weep with those who weep...

God did incredible things at Central Community last Sunday morning... The Holy Spirit was moving up and down Arlington Ave! Below is a video clip of Pastor Greg Laurie's words Sunday concerning the death of his son Christopher. Please keep his family and the fellowship at Harvest in your prayers through these days.

Debi and I watched this together and shed tears, wept and prayed for the family. Let's remember: "This world is not our home."

Pastor Eric

we write with our lives

photo from www.Harvest.org


'Last Lecture' professor dies at 47

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (AP) -- Randy Pausch, a Carnegie Mellon University computer scientist whose "last lecture" about facing terminal cancer became an Internet sensation and a best-selling book, has died. He was 47.

University spokeswoman Anne Watzman says Pausch died early Friday at his home in Virginia.

Pausch was diagnosed with incurable pancreatic cancer in September 2006. His popular last lecture at Carnegie Mellon in September 2007 garnered international attention and was viewed by millions on the Internet.

In it, Pausch celebrated living the life he had always dreamed of instead of concentrating on impending death.

The book "The Last Lecture, " written with Jeffrey Zaslow, topped best-seller lists after its publication in April.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.


I wrote about Randy Pausch and posted his famous video, here, early this year... today, he's gone. Thanks for your parting thoughts.

Most people don't get the opportunity to write a book, give a speech, say goodbye... Pastor Greg Laurie, of Harvest Christian Fellowship, the church I've pastored next to for over 20 years, lost his son to death- tragically, in an auto accident, Thursday, July 24, 2008. I'd never met him... I've learned more about him in the hours since I've learned of his death than in the 20 years we've been next to Harvest.

My loss.

His name was Christopher- he leaves behind a loving family, at home and in his church -because he was writing his book with his life every day. Read more about his life and pending funeral plans at www.Harvest.org. No "Last Lecture," as nice as that would have been for the world to capture insight into his heart, soul and dreams was necessary. We see his witness at work in the church and the world. He wrote with his life.

The beautiful and timely graphics that support the ministry of Harvest Christian Fellowship, Harvest Crusades as well as most of his dad's work- books, speaking, conferences, etc... were designed by Christopher. They remain on bumper stickers, book covers, program headings and in so many other places, known to his family... known to God, that tell a small part of his story... part that will be left behind for everyone to share, enjoy and remember him with.

Pastor's do funerals. I've presided over the burial of far too many children... held parents in my arms as they've had no choice but to trust God in their greatest trial... where else would we turn? Only God can speak to that darkness, that pain... Only God can restore hope when we're left with heart break.

My prayers this morning are for the family of Christopher Laurie... a man I never met... but one who left an impact on our work as we strived to be better than we could be... looking at the high quality graphic designs of Harvest- in their printed material -knowing we could be better. My prayers are for his brother, his mom and dad... I work with my children on staff and know the blessing and pride Pastor Greg must have felt as well. Today, can't begin to imagine the feeling of loss... the heartbreak... how he'll return to the office, the pulpit... plan for Harvest Crusades... God alone gives strength for these moments... comfort? It's probably a long way off.

Pastor Rick Warren writes in "The Purpose Driven Life" that we need to think more about death, not less... he's right. Everyone who loved and knew Christopher will think more about death for the rest of their lives: in each empty moment- in every time they would have turned to him- in the eyes of his children... in his art... his unknowing "Last Lecture" that remains.

But Christopher's not lost... He's Home. Hard as that is for those who love him- he's home. My prayer today should probably be for Randy Pausch, don't know much about his relationship with The Lord... just his love for life... pray that today He's Home as well.

Life comes at us faster than we're ready for... we write our "last lecture" with our lives- one day at a time. Hope you're writing a Masterpiece for Jesus in all you say and do today.

Keep the family and friends of Christopher Laurie in your prayers. So sad.

blessings,

Eric

Buy Your Dad- brother, son, Mom, sister... someone... a sweatshirt

I bought one of each - at $9.99 each, here, at the ESPN store online. Should have bought one from every school they had. Sadly, they didn't have the great university's I graduated from - Cal State Long Beach or Anderson School of Theology. But I know folks who're going to love the one's I bought. Do something nice today- buy someone a sweatshirt and give it to them for Christmas. Don't forget to look for the $5- off code at the top of the ESPN page while shopping.!

my kind of afternoon

Riding off with Pastor Israel and the boys of Siempre on our bikes

Tuesday afternoons I meet with staff and work in the office. Thursday afternoons I finish the weekend message. Wednesday afternoons I ride bikes with the kids of Siempre. That's my new favorite Siempre photo- I'm the wide body in the midst -digging every minute of it.

