upward & inward

After a 35 hour trip (from the missionaries' compound to the church parking lot in East Canton), we returned safely from Uganda. Or, did we? Although we Americans typically prefer avoiding risk, no mission trip is without it.  Sure, going to the grocery store includes risk, doesn't it?  But, traveling thousands of miles in the air, and bumping up and down along nearly a thousand miles of really bad roads, that's pretty risky. Serving in a country that has less than adequate water treatment and availability, that's pretty risky. Visiting the homes of real people with HIV, that's pretty risky. Walking around the slums of Kampala, past young men high from opium as they make make fun of the 'mzungus' (white people), that felt pretty risky. However, do you realize the risk we didn't take?  We did not risk Ebola. There is no Ebola outbreak in Uganda. The outbreak that is ravaging West Africa is thousands of miles away from our friends in Uganda...

On my run this morning, I was reminded (again) that I haven't written on this blog for a while. Actually, this kind brother in Christ, with whom I had stopped to chat, simply said that he had read my blog this morning. I took it as another one of God's reminders that I need to write. It's good for me and I hope my readers enjoy it, as well. Let's talk filters. Did you know that we perceive through a set of filters driven by our expectations? And, that these expectations are situational? A hearing-impaired woman told me a story yesterday of such an experience. She was with other hearing-impaired and deaf people and saw a man who was both blind and deaf. He had been born able to see and hear, but two brain tumors robbed him of both sight and hearing. At first, because of how the tumors left him, his appearance seemed disconcerting at best. However, this woman felt strongly that she should to meet him. And, plucking up her courage, she introduced herself (this is, in...

Here's some sobering information from a site that shares analysis on government revenue and debt. US Federal Revenue 2008 Total: $2.524T ($1.45T Income Taxes) 2009 Total: $2.105T ($1.04T Income Taxes) US Federal Yearly Deficit (more than 3x increase!) 2008 Total: $459B 2009 Total: $1.41T Ok, so here's the point. There are some very hard times coming where we will have to make some difficult decisions as a nation. Not to be over-simplistic, but when the revenue falls, each of us as families must take a hard look at what we can cut out of our expenses to stop or slow "the bleeding". For a time, we might have to take on additional debt to get past a season of reduced revenue. But, the government seems to avoid these "third rails" of politics and, as a result, we're passing them down to our children and their children. Looking at the expenses , there are no easy answers. Assuming there are inefficiencies (probably not an assumption) in the expenses, even 10...

How do you read the Bible? I know, left-to-right, top-to-bottom, page by page. Ha-ha. No, seriously. How we perceive any source of information dramatically shapes how we receive the information. For example, if I'm reading a tabloid magazine or one of those forwarded internet stories, I'm going to question the truth of the story until I have confirmation from a separate source (another publication or a place like www.snopes.com ). On the other hand, if I have grown to trust a newspaper and/or magazine or author, I may believe the story a little more readily before I look for outside confirmation. Get it? So, how do you read the Bible? I hope this description of an approach I've come to might help you provide your own answer. First, I believe that the Bible is true. Therefore, when I study the Bible, I open my eyes, ears, and mind to the Bible giving it every measure of the “benefit of the doubt.” If there is something that seems amiss, then my first a...

Heading back to the United States today and plan to update this blog with pictures and text once I get all my resources together. As I consider my nearly two weeks here, I offer just a few observations of the time spent here. Generally speaking, the people of Africa are welcoming and pleased to receive guests. This is especially true in the rural areas of both Uganda and Kenya. In fact, a very common phrase we heard was "You are welcome." This wasn't in response to a "Thank You", but simply a declaration that we were welcome there. I want to be more welcoming to my guests. Although poor economically, the rural communities we visited are rich spiritually. Their faith is strong as is their resolve to be obedient followers of Christ they're called to be. This spiritual wealth is something I want to invest in! The infrastructure in Uganda is quite limited. Although the infrastructure was more advanced in Kenya, they still struggle in the rural areas, espe...

Kamuli Town, in the Kamuli district, is a small town with two gas stations and several small shops to purchase food, merchandise, livestock, and so on. We stayed in town at a guest house where the couples had their own rooms and the rest of the team were divided into groups of two or three. I roomed with Moses and Carl Gordon in a small room where three twin beds were shoe-horned into. The doors were locked with a padlock and remained secure the whole time we were there. In fact, the guest house was a walled compound with a gate to drive into a courtyard in the back. The church site is on the outskirts of town past several private schools named after Catholic saints and filled with colorfully uniformed kids. The church property was purchased at the end of a road - also purchased to reach the larger site. As a guess, I think the property is less than acre while the road is about 200 feet long. The church, as we arrived, lacked some brickwork, a roof, doors, and windows. The trus...

