Life is Fast

Debi and I were driving back to Riverside after vistiing my sister in the hospital in Laguna- she'd been flown home from Africa after coming down sick while working in Rwanda, we're thankful she's on the mend, then stopping to hang out with my mom and dad, when we came across this fire next to the toll road. Since we received less then two inches of rain in Southern California last year, everything's dry and just waiting for any reason to go up in smoke. The fire was ripping up the side of a hill where water dropping helicopters, fire trucks and lines of workers were just getting the battle started. Later in the evening I saw on the news that they'd put the fire down in no time and planned to spend the night making sure no embers spread the danger.

We saw the fire for maybe one minute: I took out my cell phone and snapped this shot. Acres of the local ecosystem were changed forever and firefighters spent frightening hours in the heat of sunset in the battle, then a long night on the hillside, in pitch black, working to make sure the community was safe. Long after we were asleep, they were still working. Firefighting: it's just one part of the puzzle that enables us to survive in the desert.

Life is fast. We drove by the fire at seventy miles an hour, while clicking a picture, then went on our way- next -without giving the blaze much thought. We didn't even consider stopping to help- they'd have sent us off in a minute, we knew things were in good hands and that if it got bad enough that they needed us... all of Orange County was in serious trouble! Somewhere, not far from the fire, a starlet was in rehab, a franchise baskeball player was considering his financial future, my mom and dad prepared for dinner in a downstairs room in my brother's home... my sister tried to accept that she was back in the states and sick, her children still in Africa... while a fire ripped up a hill side... the same way fire has burned since before there were fire fighters... life is fast.

Here in Southern California we have a fire "season" the way other regions anticipate weather patterns. We've grown fond of a sunset through the smoke... it's so beautiful... and such a part of who we are. I almost suggested to Debi that we wait out the fire, sunset was just an hour away and with the ocean and Catalina Island visible in the background it would have been glorious... but it just didn't seem right while others were fighting to put the blaze down and so we drove on.

Life is filled with fires, some burn unchecked, through our hearts, habits, spirits... others are brought under control- we hope before anyone spots the smoke -most call for loving support to help us put them down, no matter how hard we fight. People drive by... some take the time to stare... many don't even notice we're burning inside. Life is filled with fire, we burn with the seasons.

Life is fast, regardless the season we're in. Today's firestorms quickly become tomorrows charred memory and next season a new area for fertile growth and fresh beginnings following the storm. Whatever season we find ourself in today, we don't have to burn alone, we don't have to battle through a season of charred suffering without support and there are those ready to come along side us as new blades break through the surface to push aside old embers with the fragile beginnings of hope. Life is fast, let's share every season, even if it moves as quickly as a hillside brushfire on a summer afternoon in Southern California. Why go through it alone? Life is fast.

The Guys I Work With

That's the pastoral staff at Central Community: from left to right- as you see them, Matt, John and Ken. Besides being Godly leaders with hearts just overflowing with love and quick to give their lives in service... they're fun to hang out with. Try it sometime.

Friends called last week and a couple of their timeshares at Lawrence Welk Resort in Escondido were suddenly going to be empty and they offered them to me. Pretty cool. The only thing nicer than owning great stuff is having friends generous enough to share their blessings with you! So we planned a quick, (two day, one night), staff retreat.

We did lot's of planning, discussed theology, prayed and did our best to make God and the people of Central Community proud. We also ate too much fast food, went for walks together- that picture was taken on the fountains golf course -shopped for new computers at FRY's and even slipped out Monday night to take in the new Harry Potter movie. Some of your basic male bonding kind of stuff... if I wasn't so cheap, we actually would have bought a computer, taken in a ball game instead of a movie and maybe really golfed instead of just walking the course... but it was all good.

I highly reccomend the resort; especially if friends give you some nights free. The movie was fun- I fell asleep near the end -what can I say, it was my first time to see a Harry Potter movie in the theater. The fast food made me want to be a vegetarian. All that said, I give my highest recommendations to hanging out with Matt, John and Ken. They're fun to be with, easy travelers and sheer entertainment with no need of a TV or ipod.

When you get the opportunity, check out their blogs. Each of them is much more widely read then mine and you'll begin to know why I had such a good Monday and Tuesday. God obviously knew what He was doing when He called these guys to serve. I know I'm proud to serve alongside them.

blessings,

Eric

A Rich Heritage

It’s a rich heritage… my cousin Jeannene refers to it in her excellent book: From This Rock, as the soundtrack of our lives. It’s an accurate description of how we grew up and more importantly who we grew up with. Some children laughingly say they were “raised by wolves.” Not us. We were raised by giants.

