True Orphans

Serving children in distress I've learned an entirely new language filled with adjectives and identifiers used to define the state of a child at any given time in their heart break. "True Orphans" is the toughest spot for any child to be in: no one left, no family that claims them, sometimes- everyone dead, more often- completely abandoned. The infants in this little video are True Orphans: no first name, no last name, just weeks old... now in our care. Holding them today- again I realized what a miracle, a gift from God, their presence with us at Siempre is and how thankful I am to share in this incredible work.

You're invited... to "come and see" what The Lord is doing at Siempre. If we don't, who will love these children? They need care for a lifetime- they need immediate attention today- without your support... who will protect and keep them?

join us...

Happy Mother's Day!

Siempre's newest resident- a two week old nameless little girl

Thanks Mom's for all you do.

New Property... New Promise

This little video shows our new property at Siempre Para Los Ninos, our children's home in Tijuana, Mexico. New property holds so much hope and promise. The building we'll put there- Lord willing, (and I'm pretty sure He's always willing for us to help those who are hurting), will be a home to 36 children- 18 infants from birth to 18 months and 18 from 19 months to age 3. Hopefully they'll all find homes with "forever" families... those who remain will join our Siempre family.

This year is the 5th anniversary of Siempre. We've had several babies... they're still with us... big kids now. The complete focus of our new work will be to rescue babies- they're the most vulnerable in society when life falls apart. We can't rescue them all, but this is our start. You're invited. When you're ready for change the best way to achieve it is to make and keep a big promise. We're promising a new home. God is too good.

blessings,

Eric

We're Not Alone

>"Our destiny, in my opinion, and we might as well get started with it, is [to] become a part of the planetary community. ... We should be ready to reach out beyond our planet and beyond our solar system to find out what is really going on out there."<
Edgar Mitchell, retired US Astronaut, member of 1971 Apollo 14 moon mission

I'm all for space travel. I was one of those kids who always imagined traveling to other worlds... never crossed my mind that it might not happen in our life times. As an adult, it would be no problem to come up with a quick list of folks who either a) act like they're from another planet or b) might be better off living in a distant galaxy!

Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Matthew 4:17

I believe in His Kingdom... very near... all around us, within us... I believe in Jesus. Don't know what's "out there." Do know that today, April 20, 2009 is the anniversary of the Columbine killings. Know that life is hard for people in the community we live in... probably in your community as well. I'm certain that as exciting a call Ed Mitchell makes to "reach out beyond our planet," I'm thankful God saw fit to reach out to us with His Son, Jesus Christ and plant His Kingdom within our hearts to prevent the anger, violence and killing that springs up in the heart of people. I think we've got a load of work to do right here on planet earth, in love, right now.

Words like repent don't seem relevant any longer- they repel us -but if we're looking for change, why look to the skies? God's given us His Kingdom- not "pie in the sky" but the opportunity to love, serve and share right now, right here, today.

Space exploration and serving in love aren't mutually exclusive- I'm all for both -just want to make sure that before we start exporting values to other galaxies we make sure we've got love covered, or are at least giving it our best effort, here and now. But if the opportunity should avail itself- take an alien to lunch -one more opportunity to break bread and make friends in His Name.

blessings,

Eric

Sunday Afternoon... mowing the lawn...

There has to be a metaphor in it somewhere: preach two services, meet and greet the fellowship, anoint a friend for healing... then I come home and mow the front and back lawn-91 degrees out -peak of the afternoon... I'll be out past midnight working with the homeless on skidrow- should have been napping but I mowed the lawn and loved every minute of it.

Life gets full of things that shouldn't play a part and then so much that should be there in abundance... slips away. You fill in the blanks for your life- I'm holding my cards close today. But if it all feels just a tad overwhelming- go mow the lawn, sweep the porch, wash the car: you'll be better for it. I promise.

Simple strides- one end of the yard to the next -even added the cross cut, on diagonal... doesn't look bad... it'll look better in two or three weeks. But my mind found order, my spirit, peace. I was only doing one thing in one place- mowing the lawn -and when I was done... I stood back, examined my work- and said, "Not bad."

I'm ready to get back to work- thanks to time in the yard. It's good to be simple minded ;-)

blessings,

Eric

getting involved

Yvon Chouinard (left) founder of the outdoor clothing company Patagonia, and Wayne Lynch, pictured with their surfboards at Santa Cruz Island, Mar Meada. Picture by Tim Davies.

cool photo. It's from an article you can read here, in the Brisbane Times... ain't the internet great? The article briefly covers Patagonia's ability to survive the downturn in the world economy, Choinard's business model and background and their forward thinking outlook on saving our planet's resources. All pretty good stuff.

I confess, it was the photo of the guy Choinard's walking with Wayne Lynch- a 58 year old former cult status surfer that drew my attention to any of it -he's my generation and he was always cutting edge in the water... and apparently he's still alive! But the final words of Patagonia's owner got me writing. He said:

>"I'm a doom bat," he insists. "But, you know what? I'm a happy doom bat. Because as long as I feel I'm part of the process of doing something, I'm not part of the problem. I'm part of the solution, and I feel fine about it."<

"As long as I feel I'm part of the process..." I like to feel that way too. Nothing worse than feeling like we're not making an impact or working towards the greater good. If our efforts only enhance our own well being... they also take away from the greater good. When we invest ourselves in work that lifts up everyone- we lift up ourselves as well.

It's what I love about the church... about God's Kingdom... about my small part serving in it... making a difference and confidently reaching out our hands to others letting them know that they're invited to join the greatest cause on the planet- to save all of creation, in love, through service in His Name.

You're Invited. What are you doing with your life? What images will you hold dear some day? I'm guessing both the guy from Patagonia and Wayne Lynch kind of like this photo... out of the water, after a surf, working together with a common goal- far later in life than they'd ever imagined when they were in their 20's... both probably wondering why they didn't get started any sooner... why they let so many days slide by...

We don't have to let another day slip away. Get involved in the process. Until you do... you're only part of the problem. And that's not a photo anyone wants to keep in their "golden years."

blessings,

Eric

God... and medical miracles

A friend of mine has survived pancreatic cancer for over 8 years... he's now in the hospital fighting renal failure. While in the hospital he's contracted two really horrible infections. He's fighting for his life... again.

Another friend recently discovered a growth that's turned out to be possible ovarian cancer- she's waiting for surgery... anxiously waiting... as her husband, children, family and friends lift her up for healing.

The little movie at the top of this blog is a representation of a surgery another good friend had just a few weeks ago. She's a long time running partner, a marathoner, an Ironman... who had to cut almost every kind of work from her life as they've done one surgery after the other hoping to address the multiple problems she's faced in her spine.

Reading over this, it occurs to me- stinks to be my friend! Look what these really good people are having to endure... and so I pray. I pray for healing. That Christ, our Great Physician, would move in the areas they need it most, that He gives all the care givers concerned: wisdom, compassion and insight beyond their own abilities, and that He comfort the hearts and fears of my friends and their families.

God's in charge of the miracles that surround us. Sometimes, He uses doctors who refuse to quit until they find a way to ease the pain. Never ceases to amaze me how they handle the human body. Sometimes He uses family who come along side us in love. He always moves with His Spirit- sending strength we never thought we had -to help us make it through the challenging seasons we confront.

What season's of healing are you, your friends and family facing today? You don't need to know the inner workings of all that's happened to help them or to be healed. You only need to know The Father- He knows our name... He knows our deepest need... He's God and He's ready to move with miracles that will amaze us all. Our part is to ask, to trust, to love... and to never give up.

Today I'm praying for a friend recovering from back surgery, another who waits for surgery- uncertain of her future and one more who's fighting for his life in a hospital bed... so very sick. Join me in praying for their healing.

If you have someone you'd like me to pray for- email me, or better yet, put the request in as a comment and we'll build a fellowship of healing prayer that invites Jesus to move in us all.

May He richly bless those we love today. He's too Good.

blessings,

Eric

More than "The Hard Things"

>"You know, it doesn't make sense. It's not fun. At a certain point, it's not even giving me that relief anymore. It's just this compulsion that I can't break. In that sense, I'll always be a drug addict," Sheff said.

"I think I can be someone who no longer uses drugs," he added.<

Nic Scheff, author of TWEAK, said that for an article in CNN today. He's the son of David Scheff who wrote the poignant book BEAUTIFUL BOY about his son Nic's downfall into addiction to drugs and in particular- meth. It's a book that breaks your heart.

Too often people "outside" the vicious cycle of addiction are quick to assume addicts are somehow just weak or unwilling to do "The Hard Things:" to suck it up, "just say no," build better disciplines... but it's more than that... after reading Nic's story in Beautiful Boy, I've recommended the book to more family members of addicts then I can recall. It's a story that let's us see ourselves within the cycle and reminds us of just how quickly anyone of us can find ourselves on the front lines in the battle for our own sanity as addiction eats away at those we love... at us.

I've prayed for this young man I've never met, before... praying for he and his family today. I've helped families through times of relapse with the familiar and comforting reminders: "failure is part of success," "It's not about falling down- it's about getting back up," and I believe them... God is powerful and He created us to thrive, He is "The God of second chances." That said, I know it's easy to fall into a place of acceptance. That this is just who we are- if it kill's us, it kills us. Nic Scheff's words are powerful:

"You know, it doesn't make sense. It's not fun. At a certain point, it's not even giving me that relief anymore." Which one of us hasn't felt that way in some area of our lives before? But he closes with incredible hope: "I think I can be someone who no longer uses drugs," he added."

"I think I can..."

Is there an area of your life that needs changing today? Maybe it's an attitude, a discipline, an unmet goal, a habit that needs breaking, an addiction... Life's not about falling down- it's about getting up. Ask Nic. He's giving his sobriety another shot- he's dreaming of a life without drugs in control... a new hope, a new life. I'm praying for his success and for ours as well.

God created us to be so much more than "consumers." He created us to thrive. Together, in Him, we can. Failure is part of success. If you're living through personal or even a very public failure today- success is out ahead -stay faithful, seek help, trust God... life's about more than the hard things... it's about learning how to trust God, trust each other... and continue together. We can thrive.

Monday Morning Mindset

Trestles Update 3-30-09 @ Yahoo! Video

4 guys made it out... that's this morning, Monday, March 30, at Trestles... "our" surf spot... or at least very near by... good to see that a few guys are in the water- regardless the very small swell conditions. Looks like fun... the spring break crowds will gather.

A recent report disclosed that the average American spends 8.5 hours a day of "screen" time. Eight and a half hours in front of a computer monitor, a television, some sort of screen... every single day... a third of our lives... it was enough to motivate me to get on my bike and ride Saturday morning- but I found myself "surfing" the Internet today instead of joining my 4 intrepid friends there in the line up... more screen time.

It's spring! Easter's just day's away. Never a better time for a new beginning in Christ. No better opportunity to embrace the glorious words of the Psalmist who cried out: "This is the day that The Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!" I'm going to turn off my computer and enjoy the day. Hope you do the same.

blessings,

Eric

a helping hand

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.” Proverbs 3:27,28

We're learners. We can't help ourselves, it's how God made us: to learn. The big issue in life isn't what we learn but more how we use what we've learned. As children, we didn't get to choose our family's socio-economic background or their level of education- we grew into awareness surrounded by both the good and the challenging of our particular spot in life. Not much more than a century or so ago- our families position in society determined OUR place in the world. That's changed in most of the developing world... not everywhere... but certainly in nations that insure an education for every child and in areas where the Internet, TV and newsprint tell stories of the wealthier nations where people have stomachs full enough to pursue their dreams and those images ignite new hopes and dreams in the hearts of children and young adults that thought they'd never break away.

Neither of my parents ever learned to use a computer: they just didn't see the need. When I first got a crack at a keyboard- at Golden West Junior College- the fall of 1972, long before the PC, Internet or blogging, -I got into it. It was one of my favorite parts of my 2 semesters in junior college- full on computer access for every student in every field of study, required. Orange Coast Community College District was WAY ahead of the curve. The heart of a school was a massive computer room filled with an IBM 360 that we hooked up to with monitors, took tests on and even pushed those old funky computer punch cards into: what fun!

When I became a teacher and was asked to head up the Apple Computer program at our campus, I jumped at it. Getting boxes of new Apple II's and IIe's to set up quickly became a highlight of the week- that and spending an extra 30 minutes or so a day on one of the first computer games that went beyond "PONG," "Escape from Rungastan." If I remember right, the monochrome green monitor would flicker on and as the 5 inch floppy began to spin, words came across the screen: "You are in a room."

It all sounds pretty simple now... but we felt like we were on the brink of something that would change our lives... little did we know that in just a couple of decades we'd spend much of our days in front of brightly lit, incredibly colorful LCD displays, with larger screens then we had on our televisions in the 70's and 80's and carry "smart" phones in our pockets with more computing power than anything anyone was even working towards. A quarter of a century ago I wrote on the need for computer literacy among educators and leaders as an essential tool to our successful growth as a society. I was passionate about it... believed it then, believe it still. Think I felt like I'd found a place where I could finally help... a new way to help.

In retrospect, it's easy to see that our time with computers often causes as many problems as possibilities. My wasted time on "Escape from Rungastan" was pure innocence compared to some of the heartbreaking ways people have used this new, powerful tool and as a society we seem to have forgotten the basics of every tool: be careful- they cut both ways -be it a knife or saw or a laptop or desktop... tools are just that- tools. We choose how we use them.

Use your time online in positive ways. And when someone has obviously lost their way online... point them back in the right direction. One of my favorite new "helping" tools online is www.letmegooglethatforyou.com.

A friend has a question: about... well about just about anything... and you go to www.letmegooglethatforyou.com, type in the question you think will help out and then send them the link the site produces. Let's say you need help with your Spanish. Go to the site, type in: How do I say "How can I help?" in Spanish? Click the link to see your solution.

Pretty cool.

The writer of Proverbs said we should lend a hand whenever we can... think he would have liked this cool new tool online. It's just one more fun way we can help!

the first soup line?

Free breakfast and lunch at Denny's - all across America - from Maine to Malibu... I wonder if they have a Denny's in Malibu?

Left the office to check out our local Denny's response to their national "free Grand Slam" breakfast campaign. Impressive, to say the very least. The place was packed while lines of people waited patiently, in the beautiful 80 degree weather, to be served. Many looked as if they could really use the free meal. Denny's was turning no one away. Smiling employees everywhere- a manager even handing out rain checks... though the skies looked as if they'd never met a storm or had as much as a drizzle pass their way... we took rain checks. Can't wait to go back and get those extra 1,000 calories or so to lug around my middle!


Back in the office- checking the news and reading about millions responding to the free breakfast deal -pictures like this one came to mind. So disturbing. It's one thing to watch the homeless on skidrow line up each week for the meals we serve with Jackets for Jesus. Quite another to watch the neighborhoods around our church empty out and stand in line for a free meal. If I'd picked a soundtrack for the moment it definitely would've been Bob Dylan's "Hard Rain Gonna Fall."

This news item was just above the Denny's story online: "Bailed Out Wells Fargo Plans Las Vegas Junket." The story tells about the 25 billion -that's 25 thousand million- (about a thousand times what Manny Ramirez turned down to play for the Dodgers this year) Wells Fargo took from taxpayers to stay in business- and how they're now planning to take their leaders on an all expense, luxurious week in Vegas. My favorite quote was from Wells Fargo's representative when asked by the press why the junket's still on, he said the: "event is part of the bank’s culture."

Snappy response- I plan on using it next time I go over my credit limit on my Wells Fargo card: "It's part of our family's culture."

Two ways two major corporations are responding in this time of national financial crisis. For the first time, in a long time, I think it'll definitely be Denny's that leaves a good taste in our collective pallet and Wells Fargo... well, I'm afraid they're about to discover that the commercials just aren't true: what happens in Vegas, hardly ever stays in Vegas.

"Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said, “God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is given to you. God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied." Luke 6:20,21

blessings for the day,

Eric

Heaven

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
Jesus John 14:1-3

I believe in Heaven... Jesus promised us that The Father has a Home big enough for everyone who follows Him... that He's preparing a place for us... you and me... in Heaven.

Last Saturday I got the call that a friend I'd been with just the night before had died... he'd been fighting cancer, not much older than me, loved fishing on the ocean... we'd once crossed paths, fishing on the same boat, hundreds of miles at sea...God gave us the opportunity to get to know each other better over the last year or two. God invited Danny into His church at Central Community and I'm certain that when he took his last breath here, Someone took his hand as he was ushered into God's Eternal Kingdom.

Our kids have always felt like I'm a little too comfortable around death. From as early as they can remember they've shared the heartbreak as families have called our home, looking for their pastor, when "the end" is near. I've been in more circumstances of death than I ever care to recount... just thinking about it brings so many good people to mind... and I thank God for The Promise of Heaven... of Home.

I've wept with so many good people but I've never felt that it was the end. Heaven is our Home. Our loved ones who go before us are a precious deposit in The Hands of our Loving Father until The Day we're all Home. "What a Day... Glorious Day... that will be."

Danny's home. I'll miss him. Not long ago he gave me a couple of boxes of expensive lures and jigs for saltwater fishing... can't wait to use them... to catch a fish- always thought I'd bring a story back to tell him -now I'll just quietly say: "Thanks for the hook up buddy." Hope there's fishing in Heaven.

I learned this poem as a child. Someday it'll be read at my funeral:

God grant that I may live to fish
until my dying day.
And when it comes to my last cast
I then most humbly pray,
When in The Master's landing net
I'm peacefully asleep
That God may judge and grant me
good enough to keep.

"I'll Meet You In The Morning" It's an old gospel song- don't hear it much anymore. I downloaded it tonight and listened to it for the first time in years. My uncle John and aunt Lurann Denton use to sing it together... became almost famous for it... had a 45 record of it and everything... they'd get to the chorus and turn to each other- like so many other gospel groups would do and begin to shake hands as they sang: "I'll meet you in the morning, I'll meet you in the morning, with a "How do you do!" and a "How do you do!" Each time they did it I could just imagine Heaven being like the lobby of the church on Sunday morning- the whole church family waiting to welcome us -shaking hands, smiling, maybe even singing... I like that image of Heaven... a happy home. I'm glad my friend Dan's out of his pain and into God's Paradise... one of the many I hope will "meet me in the morning."

Heaven... what a great hope to hold onto... is it your hope today?

many blessings,

Eric

Happy New Year... 2009... living out a great theme

It's been a month or more... thought I'd start the new year by posting links to videos of our Christmas Party at Siempre Para Los Ninos- our children's home in Tijuana, Mexico

2008 Christmas Party at Siempre Para Los Ninos @ Yahoo! Video

and Jackets for Jesus Christmas Party on skidrow.

2008 Christmas on Skid Row - Jackets for Jesus @ Yahoo! Video

Each event was hugely successful because of the positive support of so many people, both at our church home, Central Community, and our extended family of support. People just like you and me. (a bunch of times IT WAS you and me!)

I try my best to live by a simple maxim: "Everybody wants to do something good for God- they just don't know how." These video's are made possible by people who've opened their hearts and lives to discover some of the good God wants them to do and have given themselves to it in ways small and large.

I'm praying that each of us opens our hearts to listen, learn and live in God's Grace in 2009 - doing all the good things we were not only created to do - but also those things that fulfill us in ways we've yet to discover. May God richly bless you in your creative pursuits of serving Him while meeting the needs of others. May He receive all the glory, now and forever.

richest blessings,

and happy new year!

Eric