2009.01.26 - Ministers and Spouses Retreat

We had a relaxing drive down to Newport, after stopping at the Woodburn outlet stores. The weather was clear and the skies were blue. Our first glimpse of the ocean was unbelievable, but then subsequent views just kep getting better.

My last post showed the web site hotel ocean view. This picture is actually from our room, albeit late afternoon with the light already fading. We can see a lighthouse, but my camera phone can't catch it; it's just too far away. Our church leadership was thoughtful enough to spend a few dollars more to get us an ocean view room, and we can't thank them enough.

We've already met new friends, and got to talk with people who were at the Installation Service, but who never got a chance to say, "Hi."

Pastor Jim Lyon (our speaker) shared in our keynote session this evening about wholeness in six areas: emotional, mental*, social, spiritual, physical, and intellectual. He connected these to the Church of God teaching on holiness, and made the statement that one cannot be holy (or whole), without being whole in all six areas.

Maybe I'll get to share more tomorrow... but I'm not here to blog. I'm here to retreat and regroup and reconnect, with my God and my wife.

* I did not take notes and this is the only one of the six that I'm not sure I have recalled correctly. I looked at several Internet sites that talked about six areas of wholeness or wellness and they listed occupational in place of mental, but that doesn't sound right from tonight's talk.

Ministers and Spouses Retreat

Friends, thank you for making our Installation Service so memorable. We had a great time, and appreciate the many expressions of support. We love you.

We'll be out of pocket for a few days. We're traveling to Newport to enjoy the Ministers and Spouses Retreat through Wednesday. I'll have my cell with me in case of emergencies, and I'll be back in the office on Thursday. Blessings.

The Biblein 365

Friends, you haven't heard much from me lately on The Masked Evangel. It's all good... no really; everything is good. Life has really been good in Oregon. I'm just spening a lot more time with my new blog 365 Forum. I've really been enoying it, and I think it's been benefitting my church family, too.

I'm going to keep The Masked Evangel open, and post occasionally, just because I don't want it to dry up and blow away.

Stop over soon, and say, "Hi."

In the mean time, "How about my Steelers?!"

Bring On Baltimore!

Okay, I admit it. I'm really enjoying watching the Steelers mop up the field with the Chargers. I could get all fidgety about next week's Steelers/Ravens game, but Matthew 6:34 reads: Do not worry about [next Sunday], for [next Sunday] will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

365 Forum

My new blog 365 Forum has been taking a lot of my time and attention. That's why I haven't been posting too often at The Masked Evangel. I'm still here, and having a great time. Come on over and check us out. Oh yeah!

Getting Off to a Good Start

I've been enjoying our New Year's teaching series: Getting Off to a Good Start. Two Sundays ago we discussed the importance of Leaving Last Year's Baggage Behind. If we want to have an effective 2009, we cannot allow unforgiveness from 2008 to drag us down. Today, our teaching was Jesus' Job Description. In some ways the Jubilee language of Luke 4:18,19 can only be applied to Jesus. He was the only one who could provide the Jubilee release described by Isaiah. But while this is Jesus' job description, we have to remember that we are Christ's body. We are called to co-mission with him in releasing the poor from their poverty, the prisoners from their chains, the blind from their darkness, the oppressed from their worries and the shamed from their condemnation.

Hang with us over the next three weeks as we explore the story of Gideon in Advancing When Fear Says "Run Away!", Jonathan's encounter with the Philistines in The Law of Momentum, and the parable of the talents in Taking a R.I.S.K. It's going to be a good year!

The Honor Rail System

I had a day off coming, so today Janelle and I enjoyed a foray into Portland. We'd never ridden the MAX before, so that was a welcomed new experience. But I really don't get it. We bought our passes and got on the train. There was no turnstyle to go through, no one checking our tickets; we just paid our fares, slipped the tickets in my pocket, and we rode all day. It basically amounted to the honor system. The last place we rode mass transit was the METRO in Washington, D.C., where there is no honor... wait a minute; did that come out right?

Anyway, we had a great day. We walked a few blocks from the MAX line to Powell's Books, the greatest bookstore in the world. They have the biggest selection of theology, biblical studies, apologetics, and discipleship titles I've ever seen, in any bookstore of any kind. I think they might have some other books, too, but who has the time?

As our train was heading toward the Lloyd Center, where we were planning to have lunch, we spied a couple of our favorite food places, Romano's Macaroni Grill and Great Harvest bakery. After lunch, on the ride back, we left the train (when it was stopped) long enough to grab a loaf of Great Harvests cinnamon bread. Then it was back to Aloha.

The Ball Hasn't Dropped Here... Yet

Happy New Year, friends! I'm anticipating that 2009 is going to be a good year, and I'm praying Christ's peace and presence in your life.

If you get a chance. Check out 365 Forum, our adventure in reading through the Bible together in one year's time. Drop me a comment when you're there. I'd love to hear from you.

Again, Happy New Year to you and yours.