Penguin on the loose!

Here are a few more great pics. to make your day.




Do you know where this is?




Guess whose car this is?

The Linda Taylor Story (Part III)

I woke up this morning and asked myself, "Bruce, what citadel have you erected or place in the way of recieving a huge morning hug from your best friend Jesus?"

I've been in a "difficult time" spiritually for nearly a month. I find myself early in the morning reflecting, being honest (ouch), and listening to whatever and however Jesus wants to speak into my life.

Often the answers I hear encourages me to dig down deeper (like peeling an onion - Shrek is one of the "great" relationship movies -don't you think?) and look at some of the root causes to my current heart-spot (attitude).

Today, one of those favorite "lies" came rushing to the surface. The word I love to hate and so often fall into is, "Justice." It's so, so easy for me to fall into all my rights, how fairly I should be treated, how much I deserve in this, MY LIFE. We often live in a society that is crazy-drunk with one's personal "rights."

It's easy to mis-believe that "my freedom" is to do whatever "I want" and not have anyone else stop me, slow me down, or criticize me! What a lie! Whenever I focus on MY RIGHTS I always move towards isolation and self-focused ME-NESS (meanness)! I really believe life has very, very, very, very LITTLE to do with rights and "my justice" and so, so, so, so MUCH more to do with grace (the gift given "just because"). Grace is Gift-giving because someone wants to not because of any actions on our part ("We are able to love BECAUSE God first loved us!" - See I John 4:19).

My focus on everything as a gift, a blessing. so helps me when I'm in a weird "self-funk." Today I heard God say, with a smile, "Bruce yours so looking for heaven to be here right now. It's not yet. Relax. Focus on all the gifts I've given you (jot them down right now) - there are a lot of them." It's so true! AND THAT BRINGS ME BACK TO MY FRIEND, LINDA TAYLOR (make sure you read my previous two blogs re. her Marathon), Linda looked at her toes 12 yrs. ago and knew that the spinal infection could kill her. Instead of looking at how unfair it all was she notes the gift of some of her toes wiggling and waving back at her. SO, Linda focused on the hope and promise of walking, working, and living. Linda not only learned to walk, to continue working as an amazing nurse. She brought joy, encouragement, and adventure to a lot of people last week when she finished the Portland Marathon.

Life is a gift - Jesus is the best gift ever given. He's wanting you to say thank you and never ever once think it has anything to do with how good looking you are or how much you "deserve" to be treated fairly.

You are blessed - have a "I've been gifted" aware-kind-of-day!

Linda Taylor Wins - Portland Marathon

It's a miracle (did you read my previous blog about Linda?) and it was so fun for Laura and I to be there to witness it!

Laura carried one of our Portland penguins and I took pics (a short video too). About mile 24 or 25 we got hit with a huge storm - We are so proud of Linda and her amazing accomplishment. Linda volunteers in our Kid's world as well as babysitting her husband Don (a very difficult task). Her daughter walked the marathon as well - Again, GREAT JOB LADIES!
(DON TAYLOR & PAPARAZZI)





(THAT PENGUIN IS DOING THE PORTLAND M!)




Linda, you are truly an inspiration! Because of you I'm doing my famous "Lemon juice cleansing drink ALL day!"

My Friend Linda - The Portland Marathon

Linda and Don Taylor have been friends, leaders, and great support for Laura and I for about 8+ years. Linda is one of the most wonderful counselors I know for people going through the trauma of death. Linda is a hospice nurse and has touched the lives of thousands of people.

When Linda told Laura and I about her new life -her dream of walking 26.2 miles (a full marathon) tomorrow we got so excited for her.

Linda has experienced so many wonderful changes, 50 pounds less in weight, 60 inches lost, and she has already walked a 2o mile and 16 mile training walk. Here are a couple of pictures we took of Linda's sixteen mile walk a couple of weeks ago. Send up a prayer for our own Linda of Laurelhurst tomorrow as she does the Portland Marathon.









Linda's support group can be visited at www.womenwalkthemarathon.com

Here is an email by Linda's coach telling the story of transformation in Linda's life (it's a great story):

COURAGE
After the last lecture in September, a few of us were standing in the lobby of Memorial Health Center. Mignonne looked at her mom, Linda, and asked, "Do you remember that you had to lean on
my arm to get up those stairs in January". Linda just smiled.