This week we lay Uncle Glen to rest… or more appropriately, we send him home to a great gathering on the other side… No doubt, no worries or fear about his eternity. And while we may not understand much about Heaven, this we know for sure; family is waiting. Jesus has prepared a place for us. I’m confident that a loud and joyous contingent of Denton’s will be ready to welcome Uncle Glen Home. Singing will be part of it all.

Cousins, enjoy this photo of seven of the immediate family; 5 now in Heaven, Dad and Uncle Mark remain with us. The music’s from my ordination service: October, 1989, in Riverside at Central Community. I believe it was the last time the 4 of them sang together in public. I have one other song on my computer- if you want it let me know. I keep them in itunes. The album art is this photo. Album title simply “The Denton Brother’s Quartet.” Where would we have been without them? God is too good.

let's stay in touch,

Eric

Favorite Moments

That's one of my favorite photos. It's our son John, at the helm of our former sailboat, "Visitation," with his mom at his side. I don't remember much about the day. It was autumn, warm and perfect for sailing and by the looks of the background we were a couple of miles off Sunset Beach. The image captures most of what I enjoy about sailing: being outdoors, on the water, together, loving life.

I'm not a great sailer. It'd take years for me to master the technique, skill, knowledge... much less desire... to race at the head of the class or to challenge the open seas. However, when the wind is fair, the sun warm on our backs, the swell gentle and I'm surrounded by those I love... sailing fits the bill for me. It's hard to imagine that we no longer own a boat and that our little slip on gangway 25 in Long Beach belongs to someone else... so many good times.

Talking with a good friend recently, I listened as he went over his training program and the races he has planned for the months ahead. I lamented that it would take me months of training before I could even enter, much less compete with him, laughing he said: "Better start tomorrow." I told him that "tomorrow's" always my favorite day to train... when I wake up, look at my running gear next to the bed, too often I think- tomorrow... not today.

Favorite moments are the result of participation in life. Whether it's paying the price to own and learn how to share a sail boat on a wondreful fall afternoon or waking up to train alone in order to share a race with friends, favorite moments rarely just happen, we create them. What are you creating with your life today? What memories and emotions will a snapshot of today bring back five years from now, twenty-five years?

John doesn't know it yet, but someday, when Debi and I are well beyond our sailing years, or when we've already set our sails that one final time, he'll treasure this snapshot for the memory of the day and the memory of his mom... it's going to move way up on his list of favorite moments. It'll make him a better dad with a deeper desire to spend the time and money to share with his family and create some favorite moments of their own. Our lives... sometimes our legacy, is often little more then a collection of favorite moments, time well spent, with those we love. Don't wait until tomorrow. Make the most of today.

blessings... and smooth sailing,

Eric

Hidden Treasures

That's a picture of the famous boat houses of Encinitas. While hanging out at the beach recently, I read the history of them... don't remember enough about them to publish... but they were built by a guy who use to build boats. Guess it's a good thing toilets hadn't been his trade. I've run or cycled by the things for years and hadn't realized they were a hidden wonder to my family. Driving by, they were caught up in the creativity and ingenuity of the project. They are pretty cool. Not quite as cool as the house made out of an old DC3 here in Riverside, but cool just the same. I highly recommend a drive by visit next time your in north San Diego County.

Thinking back, while looking at pictures of our week in Encinitas, I realized how much of life slips by as a hidden treasure. Not because it's hard to see, but because it's two blocks over and no one ever bothered to share it with us. In the years to come, the boats will be torn down and replaced with condos. Who could afford to keep that kind curiosity up and running with the price of beach property? Who would want to? Community support to "Keep Encinitas Funky" (they actually have bumper stickers) is probably much greater then the foundational support the house boats rest on. Check the photo: those front beams go and those boats will be setting sail for PCH with no one at the wheel. Until they ship out towards "Swami's" the legendary surf spot down the street, I'm certain my kids will take their friends by to see the boats... once discovered, "hidden treasures" though well known in the local community, are great indicators of the well visited tourist and always a pleasure to share.

Most of us have hidden treasures; gifts, talents and abilities, that we often hesitate to share. One can play the harmonica beautifully, another is a wonder with roses, someone else is a magician of a mechanic: they're not our primary talents or occupation, but somewhere, a couple blocks off the main road of everyday living, we can do it, it's part of who we are. A great way to connect with people at the core level is to share what others might not know about us.

