The Advent Conspiracy

This is a video that I received a couple of days ago. I think its worth your time to view it.
Merry Christmas!
More later.
VAN

Facebook

About six months ago the local worship leaders group that I connect with decided to make our meeting notifications work through FACEBOOK. Meaning, I had to make an account. Which I did.
Then I started getting notifications of people "adding me as a friend".
The upswing of it is, I have reconnected with dozens of friends from college days at Bethany. I always kind of shrugged off the whole myspace and facebook phenomena. My girls really enjoy connecting with their friends, but I didn't think it was that great.

Well I'm no convert mind you. But it has been really nice seeing some pictures of some great friends from the past, catching up a bit on where they are and what they are doing.

So, I guess I'm a late facebook arrival. But better late than never.
more later.
VAN

Five Love Languages

I told you on Sunday, I'd get some information out on the five love languages.
Gary Chapman's book is an excellent resource for gaining some basic understanding of your spouses love language. He says there are five basic languages.

• Quality Time
• Words of Affirmation
• Giving and Receiving Gifts
• Physical Touch
• Acts of Service

I encourage you to read this book and take the simple test. It may be VERY helpful in conveying love to your spouse. They are your CLOSEST neighbor. And the greatest commandment says to love God and your neighbor as yourself. Anything you can do to learn to do that better... well GO FOR IT!

Here's the website for more information and resources.
www.fivelovelanguages.com

More later.
VAN

Going to a movie

We are heading to the movies. A few folks have already seen this new film, and said it was good. I'm no movie critic, but any chance to see a movie with Erica is a good thing. So we're going.

A few other couples have said they're coming too. And you're invited too. We're hitting the 6:45 PM showing at Regal (Valley River Center) on Tuesday, October 7th. Then we'll head out to Starbucks afterward for an after movie coffee. If you want to join us let us know and we'll watch for you, so we can sit together.
More later.
VAN

Fridays in the Fall

I love Fridays in the fall. why? One word. football. And Friday is the day of anticipation for Saturday football.

College football to be exact. I love the anticipation of getting to watch the games on Saturday. Sam (my only begotten son) and I look forward to "man TV" day at our "2 to 1" female to male ratio'ed house.

Why do I like college football? I think simply because you witness communities of people all over the United States coming together to celebrate and cheer on young athletes. Now, I realize there is a lot of financial and emotional excess in this arena, but I've observed at the core a positive reason for people to be together. I so enjoy watching the range of talent and emotion displayed on and off the field.

So, that's one of the small and simple joys of the fall for me. I love the games, but the shared experience with family and friends really is the better part.

(If you are participating in the Marriage Refresher this weekend, we will enjoy a very enriching shared experience and still have time for the watch the Ducks beat USC. Yep, it's going to be a great weekend.)

Go ducks.

VAN

Something you should read

I read my sister-in-law's blog today. It was a good one. I think you should read it too. It will help you, it helped me!
Check it out the entry for September 9th.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008
a full cup
It seems to me that I have been doing some ecclesiastical living lately.A time for laughter. A time for sorrow. A time for sowing. A time for reaping.A time for standing up. A time for backing down. There is a time for everything.But I seem to feel like I am see-sawing back and forth... (to read more)

More later.
VAN

Happy 70th Mom!

I have four brothers. As the story goes, out of the five of us, I was the only one my mom planned. This once again proves that planning is a good thing. :-) So thanks mom (and dad) for planning. (Sorry brothers, but accidents can turn out good too!) Today, September 6th, is my mom's 70th Birthday. The year was 1938. Big things happened in 1938:

• The first ski tow in America began operation in Vermont.
• Wilhelmina celebrated her 40th anniversary jubilee as Dutch queen
• A nylon bristle toothbrush became the first commercial product to be made with nylon yarn.
• The Looney Tunes animated short Porky & Daffy was released.
• Minimum wage was established by law in the United States (.25 cents per hour)
• Evelyn Sue was born in Artusee, Oklahoma.

