On my way to Copper Canyon last week I saw this from the train as we enetered Philly. If you know there is a reason and a design, you should have it…


On my way to Copper Canyon last week I saw this from the train as we enetered Philly. If you know there is a reason and a design, you should have it…


Its all over the Bible and well spelled out inSeth Godin’s little jewel, “The Dip”.
Especially if it is toxic, leave.

I was just watching a discussion between Bill Russell and Tim Duncan.
Bill was telling the story about being called by Jackie Robinson’s widow to be a pall bearer at his funeral. He asked her why. “Because you are one of his favorite athletes.”
Wow…to be placed in esteem by the best…true affirmation.
Then Russell lookied at Tim Duncan and said, “and YOU are on of my favorite athletes…”.
Wow…and Bill Russell said it face to face.
Don’t wait until after you die to affirm someone.



People go nuts over the food in the Sierra Madres. One of my faves is the simple pico. I think the key is the fresh ingredients. Like real tomatos and peppers:
The stuff is really simple…just fresh peppers, tomatos, cilantro, garlic, and onions. Then sometimes there is radish or cukes or whatever thrown in. I love it



Our pastor here in Doylestown related a story about Ronald Reagan last Sunday. Some Christ follower asked the president what he would say if he were facing GOD and were asked “Why should I allow you into my heaven?”
Reagan answered, “Jesus”.
“Anything else?”
“No”,said Reagan. “Anything else and you ruin it.”
(The shot above is the churchyard in Cerocahui)


Waiting, desperately longing year after year…and then ineffable joy. Simeon finally held the answer to everything in his arms and he knew it.
How seldom do we see or experience this incredible contrast of need and longing, contrasted to deep joy…and this is what the incarnation is all about.
I saw this need, this longing, this expectation in the eyes of this hombre in Copper Canyon two weeeks ago. This looks to me like hardship beyond knowing coupled with unstoppable joy.
I am not going to sing one more Christmas carol this year…my heart is going to gush them!
Because like Simeon, it is beyond enough just to have God invade me with the answer.
“Ah, we poor people, to be so cold and sluggish in the face of the great joy that has been clearly prepared for us!”
Martin Luther

God loves you. This means HE thinks of you, plans ways to be with you, enjoys you, defends you, likes the way you are made, dreams about you, takes great pleasure in you, enjoys you…



When the guys in Palestine realised there was a potential Messiah in the area 2000 years ago, they were ready…the time was right. They knew that the deep issue of need was not their rotten economy or the corrupt politics, whatever.
They knew that sin was the issue.
So when they saw Jesus something fired inside and they said simply, “Whoa…this is the lamb from God who will take out the sin from our world!”
Yes.


Jesus, the greatest teacher ever, communicates the inside story on how hos operation works. It is recorded in Matthew chapter 11: 28-30:
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

The LORD brought me this promise when I was in Copper Canyon last April. And actually is a promise that HE gave to the church in Philadelphia. I am sure it is just part of the picture of reality that GOD loves me very much. The door I am walking through is not easy, but I can be sure noone can close what GOD is opening.