The Lord directs the path...

Four and half years ago, I planned a move to San Diego.  I was going to move to this cool beach community.  Enjoy the weather, the So Cal lifestyle and all of it appealed to me greatly.  I figured I would join a church, make some friends and enjoy life here in San Diego.

What I did not plan in those four and half years...

Getting laid off
Going to a diverse church
Living on the beach
Signing up for Discipleship Training
Hiking Catalina with heavy pack
Going to Haiti (twice)
Serving like never before
Three great friends, one Uzbek, and one Argentine, and one over seventy
A connect group that seemed so odd, but still meets up
Friends that I can't imagine being without
Big Bear adventures
Nehemiah breakdown that helped me erect some boundaries
Joshua teaching that broke paradigms
Digging a pit in the Philippines
Picking up sand dollars and starfish on a far away Tondol beach
Awesome, unforgettable worship times
Prayer walks in forgotten/unwanted areas of San Diego
Singing with the "Asian" believers
Mentoring Lebanese, Hispanic, White, Filipino and Chinese believers
Learning more as a mentor than teaching
Entering a house church through Fruit store in China
Standing on the Great Wall with new Chinese friends
Feeling like a brother to  Chen Family in Zibo, China
Easter dinner in Lille, France
Royal Wedding in London
Thanksgiving with an Italian soccer star
Praising God during a blackout
Witnessing in Hawaii
Snorkeling with Fishes and seeing miracles in Honolulu
Standing up with a friend for the dedication of his child in an "Asian" church


Though it was not my way or plan,  it was far better than anything I could think up.

Proverbs 16:9
A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

Dear Jesus Letter

I'm getting lazy.  I decided to share an old classic of mine I did 15 years ago, but still seems relevant today.  When we ask Jesus questions of why something is happening in our lives with our focus so selfishly tuned, the answer is probably in the unselfish acts of Jesus.

DEAR JESUS,

Dear Jesus,

            Did you love me when I spilt my milk at the evening table?

Dear Michael,           

            I loved you so much I spilt my own blood for you.

Dear Jesus,

            Did you love me when I struck out at tee-ball?

Dear Michael,

            I loved you so much I was struck 39 times with a whip.

Dear Jesus,

            Did you love me when I got beat up at school?

Dear Michael,

            I loved you so much I was beaten, spat upon, and insulted on your behalf.

Dear Jesus,

            Did you love me when no one celebrated my birthday?

Dear Michael,

            I loved you so much I gave you a new birth.

Dear Jesus,

            Did you love me when my parents fought?

Dear Michael,

            I loved you so much I fought to the gates of Hell.

Dear Jesus,

            Did you love me when I did not live for you?

Dear Michael,

            I loved you so much I died for you.

Dear Jesus,

            Did you love me when I felt hopeless?

Dear Michael,

            I loved you so much I rose again to give you hope.

Dear Jesus,

            Do you love me when I am lonely?

Dear Michael,

            I love you so much I was alone on the cross.

Dear Jesus,

            Do you love me when I make promises I do not keep?

Dear Michael,

            I love you so much I can never break a promise I have made to you.

Dear Jesus,

            Do you love me when I complain of my lack of riches?

Dear Michael,

            I love you so much I gave you every spiritual blessing in Heaven.

Dear Jesus,

            Do you love me when I break all your commands?

Dear Michael,

            I love you so much I became sin for you.

Dear Jesus,

            When will I accept your unconditional love?

Dear Michael,           

            Not by your might, but by my power I have called you from the beginning

            of the Age.  My precious child, rest your weary, heavy heart in mine and I

            will give you peace.  The work for you was finished on the cross.  Be

            convinced already that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities

            nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height nor depth,

            nor any other created thing will be able to separate you from my love.

            This is the truth!   It will make you free! I have, and always will, love you dearly,

            my dear, precious, Michael.

Raymart's ramparts

Rampart is a defensive wall.  Raymart is a young guy in the Philippines I met a couple of weeks ago.  I was so impressed with this young man's initiative and dedication to God's Word.  He decided back a few month's ago to memorize one verse a day for a year...well, he had over 100 memorized already...and he could recite them immediately with no hesitation.

I was thinking how writing God's Word on one's heart was a great shield and guard to his mind and soul.  Jesus used scripture to ward off and send running the devil.  He countered each temptation with scripture and truth to make all of Satan's schemes and lies null and ineffective.

Thank you Raymart for your example and encouragement to build ramparts of scripture around my heart and mind.

Psalm 119:9, 11 "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. [11] I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."