Learning to dance (Why did I wait 30+ years?)

 

So, I’m here (hear me) to proclaim that I’ve been acting very, very stupid for a long time.  I love to talk about how cool, essential, it is to pour into your spouses life!  We are difference makers, built in our Creator’s image (passions, values, and needs) . . . Yes I believe God has needs (GOD IS LOVE . . . therefore God' needs objects, creations, being to be in relationship with.)!

Back to acting stupid; I gave Laura the ultimate Valentines gift (for her), I bought her a lesson with a 2008 champion swing dance finalist.  We went last Monday to one of studios she teaches at – what a flight of stairs I had to climb.  It was worse than K2 or Mt. Mckinley.  I have several “left” feet and when I try to move them to music (so I’ve always believed) I turn into a Gerald Ford in terms of gracefulness!  I’d tried dancing at a church hoe-down once (it may have been the Country music that messed me up) and it was a huge disaster.  Everyone got they entertainment out of laughing at me and they even made a video which they showed in church the next week (just before I got up to speak).

But Laura was so encouraging (almost giddy) and  after another quick trip to the bathroom and breaking my dancing shoe laces we were ready . . . NOW HERE’S PROOF that I’ve taken GOLD in the “act real stupid” category:  The minute I began the lesson with her she began to glow (light an airport strobe) and she continued to glow for three more days.

I even caught her bragging it up to four other friends (ladies) what a super-human husband she is married to  . . . Stupid Bruce; it cost so very little and paid out so very big!  I’ve known for a long time this little act of giving would bring so much happiness and speak so much to Laura’s language of love.  Why didn’t I do this for her long time ago?  That’s why I saw I’ve been acting very stupid.  Wikipedia has updated it’s definition of acting stupid with a picture of me and the truth that I had NO GOOD reason for holding back this gift from my wife all these years!

So, why didn’t I do this for my best-friend/sweetheart long time ago?

1)  Ignorance is bliss (but still very stupid)
2)  I didn’t want to look stupid MORE than I wanted to bring real joy to my true love
3)  I thought if I didn’t think about how much this would bless my wife then it wouldn’t make it so stupid
4)  I’m very lazy when it comes to doing things I don’t have any motivation to do
5)  I closed the door by saying I do lots of other great things for her
6)  I compared myself to other men and was able to hid behind that
7)  I lied by saying, “It’s just not me!”  This is such a top-10-lie
BOTTOM LINE: (8)   I was being selfish! 

I’ve met so many people who could add so much to their spouses, kids, parents, siblings, and friends lives but they live out of fear, the comfort of predictability, and selfishness.

What should you plan to do right now that you KNOW will add to a relationship that is very important.

p.s.  The day after; the dance lesson wasn’t that bad.  Laura and I are now practicing (it’s such a wonderful gift for her).  I love a challenge and so I’ve booked a second lesson.  I wonder what will happen when we start moving to the music!

I’m no longer acting stupid.  It’s such a great feeling.  

Paul is a friend of mine who wrote this famous love advice (considered by some to be the greatest definition of love): read what he said about these moments of opportunity.

Oh yea . . . Final two days of V day with my sweetheart

Sunday, following a very fun Birthday party with our friend Emilee we hit the road.  I had several bags packed with decorations, decadent deserts (dark Chocolate) and bubbly!

Laura dropped me off at our hotel (She had been so curious) – The Aloft (a W Hotel).  I want us to stay someplace different that anything we’d stayed in – it fit.  While Laura did a coffee run I decorated, candles, a desert bar, and more . . . the decor of the room was new, modern, and fun.  Our 42” flat screen hung on the wall about three feet from the end of our bed . . .

The shower, in our room, was to die for . . . and I had hearts stuck everywhere; with appropriate comments . . . My two best, killer cards were waiting for Sun night and Mon. morning.  Shop way ahead of time for cards . . . the relaxed atmosphere and larger selection will pay off – Laura really loved her cards (I love cards- WOW!)

 

Monday morning we slept in (7 for me) and then found the Hotel gym to be the best we’ve ever experienced for a hotel.  We then went back to our room and read and hung out until we left.

An amazing breakfast (1 pm) at the a little hole-in-the wall on Division St in Portland (Detour) . . . I love this funky, great-food, cool owners hangout (Laura’s first time here).  She really liked it!

Then we went to the Driving Range and hit golf balls, practiced putting and chipping (the 60 degree wedge is a golf club . . . thanks for the comments new readers – do I have 7 faithful readers now?)

We sat in the sun (of our car) and read from our new “Seattle-based” novel . . . Then it was home for our Monday night Family date with our kids (They insist we have Mon. nights for family night – how blessed am I?)

The result of these seven days of romance?  I’ve noticed great wonders and marvels not seen for a while in the ordinary moments of Tue. & Wed.   Laura’s glow is still lingering and my sense of how great of gift she is in my life is so strong.  We were made for romance.  How’s yours?

Idea: If you’ve been burned by religion and broken friendships try searching again for romance with God.  I believe you will find it if you admit, even embrace your fear-based core, then willingly hand yourself over, the way you REALLY ARE to your forever Creator-friend!  I’d love to sit with you and tell you more grand romantic stories.  My dream?  To see you become so hungry and thirsty for this deep love that you risk everything to reach out one more time!  You will win!  Start planning now for that next opportunity to be romantic!

Tomorrow:  The Ultimate gift I gave my wife Mon. morning that made her cry tears of joy.  It’s the most expensive gift I’ve ever given (in US currency it cost me $70, but in soul-gold it cost a whole lot more . . . Can you guess what this incredible gift is?  Laura actually gets it this next Monday!)

Oh Wow – You’ve got to read this!