Take an afternoon- invite the neighbors -go ride a bike. It's my kind of afternoon.

blessings,

Eric

I'm On Your Side.

More importantly, God's on your side. God loves you. God not only created you, He cares for you... today, right now.

The other day I read a blog on how all bloggers are complainers- haven't been able to get it out of my head -too much truth in it. When we write, it's easy to focus on the problem instead of the positive. Mentioned this to a fellow blogger and he got pretty defensive. No offense intended. But I think it's good occasionally to look at, to read, to listen to the message we're sending out to the world. Too often it's filled with unhappiness.

I want you to know that I'm on your side- even when we disagree -I believe in what God's doing in people... more importantly, I believe in what God wants to do in you. If I can ever help- let me know.

because, I'm on your side... I believe in you.

blessings,

Eric

Gasoline may be $4.50 a Gallon but...

pretty cool- an F-14 at its best!

"Those numbers may seem small, but military items can sell for pennies on the dollar compared with what the Pentagon paid. Last year, federal agents seized four F-14 fighter jets sold to domestic buyers by an officer at Point Mugu Naval Air Station, Calif., for $2,000 to $4,000 each, with proceeds benefiting a squadron recreation fund. When F-14s were new, they cost roughly $38 million each."

The quote's from this article on MSN. Couldn't remember the story- and they didn't give a citation... but I found it on the LA Times, here.

another cool shot

I'm no military genius. But I figure when you can buy four - count them: 1, 2, 3, 4! F-14 fighter jets- made with our tax dollars at a ballpark price of 38 million each -for less than $12,000- that's a bargain!

Just a little info for your afternoon.

Eric

before sunrise

I ran for years, every morning, before sunrise. So many hundreds, no thousands... (as unbelievable as that might seem), runs, that most of the sunrises have slipped from my memory. Many of the dark mornings, long before sunrise, somehow remain. Things happen between 4am and 5:30am that most of the world misses. As my wife would say- most of the world is glad to miss -but whether it was a long run alone or out with friends, surfing by the light of HB pier or just trying to find my way in the dark on my bike, kayak or our old boat... there's something cool about being out there before the world wakes up... being the first one to meet the day.

Then, there are the sad things you happen across.

A few years back, making the 9 mile run from home to church- I was pushing it pretty hard and feeling pretty fit about 7 miles out. A late summer morning, sun still at least an hour off, I saw a pick up truck stopped in the middle of what's normally a very busy road. Two men were talking and all I heard them say was: "Did you see that albacore?"

I love to fish for albacore. The prospect of albacore running on Arlington Ave., 60 miles from the nearest beach... not to mention another 60 miles from any normal current they might feed in, caught my attention. Not even Charlie Tuna hangs out in Riverside. Slowing my pace, I crossed the street and cautiously approahed the huddled men at the tailgate of the truck. There, crumpled on the ground, was the lifeless form of a man who had been hit at least twice. Once by the original vehicle and then by the man in the pickup.

Distraught, he'd stopped, and when the man driving behind him pulled up he'd run to him and asked: "Did you see another car?" Running, in my own world, I heard the call of the sea: "Did you see that albacore?"

I doubt the victim- already dead or dieing -heard a thing. We were not the best rescue crew in the world. One went to call for help. The man who hit him, struggled to put the pieces of his dark morning together. I did what I've done at so many accident scenes with too many people dead or dieing: quietly, in my running gear, I knelt on the asphalt and prayed... knowing that God hears, God sees, God knows... we can trust Him.

Help came- I gave my statement -then finished my run.

I've allowed some of my fitness to slip away and that early 9 mile run is still a couple of months off. But now days I run with my cell phone strapped to my shoulder. If I see something that touches me- I stop and use it to take a picture. If someone needs me- my phone rings and I walk while we talk. And if someone's ever crumpled in a heap on the road again- I'll dial 911.

I'm connected... 24/7.

Somedays I'll pass the spot on the road where we stood over a seemingly lifeless form and wonder if he survived. Other days, driving by the spot, I smile- thinking back on the brief run of albacore on Arlington Ave.

Before sunrise... so many things happen... they're waiting for you.

4th of July in Riverside

Debi and Julia enjoying pre-fireworks music at Fairmont Park. We decided to check out the local action after visiting Dad and going to lunch in Orange County.


Family's get ready for the big event- lakeside -in beautiful 80 degree weather with an incredibl sunset followed immediately by a "fingernail" moonset.


Over 25 minutes of fireworks... incredible show over the lake. We left with the masses after an amazing grand finale... all so close we lay on our backs to watch them explode overhead. Fireworks were still going off well after we left.

Kudos to city officials, volunteers, sponsors, community leaders... a great event- good fun. Hope your 4th was fantastic!

Eric