Strangers in a Strange Land by James B. Janknegt's Recently I heard a series of messages given by Dr. Mark Labberton of First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley. I was captivated by Mark's thoughts, derived from the Book of Daniel. What I would like to do here is share with you a brief overview and reaction … Continue reading Stranger in a Strange Land – Part I

Blog, blog, bloggity blog. This has been an interesting journey of Blogging thus far for me. I spend far less time watching the Food Network, and I think this will keep my mind better engaged in reality and reflection as age advances. My buddy Rob Asghar has a link today to a very helpful (as … Continue reading So what's with All These Darned Bloggers?

Oh look, the perfect family at the Perfect Church!You might recall I have been thinking recently about the concept of "The Perfect Church". I had an interesting conversation with a friend today on the phone (again not accomplishing anything for the American economy). He has recently moved churches, in a situation similar to our family, … Continue reading Perfect Church, or Place of Hope and Healing?

My daughter says I never do anything productive at work. What does she know!?Here I am, today, discovering that it is not good to pour coffee into the CD drive on my desktop PC before saving the crucial client file to the hard drive. Stay tuned, more office management efficiency tips forthcoming.

As a kid I loved Bugs Bunny, and I still do. There was one Bugs episode in which the Abominable Snow Man got somehow displaced in Palms Springs, or somewhere similar. His line to Bugs, after he had been sitting poolside in a towel and flip flops for a while, dripping huge quantities of water … Continue reading Gosh Its Hot….or Maybe Not!

Ewwwww......Alright, I confess right here my predominant ignorance of which is the most correct Bible version. However, Mark Roberts has started an interesting series of posts on the new TNIV (which does not stand for Truly Neat Incredible Version, nor Those Naughty Inspired Visions) Bible, which has recently been released. Seems there is some disagreement … Continue reading To TNIV or Not TNIV, That is the Question

I read this wonderful post tonight, as I finished a busy day of carting girls around Pasadena and surroundings, augmenting their teenage American lives. I was struck with the remarkable difference in the life of Keith Smith in Burkina Faso, and my life here in Southern California. A breath of fresh air, and a needed … Continue reading Getting Some Perspective on Life Here

Looking AroundWe have several friends who have been church shopping for more than 10 years. Actually, we know lots of people like this. Most seem to be under 40, and constantly in search of just the right blend of hip worship music, sermons that encourage without threatening, and a latte bar that serves biscotti with … Continue reading Church Shopping or Settling Down to Imperfection

I have received a tribute from an old friend that I am not even close to being vaguely worthy of. My old (well, he is not that old) friend Rob Asghar has penned a kind post about John Wooden, the most famous of all college basketball coaches, and me. Coach Wooden and me...can you imagine? … Continue reading They Called Him Coach

Forty days until the Most Remarkable Day in History. Mark Roberts shares meaningful thoughts on Lent here, from which I quote my favorite portion: Throughout my pastoral tenure at Irvine Presbyterian Church I’ve put ashes on hundreds of foreheads. It’s both a strange and a wonderful thing to do. It’s strange to tell people, in … Continue reading Beginning of Lent