LIfe in 2010 - My Agnostic Friend sends $1 to India

"I'll pay for you to come hang with me at the Gordon Avenue, Battle of the Bands show tonight." I wasn't desperate, just promoting! I shamelessly plug my son's amazing band (Try reading the words to perhaps, his most violent song - Gordon's blog is a must read - LINK UP right now).

My friend (the $1 guy) is a Salvador Dali of the English language when it comes to the art of writing. He's smart (way) and also very numb to the plastic religious rhetoric of our prehistoric voodo fears (lies wrapped up in King Jimmy colloquium) that make "Religion" evil. He's sarcasm and pessimism blended in a powerful juicy blend. I love this guy! Every time I think of my "$1" friend I'm reminded of Acts 17 and the hidden reality that "God is really much closer to us than we can imagine. (bga translation). I will always choose relationship over religion.

So, at the "you-could-catch-something" Satyricon I met my very sincere agnostic friend (he's a very loyal guy) and we caught up on the Foo Fighters and some really great movies that we hope to watch together this year. Without warning my friend reaches into his right pocket and deposits his $1 on the cement counter (CSI would have so much fun analyzing the past mayhem of this establishment ). "I don't believe in your God," his smile and twinkling eyes matched his enjoyment of the moment. "But I do," he continued, "believe in you, my friend." To which I whipped out my pen and promptly asked him to sign his dollar. I promised to carry his dollar to India and I also warned him that my Best friend-Creator-God can do big things with $1 agnostic, U.S. bills!

The show was the best Gordon Avenue has done (they won the evening competition and are now in the finals). Seeing fans sing along, and the great energy - it's so cool. My friend casually mentioned, before he left, that he reads my Pastor Dude-friend John's emails, blogs, and other communication (Pastor John we're team-wrestling this guy for God - pretty sure we'll win). S my friend is moved by the movement of somebody to DO SOMETHING! Hey what will you DO with your "one and only life." Who will you invest richly in? "We can't do everything, but we all can do something!" (Guess who said that these last few months?). Pray for that agnostic dollar (and the giver) - I'm very excited to see what the Best Being in all the Universe will do with this very significant move. Let me say it again, "Every $1 Laura and I take to India with us will make a forever difference in the life of someone who is NOW in darkness!" Keep checking in on the latest re. our trip (lhceast.com).

What you invest in, with all your passion will shape your values and dreams! Who should you spend more time with right now? "It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy, but those who are stingy will lose everything." Proverbs 11:24

"But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice," Philippians 1:18

Absolutely fantastic Movie! State of the Avery Union Address - 2010

State of Our

A very Union in 2010

Falling in love again this a.m. with a fantastic movie – intense, bloody, incredible picture of love – for humanity and a woman! A movie that I forgot how much I loved – cinematography is more than WOW, the acting is killer and the young heroine is whoa!! Plus (bad way to start a sentence, Mrs. Stoops –right?), a lot of people say I look like Clive Owen, the lead actor).

And you can read about my first breakfast of pizza, potato pancakes, shortbread cookies, and great coffee with a filled-cupcake (one of Laura’s secret recipes) . . . the future of my two boys and our wonderful granddaughter (what Laura is doing on her new computer – hint: has to do with India and REI). Read me please! Happy New Years 2010!

We welcomed in the New Year by continuing to add to our sleep deprevation – up until 2:30 a.m. watching season 5 of LOST.

6 a.m. fell out of bed, without injury, and stumbled down the stairs without falling . . . finished sermon for cell-phone-India preaching (Dr. Kumar didn’t call – no response to my last two emails) . . . interesting way to remind me of my “control-freak nature” and God’s amazing grace (not mine) . . . glad I got up!

Started with Laura’s amazing filled-cupcakes (1^st made for trip to Mackinac Island, MI in 1985) . . . let us know if you want the recipe – very good tasting, very bad on my desired-six-back :) Pizza custom remodeled from New Years Eve. Wishing I had bought some Stumptown coffee. Praise #101 for 2010 – I was .4 lb lighter this a.m. that the 31^st! Thanks to Laura and Julian Michaels (Laura killed me for 50 min. via Ninja Workout queen – Julian angry workout queen; what a way to finish the Old Year!).

