Gilroy and Santa Cruz

I just got bck from an overnight business trip to Gilroy and Santa Cruz. I stayed last night at my mom's house. We went to see 'Frost/Nixon', which was just an amazing movie. Frank Langella should be a shoo-in for Best Actor at next year's Oscar's. Watching vit also makes me want to back and watch some of the original interviews with David Frost and Richard Nixon. After the movie Mom and I went back to her house, made crab cakes for dinner, drank Martinis and wtched Jeopardy.

Christmas is over

Here it is Dec 29. Christmas was pretty wonderful this year. We had some great family time with my family and then we traveled down to Southern California to see CHrista's paretns on the 26th (at 5 AM). I flew back yesterday because I had to work but Christa and the kids are stayng down there until Friday or so.

So I've got a few days to myself. Take down all the Christmas stuff, clean the house...relax and read. I miss my family but someties it's good to have a few days.

Holiday Greetings

HAPPY SOLSTICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You pagans happy now??????

Devils Lake

After all my ranting nd raving about this pastoral search and wondering what is going on, I get an email out of the blue from a church in Devils Lake, North Dakota, which is interested in talking to me about their Pastor of Discpleship position. Not exactly an ideal location, right???

I'm going to respond to them and talk to them, but I'm not putting anything else on hold for this. We're still going to start looking to move come January. Who knows if anything will happen with this church, and besides, what about the location? I'm tired of trying to figure out what God is doing

Post-Mammoth reflections

I've recevied a lot of suypportive emails since I posted yesterday about Mammoth and also sent an email out to a bunch of friends. My friend Matt had some interesting questions which I would like to vreflect on.

He asked me first about planting my own church. I've never thought of myself as a church planter. Being an evangerlist is not in my pastoral DNA as much as it is in some others. So I can't really seeing this happen in an intentional way. But there is always the chance that something like this could happen with God working on it and I being unaware of it. I think that vwith a little spiritual elbow grease George and I could have turned out Bible study in the late 90's into a church.

I donj't have a certain church size in mind. The Mammoth church was about 75 or so. There are probably a lot of smaller churches that are looking for pastors but there is always the issue (even though it should not be a reason to go into ministry) of whrther a church that size would bre able to pay enought for out family to live decently in the surrounding community.

I think perhaps that God might have something out there that I'm not contemplating (it ain't Orthodox, though...give it up ). I don't know what that might be. We're going to see what happens in the next couple of months as we begin to make preparations to rent out this house and maybe buy a bigger one elsewhere.

Mammoth Lakes update

Mammoth Christian Fellowship in Mammoth Lakes isn't going to work out. They send me an email telling me I wasn't their guy. They wanted someone with more Senior Pastor experience (they knew I had none going in) and they also wanted someone with extensive youth ministry experience (this never was mentioned at all before this).

So. Now what? We've been at this for 18 months now. I've gotern really close on some things but nothing has panned out. I'm tired of this search. Christa is even more than I. So I think that our pastoral search may come to a halt in the near future and we'll buy a bigger ouse around here and I'll stay at the bank.

There's still a couple of resumes out there (Cole Community Church in Boise, Parkview EV Free in Iowa and Central Peninsula in Foster City) but I'm really discouraged right now and all my optimism is leaking away.

How do you end something that you have worked towards for the last 10 years??

Fire station Christmas

Tonight we went to the Rodeo Fire Station because they were having a Christmas openn house and the rumor said that Santa might be there. The father of one of Caleb's classmates is a fireman there nad that's how we heard about it.

Regan spent seemingly the entire time climbing around in the fire truck and wanting to be on the back of it. Santa did come, of course.

Regna had a rather interesting interaction with St. Nick. She handed him a juice box with a straw so that he would put the straw in it and give it back to her. When Santa was good enough to do this, Regan ran over to the snack table, took a little muffin and gave it to Santa.

A little Russian history

Regan is in the midst of getting a new nickname from me. It seems right now that her favorite word is 'No'. It shold usually come with an eclamatio point at the end. Everything is "No, no, no".

So her new nickname is Gromyko.

Google it, people...look it up.

It's finally Christmas

Today it officially became Christmas season for me. I heard "Grandma Got Run Over by A Reindeer" for the first time this year.

Men's group tonight

We had a small group for my small group tonight. 2 men weren't here because there was an appreciation dinner at church for those who help with set-up and another man screwed up his knee aqt the gym. So the 4 remaining ones gathered to study Johsua 4, that great story where Israel sets up a rock memorial to what God had done in allowing them to cross the Jordan River.



We had a great discussion about how to remember what God has done in our lives and we old stories about what God has done. We also shared Communion together and read Psalm 77:11-20.



A good night

Our plan for Christmas

This year we're going to be spending Christmas with my family and with Christa's family. We'll spenhd Christmas Eve with my family and Christmas day also. We'll go to Christmas dinner in Walnut Creek. But we'll leave early from there and drive to Southern California to be with Christa's family. We'll have Christmas with them, complete with Christmas dinner and presents on the 26th.

I"m flying back by myself on the 28th to go to work. Christa and the kids are going to vstay down there for a frew more days and then drive back.

They will probably be down there over New Year's so I am looking for something to do on New Year's Eve. maybe I'll have a small dinner party here. Maybe I'll call Matt and see if he wants to do something.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

My favorite CHristmas program vwas on tonight...but too late for Caleb to watch on a school night. I've loved 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' for a whole lot of years now. The bet part of it is when Charlie Brown is still trying to figure out the meaning of Christmas after being caught i the busyness and commercialism. Linus says that he can explain Christmas. He takes the stage and darkens the lights. He then proceeds to recite Luke 2, tht famous scene with the shpherds when the angelical choir comers to announce the birth of Christ.

2 things that I plan to do with this...the first is to read the Luke passage to Caleb and Regan on Christmas Eve. The second is to begin having 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' party every year...starting next year, of course

Another place that I sent my resume

Perninsula Bible Church has another sister church just up the road on the peninsula. It's called Central Peninsula Church. When first moved up to the Bay Area in 1993 I went there a few times. Whenever PBC has it's annual men's retreat, all the pastors go and teh one who usually fills the pulpit that Sunday is Mark Mitchell, who is the Senior Pastor at Central APeninsula Church.

They are looking for a Community Life Pastor, one to do small groups, assimilation and men's ministry. I sent them my reusme today so we'll see what happens.

Thursday dinner

Tomorrow night 2 men from the search committee at Mammoth Lakes are coming to dinner. One the men is going to be Sacramento for business. The other is coming all the way from Mammoth just for dinner...it's about 6 hours there in the winter.

I'm going to grill tri tip with my special spice rub, roast some potatoes with fresh herbs and sit fry aspragus with seame oil and garlic.

Christmas songs that I can't stand

KOIT has begun playing all Christmas music all the time. Which is pleasant at times. But there are 3 songs in their music rotation which I absolutely cannot tolerate. Even a bar or measure from these songs is enough to make my head spin. Here they are:

Paul McCartney doing "Wonderful Christmas Time". Just an insipid piece of flotsam. Lyricallyand musically it sounds like it was made by a 10 year old with his first keyboard.

WHAM doing "Last Christmas". First of all, this song has virtually nothing to do with Christmas. It's about a couple breaking up and they happen to do it over Christmas. WHAM should never be played on the radio in any way shape or form.

Jose Feliciano doing "Feliz Navidad". Just downright irritating. He keeps saying that he wants to wish us a Merry Christmas but he never actually does it.

Back from Mexico

Yesterday we got back from our Thanksgiving Mexican vacation. We had taken a cruise to the Mexican Riviera with my mom, my brother and his family as well.

The kids had a fabulous time on the ship. There was a kids club for Caleb and that's where he wanted to be almost all the time. They had parties there and he got to hang out a lot with kids his own age. To be part of the club you had to be at least 3 years old...which left Regan out. So Regan spent most of the cruise being adorable and making friends with just about anyone. She would just walk down the hall, wave her hand and say, "Hi" to everyone.

Regan also turned into little Miss Attitude in a picture we were able to get of her. She's standing in a red dress with her arms crossed, head slightly down with a 'you want a piece of this' look. A lot of people on the ship said she was starting to look like Shirley Temple.

We spent a lot of time on the beach in both Cabo and Puerta Vallarta. While playng in the ocean in Cabo, Caleb said it was the best day of his whole life. 2 days later he said the same thing in Puerta Vallarta.

The food was pretty good as well...as it should be on a cruise. They didnt have escargot, which Caleb was looking forward to trying. He did get to try Duck a L"Orange, which he didn't care for. He loved Lobster Bisque. He tried a lot of different things and he liked more of them than he disliked. His 2 cousins who were with us (Charles and Sophia) weren't quite as adventuresome in their meals.

Moving ahead with Mammoth

Things are moving forward with Mammoth Christian Fellowship. Last night I talked to Rick Johnson, the head of their search committee. I have my interview with them on Dec 12. But Rick is also going to be in the area on Dec 4 and he wants to get together. We're going to have him over for dinner. It's not really ann interview but rather a chance just to get to know one another a little bit.

They're also pretty much done with the reference calls. Everyone I talked to who had spoken with Mammoth was impressed with their organization and thinks it might be a good church for us.

Stay tuned

Broken nose...maybe

I almost broke vmy bnose last night. I still might have because it's pretty tender up at the bridge.

Caleb and I were playing. He grabbed my shirt and pulled me towards him and I did a face plant right into his bunk bed at full speed. Heard a crunch sound. It hurt like a mother. Thenh blood startted to pour out. I've never had this much blood come out of me at any one time. I probably lost 1/2 cup of blood over 5 minutes or so before it frianlly calmed down and stopped. I put ice on it for an hour or so and I was dizzy and a bit disoriented for another hour after that or so.

Caleb felt really bad.. He kept asking if I was going to be all right. he thought it was his fault. He kept looking like he was going to cry. But he was back to normal this morning.

Late note...this just in...Caleb had an eye doctor appointment today and needs glasses.

2 churches down...maybe

2 of the churches on my list may be done. Union Predsbyterian sent me an email asking me if I were already ordaqined because that was a basic requirement for them. No, I am not at this present time. Why didn't they ask me earlier?