Some of you have quietly followed the progress of Linda Taylor this season. Linda is a hospice
nurse. Twelve years ago, she was paralyzed by a spinal cord infection that nearly took her life.
She's a tough, courageous woman. When she realized after surgery that she could wiggle her
toes, she decided she'd walk. PT got her walking, but limping to the bathroom wasn't all she had in mind. Linda wanted to go back to work; she had no
intention of hanging it up and going on disability.

She talked her docs into allowing her more physical therapy geared specifically towards the demands of her home health care job. Her boss let her go back to work part time. "Since I worked
out of my car, they didn't know how long it took me to do a half day's work. If I needed six
hours, I did it. At least I was back working." she told me.

Last fall, Mignonne and Linda attended the showing of Lani Jo Leigh's documentary "Walk to
Me" at the Hollywood Theatre. They decided that night to give Women Walk the Marathon a try.
Although Linda was clear with me the first night that she didn't know what she would be able to
do, she clearly showed me she had the spirit to do something that would give her cause to smile. Neither of us knew if that would be to walk the Portland Marathon on Sunday.

On Sunday, Linda WILL walk the Portland Marathon. It won't be a cakewalk. It will be a triumph.

More Penguins

MORE FUN!

More penquins & Surprises this Sunday

Don't miss the early morning surprises this Sunday at Laurelhurst - 10 a.m.

Here are a few more penguin pics: More next week!

1st Penguin Pics - WOW

The contest is to take pics. of our ARK penguin and then get them to me, Bruce. Here are our first ones to come in - Fun.

Kids Count - more words from kids; Amazing ideas

More from the weekend: 4-8 yr. olds commenting on "What does love mean?" (thanks Pam for sending this to me)

"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." Elaine-age 5

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford." Chris - age 7

"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day" Mary Ann - age 4

"You really shouldn't say ' I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." Jessica - age 8

Great tips, ideas, and other parenting "stuff"

From my mentor, Dr. Steve Stevens (Lists to Live by for Every Caring Family)

Meaningful Touch ideas:

Hold hands during mealtime meals.
Make Hug sandwiches. Surprise your unsuspecting children.
Declare a "100 Hugs Day" among your family. Keep count.
Wrap your arms around your kids in church, while waiting in a line, or while watching TV.

Affirming your Children

Indiscriminate praise doesn't motivate - it confuses. When your kids are acting out, don't believe flattery will help them. Praise ONLY when behavior or character reflects your desire. DON'T DELAY PRAISE, it means less. Catch them in the "act." Be specific ("I like the way you just shared your toy - wow! Did that feel good?")

Love this Quote:
"Live your life so that when you're old, people will know that you -loved others clearly -loved your family dearly -loved God completely." Bruce & Stan

Jazz in the Park - Nice Smiles

Our Jazz in the Park was so much fun and a lot of people in the neighborhood dropped by - what a fun Sunday afternoon (Thanks Will and our amazing set-up team)! The musicians knocked themselves out sharing and even tearing down gear in the dark. We'll do it again!
So, the music was "way cool" and the food and friendships so, so good! Here are a few pics. - enjoy!

Penquin Contest Begins - You can be part of the fun!

Penguin fever had begun! We started our contest this week by giving out three penguins (we are doing a series called ARK right now) and we will have more penguins to loan out this coming week. Be watching for more on how to play, and WIN big!!

Tomorrow: the first of our pics. of our Jazz in the Park (so, so, much fun)!

Also more dog stories to cry yourself to sleep to . . . (my second dog was a very cool dog named Husky).

My dog "Lucky" (Kleenex reading zone)

It all started when I named her Lucky! Why did I choose that name? Looking back, I certain that my seven mature years of life could not have had anything to do with her tragic fall from grace.

I lived for three glorious years on the banks of the Snake River in Easter Oregon. Being about a quarter mile from the river, possessing my own fishing gear, spotted pony, and bow and arrow, I was destined for a famed life of adventure

Lucky learned fast, “sic’em” meant he was to run with all speed to his master’s pant leg and furiously hang on for dear life –what a fun game!

“Thank you Master Bruce for teaching me such a wondrous trick!”

Every summer my father, with the help of other “Zane Grey” types, would drive the “little doggies” (Old West lang. for "cattle") into the Snake River and force them to swim to a lush island for summer grazing. It was a Kodak moment as grown men brought their best horses and coolest hats and played “wild, wild west” again. This was to be the day Luck lost her luck.

