Day 6 - Building a "Wisdom Habit"

Day six of our experiment (Click here if you don't have a clue what I'm talking about):

Proverbs 4 - John Eldridge's favorite verse in all the Bible (maybe)
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it effects everything you do." verse 23

Day 5 (PROOF that the challenge is worth it.) WISDOM

How are U doing? Have you taken the 30-day challenge yet? Proverbs 3 is an amazing collection of GOD'S wisdom (If you haven't started this challenge and want to check out my first blog - HERE's the ticket!).


BEFORE I share today's pick, here are those verses that made my honorable mention list: Prov. 3:9 (Laura & I have tried to practice this for 33+ years - This is such wisdom when it come to $$), verse 21-24 (there's an amazing story about St. Patrick that this passage reminds me of . . . remind me to tell you how his best sermons were given when he was asleep), verse 27 is for Tiffany. Verse 30 is HUGE! We can accuse and judge others just by listening to gossip . . . forming a final opinion when you've never listened to another side of the story is evil . . . what stories have you listened to this week? From friends? From TV? Have you already made up your mind?

NOW, TODAYS PICK- Proverbs 3:1-3 "My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. 2 for they will give you a long and satisfying life. 3 Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you! Wear them like a necklace; write them deep within your heart." (The message Bible, NASB)

• Store This is one of GOD'S "top priorities" for my life; to store up His wisdom! When do I fit in this practice- just before I go to bed; if I'm not too tired? Do I have a team of friends who cheer me on in my daily "storage" practice?
  
• Never forget the things I have taught you: When I read I usually substitute "plan" or "way" for the word "law" in the Bible. The English word "law" has always messed with my mind in a negative way. Using the word "plan" is what the Hebrew word means. In Hebrew it used as, "to instruct" - from the root "to throw, shoot, or point out." Do you want to really "get the point?" What shoots straight through to the heart is what really teaches you. "Don't forget God's plan which He is teaching you." Law = God's way (which is always good). I want God's way over mine!
• To explore this word "law" a bit more Check out Psalms 4o (Oh WOW!) Verses 6-8 "You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand — you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings. 7 Then I said, “Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: 8 I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your law is written on my heart.” God's smile (Heb. "delight" - to "desire, pleasure" - root = to be pleased"), what pleases Him most is not our "human doing", our good behavior; what gives God the biggest smile is when we "desire" (same word used re. God) to have God "engrave" His amazing "plan" on our hearts! What plan beats strongest in your heart right now? God's inviting you to smile with Him this very moment!
  

Day 4 of our Wisdom Challenge

My verse from the second chapter of Proverbs

"My Child, listen to me and treasure my instructions. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight and understanding. Search for them as you would for lost money or treasure." Verses 1-4.

I've read through this wisdom book maybe 20 times - I always find something that makes such a difference in my thoughts, the way I live my life (Click here to check out the beginning of this challenge).

• Listen - The Hebrew word for "listen" is to "take, accept, seize, or carry away." How long do I hang onto great words or thoughts? Listening has a lot to do with what "sticks." The "stickiness factor" is very important. Does your listening "stick to you?"
  


• Treasure - "to hide, reserve, protect, esteem" - What I put in a safety deposit box is very valuable to me. How am I doing this with wise advice offered by God? What reinforcements have come from God's treasured wisdom? How has it changed my time? The way my resources are used ($$$)? Do you writing down treasured thoughts and truths? Are they so valuable that you talk about them all the time - you just can't help it?
  


• Concentrate -Literally, it is two Hebrew words meaning "to stretch out your heart." When I stop and really think about it, this stretching of my heart is an all-out passion.

"So Bruce, how badly do you want wise instruction?" Ask yourself this same question. Examine your thoughts, God's - how much do you treasure them? Do they bring change to your friendships? Are you more trustworthy?
Jesus says in Matthew 5, "those who are meek will be very blessed." The word meek can best be translated "teachable." [ Meek word study: Numbers 12:3, Matthew 11:29, Ephesians 4:1-2. Meekness is the opposite of self-interest. To hear well to be teachable, you need to believe you have much to learn.] Do you have a learner's heart? Why? Do you see everything and everyone as an opportunity, a gift from God, to grow you in wisdom and understanding?

The Experiment continues - Day 3 Wisdom Seeker

HOW ARE U DOING WITH THE CHALLENGE? Don't know about my 30 day challenge? (go there now)

My verse for today, February 1 - Proverbs 1:31 "Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes."