Marcus let us watch Elena (age 19 months) last night (to bed at 8 – she blew me kiss and said “night-night” in the world most heart-melting voice (It’s so good that she doesn’t know she could milk me of all my assets with her voice and those huge beautiful eyes . . . protect me Father, please!). She woke up at 9:05 for another hour go-around (not so happy this morning :)

The movie? King Arthur (Director’s Cut) – Jerry Bruckhheimer (I like CSI). The picture of how evil Religion is (especially when God’s name is attached) is so clearly seen in this movie. The concept of freedom in this rivals Braveheart. The accuracy of what Roman era Britain was like is very impressive for a film (one of the better portrayals would be Edward Rutherfurd’s Sarum – all of his books are fantastic – they are sociological portraits of a country over more than a thousand years – London and the Ireland saga’s are wow! They are historical novels at their best – great way to see how evil the dark-ages church really was!). Back to the movie. It’s an artistic marvel of color and shadows with sensuality, deep philosophy, and serious questions about psudo religion and people we think are far from God. This is one perfect movie for our big screen and creative thinking boys! This may be my favorite movie (with a few others also being my favorites)! There is so much room to see how God is using Living Hope in our current society (NOW you’ll really thing I’m crazy). I like this movie more than Braveheart and even more than Gladiator. Intellectually it bumps up against the Truman Show for intriguing insight into God’s gift of Free Will (choice) and the very cool way God reaches out to those who don’t have Scripture (see Acts 2 & 17:). Warning: lots of ketchup in this movie (bloody) and very real questions about voodoo-fake religion. So re-fell in love with this movie – WOW, what a morning.

Following this sensory hors d’oeuvres, my main course was Oswald Chambers, Chapter one of Ecclesiastes (wow – so powerful after watching this film- I’ve got a bunch of notes on this chapter – will share in a future blog – perhaps this week) and re-reading chapter 3 (Read Dec. 30^th). I still have to read Proverbs one and my section in 2 Corinthians I’m reading.

Today – Finish the LOST finale, read more, give my wife a great massage on her very cool massage table, back Christmas stuff . . . more India Mission trip planning (visit this link!).

Elena talks so well . . . is so tall for her age, so physically coordinated . . . so, so beautiful (lifted my 7.5 lb dumbbell last night) . . . Tennis, golf, cycling scholarship are waiting for her, I’m sure!

Marcus – there is no better 21 year old father in the world! Seriously. He such a fun guy to hang out with!

Gordon – at work already with his Kid’s World Team (NO, nearly 25yr. old man is as disciplined, hardworking, and talented as him). His music will touch millions – I seriously have no doubt. I believe it’s God’s destiny for him. You should consider seeing his concert this Sunday in Portland (Link). You might consider subscribing to his blog (it’s a relationship building giant – very impressive).

“We can’t do everything, but ALL of us can do something!” For $1 you can make a forever-difference this year (Link)!

Fall in love with God (even more) in 2010!

After Christmas wipe-down report

Christmas of 2009 remembered

Biggest hit: Elena's electric car (her favorite companions are her new doll and Camelback water bottle - her very own; v. cool)

Best Bang-for-$: My very cool Kettlebell (I've wanted one for a long time - there are s

ome very excellent exercise you can do easily with anything else - love it - there's a pic on my previous blog).

Most practical: New bathrobe and slippers (Oh my my kids went over the top on these - best quality - like'n lots).

Still waiting: To take down our bigger tree (16+'), to use our new snow shoes (Great dates in sight for my sweetheart and me!).

Hot: My favorite cologne from my favorite girl!

Remembering- still: The annual "It's A Wonderful Life" movie night with our whole family; The 45 min. "Avery Christmas story" we've read for 33 Laura and Bruce Christmas Eve's. I will not forget how much my kids love giving to their mom (Yes, she got more than 20 gifts - the most of anyone in our castle!). And our Christmas celebrations on Dec. 4 at our East Vancouver Campus and then the Week of Christmas shows at our main campus - so inspiring to see thousand of people focus on Jesus. The most wonderful gift was the hundreds of people who said "yes" to Jesus' forever-friendship this month at Living Hope (even the bad Camel who is also a donkey killer - sad story).

Tomorrow (perhaps): New relationship possibilities, Our January 14 trip to India (Laura, Gordon, me & a several friends), and continued investment in those friendships we've been given. Praying and wishing YOU a very grand Happy New Year!

