Tobin James: a piece of heaven from the Central Coast

Today as I was blogging about some of the books I have been reading the brown guy that beckons on your door bringing little gems from around the planet knocked. "Sign Here," said the UPS driver. What was it? Was it the stroller or Boppy baby pillow we just bought from ebay? No, even better. It was our semi-annual gift from Tobin James Cellars. A few years back Christine, Isa (she was 6 months old) and my parents headed up to San Luis Obispo in the Central Coast of Calif. Yes, I do believe Heaven will have major acreage laid out to look like this area of Calif. I have always wanted to go wine tasting since our 8 months of living in Spain and falling in love with red wine. Our hotel front desk gal gave us advice to visit a far off vineyard in Paso Robles called Tobin James. It was a gold mine.

We fell in love with the wine, atmosphere and the great tasting room (fashioned after an old western saloon and built on an old stage coach stop). You walk in and you don't feel like a total wine ignoramous that other vineyards seem to place on your shirt. They tell you to pull up a spot at the bar and start tasting away. No 2-3 glass $5 limits here. Start at the top and work your way all the way down to the Liquid Love dessert wine. We were hooked. We joined their semi-annual wine club that ships to over 15,000 people all over the world.

Today one of those brown boxes of heavenly libations showed up. They also always throw in, to club members, a cool gift . Today we received 4 decorative plates with the Tobin James logo. That can be added to our fleece throw blanket and BBQ tongs. With the shipping it costs $145 for the gifts and the 8 bottles of wine priced over $300 at the vineyard. Not only do you get this twice a year but you can also stay in their guest house for free if you buy $200 of wine which you now get 20% off.

Call them today and maybe you can get a shipment this week. You'll just fall in love with their deep, fruity Zins. Pictured here is our favorite Zin called Ballistic. No I don't get paid for this advertisement, just sharing one of our cool little gems.

Categories: Wine, Family

Codependent No More

My counselor with a smile on his face but all seriousness back a few months ago said he never labels people but I deserved a label. Then he called me a benevolant workaholic. The next day I was blessed more than others and I got another label, Codependent. I was okay with the workaholic label because is seemed stronger. The codependent label seemed week and lame. But mostly from the fact that I had no clue as to what it was.

Over the next week I read Codependent No More by Melody Beattie. I'm sure I still don't quite understand my issues but this helped me see my desire to control those around me by serving, 'loving' them, and in the process I was killing myself. I found that I tend to want affirmation and acceptance from others so I will do what ever it takes to get that from them, serve them and 'love' them so they will in turn find me valuable. I use 'love' like this because this isn't really love. It is a selfish action that is about me. Wow, what an eye opener. As I shared my thoughts of this book with others I found that many of those I know struggle with this.

This isn't a comprehensive look at the issue and comes mostly from a secular viewpoint but it is worth the read as you work on your own junk.

When People are Big and God is Small by Edward Welch was given to me by my brother-in-law, David as I was reading Beattie's book. This is a Christian perspective on fear of man and codependency. This really helped me see that God is huge.

Both were good companions to each other. I don't fully agree with all of them but they sure are worth the read.

Categories: Books, God

Redeeming Love

In December I came across a fiction book called Redeeming Love (a novel) by Franine Rivers. Yeah, I know the book cover is a bit feminine but I'm okay with that. This book is a story paralleled to the story of Hosea in the Old Testament. It is a passionate story about redemption, love, forgiveness, shame and long-suffering. I cried and couldn't put it down over a 4 day period. When I was done I was challenged to love Christine, my kids and those hurting so much more. My eyes were opened by how much God loves me, cares for me and goes the extra distance to get my heart, romance me and draw me close.

For those of you who have been awed by the story of God calling the prophet Hosea to marry a prostitute, Gomer, and for those of you who just need a good redemption story this book if for you.

"Bestselling author Francine Rivers skillfully retells the biblical love story of Gomer and Hosea as a tale set against the romantic backdrop of the California Gold Rush. The heroine, Angel, is a young woman who was sold into prostitution as a child. Michael Hosea is a godly man sent into Angel's life to draw her into the Savior's redeeming love. This remarkable novel has sold over 200,000 copies and was among the top 10 on the ECPA fiction bestseller list for four years running. Now available in a fresh, contemporary cover!" from Fanatstic Fiction

Categories: Books

In the Name of Jesus

About a month ago, anothe book recommended by Michael was In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen. Unfortunately I didn't discover the library at the time of this purchase but this is a keeper anyway.

This is a perfect book for Christine and myself as we're getting a chance on our 6 month rest to process life, the status of our hearts and the future God is calling us to. Nouwen was a Dutch Catholic priest and writer who died in 1996. It must be good because I have heard, "If you're not Dutch, than you're not much." Just a rumor.

This simple yet PROFOUND book of 106 pages left a mark on my heart and walk with Jesus. From the section titles you can tell this is a deeply signifcant book for any Christian.

