Quote of the Day - Saturday - February 28

I respect faith, but doubt is what gets you an education.

- Wilson Mizner

"Quotes & Quips"

Today's Quote is from one of our avid blog readers. I love this. Thanks, Clance!

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

-Howard Thurman

In case you haven't noticed...

In lieu of not posting anything at all (as I have gotten somewhat good at doing), I have decided to at least offer all of you some nuggets of wisdom from those who have gone before.

If it's the only post I make that day, I will try to offer you this much, a meaningful spark from a great communicator to light your way, pick you up, challenge you, or draw you out.

The bottom line for me is, if I am not adding to your life... then what good was mine?

You can quote me on that!
Luke

MORE "Quotes & Quips"

"The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.""

- Richard Bach - Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah.

"Quotes & Quips"

"There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands. You seek problems because you need their gifts."

- Richard Bach - Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah.

The sun came up.

It's been quiet around here lately. The phone doesn't ring too much. Email is creeping to a halt.

We've been facing some major challenges as winter turns into the slower months of summer. For me personally, it is a time when I generally have no choice but to reflect on what's "right" and what's "wrong" with my life.

Discipline is a popular theme. Self control is probably one of the hardest things to nail down. Most of the time, the things we do rarely matter very much to others. It makes no real difference in the life of others whether or not we squirt a little too much toothpaste from the tube or leave the car running while our wife runs into the store. But the littlest things really do matter. They represent who we REALLY are, deep inside.

Our response to ALL of life's offerings is representative of a much bigger, deeper thing that is going on inside of us. Who are we? What are we "all about" in life? Are we preservationists by nature or are we locust, intent on consuming and then leaving nothing in return?

The sun came up this morning. I am grateful for that. Now it's time to make the best use of this day that I can. I may never get another one like it.

Dinner with Bundy!

Last night, Adrian and I were again blessed to strengthen yet another Haiti-related bond. Brett Bundy, field director for OMS (a mission in Cap Haitien that runs radio 4VEH among other things), joined the two of us for a lovely meal.

Adrian and I bombarded him with questions about the area where we will soon be living and Brett was more than accommodating with his answers.

It was also a great opportunity for him to explore our cause a bit more and to get to know Adrian better. Most importantly, the giant question about where our kids will go to school was finally answered. There were far fewer question marks at the end of the night. Adrian and I were both encouraged and excited... to say the least.

To hear Brett say that a partnership between OMS (his organization) and CIMT (our organization) is clearly a "win win situation" was very encouraging indeed.

We truly have a friend on the ground in our new home. One step closer.

Getting excited.

Tony Campolo & Beyond Borders Florida. Oh, the possibilities!

Last Friday, Adrian and I were so blessed to have the opportunity to attend the gala event of Beyond Borders Florida. Just a few weeks ago, I had met with John Engle, the co-director of Beyond Borders Florida, and was humbled to have received this kind invitation.

The evening was lovely. We were well fed and expertly serenaded by the live band. As if that weren't enough, Tony's lovely wife, Peggy Campolo, was seated at our table. The conversation, sometimes quite personal and revealing, was incredibly rich and meaningful. I thank God for Peggy's personally reassuring words for Adrian. For those who know us intimately, you know that we have had some personal challenges as of late... specifically with raising one of our kids. Suffice it to say, Peggy was really able to connect with Adrian and offer some valuable, life-affirming encouragement and advice. That was truly a gift.

At present, we are in an ongoing dialogue with Beyond Borders Florida in an effort to explore ways in which our respective works might overlap. Such overlap could mean real opportunities for cooperation. That excites me. Please pray for us all as we move in this direction. For sure, we all want to see real and lasting sustainability for Haiti. I pray God has a way that we can work together toward this common goal.

Back from the frozen tundra.

Indiana is COLD this time of year. SO COLD, in fact, that it has actually made it cold back here in Florida. Yikes! It's 50 degrees where it ought to be 75. Thanks, Indiana.

I am happy to report that my journey was a safe one. My time working with TV-producer-extraordinaire, Greg Oldham, was rich. Thanks for the opportunity, Greg.

Now that I am home, I have a couple of humanitarian projects to wrap up as I figure out what my next move is. No big jobs lined up. Time to feel the fear once more.

Love you guys!
Thanks for checking in on us here.