thoughts from a catalyst on the move

This morning I heard a recent West Point Graduate tell his story. West point is one of the most prestigious learning institutions in the world. What ever your views are on war Paul made it clear that we in a war and admonishes Timothy to learn from the soldier (II Tim. 2:3-4).

Let me get to the key points (no pun intended).

1. Every “plebe” has a sophomore mentor and the whole system is a mentoring program. At the meal table you are assigned a table where there are Seniors,Juniors, Sophomores, and freshman. everone teaches everyone.

2. The classroom size is no more than 15-17, and all the professors are army officers. They are training the best for the best with the best!

3. All the classes have one purpose to train you for battle. So, if you are taking Spanish, you read the military histories of South American countries. If you are taking calculus, you answer problem questions related to battle questions. All of your training has one purpose, to make you the best leader in battle.

We are in the greatest battle in history, fighting for the souls of men and women. Our training should reflect our commission. I am so grateful to be a part of a movement with Mosaic that is committed to training the next generation of leaders!

Ruth, our daughter, is today (or is it tomorrow?) in Rwanda. they are 10 hours ahead. Her place is quite remote and we will not hear much from her during her three week stay. She is co leading an International Service Project Team from California Baptist University. We were deeply touched by her first and only email at this point. She writes:

“While we still work with street kids, we have also worked along side prostitutes, widows, aids victims, orphans, students at a school as well as things around the base. It’s been physically emotionally and draining trip, but in such a good way…. I had the greatest opportunity to clean the wounds of kids who live off the streets. Any where from cleaning sores to pulling fungus growth off the heads of little kids. It was so draining to watch them cry as we tended to their physical needs , but was so reassuring that God was calling me into nursing. I have been heartbroken for the kids over here….”

I thought of Jesus words, In as much as you have done it to the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me. These are the places where we find God, caring for the wounds to the least of these.

Ruth is also discovering what we all must discover on our own, that the will of God is not discerned alone behind close doors with a Bible, but as we step into the streets to clean wounds, or clean the toilets at the Mayan Nightclub for our Sunday evening gathering with Mosaic, or go next door to pray with the family who is in fear because of a medical emergency. These are the places and markers where we take off our shoes like Moses and discover the Holy place of God where he speaks so clearly.

Join us as we pray for Ruth and the teams in Rwanda to finish the race well in the next 10 days. More reports to come!

I am dipping my big toe in the huge ocean of BLOG today!  This is my gift from my wife, Pam and our son, Nathan as I turn 54.

I never though I would turn 54. I’m not sure any of think we will turn 54 until we turn 54. This year my end of days seems much closer than previous birthdays. A friend of mine and mentor, Wayne Marley, told me at 30 “You are 20 minutes from 50″. At 50 he told me,”You are 20 minutes from 70″. So Lord, teach me to number my days that I may present to you a heart of wisdom! That, by the way is not original with me. The Psalmist said it in the Psalms (90:12).  So my hope is that this blog will reflect wisdom gained for a generation behind me.

Hey everyone,

welcome to my new blog. Check back in a few days and see what’s happening with me.