1. From Relevance to Prayer

2. From Popularity to Ministry

3. From Leading to being Led

This hit me right where I have been after stepping down from our Mexico City leadership and moving back to the states to take care of what is important, our hearts and relationships.

Here are a few quotes to ponder:

"I am deeply convinced that the Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self."

"When ministers and priests live their ministry mostly in their heads and relate to the Gospel as a set of valuable ideas to be announced, the body quickly takes revenge by screaming loudly for affection and intimacy."

"It seems easier to be God than to love God, easier to control people than to love people, easier to own life than to love life.....We have been tempted to replace love with power."

"....the hard truth that the servant-leader is the leader who is being led to uknown, undesirable, and painful places."

"The loud, boisterous noises of the world make us deaf to the soft, gentle, and loving voice of God."

Take an afteroon, visit your library and read this gem and expect the voice of God to catch your heart.

Categories: God, Books

Asher Lev is a great read

I am posting my thoughts a few books that I have read mostly for my remembering and processing but you might appreciate this as well.

About 2 months ago my counselor Michael recommended that I read a book by Chaim Potok called My Name is Asher Lev. Asher Lev is a gifted artist, a prodigy and a Hasidic Jew. The tensions and conflict in his own heart, religion and relationships run throughout his life as he is discovering his profound gift.

A must read for those who struggle and are in process in finding who you are, what you're called to, where your significance comes from and what passions and gifts God has given you.

Recently I found that adults can be libary members too. It has probably been 30 years since I owned a library card. The Farr Libary in Greeley has rocked my socks off. I'm sure you all know this but I am such a green library member that one can just order a random book and they will find a way to get it to you, any book. So after I bought from Amazon My Name is Asher Lev I found out that Potok wrote a follow up book, The Gift of Asher Lev. So I emailed my library and they got it for me. This is a great follow up as Asher is around 40 years old, a sucessful artist, father and husband and now is dealing with the demons, issues, and wounds of his past with his religion, family, art and gifting.

You'll enjoy these two masterpieces. I was challenged in my own journey of hearing what God is calling me to do and how to deal with my own issues. Enjoy!!

Upcoming is a book I'm reading now: Emotionaly Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero, just bought by my library for me to use. The first chapter basically is a snapshot of my emotionally out of touch life. If you've been a Christian for a short or long while I encourage you to read this today. If you're frustrated with the lack of hope, life and joy you find in your walk with God, constantly struggling, constantly trying to be a better follower of God, then you're in for a good eye opener. Thanks to John Lamb for recomending this one. I'll write more later about this book.

Categories: Books, God

Why not make a difference - Lord, Bring your Kingdom

The past few days I have been stirred, moved and challenged by the difference I, we, can make in the world. From the video Joe shared with me this week, from the commericals I have watched on TV, the drive arounds Greeley, CO on the "other side" of the tracks and by watching American Idol Gives Back (Idol Gives Back. A historic TV event – a two-night special on April 24 and 25 which will save and change the lives of children and young people in extreme poverty in both the USA and Africa) God has been confirming a desire in me to make a difference in my community.



About 3 years ago God began to take me a on journey of opening my eyes to His "Kingdom" work. I used to think the work of the Kingdom only had to do with making sure the message of the Gospel would get out to poeple and that would make all the difference in the world. My view of God's heart for the world was so narrow and small. With the help of many messages, Bible studies and sermons from Tim Keller at Redeemer Presb in New York and the help of Eric Swanson I saw what restoring the Kingdom is all about. Yes, it is about bringing the message of love, grace and mercy of Jesus Christ but it is also about bringing Heaven on earth. But is is also about bringing physical restoration and love where there is injustice, poverty, crime, hurt, pain and sorrow.



You probably have prayed a thousand times, "Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is heaven." This is is what the beginning of that prayer is all about. Bringing the Kingdom of heaven, all its benefits to here on earth.

So what can we do about it? We could go to Africa. I do want to go. We could head to the inner cities of the U.S. and help out. But in a simple way we could just start educating ourselves, asking the Lord in what small or big part you can take part of, and then responding to His voice and moving ahead. You don't have to be a movie, recording star to make a difference. Your small part in your neighborhood and in your city will help usher in the Kingdom.


As part of this journey I encourage you to visit this week:
-American Idol Gives Back, read up and make a donation

-Visit the One blog site founded, by I believe who will be one of the most influential Kingdom workers of our lifetime, Bono. (Buy a red ipod, cell phone, song, etc and he is always donating money toward Kingdom work and eradicating poverty and aids across the world.)



It is pretty cool what God is doing to bring about restoration in our world. The Gospel is true. His power is awesome. This could be the generation that eradicates injustice, poverty, pain and suffering like no other. We have plenty of resources, gifts and time to change the world. Believe me I feel like most of you. I don't have it together and am not qualified. But that is why Jesus died for us. He, working in us, motivating us and loving us so we can love others will answer the Lord's Prayer.

I'm not sure exactly what my future entails but I do know God has been calling us to make a difference in our community. Join us.

