Haiti relief

Our missions committee sent some relief money to Haiti via a Christian relief organization today. The pictures on Boston.com are shocking in the vastness of the collapse of structures and demonstrate how close the survivors are to those who died, depending on what fell on your body and where.

Strange feelings in my heart when this happens. Yesterday evening we had fish and chips, (well...tater tots, actually) and we spent a normal evening, knowing that as the hours ticked by, peoples hunger and thirst in that damaged region was increasing to danger levels.

I would not want to be there, and am glad I am not there. There is nothing I can do except what we did today. And it does not feel like enough. yet today I will go to the dentist, teach a bible study, and get a hair cut??????

Our youngest is 25! How did that happen?

Brian got his mom's thick hair. We had hoped his brother Matt could fly in on a four day break from Denver but he got called for Jury Duty and picked for a trial. He showed way too much neutrality he thinks.

Got into a theology debate in our general men's bible study today. It was a variation of the who chose who discussion. Did God chose you or do you choose God? I had people shaking their heads at me. When I suggested that we are all primed by our past teaching to see certain conclusions I got stuck deeper.

Different week ahead, kids back in our life.

Brian, our NYC youngest is home for a week. He lives with three other Arizonans in Brooklyn and works at The Standard Hotel and is attending Parsons School of Design as well, hoping to be in costume design on Broadway. Being the social networker that he is he will reconnect with all this friends, take a day trip to his Alma Mater UofA in Tucson, and hopefully enjoy being away from an existence that he describes as crowded, all the time, everywhere you go.

The Furniture Restoration people came and removed all traces of my Wii bowling accident with the red red wine, and I feel so fine. Out the the Dog House till the next incident.

We have pictures made everytime we go to Disney and Laura noticed that in every one of them I have stains on my shirt. Todays picture shows my coffee spill on picture day. This is who I am, what can I say.

Apologies to the dude in my head!

This is related to the previous post. I woke up and he was still here. He never leaves me. I apologize for being temporarily weary of his voice. He is not the voice of my conscience. He is not the voice of a schizophrenic. He is me, and he is the developed voice of a teacher, who, by necessity is always thinking and testing and searching for truth. He is the difference between me and the person who goes through life not thinking and reflecting, if such a person exists.

He gets weary because Christianity has so many different voices and confused answers that if you listen and read widely you find yourself second guessing about everything.

He is necessary because our civilization is 2000 years removed from the text of scripture and it takes some creative thinking to figure out what God wants and expects from us. So, in the midst of this constant waking conversation, I welcome the still small voice of God, who never wearies of whispering through the clutter of my thoughts.

I am tired of debating the dude in my head!

I spent an hour in the Gym today. It has become a part of my life again, and I am enjoying my time at Tumbleweed. I asked a woman who I see there all the time what her motiviation was, and she said...to fighting against the ageing process. Me too, if its possible, or just to say flexible and healthy and carry less body fat.

While working out I listen to music like most around me. But I also realized that I have been having this ongoing debate with someone in my head. I don't know who he is or represents, but I find myself defending what I have come to believe in my head and heart, that which I am convinced is a valid and serious conclusion after a life of serious theological reflection.

I would like to end the debate in my head and just enjoy knowing, loving, and serving the good and beautiful God I have found in the gospel. Maybe he is there representing my desire to help others break out of views that dishonor the completed work of Christ. Maybe its just the slightly uncomfortable feeling you get when you differ from a majority belief. Any way, I am tired of debating this old voice. Would you like to invite him into your thoughts?????

Can't take the pressure of being a fan

My heart cannot take the ups and downs of a playoff game like todays Cardinals/Packers game. I liked the blow out waltz scenario, but the great comeback and the see saw ending was too too too much for me. Had to leave for our annual leadership celebration so I heard the final without seeing the plays, can't wait to see some game recaps tonight.

I am priviledged to serve Sun Lakes Community Church, they are caring and sweet and interested in life and service.

In the presence of a great talent

Last evening our date night took us once again to the Phoenix Symphony Pops concerts to meet and hear incredibly talented conducter, composer, song writer Marvin Hamlisch. Those Julliard grads who make it big time have made such a contribution to our culture.

He has a delightful Jewish sense of humor, and played and directed some of the greatest pop music ever written. He brought along two current Broadway stars, Julia Murney of Wicked and Michael Williams starring in the current revival of South Pacific. He still plays extremely well and has a gift for changing arrangments just enough to feel his signature.

Music has brought us such joy and companionship in our marriage. We had a first date and our most recent date at the symphony, and in another week will celebrate 35 years of dating.