I was one of the community leaders invited to pray at the National Day of Prayer Breakfast at Church on the Way this morning. Sharing the podium with Jack Hayford next to me was surreal. A bit unsettling was batting first of the 11 leaders invited to lead the gathering. I read Psalm 133 in Spanish and English, shared a brief story from our recent Mexico trip and how being hermonos in Jesus crosses the gap of rich and poor, American and Mexican- we are all familia. Then, I led prayer for “families and homes.” I met some great brothers and sisters in Jesus, and will remember with fondness that Dudley Rutherford from Shepherd of the Hills didn’t seem to get into holding my hand either when we were standing next to each other on stage and asked to hold hands while praying! God Bless America!

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One podcast I try to listen to regularly is Radiolab. It is a radio show from WNYC in New York that focuses on science. There are usually fascinating shows about brain research, ethics, entomology, and such. Speaking of entomology, the study of insects, today I listened to an interview with E.O. Wilson, the "ant guy."

Wilson talked about his research in pheromones, chemicals that are released by ants and others for communication. He said humans are one of the few species that communicate audio-visually.  Hence, we have 3D THX TV, but no Smell-o-Vision.

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As Christians, we are a people of hope and we are called by God to always be ready to do His work.

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The new creation is already here.

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Eric Jusko's footies were just too comfortable looking not to borrow…

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Back from another "mission" trip to Ensenada B.C.

I know this:

"Mi hermanos de Cristo esta mi familia."
 ("My brothers in Christ are my family.")

I remember this:

Juan and I traded Bibles. He said that he reads his daily and because of this, he told me,

"A usted mi corozon para siempre."
("You are in my heart forever.")

I believe him.
How could I forget?

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Being skeptical is taken as a strong sign of intelligence these days. Especially when it comes to matters of faith. In particular the Christian faith.

Here is the quick list.

• The story of Jesus borrows from other ancient myths (Always distinctly different and "myths" don't have so many eyewitness accounts that can be verified or refuted by contemporary supporters or opponents)
• The Christian faith grew because it was the official faith of the Roman Empire (Actually, one hundred years before the time of Constantine, it is estimated that 50% of the Roman Empire population, in particular the urban areas, had already become Christian)
• There are many writings that didn't make it in the Bible that contradict it (Nothing in existence that is less than 150 years after the time of Jesus, and the Bible as we know it is used in its entirety by the early Christians before the first of these "lost books" is written)

OK, either you examine the evidence carefully and you reasonably conclude that there is strong historical support for the claims of Christians or you use different criteria than anything else used in ancient historical studies and you remain skeptical based on the criteria you personally establish. The honest conclusion ought simply be, "I don't want to believe…"

Now, that is a valid proposition.

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My buddy Sal Haddad had "The Rock" do some filming at his wrecking yard. Sal is dynamite in a small package, so he probably could take him…

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Yesterday, I mentioned David Stillwell stopped by on leave from Iraq. I asked him what he learned about Iraq so far. He is most impressed by the last election.

David's unit was providing security for polling places. In Iraq, elections take place over three days. The military and the disabled vote on separate days, and then on the third day, the general public.

The first two days there were bombings, 100 in Baghdad alone. This didn't deter the Iraqi's. The third day one would expect many people to stay home. Not 63% of them. That was the total voter turnout!

The thirst for freedom is a memory that will last for David.

Our own voter turnout for the last national election was 56.8%. Not that much different. Except we weren't expecting mortar shells and rocket. But, David is probably comparing Iraq to our last election in California, May of 2009, 28%.

It's tough to travel one mile to your polling place.

Or walk outside and mail your ballot. You might get bombed by a pigeon flying by, after all…

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David Stillwell just dropped by. He is one of my "kids" from church serving in the Army, stationed in Iraq. He is here on leave, and then will return. Interesting stories and David is doing great. The young 'uns grow up so quick…

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