Go west young man!

Ok, how about "go west middle-age couple?" Bev and I are doing last minute packing and preparing to leave tomorrow, 6/24/09 for San Diego and the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference which begins on 6/26/09. We'll also have a few days after conference in the San Diego area as part of my continued Sabbath Rest. We'll be returning to PA on 7/4/09. Then I have about 12 days of Sabbath Rest left to experience.

Be in prayer for Annual Conference officers, Mission and Ministry Board, Board Staff, Program and Arrangements Committee, Standing Committee Delegates and AC congregational delegates (which includes Bev and me). There are some possible controversial business items coming before the delegates; therefore pray for a spirit of calm, peace, and unity in the gathered assembly.

The picture? We're at the Dead Sea and have coated ourselves with the mud which is supposedly really good for your skin. When you see us again maybe we'll actually look younger? :)

Heading for PA!

It's 9:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 20 and some packing of the car is complete and remainder will occur in the morning before I begin my journey back to Mount Joy, PA after 3 wonderful and Spirit-filled weeks in North Carolina! If all goes as planned tomorrow I should be home around 6:00 p.m. Then two days to get organized for our trip to San Diego for continued Sabbath Rest time and serving the Florin congregation as delegates to Annual Conference.

Last night and again today, Carol Yeazell (interpretation) and I led the "Empowering Couples"workshop for 11 married couples of His Way COB. It was an anointed movement of God's Spirit as many of the participants admitted never having had any type of marital teaching or support before. God has used this time to put into the hands of these couples some ideas, suggestions, and principles that they can use together to strengthen their couple/family relationship. Praise be to God for this opportunity and for what God has done and will yet do with these who seek his face!

Yesterday for lunch I had some of the best tamales I've ever eaten along with some rice that was absolutely delicious. I even was blessed to bring 8 tamales home with me to share with Bev upon my return. The one picture is of Doris and her daughters and a close friend who provided the lunch.

My Sabbath Rest time is progressing quickly and I continue to thank God for the experiences that I've been blessed with. My prayers remain with the Florin COB in our time apart that God will bless you as well as you seek to follow the Light! Shalom.

The blessings continue!

I continue to be on the receiving end of numerous blessings as my Sabbath Rest time with His Way COB continues to draw to a close.

Yesterday (Tuesday) I was the guest in the home of Limone, Lourdes, and Pablo. They are a gentle and quiet couple who shared a very large meal with me and other guests from the congregation. Pablo is six and a real delight! I was blessed with the laughter of my Latino friends as we were treated by Pablo to a couple DVD's of a Costa Rican Christian ventriloquist named "Coco and His Gang."

Today, Pastor's Raul and Lidia were invited back to the home of the Cordero's for lunch so that I might meet Martin Cordero, husband and father who works second shift and was unable to be at the dinner in their home last week. Laura Cordero made some of the best beef taco's I believe I have ever eaten. They have three beautiful children: Melissa, David, and Kevin. David took me on a tour around the family property to show me all the improvements his father has made.

Tonight, I attended my last of the Wednesday evening prayer/praise/study sessions at the church and was treated to some interpretation by Martha during the study time. Martha has a desire to become more skilled in her English to help with interpretation more in the congregation. She did very good at helping me to understand what was being taught/shared. Again I was reminded of how selfless these sisters and brothers are when it comes to worship and being committed to their Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

I am going to miss these sisters and brothers in Christ when Sunday arrives and it is time for me to return to PA!

Final days in North Carolina

With the passing of this last weekend I'm now down to my final few days of sharing with the sisters and brothers in Christ at His Way COB. Yesterday was my second and final opportunity to preach and I shared from Philippians 2:1-11 and some other selected passages on "Humility Incarnate." It was affirmed to me afterwards that this was a word from God for the congregation at this time. I also intend to share this sermon with the Florin COB upon my return from Sabbath Rest.

This evening I was treated to a nice and simple dinner in another members home, Lily, prepared for the other guests and my self a dish called "papousa" from El Salvador. Very tasty and filling! We were not able to stay too long as Lily was on her way to a computer class that she is taking. She is a Spirit-filled sister in Christ!

Tomorrow will involve some more reading time and continued preparation for the married couples workshop being offered this Friday and Saturday at the church. I believe there are 20 or so couples who have signed up and so it will be a good size group to work with.

For your added reflection I'd like to share a couple of quotes from the book, Dissident Discipleship:

"Because my life is in God's hands, I will never take my enemy's life into my hands." - John Howard Yoder.