The big cowpoke rode a magnificent Palomino stallion and when he saw my dog Lucky, he whistled my dog, with a shrill note of confidence, then tossed out that famous two syllable command, “sic’ em.”

With all the natural dog-obedience within her, Lucky raced over and took a healthy snip at the Palomino’s heels. Suddenly everyone was treated to a free rodeo show as Sir “Cowboy” hollered and hung on for a seven second free bucking-bronco ride –If that $10,000 video show had existed and camcorders had been invented I would have been a rich kid! I was laughing, Lucking was still attacking and no one noticed my father dismounting and reenacting a History Channel special of the “David and Goliath” fight! The big rock locked onto it’s target (my dad had a good arm) and little Lucky suddenly felt the incoming concussion against her head. Lucky let our a yelp and ran straight down to the river. She leapt in; swimming around and around in a mad circle for about five minutes. Lucky was never the same again. A couple of months later my father informed me Lucky had died of “lead poisoning.” Yes, I did cry for my tragic loss. It was several years later that I understood what lead poisoning meant.

There’s a favorite book title that has stuck in my head for a long time; it simply reads, “Hurt people Hurt people.” It's so true. I didn’t know how to train my little dog. My ignorance hurt Lucky.

“There is a way that seems right to a person . . .” says the wisest man who ever lived , “but the end is death..” (Proverbs 14:12) I’ve often thought, “every moment I’m free to choose 'my way.' ” But there is always a choice that if followed to its end will bring death. How many people have I hurt without even knowing it? How much can I trust the many choices “I think” are best?

So who’s got your back? Who’s your trainer? I sure hope it’s not me! My luck isn’t so good.

“We love because He first loved us!” I John 4:19

New on "DOGS"

This weekend I'll be speaking at our Brush Prairie campus (Sat. @ 7 p.m.) and Pastor Will is sharing at our Laurelhurst Sunday 10 a.m. service. We are continuing our Ark Series and the featured creature is "man's best friend" -the dog!

I'll be posting the main points of my talk this next week and a few tragic stories of my own three dogs and a couple pics. from by "tennis dog friend" I met last week in Boise Id.

Here is a link to a wonderful slide show Jeffrey Hecker (our guest photographer) put together - it's wonderful - watch it all the way to the end! (TAKE ME TO THE DOGS NOW)

HELP: We are feeding the homeless this Sun. at noon in Portland - if you can help serve, or prepare or buy food please email me (Brucea@livinghopechurch.com).

King of the Tube

There are two vital elements that keep friendship fresh - yep, I'm going to give them to you; are you ready? ONE - stay aware, keep it fresh, of how much OTHERS bless your life (thankfulness is the antidote to a critical heart). When you refocus, every day, on how much others ADD TO your life, your VALUE keeps going up - HIGH VALUE is what makes long, rich friendships.

In the video blog of my two boys playing KING OF THE TUBE (ages 22 & 18), I was reminded how blessed I am to have them with me for vacation, to watch their energy, strength, and fun! Wow, I am one of the most blessed men in all the world.

TWO (I didn't forget), great friendships need the fuel of KNOWING YOU ADD TO OTHER'S LIVES. We are all difference-makers! We buy into that huge lie that we aren't, but we are. We all have many things to add to other's lives (See last weeks LH video on "words."). You will find a fresh energy, rocket fuel, if you will focus on how you best add to others. Watching my boys fight on the tube, I realized how I can add $$$, drive the boat, video, and participate WITH them and they are better for it. It's so wonderful to realize God made you to be a creative giver too!

Enjoy the the clip!

Climbing up Glacier, Montana

Laura and I did the climb on our 3rd day of our vacation. Our bikes seemed eager to go as we started our ride on the famous, "Going-to-the-Sun Hwy." We finished at the top of Logan pass. We had no camera's, just 16 miles (13 of them uphill!) of fun. At times you can see over a thousand feet below you - riding a bike so close to the edge and seeing the splendour of Glacier is an amazing experience.

It started when we left the cabin (on Flathead lake) at 4:30 a.m. We got started on our ride about 7:20. We had to be back down to the campground by 11 a.m. (Park cut-off time for climbing the pass on bicycles).

Laura saw several "Mt. Goats" at the top (she actually beat me to the top of the Mt.) Here are a few photos (not mine - they need to be scanned) of what we saw.


The tunnel shot is where I began to die - my bike tried, but I hurt all the way to the top (Altitude? Attitude?)

