a night with my siblings

My sister said the best part of last night was looking over and seeing her brothers and their wives enjoying the night together... this morning... it's the most important statement I take away from our evening with John McCain, Barack Obama and Pastor Rick Warren at Saddleback's Civil Forum.

We're not together, all of us in one place, all that often. Incredibly appropriate that we were when a preacher, one we all respect and love, invited a couple of politicians to share their views on some of the tough topics of today. It's how we were raised... Kat pointedly reminded me of that as we left the church. Even still, listening to her lecture me, inwardly I was smiling... thinking how proud I am to have such a fantastic "little" sister. Such an amazing brother-in-law in Dan. The evening didn't challenge my politics or sway my vote... but it did remind me that we've been blessed with the gift of family. Thanks Kat and Dan.

Tolerating older brothers... and we're a trio who often require a great deal of love... must be a special gift God gives little sisters. I use to look at my Aunt Lois with such love- I can barely write about her because I've missed her since the day she died... almost 20 years ago. She had all these older brothers. My dad was one of them. She was the baby. Uncle Meredith and Aunt Lois raised a wonderful family, discovered great success, shared a beautiful love for each other and were fantastic on the social scene. They would have loved being at Saddleback's Social Forum. Only thing that would have made it better for them would have been if Dad, Mark, Glenn and John could have been there as well, as their guests, enjoying the moment in the limelight... fighting over politics... united in Christ.

I really didn't learn anything new last night... not about the candidates- but it was very cool to see and hear them in person -not about Saddleback or Pastor Rick, I still stand in awe of all they've accomplished and all they continue to do in His service -not even about my sister, she's loved and tolerated me... all three of us her entire life... God is too good.

Last night I was reminded of how very blessed we've been to have a little sister. How blessed I've been to have a great friendship with her. I realized it's what I liked so much about dad and Aunt Lois... they were so very close. Kat and me, well, we couldn't have asked for any better. Danny and Timmy have been just the older brothers we needed. Last night- we were all together -and it was good. Kat's friend was right... it was "just a little like Heaven." Made me think of one of the angels in our family- Aunt Lois -this morning, can't get her off my mind.

Don't know how long it's been since you've spent an evening with your siblings. Don't know if it requires "America's most powerful religious leader" (Rick Warren, according to Time Mag) and the two people fighting to hold the title of President of The United States of America, to get you and your siblings together... that's what it took for us... that and a loving little sister. (Mom use to be able to do it with just a birthday cake!) Whatever it takes- I suggest you do it. The four of us have lived through a bunch of presidents and we'll probably survive whoever's elected this time... can't imagine having lived a day of my life without each of my siblings in it. Last night was a great reminder.

Just a little like Heaven after all...

blessings,

Eric


Thanks Guys

You're Invited! Samaritan House @ Siempre Para Los Ninos

Samaritan House Walk Through 8-6-08 @ Yahoo! Video

Wednesday afternoon we'd been hanging out with Siempre's kids when I suddenly remembered my camera was still in my pocket! No photos! I quickly handed it off to the children and asked them to take a few quick shots. When they were done, I asked Pastor Israel to walk me through our newest building, our newest ministry - Samaritan House @ Siempre Para Los Ninos. What a blessing.

The video's nothing special... but the images... your work... your investment... your gift to a community in poverty, the children of Siempre, the church and so many others waiting to serve. Thanks so much. Some day our new missionary will live in the missions house 3-4 days a week and travel the rest of the week in the US telling the story of Siempre -inviting people to come and serve at Samaritan House @ Siempre.

Until then... it's still me doing the inviting... Debi and I are going down Labor Day weekend. No big hotels, big plans or big expenses... just work. We'll stay in Samaritan House- bring sleeping bags and blow up mattresses to set on the ground. We'll wrap up the last days of summer the same way we opened our summer- working at Samaritan House. In the evening we'll head out to Rosarito for dinner- we might even bbq. We plan on having fun! We plan on serving Him.

Best part of the whole deal? You're Invited!

Watch the video- the song is Healer, by Hillsong. Then email me- or call -we'd love to close out the summer with you.

blessings,

Eric

He Gets the Job Done

Ken, getting down to business

We make a good team. Ken and I started serving together when we were 30 something... the TV show "30 Something" was still on the air. Our kids were young and the work at Central Community was just getting started. We worked hard through our 40's - the entire decade -now, entering the middle years of our 50's, Ken's got a birthday coming up... but I'll still be older... we're still pushing. Our work in Kenya barely began until we were 50. Our kid's aren't "kids" anymore- they're all grown up. Ken and his wife Trish, (who's got a birthday also), are grandparents. Not many pastor's... not many people... are blessed as richly in their careers as we've been. God's been too good to us- we still enjoy working together and I think Ken would agree, we make a good team.

A leader in his own right- I've never... and I mean never -seen Ken get bent out of shape because he didn't get the attention he deserved, the raise or the pat on the back... and Ken's deserved more attention, raises and pats on the back then he's received. He's not only preached when I've planned to be away- but stepped up when I've not been able to preach: whether it was the Palm Sunday I'd spent a week in the hospital or the Sunday after mom died... and everything in between... Ken's always stepped up to the plate. He's counseled, married, buried, visited more people than I could count, writing his ministry across countless lives in our work together. He's been there for my family in our times of crises... and we've had them... and when the big and little decisions of our work together have been made it's almost always been after a closed door meeting with Ken- seeking his advice and perspective. He tells "the truth in love" and after so many years has learned to anticipate our steps as well as spur us on to greater work.

He gets the job done.

Together... I don't think God wants us to build His church any other way. I'm thankful I've had the opportunity to share so much of our lives and ministry together with Ken and his family. If you've never taken the time to get to know Ken- you should -you won't be disappointed, I promise. Don't know what the next 16 years has in store- but I'm sure thankful for the last 16 working side by side with Ken.

Great leaders build great leaders. The group of people Ken's worked with in Mexico alone... building 17 homes, 14,000 sq ft in and around Siempre and the church at Siempre, rebuilding a burned out church while ministering to the pastor who'd lost his family- horribly burned to death in the church... hundreds have sweat and labored by his side- in total humility asking for nothing more than the opportunity to serve... just like Ken.

I'm not preaching this weekend- Ken is -you'll grow by sitting right up front and listening in, giving your whole heart. Ken knows what he's talking about. He's lived it. More importantly, He knows Jesus. I'm just proud to know him.

Have a great month Ken. Happy Birthday Trish and Ken! Thanks for everything.

blessings,

Eric


Pastor Ken... looking up on life