Can You Hear Me NOW?

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





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

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

30 days - Wise guy Experiment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Passion!

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

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

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

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


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

What counts most

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

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

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

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

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

Setting Goals for 2008

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


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

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

2008 Bruce Avery Directions

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

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

Other goals for 08 -

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ministry:

1) Develop Portland Leadership team:

Steps to goals:

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

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

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


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

Feeding the homeless tomorrow

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

Christmas Eve

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


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




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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Still Maxing OUT - pictures

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

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

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

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

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

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

Check out these fun pictures:

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

Directions:
Link TO GOOGLE MAP

View Larger Map

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

MORE INFORMATION:

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

Thankfulness - Gratitude is the attitude

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Christmas Clutter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Original Oswald

Big Trees & Memories

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

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

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

Thanksgiving Pics - finally

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

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

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

Serving Thanksgiving Last Saturday

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

Thanksgiving update

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

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

Tomorrow - pictures and . . .

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

Thanksgiving for the homeless this Saturday

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

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

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

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

Brucea@livinghopechurch.com

Red blood and the power of water

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Calling all Peng . . .

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

Want to serve our homeless youth this Sun?

This Sunday is our opportunity to serve our homeless youth in downtown Portland. The winter location is indoors. If you would like to help prepare food or serve (or do both) please email me as soon as possible - Bruce

Brucea@livinghopechurch.com

Last time we served our homeless youth Tiffany sent me an email expressing how much of a joy it was for her. Here are some of her comments (OH WOW - THIS IS REALLY GOOD!):

"Last Sunday was a clear indication of how much this world needs Jesus, myself included. It was a day where I anticipated sharing God's love and compassion with those desperately in need. And it was; the group of us from Living Hope engaged in fellowship with complete strangers, served food to those who were hungry, and witnessed God's ability to provide abundantly for those in need. But it was also a day where I was reminded of how much I too need to constantly be seeking Jesus."

There was another aspect of the day that I definitely did not anticipate. Parking is free on Sundays in downtown Portland except in private parking lots. None of us realized this until I saw a man writing me a ticket. I quickly ran over to speak with him and he told me to move my car immediately or else he would give me a ticket. So I moved my car and ran back over to where we were serving. And go figure, the 'ticket guy' was in line getting food! I noticed my mouth dropped; I couldn't believe he taking food that was for the homeless! I finally realized that out of all those people maybe he was the one who needed Jesus the most. That meant I needed to show him the love and grace of Christ. So I asked Jesus to soften my heart and help me respond as He would. All was good; until the guy got in line again! Irritation set in once more, even though I thought I had come to the place where I could accept him. So yet again I had to ask Jesus to soften my heart, coming once more to that place where I finally let Jesus take control of my emotions. And no joke the guy got in line a third time. So yes, once more I had to give up my judgmental thoughts and ask for God to once more soften my heart. I finally could look at him with compassion, because who knows what his story is even though he has a job, maybe he really was super hungry and strapped for cash. And I guarantee if Jesus had been there serving food He would have given the man extra! As the man walked passed to continue on with his work, we offered more to him; he declined and went along on his way.

learned three things from this. One, I need to continually go back to the cross and remember what and who it is all about-seeking and showing the heart of Christ to EVERYONE. Two, we have awesome people that go to Living Hope. We had all realized that the 'ticket man' had come through the line taking the food for the homeless, but everyone still gave with a giving heart. I don't know of many people that would have humbly served him, been honest about their struggle to do so, then asked Jesus to open their mind and heart to him. And three, we serve an AWESOME GOD!!! ONLY GOD!"

I so dislike "religion" & so does Bono

I've always admired Bono and have ignored the Christian gossip regarding him and others. I've not the slightest doubt that power, money, and fame are very hard on anyone. But to see a man who has been married 25 yrs + and loves his wife so deeply always opens me up to hear more.

Bono grew up in Dublin, Ireland, which is some 96% Catholic. He met Jesus in a very personal way as a teen. While hanging out in a local McDonald's he and his friend observed a man being abused by a Hare Krishna for reading his Bible. the guy Denis Sheedy became their friend and they then began to attend a small Christian community called "Shalom." Growing up in the absence of TBN Christianity Bono and his friends had a much smaller list by which to be judged by in regards to his "spiritual maturity." Bono has struggles big time with American Christianity. I was very touched by his quote that I used a couple days ago in my blog:

"Religion to me is almost like when God leaves -and people devise a set of rules to fill the space." 1997

While still attending the Shalom church the band, U2 began to get some international recognition. The response by one man in their church, a self proclaimed prophet, was that God wanted them to give up their music to show Jesus how much they loved Him. This was a huge falling away for Bono and his band member-best friend, the Edge.