Water, speed, big waves - FUN

What really make vacation great is the time spent with friends - our families watched this over and over (Nephew, Michael and his fiancee, Summer) - Great initiation! Coming soon, I promise, the big battle on the tube (featuring my two boys).

Michael & Summer tubing

A few more drives - Polson Mt

Ok, I'm so used to having a high-speed connection, NOT dial-up (I thought we had cable at the Lake) Montana blogs were put on hold, but not the fun. I'll be telling you about my climb up the "Going to the Sun hyway at Glacer, show you some very fun clips of my boys playing "King of the Mt. while tubbing, and more . . . stay tuned! It's always great to be back home! We did have a wonderful time (my golf game still sucks) and Here's my first clip that I tried to load via. dial-up (no way) - enjoy.

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 .

Rain & Water bottles

I just walked over about an hour ago and watched as a dozen volunteers worked on the 1,000 water bottles we will deliver tomorrow at 11 a.m. (meeting at the Laurelhurst church).

One of my dear friends is Wayne - he's 82 years young and catches public transportation every Friday to serve at Living Hope. He's also caught a ride to Portland to hear me speak. Wayne is so in love with God and so thankful that he can be a part of Living Hope -He is an amazing Rhino! His cane is wrapped with an "Only God" sticker; it matches his huge heart of care.

Enjoy the pictures (and send up a prayer of thankfulness for this great team). JOIN US SAT. IF YOU WANT to place water bottles on the door steps of 1,000 homes (should take about an hour).

Free Water Works!

It was so exciting to have four new guests as a result of our water bottle give away last week. It was fun, and a great workout for those not driving a vehicle - Lot's of steps to run up. People are used to getting door hangers, not water bottles with a wrapping that tells about our new Living Hope location.

Sunday was our first day in the Old Laurelhurst church - wow! Only God! We had one person visit who had lost their spouse and both children in an accident on Mother's day. They had just moved back to Portland and had found us on the web. They loved it! I then found out another guest was there Sunday and had just lost a sibling to suicide a couple weeks ago. It's so amazing to be part of a church that welcomes people just the way they are - and to see them feel as if they've finally come back home as one of those hurting "new friends" said.

We are handing out water bottles again this Sat. (meet at 11 a.m. at the church - SE 32nd & Burnside). You can drive a car, set out water from a vehicle, or get some great exercise. It will take less than an hour. See you there!

If you know someone who would be willing to do a "Vegas act" for us on one of these Sundays - it would fit so well with our new series (email me if you've got some creative ideas - Brucea@livinghopechurch.com).

Laurelhurst set for a "Crash" of Rhinos

Remember, Rhino's run about 35 mph and can see about 30 ft. in front of their horn - a group of rhino's are called a "crash!" God is calling us to crash into darkness with light. I'm NOT talking about "preaching down to, talk down at, judging or condeming others." NO, we are called to crash into darkness with God's amazing grace, his love and acceptance, and HIS FOREVER HOPE. Jesus is the answer and we will grow His forever love into any one's life who wants love! We accept others the way Jesus accepted us (Ephesians 1:4-5)

On Wednesday I sat at a sidewalk table at the Old Bagdag theater eating a great salad and planning for our new ministry location at Laurelhurst. Watching all the wonderful artistic, alive, Portland people on the street made me want to start dancing some very cool moves (I can not dance - it's impossible!) There is so much excitement in the air and I believe God is going to use Living Hope, all of us, to touch thousands of people's lives for Christ.

Last night Pastor Rick and I spend some time with the Burlingame leaders (the site of our previous Sat. night Portland campus). It's never easy sitting and listening to someone share the hurt and pain they experienced by our sudden change of directions. They so loved partnering with us and will miss having us work with them on Saturday nights. I have never seen church leaders who were so gut level honest, and yet, so full of Jesus love. I left knowing that God had used them to teach me so much more about forgiveness. Before Rick and I left, we knew we we going home still friends and still part of the ONE body of Christ. Burlingame is an wonderful example of leaders who forgive the way Jesus does. We will miss working so closely with them. If you haven't had a change to try out the "Forgiveness matrix" I posted a few days ago, try it out. I found myself using it again last night so that I could better ask forgiveness from some dear friends (Burlingame leaders) whom I had hurt.

Early this morning I read from Colossians 3 - I was so impressed with the words, "And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful." (Verses 14-15). I want the first piece of clothing I put on to be "God's love." We are able to love because HE first loved us (I John 4:19).