Pictures of my cell-phone preaching in India, 2009

10 Great Gifts to Give (Some of these are very creative)

Top 10 Healthy, Long-lasting, Christmas gifts – 2009

1. Investing in the East Van. Living Hope Jan. 2010 India Mission trip!¹

2. Buy a “Blue”² exercise ball or balance ball, or maybe a Kettlebell^2a w DVD³

3. Pick up two pair of “Snow shoes” or “Cross Country Skies” for winter fun.⁴

4. Send someone a subscribe to Nutrition Action Healthletter (www.cspinet.org).⁵

5. Look for cheep Yoga and Palates DVD’s at Target, Fred Meyer as a “resource” gift.⁶

6. Create a card that pays for (& joins them) the STP Bike Ride in 2010.⁷

7. Give a subscription to a cycling, running, hiking, or golf magazine.⁸

8. Purchase a Pedometer along with 52 “Free Walks” certificates.⁹

9. Buy a quality Body Fat/Water scale.¹⁰

10. Buy two heart-rate monitor watches and add 52 “activity card invitations.”¹¹

^{1­­ Think of someone you love who needs Jesus in their life. If God has someone who would be able to connect with them and the result would be life-changing, how much would you pay to see this happen? What if it would only cost a dollar to connect them together and see Jesus’ love flood this person’s life? How quickly would you invest this dollar? For every dollar Laura and I now take with us to India (Jan. 14) one person will receive a new life in Jesus! Email me – bruce.lhceast@gmail.com. $25 per month rents a new church in an area where there are NO churches; $50 per month gives full-time support to a pastor and his family to serve an instant congregation of hundreds! Your endorphins will thank you. You invest even more wisely into what God has given you to manage in the future. Others will be inspired and their spiritual, emotional, and physical health will be directly or indirectly improved.}

² These are the “exercise balls” that are used for sit-ups, push-ups, waist/side-strengthening exercises. Get the Large size (about $14) and keep it in your Family Room. The color doesn’t matter :-). Use while watching a movie or TV. Strengthening the “core” is critical to protecting back injury or healing damaged back, hips, & knees!

^2a These are unique exercise weights that are excellent for flexibility, strength, and speed. You can get them with a DVD/CD at Kohls for a good price (Big 5 has them too). I’ve seen people use them to do both cardio and muscle strengthening at the same time. Remember, if you or your friend doesn’t have a workout partner it’s not going get used.

³With all exercise equipment, you need first build a “team plan” or it’s going to be a worthless gift/investment. Buying any exercise, weight-loss, or health-improvement “tool/system” is silly unless you have a detailed plan to grow a team around you to help develop this new discipline into your life! Catch up with Bruce for details as to how to start. This will change big areas of your life! Promise!

⁴­­Costco has them! REI has a bigger selection at a much bigger price!

⁵­­This little public Health letter is one of the very best – readable, fun, practical help in every issue. AND they have received no money in their 35 years of print, from the Government or Industry. They don’t sell any advertising space. It’s a very trustworthy source for health tips. It’s the largest Health letter in the world, and oldest.

⁶­­I like to buy these, then glean off of it some exercises that really work for me. This is a cheap way to find some great stretching and core strengthen exercises. My hip flexor exercises came off this.

⁷The STP is a fully supported bike ride from Seattle to Portland. Bruce and Laura will be doing this ride in 2010. We will be doing the two day ride. We camp half way. We will have a great time – also having made our own Living Hope Jerseys with the finest European materials :).

⁸­­The people you hang with and what you read and view does influence your lifestyle changes!

⁹Get a good quality Pedometer, like the Tanita (www.thecompetitiveedge.com). Making up 52 certificates that promise to “walk or hike” is what makes this a great gift. Having a measurement to set goals does help a lot of people aim for something and actually reach it!

¹⁰­­­­Again I love the Tanita brand – quality. Measuring fat, muscle weight, and keeping track of your H²O hydration levels is a much better way to measure health. I set a goal to reach before I bought my scale – I love it. It really motivates me and gives me the right goals to focus on.

