THE MEMORIAL MESSAGE FOR MARK TIERSMA

Born: February 14, 1924 Death: October 6, 2004
Service: October 12, 2004 Officiating: Rev. George G.Vink

Scripture: John 11: 17-26

Message: “DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?”

Dear Arlene, Peter & Thea, Jude & John, Brenda & Carlos, Ben & Janine, brothers, sisters, family and friends,

As you know, Mark, your husband, father/heit, brother, fellow believer, did not view death as a friend to be welcomed! He wanted to live! He deeply desired to have more years with his friend and wife of 59 years. He wanted to delight in the lives of his children and grandchildren. He saw life as good, as something to be relished. He enjoyed being among the living. Here too he demonstrated a world & life view consistent with what he had been taught from God’s Word. Death, whether it comes slowly or quickly, despite all attempts to the contrary, remains the enemy of life!

We heard the Psalmist(116:15)say it. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Years later, the apostle John would hear a voice from heaven say, “Write:Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” (Rev. 14:13a) But, the blessing is based on the truth of what we read in John 11 as he tells us the encounter between Jesus and the Lazarus family. To be blessed, you’ve got to “die in the Lord” or be one “of his saints.” We bury those we love with the good confidence that they will rise again! We read that too at the graveside from I Corinthians 15.

That’s the truth of Paul’s writing to the Corinthian church. Then we will be vindicated in our faith! Then we will experience the joy of being with Jesus, never having been beyond His power to redeem! Death is strong, but Jesus is stronger! He never lets us go! Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus! The comfort in death is what comes when we confess our belonging to Him! It’s what Mark confessed and it’s what we heard again as we laid his bodily remains in the earth. I recall our Adult Ed. Class’ discussion on comfort (trooste) when with a twinkle in his eye as well as a strong voice he leaned forward and recited,“…that I belong to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ!”

If there was someonewho wanted to do what the song “Find Us Faithful” is all about, I suggest it was Mark Tiersma. Did you hear it? “May all who come behind us, find us faithful.” A kind and gentle man of faith gave his testimony to family and friends. His words were consistent with his deeds. Originally a somewhat shy person, he desired more and more to let others know that he had a purpose in life which included making sure that they knew the truth of Jesus’ claim, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Believing it leads to a full life, here and now, and then in dying, to a realization that the dying is a final journey that all must make, but those who “die in the Lord” don’t really die but go from this life to another! Mark is with his Lord, his Redeemer. He was more than confident of that certainty, and as he said his farewells, wanted to make that clear to all.

The question we must now ask is the question that Jesus Himself asked his friend Martha, “Do you believe this?” Do you? Do I? Will you imagine hearing Mark ask you? Whether in the language of his newly-loved country, “Do you believe this?” or that of his schooling, “Geloof gij dat?” or that of his mother tongue, “leauwe jo dat?”

Jesus came to his friends to comfort them. They weren’t expecting a resurrection from the dead. Lazarus was dead and already buried. His sisters were grieving. In the midst of her grief, Martha chastises Jesus for not being there to prevent Lazarus’ death and assurances of his eventual rising weren’t good enough for this outspoken sister! It’s almost as if you can hear her, “I know….I know…don’t tell what I already know….”and we see the patience of Jesus as He deals with her. A patience with people that some like Mark exemplify more than others.

Jesus follows it with one of the wonderful, powerful “I AM…” statements.
It’s not the traditional comfort stuff that Jesus is giving this griever. Jesus wants her to believe in Him! When one with Christ in faith, then death still means life! Bodily death, whether caused by cancer, heart failure or a car accident, cannot end the new life that is yours in Christ. In Christ, you can live forever. Let’s ask it again, “Do you believe this?”
The new life we have in Christ, does not come just at the end of life. It’s new life in the way we farm our fields or the way we treat our cows or love our family. When, in the language of John 3, we are “born anew,” we have passed from death to life. But, that doesn’t happen without believing in Jesus!

