Bigger than 2013

My wife and I are glad that it’s 2013. Besides our wedding day in November, 2012 was a year to forget. The year was filled with unexpected challenges, pain, loss, and heartache. Personally, it was one of the worst years in memory. Which brings to mind an important truth. Lasting joy is found only in

Good Angry

This week for a work event I found myself at a wedding reception for 350 people at a big hotel in Los Angeles. The bride and groom carried foreign names and their guest list was diverse: young and old, single and married, first-generation immigrants and long-time Americans, some who spoke English and some who did

Only Because I Have To Be?

A buddy of mine and I recently strolled into a local car lot. He’s preparing for the day when he has to finally buy a new car. He’s driving a 2001 Ford Focus that had absorbed more of his paychecks than he would ever get in return. So, it’s time. With the economy still not

I Want to be Carl Hauser

Why do I want to be Carl Hauser? Because Carl Hauser saves the world. If there was any question about me being 100% male, let Friday night stand as exibit ‘A’. To cure a bit of boredom and restlessness, I went to watch “Total Recall” (As I said – I’m 100% male). I needed a

Digging for Gold

You know what used  to annoy me?  The people who walk down my street pulling a loudly rattling grocery cart full of bottles and digging through my trash cans for recyclables. It was now Saturday night, and I sat at a sidewalk table in Studio City enjoying some fro-yo and an interesting book. For those

First-Class Island

A few weeks ago I took my very first, first-class flight. American Airlines, flight 32 from Los Angeles to New York City. Sounds cool, doesn’t it?  The irony is that the flight was the first leg of a trip to Brazil where I was doing mission work for 2 weeks. I confess that I felt a bit more

A City Around Jesus

  Have you ever read Revelation and felt a little guilty for not being super excited about worshiping Jesus forever?  Revelation 19, among other places, describes masses of people worshiping Christ. The image it sets in my head is of an incredibly long worship set. I’m sure the band is amazing, but  I’m already worried

One Single Thing

There’s a pastor I listen to on occasion – Matt Chandler from the The Village Church in Dallas, TX – who essentially has only one message.  That message is the Gospel. One single thing. I’ve listened to him for several months now, and no matter the subject – a series in Galatians, sermons through Advent,

Idol Live

Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez are now household names. Or at least in the households who watch American Idol. You’ve watched American Idol, right? It’s ok. You can admit it. You’re normal. It’s a fascinating choice of names the producers chose for this TV competition that has now become one of the most popular television

Suffering is the Currency of Love

Recently at Harvest Church in Irvine, CA, I heard renowned author, writer, and Christian apologist, Dinesh D’Souza speak about suffering. The guy is smart. This guy is faithful. This guy is prolific. He’s authored numerous New York Times best-sellers, regularly debates the world’s leading atheist thinkers, is a former research fellow at Stanford’s Hoover Institute,

Dorothy?

Jim ended our meeting with, “Well, I guess it’s time to go say hi to the 94 year old.” I had told him about meeting Dorothy two weeks earlier and how she and I had planned to meet again after our appointments today to exchange a magazine, a poem, and more conversation. I was excited

See You in Two Weeks, Dorothy

I had an appointment last Thursday in a large office building. As I walked into the lobby, I saw a tiny, elderlywoman, sitting in a wheel chair, neatly dressed, with glasses, and a sweet smile. I tried to make eye contact and  return a smile to her, but she was busy looking out the window and singing

Discovery Channel: Part-time Worship Leader

I’m going to start tithing to the Discovery Channel. Seriously. Currently my tithe checks go to my local church, where the Pastors and Elders and volunteers lead me in the worship of, discovery of, and learning of my Creator. So, I’ve decided that periodically, a tithe check will head straight to the Discovery channel –

Little Things Matter

Last night I sat down in a chair at the front of the room and nervously looked out at 30 people facing me. All of them in this room, in this house, on this night, because of me. And I had no idea what they were about to say. 1 month and 10 days ago