River Hills in Janesville Wisconsin may be putting their search on hold. They have a GM plant in the area that recently closed wreaking economic havoc in the area.

Mammoth is still going strong. We'll see what plays out there

It's weekend time

Now is time for the weekend. Christa is off taking Casey Cox home and she's going to do a little shopping after for the cruise.

I've got a new bottle of Bombay Sapphire to break into and I'm going to make a late dinner for us after the kids go to bed.

I'm making veal with rosemary, sliced tomatoes with balsamic dressing and Feta and cheese bread. The cheese I am using is an English cheddar with carmelized onions.

Heaven

Praying for wisdom...and getting it

In regards to the neverending pastoral search I've recently begun praying for wisdom in the midst of it...not just that God would land us in a place. How to do about the search? How to know if a particular church is good for us...that sort of wisdom.

But the wisdom that God is giving me comes from an unexpected source. The wisdom is tracking with the book of Joshua which I am studying and leading my men in.

In Joshua 3, the nation is at the rivers' edge, ready to cross into Canaan. But the Jordan at flood stage and the only way that Israel can cross over is if God does a miracle, a wonder. So with me. I am standing at the river's edge ready to cross over. I've sent our resumes, interviewed, etc. But I can't get a pastoral position until God does a work.

In Joshua 4, after Israel has crossed over, 12 men, one from each tribe each get a large stone and set up a memorial to what had happened. I too have my own memorial of how God called me into ministry...it's there and I can look back and be confident in where I am.

Then in Joshua 6 israel goes in and takes Jericho...but in an unusual way. They march around the city once for 6 days, then 7 times on the 7th day, give a shout and the walls fall. It is according to God's timing, not mine and according to God's method as well.

God's tracking with me through Israel's history

Morning prayer time

On the steering wheel of my car is a list of things I pray for every morning as I go to work.

The list is as follows...

Christa
Caleb
Regan
My job as Westamerica
Pastoral job search
That God would be honored by what I do today
That I would face the challenges and events of the day with a Godly perspective.
That I would see God at work in my life or in the lives of others
That I would be sensitive to God's leading me throughout the day.

Salinas/Monterey trip

I've got a little catching up to do...

Last week I did an overnight business trip down to Salinas and Monterey. I usually hate these but this was a necessary evil. A nunch of car dealers down there that I had not seen nor talked to. It turned out to be a bountiful trip. I've already got dealer agreements back from 3 stores down there and may have as manmy as another half dozen or so.

I sepnt the night in Monterey at a little hotel that had an indoor swimming pool/jacuzzi (which I took advantage of) and a breakfast bar.

I was going to go to Little Louie's Linguine House for dinner but I walked in there and waited about 5 minutes and no one ever showed up to seat me. So out I went and ended up at Bubba Gump's...which was really pretty good. I had shrimp scampi over linguine. There was a lemon taste to the butter sauce which was amazing. The next time I make scampi I'll need to throw some lemon juice in for effect.

By THursday early afternoon I was working my way back home because I had to be at a parent-teacher conference for Caleb. End of the first quarter and he's doing pretty well in school

Some people need to keep their mouth shut

This morning on KCBS they were interviewing Debra Bowen, who is the California Secretary of State. o you would think she knows what she is talking abou when it comes to elections.

Voter turnout is supposed to be the highest since 1976. THey asked Ms Bowen why this is. First she said that it was right about the time when the votring age was lowered to 18. Fair enough. Not a bad answer. Then she went on to say that there was a war on and they had the draft.

EXCUSE ME???? In 1976??? The draft had been over for a couple of years, combat troops had been coming out of Vietnam since 1973 and we completely fled the country in the middle of 1975. But this genius of a Secretary of State is on record as saying that we had the draft and were still at war at the end of 1976.

Mammoth Christian Fellowship

This church in the Eastern Sierras is one of the 5 places I've been looking at. Mammoth Lakes is one of the mot beautiful places on earth with tons of backpacking, hiking and other adventures available.

When they began looking for a pastor they received over 80 resumes. THey have narrowed it all the way down to 3...and I'm one of them. Exciting times to even think about living in Mammoth.

THis church has been around about a year and a half and has abot 80 people attending regularly. This pastoral position is the first permanent one they have had. So there is thev opportunity to shape and grow the church almost from scratch.

Right now tey are calling references and then we are oing to have loooong phone interview. Then we'll see what happens.

My costume for Halloween

We had a big party at the chruch last night which we called 'Trunk or Treat". People decorate the back of their cars and open the trunks. Kids trick-or-treat from car to car. It works out really well and was a lot of fun.

Christa designed an alien for the back of our Pathfinder but it ended up looking more like a turtle...so we called it the Alien Turtle.

When Christa was working at the church putting all this together, she found an Elvis costume in the church attic. So guess how I was dressed for Halloween.

I thought briefly about wearing the costume and going around quoting lines from the famous comedy routine "Who's on First?". Then I could say I was Elvis Costello.

Getting ready for men's group

Tonight my big project is getting all the material together for my new men's group, which starts tomorrow night. I've got 7 men (including myself) committed to the group and I'm very much looking forward to the character that develops in this group.

But the binders with the study materials are the issue tonight. I've got 7 binders to put together with 18 weeks worth of info for each. I dropped over $100 at Kinko's today making all the copies. Fortunately the guys know that there's a $20 charge for materials in this group. But I'm hole-punching like crazy getting all of this stuff together.

Standing ar the river's edge

In Joshua 3 ,Israel is standing at the vedge of the Jordan River at flood stage wondering how God was going to get them across.

THe same thing is true in my search for a full-time pastoral position. I know God has called me to it. I have followed Hm faithfully. He has b rought me to the river's edge and we are ready to cross over into this life that God has called us to. But we are still on this side of the river. How will we get across?

It is up to the work of God. Only He can lead across. I can send out as many resumes as I want to, do as many interviews as possible...but only God can make it happen. Our faith is in Him, that He will provide the church for us, whether it will be in Illinois, Wyoming, Wisconsin, Idaho or Mammoth Lakes.

Christa picked up a new family

Christa is now oly workingat the Cox's one day a week. So she has picked up a second family. Christa will also be doing day care for Luke Davis from 2:45-6 pm 3 days a week to help with income. Luke is on Caleb's soccer team and also knows him from church, so this should work out well. This should be about $300 a month or so

Chicken with mushrooms

This is a heckuva recipe

Take 4 chix breasts, dust them with flour, salt and pepper and saute them in butter for about 5 minutes per side and then remove them.

Add a couple of chopped shallots, about 3 minced garlic cloves and some dried mushrooms that have been reconstituted for about 3 minutes. Add 1 cup of Madeira for another 3 minutes or so. Add 1 cup of whipping cream, 1 cup of creme fraiche, the juice from one lemon and some salt and pepper for about 10 minutes. Pour it over the chicken and bake at 375 for about 12 minutes.

An image for ministry

Sometimes I think that ministry is nothing mre than creating conditions that allow God to work.

I've been studying the book of Joshua recetnly in preparation for my upcoming men's group. I find myself obesssed, maybe even somewhat haunted by an image in Joshua 3.

This is the scene in which, to an extent, Joshua becomes the leader in the eyes of the Israelites. What God did through Moses in parting the Red Sea He now does through Joshua in stopping up the Jordan River at flood stage. But before Israel can cross over the river into Canaan, the priests, who are carrying the Ark of the Covenant, must walk into the Jordan River. Then and only then will God stop up the water. The priests must stand in the middle of the river, holding the Ark while all Israel crosses by them.

It is not the priests who stop up the river. Only God can do that. But it is the faith and the work of the priests which allows God to do His work. If the priests do not go into the water, the Jordan will not stop flowing. It was not enough just to get to the edge...they must actually go in.

So here's this image of the priests standing on the riverbed, hjolding the Ark while perhaps a millin people scamper by. As pastors we do very much the same thing. We counsel, preach, teach, do outreach, evangelize and many other things. But for any change to happen in a person, for there to be any crossing over at all...God must do the work. When I think about doing pastoral work, I picture myself as one of those priests, obediently stepping in the water and not being 100% sure what will happen. But trusting that the Ark that I am carryng...the God I am following...will be at work.

Mystery solved...sort of

I think we've figured out what happened with my father's ashes. First of all, whoever my mom saw in the office at Skylawn gave her the wrong map. So she went to the wrong location. We'll verify that when I'm there next week.

Second, the place where his ashes actually are...there's a couple of other Millers there with nameplates which simply say' Miller'. I probably looked at one of those, assuming it was my father.

But they did screwup on the nameplate they were supposed to order. Tey never did. And now they are doing it for free and it should be there in a few weeks.

a major screwup

My fathers passed away just about a year ago (Nov 1). He was cremated and his ashes to be interred at Skylawn Cemetary on Hwy 92. We went to put the ashes there ourselves. We had ordered a plaque and a vase to be put there.

I visted about 6 months ago...maybe March or so. I didn't tell anyone. I didn't feel I needed to. I got direction from the office, went up there and sat for a few minutes. The plaque was there.

This last weekend my brother was in town. He and my mom went up there. No ashes. No plaque. In his spot was a nameplate for someone who died in 2000. They have no idea where the ashes are and say they never ordered a nameplate.

I feel this is just the beginning. My mom is understandibly outraged...as am I and my brother. They can't find where they moved him

Review of men's retreat

We had a gret time this last weekend on the men's retreat. The fellowship and worship were sweet and the teaching was good. One of the reasons that I enjoy Gary Deaver's teaching is that, while not often spoectacular, is always steady and right on the mark. One of our sessions was spent on developing relationships as men. He said that every man should have 3 primary male relationships...some who can mentor you...someone who can come alongside and encourage us and one who we can mentor. This last one reminds me of something John MacArthur said once to someone who wanted to mentor others but felt he didn't know enough. MacArthur said to find someone who knows less than you do and teach him what you know. Pretty simple.

We also had a great hike on Saturday afternoon up at Armstrong Redwoods State Park. It was a very up-and-down hike but the scenery was well worth the effort. Our actual mileage was probaby a bit over 4 miles but effort-wise it was 6-7 miles.

This was probably my last retreat at Bay Hills as I can virtually guarantee that we will not be here next year at this time.