"Preach the gospel at all times; if necessary use words." - St. Francis of Assisi

"If disciples don't love one another, according do Jesus. No one has much reason to believe their message. I suspect this is a fail-safe mechanism Jesus built into the gospel: the only messengers who should be trusted are those who exemplify the message." - Brian McLaren

Salaam and Shalom!

More and more families to meet and food to eat!

On Thursday for dinner and again today for an early dinner, I was invited along with Pastor's Raul and Lidia to His Way COB members homes for a meal. I have so enjoyed being invited into these members homes and getting to know them and to enjoy such wonderful food and hospitality. It is now completely evident to me that in the Latino culture hospitality is very important and people love having guests (especially a "gringo" like me) to share their home and their table!

Thursday evening meal was at the home of Mario and Evelyn and their son, Mario. Evelyn prepared a wonderful Honduran meal. Mario is a painting contractor and Evelyn is a homemaker who keeps the books for Mario's business. They are deacons in the church.

This evening we were invited to Oscar and Vivian's home for Columbian meal. Muy Bueno! Also in attendance besides the Pastor's Raul and Lidia, Gene Yeazell and me, were two friends of Oscar and Vivian, and two other members of His Way COB, Martha and Rene.

Gene suggested that when I get back to PA I should suggest that Florin COB members should have Bev and I to visit in their homes for a meal so I can tell my "multicultural" stories. What do you think Florin folk?

Tomorrow I'm going to do some local sight-seeing and ride my bike some more. On Sunday I preach in worship and I've requested that they make a copy of the worship service so I can share it when I get home with those who are interested. On Monday, I plan at this time to make a day of visiting the Biltmore Estate.

Monday-Thursday of next week have meals scheduled for every day! On Friday evening, June 19 from 7-9 p.m. I'll be leading a married couples workshop and the same again on Saturday, June 20, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Carol Yeazell will be helping with interpretation. I'll be heading back to PA on Sunday, June 21.

Bendiciones! (God bless you)

Day 56 of Sabbath Rest

Amazingly I'm concluding day 56 of my Sabbath Rest. I'm being blessed and refreshed in so many ways but it is all (as I anticipated) going way too fast!

The sisters and brothers of His Way COB continue to welcome me and care for me. Last evening I had dinner with two families who combined their efforts to feed me and Pastor's Raul and Lidia (see picture). Then today for lunch Sister Ruth had Pastor's Raul and Lidia, their grand-daughter, Tatiana and me for lunch (see picture of Ruth and Lidia, and one of Tatiana- I could take her home with me- she is so cute!).

Earlier tonight I went to Wednesday night service at His Way COB and heard a guest evangelist from Venezuela. My friend Willie, from the youth group, has been doing personal interpretation for me. It was a good worship experience and message from the Venezuelan brother from II Chronicles 25:9.

For those who are interested, I did see the movie, "Angels and Demons," yesterday. It is a good movie and I would recommend it to those who are interested in a dramatic movie about the Catholic church and the secret organization, "The Illuminati." I recommend reading the book first. I found it to be a much better movie than it's precursor, "The DaVinci Code." While the movie differs from the book in some aspects it is a close remake and I believe while the movie could have portrayed the Catholic church in a very negative light, I don't believe that it does so to any extreme.

What a day this one has been!

After a rousing worship service on Sunday and some reading later into the night, I slept in on Monday morning until 8:30 a.m. I couldn't believe I slept that late but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise after the events of my day today. 

After reading, journaling and praying this morning I decided to take my bike back on the Parkway ride from a previous destination, Sleepy Gap Overlook, elevation 2930 feet up to the top of Mount Pisgah. I passed through 7 tunnels on my way to the top. I about bit off more than I could handle! Though it was only eleven miles to the top the elevation topped out at around 5,000 feet. It took me 1 hour and 20 minutes to go 11.2 miles up and it only took 30 minutes to come down! I was one tired puppy when I got back to my car to load up my bike. It's amazing what uphill climbs at higher elevations will do to you! Suck the wind right out of your lungs! Now, I can say I did it! Still, I'm not ready to ride with Lance or Floyd, either one! 

This evening I rode with Pastor's Raul and Lydia to dinner prepared at the home of Jim and Patricia and her two children, Aranzasu and Edgar. Also joining us at the table was Patricia's brother, Miguel. We ate dinner and all talked together until near 10:00 p.m. Jim and Patricia have been married just 6 months. They are expecting their first child in December. They are very excited! Miguel is a single father of two children, 7 and 4 years. He has been a follower of Jesus for about 2 years and he spoke with me candidly about his life and the new direction that he has found and is seeking with Jesus. As is true for many in this economy, Miguel while working in a factory currently, having lost his construction job, is seeking God's will for his life. 