Mark believed it! Arlene believes it! Do you? It’s a rather grandiose claim isn’t it? “I am the resurrection and the life!” We’re so inclined to respond with, “Yes, but….” while struggling with the realities of life. How do we explain God’s inactivity when we suggest He could get involved and stop some terrible things? How do we make sense of a world where families feud over finances while losing the most important relationships? We cannot, and we will not.

Walter Brueggemann in a great sermon talks about our being governed by “Yes, but.” He suggests it’s our proud capacity to control or our fearful need to control that makes us resist God’s power for newness, and as such it becomes an act of atheism. We limit or box God in, the God who came in His Son and said, “I am the resurrection …”and went on to raise His friend Lazarus. “Do you believe this?”

Mark Tiersma, husband, father, brother and friend, believed and wanted you to know it. Yes, tears came when we talked about his dying, even weeks before his actual final breath. He wanted to live longer, not being too quick to think of himself as old! After all, what was being 80? He was willing to do what needed to be done, not as a denial of the truth that he believed, but as an affirmation of the joy and goodness of life! So too, we grieve best, when we shed our tears but go on with life! We share the memories, while also affirming life by living as those who believe that God cares about how we live it. He gives us life to live it to His glory. He gave Mark unique gifts that have impacted us all in some ways. Do we thank Mark, or thank God? What do you think Mark would have us do?

Mark spoke of his Lord, and in the stillness of the night, would be caught singing to and about his Lord. Imagine it again would you? Hear Mark’s voice, “There is a Redeemer….God’s own Son…”followed by, “Thank you, O My Father…..” We sang it. “Do you believe it?”

Martha answered, “Yes Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God….” and then called her sister Mary. Jesus is deeply moved by the death of Lazarus and how it affected Mary and the others. He knows the pain of death, the separation it involves, weeps, and raises Lazarus! “Do you believe this?”

As we go from this time of remembrance, let’s not forget that question that Jesus puts to all of us, not just Martha! Do you believe His claim?

Believing it made all the difference in life and in death for Mark. It can for you too! Believe it and be living it! Believe it and find comfort. Believe it and make sure your life shows it so that those who come behind you will also find you faithful. Then too, you will hear from the Lord Himself, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Amen.

Back to work and the intensification of Life.

Life and Death pushes us when we realize that what we all have now will be released. I have started by simple things. Cleaning out clutter that I have had trouble getting rid of before. Stuff does not seem very important to me right now. There is a line in a Mark Heard song that haunts me, "Nobody gets a second chance to be the friend they meant to be." I am impressed by my Father-in-law who while he left us earlier than we wanted... still was able to go on without regrets.

It is hard to not drift in thought sometimes. Those who know me will smile at this comment because i have always been easily distracted... but now it is more true... but this is not all bad... I am distracted by life. I see the child walking through my building with a smile or a tear in his eyes. I see the pigeons whirl and fly. I hear more, see more, witness more... and this too is a gift... like waking from a dream and realizing how much has always been going on... and so it goes...

In Jude's own Words about her Father's passing on to glory...

Hello Friends -- My dad was “promoted to glory” (in the words of my mother) on Wednesday October 6, 2004, after 80 faith-filled years on this earth. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. In the last couple of weeks, around 5:00 AM, he would wake up singing the Dutch hymns he grew up with.

His favorite song in recent years was “There is a Redeemer by Keith Green.” The last verse reads:
When I stand in glory
I will see his face
And there I’ll serve my King forever
In that Holy Place.

Jude

Funeral Info:
Monday October 11, 6:00-8:00 PM — viewing at Miller Memorial Chapel
1120 W. Goshen, Visalia, CA 93291 (559)732-8371
Tuesday October 12, 10:00 AM Graveside service at Visalia Public Cemetery (next door to Miller’s)
Tuesday October 12, 11:00 AM Memorial Service at Visalia First Christian Reformed Church

Passing on to Glory

Three of Mark's Favorite Bible Passages:

John 11:25&26

Job 19:25&26

Isaiah 40:31

Lord Teach Us To Number Our Days

I am returning to My Father-in-law's farm. He established the place. He is at the end of his days with us. He has assured us that he is confident in the promises of God through Jesus Christ.

