A backyard waterfall had been a feature of our house in Newbury Park, and decided to build another on our return to Temecula. We had an idea of what we wanted, then a friend donated a larger pump that enlarged our plans, including the footprint. The angle and design of the upper stream changed, then we tinkered with the block retaining wall multiple times. I dug the hole for the pond and got ready to lay the cushion and liner, but decided to add…
Read MoreA Passionate Pursuit of God--1
Several years ago, a woman walked into Haagen-Dazs, and noticed Paul Newman in his prime standing next to her. He smiled and said hello as his blue eyes captivated her. She got her change and the ice cream and left, only to discover she didn’t have her cone. Turning back, she encountered Newman at the door, “Looking for your ice cream cone? You put it in your purse, along with your change.”
She got excited and giddy and ecstatic merely at being in the presence of Newman. Many God-seekers feel that way about God. Some. Not all.
Read MoreCognitive Dissonance and Rattlesnakes
A Yiddish proverb says, “Man tries and God laughs.” I appreciate God’s sense of humor that must find regular targets in our earnest attempts to do the right stuff. Scripture is pretty clear, though, that, for God’s people, planning—and, often enough in my case, lack of planning—needs some sense and flexibility. For instance…
Read MoreReasons to Believe
A few weeks ago, my dermatologist cut out my fifth skin cancer, and I told a friend that the margins were all clear and the cancer had not spread. In relief, I added, “God is good.” Then I thought of the many friends, some who love God deeply, who currently struggle with very serious cancers and other health issues. For some, death approaches and when is the only question. What about them?…
Read MoreBlame or Own?
Imagine the Garden of Eden. Although naked, Adam and Eve felt no shame, think of that as no barriers between them. Trust overcame any vulnerability (Genesis 2:24-25). Regularly, as evening cooled the heat of the day, they would stroll with God. Intimacy with one another, with God (3:8). That sounds idyllic.
Until it wasn’t. One evening…
Read MoreGod and His Surprising Destinations
Ever have a time where God led you to a surprising and unexpected place? How did that impact your connection with him? Have you surrendered enough to say, “God, I’ll do it,” with no restrictions, without knowing what may come? Check out some surprises from a recent ride.
Read MoreSongs Unsung
John Southwood and I built our connection as co-leaders for a mission trip to Penasco, NM, just outside of Taos, way back in 1973. A van and two motorcycles carried our group of six across the California and Nevada deserts to that mountain village, to help with a recreation program. We both loved running and basketball, and dealing with one EGR member forged us in fire (Extra Grace Required). I suspect struggling through the last did more than the first two. He moved to Indiana and then Tennessee, while I had a short sojourn in Taos. But we stayed in touch, and…
Read MoreSay Good Bye to Brush Popping
Dad mentored me on fishing Sierra streams, sharing what he’d learned from his grandfather. The best tip: fish where few fish. That can mean smaller streams with no campgrounds to larger and more popular ones, but in between the campgrounds. Many fisherfolk are lazy and just fish nearby. So find streams with the road far from the creek, and a good walk through brush brings you to almost virgin water. The fish have more time to grow and…
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