porchpondering.com

Porch in Transition

Maybe you've noticed that I haven't had much energy to blog lately. Our lives are in upheaval mode as we prepare for the move next Saturday. That means porch pondering from 6 Old Spire is pretty much finished. I'm looking forward to recapturing the rhythm of reflection in the coming weeks but right now it is elusive.

On the evening of our moving day, we will be pausing for a Dedication Service in our "new" home at 6 o'clock. Everyone is invited to come and pray with us. This brief service will be followed by pizza. So, if you want to enjoy prayer and pizza, make a point to be with us next Saturday.

That's all for now. More to come after we get settled in our new location.

Drawn or Driven?

There are a number of unfinished items on my current "to do" list. Some will be checked off as soon as I exert the energy to complete the task but some remain no matter how much energy and attention I give to them. In relation to a few issues, I have a sense that the completion will be according to God's timing and not my own. With that in mind, I recently came across this reminder.

"Genuine leaders operate out of a sense of calling, not a sense of drivenness. The writer George MacDonald has said somewhere that real Christian leaders are people who are moved at God's pace and in God's time to God's place, not because they fancy themselves there, but because they are drawn. The strongest leaders are those who have received a strong affirmation of their personhood, in a way which frees them not only to lead a cause but also to serve others. A sense of identity, a security that comes from knowing who one is, lies at the very heart of leadership" (Leighton Ford in Transforming Leadership, 37).

Short Term

Because we need to be out of this house by the end of the month, we're hurrying through a short escrow season. This means that we've been initialing and signing papers almost daily. I'll be glad when this transition is complete. I'm looking forward to settling into our home. The beauty of Old Spire is fading as things are going into boxes and the pictures are coming down from the walls. With the boys away at camp this week, Joy has made incredible progress. It looks like we're on track to move September 1st and 2nd. The 3rd is a Sunday. I want to make sure I've got enough energy to make it through the whole day because morning worship will be followed by an afternoon wedding.

I've been working through a book by Milfred Minatrea, Shaped By God's Heart. The book outlines nine common practices that characterize missional churches. I like it so far (about half way). I might have more to say about it later.

A few weeks ago I came across an interview I found very interesting. In 2001, our family had the opportunity to spend at week at Chautauqua. It was wonderful. This interview features Dr. Tony Campolo who was one of the preachers for the Sunday morning service this past summer. I appreciate Tony's commitment to following Jesus, even if it means he sometimes finds himself in hot water.

Halekulani

The long wait is over! The Wright family is in the process of purchasing a home here in Ladera Ranch (in cooperation with the Presbytery of Los Ranchos). We are thrilled, elated, excited and feeling wonderful overall. The house has four bedrooms and it is located in a great neighborhood. The name we've chosen for our new home is "Halekulani" which means "house of heaven" in Hawaiian. Our great hope is to be able to reflect the reality of Christ's kingdom in a home that we know ultimately belongs to the Lord. What a great gift we've been given (payments and all).

Stay tuned because everyone will be invited to the open house celebration.

You can see more pictures of the house by clicking here.