We will miss him because of his love for life & family, his faithfulness in even the small things, and the courage with which he faced both life and death. I am honored to have recieved in prayer a blessing from such a man. He took the time to bless all of his children.

Pray for us in this season of deep running currents of feelings and the start of a new chapter for all of us.

The new Fad diet -- "The share Your Food with The Hungry Diet"

The share Your Food with The Hungry Diet

I could lose a few pounds and I live in a city where there are plenty of hungry people who would be glad to share my food. so I had the radical idea drift in my head... or was that a Biblical thought... I could split what I would eat at each meal or fast a meal and eat less calories... and share the calories that I really don't need around my waist with a hungry friend.

I will let you know here how it goes... Let me know if you are joining me in this... and let's start a whole new diet craze.

Gratitude and Staring Intnetly into Space...

I am in a season when I know that human life is not permanent. Every Day is a Gift. It is sad that it has taken me the death of many friends, the death of my grandmother, and now the struggle for life against cancer of my father-in-law... to finally take to heart the scriptures that say things like, "Lord, teach me to number my days".

Each day has become more valuable. Each moment of time is a gift. I find myself staring at trees, clouds, and sunsets more often... watching birds and watching children at play. There is a deeper joy found here...

I am not an old man... there is much I hope to still do in the world... but I am finding the tools to enjoy life more... and the first step for me is to not take any of it for granted.

This book, A Grace Disguised was key to opening my eyes again as I have walked through grief. I am finding that there is beauty in the sunsets of life... and a gift even in grief itself...

I also am finding a greater desire to share life with others in a more tangible and direct way...

Sunday evening I decided to drive with Jude to the ocean just to be together and to watch the sunset. We should have done this many more times than we have. I want to continue to proclaim the God of all life; I want to serve others as God intends faithfully and full of love; I want to realize life and the miracle it is while I live it.

This past Friday evening a friend caught me missing the forest for the trees... Another friend was sharing about his trip through Guatemala... and he had underestimated the cost of the trip by saying he only spent so much money to see all this... when he had put 10K miles on his car... I missed for a moment the wonder in his eyes at the landscape and the Mayan ruins he had seen while my mind was crunching numbers... Thankfully we went back to the landscape and the trip, rather than back to the dollars and cents... We live in a world of wonders that is as close as every heart beat... Learning to pay attention, and encouraging others to do the same is part of my life's work.

Where Prayer might lead us.

The Rev. Cecil Murray, who just retired from the First African Methodist Episcopal of Los Angeles (FAME), is quoted in the LA Times as saying< "Sensitivity to the effects of prayer... was born in me. Each of us perhaps has a calling. That was mine." I find it refreshing that someone who publically is known as an activist and pastor -- Understands very well the importance of prayer. This Church was started by a tough faith filled Woman named Biddy Mason.

Standing at the Door.

My father-in-law, Mark Tiersma, is completely confident in his life being in the hands of God. He told us as a family that he has entursted Jesus Christ with his whole life. He is fighting cancer. Jude right now is with her family helping to care for her father. They have had an amazing reltionship of love and trust. Jude told me that her father never made a promise to her that he did not keep. She is profoundly shaped by her father in many ways.

We as a family are not ready to let go of such a man. While Mark has clearly pointed us as a family to Christ... the anchor of his soul.

We welcome your prayers in this season. We ask you not to ask too many probing questions. We will inform you about what is going on as we are able. Here we can inform you all at once as we know more.

Right now the doctors do not agree... some say we should just have hospice care at home... other's say we should try some other treatments.

Pray for discernment.

