A Coffee Shop Conversation

Spent two hours discussing the scriptures with my friend John and his friends. The spiritual hunger is everywhere. We want to know God and to share Him with others. The Coffee shop was right around the corner from the first home we bought 20 years ago. At different times this corner has been deserted and empty of business life, but tonight it was a buzz of activity. This coffee shop was filled with people talking, and studying and connecting. It was good.

Sunday Daniel and Ramona visited from Romania to have some respite from the bitter cold winter and to contact friends and supporters. They live very frugally and find they are being accepted, not as rich Americans, but fellow believers. He shared the truth that living by faith in a difficult place shows the miraculous provision of God to them in ways they never experienced here.

Eight More Weeks

We are planning a trip to the Beach this summer. This is the church ruin in San Jaun Capistrano.

My wife Laura is back for the last quarter of the first grade year. Her grade level traveled to the Junior College for a day of learning about water safety.

We chose to go nowhere during her two week vacation, she read and relaxed and helped during our wall damage repair project. After a month we have our water softener back in use.

As the days count down for our kitchen replacement and tile redo throughout the house we are looking forward to the changes and desire to get the house back in shape from its current dissaray.

The date for Easter is so late that many of our folks will be heading home before the holy day.

These days are so uplifting to the spirit as the sounds and smells and blossoming of spring reminds us of the One who brings the Manna from heaven to the world.

Kindle Update 3

I now have 14 books downloaded on my Kindle. The Wireless access is so easy that you have to practice self restraint, (as with all conveniences). The search function along with collected reviews really help the process.

A lovely serendipity is the chance to reread books that meant a lot to you long ago. I am reading the Penrod books by Booth Tarkington which thrilled me in elementary school. As I read his stories of a headstrong boy and his misadventures the authors vocabulary is so rich that I can see how reading this helped me develop as a youth, and I can enjoy the drama of his scrapes with parents, teachers, and just about everyone in his life. And it was a free book. I have done the same for Laura, who reads a classic that leads her to another book she wants to read.

I can definitely report that I am reading more, using reading time more effectively, returning to reading for relaxation more than in past years, and....I bought the coolest man purse to haul my day planner, my Kindle, my ipod, and my smartphone around. It was getting to0 cumbersome to keep them in my hand. It's a Targus, like a computer bag but smaller, designed for the IPad.

Both/And

Is it possible that God can stand by and be for the victim of violence while at the same time desire to set the victimizer free from his bondage to violence and hatred?

Could the plan of the eons be able to accomplish both? Could love win? Could mercy and justice kiss?

Who wants to live forever?

This is me, summer before last, 20 pounds heavier, I am working on another 20, and it is not easy, but it is good.

I am talking not about life after death, but long life. One of the driving passions of life is to be healthy. The only show I tape every day is Dr. Oz because I want to learn about healthy eating and ways to improve my overall health.

Sometimes Christians emphasize the issue than the moment of your death is known to God and is therefore inflexible?? The very idea of life extension is ridiculous to discuss.

I think there is more of the sowing and reaping issue in this lifestyle and life extension issue. Yes, even if you walk in front of a bus, you should desire to be in shape, flexible, and as healthy as possible for your own body and genetic makeup.

I guess the kind of funny study just revealed that people who attend religious services are heavier than those who don't might have triggered this post. America has an obesity problem, Christians in America have an obesity problem. I have an obesity problem. Let's not be anymore afraid to discuss how to change it, than we are to discuss heaven and hell.

I am a diabetic, I may have a family tendency towards it, but I may have abused carbohydrates at about a billion fried chicken dinners at church. I do not plan to live forever in this body, but I hope to take care of it with healthy eating and reasonable movement for body and activity for mind, and spiritual exercise for my spirit. Sounds like a plan for abundant life for me.

How to be a Christian without Being Religious

The Wapatki Indian Ruins.

I am paying an ode to the first unexpected blessing of my Christian life. I had dropped out of Church when we moved from Alabama to Mississippi in 64. I returned to Church in 67 to spend time with a girlfriend and to rekindle a deeper relationship with God that began in June of 67.

The High School Sunday School was studying Fritz Redenours book with the above title which was a commentary set for our age group of the book of Romans. Not only did Roman's help me get grounded in grace, the title fit my desire not to play false piety games like I had seen in my earlier years of church attendance.

I am still amazed when I dig under the surface of most believers I find a weak under standing of grace, unconditional love and unmerited favor and a strong fear based understanding that God only loves good people, I must therefore look and act right, ie. be culturally religious. So how do you live? Do not judge, Love God and love your neighbor, let no one rob you of your freedom in Christ.

Beautiful day to be outdoors

The desert spring is short and sweet and enjoying a round of golf was the best way to drink in the sun and have some nice experiences.