1)  Don’t stop reading what happened the last two days of my V-prep with my sweetheart and I!

2)  Here is my “Easiest Ever” Tip for supersizing romance with that special person (will work on friend, mom, or sibling).

 

Tip:  Do the old-fashioned Stare-down!  Look deeply into your mate/friend/parent/child/Politian's eyes.  Then add another one of your 5 senses: Tell them you love/like/find fascinating, this love/friendship gazing!  Try to really mean it (Joke)!  The second level of human bonding is “eye to eye” contact.  It’s so basic we forget to use it enough.  If your a bit out of shape in your “eye-ball staring exercises” you may even find it makes you feel a bit vulnerable (sometimes even the other person will sense this) – It’s OK!  Keep exercising and you’ll be even more fit!

 

Thursday,Laura and I didn’t see each other until about 10 p.m. – I gave her a very wonderful, romantic gift.  I came into the bedroom (this is safe reading) and lay down beside her (on top of the covers).  She had her eyes closed so when I gave a descriptive hint re. her soon-to-be receive gift she began to laugh (Laura has one of the most amazing laughs)!  Then she opened her eyes to discover I had bought her a 60 degree wedge! (Right now if your a man you may be feeling very intimidated.  Ladies, your men will learn to be this romantic too – someday)!

Then last night, (Laura worked a 13 hr. shift at the hospital) I transformed our Volvo into the Love-Mobile!  It’s so romantic, and has so many elements that were “for her eyes only” that I can’t give you any details.  Needless to say, I did cover the windows with red paper; there were multiple candles, orchids, and lost of trays of rich, Eastern delights.  We did dinner at one of our favorite Thai restaurants afterwards.  What a day before!

Today: 3.5 hrs doing Cardio for me; Laura going to a funeral & then late lunch at the new Tommy O’s off of 192nd (We love this place – wow, wow).  Our real V. Day is Sunday evening and Monday (You will not believe the get-away I’ve got planned for the most wonderful girl in all the world – God give the very best gifts – It’s true).

Only Three days Left (Romance tips # 2)

Today, my pre-V gift is one of those “time-released” capsules, like a very expensive vitamin (such a romantic image). It started with me having Laura’s “foo-foo” drink ready for her when she came downstairs (this is her day off). I also had the cat fed (she was surprised) and I was waiting with my arms outstretched (standing by our kitchen island) and gave here a hug/backrub combination. The point is to disrupt your “normal” activities and surprise the one who counts so much in your heart. Laura is used to me being in my recliner, lost in thoughts, reading and writing. This surprised her so much that she even asked me, “What’s wrong Honey?” Great question –perfect set-up! I now was able to hit a triple by simply saying I wanted to surprise her, by being ready to tell her how much she meant to me on this pre-valentines day!

Questions (for this very moment):

• What “morning habit” could you alter that would surprise the one you love (in a good way)?
• What “act of service” could you do that you normally never/seldom do that would surprise your mate (Leave a note; sometimes I leave a text message on my wife note alerting her to look for the note – the message can be encrypted).

The next part of my pre-V day was to pick up several cards for the remainder of the week (Try to get a card by tomorrow or the good ones will all be gone – trust me I got some great ones today). I had set a 1.5 hr date with my sweetheart today and the sun played peek-a-boo enough to entice me to grace Laura’s golf shoes, and several irons and together we hit a bucket of balls at the driving range. We then sat in our car (she had to close her eyes) and I gave her some new pucker-up candies and a wonderful card (what you write counts a lot –taking time to get a very artistic, well worded card is that added plus). I had picked up a very cool novel based in the WWII days in Seattle Wa. I place the card, candy, and book in her lap and then after she had read the card I suggested we talk about how we could read the book together. We settled on reading a few pages before we went back to work. The warm sun, short break outside, and time to share and look forward to a book we can enjoy together was a warm, romantic moment that was so rich (I love seeing my wife’s eyes light up).

What was your day of romance like? I loved reading Proverbs 11 today!  It’s some very wise stuff!

Romantic (ONLY 4 days LEFT!) tips for V Day!

 

The book, Song of Solomon is one of the most sensual/sexual pieces of literature every written.  It never mentions God’s name, prayer, or “religious words.”  It so embarrassed theologians and religious teachers that for more than 1,000 years it was turned into a spiritual metaphor and translated so that the idioms and metaphors were not hidden.  Why?  I think we’ve boxed God outside of the gift of romance and intimacy.

This week (and perhaps beyond) I hope to blog about the Romance of a deep intimate friendship.

I’m going to share a web site that has a lot of tips (I wouldn’t buy the books or buy a whole lot of the advice . . . that’s just me . . . I’m careful about what I buy into when it comes to relationship experts . . . and NO I DON’T have all the answers . . . I’ll explain another time).   The web site for Valentine ideas: THE ROMANTIC.

Feb 10 - BRUCE’S ROMANTIC (pre)V. DAY TREAT (I’m prepping for that amazing girlfriend and wife, my best friend Laura):  I jumped out of bed at 5 a.m. and as soon as Laura was in the shower I took her towel and Head wrap and fast tracked it to the dryer.  When she stepped out there was a note (w a heart) and very warm towels (she loved it).  The bed was made and I’d already fed the cat . . . Tomorrow I kick into TURBO.  Come back tomorrow for an update!

Who will you romance today?  Will you allow God to romance you today?  Is there stranger who needs a kindness act (a kind of romantic touch that says “Everyone is someone special!”).

Several years ago my sweetheart gave me a romantic verse that is an amazing reminder of the ultimate gift!  Read it now? 

The very best Present is the celebration of God’s Presence (no where but NOW HERE with YOU!) here with you and in you, now!

 

My new passion for India

God is very much into surprises!  It's a long hard lesson for me to believe that whatever happens, God will use it to bring amazing blessings.
My good friend and fellow pastor, Duane Warren, set me up with Preaching on the cell phone to People in India.  Dr Kumar holds these evangelistic outreaches and works with our Only God International ministry.
My voice is broadcast over a loud speaker and hundreds show up to listen to an American speak.  Dr. Kumar then translates and this has become a weekly event.

 

Every week Dr. Kumar sends me a report of the number of people who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and forever-friend for the first time – I’m always amazed.  This week Dr. Kumar sent me pictures from the gathering; the largest I’ve preach to via my cell phone: 1,200 people came out and 97 accepted Jesus into their lives.

I feel so small and so full of joy at the same time.  God has so many adventures for all of us.  It doesn’t require being able to see all the details (or any), just that first step in reaching out and experiencing the thrill as God works His magic.  

Every Friday morning I remembering telling Duane I would help him once in a while (I did not want to do this!).  The first two times I spoke it felt horrible.  But seeing God work and knowing it’s NOT me has been one of the richest experiences I’ve had in a long time!  Take a risk.  Go out, even if you don’t know where God is leading You!

 

 

 

You're invited to a very special CD Release Show

Laura and I are so excited to invite you to the CD release show of the band our son is in: Gordon Avenue!

Quick Facts

Date: Thursday, April 2, 2009 (exact time not set yet)

Place: Hawthorne Theater - Portland OR - SE Hawthorne & SE 39th Ave

Doors open at 7 p.m.

New Album: Broken Pieces Make the Beautiful things



We are so proud of the Band and the Album is fantastic! The songs our son, Avery has written, range from Fun, to very deep. And to see him live is such a powerful experience. Come join us for this new album release show. If you feel your a bit old there are a couple options to consider - ONE, bring earplugs and enjoy the energy of this cool show; or SECOND, invest into some young person/s and treat them to some free tickets (They will very much appreciate your kind act!).

We will keep you updated. Please feel free to email me (Bruce) at Averybruce@gmail.com

In Addition: Gordon has three guest bands playing that night so it will be a Big night for great music!

The Story I promised . . . (sorry)

For all six of my faithful readers, please accept my most humble apologies for not finishing my story when I said I would. (Parents, I messed up so many times by promising my kids time with them and then not following through - learn from my screw-ups, OK!). Woe, I wrote this and left it in draft mode for the last several seasons . . . years? This is beyond saying I'm sorry. Does it make sense to say, "We've been really busy"? Anyway here's the story and we'll see how much I improve at blogging on a regular basis.

Mike Miller was our guest speaker at Living Hope several weekends ago, and I smiled when the key passage he choose was Romans 8:28 - EVERYTHING works out for good for those who are linked up with Jesus! How well I know that! I had just blogged about it two days before . . . funny how God links us up to each other.

Here's the story: (Want to read my set-up blog? Check it out: "sitting on the throne" intro.) My difficult start with preaching via my cell phone to a large number of people in India, was offset by a story that God brought back to my mind; I call it "the Bird Lady Story."

My oldest boy, Gordon, was about three and a half and loved to go to the gym with me. It was a gorgeous day, sunshine, and absolutely perfect! As I drove past the golf course it called out wonderful promises to me. I had the stereo turned up and my custom Z28 was sounding fine . . . Oh what a wonderful life!

After the workout at the gym (Gordon worked out hard in the daycare) we were walking across the parking lot and were just crossing through an alley when Gordon let go of my hand and started running. He was so cute. So full of energy. Then I saw her; "Oh no!" I thought, I knew exactly what Gordon was up to -He was running to greet "The Bird Lady."

Ok, just hang on for a moment. I'm fully aware that my labeling of this person was cold, yes, even mean. It's totally fine for you to judge me, but please DO remember how easy it is to judge otheres without even consciously thinking about how harmful it is. Living in the bliss of ignorance doesn't make us once ounce less responsible. The scary thing is how easily we can do it while playing brain dead.

I had seen this woman once before. The lady was anorexic, with shoulders that hung down as if almost all the life was gone from her. If I had taken time to really let my heart recognize her, my heart could have cried out for someone who had so little hope. Her unwashed hair covered her entire face except for that huge beak-like nose. She walked as if she was an extra in the cult classic "Night of the Living Dead." And here was my innocent little boy running towards her.

I began to call out after my son, "Come here son. Daddy's in a hurry, come here." But the truth was that this preacher-dude was very uncomfortable. I felt uneasy around this person who appeared to be so messed up. Gordon didn't listen (at least to me), but began to jump around this shuffling shell; he was leaping all around her, and with warm laughter in his voice crying out, "Hello! Hello! Hello! My name is Gordon. How are you? What's your name? Hello, hello . . ." His merry little dance with this new, potential friend never lost its intensity. In the eyes of this uninfected boy, this lady was just like any other person, as beautiful as all other humans.

I eventually grasped Gordon's arm and pulled him towards the Z. The entire time Gordon was waving and shouting to his newly discovered friend, "Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye!" I'm so glad God reminded me of this story! I remember the beat-down, rejected, nameless child of our Creator lifting her head just an inch. For one second there was a connection with my son. Then her head returned to it's defeated stance and she continued on as if we didn't exist.

My worship of being safe, in my comfort zone, detached from what I viewed as ugly and messy, had so imprisoned me that only later that day did I hear what God's Spirit had been saying to me all along. God had to use one of his most powerful agents to open my eyes - the heart of a little child!

The entire mess of not being ready to preach in India let me to cry out to God. He brought back one of my most cherished stories. I was a preacher, but not in a light that reflected God's love. I find so much joy in viewing others as GOD'S KIDS. Some will say that until you accept God's love into your life you are not one of His children. From our perspective I agree. A relationship of friendship is always a number greater than one. But from God's perfect perspective He views ALL OF US as His kids! We may be kids who don't know who our Heavenly Father is; we can be rebellious kids in denial. We can be brain dead to the reality that the Creator of the Universe chose us and loved us long before He even created our planet! He had chosen us in His Eternal Heart before time even existed. The Bible says that God considers us His even when we hated him and are in a non-existent relationship with him (check out the verses please)!

The more I believe God will never fall out of love with me the more I allow Him to remove the fear that keeps me from loving everyone and seeing everyone for the true beauty that no one can remove from their hearts. God HAS already planted eternity in every one of our hearts!

Please take a moment to think about my son. The love God put in his heart for that lonely child of his and the promise of love made to everyone of us! It's what Christmas is all about - The free gift of love!

All (big word) things work out for . . . (what a morning!)

I can't wait to see some (most :) of you this Sunday morning at the Greek Cusina! (hint, hint). Living Hope Church Portland is meeting on the second floor (go to my blog about this here) at 10am. I'm going to be sharing the exciting vision of being at Living Hope in Portland. Little did I know how much God would touch my life this morning in preparation for my sharing this Sunday!

Bible Guy, Paul (wrote most of the New Testament), had one unusual life - wow; big "theology guy", religious zealot, passionate Christ-follower, a guy beat up by the church he loved and served, misjudged constantly for the letters he wrote, physically beaten several times, shipwrecked, and finally beheaded! The words he wrote in Roman 8:28 sang out to my frontal lobes this morning: "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." I like how the Message Bible says it; "That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good."

My morning started with some uneasiness, @ 5:08am, when I woke with the realization that even though I had not confirmed preaching in India (via my cell phone - see previous story) it might happen anyway (a cultural thing?) Dr. Kumar had asked me to speak at 6:30am. I had decided I couldn't do it, but . . . I still thought he might call anyway. . . well he did. But did my doctor friend call at 6:30? NO he waited until 7:05am. That's a BIG problem. I had already assumed he wasn't going to call and by 7am had begun to do some paperwork (see picture) - Then the phone rang ("Oh crap!"). Preaching via cell phone has it's advantages (having to wait for the translator to speak does too) . . . by the time I finished preaching I was in my car, up at Q.F.C. (the best cell reception) . . . AND sure enough, GOD fulfilled His promise, given to all His kids, in Romans 8.

This evening I will blog (I hope) about the amazing story God led me to tell (it's a story of when Gordon was 3.5 yrs old and how the "Bird Lady", who we met in the alley by our gym, changed the way I view the "untouchables" of our world.) Little did I know how Gordon would speak again into my life when we had coffee together after I was done preaching . . . please come back and read the story when I've posted it. Once again, God used my family, and some strange "circumstances" to speak to me and through me (ONLY GOD!).

Bottom line: AS FOR ME AND MY HOME . . . we will continue to believe that God is BIG enough to take care of all our environments and situations. EVEN BETTER, GOD IS GOOD enough (so very good) as to always work out life-changing miracles of renewed or new "forever friendships!"

I'm so optimistic about God's future (and very excited to see His next great move)! Yes, Microsoft stock did crash (drop) to $20 a share yesterday. . . P.S. - I stopped watching the "news" a long time ago (and my health keeps improving). I stand in such awe at how great it is to be in a long-term friendship with Jesus! We are "Difference Makers!' Talk to you soon - Bruce

This Sunday

It will be a great adventure meeting at the Greek Cusina this Sunday (10am) and I still believe God has that perfect place for us in Portland. As several of us loaded vehicles this afternoon at Laurelhurst I was struck by how temporary everything is and how permanent our friendships can be.

We get to invite others to join us for a forever-friendship with God. This Sunday I'm going to share about God's focus for the time we are in - Our hope when things don't look so hopeful. Come join us for the adventure of a lifetime.

New Adventure For Portland

[Need information on Living Hope's NEW location for Nov. 16 - jump to the bottom of this blog] Not sure if you're a "glass half full" or "glass half empty" kind of person. Many of us have environments that change the way we view life (I tend to be a "half empty" guy in terms of politics). But I look at God's love moving in stronger waves in Portland. If you look at the challenges Living Hope has faced in the greater Portland area, let me share my "half full" perspective. We have been in three very different locations, had multiple staff help lead, and even had a traditional Baptist black church join us. We've seen people who used to attend a conservative denomination in Vancouver join us, and now we are in a very difficult economic time. And yet I see God raising up people who LIVE IN Portland to passionately desire to reach out and love people with the love God has put in them! Our Life Groups are growing and more and more people are finding our church to be the place where God meets them just as they are! We are moving once again, and the search for a new location has been a bit of a "boot-camp" experience. Just yesterday Don Taylor showed me a very cool venue that is being rebuilt, and again my hope took off. We will be walking in the dark for a few weeks more as we look for this new home. Pray with us, join us if you feel God's Spirit leading you. We are on God's adventure! We may have some wandering to do (like Abraham - no GPS). We may be tempted to doubt God's promises on "Mondays" (Abraham struggled with this too). And like Abraham's grandson, Jacob, we might have to wrestle with an American Gladiator all night (perhaps in the morning we'll find we were wrestling God - see Genesis 32). But God will shine out in Portland and religion that dresses up like a safe place to become friends with Jesus will either be reborn or die! Guilt, judging, and focus on external rules will no longer be called by the name, "Christian". I dream and believe God IS doing this even now. The dream to open an Arts Center where we can worship and then serve seven days a week is still burning in my heart! We are still looking. Next week (Nov. 16) will meet for church at: The Greek Cusina (404 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97204)

We are meeting at 10am and then will order food afterward. (We can help if you don't have a budget to eat there - there are some excellent breakfast or lunch options for cheap.) We won't have children's classes next week. Together we will explore this next stage of God's journey. DON'T WORRY, WE DON'T DO ANY GREEK DANCING! Check out to the Greek Cusina's website, look at their menu too).

