Be Inspired!

I love stories of people who get out there and do something… I want to introduce you to a family that has inspired Jennie and I. Mark Batterson has said, “Quit living as if the purpose of our life is to arrive safely at death.” Royce and Elizabeth Iverson along with their kids have chosen to personify that statement. By most people’s standards (if not all) this family would have been classified as successful in every arena of life… and yet about 18 months ago something started to burn in their hearts that would change their life forever. After almost a year of preparation, having sold everything they own, having given up their successful business endeavors they stepped onto a plane this past Saturday to move to Uganda so they might share Jesus Christ and build an Orphanage and Health Clinic.

Royce and I have had the opportunity to spend some incredible time together over the past year and it’s been an incredible privilege to hear and see all that God has been doing. If you were to ask Royce and Elizabeth why they’re doing what they’re doing they would tell you two things: We’ve got one life to live and we don’t want to regret anything when we get to the end. Secondly the real rewards aren’t here on earth they’re in heaven. (Why is it we spend so much time pursuing things that will ultimately disappear?)

What’s so incredible about this story is that it started over 25 years ago when Lew and Marion Peterson travelled to Uganda to start a church with a vision to raise up leaders and help orphans. Royce and Elizabeth met Lew and Marion four weeks ago and discovered the vision that Lew and Marion had for a clinic and orphanage – one they’d not been able to fulfill. How incredible is it that over 25 years ago when God gave Lew and Marion the vision He had Royce and Elizabeth in mind to complete it – and neither party knew it. We make our plans, but God absolutely orders our steps. I’ve been so challenged by what God is doing in and through this family – to be honest there example has inspired and provoked Jennie and I to take a fresh look at our lives over the past year.

Please keep Royce and Elizabeth and the Hope Village in your prayers. You can find out more information and how you can get involved with Hope Village by visiting www.thehopevillage.org.

Roadtrip!

Okay I’m back… sold the house, we’re now renters. Been garage selling for the past couple of days. What is it with people who drive up and don’t get out of their car? How can they possibly see the hundreds of quality items laid out on tables from their car? Any way its been a good weekend! Three weeks to go until I drive across the country – I’m looking for tips and tricks on driving across the country with a 26ft truck and car carrying trailer. Probably heading south on 84, 80, 280 and then on 90. So if you see us honk and before we leave what advice do you have?

It was a handball!

Of course I’m probably going to be accused of being a bad loser (and most non-Europeans won’t get why I’m upset), but it was obviously a handball that allowed AC Milan to score the first goal. Bitterly disappointing, especially considering Liverpool were the better team for most of the game. Sometimes the game just goes that way. It’s a funny old game! I’m going to bed now (and it’s only 2pm).

Quote for the Day…

“We fail when we get distracted by tasks we don’t have the guts to quit.”
- Seth Godin (from his new book, The Dip).

That’s worth pondering? Been thinking a lot about all the things I could do verses the things I should do. Once again I’m back to that mission filter and the classic “what/how” quandary.

Think on this…

I’m constantly amazed by how small my plans and dreams turn out to be. I kinda hope and pray that things will come together, that we’ll be able to accomplish this or that, and every time God blows me out of the water with the results He had in mind. His plans are so much higher than ours. We make our plans, He orders our steps. I wonder if God gets embarrassed that I dream such small, insignificant dreams or dig such tiny ditches in preparation for rain. Think about this… how would you and I live our lives differently if we really hung onto this verse.

The slower you go the more you appreciate.

There’s nothing like a couple of days in central Oregon to slow you down – sitting on the deck sipping a diet pepsi, looking up at the stars, no city lights, no traffic, just bull frogs and the odd sprinkler hitting a juniper tree. Life’s been a whirlwind lately – filled with lots of stuff related to moving and selling a house, as well as a ton of blessings (a good friends keeps telling me May is a month of favor – might it continue for the rest of the year). The last couple of days have re-calibrated my soul, got to spend quality time with my wife, each one of my kids (swimming, shopping, horse riding, watching Shrek the Third etc) and spent some great time walking and praying. I learned a great lesson over the past couple of days – even with all the stuff that had to get taken care of back home, the slower you go the more you appreciate. Secretly I’ve been hoping for months that “slower” would be an important part of my future. As my good friend Larry Hubatka blogged, life needs to take on a certain rhythm.

Off to a land without web access

Having worked my tail off to complete the repair items from the inspection of the house I’m off to central Oregon for a couple of days… can’t wait to hang out with my wife and kids and try to relax after a hectic and incredible couple of months.

While I’m off line let me encourage you to take a look at Mike Servello’s comments on an unchurched person’s perspective on church (three great videos on saving Bernie Mac).

See you in a couple of days.