• It's easy to rip on God for the bad stuff. It's common to see Him as punishing us. Don't blame God. Most of the guilt I feel is not from God, but rather religion's twisted views.
  
• Much of the "bitter fruit" I end up eating is the result of doing life "my way." Like Old Blue Eyes (I did it my way) "there is always a way, my plan, that looks right, but the end is death." Proverbs 16:25, Genesis 3:1-5, and James 1:13-15.
  
• My good choices and my poor ones don't make God love me less or more - BUT they sure can make life more joy-filled or very rainy! I can build friendships with others who desire to see more of God's plan working in their life. I can pour into the lives of others. I can develop spiritual habits or join a small group (Monday nights at Laurelhurst is excellent). Absolutely none of this makes God love me more or makes be "better" than someone else. But our trust, our thoughts, and our freedom from addictions are affected! Try reading Romans 12:1-2.
  

Thinking about making even better choices? Try looking for experts in the area you desire to have "sweet fruit!" For example, if you asked me for wisdom regarding dancing or diamonds you would be acting "STUPID" because I'm telling you I know very little about either one (dancing frightens me -I can't do that!)! But ask me about bicycles, or building great relationships and maybe I can be of help. Start building a team. Lots of people will give you advice. Look at their life. What's it look like in that arena?

What kind of fruit are you eating today?

Wisdom - Day 2 of the experiment

R U trying out this 30 day experiment? Here's my verse for today:

Proverbs 31:30 "Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised."

[Prov. 31 is my least favorite of all the Proverbs. For years the "noble wife" verses bugged my wife - it seemed so impossible to be this kind of "perfect" woman. But seeing how much she's cherished by God and her three boys - Gordon, Marcus, and me, has changed that for her]













Verse 30:

• My wit, my strength are all temporary. What natural talents, personality traits, and skills do I trust in most? They are usually not enough - I need more!
• My outward strength, poise, and smile; all can be good, but they still are not long lasting enough. I still need more!
  
• WHAT LASTS THE LONGEST? Fear (one of my "Oh WOW" verses is I John 4:18) in this context means "deep awe." I'm in awe towards my ultimate heroes in life. My father became so large in my life that I would often get goosebumps when I was with him. My dad so touched others with a sense of love, hope, and authentic value, that I felt such inspiring awe seeing God breathe through him. Whenever I read the word "fear" in the Old Testament I must decide if it represents "awe" or "terror."
• Another similar Hebrew word for fear can be seen in Prov. 28:14 - it's the same idea.
• High value = great respect. What I value most, I cherish. Those things which are of greatest value I stand in awe of - I worship!
  
• To have this kind of relationship with God keeps other things (even my strengths) as "less" than my passionate friendship with Him. How big is your awe of God right now?
  

What counts most in your life? What do you value above all else?

Can You Hear Me NOW?

It's been a busy day full of connections - with other leaders, previewing a "Financial Freedom" seminar, doing our weekly campus pastors meeting and then hanging out with Josiah in Portland . . . driving back to my Clark County office . . . Suddenly the words of my old British Chap friend hits me; "Nothing touches our lives but it is God Himself speaking." (read) (Updated English Version)





WOW! Do I really believe that God uses every kind of stimuli, every coffee shop, every rain-enhanced Portland traffic jam . . . absolutely everything to speak to me? Wow - God talks to me all the time, I should start listening more! So it's a middle of a "power-nap afternoon" for me and I just wanted to say, "God's been saying a lot of cool things to you. Can you hear Him now?"

I do think this idea by my UK friend, from the past, is something found in the Bible too - check it out: Romans 1:20, James 1:17, and Romans 8:28.

30 days - Wise guy Experiment

I've got several friends trying this 30 day experimental dig into one of the most ancient wisdom sources ever given - the book of Proverbs, written by King Solomon.

Here's the deal - Read one chapter in the book of Proverbs every day. (If you start today, you would read chapter 30.) Each day read the chapter that matches the date on your calendar. If you miss a day, jump to today's date. Try it for 30 days and see how close you come to building a new relationship skill (good habit). Try marking one verse that impacts you each day, then send it in a text or email to someone else. Invite them to try this experiment. (If you break this chain, you are in danger of making beautiful children cry, and perhaps, maybe, you could be so unlucky as to win $10 million dollars - so, don't break this chain. Right?) I'll try blogging each day on the verse I've chosen.

