porchpondering.com

Day 50

I've written before about the Bible Reading Plan I started on October 1st. Today marks the 50th day of reading on this two year adventure (actually it's Day 61 if you count the total days). Like everyone else, I'm prone to fall a day or two behind in my reading and that's why I like this plan. The plan has readings for 25 days of every month so that you've got time to catch up during the final few days of the month. It's now the end of November and I'm still on schedule.

Recent inspiration included Daniel 6 where Daniel dares to defy the edict of Darius, which limited the practice of prayer in the kingdom. In that chapter we read, "Although Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he continued to go to his house, which had windows in its upper room open toward Jerusalem, and to get down on his knees three times a day to pray to his God and praise him, just as he had done previously" (6:10). Daniel could have prayed in hushed tones but his bold stand reflects his conviction that the Lord is always watching. In the end Daniel is delivered from the den of lions and every part of the story serves to strengthen his faith. I'd like my prayers to matter as much!

Silent No More

Our family made the pilgrimage to Thousand Oaks last week. It was good to be together with Joy's family. On the plus side, Matthew and his cousin, Todd, rigged up the inside of our van to watch videos and play PS2. It helped keep the volume of inside noise down to more manageable tones. Todd and Matthew were the first to sleep in the Volkswagen Hotel which was booked for the whole weekend.

Andy and I made the trek to TO by train on Thanksgiving Day and it was good to be together. Since I get extra time with Mackenzie on Mondays and mornings with Matthew on Wednesday, it was fun to have special time with Andrew (we ate lots of candy).

The Advent Workshop on Sunday was a great event thanks to Pastor Leanne. Pizza, salad, crafts and music in perfect combination.

Weather is turning to the cooler side these days. Not as enthusiastic about paddling into the cold water but it's still good.

Well, that's about it for me today. Sorry for the long silence. Really, I've got plenty to ponder these days, it's just not so easy for me to do it on this porch.

Early Thanksgiving

Tonight we'll be at the Lubushkin's to celebrate an early Thanksgiving. We're making tacos and everyone is asked to bring something you're thankful for (your item should be small enough to place at the center of your table). I love this season of thanksgiving because it's important to consider and give thanks for the many blessings in our lives. Not sure what to bring tonight but I'll figure it out.

Now Is the Time...

I once arrived at the Mission Viejo Post Office at 5 o'clock and 30 seconds only to find the door closed. I pleaded my case with the clerk who insisted that the office was closed since it was after five. I thought I could wear her down with my sad eyes and sorry story but I never made it inside. I wasn't a happy camper on the drive home. 30 seconds! Is there no grace at the Post Office? Obviously, there isn't.

Last night at our monthly Leadership Team meeting we discussed the start time for worship on Sundays. I've been mildly frustrated that most people seem to arrive any where from five to ten minutes past the hour. And yet most visitors are arrive on time and so when the look around they see lots of empty chairs. I always wonder what they're thinking. We discussed the situation last night and we decided to start offering coffee at 9:45 and encouraging families to arrive early rather than precisely at the top of the hour. I hope this helps because I believe every element of our worship service is important. I remember way back to our first service in July of 2003 and the first song we sang as a newly forming congregation, "Come, now is the time to worship...." I hope we will continue to place a priority on worship, so much so that we're even willing to arrive early to get ready for it.

Now we sometimes find ourselves in circumstances beyond our control and so it happens that we arrive late...don't worry, we're not going to lock the doors. In fact, there's plenty of grace here for everyone. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. Come early and I'll pour you a good cup of coffee.

Multiple Volumes

Here's the larger volume of pictures Rick Brotherton took during our trip last week to Mexico. As I said on Sunday, I was encouraged by the venture and I hope we can make arrangements for a church-wide project in January. They say a picture is worth a thousand words...enjoy 97,000 words by clicking here.

Crossing the Border

Tomorrow morning we're heading down to Mexico to visit two orphanages. I've had lots of people drop off children's clothes and your efforts are much appreciated. Not sure if the weather will be clear for the trip...the forecast is rain. Rain isn't such a big deal here but it can be quite a challenge where dirt roads are common. Please keep us in your prayers. I've had a few people ask me about why we have to go so far in order to help people. "Are there any projects we could get involved with closer to home?" That's a good question. It's one that we should explore together. And yet I think crossing the border is good for us in many ways.

It gets us past the insulation of our own community. Where are the hurting people here? You don't see many in my neighborhood. No doubt, they are among us but they're not so easy to find.

Crossing the border forces us to face conditions that, in a global sense, are very close to home. It's best not to close our eyes to that reality.

This kind of trip helps us to appreciate the many resources available to us. It teaches us to share what we have with others. I'm looking forward to bringing clothing and toys to these children. I'm sure they will be as excited about playing with these toys as my children would be.

And finally, I expect to receive even as I desire to give. It's a mutual ministry. We share a common humanity and as I learn to love I discover more of what it means to be a child of God. I want the people I meet to know the love of Jesus and so that love must be shared in tangible ways.

As I cross the border, I hope to be a channel of God's love as I participate in the work of Christ's kingdom. I'm looking forward to it, rain or shine!

Waiting for Waves

Here's a picture of the poor surf conditions plaguing San Onofre (Surfline Webcam). Matthew and I went out there yesterday for our regular Wednesday time together and it wasn't as flat as it looks today. Oh well, the trip together is half the fun and getting a few good waves is a bonus. On Sunday, we're paddling out for our first-ever "Surf Sunday." We're meeting at T-Street in San Clemente (at the end of Esplanade) at 6:30 a.m. and we'll be out of the water in time to get ready for worship at 10 o'clock in Ladera Ranch. Hope to see you on Sunday and I hope there will be waves a-plenty.

Road Trip

Last Sunday I told about a "fact-finding" trip I'll be taking on Thursday, November 10th. I'm heading down just south of the border to visit three places: two orphanages plus a short stop by Casa del Migrantes in Tijuana. My father-in-law, George Johnson, is in charge of a conference that will take place there in January and he needs to check on a few things. I'm really excited about this trip because I believe it will help us to get outside ourselves in terms of service. We'll be planning a church-wide project in January.

I'm even more pleased that it looks like we've filled 4 of the 5 seats available. I'll be driving my van and if you're interested in filling that final seat, please send me an email right away. Also, we'd like to bring a load of children's clothing with us so if you have something to give, please let me know.

An Open Door

Last night we hosted a relaxed gathering on our front porch. We were intending to eat inside (Joy always makes cornbread and chili on Halloween) but the warm weather and the endless parade of "trick-or-treaters" forced us to set up camp on the porch. We made room for everyone in our group so that we all were able to enjoy the fun costumes and the smiles of children. I took Mackenzie around the block early in the evening and so she was happy to help pass out candy. But one thing still puzzles me. Why would anyone not want to open the door to neighbors and friends in order to share something sweet? I just don't get it. I'm not really a big fan of Halloween but it's a great excuse to say hello. I'd love to see more people in our neighborhood stay home and leave the light on. It just takes a little effort and the payoff is better than candy.