Day 1 of vacation

This is an attempt to load video from our first day at the lake - the connection on the computer at the Lake is slow (so is the pace of life). Laura and her three siblings inherited this place on Flathead Lake a few years ago (it has been in the family for three generations). It's so beautiful and such a blessing (17 family members are here at present).

Today (Day 2) we had a disastrous outing on the golf course (my worst score here in the 9 yrs. I've kept track) and a wonderful bike ride. Tomorrow three of us get up at 4 a.m. and head for Glacier National park - to ride the "Going-to-the-sun" hwy. All bike have to be off the road by 11 a.m in the area we are riding.

Tried to load video clip - connection too slow! Maybe tomorrow. Pics to follow - tomorrow?

My Miracle Bike Story

“I’m sorry Todd; I don’t have time to meet with you today.” It was true. But his words, “Can’t you just give me ten minutes?” changed my mind. My wife, Laura, and I have said these words for so many years, “Love people and use things, never love things and use people.” Here was my opportunity.

So I drove to Mall 205 and met with Todd. My surprise? After going from more than a year without a bicycle I now had a bike that cost $4,700 new. Gifts of this magnitude can make you feel so small, so undeserving –and they are! True gifts are never about deserving something. God loved us before He even created our world (Ephesians 1:4-5).

My bike remind me of another truth an old British chap wrote, “Never seek justice for yourself, always seek to give it to others.” This has been a difficult one for me. I so struggled with the injustice of being hit from behind by a pickup and not being compensated. But I’m alive (my tennis game sucks – torn rotator cuff) and I can now ride again. God is very, very good! Maybe I’ll share about my wife’s miracle bike gift next week.

We are doing baptisms tomorrow at Laurelhurst – what a symbol of the ultimate gift offered free to us. Come visit us tomorrow – it’ll be amazing. See you there!

Interruptions, Fixing cars, Stumptown

I'm sitting out front of a very cool coffee shop (it serves Stumptown coffee) waiting for my son's car to get fixed; my friend Jason has just showed up, the sun (and SON) is warm! "Wait Jason, I've got to finish this blog. I've go to share this." Jason smiles, "OK." Just about 15 min. before a young man begging for change had stopped by my hangout spot. He was so beat up, beat down, and lost. God made me cry out for him. When he asked for change for a phone call I answered him with a strong, "NO!" I then replied, "But I'll give you some money anyway." I dug out two bucks and handed it to him, I told him to wait, I had more but the guilt of not feeling he deserved "grace" was already on him (he was in serious need of a fix). He kept saying no, this is enough for a call. I left him with the words "God bless your life today." and have been praying for the mystical, supernatural presence of Jesus to say what human words can't - "You are my kid. I chose you before I made this world (Ephesians 1:4-5), realize, see, simply say 'yes' to My love. I can change you, and help you see the value I placed on you for free! Come here, I'll touch you and heal you my child."

Here is the prayer (I try to write these daily) I wrote out on my lap-top after meeting my "nameless friend." I've edited it slightly, but it's what God and I were talking about - As you read it, let God whisper whatever He wants to into your heart. "God bless you."

"Dear Father,

Oh how my heart breaks for the young man who just asked for change ( phone call money?). He is so lost, so locked in slavery, so little hope left in his eyes (he was afraid to look into mine). Father, I’m so rich on every level and so full of thoughts about myself (right now blessings and hope re. future ministry). Please God, take some of my joy and peace and let it seep, splash, or splatter onto your son (phone money-kid) who is running from all that is bright and good – You walking so close to him, please let him know You.

I again invite you to erase the irrelevant, the trumped up religious thoughts, actions, and medicating flake-ness of theology that’s a Band-Aid for the hunger U place in me; a deep thirst to be with U and realize the friendship U call me to (the original Eden plan for all humans)!

Take my great plans for good and my nice activities in ministry and dissolve them with your passion and the realization that “because I’m Your kid” every thought, situation, and life-experience today is a wonderful opportunity for U to be strong and good in someone else’s life! I love you and pray that my one passion stay as consistent as my cell phone bill –“I say YES to Your presence, aliveness in and then out of me. Flow uninhibited, full of Your amazing hope, everywhere I go, to everyone I meet!

Your son,

Bruce "

Refresh, Recharge, and then Charge!

“Be still and KNOW” that I am God." (Psalm 46:10) Who I think I am is largely determined by who I look to as the most important force in my life. For me, these past thirty-two years it has been my best friend and wife Laura. We’ve ridden two hundred miles on our bicycles in one day (more than once), and climbed Mt. Constitution on our bikes (If you’ve never made it to Orcas Island you’ve got to move it to the top of your list). We did a half-marathon together (she cheered me on for my one and only Marathon); together we’ve explored the world and continue to grow madly in love with each other. Simply put, Laura makes me believe “I’m a real boy!” (The 1st Shrek movie is an amazing study of human endeavors to like and accept oneself.).

But best of all Laura and my father had the most significant impact in my understanding of how much Jesus loves me. Know I really KNOW how valued and loved I am! Why am I sharing this? Portland is a city that needs real people to meet Jesus Freaks who really want to be their friend and allow God’s Spirit to tell them what no human can, “You are so loved by God. He chose you before he even made this world. Come be my friend –Forever!”

If you are in love with “things,” stop! Take the time to spend time with those God has given to you as gifts of love.

Laura and I fell in love with Pacific City this last week (Our 32nd anniversary); between cycling, walking the beach and discovering some cool art and AMAZING food, we laughed, prayed, and read together –We again sat still and listened to God’s love-whispering. We had so much fun we even stayed an extra day (Thank you so much Ginger for letting us use your house -its view is beyond amazing). Here are a couple pics. from the house we stayed in and one of the rides we took on our bikes.






















Sunday morning, so sunny, so wonderful - Worship and being together at Laurelhurst was wonderful. The excitement of what God is doing in Portland continues to grow. God is so good! Laura and I are so charged up with love for the people of Portland. After everyone had left the Laurelhurst church Laura and I sat in a cool little Thai restaurant (on Alberta) with a friend and talked and prayed for those wonderful, wayward "future kids" of Jesus.

Have you heard God’s refreshing whisper? Don't forget to, “love people and use things; never love things and use people.” Pastor John is so right when he says that riches are not the problem, it’s our love of “things” that keeps us from loving others. Listen to God as he says, “I love you . . . keep at it . . . good job . . . you are a faithful friend, you are serving well!”

It's almost the fourth of July, let the freedom of Jesus’ love refresh, recharge and then send you charging out with God’s love for Portland .