Here's my verse for the 29th of January:

Verse 1 - "Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be broken beyond repair."

• Stubborn refusal - What makes me afraid of mistakes? Why do I need people to only point out what is wonderful about me?
• God takes mistakes and mess-ups and uses them (if we allow Him).
  
• What do I do when I'm criticized? Beat myself up? Become defensive? Attack? Run?

I read Psalm 23 yesterday and then re-wrote it to fit my day (a good thing to read after spending some time thinking about Prov. 29:1). I have always loved Prov. 29:18 (It's a great verse to do a "Word study" with (try it)

Today's verse: Proverbs 30:33 "As the beating of cream yields butter, and a blow to the nose causes bleeding, so anger causes quarrels."

• I meet almost daily with individuals or couples who struggle with anger. Often anger is the sign that there's poison from the past that needs more a deeper level of forgiveness. Forgiving is like anything in relationships, it takes time.
• Anger can sometimes be fed by a lack of passion. (God's clear design for you TODAY!)
• Anger and defensiveness go hand in hand. "Bruce, when you're defensive, your ability to 'hear' the other persons heart - what they mean, is a very difficult thing!" Great communication has a lot to do with being able to send "you count a lot" messages, not defensive "you're dangerous and not so good for me" messages.
  

Passion!

I saw the passion in the eyes of several who were at our amazing breakfast last Sunday at Laurelhurst. I felt such an ignition of God's fire - His love yesterday. Danny Joe's talk and the music drama at the end simply capped a power-filled passionate weekend.

I was so thrilled to see the number of new people interested in a 24-7 coffee/performing & visual arts kind of place; a presence in Portland where people come and feel the acceptance, love, and passion of God without the scar of religion. Want to come dream with us? You are welcomed.

Here is one of our passionate leaders at our Portland campus - Jeff wears several hats (passionate dad, mad-in-love husband, prayer leader and fearless leader of our "Men's" hang-out group). He's started a new gathering experience on Monday nights at Laurelhurst. (If you're interested, email me and I'll pass it on to him; brucea@livinghopechurch.com).

Tomorrow - "The 30 day experiment" begins (check it out!).


I'm not sure if these are Jeff's ten rules for dating but you might want to check them out (they're old but fun).

What counts most

PORTLAND ADVERTISEMENT: 8:30am this Sunday (Jan. 27) you are invited to a very cool (and hot) breakfast! Come to the Laurelhurst campus and have breakfast while we share the latest dreams and happenings in Portland. Just show up. (Worship follows at 10am.)

I haven't blogged about a movie for a couple of years but last night we went and saw The Bucket List and I couldn't resist encouraging you to go see it too. It's a great movie to schedule coffee or dinner afterwards for some fun reflections. My friend Don and several others encouraged me to see it a couple weeks ago after Mike Miller's "Today" talk at Living Hope.
I'm always looking and anticipating God's voice in all the arts. (Acts. 17 is my base for this way of thinking). I hear, see, and respond to the picture of an "Absolutely Good God" who has the "best plan" for each of us in many movies I see. It's very likely the writers and directors were not intending to paint such a picture. But God seems to talk with me well in the arts.

I love the way the word "nowhere" can be used to say, "I want to live 'nowhere' but 'here now!' "After reading my old friend from the other side of the pond I agree: " 'Consider the lilies of the field . . .' (Matthew 6:28). They grow where they are planted. Many of us refuse to grow where God plants us. Therefore, we don’t take root anywhere."

Being in the present tense "now" with my friend Jesus is simply "the best!" Life is often complex, confusing, and very much a cover-up, a medicating hiding game. All that numbing out stops when BEING in a friendship with Jesus, right NOW, becomes our reason for living.

Watch the movie and let me know how it touches your life. Hope to see you at breakfast (It IS the most important meal . . . " Can you hear your mom's voice right now?").

Setting Goals for 2008

[added thoughts on 1-26-08 . . . one friend may have not read the last paragraph of this blog . . . without it, everything, goals, tools, things matter for NOTHING. I'm still re-writing my "steps" and adjusting my goals as I continue to listen to God's best for me today.]


So I've been doing the whole "New Year's" goals off and on for 27 years with a hiatus several times. I find spending the time writing down on paper my priorities and dreams is in itself very helpful. This year one of my sons encouraged me to add the famous "Steps to Goals" details. I've also built a team that is checking up on me, encouraging, and some of them are even team participants.

