Soakin' Up Life . . . at a 100 MPH!

I'm hoping to get an iPhone the first of next week. I don't have a Mac - I know, for you Mac users I'm in the netherworld of the computer world. But my job requires that I use a PC, so that's what I will stick with for now. I like MS Outlook because of the email, calendar, todo, and notes all in one package - don't have to have separate programs to handle each of them. Anyway. . .I've been reading up on syncing an iPhone with MS Outlook and notice some folks have a problem and some don't. This is where you guys come in. I need some input from those of you who have an iPhone and a PC. Here are some questions I have: Any problems syncing with MS Outlook? (Which operating system and which version of Outlook are you using?) Have you been able to resolve any synchronization issues? Do you sync your tasks? If so, which task synchronizing software are you using? Any other input you have would probably be helpful - pitfalls, likes, dislikes, etc. Thanks in adva

I was reading Revelation 4 this morning. Actually I was crawling through it. I had already read it a couple of times. This morning I was walking through the imagery and symbolism (I'm geeky when it comes to imagery and symbolism). Anyway. . .three little words have stuck with me ever since I started reading chapter four. After John sees an open door into heaven and hears Christ's invitation to see the things that must happen, verse two says that John was immediately "in the Spirit." For some reason I just can't shake these three little words. Commentaries don't ascribe much to them, except to say he was filled the with Spirit of God. That got me to thinking. . .did John have to be filled with the Spirit of God to see the vision of God? In other words, was this "in the Spirit" a divine enabling to fully see and grasp the revelation of God? I mean, here's John who was in exile because of his faith. The only one of the apostles who didn

Our friend Heather Messick posted this on her blog last week. If you're a parent, you can relate. I know mine can!!!!! Mike

It's a Monday! I don't mean that in a bad or Murphy's Law sort of way, it's just a Monday. I'm in my office watching it rain - which it does often here in Gresham, I've got a stack of stuff to sort through from last week and the weekend, and after a weekend chock full of ministry my mind is more than a little mushy. The ministry stuff was incredible! We spent Friday preparing and Saturday actually doing some clean up and clean out work at our NE Portland church plant property. It's an old church that was originally built in 1914 in what is now a regenerating neighborhood. Only guys in ministry would believe what we churches decide to keep - My OH My! Saturday night was our regularly scheduled Worship and ABFs. Sunday morning started with two worship services and ABFs. Then I was called in yesterday afternoon because we lost part of our power in two of our buildings. That wasn't too important except one of those buildings houses our offices where o

Recently I asked readers to tell me whether they would want to live in a Christian community or not. Got some great responses and I shared my own as well. Then I got to thinkin' . . .I know some of you are a little worried right about now. I began to think that maybe we shouldn't live in Christian communities, but authentic communities. Grant , my friend and fellow blogger, often writes of being authentic, living in authentic community with one another, and authentic relationships. I like that idea and what it coveys to me. I believe I have lived with and in authentic relationships with others throughout my life and ministry. What about you? Would you rather live within authentic relationships? And what does that mean to you - "authentic relationships"? Do we live in authentic relationships? If not, why not? What does it take, or would it take, to live in authentic relationship with others? And does it mean we only live, or CAN only live in authentic relati

Rob over at Rob's Place blog post this the other day. Couldn't help but to break out laughing out loud - yeah, I can spell it, don't need to abbreviate it. Mike

I was listening to one of the local radio stations - kwyq, The Way FM, this morning on the way to the office. They were asking the question, "If you could live in a totally Christian community would you?" Responses varied. I would be interested in knowing what you think. So. . .I pose the question to you. . . If you could live in a totally Christian community would you? Why or why not? I can't wait to read your responses. Mike

Yesterday, Cindy called me on her way to her Bible study, here's kinda how the conversation went. . . C: Do you have your bike with you? M: No, why? C: Then someone just stole it out of the garage. M: What do you mean? C: I opened the garage to go to my Bible study and remembered I forgot something, so I ran back in to the house. While I was in there, only for a few seconds, I heard a metal noise and when I got back to the garage your bike was gone! I ran out to the street to see if I could see someone, but I didn't see anyone. M: (Just quiet) I have to be honest, I didn't know what to think. My bike was gone. I've had this bike longer than I've lived in Lufkin and Saraland combined. I've had this bike longer than I've owned some cars and trucks. My 8-year old Specialized Allez Comp, with Ritchie head set and handlebars, Ultegra shifter/derailleur, and Look pedals was gone!! I had even put a new Cat Eye computer on it while I was riding in Sarala

Read Jesus' letter to the church at Ephesus this morning. Evidently this church was special and influential. Paul wrote a letter to this church - we call it the book of Ephesians - and Jesus had a special word just for these folks in Revelation 2:1-7 . I think Jesus was proud of this little church in a very multicultural, multi-spiritual and religious community. The Temple of Artemis was considered one of the seven wonders of the world. Since Eohesus sat along the coast it was rich in trading - both through the seas and along the roads. Influences, both good and bad, were brought from everywhere. Jesus told the church at Ephesus that he was proud of them. They had not put up with false teachers. They had not put with evil and stood up against immorality and those who watered down God's standards for their own rationales, only to fulfill their own desires. Yet , their motivation was called into question. Where was their love for God? Where was their love for one another

I was sent this little tidbit by my mother. I'm not recommending this - just thought it was funny :) In case things get a little tough after January... Please note that Texas is the only state with a legal right to secede from the Union . (Reference the Texas-American Annexation Treaty of 1848. We Texans love y'all, but we'll probably have to take action since Obama won the election. We'll miss you too. Here is what can happen: Barack Hussein Obama becomes President of the United States , and Texas immediately secedes from the Union . George W. Bush will become the President of the Republic of Texas . You might not think that he talks too pretty, but we haven't had another terrorist attack, and the economy was fine until the effect of the Democrats lowering the qualifications for home loans came to roost. So what does Texas have to do to survive as a Republic? NASA is just south of Houston , Texas . We will control the space industry. We refi

If you love tools and you need a good laugh, you'll love this one Grant posted earlier this week.