For a moving visual summary of the devastation of Malibu Presbyterian Church, go here.I traded emails with my friend Neal Nybo this morning, who is a pastor in Rancho Bernardo at this church. So far, they know of 57 families in their congregation who have lost their homes. There may be more.Pray that God will … Continue reading Malibu Presbyterian – Memories

From the pen of Henri Nouwen:"Loving the Church does not require romantic emotions. It requires the will to see the living Christ among his people and to love them as we want to love Christ himself. This is true not only for the "little" people - the poor, the oppressed, the forgotten - but also … Continue reading Loving the Church

This is a little bit of heaven in this:I just wonder if my buddy KC can do this yet?

Yesterday, Malibu Presbyterian Church burned to the ground.A holy place, so many memories, seemingly lost in wind whipped fire that must have resembled what we think the Apocalypse might be like. Read this, for a wonderfully honest account. Kristi is a friend of my friend KC - she must be a wonderful woman.My prayers, and … Continue reading Fire, Pain, and Faith

Delusional Disorder is defined as a person who has "irrational beliefs, held with a high level of conviction, that are highly resistant to change even when the delusional person is exposed to forms of proof that contradict the belief."Last night we saw a movie about delusions. "Lars and the Real Girl" shaped up to be … Continue reading Movie of the Year: Lars And The Real Girl

Its the season of nutty college football in Westwood. First we loose to just about the worst team in the country in Notre Dame, then we BEAT the #10 ranked team, in Cal.Is this what it's like to live with bi-polar relatives?

"Picture Of Jesus" - Ben HarperIt hangs above my altarLike they hung him from a crossI keep one in my walletFor the times I feel lostI feel lostIn a wooden frame with splintersWhere my family kneels to prayAnd if you listen closeYou'll hear the words he used to sayI've got a picture of JesusIn his … Continue reading Picture of Jesus

It has been a remarkable week. One week ago this evening, I sat by my father's bedside, listening with concern to his irregular Cheyne-Stokes breathing pattern; wondering how long he would be present in body with us. He was gone less than 13 hours later, passing quietly, without struggle or pain. Fleeting moments; one minute … Continue reading Fleeting Moments Each Filled with Grace

Sara Groves is one of my two (that is all I like) favorite Christian artists. A while back, she went to Rwanda, to the Killing Fields. This song is about what she saw. That I might have eyes to see.....

This morning, at 8:53 AM, my Dad left this earth, bound for Someplace Far Better.The feelings, emotions, and words are still hard to form in my mind. But there is this one word, this one feeling. It has been growing from a distant whisper into a bold headline over the life of our family in … Continue reading Grace In The Midst of Facing Death