I am here in LA continueing our work here. Jude is teaching this quarter... starting on Monday... on top of her other responsibilities.

Pray in the end through all that we walk through that God will root us in His love: Ephesians 3:14-21. What a privelege to know such a love.

Here is my play Mix for Tues 9-17

1. Track 02 3:53 Julie Miller Orphans and Angels
2. Track 02 3:38 Johnny Cash
3. Gone 3:45 Switchfoot
4. Track 04 2:56 O Brother Where Art Thou
5. Living in the Land of Palm Trees 3:26 Zehnder A Broken Train of Thought
6. Track 07 9:27 Martin Luther King
7. Track 02 3:49 U2
8. Alienated 2:17 Rez XX
9. Track 01 4:02 Out of the Grey
10. Another Day in Limbo 4:30 Mark Heard Satelite Sky
11. Track 20 5:39 KRS ONE
12. peacemaker 4:28 Marie Brennan Whisper to the Wild Water
13. Track 03 4:51 Apt Core #2
14. Tu Primer Amor 4:00 Giovani Aniversaio
15. They All Fall Down 5:23 Grits
16. Track 12 2:57 5 Blind Boys of Alabama Spirit of the Century

Confessions of a Sabbath Breaker

When I really started resting I went into a mode of being a blob on the couch in front of the tv for hours at a time. I was very glad for the olympics because it gave me something interesting to watch. What was really interesting to me was how hard the atheletes would work at resting between events. Then conviction set in. God had gotten between the edges of my denial. I have this vague memory of Old testament judgement comming down on ancient Isreal leading them into captivity... because of Sabbath breaking... and I too am a Sabbath breaker...

The real today is I am just wanting to read again... the extra learning kind of reading that I have not done for a couple of months. Withdrawl from adrenaline also leads to an emotional bluesy feeling. Not sadness... just a dimmer view of life. Life lacking the deeper sources of inspiration.

It is in stillness that we remember that God is God. Again I resolve to pray more and to let my devotional life lead me into ministry. Slowly back to my Rule of Life. The basics that for mr lead towards integrity.

My mom reminded me recently about the difference between Gold, Silver, and Precious Stones... vs. Wood, Hay, and Stubble. It is a gift of grace to have a mom who speaks the truth in love. God is good, patient and willing to work with us and lead us... times of rest are not optional...

We've all Gone Fishing

Well I am not really into fishing. I am going to get a vacation this year. 3 Weeks... it is hard to believe... but it is really needed at this point.

A friend will house sit for part of the time.

We will get to visit with Jude's father and have some extended to for rest, prayer, and reflection.

Jrod is back in Texas. He was a precious gift to us this summer. Love always is a gift when given. He really chose to get to know and to love some of our neighbors in LA. Left part of his heart here in the process. He said he would continue his blog as a way to stay in touch with us out here.

Rikkel has her own plans to get some rest... and said that she too will continue her blog as a way of sharing with her network friends.

Miriam and Jesika have signed up for a year of intensive discipleship at the Nehemiah house. A year of community living and Christian service in Pico-Union with a local Evangelical Free Church. The luanch started today with an urban plunge experience. Visiting various sites in the city in the early hours of the morning (starting at 4:30am) to learn more about LA as a city, to witness some of the realities of this area, and to pray.

Kathy Henry will be at her faithful post a Clinica Oscar Romero.

Paul is still figuring out what these 3 weeks will look like for him.

And so it goes...

Still Knocking on Heaven's door

Well It seems like my dad is bravelyfacing the news that he probably has lung cancer. Having survived a stroke 6 years ago... he has accepted every day as a gift from God. He also wants to live every day God has for him on this earth. Both the Tiersma's and the Watson's are perservering people. Even in the toughest circumstances we remember the resurection of
Christ and know that nothing is impossible for God.

So keep both families in your prayers.