That last one is the most signficant. (However, that ski tow thing is nothing to spit at.) Mom was and is the best. Always up for something new, ready to serve, ready to chat, ready to go. Maybe she's slowed a bit over the years... but I doubt it. I just wish we could be with her today. So the video snapshot will have to do for now, until we see her in a few weeks. Happy Birthday MOM! I love you. VAN

Assignment: Snapshot

We're issuing a challenge to the church on Sunday. We've called it ASSIGNMENT: Snapshot! "Our community through your lens"

Everyone has taken great photographs, even if by accident. Now those photos that would be tacked to a wall or found at the back of your desk drawer can instead help us begin to see our community together.

We simply want to have anyone with a camera to take it and show us how you see your hometown. Who are the people, what are the sights, where are the places, that you notice.

We want to utilize the photos on our new website, do a photography display in the foyer, and to use as wall decor for our ministry offices.

How can we bless this community? How can we begin to see our city with new eyes? I think having some snapshots from our people will give us perspective and help us know how to pray, believe and serve.

More later.

VAN

First Day of School

September kind of feels like the real new year. I can remember getting a new pair of shoes, new jeans and shirt, just hoping I would look cool enough to all of my grade school friends. I totally remember when I finally got my first pair of Nike's... white with blue swoosh! That was a good day. Yes, indeedy!

This morning I helped Sam (4th grader) and Hope (1st grader) sharpen no. 2 pencils. That smell brought back memories that warmed my heart.

New school clothes and new school supplies are great; I guess because of what they represent. A new start. That's what this month is about for me. In fact that's what this very day is about for all of us. Jeremiah said it well... "His mercies are NEW every morning." This is a good day. Yes, indeedy!

Pencils sharp and ready to go!

VAN

20 Year Milepost

August 12, 1988.

It was 7 PM hundreds of our friends and family gathered at Christian Life Center in Santa Cruz, CA. I played the processional on the piano as the bridal party walked in. The music changed and I stepped to the front and that's when I saw her. Erica looked, well... radiant!

What a great day that was. One of the most significant of my life.

August 12, 2008

And now it's been 20 years. Three different posts of ministry. Four wonderful children. And one best friend for life.

To say that God has been faithful is only beginning to tell the story. Twenty years! Wow.

God is amazing.

More later.

VAN

P.S. Picture is the kids at the beach this summer.

New Training

Just finished a big day. Revolution Number 2. Great attendance. Amazing halftime. Fast clean-up. Good feeling.

It's always good to finish stuff. I'll never forget crossing the finish line at the half marathon back in May. Never ran that far before. I can remember at mile 6 thinking... "I want to do this for the rest of my life." I was feeling great, having fun and dreaming of actually doing a marathon someday.

Fast forward to last Friday, July 4th. The 2008 Butte to Butte 10K (6.2 miles). I'll never forget just before mile marker 5 ,thinking "O GOD, please change this race into a 5 mile race... please Lord! You are able, God. Nothing is too difficult for You!" I was feeling awful... tired, dehydrated, and unmotivated. Then a friend ran past me and said "you've run twice this far before... you can do it!" That kicked me over the edge and I finished. I had hoped to do it in under an hour. I missed it by a measly 7 seconds. 1:00:07. AAARRRGGHHH!

Here's the reason why I stunk so bad at the Butte to Butte. I had not trained for it. I was running on the "aftermath/residue" of the training from the half-marathon. Not a good plan.

So, here's my resolve. Set a goal. Get a training plan. And do it.

I want to have that "mile 6" feeling I had at the half-marathon and the only way... the only way... the ONLY WAY... is to train weekly. So, Monday morning I'll start a 6 week training plan for 5 mile race in August. I don't want to be asking God for any "distance decreasing miracles" anymore. I'll let you know how the training goes.

Well, the spiritual implication is clear. You do the application. :-)

More later.

