Pursuing Passion
My blog is dedicated to the turning point in the Parable of the Lost Son, "when he came to his senses..." (Luke 15:17). For me, pursuing passion is a journey of coming to my senses...of me "waking up and smelling the coffee."
This blog is an incomplete chronicle of that journey. Here are my thoughts on life, simplicity, personal productivity, the Kingdom of God, and...coffee.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Monday, August 21, 2006
Methuselah
Conversation with my almost 7 year old during today's history lesson. We were talking about Benedict and abbeys and making connections with Redwall.
Caleb: I bet Methusaleh was really an abbot a long time before Father Abbot.
Me: I don't think so. I think he was the oldest at Redwall but I don't think he was ever Abbot.
Caleb: Why not?
Me: Well, not everyone wants to be in control. Some people are fine with that.
Caleb (with an incredulous look): Why?
Me: I have no idea.
Can you tell we're both first borns? *Grin*
Nice article
My ego is still being pumped by a great article and a great photo in the local paper!
Check it out: Part-time pastors balance day jobs, flocks
Sunday, August 13, 2006
A "real" birthday
It's odd to think that 20 years ago this coming Thursday (August 17) I became a Christian.
Yeah, I know there are all sorts of philosophical questions like "how do you know that's when it happened?" etc.
But August 17, 1986 at Camp Fairhaven in Maine, I committed my life to Jesus in a way that took (unlike the other four times I'd prayed "the prayer." *grin*) I can see God's hand moving in my life from way before 1986, but August 17 is very special to me.
And that was two decades ago.
I feel like that should make me feel old. But I just feel privileged. What an honor to be on this journey so long!
[Update: I just preach about some of this today. I took the time to list times that I can say the Kingdom broke through in my life. You can hear the MP3 of the sermon here. Or get it at the VCW Sermons page.]
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Photo Fraud in Lebanon
Can anyone help me out with this? I saw this on Bill Cripe's blog. (Bill's a pastor here in Waterville.)
How did I miss the tires burning on the US News and World Report? I actually believed I was seeing a fire of a downed jet.
Check it out for yourself: Photo Fraud in Lebanon
It's chilling to think that these images are doctored. Reminds me of Wag the Dog!
Here's my question: does anyone know anything about aish.com? Is this expose legit?
Fundraising in the Bible
For the first time ever, my ongoing article on Fundraising in the Bible is available in web format.
Web pages: http://fundraisingcoach.com/bible.htm
PDF version http://fundraisingcoach.com/fundraisinginbible.pdf
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
The craziness comes to Portland
Random violence and assualts are common in many parts of the world. But today I read about an attack of Silly String that chills me. Right here in Maine.
It also cracks me up. Why didn't I think of that?!
Check it out at MaineToday.com From Away: I just don't feel safe anymore
(You may need to register to read it. Sorry if you do. But Colleen's blog is definitely worth it!)
Cure for insomnia?
The other day, my 6-year old son asked my wife if he could listen to music as he went to sleep.
She said he couldn't.
So he asked, "Can I listen to one of dad's sermons? They put me to sleep even faster than one of Phil's."
I think he meant that to be a compliment...sort of a "Dad's works even better than Phil's" but I think something got lost in the translation...
You be the judge:
My sermons: http://vcwaterville.org/sermons.htm
Phil Strout's sermons: http://www.vcflewiston.org/messages/index.php
Use the comments to let me know if Cale's right. *grin*
Why am I doing this?
I just had to link to this great post from my wife's conversation with our 4-year old. Check it out at: Journey Notes.