Knocking with Faith on Heaven's Door

Jude (my wife) sent this email out today. Her Father Mark has been doing quite well for just having a cancerous kidney removed. Now the cancer is back so he is scheduled for 14 radiation treatments in the next 3 weeks. Mark wants to live out his life to the very end well. He is asking God for the grace of more time and healing. He also is grateful for all the years of life that God has given to him.

Jude writes:

"Hello All — Just a brief note to let you know that the test results have come back for my dad and the news isn’t too good. He has a malignant tumor the size of nickel in his brain. There is fluid/swelling around it that concerns the Doctors -- “leaking” -- whatever that means. He has started 14 days of radiation, and after that (in three weeks) we will know more.
That’s all I know right now.
We knew after his kidney was removed that there were cancer cells they couldn’t get, so this is not a complete surprise. But it is sooner that any of us expected. My mom said that they read in the gospel of John this AM, and that dad’s faith is strong and steady, which helps my mom a lot, and me too. Pray also for my siblings to really see my dad’s faith in this, and that God would touch and soften their hearts through this.
Jude"

Jrod's Mix

Jrod will be doing my webcast to record some of his thoughts, memories and reflections from spending a summer with us in LA. It will be strong on the music and impressionistic side. Here is the mix list for next Tues:


Jarod’s MIX


1. Crazy 4:38 Mercy ME
2. Love is the Movement 5:10 Switchfoot
3. Vejea Speaks On Poverty 0:37 Soul Jahz The Fault is History
4. Multiply Your Love 5:03 Andy Park All I Need
5. New York 5:30 U2 All that You Can't Leave Behind
6. Power of Love 5:08 Barry Taylor Love Songs for Underdogs
7. Red Dirt Road 4:20 Brooks & Dunn
8. They All Fall Down 5:23 Grits
9. Walk by Faith 3:58 Jeremy Camp-Worship Project
10. When I Flow 4:18 Cross Movement
11. T-Bone Speaks 0:32 KRS ONE Spiritual Minded
12. The Nations of the World 1:48 Animaniacs
13. House of God 2:43 Barry Taylor Love Songs for Underdogs
14. Only Hope 2:54 Caedmon's Call
15. Closure 4:11 Chevelle
16. Poetry 4:03 Pat Green
17. Spoken For 4:09 MercyMe
18. Aircraft 0:37 WW II AIRCRAFT

Prayer Walking and What's been Up...

J-rod & I went for a walk in our neighborhood and ran into the following realities... Keep these in your prayers.


There are a number of apartments advertising places for rent. We would like to see Willie get into a Monthly rental situation. He currently paying a lot to rent at a weekly hotel... the best we could find when he returned to LA. Pray for this...

Had fun helping one of Kathy’s neighbors pick some lemons from the lemon tree near the entrance of her apartments. Saw Laura’s brother...

Saw Freddy on the way to school... He hopes to see me latter this evening... He told me that Jorge Meza Sr. had a heart attack while driving Jorge jr. to school... I found out from aunt Gladys that he is currently at White Memorial Hospital on Caesar Chavez.
He is at home and recovering now... but it was a scare.

Saw a neighbor at the Donut shop and she introduced me to her boyfriend. (He likes hiphop so I will be giving her a CD from my radio show to her for him... This is how I have stayed connected to some of my neighbors.)

We had a great time meeting Jessika's parents!!! Happy Birthday again to your Dad...

We finished the Mural at 66th Street ElementryI hope to email a picture out soon to my

Kathy Henry's family came out to visit on Monday. It was a joy to get to know her extended family a little bit.

*I hope to have a yard sale on July 31rst and have begun to collect donations for it. Help with temporary storage until the sale and help with the sale would be welcome. I hope that after the Sale some of the items will help Willie, Jesika, Miriam, Jrod, and I in our learning curve about using Ebay as an additional tool to help raise some funds.