It's going to be fun! See you there!

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Story continued . . . (sorry)

Shorts story continued (Want to start at Chapter one?) . . . so, I'm all messed up because Dr. Kumar called me 30 min. early . . . now I've just finished my opening prayer and I lose phone signal. I drop everything and race up the stairs to our bedroom. There are a not-overused pair of shorts laying on the floor (no one picked them up in the middle of the night). Like a "drunken-Jackie-Chan" master I'm in the shorts and racing back down the stairs. Bible, notes, cell phone, oh, I need my keys . . . I'm just sliding into our car when the phone rings: India! I answer and hear Dr. Kumar say, "We sorry, you continue to preach Pastor Bruce." Preaching, driving, putting on my seatbelt and trying to pull up my shorts (hadn't even got them fastened properly yet), and pulling out my notes from my Bible makes for some very disjointed thoughts. I was so, so grateful to have to stop every sentence and wait for Dr. Kumar to translate.

After parking at QFC I tried to settle in and focus on the story I was telling (the Good Samaritan). I told of how each of us follows a path trying to please someone . . . our god or gods. I spoke of how so many people tell us which path to follow. I told them the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis chapter four. I talked about how all try to be more loving or kind. I then highlighted the Priest in Jesus' story as representing a "holy man" who had too many things to do to stop and help the dying man by the road. The Levite was the highest Caste in their culture. He wouldn't even sit in the market where a Samaritan had been. He also crossed over to the other side of the road and followed his own way.

It was so hard preaching on a cell phone with no one to look at . . . I did get a couple funny looks as people drove by what looked like a naked man from their view (I wished I at least had socks on). Here I am feeling like I sound fake on the phone, getting cold and starting the car, and praying that God would somehow use this to touch the lives of those who don't know how mad-in-love He is with them.

When I came to the Samaritan in John's story, I highlighted how much he was rejected, didn't go to the temple enough, and definitely wasn't as good as the holy man who had passed by. But in his heart he heard God's call of love and chose a path that was not his. He stopped and cared for the man and took him to a hotel to recuperate.

I told them of how my little brother was saved from drowning and what it means to have someone save you when you are powerless to do anything. I reminded them that good parents love their children before their children ever know how to love them back or try to please them. I read to them John 3:16-17 and Ephesians 1:4-5. I then explained what it meant to accept Jesus' way, His gift of eternal life, free. I told them that being with Jesus forever meant there would be no fear, no more pain, tears, or death, but God's love being shared with each other forever.

I had to explain very carefully what it would mean and the following steps they would take if they stood up and let me pray for them. I was told that a good number had stood. I prayed and said goodbye. I felt relieved it was over. I so wished I had been ready for that early call.

It was two days later that my Blackberry buzzed and I looked at a new email that had arrived . . . it was from Dr. Kumar. He spoke with such honorable words and as I read tears filled my eyes. 1,200 people had come to hear an American speak to them. My voice was heard over a loudspeaker and when I explained what it meant to accept Jesus, 79 people who had never known the True God or His Son Jesus stood and are now planning with pastors that were there to be baptized.

It's really not about us, is it? We are God's Shadow (I spoke this weekend at Living Hope on being made in God's image and being connected in Jesus - more about that soon . . . I hope). We are not the spotlight, we are to reflect God's forever love. "Christ lives IN you, your hope of glory!"

You and I are difference makers . . . we are reflecting, encouraging, or tearing down everyone around us . . . I so want to share some practical prayers, thoughts, and a couple books that have touched my life. We were never meant to do life solo. Is there a part of your life you're living all by yourself? (It will always be small and disappointing if it's not including others.) Do you have lonely moments, hours, or maybe days? (I have a friend who's been lonely and depressed for several years.) I want to share the stories I shared this weekend, but in greater detail as they have so powerfully touch our families lives. These are not just self help stories, they are the path of our Creator God, the one who's nuts about us. The one who pursues us and waits for us to believe what He says about us. See you tomorrow. (Sorry it took me so long to finish the story.)

Beautiful Golf, Amazing Pics, & Brotherhood of the Traveling Shorts

Yes, I will tell my "Traveling Shorts" story of preaching in NOTHING but my shorts to 1,200 people in India - "True Story". And no, it's not a dream or some "play on words", it really did happen . . . BUT first:

Last call to play golf this Sat. (Oct. 11). Our tee time is 10:30 -11am. I've only got 3-4 spots left open. We will play at Beacon Rock Golf Course (east of Vancouver WA on Hwy 14). It's a 30 min. drive from Vancouver and so beautiful this time of year. The course is small - some narrow fairways - very beautiful shots of Beacon Rock. (Have you ever climbed it? Very cool!) Let me know soon if you want to go! I hope there's a spot open for you.

Catch this: Our granddaughter, Elena Renee Avery, at 4 months of age - Wow (I hope to open a YouTube account and post the video clip I showed last week at Living Hope in Portland)!




