I've just returned home after 10 very full days in California. I'm writing this post through the blurred eyes of the jet-lagged. Nine time zones separate San Francisco and Paris, 10 days is just enough to set the internal clock off for a month. Never-the-less, it was a great visit. I was even able to pop down to SoCal to give my Mom a kiss, shop for theology books with my dad and mountain bike with my brother, David...oh.. and my sister, Sara, got home from Mexico (where she was celebrating her birthday and 10 years of marital bliss) just as I was leaving. Stolen time with my family who I do not see often enough is very sweet.
I was mostly there to work. Twin Lakes Church flew me over for their World Outreach Week. This church is one of 3 three partners in a service project we are planning to Northern Ivory Coast this May/June. You may remember I was in Korhogo last May teaching at the Institut Biblique Bethel with the outreach pastors from TLC and from FCC. This year, we will be returning with a team of 10 to set-up a network of 20 computers on the IBB campus as well as provide bee-keeping equipment and sowing machines (two means by which the school supports itself.) My friend, Philip Moore, pastor of the Lagny Church (our church here in the Paris region), and I have also been invited to teach at the Institute during our stay.
Along with Twin Lakes and Lagny, our third partner is Faith Community Church of Santa Cruz. FCC is only in its 3rd year of existence. Karen, zboyz, and I had the privilege to be a part of this young community during its very first year. It was great to see so many facebook friends face to face and to learn how they are thriving in Santa Cruz.
Since I was in town, FCC's lead pastor, Andy Lewis, asked me to participate in their current teaching series, Retrospectives: Spiritual Truths Observed by the Eyes of the Wise. I was the youngest speaker invited ... and certainly the least of the "wise," the one who still has the most to learn. The idea was to speak on truth that we have applied over a long period of time. I talked about the application of Philippians 3:4-14 to my life over the last 23 years. I called the message "Centered." The content is purposefully autobiographical in keeping with the intent of the Retrospective series... It's about my quest to know Jesus. You can listen to it here.
At one point in my talk I mention Rob Paterson's new album. You can check out his "headshot" and the album here.
