Convergence of History

Less spiritual this week, but this week has a couple of ties to my formative years growing up.
As you might guess, one of these formative influences is the U.S. space program, and the Apollo program in particular.  Yes, for about a week back in July of 1969 I was glued to the television and the [...]

A Week To Rest

With summer here this week I am taking John Muir’s advice — “Go to the mountains and get their good tidings.”
May you also have a blessed week and I’ll be back next week.
But keep praying…
Praying for our Churches
Hanmi: Eden Presbyterian Church, Honolulu, Hawai’i
Los Ranchos: Christ Presbyterian Church, Lakewood
Pacific: Korean Presbyterian Church, Honolulu, Hawai’i
Riverside: Temecula Valley [...]

Happy Birthday John Calvin

In case you had not heard today, July 10, is the 500th birthday of John Calvin.
While in no way wanting to diminish his place as one of the framers of Reformed theology and “movers and shakers” of the Protestant Reformation, I do find it interesting the degree to which our image of him is shaped [...]

Independence and Inter-dependence

“When in the Course of human events…”
When you think about it the Declaration of Independence is a really bold and audacious document.  It sets out the theory and specific reasons why thirteen colonies should break ties with their mother country and govern themselves.  As the lead character in the movie National Treasure says when proposing [...]

What Is An Elder To Do?

If you are noticing that I am finally getting around to posting this on Saturday afternoon you may have figured out what is going on.  Summer session began at UCLA this past week and I have been consumed with the teaching sprint that is Summer Session A.  Not quite the 100 meter dash that is [...]

Church On A Mission

This past Sunday I had the honor and pleasure of representing the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii at one congregation’s Mission Sunday.  OK, so it was my own church, but it was still a joy presenting the mission of the Synod and meeting many more individuals and groups with ties to the Synod.
The preaching [...]

Bloggers Throughout The Synod

In past weeks I have highlighted some of the things going on with the “new media” or Web 2.0 as it is sometimes called.  So this week I want to mention a few others around our Synod who are writing some interesting blogs.  I am picking a sample of blogs so I apologize to anyone [...]

Congratulations Leon!

On behalf of the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii it is a pleasure to recognize and congratulate the Rev. Leon Fanniel for the honor just bestowed on him — an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary.  Anyone who has worked with Leon knows that he is very deserving of this [...]

The Church And The New Internet

For any of you who are not familiar with it, there is an internet service called Twitter where you can send out a 140 character message to everyone in the world, or at least those that are looking for it.  For people familiar with Facebook it is a bit like your status line but on [...]

Memorial Day

Working at UCLA I am right next to the National Veterans’ Cemetery in West Los Angeles.  For the observance of Memorial Day on Monday it will be decorated with thousands of small American flags.  (Hence the original name of the day as “Decoration Day.”)  The view across the fields is very moving and a strong [...]