Tomorrow evening I'm invited to dinner with yet another family. While tonight's offering was Mexican, tomorrows is from Argentina, and I'm told I'm in for a real treat. I haven't had a bad meal yet! Gotta keep pedaling though, eating way too much! 

Tomorrow I'm planning on a matinee viewing of "Angels and Demons." If I get there I'll be sure to provide a review as promised. Salaam and Shalom!

Looking forward to worship!

In less than one hour I'll be heading for my second Sunday worship experience with Iglesia Jesu Christo Elcamino. Having led the youth of the congregation on Friday evening and most of the day Saturday, I'm blessed with simply being a worship participant this Sunday. I'll be preaching again on Sunday, June 14. 

While we did not have the number of youth anticipated we were blessed with a number of youth who fully participated in the weekend workshop: "Guy Talk/Girl Talk." This topic covered a large number of timely topics and issues that teenage boys and girls are facing today. I was blessed by the insights and the maturity of this group as well as their commitment to Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. A number of mothers from the congregation prepared a bountiful lunch for us and made sure that we had enough (and then some!) physical sustenance to see us through the day! The pictures are from Saturday. 

This evening after worship I'm planning to go a local cinema to see the movie "Angels and Demons." I've read the book since being on Sabbath Rest and now I'm eager to see how the movie stacks up. I'll provide a movie review later in another blog if I do in fact get there tonight.  

Eating well and enjoying koinonia (fellowship)

Let me see... Birthday dinner celebration Tuesday night; lunch at Pastor's Raul and Lydia's on Wednesday; Thursday lunch at Samuel and Maria's; and today lunch at Anjelica's (with her mother and sister); lunch tomorrow at the church with youth retreat; dinner invitation to another family home on Monday evening. I am eating well and enjoying a wonderful variety of Latino food (soups, chile relennos, beans and rice, barbequed ribs, tacos, tostones, fruit drinks, la leche (3 milk cake)... all mucho gusto!

Yet, as good as the meals have been the fellowship (koinonia) is wonderful. I'm experiencing a people who work hard, love their family, love the Lord Jesus Christ, and committed to their church. I have been welcomed and embraced as a "gringo" as though I were a Latino myself! 

This evening I led a session with the youth/young adults of the church and will continue to same tomorrow. Those who attended and participated tonight were engaging and participated actively. I hope for a few more in attendance tomorrow. 

The pictures are of some of those who've had me to their home for a meal and of the youth event tonight at the church. 

On the road again!

Hit the Blue Ridge Parkway again today for a bit of morning biking. Met a fellow biker, Al, from California who's visiting his son and we exchanged taking pictures for each other at this elevation point. The highest I've been yet on the Parkway and also set a new downhill speed on the Parkway of 39.9 mph! Rode 14 miles total, first seven were almost all uphill, ugh! 

Early dinner today with Pastor's Raul and Lydia Gonzalez consisted of appetizers, red beans and rice, barbecued ribs, tostones (deep fried green bananas), green tea, mango ice cream, and Dominican espresso- yum, yum!

This evening I spent from 7-8 p.m. at the church in a prayer and praise time; followed from 8-9 p.m. a session with youth/young adults in John 15 and I John 4 on the topic of love: God's love for us, our love for God, God's love for others, and our love for others (irrespective of any differences). 

Currently reading Dissident Discipleship, by David Augsburger and re-reading, United by Faith, by Curtiss Paul DeYoung, Michael O. Emerson, George Yancey, and Karen Chai Kim.  

Breaking bread together

Beginning today it would appear that I'm going to have lots of opportunities to "break bread" with my sisters and brothers in Christ. This evening I was invited by Gene and Carol Yeazell to join them in celebrating one of their "adopted" granddaughters 8th birthday. The birthday celebration was at a local Mexican restaurant owned/operated by another of Gene and Carol's "special families," Arturo and Elaina Torres. I was able to meet Elaina and her three children but Arturo was working at another restaurant they own. The birthday celebration was for Daniella, along with her sister, Hillary and her parents, Oscar and Andrea Nunez (see picture). They are wonderful family from Costa Rica who have found a new life and purpose in God in the USA. Pray for Oscar who is employed but is hoping to get called back to a former employer and work he liked very much. 

Carol leaves tomorrow morning for some consulting work with the Pacific Southwest District COB in California. Tomorrow evening Gene and I are invited to dinner at the home of Pastor's Raul and Lydia Gonzalez and then on Thursday we're both invited to lunch at another members home, and then again another meal invitation for Friday. If I don't keep bicycling and walking regularly I'll be coming back to PA weighing more than I did when I left! I did get a good brisk walk in today and it's back to the Blue Ridge Parkway tomorrow morning for bicycling!