Men's retreat

We've got our annual men's retreat at Bay Hills this weekend. We're going up to Alliance Redwoods which is between Occidental and Guerneville on the Russian River. Gary Deaver, one of the elders at church is speaking on "Habits of a Godly Man". Steve Shofner, who is one of the musicians at church is leading the worship.

We've got about 20 men coming including some newcomers and some men from church who really need a weekend like this.

Life unfolds

One church that I thought would fall off of my list is back on. This is Emmanuel Free Methodist in ALton, Il. They liked buyt were on tehy erge of hiring someone else. Well, that someone else has not called back or ogtten in touch with the church to accept the position. I talked to Mark Scandrett at the church today and he's convinced the gu won't happen but want' to hear ity from him first. THhen they will interview me and we'll take it from there.

TJ Goff, our worship pastor and a good friend of mine is leaving in 3 weeks to help plant a church in South Carolina.

It looks like I'm going to be financially laid off at Bay Hills...they're 50K in the red for the year. But 'll still be on staff...just not get paid.

Caleb's new phrase (which he picked up from SpongeBob) is "Oh barnacles!"

Columbus Day activities

I love working for a bank because I get Columbus Day (European Invader's Day for those of you in Berkeley) and Veteran's Day (again, American Aggression Day in Berkeley).

Regan and I went hiking this orning up at Wilcat Canyon in the Berkeley Hills. I can still fit her in the baby backpack, she loves it in there and I have no proberlm carrying it either. I'm used to carrying 50 lbs at 7ooo feet in altitude. Here it's only 30 lbs but this backpack squirms and pulls my hair.

On our hike we saw cows, which Regan loved. There was a fenced-off section which you could still hike through and there were about 10 cows grazing. We walked down the trail and through the cows. After we went bck down the trail later, Regan started back up the hill by herself saying 'cow, cow'.

Christa keeps telling me that she needs to get out more and tis would be a perfect place for her to go with Regan in the morning while Caleb is in school. It's about 20 minutes away from our house and a lot of the trail is paved or very easy dirt. Regan could easily go in the stroller. Christa would like this area. You can even hike all the way through to the Tilden Park Nature Area, but it's over 4 miles one way. I may do that one day.

Caleb excelling at soccer

Caleb is becoming a very good soccer player. Last week he scored his first goal of the year and today he scored 2 1/2 goals. A 1/2 goal occurs when 2 players kick the ball at the same time and it goes in!

I'm impressed with how much he has improved since the first week of the season hen he was more tentative and backed off of the ball. There are 2 players on the team who are head-and-shoulders better than everyone else, but after that Caleb is about the best. He's getting better and better every week

Business very slow but bank secure

Forbes magazine has said that Westamerica Bank is one of the 3 safest in the country. Comforting to hear in times like these. But things are rough business-wise. I've had several dealerships close in the last 3 months, including my best dealer. Colma Buick in Daly City sent me 15 loan contracts in September and then closed the door on Oct 1. Evidently those 15 loans wee about every car they sold.

I'm not concerned about my job, though. By all accounts Westamerica needs their auto department. It's the only part of the bnak where they can turn on the sales volumne or turn it off on a weekly basis, based on interest rates. That doesn't work with deposits, commercial or real estate loans. If we were to lower our interest rate 1/2 point, business would come flooding in. At the same time if we raised it 1/2 point, it would dry up. This in integral to what Westamerica does and we're not going anywhere.

Wyoming

I got an email from the church in Wyoming. They want 2 more sermons, which I am sending them and they will start calling references in the first part of November.

I have no idea where all of this will end up

Mammoth Christian Fellowship

I talked to one of the elders from Mammoth Christian Fellowship about their Senior Pastor position. I'm one of 12 men that they are looking at. I need to get 2 sermons in the mail to them along with references, a statement of faith and a philosophy of ministyr.

Mammoth Lakes is an absolutely gorgeous place to live

One church down

There is one church that is off my list. Kingsburg Evangelical Free Church emailed me today to tell me that they have hired their interim pastor permanently. They had just gotten in touch with me last week and I had just sent 2 sermons to them this morning. They were'nt one of my top tier churches.

You'll never believe who's in Caleb class at school

When I was picking up Caleb from school today, there was a man picking p his son and he looked strangely familiar to me. So I went home and asked Christa if there were any kids in his class with the last name of McGee. Turns out there is. You know who's son sits right next to Caleb at school?????? WILLIE MCGEE! 1985 Most Valuable Player in the National League. 4-time National League All-star. Right field for the San Francisco Giants from 1991-1994.

Green wackos

I was listening to KPFA today. THey've got a real nutjob on called The visionary Activist. I had to wait until the vend ofr teh program vto find ut if it was a man or woman! it's a woman, by the way...sort of.

She said that we can't drill in Alaska for oil because it would destory the planet by opening up disease vectors. What???????????????????????????

Be strong and courageous Part 1

In Joshua chapter 1 the phrase 'Be strong and courageous' is stated 3 times. Each time it is mentioned a reason follows for why Joshua needs to be strong and courageous.

Johsua 1;6 says "Be strong and courageous for to this people you shall divide as an inhertiance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them." Not only is Joshua to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River into the Promised Land but one there he is to take the lead to divide up the land among the 12 tribes.

Having strength and courage is important for this task and acts as a good lesson for we pastors also. Dividing up the land entails getting involved with people, familes and friends. It involves stepping on people's toes and telling them 'no'. Joshua
's leadership is not to be merely from a distance but is to be involved with the nuts-and-bolts of the people God gave him to lead.

So we pastors need stregnth vand courage to deal with the people GOd has give us to shepherd. We need to get down in the trenches with them and minister to them where they are. We too need to 'divide the land', setting boundaries for what God's children are to do and what they are not to do.

After all, these people smell like sheep.

vichyssoise

This is good soup.

2 large leeks, while parts only sliced thinly
5 tbs butter
1 onion sliced thinly
1 lb potatoes, chopped
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp coriander
2 bay leafs
1 egg yolk
2/3 cup heavy cream
4 cups vegetable broth

Mel the butter and add the leeks and onions about 7 minutes. Then add the potatoes, broth, nutmrg, coriander, lemon juice and bay leaves to the pan for about half an hour. After taht, remove the bay leaves and puree the soup. Meanwhile mix the yolk in with the cream and add to the soup after it has been pureed. Chill the soup and serve with chives on top and some salt/pepper.

I'd call it Vichyssoise also instead of cold potato soup.

Moving forward

It was the Wisconsin church that called. THey talked to Dave for about 30 minutes and then asked for the name of someone else in the church to talk to...someone whose name I hadn't given them. Dave gave them TJ, our worship pastor.

The Mammoth Lakes church emailed me. I've made teh cut to the next round. Tey had over 50 resumes and they've knocked it down to 13...and I'm one of them. I'm going to talk to them later this week.

The EVFree church in Kingsburg emailed me and they want to know more about me. I need to send them 2 sermons.

References being checked

I've got a church checking references on me but I'm not sure which one. Dave Fasold, myupastor left a message this morning saying that the church from Wisconsin had called him, they talked for about 1/2 an hour and it went well.

However, it was Union Presbyterian Church in Powell Wyoming which told me they were going to call and check references. I've got something working with River Hills Community Church inj Janesville Wiswcosin as well.

So which church called?

I'll find out at church tomorrow.

At my mom's

Every six weeks or so I need to go see customers in both Gilroy and Santa Cruz. A bit too long for a day trip so I usually spend the night at my mom's in San Mateo to make the drive shorter.

Last night I cooked up some asparagus and then did veal cutlets also. Martinis and a good bottle of wine.

I think my mom really appreciates my coming over like that. It's a good time for us to hang out apart from any kids. and just talk. If and when we move for a pastoral position I want to be axble to come back here at least every other month...and myabe bring one of the kids...for a weekend visit. If we do move I also need to encourage my brother to come up and visit more often. I think the last time he came up was last Christmas. He needs to do this more often.

Caleb's prayer life

I am working on Caleb in regards to prayer. We pray every night before he goes to bed. Recently we'bve been picking one of his friends from schol hadn praying for him. Not praying in general but specifically. And Caleb is doing the praying.



Tonight Caleb told me he made a new friend at school named JJ that he wanted to pray for. He wanted to pray that JJ would be a good boy at scholl tomorrow. And he prayed for JJ.



One step at a time

Christa's new blog

Christa told me that she is thinking of starting a blog called 'livingwithhesed' and would comment on all the things I write about in my blog.

I think that blog might get boring in a hurry. it's tough to sustain a reader's interest with every blog entry just saying "He's right" over and over again.

kpfa part deux

On KPFA today they had interviews with 'election experts' about the 2004 election in Ohio. These morons actually said that there were voting machines that were designed to flip Kerry votes to Bush.

How about some evidence? Maybe a voting machine or two? Evidence? Oh, we don't need any. We're Democrats. We just accuse and that's enough

KPFA and Jesse Jackson

I like listening to KPFA every so often just to hear what the liberal nutjobs are talking about.

Today they had an interview with Jesse Jackson and he was ranting and raving about voter fraud in the 2000 and 2004 elections. Her was saying tht in 2000 Katherine Harris was taking names off of prison registers for Republican votes and that the Republicans stole the election. Of course there's not a shred of any evident anywhere to back up such an asinine claim, but that's what Democrats do. They accuse with no evidence at all.

The Jesse went on to say tht Republicans stole the 2004 election in Ohio. He was talking about long lines and then he said something just absolutely ridiculous. He said "it was raining and we had wet voters and dry voting machines and they stole the election" Huh?????

Evidently for Democrats it is only a legitimate election if they win. If the Republicans win they have evidenlty stolen the election somehow. I wonder how Jesse explains Ronald Regan rigging 49 states in 1984??

Church update

The floodgates have opened. The following is a list of cities where I have had contact with churches about pastoral positions. Some of these just happened in the last week.

Boise, ID

Alton, IL

Romulus, NY

Mammoth, CA

Middlesboro, VT

Powell, WY

Janesville, WI

Caleb's trip to the dentist

Caleb had his first 2 cavities filled today. As I recall, I didn't get my fist cavities until I was almost 15. I recall hearing, when I was a kid, that you get most of your cavities between the ages of 5 and 15. Being almost 15 I figured I had it made. But it was not to be...that's another story.