In 1987 Bono told Robert Hillman, "I go to America and I turn on my television set, and I start sweating profusely because those guys have turned faith into an industry. It's appalling. It's ugly . . ."

Bono has been very open about how hard it is to follow Christ when so much fame and wealth have touched his life. He one shouted in one of his Popmart concerts, "I went looking for spirit and found alcohol; I went looking for soul, and I bought some style; I wanted to meet God, but they sold me religion."

Bono truly feels he's called to be a rebel: "Rebellion starts at home, in your heart, in your refusal to compromise your beliefs and your values. I'm not interested in politics like people fighting back with sticks and stones, but in the politics of love."

When Bono was interviewed by the Irish journalist Joe Jackson about a Samuel Beckett Film Festival there was a repeated attempt to get Bono to admit he and Beckett had nothing in common. He pointed out that Bono believed in God and Beckett saw a godless universe - this he said must leave Bono feeling cold. Bono's response: "No, it doesn't because a lot of my friends are atheists. It's lukewarm believers that drive me out of the church."

It wasn't until 2002 that Bono began to meet with Evangelical Christians. He visited Wheaton and Willow Creek (did a video interview with Bill Hybels). He then met with dc Talk, Jars of Clay, Sixpense None the Richer, Steve Taylor, and Michael W. Smith (all Christian superstars).

Lead singer, Jon Foreman of Switchfoot later wrote that the headlines should read, "Bono Comes to Nashville to Convert the Christian Music Industry." He then says, "I was convicted. Guilty." Michael W. Smith spoke of being "woke up." It changed his focus, his energy, and his service to a dying world.

Again, religion makes Bono sick! He says, "I'm not often so comfortable in church. It feels pious and so unlike the Christ that I read about in the Scriptures." He then says, "To some people the church is their ticket to respectability, a certain bourgeois point of view, a safety net for when they go to bed. My idea of Christianity is no safety net, a scathing attack on bourgeois values, and a risk to respectability."

Perhaps in another blog I'll share with you more the man who loves the "Message" Bible, has sent "What's so amazing about Grace" to a fellow rock star, has read Watchman Nee and reads the Psalms daily. Maybe I'll also tell you of how his belief led him to ask the most powerful nations in the world to come to Africa's aid (30+ billion forgiven in debt so far)!

The question is, "Would you have ever guessed what a huge ministry one man had in simply reading his Bible in an Irish McDonald's?"

Serve God where you are - nowhere; that is NOW HERE in the present moment.

Linda's support

I'm in process of building a team to help me reach some "physical health goals." So far my three team areas I'm planning to build are 1) Encourager, 2) Enforcer, and 3) Support (running and cycling friends).

Here is one of Linda's support members - can you guess which area he's strongest? Weakest?

Don is always willing to "T" it up for our Kid's world!

U2 (Bonon) & Laurelhurst - WOW

I'm reading a book about U2's spiritual journey and their willingness to make a difference in their one and only life here on planet earth - it's good. I'll blog more later but I do want to share this "very Living Hope quote" by Bono --

BUT FIRST - TOMORROW (Laurelhurst's first ever "Discovering Living Hope" potluck will take place following the service (Oct. 21). We will have lots of food (bring your favorite dish too) and show you a new video by John Bishop (never shown at any other campus). It's going to be fun. Will and I both will be sharing our story and then explain what makes Living Hope so passionate about loving people as they are and our HATE of religion (it's very dangerous).

Here's that Bono quote: "I have this hunger in me . . . everywhere I look, I see the evidence of a Creator. But I don't see it as religion, which has cut my people in two. I don't see Jesus Christ as being any part of religion. Religion to me is almost like when God leaves -and people devise a set of rules to fill the space." London: Omnibus Press, 1997

Wow Trip to Montana

Very, very fast - That's how I would describe the trip Laura and took to Montana last Sunday afternoon. But even after 20+ hrs. in a car in less than three days I found so much joy, and realized again - most of us are very, very blessed.
Details: Flathead lake lays just south of Kalispell Mt. It's a huge lake and Laura and her siblings have enjoyed their special cabin and house there for many years (45 +).
Driving from Spokane to Flathead lake has some very beautiful fall scenery - wow!
There is one "ok" restaurant in Polson Mt. (Hot Spot Thai).
Huckleberries are great (Huckleberry wine not so great)!
Pouring 1,300 + lbs. of cement - all by hand (no mixers or trucks) is a huge workout (24 hr. fitness didn't prepare me well enough).
Laura and I love being together - romance, great books, fun DVD movie, and some wonderful family (sister and husband) to hang with.
Enjoy the pictures: