Not In The Picture

I've been to Africa with those people. That's Team 2 from Central Community, we traveled and worked together in February, 2006. When I'm with one of our team members, one that I've traveled with, my favorite way to introduce them is: "We've been to Africa together!" How many people in life do you get to say that about?

I like this picture for a few really good reasons: 1. Debi's in it- today, May 21, is her birthday- happy birthday honey, she's the best life companion anyone could ever hope for, 2. Pastor Ken and Pastor Israel are in it- couldn't say enough about the blessing Pastor Ken is in our lives and our ministry if I had hours, God's blessed us by allowing us to serve with him for 15 years and I can honestly say that every day of it's been an honor... Pastor Israel leads our work in Mexico and it was a dream come true to share our work in Kenya with him and to watch his young ministry expand as he joined so great a task, 3. Charles and Patrick, our good friends and drivers are in the photo- Charles worked harder than 3 men alongside us and I'm proud to call him friend, Patrick first introduced me to Kenya- he's my "brother from another mother" and I think of he and his family daily, 4. Our team is there... this team was promised nothing but HARD WORK and they all signed up willingly and gave themselves completely- it humbles one to work side by side with people who work harder, longer and more effectively than you're able... they did... and because of their hard work, we showed The Jesus Film in the school rooms they built just this last March- each class is being used today, and finally I like this picture because 5. I'm not in it. I'm taking it and taking it all in.

When I first came to Central Community I was uncertain about it. I'd jumped into the process of meeting the people and interviewing... then the thought of so great a life task overwhelmed me when they offered me the job... I prayed God would give me a vision: He did. In a moment- maybe shorter - or longer- while I was on my knees in prayer in the middle of the night, He showed me the church turned upside down, so it could be right side up to reach a world drowning and in need of rescue. People were sinking everywhere... the church was full... like a ship in a sea filled with people waiting to be saved and everyone on board was reaching out to pull someone else in to safety- to bring one more safely home- there were people reaching people, so that none might be lost.

I was no where in the picture. I never saw myself in the vision. But I knew that I had to say "Yes!" It's how I came to pastor in Riverside at Central Community. It's the vision I've labored towards all these years. A church filled with people reaching out to people. Each day, we draw a little closer to living out God's Will for who He wants us to be.

This weekend over 100 of us are going to Mexico to build an addition at Siempre Para Los Ninos, our children's home in TJ. Some of the same people in the picture from Team 2, above, to Africa will be laboring together again, turning the church upside down, so we can be right side up for Christ. Patrick, 12,000 miles away in Kenya, dreams of bringing his family to visit Siempre. Hearts are being changed around the world. Children are being rescued and a community in poverty lifted up in Mexico. God's changing our hearts as we say yes to step through this open door. I don't even know all the people who're registered. God's doing this good work and together we'll do all we can to see that He get's all The Glory.

It's not all that important that we're in the picture... as much fun as it is to look back in wonder that we had the opportunity to share in so great an adventure... what's important is that we're in His church, reaching out to those still lost in the chaos of life without God. It's why we do what we do. It's the vision that gives me clarity when I need it most. It's how I know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that this weekend, whatever challenges we may face, will be life changing. It's how I know that my job is to stand near the railing, arm in arm with my brothers and sisters, ready to reach out at a moments notice to all those seeking the hope of rescue.

The Visions too big for one person to carry alone... It's God's Vision for us to share. You're invited to have your world turned upside down- when you're ready to get right side up for God. I want to go there with you.

for changing lives,

Eric

lessons my mother taught me

Mom and Dad in 2004
signing a copy of her book: My Alabaster Box

My family's now refusing to read my blogs. They say I write novellas. Today, they might have a point... but I didn't write it, my mom did. This is a letter I found in my grandmother's Bible when it was given to me some years back. On the envelope my granny had written, "A mother's day letter I enjoyed so much." The postmark on the envelope reads May 4, 1955: I wasn't even 10 months old. The letter is a wonderful keepsake for our family: more importantly, the values my mother thanks granny for are timeless truths that every family can build on.

Hope you had an incredible mother's day. Enjoy the read.

blessings,

Eric

May 2, 1955
Long Beach, Calif.

Dearest Mother,

I thought I would write you a “Mother’s Day” letter since the gift I am sending isn’t a very big one.

We are all on the mend. Tim is able to go out and play awhile today. Eric still has a few measles’ spots on him but he is feeling fine again. Tim and Eric didn’t have the measles too seriously since they had the gamma globulin shots. But I feel like I’ve been “cooped up” considerably now. I did dash out to the store last Friday to spend my birthday money. Here is what I bought: Two cotton blouses, one pair of peddle pushers (these all on sale for $1.00 each) a nice cotton dress in blue check ($9.00) one of these stiff standout half-slips, one cotton slip, two pair of cotton panties, and a pink purse. I had planned to buy two cotton dresses but Wil and the boys bought me a pretty pink one for my birthday.

Eric’s lip is better but it still is pretty ugly looking. He really had a deep burn and I’m fearful of it being a permanent scar. It’s been over two weeks now and it still has a bit of swelling in it.

Dale spent all day Sunday with us. I was so surprised to see him. He says he will work out of Long Beach in another two weeks. Right now he is living in a Fraternity house on the USC Campus, but I would like for him to stay with us when he moves into the area. Remember Ray Helms, the navy lieutenant that visited us that summer you were there when we lived on Molino? He was the tall handsome boy that you thought was so nice. Well, he was here with us all last week and he and dale got well acquainted Sunday. Ray is with the government in the Guided Missile department, an engineer, and they fly him all over the country visiting the guided missile factories, etc… and he was on business in the L.A. area so spent the week here. (And us with the measles!) He caught a plane out at 2:00 AM this morning. I was glad Dale could meet him because Ray is a fine Christian person. They got along great, Ray really liked dale and said if he could get a transfer to this coast, (he’s now in Alabama), he and Dale talked of getting an apartment.

Dale said Vernon now had another car lot. He must be really doing fine. I’m glad. That church you mentioned that Bernice is going to now –isn’t that a Christian Missionary Alliance group? Seems like I remember it being at that address. Does she like it better than our church? You know, Mom, I’m sure the Church of God doesn’t have a corner on all the truth ---but we’ve got the basic truth that these other churches are still trying to attain –and not one can gainsay our doctrine on the church being the body of Christ and membership, etc… And how anyone brought up this way can ever change is beyond me. Regardless of personalities and such –the truth is still the truth –and whether you like the people who preach it or the people who attend –how can you forsake the truth once God has revealed it unto you? Ah me.

Mom, this brings me to the main point of my letter. All this week I’ve tried to think of something nice to send you for Mother’s Day- and couldn’t. then I decided I’d just write and tell you what a good Mother you have been to me all these 32 years. I’ve thought of the many things I’d like to mention. Wil and I have discussed at great length the things we would like to pass on to our children, and I began to think of the things in my childhood that meant the most to me –the things I’d like my children to inherit.

First of all I am so thankful for my inheritance of Christianity from my parents. Being a Christian is not something you inherit –you have to make this decision for yourself –but how much easier it is --and more likely you are to do so, if you have been brought up in a Christian home. I’ve heard people say time and again that they had to go to church so much when they were children that they wouldn’t go now that they could make their own decision. Somehow you caused us to go to church –not by making us to –but by making us want to go. I hope that somehow I can bring my children up to see Christ in my life and want to go to church and serve Him. I’m glad I had a mother who stuck it out thru shtick and thin –whether the church was in good condition or bad –whether the preacher was good or poor --whether she was accepted or not. How I’ve come to appreciate these traits since I’ve been a minister wife! I can remember times when the church was split in many factions –the preacher couldn’t preach worth anything, and about 40 people bothered to come –and those wrangled and fussed at each other. But instead of you throwing up your hands and trotting off some place else, you stuck it out –and prayed. And God answered prayer. Had you been the type to drag your children off here and there because things didn’t please you- today I would have no stability whatsoever –I would do the same thing. But because you were not that type of person –when problems come up I know the best thing to do is to ride them out –and depend on God.

And another example of something I’ve always looked back on with appreciation is the way you trusted us. And the advice you gave when I was baffled. I never will forget how I was so puzzled in my teens –and the Youth at church were such a strange lot about some things –how I used to go to movies and they just knew I would go to hell if I didn’t stop. I remember counseling with you and asking what to do and we discussed it at great length then you told me you’d rather have me attend occasional good movies then to “park on some dark road.” Movie attendance is no problem to me now –I know there are many worthwhile pictures –but it’s neither here nor there –but how often your advice has come to my thinking when I’ve had to advise some young person to whom it is a problem –or to the parent of some person who is having difficulty with various social problems. This helped me to learn tolerance –and to learn that many things are involved in people’s decisions.

And I’m glad you always had family worship. I well remember how I received my knowledge of the Bible at an early age. Doyle and I always sat and listened as you read to us from the Bible story book. And then we prayed together. And as I grew older, even tho I had girl friends staying overnight with me –we always prayed. I’m sure this is one reason that those friends I still have contact with are always anxious to learn how you are.

I’m glad I learned tithing at an early age. How many people I see become Christians --and seem to be growing, but when they learn that God requires money from the too –they, with the Rich Young Ruler, turn away sadly --and forsake the Gospel. Tithing to me has been like eating –When money comes in you take out God’s part first --then divide the rest as far as it will go.

I’m thankful that you taught us to be frugal with our money. Taught us that debt was a sorry thing. And even if we didn’t practice this policy and had to come to you for money --you loaned it without a word –when you could always say “I told you so.”

But aside from these things I think of the good times we had together as a family. I can never forget our vacations –and how we would drive to enjoy ourselves. Not to make a deadline. If we saw something on the roadside of interest, we stopped and looked it over –if something was a few miles out of the way –but we wanted to see it, we did. And even tho we didn’t have much money –you always managed to save enough for a “pop” or bite of candy for the special vacation time. And we couldn’t afford to stop in restaurants –but instead of this becoming a problem to worry about we just had everything become more fun by having a picnic –or cooking by the roadside.

And I remember how when any new purchase was made for the house –my opinion on the subject was every bit as valuable as an adults. When we chose a rug we kids got to pick out what we thought was pretty. I wonder if I will be able to do this with my children –I will want things to match so badly that I will probably not realize that it’s more important to have your children feel a “part” of the planning.

But most of all I’ve always appreciated the fact that we always felt free to bring our friends home. Many times I’ve thought of the hard times of the depression and the lack of funds at our house –but come Sunday I usually always brought from two to three girls home with me for dinner. How did you manage to feed the extras? I guess you just knew either Doyle or I would have someone in. But today, when I think of how I always cook with the number of persons I’m feeding in mind –I wonder how you always made the food “stretch.” I’m glad you always allowed us to feel Home was ours –and we could have our friends in anytime we pleased.

And now that I’m older and have occasion to make an effort to help people with their problems –especially with their teenagers –the only way I can help them is by remembering how you handled the same situation. How you always allowed us to have the car –my how you trusted us when we were but teenagers! I think now how we all piled in the car on Sundays and took off for the afternoon—just as tho the car actually belonged to us. And we always felt it did. But yet, we would not have abused our privilege – because you trusted us with it.

I assure you Mom, that I’m very thankful this Mother’s Day, that when god decided to send me to the earth –He chose to send me to you and Dad. You have made mistakes I’m sure ---but right now they don’t come to my thinking. You have been a good Mother.

I was talking to Dale Sunday –just casually mentioned to him that I had a letter from you this last week –and that you are now 70 years old –and still irrigating! He said something like this--- “You know, that Granny is an amazing person – people like her don’t come very often ---she’s made of great stuff and I admire her.” And we both agreed you were made of “Pioneer stock.” The type that could have crossed the desert in a covered wagon. Now me, --if I had had to help the pilgrims come to America –they’d have still been in the old country –or if we had made it over the ocean –I’d have sat right there on Plymouth Rock!

Well, Mom, I must close now and feed the children.

Lovingly, your daughter


Ione

Strength for The Day

No clue how old the Popeye cartoon is that opens this blog. Didn’t know how to edit it or I would have only posted what I wanted to share – the part where Popeye eats his spinach. It was the highlight of every Popeye cartoon. Bluto would be beating the living daylights out of him… again… and suddenly he’d remember that he always carried a can of spinach in his shirt… he’d pull it out, open it in some creative way- you’ve got to love the way he opens it in this ancient piece of work –squeeze the can, spinach would fly into the air, yet always land neatly in his mouth. Then the good part- muscles –sometimes shaped like battleships, sledge hammers, anvils, or like in this old cartoon, filled with dynamite! Victory, and the girl… well Olive Oyl, to be more precise… always followed.

Popeye knew his secret for strength to turn to when times got tough. Do you?

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Popeye wasn’t always tough. Definitely wasn’t always smart… although he was kind of a smart aleck… looked up his history to write this blog… his first spoken words in a comic strip, January, 1929, “Hey there! Are you a sailor?” To which he responds: “Ja think I’m a cowboy!” What wit! You don’t have to be the sharpest pencil in the pack to get the job done… but you do have to know who you are and where your strength comes from: Popeye knew, putting him ahead of Bluto, Gooney Birds and the ever present Wimpy and sadly ahead of most of us.

The world and all the heart break we face wears on us. We wash up- prepare for the day- do our best to “put on a happy face,” but life takes it’s toll and soon we feel weak, as if Bluto’s been bashing us all day long, in fact, sometimes we’d prefer a solid bashing. We each face a moment, like Popeye, when we may not say it out loud, but it’s bubbling up from deep within and our hearts cry out: "Thas' all I can stands, 'cause I can't stands no more!" It’s critical, in that moment, to remember we carry strength, we often forget, deep within.

His Word promises: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." So Paul writes with gusto that he’s going to boast about his weakness so that Christ Power will work in him. Grace, greater than spinach, greater than the battles we face today, is waiting to give us strength, comfort, power and vision to put our house in order. Popeye did it with the snap of a rug. We do it when we lay our burdens down, great as they are, in His Grace. It’s sufficient… more than sufficient… more than all we need.

Got some big battles going on today? Remember, we’ve got The Power deep within us, who can escape our weaknesses? And in our weakness, His Power is made perfect for every challenge we face. Remember Popeye: not the best or the brightest- but he knew who he was, he knew where his strength came from and he knew when to admit that he couldn’t take any more… that he needed help. We all need help. His Grace is quick to embrace us when we just ask, it’s what He’s been waiting for- it’s what we’re created for- it will take us through the beatings of today.

Popeye knew his secret for strength to turn to when times got tough. Do you?

Blessings,

Eric

May Day

That’s me- 30 years ago today –May 1, 1977. I’m the one on the right with the Michelin hat, backpack and beard. Think the guy in the picture’s name was Maurice… like the old Steve Miller Band song, “Some people call me Maurice…” but I wouldn’t bet on it. We were saying goodbye after spending more than a month surfing the spring time waves off the Atlantic coast of France. The city is Biarritz. Doesn’t seem possible that it could have all happened so long ago.