Come join the crash at our new location - 3212 NE Ankeny St. Portland, Or. 97214 this Sunday at 10 a.m.

I'd love to hear from you - Brucea@livinghopechurch.com

Do you like "Sweet & Sour?"

This past weekend was a blend of troubled-hurt-mad-sad-glad-expectant-joyful-uneasy-numb-questioning . . . (the list of opposite feelings could go on). Why? We are joining both Portland Living Hope campuses into ONE. That's great news in terms of strength and unity. I believe with all my heart it will help us reach more people in Portland that desperately need to meet and fall in love, forever, with Jesus!

In practical terms, what this means is that our level of partnership with the Burlingame church is not the same as it has been for the past six weeks. We will not continue our Saturday night service at Burlingame. This is the sad part -and it was so painful seeing the hurt experience by those faithful Christ-followers at Burlingame church. Their willingness to risk working together with Living Hope will continue to grow them into an even more effective "Love Machine" of God's unending grace. Burlingame's pastor, Brad, will continue to meet with me and we will both rub off (touch and be agents of change) on each other! We will continue to pray and see how we can work together in the future. God up to something in the Burlingame community!

This Sunday brings us to a new time and location for our now "stronger" army of love (LOVE ALWAYS WINS - RIGHT?) -We will be meeting in the Laurelhurst Church (one amazing building). It's just off of Burnside and SE 32nd. We will start at 10 a.m. this Sunday morning. Please invite every person you can think of to this coming weeks service -it will be one not to forget! A lot of excitement was felt at the Convention Center on Sunday (THAT WAS OUR LAST SERVICE THERE AS WELL).

I'm very interested in seeing how we can add more people to our team in terms of helping this adventure blow away Portland with love! Even with both teams of helpers at our two previous campus coming together there is room for so many more people. Do you want to get involved - be a difference maker? Email me at Brucea@livinghopechurch.com or try leaving a message on my Portland number - 503.686.8040.

Be watching for more updates this week! (Do you like to cycle? I just got a bike after being hit by a car in April of 06 - It's so cool; a miracle story I'll tell sometime later . . . )

Scary Questions to Ask Yourself

I greeted my British chap, "Good Ol' Buddy," Friday morning with an verbal exclamation; "Oh My . . . I can't believe it!" I've been meeting every morning with this old Brit for the last nine years. What he said as we first met blew me away! It mirrored the illustration I had shared with the Burlingame leaders on Wednesday night. Who's my friend? Oswald Chambers - a guy dead for nearly 100 years (I read his classic devotion every day - 9 years going strong).

So Wednesday I was brain storming together with the Burlingame Church leaders what amazing plans God had for us in our joint venture in reaching people in Portland with God’s incredible love. I had just shared with them two stories and then challenged them to wrestle through the implications and questions. I reminded them that none of us can measure or assess the level of another person’s spiritual journey. I challenged them to ask the question my sweetheart (Laura – wife & best friend for 32 years this month) and I asked ourselves about four years ago. Here’s illustration and question (Try it on and sit how it fits you!): Life is no longer like a gentle river, instead it’s more like the rapids (even dipping into a rapid with a cup changes the water –it’s no longer a rapid). As Christ-followers we are called to not camp out or build forts on the shore, rather to get into the boat, cut the lines that hold it to the dock, and move out into the rapids. There IN THE RAPIDS we can best help people met Jesus and accept His forever love. Once in the rapids, if we listen, Jesus will ask us to get out of the boat. Some of us have responded, and we are outside the boat, walking on water. But it’s possible that we’re still hanging on, like someone learning to barefoot water ski, with one hand to the side of the boat. Just as Jesus invited Peter to walk away from the boat, towards him, we are called to do the same.

I reminded them of the question Laura and I had faced a few years ago, “If we could see even 10 more people fall in love, forever, with Jesus as a result of us being willing to change or risk more, wouldn’t it be worth the risk?

Burlingame’s leaders are choosing to listen, individually and collectively. They are courageous followers of Christ. Join us and do the same in your life: evaluate, in prayer, where you are! Are you: On the shore? In a boat tied us to the dock? In the rapids? Out of the boat, walking on water, but still hanging on? Are you taking those steps that could lead to a dunking (like Pete’s baptism of learning NOT to take his eyes off Jesus)?

Spend the time, no matter how hard, dark, or uncomfortable –it’s worth it. Besides Jesus will take you to a new high in knowing you were made for a reason; a really big one.

