I read Franklin Graham’s autobiography and found it very insightful to my interpretation of Samaritan Purse’s organizational culture.  Graham is brash and shoots from the hip.  I knew that about SP, but it was interesting to confirm it in Graham’s book.  His book caused  me to  reflect on my style and how I fit into Habitat  for Humanity culture. 

I read Jonathan Reckford’s book to get a better understanding of Habitat .  Creating a Habiat for Humanity is not an autobiography, but Reckford does share his personal journey, which lead him to the helm of Habitat.  I must say I was already a fan of Reckford’s style and humble spirit.  The structure of the book revolves  around Micah 6:8 , with the topics  justice, mercy and humility. 

I fit somewhere between Reckford and Graham.  I love action but long for a more  compassionate nature.  I know conviction but reach for greater consideration of others’ opinions.  I guess in reality Iam more Graham who longs to be a Reckford.  One thing is for sure, I pray that Micah 6:8 will continue to shape my Christian life. 

Praise the Lord, I was able to read through the Bible in a year. I used the same handy reading guide that I had used previously, which I had found online. I like how each day of the week is divided into a different literary genre: history, wisdom, psalms, gospel, prophesy, law, and epistles. At home I primarily read from the Thompson Chain Reference Bible. What a treat to read from a Bible that was given to me by First Presbyterian Church of Sanford, NC, upon my graduation from high school.

I believe this is the second time I have read it through in a year and probably my fourth total reading. I know that I enjoyed it more than ever before. David’s story came alive, Esther’s struggle was real, Acts was compiling, Revelation was challenging, and Paul’s letters were profitable.  Not to mention the words of proverbs and the sermon on the mount to keep me daily calling out to my savior for help.  It is by the grace of God that any plan succeeds and through 2009 and into early this year He was faithful to allow me to complete this goal.

I started when our president was inaugurated and prayed for him as part of my goal.
I enjoyed plenty of travel throughout the year with trips to Thailand, Pigeon Forge, Kentucky, Virginia and NYC. On those occasions I took my trusty pocket ESV. My mother in-love, a.k.a. “Mimi” gave it to me for Christmas 2008.

I found this great image of it on this blog.

With the tragedy that is going on in Haiti right now it is sometimes easy to feel like it is all very far away even for someone like me who has seen global poverty first hand.   My heart softened due to an article in the Wilkes Journal Patriot (local paper publish 3 times a week)which made ithit close to home . 

The article talked about how Samaritan’s Purse and HCJB Global have partnered together to work in Haiti.  This is a great connection, and I speak from experience having worked for both organizations.  These folks are in earnest to serve the Lord in disasters and I commend them for their efforts. 

If you were looking for advice on who to send cash to in order to support work in Haiti, both of these outfits will use your money with integrity. Praise the Lord for faithful workers such as these.

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Originally uploaded by HCJB Global

This makes me wish I would have gone into mission medicine. HCJB Global Doctors in Haiti

Well, if you are at all interested in hiking, I recommend this funny book.  Bill Bryson captures the toil and joy of hiking.  His hiking companion, Katz, adds greater depth to their shared experience of hiking on the AT.  I can’t wait to see the movie because I am sure it will be hysterical.  I particularly like how Bryson ended on an upbeat note after a much humbling experience. 

Where are my backpack and sleeping bag? I miss the woods!

We had a ball at the Griggs Shower.  What fun! They too are having a boy.  It is funny because like their fathers (phillip and richard) the boys will also be february babies one year a part.  it promises years more of competition.

My graduate advisor, David Steffen, recommended that I read this book at Christmas in 2006 as I was graduating.  It had relevance to my masters paper regarding adaptive challenges.  

I read it anew because of my current confusion about my career.  This book is written for folks like me who have the tendency to confuse their personal worth with their professional  value.

What I didn’t need was for another book to scold me and reduce leadership into trite techniques.   Near the end of the book the authors write what I believe touched my advisor’s heart and ultimately drew me to the book.

“Exercising leadership is a way of giving meaning to your life by contributing to the lives of others.  At its best, leadership is a labor of love.  Opportunities for these labors cross your path every day, though we appreciate through the scar tissue of our own experience that seizing these opportunities takes heart.” (page 223)

I am challenged because the authors used Jesus’ heart as the ultimate example.  They have charged me to maintain a heart that is Innocent, Curious, and Compassionate.  We have hope because of “God’s promise, not to keep you out of the fire and the water, but to be with you in the fire and the water.”  (page 228)

This photo was taken at Thanksgiving. We are truly grateful for God’s goodness. He is our portion and joy. With him Melissa and I are free to forgive and love. We hope to make Clay Christ disciple.

List of bikes I have known and loved
Gary Fisher Monona:  this is M’s bike but has baby seat so clay and I get some time.
Specialized Cross Roads: commuter
Specialized Allez:  first bike build up thanks Gatis traded in for Monona
Cannondale Super V: thanks Uncle Harry- parts to Frankenstein
Mongoose IBOC road:  sold for profit thanks Jorge
Trek 1000 road: aka Orange Crush I still miss this bike traded for Allez
Columbia Tandem:  in Mrs Hutchens’ basement
Jamis Earth Cruiser:  in care of college roommate T appropo since it was my college dream bike
Trek 300 Antalope: first bike shop bike traded in for Cruiser
Bear Creek:  walmart or Kmart special
Red BMX:  also of big box vintage
Red Garbage bike from early child hood 4yrs?

I just finished Joe Parkin’s personal tell of bike racing in Europe.  He raced for Belgian teams in the early 90’s.  He was never famous but lived the dream of racing bikes.  I love bike riding and was glad to read a raw account of what racing is all about. 

Parkin’s book talked of the joys and horror of racing.  He seem to love bikes and the thrill of going fast.  Personally I enjoy the simple mechanical advantage.  I commute to work on a bike and I hope that I can continue to do it because of the transcendant possibilities that are so prevalent. 

Parkin as a young man in Europe came of age in a celebrated bike culture.  It is fun to think I am a small part of a growing bike culture.  Thanks to folks like Parkin who were not afraid to blaze a trail.