*Mrs. Barajas is hoping that with Alberto’s guidance that we might have a cookout in the late Jose Baraja’s honor (RIP). This too may happen July 31, or in August. There is also the question about putting this together with LA St. Prod.’s annual cookout.

One of our team members, Melanie, needs a stove for her appartment.

*On Monday’s during an early lunch 11:00am-12:00pm at the LAIC office... John TW is leading a story sharing time centered on II Peter 1:3-11 and Mother’s Theresa’s quote, “It is not so important that we do great things, but rather that we do small things with great Love”.

***Burn a candle for 10+ minutes a day... As an invitation to pray, reflect, and be more aware of life and of God.

Thanks for the thanks!!!

Rosie and Liala encouraged me about my weekly webcast. They were listening to copies of old bradcasts that were encouraging to them and thier families. We sow in one season... and reap in another... It is a rare event when a genuine thanks finds it's way back to you.
Thank you for saying thanks. I will continue to do whatever God asks of me... whether or not I see any response from it. It is a gift to see or hear thanks... and very encouraging as well...

Bible Studies to share...

My two favorite passages of scripture these days are II Peter 1:3-11, and I John 1. Some one asked me if I would start a Bible corrospondece coarse with them... I want to do more than just the fill in the blank kind of thing... I want to nurture deep roots that connect with the love of God in people (Psalm 1, Ephesians 3:14-21). Keep me in your prayers as I seek to with integrity find a good sustainable path. Any other seekers out there wanting soul food????

I have been reflecting on the importance of "material culture and media" and I am convinced that we need to produce the stuff of social exchange... this can be something as simple as a letter... remember that the "New Testament" is mostly other peoples mail that we get to read.

Show Mix for Tues.

1. Track 02 3:38 Johnny Cash 4.2 MB
2. Track 08 3:37 Martin Luther King 4.2 MB
3. Track 07 5:21 Switch Foot 6.2 MB
4. Track 02 3:18 Apt Core #2 3.8 MB
5. Say a Little Prayer For You 3:36 Aretha Franklin Best of Aretha Franklin 4.2 MB
6. So Beautiful 4:54 Barry Taylor Love Songs for Underdogs 5.7 MB
7. Beautiful Day 4:08 U2 All that You Can't Leave Behind 4.8 MB
8. Good Religion 2:58 5 Blind Boys of Alabama Spirit of the Century 3.5 MB
9. House of God 2:43 Barry Taylor Love Songs for Underdogs 3.2 MB
10. Colours 3:46 Rez XX 4.4 MB
11. Track 04 4:32 Blackalicious Arrow 5.3 MB
12. Irene 4:13 TobyMac We Are Hip Hope 4.9 MB
13. Track 15 4:06 Cranberries Best Of 4.8 MB
14. Track 03 4:51 Apt Core #2 5.6 MB
15. Track 12 5:38 6.5 MB
16. I'm Gonna Live the Life 2:37 Mahalia Jackson The Greatest Gospel singer In the World 3.1 MB
17. Living in the Land of Palm Trees 3:26 Zehnder A Broken Train of Thought 4 MB

Today on KR

I have added a link for
Graffiti61 to my blog. I first met this artist at Mosaic.... where he plays bass guitar.

I also am spiining Wayne's Animusic.

Some of the sound track from the Lord of the rings...
and a little Switchfoot just because...
Pluss one haunting song from Nine Inch Nails.

What's Up...

Today at our community devotions we spent time with Luke 15. Lost, Found... --> Celebration. I came to appreciate more the meaningfullness of celebration rooted in the redemptive story. Jrod's Mom came out to check out LA and shared in our community breakfast and devotions.

Latter tonight and tommorow night we are going to have the Shorack family visiting with the LA team from Venezuela. Tonight they will be at the Cambria building... and tommorrow (Friday evening)they will be at Kathy Henry's house.

The LA Street Prod. Mural at 66th Street Elementry has started well. We have most of the basic background color down. Next we will deepen the colors and start adding the highlights and details. Thanks to one and all that have been helping.