Caleb did well. We took him out of school for the day so he could 'recover' from it. According to Christa he hasn't been quite himself today but did great and will probably get a special treat (not candy!) for being such a good boy

Why has our life gotten so busy?

Christa and I realized tongiht tht life has gotten complex in the last few weeks.

Caleb is now in school 5 days a week from 8:30 to 2:45. He can't sleep in like he wants to and it's a bit of a battle to get him up and going in the morning. Plus the fact that he's more tired at night because of school.

Caleb also has soccer which has practice on Tuesday night which conflits with Christa's ladies Boot Camp at church...so we're juggling on Tuesday nights. Caleb's games are on Sturday motrning which also runs into a conflict with CHrista's boot camp. We're also considering putting him in AWANA on Sunday night.

Christa is also working s a nanny on Monday until about 6 pm and I've got Bible study on Thursday night.

Whatt happened to our lives?

Poem prayer

The following is by William Williams, a Welsh hymn-writer, and he has much to say about seeking God.


Speak, I pray Thee, gentle Jesus
Oh, how passing sweet Thy Words
Breathing o'er my troubled spirit
Peace which never earth affords
All the world's distracting voices
All enticing tones of ill
At Thine accents mild, melodious,
Are subdued and all is still

Tell me Thou art mine, O Saviour,
Grant me an assurance clear,
Banish all my dark misgivings,
Still my doubtings, calm my fear
Oh, my soul within me yearneth
Now to hear Thy voice divine
So shall grief be gone forever
ANd despair no more be mine

Overhyped

This past weekend we went awa to the mountains for the weekend. I'd found a place called "Bear River Lake" in one of my guidebooks and it looked like a great place to stay.

But the problem was, it was over advertised to the hilt.

Cabin= trailer

Beach= rocks and dirt

Playground= a squeaky swing set and a kids basketball hoop without net

This was a bluer collar redneck place if I've ever seen one. ATVs all over the place. Our neighbors (in the TRAILER next to us) were nice enough folks. We tlaked with them a bit and their kids, about age 8, played basketball with Caleb. But after that, it was Lynard Skynard everywhere and Budweiser cans all over the place.

The lake, though, was gorgeous. We took our raft and played in the lake for a long time and hiked down to the other side where the dam was.

We probably won't ever go there again. It;s not the gold standard, like Sorensens is.

Caleb's exposure at school

Today Caleb started calling me 'Baby Daddy'. After 2 or 3 times of this, Christa and I asked vhim where hhe had gotten this from. He said at school. AN older boy had started calling him 'baby' today.

Welcome to the world

Go Joe and Right Said Fred

There are pretty much only 3 Democrats I would ever vote for for anything above pool boy. They are Sam Nunn, Zell Miller and Joe Lieberman. Tonight, Al Gore's former VP was a turncoat to his own party as he fianlly saw the light and escaped from the darkness. Although I like most things about Joe Lieberman, I still can't figure out how an Orthodox Jew is not pro-life.

And Fred Thompson. Where was this man 8 months ago? Based on what I saw tonight I would have voted for him in a heartbeat. When he was in the primaries he ran a lackluster campaign and was often accused of being a lazy campaigner. pretty true label, based on everything I saw bck them. But he comes out tonight roaring like a lion.

I am proud to be a Republican.

Report from Wisconsin

I called the Wisconsin church today and got back a short email. Basically, they are still evaluating a few things and will get back to me, probably in the next couple of weeks.

So we wait a couple more weeks. Next week I will probably get a homeloan package from Westamerica Bank to at lest have it on hand.

Still waiting

As I write this, Chris Tomlin is singing "Uncreated One"...Great song.

We're still waiting on word from Wisconsin. This is driving me crazy. I"m going to call them tomorrow and check in.

I feel like we are ust hanging here waiting from word from God about where we will go. Many times in the last few weeks I've kind of thrown up my hands to God and said, "I need direction!! Let us know what way we are going. Please open or close some doors!" Still silence.

Caleb's first day of school

Caleb started kindergarten today. We made the decision ot put Caleb in a private kindergarten (el Sobratne Christian) within the last several weeks just because we felt that he would habve better interaction and get a better education there. Christa and Caleb went to Ohlone, which would have been his school in Hercules a few weeks ago and found graffiti there and broken-down playground equipment. That was about enough right there.

At the school today we probably saw a half dozen people from Bay Hills, inclduing Luke Davis who is a friend of Caleb's from church and will be in his class. He already made 2 new friends today, Will and David.

it also looks like I'll be able to take Caleb to school most days as it is kind of on teh way to freeway that I take to see a lot of my dealer clients.

Backpack trip review

I've been back from the Sierras for about a week now and I'm still having fantastic memories of the trip...for many reasons.

The first is that the group of guys was so good. We all knew each other from church and had at least some type of relationship with one another going in. Plus all 4 of us were experienced backpackers so I really didn't have to hold anyone's hand. We all pitched in and did whatever needed to be done around camp.

Second, I saw stuff on this trip I'd never seen on a trip before. The first thing was a woman, probably in her 20's, dressed completely in camoflage with green camop makeup on and a bow and arrow. She, her boyfriend and 2 other older men were going deer. hunting. I also saw moredeer on this trip than any other...probably about 10 inclduing one who came into camp in the night. Also a water snake. Not one of thoe skinny ones with a yellow or oragne strip but a bi one about the width of a garden hose, if not thicker.

The weather was also warmer than I'd ever, ever seen on a trip. I'd brought a pair of jeans, a sweatshirt and a long-skleeved shirt for warmth. None of them ever made it out of the pack. It was t-shirt and short pants even in the middle of the night!

I did have some new boots which were tough to break in, causng me to get blisters for the first time in many years. But they are gone now and the boots are properly broken in right now. The clothes are clean, the pack is put away but I'm ready for the next big adventure!

Caleb is concerned about my backpack trip

Caleb knows I'm going backpacking later this week and will be gone Fri, Sat, Sun and Mon nights. Caleb turned to Christa tonight and said, "That means we need to go to restaurants every night!"

Time to move may get more urgent

Someone tried to break int our neighbors house this afternoon. Middle of the day. Christa actually saw them and made a police report. There were three kids walking around the back of the house, looking a bit suspicious. Christa opened the window and then went out front and they ran off. later they came back and tried to break into our neighbor's house through their backyard. At home was a 13 yr old girl taking care of her 5-yr old brother.

The officer who was here says that this is still the safest place in the area. But we will be moving soon.

Caleb's soccer team

Caleb has signed up to be on a local soccer team and Im going to be the assistant coach. Can I say how excited I am about this?? Before I got married and had kids I alwasy said that I couldn't wait to be my son's sports coach. The guy who is the head coach is a friend from church and Caleb already knows 3 of the other boys on the team. The practices are Tues and Thurs, which will be interesting with our schedule considering I have my men's group on Thurs and Christa does her boot camp on Tues.

So this week I need to gt Caleb some cleats, socks, shinguards and his uniform.

Business still good

In an an environment where car sales are taking it in the shorts I'm starting to do pretty well. Last month I did 4.3 M and so far this month I'm trackng 4.5M. Dealers are still signing up and wanting to do business. This job could work out pretty well after all. It's been a shift being out seeing dealers all day as opposed to half in the field and half in the office like at Mechanics Bank but I'm adjusting pretty well.

Oh, I talked to a dealer today who knew my former boss at the credit union. He referred to her as "stupid, dumb and vindictive". That pretty well sums it up

Ephesians 1:4

"Just as He chose us in Him befoer the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Him in love".

One phrase which is very difficult to get around, no matter what your spiritual disposition is, is the phrase "He chose us". Whether Calvinist, Arminian or something else, how can you get around this? We did not choose God. He chose us. And not today, yesterday, last month or even when we were born. We were chosen by Him before the world was even created.

Why were we chosen? Simple. Not to be saved...not to be good people...but to be holy. Holy means that which is set apart for a specific use. God set us apart for His own use. We are to be holy and blameless. This is two sides of the same coin. To be holy indicates an inward dispositon. To be blameless indicates an outward appearance. So God chose us not only to holy inwaqrdly but also to lead such good lives that no one can question what we do or say.

Remember what we were chosen for. Lead your life this way

Where's Matt with his shotgun??

Christa called me at work this morning to tell me that there were 2 wild turkeys in our front yard. Caleb and Regan were going nuts over seeing them. Christa said they were a bit on the scrawny side and if we caught them we couild only get a couple of sandwiches each out of them.

Our time away

Christa and I got away Friday night for my birthday. We dropped Caleb nad Regan at my mom's house and went to San Francisco overnight. Got reservations at the Marriot and a sweet little moon-faced russain girl at the desk said "I get you good room". Sure enough we were on he 34th flor witha view towards downtown SF.

At the same time we were there a conventin was happening at the hotel. Harlequin Romance Writers of America. I kid you not. Hundreds of mostly dowdy-looking midde-aged wome hoping to be teh next Barbara Cartland. From seeing some of these women their only shot at romance was writing about it.

So we hung out in the city for the afternoon and evening. We got a beet and some nachos at a dive bar around the corner from the hotel )4th Street Bar and Deli) and then we went to Old Navy for bathing suits. We didn't know the hotel had a pool on the 5th floor. Christa needed a new suit to beign with and I found an obnoxiously loud one on closeout for $9,

For dinner we walked about 6 blocks to Perbacco. This place has been around for only a year or so and has already made it only the Chronicle's 100 best list. It was pretty serious restaurant row. Next to Pebacco was Tadich Grill and next to that was Aqua. I had some grilled halibut with a black garlic butter sauce that was amazing. Christa couldn't decide what to order to I ordered for her...ravioli with braised greens. She loved it. We got some coffee at Starbucks and cheesecake at CHeesecake Facotry and walked through Union Square. We ate cheesecake while watchng over the city from the 34th floor. We fell asleep and woke up at 8:30 (try doing that with 2 kids!)

We woke up and went to Mel's Diner for breakfast, packed up and went back to get the kids. Pretty good night out. My mom was concerned that we were staying at the Marriot becuase it was South of Market...historically not a good place. She thought we should take a cab to the restaurant because of all the homeless people on Market. We didn't really see any but there was a good protest. I don't know what it was about except that it was a group of people with both American and Israeli flags.

