On Catalina

Carolyn and I are on the Island for two days.  We spent yesterday at Campus by the Sea with Howard and Cathy Clark… and Paul and Virginia Friessen. 

 

Today we’ll spend relaxing and touring in Avalon. News comes in via Internet…

1. Our good friend Gena Gentry went home to Jesus last night after a long battle with cancer.
2. About the same time, little Micah arrived in Blaine making Greg and Vonnie grandparents for the third time.

The night before we left for the Island, we had a light supper on the bluff at Corona del Mar with a long time friend from MBI days.  Dan Wiley and I traveled all three years in the men’s choir.  We’re planning our fortieth class reunion in February in Chicago.  Dan and his wife, Mona, live near Candy and Jamie – in Hobe Sound, Florida.  He was in Anaheim this week on business.

SLIDE SHOW FROM THE ISLAND | Campus by the Sea

The Shack

My friends, Craig and Carole Holiday introduced me to a new book… The Shack.  Here’s the note I wrote when I finished reading…

1. Thank you for introducing me to an incredible piece of work…
2. I’d be hard pressed to name a book that’s had a more profound impact on me.  It’s gunna take some time to unpack all the meaning.  I may even read it again… which is something I rarely do.
3. I’m telling all my friends that this is a must read.   You know you’ll be seeing something pop up on a Monday morning soon – probably this week…

Ao when Craig wrote me an e-mail, inviting me to bring Carolyn along to join him and Carole at Mariner’s Church to hear William P. (Paul) Young, author of The Shack, I had never heard of either.  Google kicked in, and within minutes I had the story before me.  Here is a self-published work of fiction that in its first year had seven hundred-fifty thousand copies in print.  Already, they are calling it a “New York Times” best-seller… and the most recent number I’ve heard is two million.

This stunning explosion of sales could only have one explanation: word of mouth, I surmised.  There must be something about this book that gets people talking; the common directive – “this is a must read.“  That’s what it must be.  Well, now I’ve heard the author speak, and I’ve read his book.  And I’m joining in the chorus of folks who are telling their friends – read this book.

Thanks again to Google, I’m also quite aware that the book has its critics – particularly from the heresy hunters that seem to have access to the airwaves and blogosphere.  I’ve read enough to get the gist of the criticism (perhaps the most credible, Chuck Colson).  But none of them convince me.

As I said, there’s much unpacking to do as the book comes to a potent conclusion.  You can guess, I’ll be writing more.  Between now and then, get your hands on a copy.  First, to find out what the buzz is all about.  Second, well, perhaps you’ll be impacted as I have been.

On the other side, let’s talk. 

THE OFFICIAL WEB SITE | RADIO INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR (mp3)

Andy Rooney

Here’s a terrific little commentary on art in the public square.  You may, like me, agree.  Something’s out of whack.

Andy Rooney - When did this become art?

On this July 4…

Kevin in Melbourne with Noah

Carolyn and I enjoyed another block party with Kris and Ben and the extended Duncan family in Fontana.  We celebrated Wil’s fourth birthday; and watched a dazzling fireworks show from their front yard.  Sonya and Em were with us; as Kevin finishes an extensive business conference in of all places Orlando, Florida.  In one of those remarkable convergences of schedules on the other end of the country, Kevin, Tim and Anna (Kemp) along with their new son Kai, all joined Candy and Jamie, Noah Amelia and the Ostrander girls for some time on the beach.  Check out the photos from East and West…

TIM’S PHOTOS | FONTANA SHOTS | Video Shorts