VAN

13 years ago today

13 years ago today I was back at Sacred Heart Hospital after long night (or a short one, however you see it.) It began on a Sunday morning at 1:30 AM, July 9, 1995. We got our second born back to the room at about 3:30 AM. We were exhausted and she was ready to go, but not to sleep. I wrapped her up tight in a blanket and laid her on my chest... and she cried and cried and cried. We finally called the nurses in so that we could sleep just a little. She instantly became "wonder child". Smiled for the camera and won her way into the hearts of the midnight shift staff.

She has proceeded to do the same with me for the last 4744 days. I like her more everyday. She had cute little curly red hair back then, and people always commented. Her hair's still red but now she straightens it, and people still comment. She loved chocolate then... she still does. She felt strongly about things back then... and she still does today.

She's smart, funny, beautiful and talented. AND she is now officially ... a teenager!!! Does it scare me? YOU BET! But the main thing that I admire so much about her is how her care for other people continues to grow and grow; how she loves so deeply and laughs so easily... at herself and others (especially at me!).

I'm lucky to have such a wonderful young lady to love, to care for and learn from.
Happy Birthday Claire!
Dad Loves You!

More Later.
VAN



P.S. the picture is b-day number 12. She looks much older now!

Too Many Great Things

The last 45 days have been filled with many wonderful events. The best of which was the Olympic Trials. Amazing. We got to be there 5 days serving with the program sales team. On Monday night we even saw the 800 meter race where 3 Oregon guys finished 1, 2, 3. It was... well...amazing!

The highlight of the trials was actually being in a seat at Hayward for the final day of competition. Very much good!


It's summer and it's fun. But as I look back on this summer I know the most significant thing about the Summer of 2008 will be the simple purchase of a $89 A/C unit for our bedroom. Sleeping is so important. And its hard to sleep when your sweating. So, hands down, installing the little wonder A/C unit tops my list of the Great things of the Summer of 08.

More later.

VAN

Baseball season. Good times.

I remember vividly my little league days. Yep, it was 30 years ago, but I remember it. I loved baseball and I was pretty good. Pitcher, catcher, short-stop, third-base. I even made the all-stars. My team was Nob Hill.... wait for it... Foods. A grocery store was our sponsor. I always wanted to be Round Table Pizza, but everyone felt real sorry for the Hicks Lumber team. Good times.

Sammy's playing baseball. Good times.

We got a new glove, batting gloves, new balls, and even bat/gear bag. I think I had more fun than him. But he is getting it now. He looks pretty cool with his cleats, ball cap and his bat bag slung over his back. Good times.

The best part is watching Sam start to understand the game. Playing catch, batting practice, grounders, and pop flys. He is a "rules" kid. Before the first practice, his biggest concern was that he didn't understand how to steal bases. I explained it. He's got it... sort of. Though I just want him to have fun; in order to have fun he does need to understand the rules.

So here it is (sorry for the simplistic analogy, but I learn so much about how God sees me when I see things in my kids.) I think God enjoys watching me learning the ways of His kingdom. Loving others, worshipping Him in the midst of difficulty, and living with integrity are all His ways. I have more joy and freedom when I understand and walk in His ways. He does want me to have fun, but He knows how much more fun I'll have when I do things His way.

So today, I asked Him to teach me how to not steal tomorrow's worries. I got it... sort of. I think He'll have to explain it again. But I'll keep asking.

Your fellow question-asker,

VAN

P.S. Pictured above. (left) Sam's first MLB Game at RFK Stadium. (right) yours truly, circa 1978.

so-so days and life with friends

Time flies when your not blogging. :-)

April was a big month. Lots of activities with great people. I never want to stop enjoying the adventure of relationships. Sometimes friendships are bland like a bowl of cornflakes... bland but nourishing. Sometimes friendships are power packed with flavor like a gourmet meal. On any given day friendships can be great or just so-so.

