Last week I visited the great people at the Chocolate Necessities to say, “Hi.” and visit with the owner Kevin.  It’s a wonderful neighborhood chocolate shop next to the church that imports chocolate from all over the world.  Many times Kevin will show a new product that he is excited about and, if I’m lucky, he let’s me be the “quality control” person for a blissful, brief moment.  The latest sensation in his shop is the dark chocolate bar with chili peppers.  He’s says, “It’s wonderful smooth dark chocolate that’s very enjoyable and then you wonder where the chili pepper is– Bam! It gets you.  Believe me it’s in there!”
Isn’t that like the Word of God?  You read it and read it and at times it just seems like words on a page and then Pow! It comes alive.  It brings wisdom and revelation and conviction that cuts like a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12).  I want to encourage you to keep reading because whatever you are looking for…it’s in there!

A couple of weeks ago, while doing some work in my back yard, I was burning some branches (legally) on a burn pile.  I was amazed at how quickly and how hot it burned.  The flame rose a lot higher than I thought it would and it affected the trees around it.  To my surprise, the tree closest to the fire got singed pretty good.  What a great picture of the presence of God— if we get close to the holy fire of God we will be changed.  Psalm 39:3 says "my heart grew hot within me." While I meditated, the fire burned. Get close to the flame and allow God to set your heart on fire for revival.

It’s hard to believe that my daughter, Hailey, graduated this week from Meridian High School. It just seems like yesterday we brought her home from the hospital. Life passes by so rapidly and it is times like these that make me realize how fast it all goes. This past Sunday the Class of 2011 of Meridian High School chose me to speak at their Baccalaureate and I was amazed at the privilege and how God was honored in that place. In many ways this was a dream come true for me and I am blown away that God had placed me in this position to speak into the lives of these students. Join me as I continue to pray that their hearts will be set on fire for the things of God. 

I just got a new cell phone and my world has been turned upside down.  It is really taking a lot to get familiar with this new piece of technology in my life.  I was so used to using my "old school" cell phone and was becoming efficient with its system of communication– but now this new cell phone is killing me.  It takes me twice as long to text or call people because I simply don’t know the little quirks an nuances of this communication device.  It just seems so complicated!  I know that eventually it will work well for me– but right now I don’t like this adjustment period.
I’m so glad that communication with God isn’t complicated.  All we have to do is just speak to Him and He listens.  Simple.  Speak to God.  He’s waiting to hear from you.

In an act of Spring Cleaning, like many of you I recently pressure washed my deck.  Although I was amazed about how well my deck cleaned up, I was more amazed about the condition of the individual boards.  So many of these boards were cracked, split and damaged and really needed to be replaced.  I started to think how this deck represented the body of Christ.  So many of us are split and damaged—but the good news is God is not going to replace us.  He’s going to heal us, repair us and make us strong again.  I am continually amazed that God uses broken and frail people like me for His glory.  Although I may be weak, I am strong in Him.  Although I may seem foolish to the world, God uses the foolish to shame the wise for His sake and His purposes.  You matter to God and He wants to use you today!

On May 18, 1980 (31 years ago today) Mount St. Helens erupted.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  My family was having morning breakfast.  I heard a boom and our table started shaking.  When I looked at my juice glass, the orange juice inside was swishing back and forth.  Living near the Bellingham airport it wasn’t unusual to hear loud noises or for the house to shake while a large plane flew over head- but this was different.
My brother turned on the Seattle Mariners game (they were playing the White Sox in Chicago) and they showed a split-screen of the game on one side and a picture of Mount St. Helens with the side blown out and a billowing cloud of ash.
After breakfast, I was getting ready for church and all I could think about was a worship song I just learned based on Psalm 97:5 “In Your presence Lord, the mountains melt like wax…”  
I thought to myself over and over, “Wow, God you are so BIG and so AWESOME"!  Make God BIG and AWESOME in your life today!   

I love surprises.  The other week I came into my office to be greeted by a wonderful surprise.  The thing that was so cool about this surprise was that it was something I really wanted but was impossible for me to get.  Only someone at the right place at the right time could obtain this treasure.  What was is it?  It was a Felix Hernandez bobble head.  You had to be one of the first 20,000 people at the game that night to get this one-of-kind souvenir.  I did nothing for this awesome gift– someone just gave it to me.  I didn’t earn it and I didn’t deserve it, but I love it!
It’s kind of like the grace and mercy of God.  The Lord abundantly pours out His grace and mercy on us when we don’t deserve it.  He does it because he loves us– grace no strings attached, mercy no strings attached… You don’t even have to be one of the first 20,000 people in line.  

I love a great story. In fact I’ll admit it— I love a great love story. I have had a chance to watch a great love story unfold over the last forty-something years right in front of my eyes. The story of Terry and Kitty Todd is an amazing story. When I think of them I think of how they live out Romans 12:10.

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

It’s a story full of devotion, trust, self-sacrifice, hard work, mutual respect, laughter and kindness. Today is a special day. Today is their 53rd wedding anniversary. Congratulations Mom and Dad you have shown us what real love looks like!

Today is the NFL Draft. I love the NFL Draft because it gives me hope that the Seattle Seahawks can get better for the upcoming season. However, this NFL draft is holding my attention like no other. I can’t help but think about what’s going through the mind of University ofWashington’s quarterback, Jake Locker on a day like today. I know Jake on a limited basis. (He always greets me with a smile and I played little league football against his dad back in the day.) Today is the day (I’m trusting he gets drafted in the first round) that Jake will find out who wants him. It’s a good thing to feel wanted. It’s a great thing to feel wanted. I hope that Jake ends up in a Seahawks uniform, but I know wherever he goes he will do his best and always show integrity, character and leadership by example. Just like Jake, today I hope that you feel like you are wanted, because you are. God has drafted you to be on His team and I want to encourage you to live out that calling with integrity, character and lead by example for His glory and only His glory!

This week I celebrated my Birthday. I had a great day and I really enjoyed reflecting on the blessings that God has given me. I was so encouraged by all the birthday wishes by phone, card, email or facebook messages that it made me walk around that day with a little more pep in my step. Those words of encouragement really lifted my spirit and helped me have a wonderful birthday. I’m always amazed at how “a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” So thank you for all your birthday wishes they made me feel….priceless.