Hercules!

The other task that follows arranging for the book table is to make sure that I have this trademark globe blown up, out of the reach of children, leakless and ready for action as soon as George asks for it. This has been difficult in the past because our previous globe had numerous leaks and would eventually deflate after 30 minutes of speaking. I once had to sneak into the middle of the message, grab the shrunken earth, find a secluded area at the front of the Church and blow it back up and then rush it back right underneath the pulpit in front of nearly 300 people so that George could challenge individuals to come forward to lay their hands on an area of the world that they felt God calling them to. Now we are in business because we have a globe that won't leak, but it is the largest globe that George has ever used, so it can be a bit awkward, especially when he throws it up in the air and almost knocks out an overhead lamp. It is a central aspect to the message and it ends up being something that people will always remember. Please pray with me for this fragile globe and maybe let it remind us of the fragile globe that we are living on today - it needs our prayer and concern as well.

A record set!

I have just received the prize for the largest book display at a Church meeting George has ever seen from any gopher - almost 1800 books. For those who are unaware, book table exhibits at mission's meetings is one of the key areas of ministry that OM is involved with and hence what I spend much of my time doing. At any meeting I can be found arranging an area for books to be sold,given away, inquired about, ordered, etc..., carrying boxes, loading and unloading, handling the money and distributing OM literature for recruitment purposes.

We are all big, green, ugly ogres in reality.

Some days we live with that reality and try to make the best of it, other days we think of ourselves as a princess by day and an ogre by night. Where will we find true acceptance and love, by embracing reality or sucking the death out of self-deception? I came across this piece while walking through London earlier this year and was captivated by it. For further reading on this pick up Philip Yancey's "What's so Amazing about Grace" - the visaul edition is incredible- as well as "Messy Spirituality" by Mike Yanconelli. Reality is much better for growth and maturity in the long. Many cannot grow because they will not visit the place from which they need to leave. Is there a place for performance in our Faith, does Christ demand of us to "get right" in any way? I know that there is affirmation of this but it is widely distorted in the circles I have been brought to in life and thus I have not found easy answers.

A man of paradoxes, grace and reality!

He is a man without a time zone; he is a man with his own time zone!

He can have a hard approach and seem insensitive but has a tender heart and endures much abuse.

He is incredibly frugal and watches every penny except when it comes to giving, his generosity is innumerable and full.

He can yell at you and weep with you in the same moment.

He is always in pursuit of excellence and maturity yet at the same time embracing grace and reality.

He says too much sometimes and yet we can’t get enough of what he says.

He carries so much grief and in the same moment bursts with humor.

He tells the same jokes over and over, yet we laugh again and again.

Martin Luther said that Christianity was a religion of paradoxes and grace. George seems to emulate this principle after years of commitment to his Savior. God bless all those who are blessed by his life!

He doesn’t know why he can rejoice and weep in the same moment - probably something that comes from years of concerning himself with the advancement of the Gospel and the reality of a suffering world!

George has been disciplined most of his life and it allows him to not suffer from fear that comes with change. When you are consistent within your own world then change in the outside world is not so forboding because you don't depend on your externals for meaning and satisfaction. I believe that is where God wants to draw us to in our walk with him and discipline seems to be an integral part of that process.

A tribute to my bro

Lonnie Smith, a friend, my brother, a constant, the comedian, what a guy

He's spent more time with me than anyone else in my life. Many late night conversations, too many. Packing wood till our fingers fell off, playing GI Joe when we were supposed to be cleaning our room, hiking high above alpine to our own favorite lake "up Texas Creek", getting in fights and not getting in trouble because he would cover up for me even after he was the one in pain... So many more memories are packed away and now as adults (if we fight I'm the one in pain) we have enjoyed a new relationship, one built on choice, mutual respect and a love for many common things. Being connected to the ones who love you and the ones you love - what a privilege. Take care! and remember who you have history with!