Categories: Family, Kingdom, Movements

I want to make a real difference

A very good friend of mine, Joe Cross, who took my position in Mexico City posted this eye opening and heartbreaking post: Shocking Family Statistics about the state of family in Mexico. It breaks my heart not only for Mexico but for every community and home on this planet. This is not the way God intended life to happen for parents and little ones. The video on his post and in this post are a bit of a vision God has been giving us about families and building a Gospel centered community that brings the Kingdom of God to every city, neighborhood and home. We're praying "Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done."



Join us in praying this same prayer, Our Lord's Prayer for your family, neibhorhood and city.

Categories: Family, MexicoCity, Movements, Kingdom

Facebook is amazing or not

I stole this video from a friend's blog, shane. I remember a conversation with a few students at CU about 6 years ago or so and I was blown away by the amount of time they spent on this new web social deal called facebook. Now it has taken over. I even have a facebook site. You can click on the link at the bottom right of this blog.

Enjoy



Categories: Movements

Prayer Updates

Please Pray:

• For a healthy delivery of Baby #4.
• That God will lead us in our future living location and ministry.
• That we will continue to take the time to rest, hear from God and allow Him to grow and challenge us.
• That God will continue to lead and bless the Mexico City leadership in their efforts to reach every college student.
• That we continue to grow in depth and breadth in our love for each other; experiencing the love, grace and mercy of God to each other.
• For our kids as they reach out to their new friends and prepare for a new sibling.
  

Categories: Family, Prayer, Newsletters

Family and Future Update

The past 5 weeks have been filled with the Lord's presence and many encouraging people in our lives. We can honestly say our time in Greeley, the community of believers here and the time of rest and renewal has been the richest time in our lives. Thank you for the many cards, emails and calls of love, encouragement and support during our transition back to the states and during the experience of Christine's mom's death. We know and have experienced that with the body of Christ we are loving Christ, each other and experiencing His love more deeply. Thank you!

We are about 7 weeks away from Baby #4's anticipated arrival. We think Isa finally understands that there is a baby in Christine's belly. She also feels the weight of another brother as she gave up her crib this month and graduated to a big girls bed. We are also dreaming and wishing she will say good-bye to her diapers before he is born.

What does the future hold for us? We do know that God is leading us, wooing us and exciting us for a greater future of serving Him. We do believe that we’ll be in ministry this coming fall but haven't heard from God what that will exactly be. Thank you for supporting us, loving us and giving us the time and space to hear the voice of God. Join us in praying that we will follow Him in all we do. We love you and consider it an honor to serve with you.
Categories: Family, Prayer, Newsletters

Mexico City - Movements Everywhere

You all have been such a large part of our lives and ministry these past 13 years and especially this past year. We know that many of you were excited to be part of reaching each and every student in Mexico City. Even though we are not part of the team anymore and living in Mexico, we want to share with you some of the great work God is doing in the city. This following email came from our Denver, CO director and good friend, Eric, who spent a week in Mexico City. He wrote us saying:

"The fingerprints of your faith are all over this place. The Mexico City team (and helpers like us) are raising up laborers on every corner of this city. Mexican students throughout the city are ripe for the Gospel and coming to faith every day. We have found students of peace on multiple campuses who have been waiting to be empowered and sent. Thursday, Nate Hoover and I will go back to an Aeronautical Polytechnic to meet with a group of students who we surfaced today, including two, who seem to be some of the biggest influencers on campus. Some of our most unaligned Denver students are down here this week having 'a-ha' moments regarding simple movement building and life transformation groups.

My staff team has been refreshed and energized and seen the power of the Gospel. We have been reminded that we need to be people who still 'Go' to new people and places."

The following is an update from our friend in Mexico City:
"More than 110 college students and staff came to Mexico City during the month of March to believe God for launching movements at the more than 400 universities. Highly mobile ministry teams traversed the city showing up on 70 different universities. The results were amazing:

• 333 spiritual conversations.
• 226 clear explanations of the Gospel.
• 56 new believers.
• 15 new university movements launched.

One team of U.S. students invaded an engineering campus. As they searched for a movement leader, the Holy Spirit led them to a group of 6 girls that were spiritually interested. They took the opportunity to share the Gospel with them and 4 of them gave their lives to Christ.
Three days later, the team returned for follow-up. One of the girls shared that she went home after receiving Christ and immediately shared Christ with her extended family. The girls went through follow-up and now participate in two Life Transformation Groups (that include their two friends who have not yet received Christ).

The story doesn't end there. The team also surfaced a solid movement leader who was ready to start a movement and connected him with another student that came to Christ on that campus.

"AMAZING," was the word that most students used when describing their experience at the end of the week."

We, Steve and Christine, thank you for being part of the beginning of a great Kingdom work in Mexico City that will reach thousands of college students! Your partnership is making a difference.

Categories: Newsletter, MexicoCity, Prayers

Adjusting to Greeley CO- Photo Updates

We're enjoying Greeley, CO and the community God has provided in our neighborhood. Here are some family shots you'll enjoy. Van Diest Photos

Categories: Family, Photos