Stoning Rob Bell?

I find it interesting that we feel like we can be so sure of ourselves in matters where truth is God and we are but his creation. Whether or not Rob Bell is correct in his musings in Love Wins, for me, is not the issue. Our constant desire to pass judgment on others, as if we were God, is. That sounds very "New Age" to me...something we Evangelicals recoil from with a passion. Yet, we are bent toward it. It was true of the Pharisees and religious rulers of Jesus' day (and it is interesting to note who Jesus is confronting nearly every time he mentions judgment) and it is, sadly, true of us today. We feel it necessary to judge others and place them below us on the spiritual ladder. Is not God the only true Judge? Is not our job to share the gospel with grace and mercy to all realizing that, if it were not for the God's totally unmerited mercy toward us, we would be totally lost? Do we really believe that passing judgment on someone will bring them any closer to the knowledge of God's love for them and his desire to redeem them? Instead of spending our time passing judgment on Rob Bell, maybe we should be considering how we might better reflect Christ to a dying world! I have put my stone down. How about you?

Stand on your head

Seeing reality through Jesus' eyes is putting everything on its head. Last will be first. The poor have the riches of faith. Real living is dying. Stuff like that. What we consider shadow and mystical is the real and what we consider real is, in reality, shadow. So it is with cross-cultural work.

I was certain that going to Guatemala was the end of my dreams to grow my musical side. That, however, ended up being 180% from reality. Opportunities to grow and use my music multiplied beyond belief while there! This is what I think is the reality of the "give to get" theology. "Getting" was not my intention at all. Obedience was and it involved some, of what I considered to be, sacrifice or "giving." But what I gave was nothing compared to what I gained. Sound familiar?

So I am spending my thinking time now trying to re-look at things standing on my head. I figure that if I am seeing something in one way it is likely that God is seeing it in the opposite way. A new way to "let go."

Life So Full It Hurts

We have enjoyed our time in the land of sun and fun, the Los Angeles area. A week from today we will be on our way back to the mountains. So much is going on it is hard to spell it all out, between Payton's birth, Kassen in school (and volleyball) and doing ministry (both Membercare and Mobilization). Just too many things to do and just too little time. Knowing that you won't get it all done is not a happy thought, even after spending a month in the same place. Here are a couple pix we like. Thank you for walking with us, and putting up with my scant blogging. Blessings!

Payton De Lange!! (and family)

Here is your first look at Payton. Trust me, it won't be your last!!

Thank you for being part of our lives. It is a blast having you along for this wild ride.

Back to Virtual Life

After more than a month solely in the real world, I am getting back to my virtual world. It may be tough to regain the virtual prowess I had in the past, but I am going to give it a try. Actually, I have a great way to kick start the attempt. Our newest grandbaby was born yesterday! Yes, Jackson James De Lange now has a sister and they call her Payton. You are needing pictures! Yes, I know, and I should have those up later today. Please be patient. We needed patience as we waited for Payton to decide to "come out of there" as Jackson would say. A doctor told Erin that she could deliver anytime about a month ago. Of course, "anytime" could mean now or a long time from now. I think Erin thought it meant "now" and has been expecting Payton to make her appearance daily since then. So, we have too. Well, Payton understood "anytime" to mean yesterday!! Here are her vital stats at birth.

Born about 2:30 PM, Wednesday, August 13 after a short labor.

19 inches long and just under 7 pounds (Just like Alec, our son, but we will assume that Payton will not grow to be 6'5" like her uncle)

Didn't see her hair or eyes yesterday but my guess is, not much and dark blue.

Erin and James are both doing well. James parents and the "cousins" were all here for the arrival. It has been BUSY and fun.

More soon