You can do this too - start simple. Here's a few of my goals (I'll show you a couple of examples of steps I list). Good luck. NOTE: at the end of this blog

2008 Bruce Avery Directions

Relationships: to deepen, prioritize; grow in awareness, appreciation, & participation

1) Make list, prioritize, people and relationships I want to invest in – . . . (example of steps)
Steps to goals: List my “10 most important” by end of Jan. Prioritize by - How I can add to their life, their benefit to my family, ministry, . . .2) Do 12 most influential people party Steps to goals: Write invitation by end of Feb. Reviews of idea back by . . .3) Do six visits to bar/book store/coffee shop/park to meet 1^st X people Steps to goals: Have list of possible locations by Jan. 31. First visit in Feb. 3) Pray with Laura every night before going to bed. Re-establish our weekly dates, and do quarterly get-away. Have date with Marcus twice a month. Work on a book with him. 1^st setting before Jan. 31. First draft by End of March.

Other goals for 08 -

Mind: to expand, sharpen; use to aid in speaking, writing, and communicating

Body: to rejuvenate, invest; developing reserves and immunity for more energy

1) Record Body goals sheet daily – send out reports every month to my team

2) Make list of people I want to influence in the physical realm – finish by April

3) Pick one sporting events to enter (run or ride? STP? Bridges?) – set dates by April

Spiritual: fuel passion, friendship; growing trust, adventure, and authenticity

Ministry:

1) Develop Portland Leadership team:

Steps to goals:

2) Acquire, train, and pre-launch new Coffee shop ministry center Steps to goals: Dream team recruited and 1^st meeting by end of . . .

There you have it -a slice of my direction, focus, and passion for 2008.

Here's my important note: IF you write down goals (even if you don't write them down) make sure to pray through them, spending considerable time listening for the Spirit to give direction. I started my process of writing goals in Dec. and have this Thursday as my deadline for sharing it with my personal coach.


Goals don't make you more valuable to God or anyone else. They are tools - if used to keep us focused on my life mantra (Love people and use things - never love things and use people) then they are so good! God will give you direction - ask!

Feeding the homeless tomorrow

Want to come feed about 150 homeless youth with us tomorrow? Check with Tiffany regarding any openings - we will leave shortly after the service tomorrow (Sun. Jan. 6).

If you would like to help fund this ministry, you can use one of the envelopes provided at our Sunday service or email me regarding this and other outreaches to our homeless friends in Portland (Brucea@livinghopechurch.com).

Also, I'd still love to hear your stories from the "Charlie Brown cards" we did.


For our family, Christmas is a very extended tradition. We try to leave our trees and some decorations up as long as possible. Our big tree is being returned to nature this weekend and my little village (pic. to come) will be packed on Monday (that's our final day for Christmas to end). We are editing a holidays video and hope to have it up for your viewing pleasure soon. If you hate Christmas or just need to move on - ignore the pics and upcoming video.

I'm so excited about living beyond any box my creature-comfort nature has formed in 2007. I believe life is an adventure of dangerous journeys (most of them unscripted). The goal - forever friendships!

Yes I do set goals every year. This year I'm adding a spiritual element to the whole process that is very exciting. I'm also following one of my son's leads in a new way of listing them. I'm very pumped about them.

God is up to some really big things at Laurelhurst and I can't wait to see how many people's lives with be changed forever. Happy New year!

Christmas Eve

Pastor John had a survey attached to his blog that surveyed people across the country to see whether you opened presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. Ours is Christmas Eve. My sweetheart Laura is an ICU nurse and has to work on Christmas Eve. Visit my blog after Christmas and I'll share some of our fun traditions. (If I tell you now I might give away a surprise. You'll see).


As I look forward to our Laurelhurst Candlelight service today, I was thinking of how many men God is using to touch a hurting world in Portland, OR. Here's a picture of Jeff bringing five of us guys together for breakfast to plan and dream ONLY GOD dreams for men in Portland. Doug's camera took this picture; Jeff is on the far, distant right. Next to Will is Dennis and holding up the far left is Ray (Can you figure out who Doug is?).




Four other guys I want to highlight this morning: Don Taylor (lion outfit below), Robert Hill and Robert Hill (both of them) and John Toy. Don has been a servant with Laura and I for eight years (+). His amazing wife has earned her wings trying to keep Don on track. Don was our "bad" Santa on the Max last week. (The Mall authorities kicked him out - two Santas are too much.) Don has the gift of "helps" and more. He tirelessly gives and gives. He's that last minute guy and a great problem solver. I will never forget baptizing Don in an all black church. (He was the church treasure, I was the guest.) Don was being re-baptized and wanted to have it done at his former church. I'm so inspired by the tireless giving of so many of you. Thank you so much for giving your one and only life for God!