My buddy Brad and I had spent time working in a steel mill in Wilmington, California, saving money for the trip of a life time. I’ve been fortunate to travel my entire life and I was eager to get out on the road. We were room mates and our life had a rhythm to it: out to surf by 5am, college classes’ mid-day, off to our union steel job by 4pm for the swing shift, home by 12:30am and do it all over again. Not exactly party animals- don’t know how either of us kept girlfriends.

We were 22 and that was our life.

Our rent was up on April 30th, so the morning of May 1, we headed east towards adventures in Italy, Yugoslavia, a month living in a cave in Greece and then we parted ways. Brad went on to work a farm on Crete. I headed home, God’s Hand heavy on my heart, for my sister’s wedding. Those months hold a lifetime of stories and I wouldn’t trade them for the world. That said, one day has always stood out prominently, May 1, 1977.

We’d knew little of things like “Workers of the World Unite,” May Day marches, etc… we were a couple of surfers, thankful to have a rail pass. We waited for the train and were warned that a National Strike had been declared for workers across the country. Our train, we were told, was the only train crossing France that day and would be very crowded… would we like to wait a day or two to travel? Young and stupid, eager to get going, we said “No.” and jumped on the already crowded train. We had yet to see a crowd.

The train headed northeast from Biarritz, towards Lyon, stopping at every little town, picking up people desperately needing to travel. We’d sold our surfboards, wetsuits and anything else that would put money in our pockets and now only had what fit in our packs, along with our sleeping bags and tent. Each pack weighed in at 50 pounds, easy. I weighed all of 160, soaking weight. In Lyon, near nightfall, a local military base boarded a bazillion soldiers. It had already been standing room only: we spent the rest of the night with room for only one foot on the floor at a time. I tell the story rarely because it’s so unbelievable- I almost don’t believe it. No room to remove or stow our packs. Everyone forced to carry their own luggage. Surrounded by soldiers who smelled like they had been doing field trials all day… not that I smelled any better… and standing on one foot… all night long.

Did I mention that EVERYONE else was smoking? It was like traveling in a one of those ash trays they always have in old movies: packed with butts, gray smoke filling the air around it. What fun.

Whenever people tell me how lucky I am that I’ve traveled, I’m quick to agree… but I can’t help but wonder if they knew what it was like to live with everything you own on your back, next to no money in your pocket, traveling in conditions that still conjure up sore calves and the occasional nightmare… May 1, 1977: if they’d still be interested in seeing the world.

My friend Brad lives with his wife and kids further north, on the coast. That’s him in the picture below, the day we parted ways, as I prepared to jump a boat towards Athens. No clue what’s become of Maurice. He was a surfer from New York city. Maybe he stayed in Biarritz, that photo’s the last time I ever saw or heard from him. Me, I’m living the dream, the greatest adventure of my life, here in Riverside with the people of Central Community. Today, May 1, 2007, 30 years since these photos were snapped: before digital cameras, VCR’s, DVD’s, scanners, personal computers, blogs, the internet… I’m reflecting not on an easier time. Working to save the money, leaving, the trip, the lessons learned, coming home… none of it was easy… but of a time that helped shape me for all the decades yet to come. One more step in the invitation to a life of great adventures.

I’ll always remember the night before we left, April 30th, 1977. We’d walked into town for a final visit with some friends, a snack and as we were walking home, the strike began. The entire town went dark as all the electricity cut out and everything was eerily silent. The city completely dead, a little old man, probably about my age, walking with a cane, looking so typically French, raised his arm in the air and cried: “Viva la revolution!” or something like that… it’s always inspired me. Not the words, but the thought. I was a kid and thought this guy an old geezer at the end of his adventures but he was still living the dream, ready for a revolution, living for adventure. Pretty cool. It’s how I want to be.

This May Day, 2007, the adventure of life still awaits us- it’s one of God’s greatest invitations –He created us to live- and to live to the full. I hope this day finds you ready to celebrate the best the month ahead has to offer. It’s May Day… take someone lilacs.