Willie is looking for an appartment that he can rent monthly. He has been paying a lot for a one room appartment at a local hotel because that is all that we could find when he relocated back to Los Angeles.

LA Fourth of July and the Wild Wild West

Fireworks that would be large enough for a small park were set off on the fourth in my neighborhood. No they aren't legal... so i mostly watched from my window... everyone was out... the police drove by but thir prioity was to get guns off the street... so the celebration went on. It was great to have a number of friends come bye and hang out for the show...

Mural Announcement

Dear Friends,

We Need to finalize the head count for the second LA. ST. Prod. Mural at 66th Street Elementary. Please reply to this email and let me know what days you are available. Please note if you can make a contribution towards lunch. Call me at: 213-413-3397 or page me at 213-470-4432.

What: See attachments for the rough sketch and previous mural and the yet to be painted wall.

When: July 10th, 17th, & 24rth. From 7:50am to 2:30pm

Where: 66th Street Elementary
6600 South San Pedro
LA. CA. 90003

Location map off web: Map to 66th Street Elementry.

Directions From the Bixel entrance Near Downtown LA.
6. Turn on S BIXEL ST - go 0.1 mi
7. Take CA-110 SOUTH - go 1.0 mi
8. CA-110 SOUTH becomes I-110 SOUTH - go 3.8 mi
9. Take the GAGE AVE exit - go 0.2 mi
10. Turn on W GAGE AVE - go 0.4 mi
11. Continue on E GAGE AVE - go 0.3 mi
12. Turn on S SAN PEDRO ST - go 0.2 mi
13. Arrive at 6600 S SAN PEDRO ST, LOS ANGELES


Schedule:
7:50am to 8:15am coffee and sweet bread / pan dulce.
8:15am -- 8:40am Important Instructions and Goals (please do not miss this part!!!)
8:40am --12:00pm Work on Mural
12:00pm --12:45pm Lunch (Sandwiches)
12:45pm -- 2:00pm Work On Mural
2:00pm -- 2:30pm Clean Up and Closing words

Watch for Important Updates on the Web on John’s Blog
Donations contributing to this effort are welcome ; )

It was everybody's birthday party.

This past Thursday we celebrated Mel's Birthday. She kept on finding out that it was (Within a wee or two) also... Inge Lisa's birthday, Paul's Birthday, Roxy's Birthday, Irma & her son's birthday, Willie's Birthday... so Mel who likes to share and doesn't need to feel as if she is the center of attention decided we should turn this into an inclusive event.

It was the biggest barbeque I have ever prepared for and done on my own. We had hot dogs, hamburgers (my mom's special recipe), BBQ Chicken, Ribbs, and Carne Assada.

Remeber It was first Mel's B-day... so I was not doing the inviting to this event...

It was like Babbette's Feast.

The relationship between food and fellowship, community and neighborhood resonated with more life than I have experienced on my block in a long time.

I want to write more about this and add some reflections about a fellowship that was going in australia called "Matthew's Party".

got to go for now...

What I plan to spin on KR

Today I am reading "Whistling in the Dark: A Doubter's Dictionary" by Frederick Buechner.

Music Mix...:

Living in the Land of Palm Trees 3:26 Zehnder A Broken Train of Thought 4 MB
Big Brother 4:12 AD - SEG 4.9 MB
All the Lonely People 2:38 Aretha Franklin Best of Aretha Franklin 3.1 MB
Zombie 5:07 Cranberries Best Of 5.9 MB
African Skies 4:59 Barry Taylor Love Songs for Underdogs 5.8 MB
Track 08 3:45 Switch Foot 4.4 MB
High School 4:49 SuperChic[k] Last One Picked 5.6 MB
Track 02 3:38 Johnny Cash 4.2 MB
i lathair De (in God's Presence) 3:44 Marie Brennan Whisper to the Wild Water 4.3 MB
Track 01 3:52 Stained 4.5 MB
New York 5:30 U2 All that You Can't Leave Behind 6.4 MB
Track 08 3:37 Martin Luther King 4.2 MB
Track 07 5:13 Cross Movement 6 MB
Fatherless Child 5:44 Mystic Cuts for Love Scars for Freedom 6.6 MB
They All Fall Down 5:23 Grits 6.2 MB
Thick Skin 2:54 Daniel Amos Mr. Buechner's Dream 3.4 MB
Track 12 2:57 5 Blind Boys of Alabama Spirit of the Century 3.4 MB