Spent a few days in Northern Indiana for the Innovate Conference. It's the first step in an opportunity God has provided to me to be a part of Granger's Executive Pastor Coaching Network. I'll be going there several times over the next 9 or so months to learn, think, grow, and be challenged as I seek to be the best I can be in the calling of God. At Innovate, I observed the following (some new, some old lessons): Every morning, my feet must hit the ground running toward Christ, His calling, and purpose (personally and professionally) - and away from self! Each day I must review the mission, purpose, and vision for myself - and the church. This implies, of course, that these exist for myself and the church. Within that framework, my day must be so ordered. Task cannot always trump people. My personal holiness impacts me, my family, and the church. I should care more for the effectiveness of what we do than whether we make mistakes or complaints are generated. Jesus should...

Gentle Reader, I'm trying to figure out why I don't want to write. Seriously. It's been since June 9 - over a month! I'm reminded of a few words from that song by Pink Floyd, "Money": The time is gone, the song is over, thought I'd something more to say. At the beginning of the year, I committed to write more and I did. But, I got to the end of Spring and my interest in writing had sprung. Done. Over. Nothing more to say? No, I have something to say but I'm not quite sure I want to say it here. Ever feel that way? I want to talk about Jesus, my bride, my family, the church, government, weather, complex matter and anti-matter anti-aging compounds, and a host of other things important to me... But, I'm just not sure they should be placed here. Jesus talks about not throwing your pearls before swine . Of course, in the context of the Sermon on the Mount, He seems to be warning against placing God's Word before those who will not only t...

The Bible says:  Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.  Psalm 145:3 A.W. Tozer writes: The dictionary says that to admire is "to regard with wondering esteem accompanied by pleasure and delight; to look at or upon with an elevated feeling of pleasure." According to this definition, God has few admirers among Christians today. Many are they who are grateful for His goodness in providing salvation. At Thanksgiving time the churches ring with songs of gratitude that "all is safely gathered in." Testimony meetings are mostly devoted to recitations of incidents where someone got into trouble and got out again in answer to prayer. To decry this would be uncharitable and unscriptural, for there is much of the same thing in the Book of Psalms. It is good and right to render unto God thanksgiving for all His mercies to us. But God's admirers, where are they? The simple truth is that worship is elementary until it begins to...

Read this post by Michael Spencer. Are we really following the path of Western Europe - spiritual apathy, biblical abandonment, and secular victory? Oneida, Ky. - We are on the verge – within 10 years – of a major collapse of evangelical Christianity. This breakdown will follow the deterioration of the mainline Protestant world and it will fundamentally alter the religious and cultural environment in the West. Within two generations, evangelicalism will be a house deserted of half its occupants. (Between 25 and 35 percent of Americans today are Evangelicals.) In the "Protestant" 20th century, Evangelicals flourished. But they will soon be living in a very secular and religiously antagonistic 21st century. This collapse will herald the arrival of an anti-Christian chapter of the post-Christian West. Intolerance of Christianity will rise to levels many of us have not believed possible in our lifetimes, and public policy will become hostile toward evangelical Christianity, see...

I admit it. I find it reheheheheally tough to post blogs. Why is that? Here are a few reasons... Whenever I feel like writing, I'm doing something else. It's in the morning, usually, when it hits me to write. During the week, I'm working. Saturday, I'm either sleeping in or working on projects in the home. Sunday, I'm worshipping. Whenever I don't feel like writing, I'd rather not try generating the enthusiasm. Seriously. When I get home, I want to eat dinner, spend time with the family, chill out, etc. Even my non-biblical reading has really dropped off. I've become less trusting about what I should post for all to see. Not sure how to explain this, because nothing external has caused this, that I know of. I'm facebooking/twittering more. It's easier because I can update on my phone as I go..:) Ok. So, now that I've confessed, I'll try harder to post. In the meantime, have a great day and let me know what you'd like me ...

Ok, I know this is just a commercial - a looong commercial - but I really liked this and wanted to share it.

Many of us are tracking the incredible challenges that the leaders and citizens of Fargo, ND, are facing right now. The pictures speak a thousand words of drastic changes to their lives as they deal with the current calamity and plan for the aftermath of cleanup. One quote stood out to me from Tim Mahoney, a Fargo city commissioner as they tracked the onslaught of incoming water: "Now it's time to stand and defend." Have you ever felt that way? I have - and I do still sometimes. Those are the times when I've done all I can within how God has enabled me, but then find it's time just to stand and defend. As I read how the federal government has responded to the current onslaught of economic and social woes, I sometimes feel that way. I feel that all I can do is stand and defend: God's honor and glory, the sanctity of life, and the sanctity of soul-to-soul relationships between husband and wives, brothers, and sisters, parents and children. Today, there is snow ...