You are a difference maker in Jesus! Step out of the boat! Let go of the sides! You can walk on water!

TO READ Oswald Chamber's devotion click here!

A Forgiveness Matrix

Here’s my forgiveness template, its purpose is simple: I desire to drop all “magic words because they can never free me of the poison of unresolved hurt (inflicted by myself or others). I want to live out God's love to others. It starts with me. Friendship, love, trust, and forgiveness are never defined by a single event (It takes thousands of pixels to make a beautiful picture.) rather by the fabric, process, of living out our dreams, desires, and true beliefs. Time builds trust. It's all our experiences together that grows lasting friendships: the same is true of forgiveness.

Here’s my suggestion: use this matrix to first forgive yourself. List all the harm and the effects you’ve suffered from not forgiven yourself –then accept God’s perspective, His crazy-beyond-reasonable love for you ! You will then find free to live out this new love to others. It’s all about accepting the free gift of love.

This forgiveness is made up of what my friend, pastor John Bishop, calls the 3 D’s of forgiveness: Discover, Define, and then Dispose. Here are the elements that I use to walk, sometimes crawl; through forgiveness (I just used this template last week – then yesterday, who should I bump into but a person who wounded Laura and I very deeply some four years ago. The person who hurt us smiled, then approached us. They reached out and hugged us as if we were long lost friends. I won’t go into some of the mixed emotions we experienced, but I am so glad that I had just worked through this issue using this 3-D tool. Here it is:

DISCOVER

1. Make a list of the Harm experienced: Betrayal, abandonment, insensitivity, selfish acts, hurtful words,, looks of rejection, contempt (Do this for all the failures, loses, and un-forgiven areas of your life.). Write, think, pray, until you have listed as much as you can remember in one sitting.

DEFINE

2. Write out the Lingering Effects: List the side-effects, the lasting tinges of guilt, the tendency to be afraid, crave safety, unsureness about yourself. Jot down any addictions, habits, fakeness, numbing of emotions, critical view of life and others . . . list all the ways your heart was broken –and the relationships you’ve struggled with as a result of not forgiving yourself! Note: these first two steps are painful but so valuable –unless we face the harm done in our lives we will naturally tend to discount our pain think ignoring or dismissing it will make it go away. Some of the greatest injury comes from the unresolved poison of past hurts that have been covered up, but never destroyed.

DISPOSE

3. I Won’t lug it around anymore: Letting go of our past failures is very feasible when you’ve put in the hard work of the first two steps. You are now ready share your pain with God by handing it over to Him.. Our perspective determines our expectations. We expect less when we view ourselves as less! Expect God listen as you share the reality of your past pain. Sharing this with God is part of the “process” –put in the hard work in steps one and two and you will find freedom in talking this out with God. I find it to be a huge benefit in taking my list and physically destroying it (burn it, shred it, or flush it)! My favorite disposal technique is the paper shredder. I love the sound! As you are annihilating it, sing out a pray of thankfulness for the freedom that is on it’s way. Don’t worry about whether you may need to repeat this process again (For time to time I find a bit of residual poison and use this tool (gift) to become more conscious of God’s love and acceptance.)

LOVE OUT

4. Review your boundaries: The placement of this step is very important. Often we have used the idea of “boundaries” as a kind of pop-psychology tool to simply push others away or simply feed our own selfishness. Healthy boundaries are ways of reinforcing our uniqueness and that of others too. For example, one my boundaries are that I don’t want to eat “delightful” foods alone (NY Cheesecake). I choose to use these kinds of food to celebrate and add to my friendship with others. When I eat “great food” alone I find I’m often trying to cover up some disappointment or unfair experience. By using this boundary I keep growing in my awareness that I’m Ok no matter what circumstances come my way –good or bad. Try listing some ways you can reinforce the truth that you are one of God’s beautiful kids – so loved, so wonderfully created in His image (Psalm 139). Boundaries are good –like skin, or a picture frame, they are to add to the reality that You are amazing work of art –created to love and grow friendships forever.

5. There is no longer any debt: You are now ready to consciously, physically, forgive yourself. God has already canceled the debt –you can too! Say the words; “I no longer have any debt. God has set me free. I’m free because love and forgiveness was to me, by God, even before I was born.” This is a powerful time to read the following Bible passages (These are but a few of my favorites) –Ephesians 1:4-5; 2:1-10; Romans 5:6-10; Isaiah 44:22. God loved us because He wanted to and we had nothing to do with Him choosing to love us (like a parent loving a new born child). I forgive myself because God already forgave me. Jump up and down in your new acceptance of yourself. You are acting out what God has already said about you (I John 4).