¹¹­­­­This is one of the very best gifts for anyone who exercises regularly – walking, running, hiking, going to the gym. Why? Almost everyone’s body reached a level after a few weeks of repeated activity. We have no way of knowing if we’re improving or not. Buy a heart-rate watch that also measures calories burned and you can see your heart rate, see how much you burn and now do something about it. When I’m about to take a walk with family visiting for the holidays I often climb our stairs before leaving the house. I then jump around, play around and get my heart rate up to about 128 bpm before we even leave. My entire leisurely stroll will see more calories burned because of this quick 2 min. warm-up. I can swing my arms or jog up and back if I desire. These monitors are now very affordable and really can improve your health. Timex and Polar are two pretty good brands.

Want to read my Christmas blog (Dec. 2)?

Surprises, Burning Calories, Making Headlines - Luke 2:8-20

Check out Luke 2, verses 8-20. I love this story!

Luke 2: 9 "suddenly . . ." (King Jimmy uses the wd "lo") - a demonstrative particle (WOW!); in other words "Check this out" (the dramatic "pause" in a film; the surprise sound effect).

Verse 10 "Don't be afraid." There are two kinds of fear in the Bible; One when I follow my way (sin) and the other which is a deep admiration (awe) that gives us goose bumps from the beauty, power, and goodness of someone we value immensely! What kind of fear do you have in your relationship with God! "Don't be afraid!"

Verse 10 "good news of great joy. . . " Greek = mega chara (Mega = Super, super, super-sized deep-heart-warmth). The word "joy" is part of the same root from which we get the word "grace." God wants us ALL to have deep inner peace that "in the end" everything will be alright (no matter what)! This is a great gift to get VERY excited about!

Verse 13 "Suddenly. . ." Have you been surprised yet today? If not, why?

Verse 16 "they ran . . ." The Greek word, "speud0" is where we get the English word "speed" and "Speedo" (Do not wear one, please!). What would be worth "running" for in your life? The after-Christmas 90% off bins? An opportunity to clothe and feed the homeless? The chance to serve love and hope? To kneel before the One who will change your life forever?

Verse 17 "The Shepherds told everyone . . ." What kind of Facebook invitations are you going to share today?

Verse 18-19 "All . . . were astonished, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often." Two very opposite reactions; both very cool, both to be treasured! Are you still astounded? By what? What have you "treasured in your heart and thought a lot about" this week?

I plan to finish Luke 2 tomorrow (I also plan to publish my Top 10 Healthy gifts List).

Hey, don't forget to read Proverbs 23 on the 23rd of December (a very cool chapter!)

Please join Laura and I - This Sunday @ 7 pm

Laura and I would so love to have you disrupt your plans this Sunday afternoon and join us for our son's concert at the Hawthorn Theater. Our son's band, Gordon Avenue, is playing through a new booking company and we are very excited for this mini-Christmas Concert (one Christmas song - ha). Four other bands will be playing.

Here's the deal - the tickets are only available online and none will be sold at the door. Even if you don't want to go you could buy tickets and support a great musician (Gordon is now working on his second album - an acoustic one). If you can make it or you want to send someone else it's all for a great Christmas boy - Gordo!

Hawthorn Theater in Portland

Sunday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m.

Ticket web site: http://tickets.aftonshows.com/Gordonavenue

or check it out at www.Gordonavenue.com

Fantom fears of noisy people

"Wicked people flee when no one is chasing them, but those who walk "straight" are as confident as a lion." Proverbs 28:1.

The word "wicked" as used by that smart guy Solomon is "Noisy" or "one who makes a commotion." When my life is following chaos I'm tormented by lots of fantom fears. How badly do I want to have confidence like a lion? It requires that I live a "straight" life (this is the word us

ed in the Old Testament of the Bible for "righteous.").

It's so easy to be filled with random, unreal fears. Yesterday while we were cutting down trees for our Christmas our son Marcus suddenly cried out "Watch out." Everyone fled (baby in arms), only to discover it was a false alarm (not only was the tree still standing strong, but it was only the baby of the two we brought home (a ten footer).

I was thinking this morning. I had no clear plan while my son tortured that harmless tree with his "un-woodsman-like" blows. I was mindlessly wandering in my ADD world and not even looking out for my wonderful little granddaughter's first tree-murder experience.

Many of my random dashes into fear-driven running is because at that moment I'm without a clear plan. Life isn't straight because I've either got the wrong map or no map at all. Today I get to consciously say "Thanks" for the presence of my best friend Jesus whose Spirit is in me and will keep me authentic, straight, and real! No Fear, my favorite Lion is near! Happy post Thanksgiving!