the Eclectic Soul

Please Pray for My Friend...

My best bud in the whole world is not doing good.  His name is Jon and he pastors a church in northern Kentucky.  He was admitted to the hospital today with double pneumonia.  Please pray for him, his wife Siri and their two kids.  They could really use a touch from God right about now.

Thanks friends!

Peace,

E

Ami's Biggest Fan...

Just sitting here working on Sunday's message when I got a call from my good friend D.G. who is returning form a trip to Quatemala.  Here's how the call went.

Ring...Ring...Ring....

Me:  "Hello"

D.G. "Hey man, it's D.G.  I'm standing here in front of Miami Ink."

Me: "Are you heading back from Quatemala?"

D.G. "Yeah.  I wanted to stop by Miami Ink and the only person in the world I know who I thought would appreciate it is you."

Me: "D.G. you are so sexy...[I mean that in a purely heterosexual brother in the Lord sort of way.]"

D.G. "...I'm talking to you from my iPhone..."

Can you believe it, my man has the iPhone.  God help me not to covet! 

Seriously though, I love Miami Ink.  I watch it weekley.  Thanks to D.G. for thinkin' of me enough to call and share the moment.

Da!* Guess I Have to Kick it Up a Notch...

Addicted...

78%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Coming Soon...

I've been away for the last week or so, sequestered in my annual prayer and planning retreat so I have spent the last days uplinking again to the www.  The time away was good, and as always, refreshing.  I read some excellent books since I've been gone and will be sharing some insights soon. 

Some honorable mentions:

Made to Stick

In the Name of Jesus

Listening to the Beliefs of the Emerging Church

An Emergent Manigesto of Hope

Last evening we picked up my wife Lisa from the airport.  She is back safe and sound from her amazing trip to Africa.  Look for some more details, and maybe even a guest appearance from the Dark Contient adventurer.  Thanks for all to you who have prayed for and supported her!  It feels so good to have her back!

Peace,

E

In Retreat...

Not like I have posted a great deal lately...but I will be on my annual prayer and planning retreat over the next week as I assess and plan for the coming year at the church.  So there won't be much action here.  Friday, the 20th I will be reunited with my kids and the 25th with my wife.  It has been a LLLLLLOOOOONNNNGGGGG three weeks and I can wait to see them.  Please continue to pray for Lisa's safety and for me and the boys.

Peace,

E

Oh, the Perils of Temptation...

Get thee behind me Satan!

AT&T just announced that its making it's way to the Great White North.  What does that mean?  The iPhone is coming.  Just when I thought it was safe to renew my contract.  Arrrrrgggghhh.  Pray for me that I will not succomb to tempation.

Lisa Made it Safe...

Got a call last night from the mission contact saying that everyone made it safely into Sierra Leone yesterday and that the team is doing well.  Please continue to pray for Lisa [and me and the kids].  I am beginning to experience the onset of family withdrawal.  I REALLY miss my wife and kids.

Peace,

E

Starbucks' "The Way I See It"

The Way I See It # 236...

"Scientists tell us that we only use 5% of our brains.  But if they only used 5% of their brains to reach that conclusion, then why should we beleive them."

-Joseph Palm, Starbucks Customer from Oskosh, Wisconsin

Had a cup of my favorite obsession this morning and had a good laugh reading the side of the cup.

Peace & Hope,

E

Kinda Blue

I woke up this morning feeling a distinct sense of melancholy and for the first few minutes of my morning haze couldn't figure it out.  As I moved through the fog towards my first cup of morning coffee...Praise be to the God who created the coffee bean...it hit me:  My soul mate leaves tomorrow for her three week missional endeavor to the people of Sierra Leone.

I type this as Lisa is frantically putting the finishing touches on her packing.  Its somewhat daunting when you realize that if you forget something you can't simply run down the road to the nearest retail monolith to buy what you need.  All in all though I think she's got it pretty much together.

The boys and her will head to downstate Michigan tomorrow morning from the frozen tundra of the Upper Peninsula and Wednesday she will fly out, first to London [like what's been going on there the last two days hasn't caught my attention] and then after a day or two to Sierra Leone.

Please pray for her, for the boys and myself.  Pray for her safety and that God would indeed bless the people of Maneki the village she will be serving in while she is there.  I would ask you to take a moment each day, from July 4th - July 26th to pray for her and her team. 

The support for this trip has be in a word humbling.  She raised even more money than she needed.  The extra will go to for scholarships for kids to attend the local school.  It only costs about $20.00 a year per student but as you can imagine, to the average person living in and around Sierra Leone it might as well be $2000.00.

So thank you my few faithful readers and all our friends, family and faith community, for your continued support.  I know that Lisa looks forward to sharing highlights from her amazing journey.  I will keep you posted as best I can.  Contact for us will be limited and hit and miss at that.

Thanks again.

Peace,

E