6. Reconciliation: We are now ONE with God. Our senses are limited, but God’s perspective is so much more. We can grow in the acceptance of who we are right now –God’s kids! (Note: this is the only step that isn’t always possible when forgiving others –it’s there free choice. Some people will only be reconciled with us in heaven.)

Once you have forgiven yourself you are then ready to use this same matrix in walking through the harm others have done to you. I recommend you try this first in dealing with the pain you’ve experience with a parent. Then use it for the relationships of abandonment or abuse you’ve never though you could revisit. This matrix is simply a tool, but when used with prayer, and acted out, it can move you to think amazing levels of freedom. You will see God’s love flowing into and then out of you towards others. God will bless you on this brave new adventure. Try it soon! LIVE LOVE!

Saturday Night Lights - More about the story

“Every good and perfect gift is from above. . . ” wrote Jesus’ half-brother James. God never changes and you can count on Him (James 1:17). All that is good is a gift given by someone! When you look up what do you see? Who do you see? How strong or big the person you look up to is of little value if their not good for you.

Last night (Sat.) two very cool (handsome and beautiful) kids stood fearlessly on stage and read from Hebrews 12:1-2. They had never done this before. They were practiced, having prepared for their debut. But we had forgotten to turn on their wireless mikes (someone told me afterwards they thought we had left them off on purpose to add to our point). It really was a accident that added to my opening thought. We were all built to want to win (do good, be a blessing, be accepted, recognized). But when we mess up it tends to make us afraid to try again. Everyone could see the kid's struggle to adjust to the "unexpected" situation and finish well. Even the applause didn't fix their feeling of "losing." As a adults we could so identify with these kids (Alec and Bailey)! We all grow when others love and accept us as we are!

Much of my life I operated as a human doing instead of living out the gift of being a human BEING. Why? Mostly because I didn’t see a big God as being good for me. I c blamed myself and my own poor choices. I shrugged my shoulders and sometimes blamed some indefinable fate. I could so easily and tortuously, be killing myself in the bitterness of how unfair and unkind my world was. I felt unheard and picked on in high school (only my dad’s amazing communication skills and generous financial investments in local education got me back in school (I was suspended six times my 9^th grade year and two more times before I graduated). Today my youngest son is graduating! Marcus got suspended when he was in 4^th grade. I was devastated! He had been paying an 8^th grader, on the bus, to do his math homework (.25 cents at a shot). Marcus is planning on focusing on business leadership in college. As humans we are up and down the scales of consistency when it comes to be good for someone else (or even our self). But God claims He is good for us “all the time.” Here’s a really big question: Is there someone “good” in your life who will always be there to lift you up, rescuing you, restore your hope, your belief that everything will be alright.

When I told the story last night (Sat.) of our son Gordon’s Rose festival race in 1982 and the trophy that we had already purchased for him, I was retelling the story of God’s promise that He is always good for us, all the time! It’s very hard to believe this “unbelievable claim.” If it’s true it means much of the hurt from past screw-ups and failure by others is no longer able to hurt us or keep us in prisons of fear (Perfect love –God throws out fear, I Jn. 4:18).

Tomorrow I’m going to post a forgiveness matrix that has so helped me to believe that “I’ve already won” and God is always good in my life (it lists some of my favorite Bible texts). Check it out and then share it with a friend. Forgiveness and the belief that nothing in your past can destroy the present is the first step to really being free to love others as freely as God FIRST loved you! Remember, “hurt people, hurt people.” We have to forgive ourselves first, before we can forgive others well.

How well do you forgive yourself? I believe that to forgive our self and accept love as a gift that is always being poured into our life (even when we refuse it, it’s still right next to us, waiting for us to drink in in) is our greatest need! It’s when God’s free gift of love is being accepted into my life that I can love and accept others without judging them or even worrying about how well they accept my love to them!

Just trying harder to love others is a human-doing trick, it’s the opposite of accepting the gift of being a human BEING! Love is only received. Our letting it in allows God to pour it back out to others. It’s not a job we do, not work. It’s relaxing and letting God use us – pour through us with his Love. Love always wins! Drink in the gift of love right now!