Sauteed swordfish

This works well with Halibut as well.

Top some swordfish steaks salt/ pepper and some shallots that are sliced thinly.

Butter the bottom of a saute pan (don't melt the butter...just spread it on the bottom. Place the fish on top of the butter and add 2 cups of wine to the pan.

Bring it to a boil and then reduce it to low and cook for about 8 minutes. Remove the fish.

Add any combination of parsley, thyme, garlic, basil, mushrooms or tomatoes to the pan and make a sauce with the wine butter that is left. Serve on top of fish.

Regan keeps us accountable

When we pray before our meals Regan has begun to get into the habit. When we tell her it is time to pray, she puts her hands together and gives a big smile.

Tonight we forgot to pray before the meal. 3 bites in, Regan puts her hands together, looks at me and gives me a smile. She knew we forgot to pray and we was telling us that we needed to do it before we went any further.

Scripture meditation

One things I have been a bit negligent on lately is any type of conscious Scripture meditation. Not prayer over or study of Scripture but rather just medtation. Thinking about what it says. turning it over and over in my mind. Letting it settle in the sediment and lay there.

Ephesians 1:3 says "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus CHrist who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." This was the verse for some meditation tonight. No great insights came from it...no 'Aha!' moments. Just repeating it over and over, getting it into my whole body. It's not a matter of always having to do something with Scripture but sometimes it is just getting it away from your eyes and your mind and getting ito the muscles, internal organs and al through the body for nourishment.

Backpack trip coming together

This backpack trip coming up in teh middle of August could be one of the hest I've done in years. The Northern California contingent is complete, with myself, Paulo Dietrich, Kim Mack and Jim Hankins. Kervin Bixby is coming with his 2 kids nad hopefully Mike Kazmark is coming as well. This week we'll talk food and how we are going to be in cooking groups for this trip.

The glories of Ephesians

I'm berginning what I believe will be about a year-long study of the letter to the Ephesians. At the beginning I am intrigued by something thatD. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said about Ephesians. His comment is that, at least the first 3 chapters of the letter represent salvation from a heavenly perspective. We are not looking up at God and figuring salvation from a human perspective but rather Paul puts us in the place of God, being able to look down from heaven and see all that salvation entails, from predestination to cleansing of sin to being sealed by the Holy Spirit.

It's been a long time since I've done any tyupe of study of Ephesians and I am ready to go golddigging for the next few months.

So what do you think about this?

Augugst 1 has been kind of our deadline for ministry, that if I didn't have anything really working with a church then that we would probably stop the search and move to Brentwood. I've been sending out a lot of resumes and gotten virtually no nibbles at all and was getting frsutrated...until today.

I got a letter and a questionnaire from an EVFree church in Janesvile Wisconsin. They found me in the EFCA database and are interested in me for their discipleship pastor position.

Never trust in circumstances but pay attention to them. Is this God at work?

Rule #1 about diapers

There is a new Rule #1 about diapers in the Miller household. never buy diuapers with Elmo on them. ELmo is Regan's favorite character and I though that she would like Elmo diapers.

Well, yes, but a little too much. She has been wandering around the house clutching an armful of her diapers (unused, fortunately). I had to put her box of diapers on Caleb's upper bunk so she can't get to them.

Caleb is sick

Caleb has been throwing up since last night, almost hourly. He's got sort of nasty stomach bug. Butv he's not the only one. Christa threw up once the other day. Regan also and she also had a bad fever for one night. But they are both back to normal now.

On the bright side, Caleb gets to watch a lot of tv today.

I hope he gets better really soon. It's tough on a daddy to see his little man sick like this.

What we wuld give up in moving to Brentwood

One of the joys of my life right now is going swimming with Caleb most afternoons when I get home from work. We take squirt guns, kickboards, goggles and just have a great romp in the pool. Sometimes Christa and Regan come too. Regan is learning to like the water and she is taking too it pretty well.

If we move to Brentwood, there goes the pool. Caleb nd I will have to find other activities to keep us busy in the late afternoon

Happy Sashimi

Christa and I had a date the other night and we vwent to a sushi place in Pinole that we had heard was pretty good. Before we went I decided to check any online reviews to make sure they didn't serve week-old unagi or anything like that. The reviews universally said that the sushi was good but the service was universally poor.

Well, it lived right up to the reviews. Of the three things we ordered (including a drink!) we had to send 2 back...once they eventually got to our table. I Ordered a beer. 5 minutes later it shows up...warm. The waitress couldn't even tell but I picked it up and knew immediately. We ordered 2 orders of unagi (bbq eel) and crazy horse, wich had salmon, tuna and hamachi. The unagi took 10 minutes to show up and was excellent. The crazy horse took another 15 minutes and they brought the wrong thing...another 10 minutes.

First and last time at Happy Sashimi

Theyr'e in Yosemite and I'm not

I was a little surprised when Christa told me that she and the kids were going to do a day trip to Yosemite today. That's a pretty long day. But they're off to go and will probably be home late. THey left to go to Brentwood to meet up with the CLiatt's. Regan and their daughter Jillian will stay behind with a babysitter. They may end up staying overnight in Brentwood, depending on how tired they feel.

Yosemite is all Caleb could talk about. The last time he was there he was about 2 1/2 and we were coming back from a trip to June Lake. We hit Yomseite Valley on the way back and walked to Lower Yomseite Falls. Caleb had such a great time playing in the creek and hiking around.

I love having my music on shuffle. You never know what will come on next. Right now is Steve Camp's "Where are the Heroes", one of my favoite songs.

Taking a bath in the American River

Tomorrow I'm leading a group of men from our church on a 1-day raft trip down the Middle Fork of the American River. We did this samde trip last year and it was an absolute blast. I hadn't been rafting in about 20 years and I couldn't wait to do it again.

When we did it last year ae 20 spots and we sold them out. This year we booked 24 spots and only have 9 men going. No refunds. $150 a pop. Our church is taking a bath on this one. I made phone calls, sent emails, begged, pleaded and tried to give trip away for $50 each...but no luck.

Caleb and Daddy at the movies

Caleb and I went to see WALL:E over last weekend. I think Caleb's favorite part of going to the movies is getting the candy before...he likes Jelly Bellys and I got red licorice.

A littelv while into the movie I'm beginning to think that it is left-wing diatribe by the tree-hugger union. But as it went on I realized that if anyone got skewered it was Walmart. By the mid-21st century evry function on earth (including government) has been taken over by BNL, also known as BIG N LARGE. They have so trashed the world that mankind must leave on a spaceship until plant life can grow again.

Lots of slapstick in the movie...didn't expect to see clips from 'Hello Dolly' in there. Not much if any talking for the first 30 minutes or so. Good flick. Might get nominated for Best Picture.

Jonah ch 1

We're all familiar with the first chapter of the book of Jonah. Jonah, already being a propht of Yahweh, receives a call to go the the city of Ninevah to preach against it. This is the only time in the Old Testament when a prophet is called to physically gto to a heathen nation to preach against it. When others such as Amos did this, they did it from the vrelative comfort of Israel's borders.

After receiving this call, Jonah does the exact opposite. He gets is feet going in the opposite direction and jumps on a ship bound for Tarshish, at then other end of the world from Ninevah. he probably thought he could run from Yahweh.

Long short short, Jonah gets busted by God, caught up in a storm, thorwn overboard to rescue the ship and gets swallowed by a fish.

It seems that it at least 2 ways that Jonah's story becomes our story as well. How often is it that God calls us to something and we decide we'd rather be doing something else. Maybe not something like going off as a missionary or that sort of thing. But God calls us to obedience...we run the other way to disobedience. God calls us to faithfulness...we put our faith in ourselves. God calls us to tithe...but we want a new bigscreen tv.

And yet God is there for us in the midst of our running. You see, the fish that swalloed Jonah was not a punishment but rather an act of grace. Jonah was sinking fast and gertting wrapped up in the weeds at the bottom of the sea. It is God's grace that sent a fish to rescue him. God comes after us when we run away but he often brings us back through an example of grace.

I wonder how many times I play the Jonah card on a weekly basis. Probably more often than I think or even want to realize. Iwant to be conscious of what God calls me to do and conscious at the same time of my tendency to go to Tarshish.

Our 4th of July

So here I am drinking a cup of Cantonese Green Tea and listening to Rod Stewart's 'A Spanner in teh Works" cd...really lgood cd with good vocals, catchy tunes and a very laid back approach.

Our 4th of July was quite busy. It began actually the night before when I pullda muscle in my back (a particular muscle that I seem to pull every 4 months or so). So I didn't sleep well. There was a littel parade in Hercules that we were all going to go to, but Christ ended up taking the kids herself and letting me sleep after downing some Advil.

We then went to a community carnival in El Cerrito. Our friend Scott Cliatt is a cop in El Cerrito and was working the estival. His wife Melissa is Christa's best vrriend their son Joe is Caleb's best friend. They were both born in the same hosptial on the same day but we didn't know each other yet. We met a church about 4 months later.

We then had a BBQ at our house and the CLiatt's came as well as 2 teenage Spanish girls who were staying with the Cliatts as exchange students.

The brought over a tritip which I grilled with copious amounts of salt, fresh gtround black pepper and freish thyme. We also had some sausagtes made from chicken, fontina and spinach along with some BBQ bacon burgers. I also made what is fst becomiong my favorite dip. You just mix goat cheese, chopped, pitted Kalamata olives, chopped sundried tomatoes (NOT, I repeat NOT a waste of good sunshine, some fresh thyme, salt and pepper and a little olive oil for consistency. Spread it over baked crostini. Good stuff.

Fireworks were down at the Hercules waterfront and they put on a good show for small town fireworks. It wasn't just the Mayor's kid out there with a box of sparklers.

Boy, were we tired at the end of that. The kids were exhausted and frell right to slwwp...no questions asked.

Oh, the cd has changed... It's now Steven Curtis Chapman's Greatest hits. I love having my computer music on shuffle. You never know what is coming next.

Moving to Brentwood part 2

I've been able to connect with Steve With. He's the pastor a church in Brentwood called THe Orchard and he's very interested in us moving out there and being able to dig in and help with ministry. We already know some of the people at The Orchard-Christa's best friend and Caleb's best friend.

