+ The Good Life

Thank the Lord for You!

We wish you every blessing in the New Year!  I have fully transitioned from my position as vice-president at Edify.  I am now honored to be ministering as First Response Pastor at Palisades Presbyterian following the death of our pastor of 33 years, the Reverend Harvey Throop.  On the first of March, I am scheduled to begin the role of Palisades Interim Pastor.  Cindy continues with her delightful ministry with children and families at Point Loma Community Presbyterian.

Henry, the Santa Barbara dog, faced a Davis Family invasion this Christmas.  He’s been occasionally accompanying Grant at Inogen and at his baseball games.  Julia continues with Admissions at The Crane School.  After a little time in Santa Barbara with Grant, Julia and Henry—it’s back to San Diego.

Blake is wrapping up at San Diego State in Public Administration, Scott is continuing at San Diego City College in prep for transfer to an art design program.

For Lane it’s back to Philly for his final semester at U-Penn.  He is checking out graduate work in film.

 As we gather, we think of you and thank God for our shared journey.  May the message of Emmanuel, “God with us,” bring you peace now and always.

 

 

Eagle Scouts at 13 and 14

My buddy Scott recently sent me this clipping from a paper in 1973. Scouting was an important part of my youth. The values and lessons learned then are still a guiding force in my life to this day.

A walk down memory lane...

I recently got these two pictures and the following note from my High School buddy Scott Sargis:
 
Please enjoy the attachment, which will probably take you down memory lane.  Those are absolutely the grooviest pants you are wearing.  And what about our "moppy" haircuts.  Based on the photos on your website, you've cleaned up rather well.
 
I have kept those pictures on my bookshelf in my home office forever.  Trying to always stay connected to some of the best times (and people) of my life.

 

Sharing the Call

     

Half way through my high school my father was transferred from Loring Air Base in Louisiana, to Camp Smith on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. I didn’t want to move, but I had no choice.  

I made many new friends in Hawaii and had a very positive experience in a religious prep school in Nuuanu.  After graduation I attended the University of Hawaii.  One of the big questions for me in my freshman year was what does God want me to do with my career.

I wanted whatever I did in my life and career to honor Jesus.  I thought for years that I would study political science and law,  probably join the military for a while, then work in government service of some sort,  probably in an American embassy or in domestic politics.  Then God started whispering to me in many different ways that he was calling me to pastoral ministry.

I didn’t really want to respond to this calling, because many of the ministers I had met were not the type people I wanted to be. But then while I was in college the sense of call became so intense I couldn’t resist it.  One night I took out the girl I was dating, who is now my wife.  I nervously told Cindy, I think God is calling me to ministry.  Cindy responded, “Yes I know.  I think you are right.”

After this conversation, it seemed so right to switch my career path and plan for ministry. On the next day I went to church at the chapel on Hickam Air Force Base.  We had a guest preacher.  It was Chaplain Lindal.  This was the same man that baptized me, and who showed up at my Spiritual awakening in Arkansas.  His presence on this third occasion was like a physical confirmation of what God was doing in my life. 

A Theological Grid

                                                            

As we process decisions and make various program plans at church, I love to serve as a creative and energentic presence.  I am an optimist and a visionary.  Ideas are always percolating within me.  I like to identify needs and seek to meet them in a Christ honoring way.  I’m always working to create programs, evaluate organizational progress and encourage productive development.  Most of all, I am a student of the Bible and of life, I am always evaluating things through a theological grid, asking how we can honor Christ and best serve his purposes.