Looking

With deadlines creeping up and expectations increasing, I stare at my computer as I attempt to offer my limited wisdom and experience through the medium of writing. I am brought to my knees:

May your kingdom come, your will be done. May your dream unfold today and may I participate with you in bringing about that dream on earth as it is in heaven. As I sit in the cover of the massive redwoods that illuminate and hold your glory in and among me, may I rest. May I experience the Shalom of your restoration and may I live that Shalom today. As I serve my hurting friends a warm meal and see their smile, I see your face. As I breath in the crisp mountain air, I embody your renewal. As I listen...........silence..........stillness.......I hear your voice in Creation. Thank you for the reality of your presence.
It can be so obvious, but yet I feel so blind. So far away. I have no inspiration. No motivation. I listen, but am distracted. I am hopeful, but hurting. I am seeing, but not believing.

May my soul come alive and may my fingers tell the story.

Papers, Books and Companions

A deep sigh of relief and accomplishment has taken me over after finishing my first semester of graduate school. Although overshadowed by the pain of losing our first child, it was an incredible time of learning, conversation and growth. It is a ton of work, but I love it. In fact, I have just decided to change my emphasis to Christian Ethics. Still a Master of Arts in Theology, but the ethics emphasis will focus on justice, poverty, creation care and peacemaking. It is an incredible feeling to study and participate in the issues I am most passionate.

Now that my last paper has been submitted until classes start up again in January, I will have time to put into re-reading/editing my manuscript of a book I have been working on for the past couple of years. Yes, I have FINALLY signed the contract and through Youth Specialties, Zondervan will be publish my book! It will actually come out (at least initially) as an ebook, which has all the same elements of a hard copy book(including a cover, art, etc...) but is 100% digital. Should be interesting to see how it all works out, but for now I have a 176 page manuscript to submit by Jan. 1. There goes any holiday downtime:)

Thanks again for all the love and support offered to Janny and I through this whole mess the past couple of months. We would love to forget the pain/grief, but know that it will be part of us forever. Although we still have bad days/hours, we often experience hope and peace.

Shalom Haverim(companions)