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Book Reviews, D'Oliva Olive Oil, Family, Random Thoughts, Uncategorized,

Family, Blogging, and Links

I have several links for you to click today…trust me, you’ll have fun with this…

A lot of people who read this blog were supporters of my son when he went to Thailand last year. Jedd was there to create a video for The SOLD Project, which combats child prostitution in that country. Well, here’s the awesome news: Jedd was given the Volunteer Service Award by the Bay Area Professional Videographers Association!

What this means is that his work was so good it deserved recognition. And it means that those of you supported him are seeing great dividends because …

D'Oliva Olive Oil, Goble Properties, PathLight, Sabbatical, Uncategorized,

The Conclusion of the Matter

So it’s over. The month of October flew by fast and my sabbatical break from work and ministry is finished. A few folks have asked how I feel about that, and I must say that it is good to be back at work. Loved the break, but I’m eager to reengage with the many fun things that I have going.

Would I do some things differently? Yes, of course. The email fast was just a bit too long to be pragmatic. No fast on web surfing was a mistake. Next time I want D’Aun more involved, and next time it’s …

D'Oliva Olive Oil, Sabbatical, Uncategorized,

Italy Photos

We made it home! Now that I have a real computer in front of me, here are a few photos from the trip. D’Aun will post more on her Facebook page when she gets a chance.

Here are some of my favorites … mostly non-tourist shots because you’ve seen the Coliseum a million times.

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The night before the trip, Sadie knew we were leaving and jumped into the suitcase as we packed.

Our first morning in Rome, so I tried a cappuccino at (reputedly) the best coffee place in city. I was hooked for the rest of the trip.…

Random Thoughts, Uncategorized,

Political Question

Before I went on my October break, a friend asked me to blog about political activism for followers of Christ. His specific question was:

“Help me figure this out….
1) Jesus strikingly refused to align with any political interest/cause. He changed the world forever.
2) It seems like a given in our faith communities these days that Christians should be political activists, even though our Leader was absolutely a-political.
3) Or, are we, as His followers, to work towards justice, mercy, and truth completely outside the political sphere?
I don’t know how to reconcile all that, and so far, I …

Family, Goble Properties, PathLight, Sabbatical, Uncategorized,

Last Day

Tomorrow I begin my October sabbatical. Or as my friend Ian calls it, my October Jubilee. I’m really looking forward to the partial “digital fast” of no email or voicemail (though I will still write on this blog). I’m also looking forward to unstructured days that allow time for thought, reflection, and prayer.

One of the goals of this break is to recalibrate. I’m not looking for a new job or new spiritual experience. It’s not a “halftime” event. But I do feel the need to stop, rest, create a bit of margin in my life, and spend time without …

Uncategorized,

Hopyard Village

A fun new tradition for Hopyard Village, which is where my office is located. Hopyard is a shopping center in central Pleasanton at the corner of Hopyard & Valley. Thought I’d post this for my local friends and encourage them to go!

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Random Thoughts, Uncategorized,

James O'Donnell quote

“…. great capitals and bustling cities are all well and good, but the constructive and creative energies of humankind are often best seen among the mixtures and minglings of peoples at the margins of nations and empires.”

James J. O’Donnell, from his book “The Ruin of the Roman Empire”…