Many of you know the Robert Hill that helps with set-up, offering, and in almost any other way he can. Robert was a member of Will's church and has stepped in at Laurelhurst with his whole heart. A Robert Hug can make your day. He's got a huge heart for God. Robert's work shift has changed and so we've missed him this last month. He'll be back. Loved the hug this last Friday night.

The other Robert Hill I met at Prairie a couple of years ago. He's my Native brother and we've lifted weights together, laughed, eaten great salmon (he's one good cook) and cried over some huge broken pieces in his life. When Robert's wife abandoned their marriage, Robert really believed life for him had ended. Little did he know the master touch of Jesus and how he would not only be given a new heart, but Robert dropped religion, opened his hands and accepted grace. Last year I performed the wedding for Robert and his wonderful new bride (one very, very sweet, so-in-love-with Jesus lady). Robert has joined me from the very first when I began to dream about Portland. I've spent so many hours driving around Portland, praying, showing Robert possible locations before the Rose Garden ever happened. Thank you Robert for playing Cowboys and Indians with me (you win - you've got a life long - and beyond friend).

The last guy I want to highlight is Robert Toy. Robert heads our set-up/tear-down team. He not only pours his heart into a sometimes thankless job but he does it with pure joy. Robert is becoming one of my close friends and I can hardly wait to see what 2008 will bring to our ministry and friendship. Thank you Robert for such faithful sharing of your gifts, love for Jesus, and consistent joy.

I think my next blog will be a few of the stories of Laurelhurst members sharing how using our Charlie Brown thank you cards can make a huge difference. Thank someone today for how God had used them to bless your life. (I'll tell you about Rosa from Walmart in my next blog.)

"God SO loved that He gave . . . God is love . . . No greater love can be found than to lay down your life . . . while we were weak, sinners, yes even enemies with God we were brought near, reconciled, by the death of Jesus Christ" (From the book of John, I John, and Romans).

Merry Christmas dear Laurelhurst Rhinos: Give thanks to God and so His love to others (email me with your stories of kindness acts to others - Brucea@livinghopechurch.com.

Still Maxing OUT - pictures

How much fun was it Saturday night on the Max. To see the surprise, the number of people who sang carols with us and the response of the homeless in Pioneer Square - it was so cool (warming to the heart).

It all kicked off at the Starbucks by the IKEA. After taking our money they invited us to sing. The barista asked for a blanket, so we brought a smile to his life before leaving for a wonderful fun weekend.

Tiffany, Mary Jane and Dennis, and several others stayed up until 11pm Friday making 140 Christmas gifts for the homeless. It was a fun evening which ended with our Santa getting kicked out of the Pioneer Mall. One of our Laurelhurst attendees was mistaken for a homeless guy and was offered a blanket and coat (we laughed a lot).

We were made to make differences! We are all created in God's image!

Matthew 5:15-16 makes it clear: WE ARE lights on a hill to shine out for the whole world to see. We are Jesus' hands and face - His love to a lonely world with no light of forever friendship hope in their lives.

I'm already getting some cool stories from those who are using the Charlie Brown Christmas cards and red ribbon to bless strangers who need some cheer. I'll post those this week.

Check out these fun pictures:

Christmas on the Max - Sat. Dec.15 @ 3:30 p.m.

Directions:
Link TO GOOGLE MAP

View Larger Map

Here's the clip from Johnny & us trying to find Holiday cheer:
Internet Explorer users click here for the clip

MORE INFORMATION:

• We'll start at the Cascade Max station (by IKEA & the airport, across from the new Starbucks (before 3:30 we will be at Starbucks) - Directions: take the Airport Way exit off of I-205 (west towards airport), take the first exit off of Airport Way (Cascades Way) and turn LEFT (towards IKEA - away from the airport) on Cascades Pky. You will see the Max station on the right and Starbucks on your left (You can park behind Starbucks & Kay Jewelers).
• Dress warm - The coats and hats we're bringing are for the homeless.
• Be nice to Santa and his helpers. (We'll provide the candy canes and holiday music sheets.)
• After riding/singing/being way too serious on the max we will stop at Pioneer Square and give out gifts, clothing, & blankets to the homeless.
• Those who wish to play with us can do the "12 days of Christmas" and check out the mall gingerbread house competition and get food/hot drinks.
• For more information email pastor Bruce - Brucea@livinghopechurch.com

Thankfulness - Gratitude is the attitude

I've watched It's a Wonderful Life every Christmas for a long time and I still find myself amazed at how much of a real difference every one of us makes. When I'm stressed or isolated it's harder to sense that I really am made in God's image. All of us are creative forces that add to or take away - all the time! I want to live to give God's love.

