Friday Picture(s)

A few shots of color, courtesy of Costa Rica:

You Don't Need a Condo in Beaver Creek

I've had this quote on my office door during Lent, even though I have yet to read the book. The quote alone is plenty to ponder:

The deeper spiritual life is never a direct route. If it were, religion in the suburbs would be the fast track to the Godhead, given the First World's entrepreneurial and managerial bent. I could just control my way to Jesus. In the toxic dump of efficiency and control, though, the first act must be counter-cultural--a decision not to act. This is the first spiritual practice. A choice to listen and wait for God. Making time for space for God is the most basic element of spirituality. You can't stop your busyness, really. You begin to open your life to God in small amounts. You don't need a condo in Beaver Creek or a monk's cell on the grounds of a rural retreat center. You don't need to go anywhere. You need just a modicum of will to begin the practice of solitude and swim upstream against the suburban current.

David L. Goetz, Death by Suburb, p. 26

Holy Week Adventures

I was in Central America for the past week. I traveled with my friend and colleague, Shirley Hoogstra, to lead a retreat for the CRC missionaries and staff. The retreat took place in Nicaragua, but we stayed the first two days and the last two days of our trip in Costa Rica. Paul and Barb Bergsma, cousins of Shirley, have lived in Costa Rica for over 25 years. Paul teaches at the Evangelical University of the Americas (UNELA).

Here's Paul outside of their home.

Here's Shirley teaching at the retreat. We stayed at Vista Mar, on the ocean. It was h-o-t, and when the air conditioning was on my allegies were in full swing (due to the dust and mold in the ducts, I'm guessing). So it was either be hot and breathe a little, or be cool and be stuffy. Ah, well.

Here's the view of the pool and courtyard of the Vista Mar.

We ate all of our meals outside by the pool and had great conversations with people serving all over Central America: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala....

They look very studious in this picture, but we also laughed a lot!

While the adults were in session, their kids were entertained by three women who came down from Brampton, Ontario, especially to serve in this way. Below: Meredith, Shirley, Shirley's cousin Barb, and Marilyn.

Shirley's church has sponsored Rev. Ellen and Paul Van Tongeran in Honduras for a few years. Their little girl, Grace, was born early with a large hole in her heart. But with the skills of many docs, including Shirley's husband, Jeff, Grace is growing into a bright and funny little girl.

Many prayers answered!

It wasn't all work. We also got to swing in our porch hammock and watch the sun go down.

All for the kingdom!

Friday Picture: God-nerd edition

So I took this trip to California a couple of weeks ago to visit friends, and unlike other trips out there I actually did some of the touristy SoCal things. Chinatown, the Mexican market, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, the Walk of Fame, Mann's Chinese Theater, Hollywood...

Here's a picture that reveals the truth of my claim, and reveals my God-nerd-ness. Of all the stars along the walk, here's the one that made me stop in my tracks and hand my friend the camera:

Shout Out

I'm offering a Shout Out here to my pal Amy. You know her as the reigning benevolent queen of Art of the Table. (And if you don't know Art of the Table and are a GR person, then get over there! Amazing wines, great microbrews, colorful tableware . . . even great chocolate!)

Amy is writing a monthly column for Rapid Growth, an on-line mag about GR life. Her first piece was published this month and it's just terrific, especially if you like a) good writing, b) knowing more about GR, and c) mac-n-cheese.

Yay Amy!