I like so-so days and the great days. In fact, so many so-so days in good friendships add up to great friendships.

I would think the Lord would tire of the so-so days He has with me. Days where there is no great insight into the word, no powerful prayer prayed, no exciting spiritual mountain climbed. If I were Him, I'd be weary of the lack lustre devotion on my so-so days. But He takes my so-so days in stride.

The folks in Hebrews 11 had too many so-so days to count. Abraham, in particular, had some pretty non-eventful days... but he was labeled a "friend of God."

How about you? Is today a so-so day on your journey with God? That's okay. Just keep walking with Him, talking with Him, and enjoying your days with Him. All the while remembering you're building a friendship that is SO, SO very lifegiving and eternal.
More later.
VAN

The Shape of Me!

Here's a video we played this past Sunday. Hope was happy to help her Dad with his message. Dad was quite proud of her! Enjoy.

More later.

VAN

Birthday Video from my kids

Hola!
This was a little creation of my two eldest daughters. They played this in front of my friends. So I thought you also might like to see the effect of time. Let's just say "time is effective!"

Thanks for listening/watching!

VAN

U of O Track Meet #2

Went to the Pepsi Invitational today. GO DUCKS!

Inclement weather, but a wonderful outcome. An ancient competition, historic location, and the best track crowd in the world! Good day.

Also, it's my 40th birthday. 5 mile run. Espresso and Hot tea with Erica. Hot chocolate with my kids. Talked with my mom and dad. Enjoyed my once a year kielbasa sausage for lunch. Good day.

Yep, good day.

VAN

First U of O Track Meet

Got season tickets for the U of O Track meets as an early birthday present! We went to the preview meet this past Saturday. It was cold (and hot chocolate cost $3.00 for a 12 oz. cup.) but it was worth the chill.

I stepped down onto the track level and watched the 200m race. The runners look fast from up in the stands, but on the track level... it's a bit more, well... fast. These athletes are strong, lean and determined. That's what makes it fun; watching well trained athletes put their hearts into it.

This was just a preview meet, but it was still a record attendance. So I can't wait until the next meet on April 5th. It's a new reason to love spring!

More later.

VAN

Marathon Water Outreach

Here's the video we played this past Sunday. We had a great response of people wanting to participate. How about you? You can sign up in the foyer on Sunday or call the office 686-8651 ext. 116 or email us at life@willamettechristian.com.

More later.

VAN

Chase the Lion!

Just finished a book by a new friend, Mark Batterson, who pastors a church in Washington D.C. He pioneered the work which is currently a multi-site church meeting in movie theatres at Metro (subway) stops around the D.C. area. They also own and operate one of the top espresso cafes in the city.

Anyway the book is entitled "In the Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day." It unpacks the story of Benaiah who became King David's bodyguard. Benaiah's resume included killing two of moab's mightiest warriors, and another time (armed only with a club) took a spear out of the hand of an Egyptian and killed him with it. Also, as the book title says, he chased a lion into a pit on a snowy day... and lived to tell about it.

The book was absolutely inspiring. Batterson combats some the current day "ways of thinking" that keep us on the sidelines and OUT of the game of life. He asks a clarifying question that cuts against the philosophy that life is about happiness. The question is "what if the life you really want, and the future God wants for you is hiding right now in your biggest problem, your worst failure... your greatest fear?"

More on this later. There's some things worth chatting about from this book.

VAN

p.s. check out some videos and even download the first chapter on http://www.chasethelion.com/

blog about a clog

I just returned from blogger vacation.

Which being interpreted means "I've been too busy to type." But the activities of my evening has busted me out of the blogger blanks.

I know why plumbers make so much money. AND I know why they deserve to make that much money. You always figure that out after you say "NO, we are not calling a plumber they are too expensive. NO, go ahead and get the manual snake. Save the thirteen bucks."