This weekend (Dec. 16) I'm speaking on the power of gratitude. Here are a couple thoughts I ran across in my study:

• Brennan Manning: “To live in the wisdom of accepted tenderness is to accept myself and everything that happens to me as a gift that’s good; it’s to understand that my very existence is an expression of praise and thanks to God.”
  

• Albert Schweitzer: "At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us."

• Cicero: "Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others."

• Meister Eckhart: "If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 'thank you,' that would suffice."

• Buddha: "Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful."

• Paul (I Thessalonians 5:16-18) "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."

If ingratitude is the opposite of gratitude and hatred is the opposite of love, how important is it that I live out God's gift of life with gratitude today?

Check out this popular advertisement on TV (You give a little love)

Christmas Clutter

Laura and I have been quickly grabbing a few items for the last three weeks, in the "Clutter Ultimatum" for our Laurelhurst campus giveaway. We have also had several conversations about our mental clutter.

It was dark, wet, and very quiet when I got to my office this morning and it felt so good to sit with my old friend from across the pond (English dude bud-friend for the last 9 years) and reflect on what matters most.

Oswald (my UK mentor) said this to me; "Why does not God save me? He has saved me, but I have not entered into relationship with Him. Why does not God do this and that? He has done it, the point is - Will I step into covenant relationship? All the great blessings of God are finished and complete, but they are not mine until . . . ."

"Hmm" I replied, "If I've already got this amazing relationship with God, but I have so much 'this and that' as you put it, that God hasn't given me, what do I need to do?"

Os smiled and softly said, "Waiting for God is incarnate unbelief, it means that I have no faith in Him; I wait for Him to do something in me that I may trust in that." You see, God's nuts about us - He said so in Genesis 1 and reminded us in Paul's letter to Ephesus (Check it out). But God is waiting, very patiently for our response. Friendships are never fear-based, never forced. (That's what religion does- NOT God!)

Chambers and I had a wonderful time this morning (I won't bore you with all the details) and I wrote in my journal these words:

"Real, alive, authentic relationships are always "choice driven." The very word, 'relationship' denotes a number larger than one (I'm guessing 'three' is the smallest number for a good relationship). The BIGGEST Being in the universe has already, before time began, fallen madly in love with me! I want to say yes so many times more this day to your offer of forever friendship. I am YOURS! This is THE gift of forever friendship; thank you Jesus! I John 4:18-19; John 3:16-17

Read my British Chaps words for yourself:
Modern English (Easy reading - not as accurate)

Original Oswald

Big Trees & Memories

As our boys were growing up we would remind them each week, "We were made to love people and use things, never love things and use people."

We keep looking for illustrations from our previous week to remind us.

That's what the Christmas season should be about. Two Mondays ago, with the help of some "curly fries" and the borrowed "Blue Bomb" we motored up into the wild mountains above Camas and cut down a couple trees! We cut our little guy first, a 8 ft. "family room" tree. Then we went hunting for the "big guy." We selected, by committee, a 25' fella, then trimmed him down to about 18 feet. The curly fries came in between the two trees. Photo op time and two beautiful horses (they pushed against the fence begging for some attention) added to our memories. Here are a few pics - you fill in the commentary (THE TREE IS NOW UP - 16.5 ft. of pure beauty! Be watching for the final footage). Coming soon - a new video of Johnny Driver and myself trying to bring Portland some holiday cheer!

Thanksgiving Pics - finally

Finally: woe - the three days leading up to Thanksgiving was busy for me. My current obsession with the whole "Socialization" ideas got stuck on the back burner and I forgot on Wed. to take home my powercord for my laptop and my PDA sync got lost and I . . . well, I'm back!