Thanks...

One of the most precious gifts are friends who are faithful friends over the years.

R1-Thanks for sharing your heart with me this past Sat. ... You have an unusual strength you are able to find your own path and to do so with integrity. May your love with Sandy Girl continue to grow.

Willie & Gennel... Thank you for saying Thanks this Weekend. Many take the gifts of life for granted these days.

Greg "The Watchfull One"... Thanks for being there for my mom when I can't be...
My Mom Wrote:

Dear John,
I want to thank you for suggesting that I call Greg and let you know
that he did everything that needed to be done very kindly and willingly
and it was a real pleasure to have his help.
My car is running quite well now and he is coming back next week to
try to improve the timing which is already so good that I would never
know it needed any adjusting but he wants it to be better so that's
great. My car will probably be in the best shape that it's been since I
bought it. He's quite a contrast to some of the other people in my life
lately (car repair people) and I feel a bit overwhelmed because I am not use
to having any body really do a superb job anymore. In addition I'm remembering
all our years on John street and what a good gang of friends both you and Sunday
had there. It was a precious time and a wonderful place to raise children.
I feel so moved by both the past and the present and just the joy of
memories of what John Street used to feel like and also what I have been
missing here.
Greg said he thought you would be pleased to know that he was really
watching out for me. What a good guy.
Do you remember Mr. Craig from John Street? He said you used to work
for him, I think when you worked for the school one summer. He said to
say hello. He's a nice man and he lives here. I'm going to think of
John Street every time I see him.



Matt & Deb... for your faithful work with Jackie P. in Hong Kong.

Life has been a blurr these days.

I have been married since 1995. I hardly remember what it is like not to be married. Jude went to Chicago for 5 days... for 2 conferences... I have trouble sleeping adequately when she is gone. On top of that she is an amazingly efficient and effective worker... even when she thinks she's not getting much done... she is doing the work of 2 to 4 people... This needs to change... she needs the freedom to be one person... I feel like an average Joe sometimes around her... I can't work at her pace... I know that I work and live at a faster pace than some... but when she is gone I can't really cover for all the things she would do...

This fuels humility for me...
As long as I am content to be myself and to keep growing.

Deep Calls to Deep... How deep does our love Go???

Warn those who are perishing...

What would you do if you knew someone whose choices were going to lead to becoming homeless??? What is needed from them is not just a home but a path to grow into the maturity to maintain a home. It is one thing to see this... it is another to see how we can walk along those who want to grow and change and mature and to provide the context where this kind of maturity can happen.

Is this the Church???

What does it mean to love our neighbor as ourselves??? and how practical does it get???

LA Street Production News

LA Street Productions is planning to do a Mural this summer. The challenge will be in our will and energy to carry it out. We are all older and more involved with real world responsibilities. We will be working on this mural throughout the month of July starting July 10th. The Mural will be at 66th Street Elementry and will be for the children of that school. We will need others to help with this journey... email me if you might be interested in helping us.

LA Street Productions gave out our first Annual Scholarship to a Belmont Highschool Graduate -- Daniel Flores. Wilburd Estada said something profound and yet obvious at our last meeting... "So many of the scholarships that were given out were given in the memory of someone who had died or passed away... we don't have to wait until we have died to give back to our communities." Pray for us as we seek to grow as a group... in capacity and leadership.