Today reading from Howard Thurman, For the Inward Journey, and the chapter "Growing With a Sense of Values," I am compelled to share this reading with you, "I Want to Be Better":

The concern which I lay before God today is my need to be better:

I want to be better in my ordinary day-by-day contacts:

With my friends-

With my family-

With my casual contacts-

With my business relations-

With my associates in work and play.

I want to be better in the responsibilities that are mine:

I am conscious of many petty resentments.

I am conscious of increasing hostility towards certain people.

I am conscious of the effort to be pleasing for effect,

not because it is a genuine feeling on my part.

I am conscious of a tendency to to shift to other shoulders

burdens that are clearly my own. 

I want to be better in the quality of my religious experience:

I want to develop an honest and clear prayer life.

I want to develop a sensitiveness to the will of God in 

my own life.

I want to develop a charitableness toward my fellows 

that is far greater than my most exaggerated pretensions.

I want to be better than I am.

I lay bare this need and this desire before God in the quietness 

of this moment.

I hope this reflection on "values" speaks a word of encouragement and challenge to you as it has to me. Salaam and Shalom.

Biking and Reading

What an incredible day this has been. After a leisurely early morning of coffee, breakfast and some reading/journaling, I loaded up my bicycle for another run at the Blue Ridge Parkway. On Saturday I rode north from the entrance. Today I chose to ride south. What a ride! I rode a total of 18 miles round trip but the clincher was that on my way south the last two of the 9 I rode before deciding to turn around was a steady uphill climb in which I was able to average only about 6-7 mph. When I turned around as the sign will testify I was at 2930 feet elevation and it was still uphill from there to Mount Pisgah which is over 5,000 feet elevation! Riding back down at one point I hit 38.5 mph! 

I finished reading a book that I started yesterday loaned to me by Gene Yeazell, Blood Brothers: The Unforgettable Story of a Palestinian Christian Working for Peace in Israel. I regret I did not know about or read this book before traveling to Israel, but I'm glad I've been able to read it. I suggest it to be a must read for every follower of Jesus Christ to have a better historical understanding of the Jewish/Palestinian conflict. I've already suggested to Bev that she should purchase this book, read it for herself and then place in the Florin COB library. It has been a real eye-opener for me and helps me to more fully understand why peace in the Middle East is such an illusory objective. Yet, as brother Elias Chacour lives his life for the Prince of Peace, so must we keep living with the objective, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called son's of God." (Matthew 5:9)

I post a picture of the "dividing wall" in Israel to keep the Palestinians in their place and as a reminder that "walls" do not make for peace but only the love of Jesus Christ shared and expressed one to another. 

Just a reminder that you can (and I really would like to hear from you) reply to my blog. Just use "anonymous" and the go ahead and sign your name. By setting it up this way anyone can reply without having to have a password. I will simply read the your reply and then post it. This also allows me to screen unwanted reply's. So, let's hear from y'all! OK!! 

Pentecostal Power!

As I write on Monday morning I'm still in awe of the amazing worship experience I was part of yesterday afternoon. I was privileged to worship with IGLESIA JESUCRISTO EL CAMINO (His Way Fellowship COB) and to be afforded the opportunity to preach (with an interpreter) to the congregation. 

Worship began at 3:00 p.m. and concluded at 6:15 p.m. I was invited by the Pastor's Raul and Lydia Gonzalez to assist with prayer, anointing and laying on of hands as worship participants continued to come forward for the final 45-60 minutes of worship. The presence of the Holy Spirit was undeniable and the visible evidence of lives being touched by the hand of God was incredible! I came away both energized and exhausted!

The congregation is now in their own building after beginning just five years ago as 6 people and now number between 150-200 people. The congregation is predominately Hispanic with congregants representing approximately 15 different countries (most South, Central America and Southern Hemisphere island nations). The people of His Way are a loving people who have found and are finding in the Lord Jesus Christ the freedom, purpose and new life that is promised in him. 

This coming Friday evening and Saturday morning/afternoon I will be meeting with around youth and their advisors, Oscar and Andrea, in a Group Publishing curriculum, "Boy Talk, Girl Talk." I met a number of the youth in worship last evening and they are eager to get together with their advisors and myself around this material. I covet your prayers for our time together. 

On another note after speaking with my sister Lori (who with her partner, Steph has been in Ohio this past weekend with our mother and stepfather) I received continued good news about our mother's continued improvement. It is now very evident that she was extremely overmedicated and while she still is afflicted with Parkinsons and dementia, mother has shown vast improvement in both her physical and mental capabilities. God be praised!