100 Miles and Hour

Yesterday I was reminded that I haven't been blogging faithfully. My apologies. Things have been moving quite fast this week. We've hosted two parties--one for church volunteers, another for Angela's co-workers at Rasor Elementary. We've also been getting ready for a wedding. My daughter, Flora, will be getting married tomorrow in a small ceremony. But even small ceremonies are a lot of work. Of course, work at church always demands a lot of time and energy.

Today is Flora's 18th birthday. Hard to believe. It's a coming-of-age day, and one that leaves me feeling a little strange. With all the celebration, and as happy as I am for her marrying someone she loves, as a parent it is always hard letting go.

Good Numbers

Yesterday was a day of good numbers:

1. We passed 20,000 downloads on the podcast.

2. The owner of the property we are looking at in Costa Rica dropped the asking price 25%!

3. I managed to check off 4 things from my task list! (Woo-hoo! That's a big deal for people like me.)

A Spiritual Investment

Yesterday I got my wife back from her Tres Dias experience. Though emotionally drained, she is spiritually filled and a renewed person. Her experience, of course unique, was quite like mine in that God met her just where she was and gave her just what she needed.

I want to thank those of you who have been praying for me and Angela. Without the prayers of God's people, I don't know how we could deal with day-to-day pressures of ministry life, much less handle the craziness that has been thrown our way lately.

Thanks especially to Jason and Carol for the gift of our Tres Dias weekends. Your spiritual investment in us was more than we could ever ask or expect, and quite honestly we don't know how to express our gratitude. Yours is a gift from the very heart of God.

And to all who wrote letters--you know who you are--I'm forever in your debt. You may never fully appreciate what your letters meant to me or how they lifted my soul from a discouragement I didn't even know I was facing. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Just What I Needed

Yesterday I returned from Tres Dias, a three-day spiritual retreat. It was different than anything I've ever experienced, and I found that it was just what I needed. My soul is refreshed and my spirit is soaring. Thanks so much, Jason and Carol, for making this weekend happen. You are true friends and I can't thank you enough.

Tres Dias was just what I needed. It is a ministry that supports the local church in helping people to connect and renew in a most unique way. I would tell you all about it, but that might spoil the surprise and the impact it could have on you if you ever have the chance to attend. So I'll keep the juicy details to myself and just let you know that it really made a difference in my life.

As for what I learned...without sharing too much, I'll tell you that I rediscovered the importance of prayer in my life. Not just me praying, but having people pray for me. I'll be glad to share more on that with those who might be inclined to be part of a regular prayer effort on my behalf.

So, today I officially announce, I am forming two prayer teams:

1. I'm beginning a prayer campaign for "The Brook," my future ministry in Costa Rica. Though we are still months and years from seeing all this happen, the prayer must begin now if we are going to see God's hand in this.

2. I'm forming a prayer group for my own personal life and ministry. I need this more than I can say. It's not about being on my "inner circle." It's about agreeing to hold me up before God and pray for the things I'm facing.

Taking all applications now! No experience necessary.