Traveling Pants story: I was scheduled to preach for the first time ever on a cell phone to a group of people in India. Dr. Kumar had contacted me through our ONLY GOD network and spoke with me by phone last Thursday night. He had instructed me to be ready to preach at 8:30 a.m. our time. He said that they would all be ready when he called so I was to pray as soon as he said, "You pray Pastor Bruce". Then I was to preach my heart out (easy)! I had been up for 2.5 hrs. Friday morning when my cell phone rang, but . . . it was 8 a.m., not 8:30. I was still in my robe. I heard Dr. Kumar say, "Now you pray for us Pastor Bruce. We ready." I wasn't! I didn't have my Bible or notes and I was still in my robe. I multi-task well. I prayed, gathered notes and my faithful Bible and moved to our formal living room (the best reception). I had a few moments between each sentence as I was being translated into their Hindi (or maybe something else?). I had finished my prayer and was into my opening story when I lost our signal - the phone connection died! I had planned to be sitting in my car, up at QFC and next to Blockbuster Video (I had checked it out the day before). That's where the "Preaching in my Shorts" comes in . . . (oh no - I have another appointment coming up soon - must go . . . I promise (I hope) to continue this story tomorrow . . . (I'm speaking 7 times this week . . . very excited about it).

Hello planet EARTH, I've just touched down!

OK, 5 of my 6 faithful readers have so consistently encouraged me to blog that I've "reassessed" and "recalculated my route" and I'm back on my blog. (I even forgot my password . . . too many years gone by . . .)

This weekend I'm going to share one of the cutest videos ever made. (Thank you Terry L for the early morning shoot!) And I'm throwing in a clip just for guys too! All this takes place at our Living Hope Church in Portland.
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I'm speaking at our Portland church at 10 a.m. and I'm so excited to have my oldest son leading us in music. Come hang out with us!

ALSO - on Oct. 11th (Saturday) a bunch of us are doing a little "golf outing" in a beautiful, yet inexpensive, location . . . let me know if you'd like to join us. . .

And either tonight or tomorrow I'll be sharing some 4 month old pictures of our first granddaughter and a story about last week when I preached to 1,200 people in nothing but my shorts (no shirt, no socks, no footwear)! No it was not a dream! I didn't plan it this way, but what happened is so amazing that it literally made me cry! I'm so anxious to share this story . . . soon . . . promise! I am back!

Everything we seem to initiate is already a response!

Even my desire for God's love is something I didn't create. My desires are fed by a Hope someone else gave me as a gift.

Yesterday I helped load $750 + worth of groceries for the homeless (Living Hope drive this weekend) from Costco to my friend's rig and then at Living Hope. They were thanking me, but what looked like my part of my doing was not at all. I didn't call my friend, he called me and invited me along for the adventure. I didn't help pay for any of the food (still thinking about that). I've been gone on vacation so I didn't even know about the food drive. What I keep thinking I'm initiating is almost always a response to something someone else has already done.

God so loved US (everyone in the whole wide world) that He GAVE his much loved son . . . to win us back! Read John 3:15-17. Even before He made this world, He was already thinking of us and in love with us and CHOSE US!

How would my life be different if I viewed everything as something I'm responding to - not making, creating, taking credit or blame for?

Here's my Thomas Kelly quote for the day: "In this humanist age we suppose we are initiators and God is the responder. But the Living Christ within us is the initiator, and we are the responders. God the Lover, the accuser, the revealer of light and darkness presses within us. 'Behold I stand at the door and knock.' And all our apparent initiative is already a response, a testimonial to His secret presence and working with in us."

"The secret places of the heart cease to be our noisy workshop. They become a holy sanctuary of adoration . . . where we are kept in perfect peace, if our minds be stayed on Him who has found us in the inward springs of our life."

Vacation Pictures & Intro to the "Deepest Little-Big Book"

So playing golf on the lake's "Old Course" is a must - Marcus and I played 5x, Gordon 4, and Laura 2x (Laura and I played near Spokane on the way home). Gordon squints at 8 a.m. - 1st tee. Marcus had several NOT-OB 300 yd drives (This one was a birdie - drove 315 and was on in 2 - par 5). The lake is just over the hill.

Laura got free lessons - She's so much fun to hang out with - We had a grand time!


Laura and I read every summer Thomas Kelly's little book, "A Testament of Devotion". This book was given to me as a gift by one of my favorite professors some 14 years after I graduated. The edition I have is an abridged, with some slight editing of a few words. It's a HarperCollins '92 publication (I've been trying to find another one like this - still can't). I think it's much better than the original (it's rare for me to say that).

Kelly died in 1942 unaware that two or three articles would be put together and go on to influence millions (Richard Foster says it changed his life). Like Watchman Nee and Oswald Chambers, Kelly had no idea that God would use him to set free so many caught up in Religion and Legalism.

I didn't read this 69 page book until some 6 years after it was given to me - I may read it every year until I die. Laura and I read it while on vacation at Flathead lake. We've read it together for the last six years.

Thomas Kelly was a professor who failed his second PhD and then went into deep depression. He visited Hitler's Germany in 1938. He taught Eastern Philosophy while growing a deep friendship with his forever friend and savior Jesus. He wrote of what we call today Quantum Physics. He understood how his Quaker roots led him to go beyond performance and outward obedience. He died of a heart attack at age 47. I'll let the following quotes on my blog (for the next few days) speak for the power of this book. I hope you like it.

Back from Vacation

Hello out there . . . I'm back from vacation. Our whole family spent a week at Flat Head Lake in Montana. I've been there for 30 or 31 summers. Laura's grandfather homesteaded this lake property and it's a wonderful time of swimming, water sports (jet skis, boating fun), and golf. I got to read and write, and do some great BBQ new stuff at the lake. Only 16 of us this year (a couple of guests and a few "friends for the day") but we had a blast. Laura and I ending up coming home by ourselves (wow, we still know how to have tons of fun after 33 years of M).

Got home Monday afternoon and then had to fly out Tue at 6:20 a.m. for Boise (my mother's husband had a heart attack). Everything's cool now and I'm back at work.

