills and competencies should we extend and hone? Who do we need to spend time with in order to learn how to better fulfill the mandate of our callings? How do my goals and vision mesh with the goals and vision of the Conejo Church?

The beneficiaries of this ministerial leave are both the minister and the congregation. The minister receives the gift of a season away from the daily tasks of ministry with time for spiritual growth, reflection, travel, and renewal. The congregation receives the gift of a change-up in the provision of preaching, teaching, and ministry leadership. Members of the congregation also receive the opportunity to fulfill roles normally assigned to the full-time minister, thereby stimulating their own spiritual growth.

One of the greatest challenges of preaching as I experience it is having to open my mouth and declare something each week that is faithful to scripture, practically relevant, and potentially life-changing. Ecclesiastes 3:7 says that there is a “a time to keep silence and a time to speak.” After many years of speaking, a ministerial leave will provide a season to keep silence, listen, and be still before the Lord. I invite you to pray for and participate in this ministerial leave process as it takes shape during the next twelve months.

Preparing for Ministerial Leave

2009-04-29T16:18:00.000-07:00

For over two years, I have been praying, preparing, and planning for my upcoming ministerial leave. This season of personal and congregational renewal will officially extend from Monday, May 11 through Sunday, August 23.

This February, during my Conejo 2020 sermon series, I talked about the parallels between my life as a mid-career minister and the Conejo Church of Christ’s “middle-age” as a church pushing forty. I suggested how this sabbatical season of reflection, enrichment, travel, continuing education, prayer, mentoring, and reading parallels the Conejo Church’s opportunities this summer to hear fresh voices, consider new perspectives, pray about the next decade of ministry, and reflect on the opportunities that lie ahead for us. I believe that this change-up in routine will be invigorating and beneficial for all of us.

I wanted to share with you my general plans for the ministerial leave.

May

June

July

August

In addition to the above “big-ticket” plans, I also plan to pursue the following enriching activities: visit a wide variety of Los Angeles area churches on weekends; read from a wide variety of books recommended by trusted friends and mentors; pursue an intentional series of interviews with 5-10 older ministers who have done well in ministry over the long-haul; share in a memorable overnight trip with each of my girls individually; enjoy various running opportunities as they arise.

I am grateful for the kind support and valuable input which our elders and staff have given throughout this planning process. I am grateful for the encouraging comments many of you have shared with me as well. I invite you to be praying for what God will do in me this summer as I pray for what God will do in all of you. May we all continue to enliven one another to love and good deeds for the sake of God’s Kingdom.