Working at Westamerica Bank won't be an issue if we are out there becuase of the nature of what I do. My office is in Fairfield but I'm only there one afternoon a week. Other than that I'm seeing car dealers throughout the Bay Area. It will be a little more of a commute but it is worth the sacrifice for a bigger house. The kids each really need their own bedroom and we need some type of office for my ministry stuff and Christa's flower works. Right now our office is in our dining room. We';ve totally outgrown this place.

Upcoming backpack trip

With 2 small children at home, backpacking has been a rare phenomenon the last few years. I used to go twice a year or so, but since 2003, when Caleb was born, I've only gone 3 times. But that will end in August when i take off for my first 4 day trip in quite a few years.

We're doing the famous Union-to-Spicer route which has become one of my favorites. Old Boy Scout territory and a gorgoues hike as well. It's about 7 miles in or so and we will layover for 2 nights. The Dardanelles are on the other side of the lake where we will camp at Spicer. The Dardanelles are the remnants of an extinct volcano but what is left is darkly beautiful. There are also a couple of other small lakes in the area for dayhikes and the fishing at Spicer is pretty good as well.

Kevin Bixby will be coming from Southern California and bringing his 2 teenage sons. What a treat to be able to spend 4 days with one of my best friends!! Paul Dietrich,Kim Mack and possibly Chris Bradshaw and Jim Hankins from Bay Hills will also be coming. I'm always somewhat selective on who I invite to such a trip. It's gotta be someone that I can put up with in the mountains for 3 days or so. This group will go together well and will have a good time together.

Houses in Brentwood

Why would we want to live in Brentwood??

We're looking at a house with 6 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3400 sq feet, 5 years old and new everything for 379K.

A lot of the houses have been 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 27oo sq Feet for about 330k.

You can't get this anywhere else in the Bay Area

One month down...one to go

Today is June 30. I've been swending resumes out like crazy the last 4 weeks or so and have virtually no nibbles. A church in richmond Virginia said they were interested but that I needed to be patient with their process. I haven't heard anything since. A church in Cody Wyoming is interested but they are already brigning someone out to candidate the 2nd weekend of July.

If it continues silent like this for another month, it seems likely that we will rent this house out and move out to Brentwood or Oakley

Wing tip boy goes backpacking

Yes, Matt did manage to backpacking once. But never again. Wearing wingtips on the trail just doesn't cut it in Yosemite. Speaking of Yosemite...

Somewhow Matt got the idea ( I have no idea where) that we weren't bringing in a lot of food but instead were going to eat off the land. Kill squirrels, that sort of thing. So he brought a gun. Into a national park. Which is illegal. Highly.

To make matters worse, we ran into a ranger. He must have had gun on the rain that day because he asked me, as the leader of the group, whether I had seen any guns. Matt was standing right next to me. I could truthfully answer that, no, I had not seen any guns.

That doesn't mean, however, that I didn't know where one was...in which pocket of his backpack Matt carried it. Matt just about crapped a brick.

A story about Zach

About 10 years ago or so, ZAch went on his first backpack trip. It was the infamous (according to Matt) Kibble Ridge Expedition. Matt and Bryguy came up to my place in Wanlut Creek for dinner and to go shopping at REI for camping stuff. I do remember that we had dinner at Fuddruckers. When we went to REI I told Zach that where we were going had no water and that he needed to pack in water for the weekend.

WHen we got to REI, Zach was looking at all the portable water containers, the 5-gallon size and the 3-gallon size. At one point he came up to me and asked how many of them he needed to bring. Remember, water is 8 lb per gallon.

About that time either Bryguy or Matt took me aside and asked me how long I was going to continue this charade with Zach. I said all the way up until he got in the checkout line.

Zach was an excellent backpacker and he was always a joy to have on such a trip. Matt, however, was another story. Mayber I'll tell that one tomorrow.

Zach's Memorial

This last Saturday Christa and I were at Zach's memorial service in Fresno. An emotional time, to be sure, but also a healing time as Matt, George and Brygu were there also. We had along talk with Keith on the phone also. The last time we had all been together was at my wedding, 8 years ago. We all resolved not to let such an occasion be the only reason for us to get together. We are tentatively planning a vacation with all of our families either in late 2009 or in early 2010.

My part in the service shrunk a bit as the church (zach's church as well as his mother's) took more of a lead role. I was the first speaker up and I told stories about how Zach became a believer and how grew as a Christian. Part of my job was to tell people about Zach before he ended up in Fresno. Fill in some of the details and background. BUt the one who was really extraordinary was Douglas, the father of Zach's ex-girlfriend. He spoke to Zach's character in a way which made everyone want to know him that much more, about being such a hard worker and a man of integrity.

it was tough on the family, of course, but Zach's mother Pamela wrote and read an extraordinary tribute letter that she wrote to Zach. Full of raw emotion and the love that only a mother could give and feel. I still have a hard time believing that she made it all the way through the letter without totally breaking down.

Update on Zach's service

Zach's memorial service is still on Saturday afternoon. I'm not doing the entire service btu i am in more of a support role. One of the pastors at his church are going to do it in tandem. Zach's mom, knowing this was Zach's and her home church wants them to take more of a lead in the service.

My main role will be to speak for a few minutes about Zach's life during his time in San Jose, especially the when, why and how he became a Christian. I will also be closing the service, probably with some words from Revelation 21

The chiropractor blues

I need tyo go to the doctor to figure outvwhat is going on with my finger and ulnar nerve. Christa talked me into going to her chiropractor in Hercules. SHe's gone to him off and on for the last few years. She set me up with a 5 pm appointment.

I showed up at 5. He gave me some forms to fill out as a first time patient. Then he promptly forgot about me. For 50 minutes. It was crowded in there.maybe half a dozen other people in various stages of treatment. Some came in after me and he put them on whatever electrical stimulation machines or whatever. Nothing for me. No "I'll be with you in a minute' or anything.

So after 50 minutes, when he had been with someone for about 20 minutes or so, I just up and left. I don't have time to put up with this

My dear friend is gone

My close friend Zach Gleason died on Thursday. His body was found at the body of El Capitan in Yosemite on Thursday afternoon. It is presumed that he jumped.

Zach was extremely depressed over a relationship vwhich had gone sour and he blamed himself for the end of the relationship. for Zach, this was the perfect woman. In retrospect, he is the one who made mistakes in the relationship (no, he didn't cheat on her...other mistakes) He was scheduled to leave for OCS in the Navy to be a civil engineer starting today. He really didn't want to go into the military but he felt it was his only option.

That's all I have to say rtight now. I found out about this 12 hours ago. Later this week I will write a tribute to Zach.

The Orchard

The Orchard is a church out in Brentwood, where Christa and I are thinking about moving. The Senior Pastor is the best friend of my pastor at Bay Hills. His name is Steve.

I talked to Steve today about a part-time position at his church should Christa and I move out there and he up for getting together to talk about it. The Orchard is part of the Reformed Church of America (Bryguy would be so proud). They're running about 100 people or so which would make it a great chance to pug and do a lot of hands-on ministry work.

We're going to get together in 2 weeks or so to talk about things and see what we can come up with.

Numbness in finger

I've had some numbness on the tip of my left middle finger for a couple of days now. It's more a little irritant than anything else. I don't knwo what is causing it. I did have a tickle in my ulnar nerve (funny bone for you, Matt) on Friday that took a couple days to subside and I'm not sure that is connected or not. I looked in a medical reference guide and couldn't find much help there either. There's a thing called "Reynaud's Syndrome" where fingers can become numb but it's usually not just the tip of 1 finger and they normally turn white at the same time. If it's a stroke (highly unlikely) then it is the smallest stroke in teh history of mankind. SO I'll give it a couple of days and see what happens.

Starting to get some nibbles

I'm starting to get some nibbles on the resuems I am sending out. The first is from a church in Powell Wyoming. Powell is a church about 75 miles south of Billings Montana and about an hour from Yellowstone. Location-wise, it would be ideal for what I have always looked for. It's for a Senior Pastor position for a church of about 150 people. When I had sent my resume, the first response I got was that I seemed like a breath of fresh air after some of the other resumes he had looked at. They asked for a Statement of Faith, a copy of a sermon and answers to some key theological questions.

Wyoming here we come????

Maybe wr'e just working our way through the states alphabetically. First Wisconsin, then Wyoming. Christ better hope this one works out because next up on the list are Alabama and Alaska.

Regan is learning to speak Russian

My little girl is quickly becoming proficient in the Russian language. When we ask her a question, most of the time she answers with "Da".

Perhaps things looking up a bit

I've been a little frustrated with things at my job the first 2 days this week. I've been getting a lot of good responses in the field and car dealers are signing up, but it hasn't really translated into anything concrete as far as funding contracts. Things took a slight uptick today.

1. Saturn of Concord said that I'll be getting a lot of business and there are some contracts on the way.

2. Hilltop Nissan told me that tye have 3 contracts in for funding

3. Dublin Toyota committed to 10 contracts for the month.

4. I was 6-for-6 on loan approvals in the office today

Tagged

Tagged? What does that mean?

Meeting with Gary

I met with Gary this morning, one of the elders at our church. Many years ago he also was a pastor. He ended up leaving his church and looking for another vbut coulnd not find anything in almost 3 years of looking and sending out resumes. Toay he is a Sales Manager for a pharmaceutical company. Hoe did he get to the point of no longer being as pastor? How did he balance what he felt was God's call to ministry to a barren field of ministry opportunity?

I wanted to ask some of these questions because I'm starting to deal with some of these thoughts. How do I balance the fact that God called me to ministry and Him (so far) no providing a place to do it?

Gary was encouraging me to keep trusting in God on this. If God has a place for me, if there is a pastoral job out there for me, then God will open the door. This was refreshing to hear because I have been tilting towards the perspective that I just have to send out more resumes, try harder...that sort of thing. There has to be the angle that God has a hand in this also, that if it is the right situation then He will sprinkle a little magic dust on it. SO I need to work on my trust in God for this...that He has indeed called me to this and we will see whatv happens.