If someone wants’ to get to know Encinitas, it's imperative that they get off the 5 and cruise PCH. After a few visits, one should wander Neptune, hang out at Beacons, eat breakfast at any of the little hole in the walls and eventually, one needs to make their way to the boat houses- they're sort of at the heart of where Encinitas once was... even if they're no longer where she's going. The hidden treasures of every community are well off the main drag.

In the same way, getting to know people takes more than one visit. Judging someone at a glance is always a mistake. Everyone holds hidden treasures- beauty from the inside just waiting to be released. In order to get there, we need to take a few passes down each other's Main St. Get to know who it is they're presenting to the world. We then need to walk down their back roads- check out what interests they have besides their 9-5. Finally we need to ask about their hidden talents: where're they hiding their boat house behaviors that most of the world is missing out on? By the time we make it that far in a relationship we've had the opportunity to build mutual respect, admiration, friendship and sometimes even love. Well worth the extra time and effort.

Some of the best treasures in the people around us are waiting to be discovered just two blocks back. It's one more great excuse to get off Main Street and dig a little deeper in the lives of the people around us. People build houses that look like boats because THEY WANT people to notice the difference. Each of us has developed hidden treasures because we once hoped someone would take notice. Someone still can. We can. Let's open our eyes to the unique beauty in the people around us.

The Material Girl... a little lunch together

Sat down to lunch at my desk... where I eat most of my lunches... and clicked in to check my email as a gentle effort at multi-tasking. On the front page of MSN was an invitation to follow a link to the 7-7-07 LIVE EARTH concerts, greening the world one pop star at a time. Ready for change and eager for a little free music, in a matter of seconds, Madonna herself was up and singing live from Wembly Stadium, England.

Very cool song about loving yourself, loving someone else, saving someone, changing... I'm certain entire groups will find numerous reasons why the song is anti-something and probably hedonistic... me... I'm much easier to please and not nearly so quick to lay out judgement. Never the #1 Madonna fan, I found myself thinking: "Nice effort... hope someone hears a message of hope." Not to mention that the song had a good beat and was easy to dance to, (I'd give it an 8 out of 10), but she was also backed up by a bunch of English school kids... what's not to like?

So after sharing a song with Madonna- clicking her picture with my cell phone- live, no less, just inches away, I returned to work... actually I had to tell someone about lunch with Madonna... so here I am bragging and doing a little name dropping... now it's time to get back to work.

30 years ago today I thought about friends I'd met while traveling in Rome. We all needed places to sleep so we rented a large room in a hostel and crashed together. He was traveling with his girlfriend, who didn't want to be traveling any longer, she wanted to go home and get married. He wasn't planning on going home any time soon: they'd been on the road for nearly a year and the only thing that would take him back to Canada was a promised reunion with a bunch of High School buddies on 7-7-77... she thought it was a stupid idea and wanted to get married on 7-7-77.

After a week or two in Rome, we parted ways and never touched base again, email wasn't even a dream yet, it was a BIG world. 30 years later, tens of thousands of people and hundreds of thousands of miles gone by, I don't remember either of their names, but I think of them most July 7's and especially today: 7-7-07. I hope they're celebrating their 30th anniversary, she was a keeper. I hope their happy.

It was nice to share lunch with the material girl, but if I could have clicked in "live" anywhere in the world, I would have clicked on the two of them, just to check in. Stuff- this material world -comes and goes, but the relationships that shape us... that somehow touch our spirit: remain. Maybe that's what Madonna was trying to say in her song. It touched me, all the way from England.

blessings friends, wherever you are...

Eric

Our Last Minutes of Vacation

That's us - Debi and me - out to lunch... again... 4th of July with my mom, dad and daughter Julia- sharing our last day of a couple of very nice weeks off. Debi and I had some great days with each other down at the beach, some good times with family and with friends and we were able to keep not only our Friday afternoon's with Dad and Mom but we also slipped in a quick visit and took them to a late lunch on the 4th.

Mom was greatly disturbed at each of our visits- she's never liked facial hair -and I didn't shave once while we were off... then... I'm sure she thought I did it just to spite her... instead of shaving the beard completely, I left a neat little gray ghost of a ghottee. I could carry a stick in hand, direct music and follow a bouncing ball! Mom hates it... fun to be almost 53 and still loving and being loved by my mom, even if it is with a good lecture.

Hope you're taking some time off this summer to enjoy the season. If you do... don't shave... visit my mom and dad... and remember what it's like to have someone wag her finger at you. It's summer- a great time to re-read "Dandelion Wine" by Ray Bradbury, lay around and grow a goat!