LIFE ... IT'S ALL ABOUT THE ROCKING CHAIR  (Lake Louise, CANADA - Posted 2010.01.11) Well, not really … life is more than just ending up in a rocking chair. Yet all things being equal, from where I presently sit—it’s likely that at some point, I will end up spending increasingly more time in a rocking chair as the remaining 10,190 days (Ps. 90:10) continue to fly by. However, several events over the past few weeks got me thinking about the rocking chair, ... a well spent life and what it means to finish well.  
        The catalyst for these thoughts was a  rocking chair in a Lake Louise chalet over the Christmas and New Year break. A wintery mountain retreat, a gift from family members provided ample opportunity for DJ and me to reflect, on among other things, the events of the previous few weeks. While speaking in Mexico the week before Christmas, my host and friend got word that his 63 year old brother died. As I lamented his loss, I received a local phone call from friends  informing me that across town Judith Martinez (our adopted Mexican Mom) was in hospital and was not doing so well following surgery. Within days she succumbed to complications from her surgery for cancer. So, when you combine these two events with the ongoing priviledge that DJ and I have to journey with our parents through the “thrills and spills” and inevitable transitions of life in the “third chapter” (incidentally, ageing isn’t for whimps) ... you get a bit of a glimpse of some of what got me reflecting on the value of a well spent life and the importance of finishing well. 

Corazon en la Mano

LA OBRA GLOBAL DE DIOS (Isla Pender, CANADA - posted 2009.11.23) — ¡Otra botella de Coca-Cola llegó por correo este mes de parte de un antiguo estudiante quien recordó las excentricidades de su profesor! ¡Con esta nueva botella, mi colección global de Coca-Cola se expande a 86 países, añadiendo otra historia fascinante de un amigo quien de buena gana "acarreó" y luego me envió la botella desde Asia! Sorprendentemente, parte de mi interés en la obra global de Dios (la obra internacional) comenzó con un encuentro con la Coca-Cola en el verano siguiente a mi graduación de secundaria. Mi hermano Tim y yo decidimos ponernos en marcha en nuestra última expedición alrededor de nuestro "hogar" (Perú), antes de ir hacia la tierra de nuestros padres (Canadá). El destino final eran las majestuosas ruinas Incas de Machu Picchu. (Interesante anécdota de viaje: De las 193 fotos que tomé en Cusco/Machu Picchu; mi hermano Tim estaba en todas y cada una de ellas... ustedes saben, para añadir el elemento humano... ¡al menos eso fue lo que le dije!).

Entre los lugares que exploramos, estaba la imponente punta Huayna Picchu donde se puede obtener una vista panorámica de las ruinas. (Huayna Picchu es el pico en al fondo de la imagen). ¡Jóvenes y enérgicos comenzamos a escalar! Mientras nos acercábamos a la cima podíamos escuchar la voz de un joven muchacho leyendo en la distancia. A medida que avanzábamos, se hizo evidente que lo que leía era la Biblia.

cdnglobaLife

A LEADER AND THEIR FRIENDS (Posted 2010.01.18) "It’s lonely at the top," or so they say . . . but it doesn’t need to be! Beware of the leader that does not have any close friends! Nurture deep, meaningful relationships with others. The wise leader will develop an accountability structure with faithful friends (Prov. 27:6) and allow them to speak into their lives. In areas of doctrinal, financial, and moral values ... be answerable to others! Give a group of faithful friends the right to correct and rebuke you. Always be cautious around those who like to tell you that they are only "accountable to God." God generally works through other people! Inviting others into your life enables you to be open and transparent as you seek to work with others! Incidentally, that is why it is always difficult to envision a loner as a leader! (Further Reflection...check out – Paul D. Stanley and J.Robert Clinton Connecting: The Mentoring Relationships You Need to Succeed in Life. (Colorado Springs: Navpress, 1992). Thought: "Get under God’s agenda and out from under your own. Success is all about getting; significance is about giving back". - Ken Blanchard