End of a good week

More so than when I was at The Mechanics Bank, I get a good reeling at then end of a week's worth of work atWestamerica. I think for the last 3 years or so at Mechanics Bank that I was on a bit of cruise control. Business was good and well established and I didn't have a lot of incentive to go forward.

But here I'm starting from the ground floor. This week wasn't as successful $$-wise as I would have liked it to be, but I'm still doing at lot to build up by dealer base. I'm expecting at lot of good things in June. After an afternoon of running around to dealers and making a lot of phone calls, I feel satisfied. It's Friday night and Im going to make a Martini, grill some steaks, bake some potatoes and saute some asparagus.

Our tentative plan

Granted, this plan has not been okayed by Christa yet...

It really is time to move. We've so totally outgrown this condo that we need a bigger place. Yet at the same time we keep waiting and waiting and waiting on God.

We're going to take 2 more months (June and July). If there is really nothing strong working on the ministry list, then we will buy a place in Brentwood or Oakley and move out there. Since Wisconsin I haven't even got a phone call or any nibbles from, churches I have sent my resume to. So...2 more months and we will see what happens

Caleb and Indiana Jones

I have no idea how Caleb became an Indiana Jones fan. He's never seen any of the movies and maybe not even any scenes from the movies. THey'ved got Indy toys at Burger Kinhg, but I don't think he's been there. But all of a sudden he's wearing my fedora around the house and saying that he wants to be Indiana Jones for Halloween.

So I got Caleb and Indiana Jones hat at Party City today. Kind of a cheap hat because I think this might go away soon. But then again, if he has a hat like daddy wearing. He's even trying to hum the theme music.

Time with Zack

Zack came over Saturday ngiht for dinner, stayed over and came to church on Sunday. We stayed up until about midnight reminiscing about various things and talking about him and what is going on. I hope I was able to ecnourage him with Scripture. As far as I can tell, Zack needs to do 3 things:

1. He needs to make a conscious decision to give up his ex-girlfriend and move on in life. To an extent, he is happy being miserable over her.

2. He needs to make a determination about who will be in charge of his life. Will he stubbornly still try to do it himself or give up control to God?

3. He needs to get away from the 'Garden of Eden' trick that the adversary is using against him. It wokred in Eden and has been effective ever since. The enemy's tact is to get Zack to take his focus off of everything he does have and focus solely on the one thing he does not have.

A good holiday with the family

Originally we were going to go to Stinson Beach today for Memorial Day but the weather was not going to be cooperative so we bagged that idea and went to Fairfield and Vacaville instead.

Vacaville was pretty much for Christa with all of the outlets. I pretty much just walked and strolled the kids around as she went from store to store. Lunch was at Arby's and I was very disappointed. I got a Turkey Bacon Club sandwich which was advertised as toasted but came out hot as it had been in the microwave instead.

We then went to Scandia in Fairfield to play miniature golf. Caleb's first time and I had to keep teachign him how to hold the club but he did all right for his first time. My handicap was having Regan on my back in a backpack. Probably cost me about 5 shots.

I then wanted to go to the batting cages. Hadn't been in maybe a year and a half. But my swing was still there and I was hitting some pretty good line drives. The best part of this was Caleb on the other side of the fence watching me and saying the whole time, "Daddy, get the big hits!!" That was special.

Then home for Chicken Piccata for dinner along with roasted asparagus with goat cheese and bacon.

Irenaus's other famous saying

Evidently Irenaus had another famous saying or point, of which I am ignorant. Waht else did he say that was so famous and tht I should comment upon it?

Irenaus and biblical interpretation

While in seminary and even before that, when I would read theology or maybe a Biblical commentary on a certain book or passage, one principle of Biblical interpretation always came up. Always interpret obscure or difficult passages in light of clear ones. I was a bit surprised to hear that it was Irenaus who came up with this in the 2nd century of so.

WHat is this principle? Don't try to build a theology around a verse or passage which can be difficult to interpret or understand. Instead focus on a verse or passage like it wich is much clearer to understand. Difficult passages lead to difficult and multiple interpretations.

John Chrysostom as a predecessor to Tony Robbins

Who knew this would be true?? As I am reading about how the earlhy church fathers dev leoped their theologyt, the inevitable comes up. What do we do with pain and suffering? Why do bad things happen to good people? Theologians and others have asked this question for thousands of years.

Jophn Chrysostom approached the problem with the idea that it is not what happens to us that is important but rather how we react to it. People can view or experience the exact same thing and what is important is not that it happened but rather what we do with it. As a primary example, he uses the crucifixion of Christ. The event happened. How will we deal with it? Many in the crowd were happy that it happened, bloodthirsty for more and perhaps angry at Jesus. But the thief on the cross? His reaction was different. He saw and unjust murder and committed himself to Jesus right before death. The same event and different reactions. For Chrysostom, the correct way to deal with pain and suffering is to focus on how you will react to it, not on the event itself.

Flip forward 1500 years or so. Tony Robbins (the guy on late-night infomercials before the FLobee guy shows up) teaches the same thing. How we make progress in life and make things better is in how we deal with the events of our life, not in the event itself. For example, if you get laid off from your job, what will you do? Mope around or get your resume out there? Is it an opportunity for self-pity or self-advancement?

Conclusion...Chrysostom had it right. We need to look beyond what happens to us to see how we will reqct frrom a Godly perspective. We look for the hand of God in our lives. Robbins, using the same basic principle, focuses instead on the self. What will YOU get out of it rather than how can you hear the voice of God? Age-old wisdom doesn't change, but seems that the d=focus shifts from God to the self, from divine providence desiring for us to become more Christlike to how can I be a better person on my terms and according to the world's model.

God is silent

Today is May 20. I have been seeking God through prayer and fasting for almost 3 weeks now in terms of what our family should do, where we should go and what to do about ministry.

For the most part I feel as if I have been praying to a brick wall. God is not there. For some reason He has been silent so far, not responding to my prayer. There have maybe been small bits and pieces, such as a friend mentioning that when God speaks I better listen. Matt's encouraging email and another friend mentioning Proverbs 3:5-6, which says, "Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Good, sound Biblical advice.

But none of this is resonating with me so far. My prayer and seeking after God bounces off the ceiling and comes back down to me.

Where are you Lord? I need to hear from you! Speak to me and give me guidance so I may know which way to go.

The Pelagian controversy is still with us today

One of the issues that the early church had to wrestle with was how to deal with the nature of sin. What was it? How do we deal with it? How did it affect us? How did what happened with Adam and Eve fall upon us?

This last question led to the development of what we would call 'original sin'. Pelagius basically taught that the effect of the first sin ended with Adam and Eve. There is no transmission of the sin and its effect down to succeding generation. The implicatin of this is that we are not fallen men and women and that we can make a conscious choice to follow God and be obedient without any string attached. That is, our nature is not corrupted by sin but becomes that way as we sin our way through life. God has given us natural grace to obey Him and we do not ever have to sin. It is an act of the will to be obedient to God and we have it in us to do so.

Augustine thought different. We have indeed been damanged by the events in Eden and we will always carry that scar with us. God's grace in helping to overcome the effects of and desire to sin is external. That is, we need to ask God for His grace to help us be obeident. Pelagius taught that this grace was already in us and we didn't need to ask for it. We simply needed to try harder to be obedient.

According to Pelagius, a Christian can lead a virtuous life once he understands clearly that the human will can accomplish this on its own. Human nature, in and of itself, because of grace already within us, can obey God under its own strength. The problem lies in the fact that, if left solely to ourselves, we would not choose to serve God and ber obedient.

Pelagius understands the sin of Adam and Eve to be theirs alone with no ramifications for us today. Augustine, however, saw (most correctly) that human nature is condemned b y the guilt of this sin and it is only God's grace outside of ourselves that can save us.

How do we deal with this controversy today? Go to Barnes and Noble. Go to the self-help section and look at Dr. Phil, Tony Robbins, and yes, even Joel Osteen. Many others are available also. The basic philosophy behind all of these is Pelagian. Your life is yours alone and you have the strength to overcome adversity if you try hard with the tools that I give you. Your destiny belongs to you alone. Human nature is not corrupted but you are able to overcome the 'sin in your life because you have the innate ability to do it.

Parsnips...who knew???

I'd never had parsnips before tonight. But I'd found a recipe worth trying and they were pretty good. Very starchy, like a plantain or maybe a yam.

Mix about 4 tbs of olive oil with some salt, pepper and about 2 tbs of minced fresh ginger. Peel the parsnips and cut them into thick strips. Coat them with the olive oil mixture and roast at 325 for 45 minutes.

A comment on my pastoral search

When I say that I am waiting to hear from God, I mean just that. Through whatever medium He chooses to speak.

The following is the text of an email I got from Matt regarding this.

"I read the blog post about your questioning of your calling. You said, "I remember when He called me into ministry that the call was clear and distinct."

What exactly did He call you to? Did He say where? Did He give you the name of a people? A city? A denomination?

Everytime I have heard you talk about your ministry I have heard a description of what you want (e.g. a church with 400 people in a small city or vtown) not a description of what God wants. But if God called you He must have told you wnat He wants.

When Fraces of Assisi was called he couldn't control himself, he had to preach. And for lack of an audience he preached to birds. When my dad was called he preached to trees when he deidn't have people to preach to. Do you have that feeling of "fire shut up in your bones" described by the Holy Prophet Jeremiah?

If you are called to preach then preach. But know that God doesn't owe you a thing. Not a living, not a house, not respectability, not a career path, not a middle class lifestyle, not a familoy, not food, not even an audience to hear your words. But if you are a precher then none of that stuff ought to matter. If He called you then obey the call. But if you called yourself stick to banking. There is nothing bad about being a banker."

It is words like this from a close and trusted friend that carry much weight. I have been brooding over them the last few days and will continue to do so until the end of May.

By the way, I'm still working on the church fathers book. I had to balance it out with a light baseball book. Reading Basil the Great can cause headaches after awhile.

A divergence from normal reading

Okay, no more Faulkner, Dickens or Poe...at least this week.

I'm digging into one of my dad's books called "Zim: A Baseball Life". Don Zimmer has been a player, coach and manager in the major leagues for the past 50 years or so. He played with Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson, managed the Cubs and Red Sox and coached for the Yankees for many years. This is his baseball memoir.