Check this posting out. If I could figure out how to bring the video onto my blogsite, I would...

Over 2008, I wrote 133 posts leading to 44 of your comments. Many thanks to those who take the time to read my ramblings and a special thank you to those who take even more time to add their thoughts and encouragement to the conversation. In my first blog posting , I wrote: "When it comes to consistent journal keeping or writing, I haven't excelled. The "tyranny of the urgent" takes hold and I don't take the time to shake loose from it. However, in the role that I've been blessed with, it may just be time to use this media for a few purposes: Express myself Communicate my thoughts to others who may care Offer others an opportunity to express themselves as they respond to my ramblings Strengthen whatever creative writing muscle God has blessed me with Connect with other bloggers, multiply perspectives, and grow spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally" In these last months, I have allowed the "tyranny of the urgent" to distract me from this ...

Weeping, Weeping I've blown it again I know You love me but not my sin Crying, dying You've done so much for me May I never forget Your gift upon the tree Who am I that You would give Your Son for me? Now we journey on with me behind You as You lead Let me run as David ran 5 smooth stones in my hand Watch me dance as David danced looking to You and never to chance Only Your face and favor do I seek full of power and so meek. Your thoughts alone are my sole desire to know beyond the depth of my understanding echo the fathoms of your commanding presence Rejoicing, praising I'm at peace again for I know you love me and forgive my sin.

I have said to many this year that I haven't had to schedule my sprinklers to come on at all because it's been so wet this year. Really, I've only manually run the sprinklers maybe 8 times total this season. During the late summer and early fall, as the temps were more reasonable and we could open our windows at night, sometimes I heard a neighbor's sprinklers come on at 4AM. Each time I heard this I wondered why he would saturate his lawn further when we've received so much rain. Well, this morning, I had to go to the church because a fire alarm went off and the firemen needed someone responsible for the property to come on site and reset the fire alarm and a breaker. There was, thank God!, no fire. False alarm. However, the real mystery unraveled when I returned home. As I pulled up, it appeared that my driveway was wet. It was a clear night - so, no rain. I initially thought my neighbor's sprinklers were on, but there was no way that his sprinkler could hav...

According to Wikipedia, the phrase "benefit of the doubt" means: A favorable judgement given in the absence of full evidence. "Absence of full evidence." Isn't that faith? Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen - Hebrews 11:1 (KJV). One of the lessons last month (indeed, the previous 46 years) and remains today is that we each should give each other the "benefit of the doubt" whenever and wherever we can. Do you find that difficult? There are times when I do. While working with a team of German engineers at HP in the late 90s, we went through cultural training to help us understand the differences between the way the typical German professional works and communicates as opposed to the typical American professional. One key difference was along these lines. For example, to an American, receiving no news must mean bad news. In other words, if I haven't heard anything from the other part of our international te...

Some new (and old) lessons from August. Ongoing administrative excellence is hard. Period. It takes constant tweaking and adjustment...and a whole lot of leading. Pray for the best as you prepare for the worst. People don't resist change, people resist loss. My bride's laugh remains contagious and refreshing - at the very same time. I am blessed. Believe it or not, there are 4 other candidates for president. Can you name them? The power of example is more noble than the example of power. (a variation of line that Former President Clinton used in his speech at the DNC) Man's plans are at the mercy of God's power (Republican Convention and Hurricane Gustavo) Good leaders seek order in the swirl of issues. Getting the right people in the right seats makes a HUGE difference in a ministry. When we focus our attention on anything in place of God, He is grieved. From the Love & Respect book I'm reading: Husbands crave respect from their wives. Wives crave love from the...

I wrote in an earlier post about my response to the recent movie, Dark Knight. Since then, I've spoken with others of their reaction, specifically, to the character of the Joker. It's easy to minimize this character as an anarchist or even a sociopath or psychopath. However, if we seek to understand our lives as that which is lived on a spiritual battleground - battling for our souls and the souls of others - then maybe we can this opportunity to learn from this character as much as we can about how we are to be aware of and react to that which is evil. What prompted this post was two reactions that tested my reaction to the movie. One of the folks on staff and my oldest son observed that they found themselves liking the Joker. The testing for me came with my deeper response that I, too, found myself wanting to like this guy. For example, in one scene, the Joker painted this picture of an abusive father who scarred a smile upon the Joker's face. However, later in another ...