Hope to post some of the "best of Thomas Kelly" on my blog this week. Laura and I have been reading this "deepest little-big book" every summer for the past 5-6 years. It gets better every year. You can read it out loud in three settings. I'll also try to post some pics of the lake.

Pictures - Finally! And those Great OC quotes

Bring back the iPray bumper sticker: This was from a series a couple years ago and it's one of the coolest B stickers I've seen (the color of blue makes this one of the most visible stickers I've ever seen). I do hate bumper stickers (my one and only one is on my Volvo and it was so I could get a discount at Les S. tire store - it's my Volvo service shop)! I often rant a bit on how passive-aggressive religious types put bumper stickers on their car to make those behind them see "who" they are - then they drive like they got their license at K-Mart and tick people off - bumper stickers are not so cool in my book. I do like the iPray Living Hope one because it reaches across so many cultures and uses something a lot of people have in common. It's not "in your face" (turn or burn) and it piggybacks the iPod in a clever way - it's not bad . . . I might even be willing to put one on my car (I'm still working on letting Jesus give me input when I drive). Sometime I'll have to write about how the Hebrew words behind the commandment "Have no other gods before me" tie into the whole bumper sticker issue (Don't hold your breath).

Great memories from last week when a bunch of us went to the Beavers game after church - while there Katie sent me these pics of her and Kate (Katie has the "Big Brain").

Oswald Chambers is one of my favorite writers. After listening to Paul Young (The Shack) speak last weekend these two comments from O.C . hit home runs in my brain and heart.

ONE: "Jesus Christ did not come only to teach— He came to make me what He teaches I should be." Wow! I grew up in the Western mindset that INFORMATION was what you needed! Information removed from a heart-connection (friendship) is worth little. In fact, it made me more confused and afraid of God. Paul Young grew up with LOTS of religious facts, doctrine, and theology - but seeing a God who is smiling and waiting to swing you around and walk with you into your Shack is not the gospel that "information" gave him. O.C. back in 1917 saw this and invites us to the "more." I can BE in relationship! And with Jesus living IN me HE does work out love in a mysterious, marvelous way!

TWO: "As long as we have a self-righteous idea that we can carry out our Lord’s teaching, God will allow us to continue until we expose our own ignorance over some obstacle in our way. Only then are we willing to come to Him as paupers and receive from Him. 'Blessed are the paupers in spirit.' This is the first principle in the kingdom of God. The underlying foundation of Jesus Christ’s kingdom is poverty, not possession; not making decisions for Jesus Christ, but having such a sense of absolute futility - 'I cannot begin to do it.' Then Jesus says, 'Blessed are you . . .' ( Matthew 5:11 ). This is the doorway, and yet it takes us so long to believe that we are poor! The knowledge of our own poverty is what brings us to the moral frontier where Jesus Christ works."

I want to view all of life as a gift. I want to be a "learner" forever! Poverty strips away the illusion of "rights" and my supposed "justice." It lets me view everything as a "gift." I need to relax and let Jesus bring me into the Shack. God's there - smiling, and so loving all that He will do in us!

Living Hopes Best Bumper Sticker & Oswald Chambers

Off to Portland this morning to look at some new possibilities for our campus (exciting)!

Two of my Oswald Chambers' quotes will have to wait (and that LH bumper sticker), BUT . . . today's OC was very good, especially the last paragraph.

This is why I've been reading this guy for 11 years (The same book . . . Laura's going on 8 years and Gordon 9)!

"When I pray, 'Lord, show me what sanctification means for me,' He will show me. It means being made one with Jesus. Sanctification is not something Jesus puts in me— it is Himself in me ( 1 Corinthians 1:30 ).

This is opposite of what most of the "big boys" who wrote in England and America in the 19th and 20th century taught. When I was a boy, I was taught (in our little clap-board church) that this BIG word "Sanctification" meant that someday I would have my character so like Jesus that I would be able to stand alone (without the Holy Spirit) for a "short while" before Jesus returned.

Even today many churches focus on "becoming" like Jesus. We tend to want to "work" at overcoming something. "I need to get rid of . . ." and we end up focusing even more on what we want to be free of; we end up looking and worshiping ourselves. Our love and care for others lessons and we become proud, stiff, and very useless when we get caught up in this deadly self-absorption.

Being holy (the Greek word for Sanctification) is not something Jesus gives us or puts in us! It's a relationship! Jesus in us! Read John 15 and you will see - go back to John chapter one and it will all become easy.

Later: Great pictures from the weekend. Two more amazing OC ideas (they so fit The Shack), and that LH bumper sticker we should resurrect!

The Day After Paul Young spoke at Living Hope

I've only asked for four autographs at this point in my long, long, life. I once asked a cat. 1 female bike racer to sign my boy's riding jerseys when they were kids. I also had the Ray Brown Trio sign their album in Seattle. And then Joe Montana on his comeback Sunday after recovering from back surgery. (He was standing in front of the hotel we had both stayed in - a fun story.) Saturday afternoon, Paul Young (author of The Shack) who spoke at Living Hope, signed a book for my sister and brother-in-law. I've never been big into signatures. But after hearing Paul speak this weekend I must say his book has shot up MY best-book list to become one of my top 25

(Good to Great, The Jesus I Never Knew, A Testament of Devotion, The Ragamuffin Gospel, The Richest Man Who Ever Lived, Abba's Child, My Utmost for His Highest, The Normal Christian, Grace Walk, Seizing Your Divine Moment, The Cost of Discipleship, Dare to Desire, The Amazing Body Human, The Kosakovsky Brothers, Night, The Signature of Jesus, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Princes of Ireland, Epic, The Kitchen God's Wife, Team of Rivals, The Bible (Have you read this one?), and . . . (The one book I forgot).