But then, 2 1/2 hours later you think to yourself. "SELF, YOU ARE AN IDIOT!" Not only did you deny a hardworking plumber a days wage, but you cheated yourself out of the joy of using another kind of power tool. Now your losing your salvation and the skin on the top of your knuckles while only saving 13 bucks.

Romans 5 says that "perseverance produces character." (best if spoken with a sort of "neener neener" voice) oh brother!... what did those dumb ol' Romans know anyway.

Well that's my blog about a clog.

More later.

VAN

Quote of the week. or month. or year.

I met a new friend last December as he was undergoing some medical procedures at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He is a brilliant man, tall in stature and knowledgeable. Civil War is his thing. Amazing.

Fred has a great relationship with God and has been instrumental in leading many people all over the world to relationship with Jesus. Anyways, Fred said that he had been talking with the Lord and the Lord just spoke to him and said...

"Fred... one of us needs to change."

Ain't that the truth. And the good news is, change is possible. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." One of us does need to change... and if we will let Him... the spirit will do it, He will change us.

Jesus said in Matthew 18:3 "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

So sign me up to change. I'm ready.
VAN

We live in Track Town USA!

Just finished the biography by Kenny Moore on the life of Bill Bowerman.

I intended to read this while I was away this past summer. However, on our outbound flight to Munich my father-in-law asked to look at it... I got it back 2 weeks later. However, in the meantime I heard many quotes from the book... quotes I would have read myself if I had been able to actually read the book. (So I started another book and never got back to it till this last October.) But that is the past now. I've forgiven and am actually glad he got to read it too. He just kept saying "this guy is an incredible writer."

I have to agree. How Kenny could make races come alive, as if they were happening in real time, is amazing. These are races that hardly anyone would ever remember the outcomes let alone that they even occured. It is in fact a well written book about a bigger than life character.

I'm not a native Oregonian (though all my kids are), so it was WONDERFUL to learn of such an incredible heritage that is Track Town, USA (Eugene, Oregon).

In the next 5 months we will be connecting with the run community of Eugene by sponsoring and operating a water stop at the Eugene Marathon and by having volunteers participate at the Olympic Trials at the end of June. Isn't it amazing that the world's eyes will be on Eugene, Oregon two times in the next 5 years. (the 2012 trials are slated to be here also)

Well, I encourage you to read the book. You can get it on line (signed by the author even) at Kenny Moores website: http://www.kennymoore.us/. (I got my hardback from Costco but that was a while back. Borders has the softcovers available.) Let me know your thoughts...if you've read it. In fact, I'll by the coffee for anyone who wants meet and talk about this book!

More later,

VAN

Don't Weep, See!

The scripture from the last post reminded me of a LIFE journal entry from back in August.

Revelation 5:5
5Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep!
See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah,
the Root of David, has triumphed.
He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."

John writes in verse 4 "I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll and look inside ." This seems to be a poignant moment for John. At first filled with anticipation and hope, but then despair and loss, because no one was found who was worthy to open the scrolls. In all of heaven no one was found who was worthy. IN HEAVEN?

I have to stop and recognize that this is a scene taking place in heaven... not on Main Street USA, a tavern on the corner, or even a church in the bible belt. It's heaven. Surely there would be someone worthy... in heaven? If there ever was a moment to weep... this was one!

Then with joy, an elder said "do not weep... SEE!" Sometimes we can get so focused on what things appear to be that we don't see what is really going on. The elder did see and was able to lift John's eyes so he could see too. This moment was a real moment to weep. It was an appropriate response to a definite problem. But that's not all that was going on. That's not all that was occurring. GOD WAS AT WORK! The Lamb slain before the foundation of the earth was already prepared to be the Worthy One.

In our life and circumstances, we may sometimes weep... but we need to stop and see. Jesus wept at Lazarus' tomb, but not for long, because the resurrection power was already present and at work, and everyone present that day saw. May I be like that elder and help lift the eyes of others so that they can see that God is at work. There is one worthy. His name is Jesus.
AMEN.
Van