Quotable

"We need to tell Tony [worship leader at our church] to get some chicken for Skarloey's big day out [a Thomas the Train video we watch almost daily].", as he is pushing his train down the sidewalk.

"Mommy, I got the bugger. Here it is on my finger."

...and, our favorite:

"Daddy, are you my father?"

"Yes, I am your father."

"Mommy, daddy is my father!"

"And I am daddy's son!"

Roll, Baby, Roll!

Kisses from Sam

And now we are four

Our sweet baby girl, EJ, born 3/13/09! 

Joe Aldrich, a life well lived

Dr. Joe Aldrich, former president of Multnomah University, was called home to be with the Lord last week. 

Fundamentally, Dr. Joe was a pastor eager to multiply health and life among leaders. Whatever influence he had or whatever positions he assumed over the years, he used toward that end; the multiplication of leaders who were healthy. People got a glimpse of that back in the 1970s when he pastored Mariners church in Newport Beach. But I think it really became apparent as president of Multnomah and the chief initiator for the Northwest Renewal Ministries, or what later became known as International Renewal Ministries (IRM)

Dr. Joe had the gentleness and tenderness of a grandfatherly sort of leader, even though I don't think he was 60 when he retired. But there was a "wisdom beyond years" on him. And there was a gracefulness about him that was like a background tone to his life. Even if you disagreed with him, he was comfortable enough in his own skin to give you grace in return. Undoubtedly, he was a man that sought regular opportunities to be filled with the Spirit afresh.

He was president during a major transition in the institutional life of Multnomah, in which he helped move the institution's identity from being a Bible Institute to being a Bible College & Seminary that was thinking toward WASC accreditation (Dr. Dan Lockwood, Multnomah's current president, accomplished the latter).

But here's what really wow'd me about Dr. Joe, which I only really understood until after leaving Multnomah: he got the church in all of her beautiful diversity, he understood leaders (Luis Palau can tell you about that), and he really got the importance of multiplying leaders so that they would be full of health and vitality.

Thus, with the authority of Multnomah, especially coupled with IRM, Multnomah became a powerful force in the Northwest for the good of the church and therefore for the good of the city; it was an institution that unquestionably became a home for leaders, both seasoned and emerging, regardless of denomination. But her success was rooted, I think, in realizing what is God's heart for the church, and what is his heart for "parachurch" outfits intended to tangibly serve a region of churches and her leaders.

Similarly, Dr. Joe had a keen sense of what a college or university can or can't do best in relationship to the church and her call, or what it should or shouldn't do in relationship to the church's call. Some (including myself at the time), saw such "limitations" as even an inability to think or dream big, educationally. Some of that might have been true. But most of it was wrong. I now think that Dr. Joe had discernment rooted in prudence about what are the realistic limitations of a Christian institution's capacity to effect real change in a community and culture in light of what Jesus wants for his church.

With John Wimber's "Jesus wants his church back" in the 1980s, I tend to think that Dr. Joe had in mind respect for that sense of God's heart as he governed and envisioned Multnomah in relationship to the church and her influence in culture.

Home Improvement - some assembly required

With another baby coming shortly (six weeks, but who's counting?), we are trying to make our small apartment a bit more livable. Here's a view of what we've been up to lately. 

I added these shelves above my kitchen sink...partly to free up other cabinet space, partly to make the kitchen look a little nicer, and partly to make some things that I want to use more accessible. So far, it's working well on all counts! 

We recently sold a very large, nice dining set, to free up space in the dining room. We replaced it with this set, which we had to assemble ourselves. I made these cute chair covers, and am still working on a tablecloth. 

And, last but not least, this is the computer armoire that we bought and assembled about a year ago. Never mind the mess on the top and on the inside...just pretend you didn't see that! 

Next project is to finish rearranging the kids' room....better get started soon, I guess! 

Do you like this newspaper?

Here you can see J's favorite newspaper. He's subscribed to several over the years, but this one is the best, and he is fond of telling me about "THE GREAT DEAL" he got on the subscription rate. (He considers the "other" papers useful for things I ought not mention here...:) 

Cute, huh?!