Laura worked on Turkey day so I got to read, try a new way preparing "yams to die for" and the 2007 "better dressing" idea I had (Laura gave me rave reviews). We had one of our House Church leaders over and our dinner began (with great and glorious gusto at 9:oo PM). It's a very good thing I spent two hours in the gym; ate apples, and smiled a lot before eating at such a Roman hour. All was good. Brett Favre was inspiring, my boys are SO much fun to hang out with and we ended our Friday with a fun movie; a huge "Native Leg-wrestling" contest and a marathon of the game Twister (I wisely stuck to supervising, coaching, and cheering on the glistening gladiators).

Here are the pics. from serving the homeless last Sat. - enjoy:

Serving Thanksgiving Last Saturday

More of a few of our faithful, fun, and fantastic crew (so many helped in preparation and delivery) - thank you to all!

Thanksgiving update

WOW! If you didn't get a chance to be part of our Thanksgiving feast for the homeless last Saturday, you can mark your calendars for December 15th when we will ride the Max singing Christmas carols with Santa and his elves, then give out blankets. We will end with a huge party downtown - Fun!

We served between 350-500 people. The food was excellent, desserts looked wonderful, and the gifts of deodorant and other practical needs were so appreciated. I was so, so blessed and hearing Tiffany and others who served share was even more inspiring.

Tomorrow - pictures and . . .

My thoughts on "socialization" and our bonsai views of God!

Thanksgiving for the homeless this Saturday

I'm so excited about this Saturday's Thanksgiving! Our Laurelhurst church will be working with the Liberation Street Church to serve (two seatings) the homeless of downtown Portland at Thanksgiving feast.

Tiffany is our lead on this service and tells me as of today could still use 4 more people for the 2nd shift, 1:30-4 p.m. Also if you want to slip by around 3 you could help with clean-up.

We are giving out care packages and still need 40 more deodorants (get them at the Dollar store for $1).

Send me an email and I'll connect you with Tiffany so you can be a part of this wonderful time of sharing love in a practical way.

Brucea@livinghopechurch.com

Red blood and the power of water

I've still got an image in my mind: watching pastor Will pouring the red blood (paint) over the white cross a few weeks ago. Laura and I believe the entire series on SEX was exactly what our society needs to move towards freedom. I've also had images from our last baptism weekend in my mind.

Pam is someone I want to highlight. Pam knows God saved her life when she was found, almost dead in a tree (her car crashed, she was catapulted through her sunroof into a tree). Following brain surgery, Pam is now restricted to a wheelchair. Sun following our Laurelhurst service, Pam asked if it would be possible for her to be baptized. Laura and I took her to our Prairie Campus and together Pastor Will and I baptized her. Her story is truly amazing. You can pray for Pam as is praying that her parents and kids will come to know Jesus. More on Pam later.

All of this brings my thoughts back to a powerful word that rubs up against us daily: pastor John mentioned this word in our SEX series. It's a word that was crushed by a lot of people this weekend (XXX Where Baptized into Jesus this past weekend!).

THAT DANGEROUS WORD? Rationalization! It's perhaps the most powerful tool we use to do what we really want to do.

What do you most often rationalize most? For me it's food and the way I talk about "bad" K-Mart driver types (people without politeness or brains - "Why do you love the left lane! Please get over!!). It's so easy for me to rationalize -do creative self-talk to justify my thoughts and actions.

Most rationalization is based on mis-truths (distorted realities -lies). For example I've often bought into the totally bogus mis-truth that "Other drivers should respect my rights and be sensitive to my need to drive fast. And if they don't I can't be happy; I can't be Ok." This simply isn't true. I like respect and fast driving (Driving in the UK was so, so wonderful - they are so much better than us - the "right lane is always open.") but it's not essential to my happiness.

Try making a list of your favorite rationalizations (for getting irritated, angry, raising your voice, withdrawing, medicating w M&M's). Invite a friend to give you feedback. Then spend some time in prayer - see if God reveals some of the mis-truths to your rationalization. Tuesdays are now my juice/12 almonds/apple day. It's very hard for me! This week I found myself remarking about some great physical goals I'd reached. I wondered, out loud, if really an "all juice" day was good for me. I knew I was rationalizing. I even teased that I might get up at 12:01 a.m. and eat. Well, I survived! I'm still laughing at my crazy rationalization. What I really wanted to believe was simple: "Bruce deserves to come home after a long stressful day and eat food that makes him feel good." Sounds good, but very "less filling" in the long run.

Calling all Peng . . .

You don't have to go far to express yourself creatively . . . Thanks Ray and Shay