View From the Top

I'm out of the country right now. Lenya and I are enjoying the spicy hospitality of our southern neighbors in Mexico. Baja California Sur in the official name of this fine extended peninsula of the west where the Sea of Cortez kisses the Pacific Ocean in blue resplendence. About 30 miles from the Airport at Cabo, Rod and Nedra Farley (wonderful in-laws by the way) have a time-share villa. This is the view--not bad, eh? From here we can look down on the quiet valley below and watch the hawks gain altitude as the sun makes its westward daily journey. From here we can see the fishing boats take their early jaunt out to the deep for their daily catch. But its more than the view for me. I've left my world down below for these 5 days. Not answering cell phone calls or planning meetings via email has been a most welcome break (not to mention a difficult discipline for me). Today, its all about the jet ski trip around the arches of Cortez. Tomorrow its all about the ATV ride with Rod in the morning. I get up early (only because I go to bed early here) and read my bible with a cup of Starbuck's robust brew. After a cup or two and a brief scripture reading and song with Rod, I get Lenya up with a cup of very "milked-down" coffee. We enjoy the morning breezes and then its off to a stringent workout of lunch or water activity (or both). See ya...I think I feel a swim coming on!

R and R

It's been awhile but Lenya and I get to enjoy a week in Cabo. We're
meeting Lenya's folks here for the week at their time share. I've
never been to Cabo San Lucas before but it look good so far. I'm
standing in the Passport line at the airport writing this--sweeeet!!!

Mentoring!

Over the years I have mentored several young men for the ministry and
the joy has been second to none. I never realized how the mentoring
principle extends to some of the others of God's creation mad on the
6th day. Tonight I found out. Winston (the bigger, older and wiser of
the two) could swing Mack (the smaller and cuter one) over the fence
if he wanted to. Winston is very strong and can play hard. But he
seems to be mentoring the wee one in how to play tug of war. While we
are training Mack these days it's nice to have a little help from a
wiser member of the Canine world.

The Most Beautiful Picture I've Ever Seen

OK, unless you have a trained eye, this shot may not look like much, but this picture you're looking at is my future! This is my grandchild! How cool is that!? God has done it again! I've seen many an ultrasound image in my time and the only thing better was the one of my son, Nate (which I still have by the way...somewhere). Nate and Jane went to the Dr.'s office today for the exam and he sent my this picture via his iPhone. We've known about this for awhile, but NOW I can blab about it--and don't worry--I WILL! I am already devising ways to spoil this little or girl. Oh yeah! And I don't care what anyone will think or say. Gramps will lavish his love on this little one and will enjoy ever minute of it. Isn't life grand?

Lee Strobel

We had a great weekend at Calvary of Albuquerque. Lee Strobel was with us talking about "The Unexpected Adventure," the title of a great and challenging new book. I've enjoyed reading it and I think you will too. Lee is a good friend of our ministry, and has been a great "sounding board" for me in ministry issues. I've appreciated his insights as well as his books and messages.

Check out the video for a quick highlight. And by the way, did you notice that he talked about Kareem Abdul Jabbar around me? I wonder why? That dude is tall--Kareem I mean--not Lee :)

Yum!

Now this is a hot dog, folks! The "Dog House" on Central Ave. in
Albuquerque serves up these babies smothered in Chilie with onions. If
these tastey treats are possible now, imagine what the Marriage Supper
in heaven will be like.

Do You Talk to God Much?

I've been drawn to a book I've had a long time on my shelf--written in 1821 by Edward Bickersteth, clergyman of the Church of England, sent to Africa by the church Missionary Society, rector of the church at Watton and one of the early founders of the Evangelical Alliance. I love reading OLD books, as lots of you already know. This one is a classic. Perhaps one of the reasons I love it it because the style in which it is written demands the reader slow down and mentally chew on small bites. At any rate, it it renewing a love for prayer, to meaningfully communicate to the Father as His child. Bickersteth underscores that our apprach must not be as a slave towards a harsh and demanding master but in a familial and tender manner--great stuff--and it's really "Old School"--like 200 years old school!