Anyway . . . What struck me about Paul's story was what birthed this book - a desire to leave, out of the pile of crap, a legacy for his family and friends. The book is a monument to all those who are willing to let God rescue the "through the fire" instead of insisting God take them around, over, or under it! It's a walk up to the door of everything "hidden" and the joy of opening all this ugly stuff (memories, scars of self-mutilation, guilt, shame, broken relationships, shattered dreams, and betrayal) only to find that God is behind that door (literally in the shack of "shoot" you've been hiding from others (and yourself). God is in your pain, so very close to you in your agnostic moments (or years), and loves you so much that waiting (and being misunderstood) will never make our Creator-Friend force love on us - simply wait and overwhelm us when we want with the realization that "love is always both gift-based and relational." There is no God outside of relationship (that's why God appears as a Trinity (3) in Genesis one and John one.

I will now be recommending that people first watch the Living Hope video of Paul Young (William P. Young is his book name), then reading (or re-reading) the book. Our life group has been going through The Shack this summer and I must say that it may very well become a classic in history (like Pilgrim's Progress).

Paul's Big Ideas: (as my mind gathered them)

1) We all have a shack (our past failures, expectations, and hidden stuff). We ARE as sick as the stuff we keep hidden. (Learning to let it out in a healthy, healing way IS a process, never an event!)

2) Religion is very often a tool that keeps "hidden" what needs healing. Religion can be used as a drug. (Performance is a very big drug; Jesus spoke of the religious types who kept the outside of the cup very pretty, but never washed the Giardia from the inside). The way out is almost always from within (Guard your heart for out of it comes everything.)

3) Jesus came to save you, AND this means to heal your broken Shack. It's through the fires of pain, sorrow, and great loss that you gain that simply best gift, a forever friendship with Jesus.

Paul speaks of being free of measuring up, needing the measurement and approval of others, needing success, and "doing", to be at peace, and having a renewed love with his wife and kids.

Several hundred years ago I said to a professor I couldn't stand; "I can't respect you at all!" To which he calmly replied (to that very mature, brilliant, soon to be great scholar, Bruce Avery) "If you move close enough to an enemy they will very likely become a friend." I must honestly say I never tried out his advice in our relationship, but I learned, and am so thankful for what he said to me that day (I should thank him in person, and ask forgiveness - you think?)! I really believe those who have so strongly expressed, before thousands, their belief that William P. Young's book, The Shack, is heresy should, First - read the entire book first! And then Second, try to meet the author, or at least listen to his motives and purpose for writing before ripping on him.

Most of the criticism has been for what he didn't write (as if he was obligated to write a dull, often worthless, apologetic). Paul Young's journey is similar to many who have found healing at Living Hope. His freedom from legalism and his story of finding God as a friend (the greatest compliment God ever gave to a human) is powerful. We need hundreds of books like these. Last night I met with two inmates at the Clark County Jail. Both have been passing around The Shack to the other inmates. One said to me, "Several of the guys who won't read anything religious have been willing to read The Shack. It's changing their lives." He went on to tell me about an inmate who is very hard, and far from a relationship with God, who after reading the book has said, "Please tell me about God. I want to know Him." How many of our "Christian books" are reaching and touching the lives of those who don't yet have their hope in Jesus? I rest my case. (Cheering sounds in the background!)

I've long walked with a permanent limp in my heart, and loved Paul Young's retelling of Jacob's fight with God. Jacob, the one named "thief and liar," gets a new name after wrestling all night with God (disguised, not as a large black woman but rather a UFC fighter who dislocates Jacob's hip. Ouch! I had my shoulder dislocated on a black diamond ski hill once, and also, upside down under a kayak . . . not fun!), THEN God says, "What in the world do you want Kid?" To which, after 6.5 hrs of wrestling, Jacob replies, "I need real peace. Please bless me!" God then whispers, "Already done dear friend. You now have a new name, it's "Israel". (The guy who fought God and finished last!)

You really can go to your own personal, private, unique shack and discover that God is there already. You can wrestle, throw punches and do a round-house kick or two. God can take it (and give it back), but God's motive for winning (beating you up) is always the same: (I want to be your best friend ever) so that you will say yes to my healing (freedom).

Buy the DVD! Read The Shack, then read John one; chapters thirteen through 15, and the entire book of 1 John (especially I John 4).

"Perfect love," (that's God!) "throws out fear. Because fear has to do with punishment . . . we are able to love BECAUSE God first loved us! If you have (a friendship) the Son you have life. If you don't have the Son (you can heal, raise people from the grave, write and preach very religious stuff, be a "good person" and still not have a friendship with Jesus) you don't have life. Today, right now, you can KNOW that you are forever connected with God! Will you say yes to love? God IS love! We get to reflect, shadow, live it out to others!

Thank You Paul Young for not hiding! Thank you for sharing what was given as a gift to you. Thank you God for not having any big "Christian" publishers publish this book (God has an amazing sense of humor!)

A side note (grinding my ax): If you call a book "Christian" or a "Song" Christian you often take away the neutral choice of those who read or listen to it. I got this idea from my son Gordon. As he shared with me this morning, "If you have a "Christian" coffee shop then people who drink your coffee and don't like it are very much influenced to associate your "bad coffee" with the name "Christian." I believe we often fail to see how dangerous labels can be - that's why I don't like bumper stickers (I don't drive that safe and I hate making others read my opinions from my most unattractive side).

Don't miss tomorrow's blog: Two amazing Oswald Chambers quotes (so like Paul Young's story) and the ONE bumper sticker Living Hope I would consider putting on my car (I'll tell you why . . . maybe we can get this bumper sticker brought back?) - I'll share it ALL tomorrow!