Here is the podcast from last Sunday, “Advent to Easter.” Merry Christmas!

Here is the podcast from my teaching last Sunday, “God with Us”. Enjoy!

The podcast from last night’s teaching, “Healing the Broken” and the “sozo” of Jesus is posted. Enjoy!

Here is the podcast of last Sunday’s teaching, “The Lost are Found”…beginning a series, “Heaven Came Down”.

We had a great time seeing family and friends, playing music, and sharing about life in France. Here are some pictures. See you soon!

We had a wonderful week in MA, visiting family and very dear friends, the Bates family. We had two gatherings, as well as speaking and singing at a local church. Some pictures are below; “the tour” continues tomorrow as we go to DC! See you soon!

Last Sunday I taught on “What is the church?” Check out the podcast here!

We will have two gatherings in Charlotte! Check out the details and RSVP here. See you soon!

Brennan Manning quotes a note found in the office of a young pastor in Zimbabwe, Africa, following his martyrdom for his faith in Jesus (from “Signature of Jesus”, p.31-32):

I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit’s power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made – I’m a disciple of his. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean in his presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer, and I labor with power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions are few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the enemy, pander at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze in mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till he comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till he stops me. And, when he comes for his own, he will have no problem recognizing me…my banner will be clear!

From “The Signature of Jesus” by Brennan Manning (p.9-10):

The greatest need for our time is for the church to become what it has seldom been: the body of Christ with its face to the world, loving others regardless of religion or culture, pouring itself out in a life of service, offering hope to a frightened world, and presenting itself as a real alternative to the existing arrangement. “The church that is worthy of the name is a band of people in which the love of God has broken the spell of demons and false gods and which is now making a dent in the world.”

Our U.S. trip schedule has been updated with a bunch of new events and info – including two live music nights! Check out details and RSVP here! We leave two weeks from today…see you soon!

Nothing like a 24 hour stay in the LA area! Hilary and I will be in Thousand Oaks on Oct 16! (It sounds like we’re on tour…) We’d love to see all of you wonderful friends of ours in the SD/LA/SB/SLO areas. You can check out the details and RSVP here. See you soon!

By popular demand, more funny signs from Europe (at least to a foreigner like me). This one is from Cassis, France.

Hilary and I will be in the San Francisco area in October and we would love to see you! Check out the info for the wine tasting/gatherings here. See you there!

I love the signs in Europe. This one is from Parc Güell (Barcelona)…

Check out pictures from the Christian Associates Connect conference and our stop through Barcelona on the way home. (Also, at the beginning of the Connect album are a few pictures from Carcassone, France and the country of Andorra.) Enjoy!

On the drive back from Portugal to France, we stopped in Barcelona and had a wonderful tapas lunch. This one was goat cheese, peppers, eggplant…so good!

On the first night of Connect, Linus gave his final farewell message as president of Christian Associates. He mentioned William Whiting Borden who graduated from Yale in 1909. While at university, Borden sought to share the message of Jesus with every student at the school. Borden followed university by enrolling in an international missions program to go to China. However, he died at the age of 25 during training in Egypt. After his death, Borden’s parents received his personal Bible. In the Bible was written, “No reserves. No retreats. No regrets.” A powerful statement of life purpose and passion.

I am off to a conference in Portugal. I’m not sure of internet connection, but I’ll be back at postings soon!

Hilary and I will be in the Fredericksburg/D.C./Richmond area October 6-13! We’re putting together meeting events (desert nights/wine tastings) and we’ll post details soon! Check out the schedule page in the coming weeks for more details. See you soon!