Zim is pudgy, cherubic with a pixie-like smile and a face like lumby oatmeal. Who culd not love such a guy?? He's got a plate in his head from being beaned and famously got thrown to the ground by Pedro Martinez about 8 years ago. This will be fun reading.

Excited about May 24

We haven't had a dinner party in a long time but we are having one on May 24. Zack is coming over...haven't seen him in 5 years. Matt and his family are coming also (unbeknownst to Zack). What to make? I might ask matt to make his famous French onion soup. I'm considering the filet mignon with mushroom ragou, but nothing firm yet.

Gregory of Nazianzus

Great quote about the humanity and divinity of Jesus

"He ws baptized as man-but He remmited sins as God...He was tempted as man but He conquored as God...He hungered-but he fed thousands...He was wearied, but He is the rest of them that are weary and heavy-laden...He prays but He hears prayer. He weeps, but He causes tears to cease. He asks where Lazarus was laid, for He was man; but He raises Lazarus, fur He was God. He is sold, and very cheap, for it is only for thirty pieces of silver, but He redeems vthe world, and that at a great price, for the price was His own blood...as a sheep He is led to the slaughter, but He is the SPeherd of Israel and now of the whole world also. As a lamb He is silent, yet He is the Word, and is proclaimed by the voice of one crying in the wilderness. He is bruised and wounded, but He heals every disease and very infirmity...He dies, but gives life, and by His death destroys death."

How an ancient controversy can help us today

Way back in the 4th century an issue developed which became known as the Arian controversy. A man by the name of Arian began to question the pure divinity of Jesus. Could Jesus be divine in the same sense that God the Father was divine? He posited that there was a time when Christ was not, even if that was a time before time as we properly understand it began. The ultimate end of Arius' arguement is that Christ was in some sense a created eeing, even though he went out of his way to stress that Christ was divine in some sense.

The great theologian and church leader Athanasius would have none of this and made carefully reasoned and nuanced arguments that Christ was every bit as divine as God the Father was. He chose his words carefully to refute what became known also as the Arian heresy.

What does such an ancient discussion and debate have to do with us in 2008? Several things. The first is that we need to be careful how we speak of God. What words do we use and what terminology do we employ to describe and talk about God?

The second is that it is difficult to wholly compare God the Father to human fathers. One of the mistakes that Arius made is using human, natural terminology to describe that which cannot be described. Our human fathers are fallible, sinful and in some cases are just bad fathers. To compare our human definition of a father to God does a disservice to God becausw we are describing different things. For someone who has had a difficult time with their own human father we need to stress that God the Father does not act like their human father.

Sometimes it is easier to say what we do not mean when talking about God than to talk about what we do mean. For those who have had poor experiences with fathers, our God does not act like that. The ideal view of a father, one who loves and protects is what is in view.

Studying theology with the church fathers

This is a title of a new book I am working my way through by CHristopher Hall. He also wrote another one called "Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers". The whole idea of these 2 books is to back to some of the earlier fathers in the faith (Justin Martyr, Augustine, Athanasius, etc.) to see what they thought and said and about crucial theological issues. What did they say about how Christ related to the Father? What is the Holy Spirit's purpose? What is the church and how is it to operate?

There is a danger in the church today of inventing theology (can you hear me all you Emerfing Church people??) How can we be so arrogant as to think that we, after 2000 years finally have discovered what Scripture says about such crucial issues?

Stay tuned for a trip through this book

Seeking God

In the aftermath of Wisconsin, Christa and I are doing a little reevaluating of where we are and what we are doing. I've got a great new job at Westamerica Bank, but are we still going into full-time ministry and if so when?

We are going to take until the end of May to really seek God on this and look for a sign or answer from Him. I don't really consider that I am questioning my call as much as I am trying to clarify it. There is precedent in Scripture. Luke tells the story of when John the Baptist was in prison. He was asking if Christ really was the one or whether to look for another. He had been preaching Christ but now needed some clarification and reassurance.

What kind of sign are we looking for from God? I don't know. I remember when He called me into ministry that the call was clar and distinct. There was no mistaking it. Now I go to Him again, asking for a sign that we are on the right path. What will He send? I have no expectations other than wanting to hear from God. To this end, I am making the choice to fast every Monday and Friday in May until dinner as a way of seeking The Lord's Face in this

What is the greatest verse in Scripture?

No, not John 3:16. It's John 1:14

"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His Glory the Glory as of the one and only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth."

This verse, particularly the first part has haunted me for the last 3 weeks or so. I can't get it out of my head. It circles and circles me. I can't seem to analyze it or pick it apart...it is simply there. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." Is there truly any greater or loftier thought in all of history? "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us" All I can do is repeat and repeat and repeat it.

It also makes me worship. Praise and Glory only to the Father who would bring flesh upon t5he eternal LOGOS and have Him dwell among sinful people.

Buying new cell phone

I got a new cell phone today. While at the mall, I checked out Verizon, Sprint and Cingular. I was amazed by the similarity of all the places in one respect. All of them had 4-5 people working there, usually 3-4 guys and 1 girl. All of the guys were Dungeons and Dragons types who had graduated high school and the girls were unfailingly smokin' hot. Kinda a strange combo

Our time in Tahoe

Our family got back a couple of days ago from 5 days in the Lake Tahoe region. Not Tahoe itself, but we know of a little resort about 15 miles southeast of Tahoe called Sorensens. It's a diamond in the rough. It's got neat little cabins and a restaurant in the middle of nowhere. It's in a place called Hope Valley which is one of the most beautiful places in the Sierras.

After the whole Wisconsin ordeal, getting laid off and getting a new job, our family needed to rest for awhile. I needed the rest to plahy with Christa and the kids.

We went hiking when we were there at Grover Hot Springs State Park. Yes, they have hot springs. Regan went in the backpack (no, it's a baby backpack) and we worked our way down a trail towards a waterfall. Didn;tvget all the way there due to a Caleb meltdown...long hike and no nap. We played by Sawmill Creek.

One things we did there that Caleb really enjoyed was breaking the ice every morning (yes, it was still cold at night and even a little snow). There was a little pond out back which froze over every night. In the morning Caleb and I would throw rocks or take sticks and try to break the ice. Caleb said it was the best thingt to do there.

Did I mention that Sorensens has complimentary glasses of wine in the afternoon? Go find out about it at sorensensresort.com. If you are going to go, please let us know ahead of time. We can claim credit and get a free nights lodging.

The credit union

Now it is time to rant a rave a bit.

This credit union which I worked for was run by the Marx Brothers. I've never seen a company, or at least a department within a company run as incompetently as this one. They started their dealer loan program up in September. They hired a loan officer and got on the CUDL (Credit Union Direct Lending) system so dealers could submit applications. At the end of December they hired 2 people to market the program (myself and someone else) and another loan officer. We had good rate and were told to bring in 12m worth of business a month. Not that tough.

They ran out of money for the program in 3+ months. In the meantime, we began the program looking for what is called 'A' paper. Good credit people. 6 weeks in they switched focus and began to buy more subprime paper.

So this company had no solid business plan for the auto loan department and not even enough money to begin pulling this off. I guess everyone thinks they can put together a dealer auto program these days.

Oh...one more thing. They hired a girl in January to be the admin asst to the CEO. She was brought in as a temp. Now in mid-April she is not only permanent but also the VP in charge of Building Facilities. What??????????????????????????????

A turn for the better

It's nice to be unemployed for 48 hours.

I had an interview this morning with Westamerica Bank and they want to make me an offer. I should get an offer letter in the next day or so. I'll start in a couple of weeks after i take the family away for a few days...probably to Sorensens' resort

Wisconsin...but...and then

Our five-day visit to Jacob's Well church and Eau Claire was pretty amazing. We felt so totally welcomed by the people. The church is growing like a week...1100 right now, 800 this time last year and 550 the year before that. The community is hungry for God...no doubt about that. The interviews, the staff, the small group coaches and leaders...all amazing. This seemed like a home run. My last meeting with the Executive Pastor was on the morning we left and it was all positive. No red flags on their end. No questions at all. No reason why we should not move forward with this. But let's take a couple of days, go back to our respective corners and make sure this is what we want to do. That God is in this.

But...

5 days later I get a call. They don't feel a peace about this. No questions about my qualifications, my ability to do the job or about anything else for that matter. Just no peace. o they passed on me after all of this. Christa and I were devastated. We had even found a house out there and been preaproved for a loan. But no peace about it. More than anything else that is what frustrates us. Give us something concrete! Give us a solid reason! Almost anything more than just a sense of no peace about it.

And then...

I walk into my job at the credit union on Monday and promptly get laid off. For the second time in 7 months. They ran out of money...pure and simple. I will rant and rave about them tomorrow.

So instead of thinking that a lifelong dream has been fulfilled and we are off to Wisconsin, instead I find my self unemployed. Just call me Job

Greek lamb burgers

Every so often I make something that I think will be good and it turns out better than I thought it would be. It's probably because of the salad.

GEt some fresh ground lamb. Mix into it some fresh chopped mint, a little paprika, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Make some patties and grill them. On the side mix some spinach with some chopped red onion and crumbled feta cheese. Put it just a dash of balsamic vinegar.

Put the lamb patties on a bun and top it with the spinach salad. Enjoy this one

Fasting for Zack

Tuesday will be a fast day for Zack. Thanks to Bryguy in Idaho who came up with the idea. Bryguy, Zack, maybe George and myself will fast from dinner to dinner Monday and Tuesday. We will also spend a great deal of time in prayer for Zack, that God would be at work in his life in a mighty way. Also that God would provide a job for Zack and that he can begin to put some of his issues in the past.

I see this as being a great encouragement to Zack. The friends which he basically abandoned are now accepting him back 100% with no strings attached. Not only that but we are making a sacrifice by fasting for him and seeking God's will for him.

May he be encouraged by this

One week to Wisconsin

We leave for Wisconsin one week from today. Things are firming up pretty well for the trip. We've got our flight and hotel. I need to take care of the rental car today (which they are paying for). Our schedule there is worked out. Salary package is negotiated (pretty good one, too) We're also meeting with a realtor to look at houses. I've also got the name of mortgage broker whom I'm going to call today and get the ball rolling there as well.

Exciting times are upon us