Grandma McCarthy, in Memory

Julie got news late friday night that her Grandma McCarthy passed on. She was a dear soul. And when I say "dear", I don't mean fluffy or the like. This isn't to mean she wasn't nice - quite the contrary. What I mean by 'dear' - is that she was endearing! In the years that I knew her, she had a common reply to most requests. Grandma could you get... Would you check...? And she'd reply, slyly, "I'm retired." Everyone would laugh, as she'd have a big smile on her face.
I didn't know the Grandma McCarthy when she wasn't in a wheel chair, but Julie shared some 'endearing' stories of her working in her garden, 'out-doing' Grandpa, and always mentioning how 'the floors need to be cleaned.' As Julie shared these memories, I stopped in my tracks in amazement at how Julie takes after her! It was as though I was hearing her grandmothers voice as Julie shared. Just yesterday, I came in the kitchen to see Julie looking curious at the floors, she stated, "I gotta get down there and clean this, they need to be cleaned."
The picture above was taken at Christmas this past year. Grandma was 94 years old. She was surrounded by her family. We are flying out today, Sunday, to go visit. I was reminded of these verses in 1 Corinthians 15 by my dad yesterday... They hold so much promise and hope... and encouragement.

"For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory?
"O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

My City... micro-time-lapsed wonder

This past week we've had some wonderful weather - it is changing to cool and rainy - but this time-lapse video made me think of all that is LA. Julie and I are off today to explore and find adventure with in!

The East Side of Los Angeles on a Sunny Day from clark vogeler on Vimeo.

Easter Meditation

This easter I'm really excited! It's amazing what can happen in one year! Last Easter we prayed and formed a team for the South LA church plant. Being Launched, and Planted, now we're having our first easter service - in the park, with a BBQ, and hand-made easter bags that will be given to anyone who wants one.

(Before this - tonight, Julz and I are going to Prom! Yeah - we're going back. I think we're going to dress '80s style. Should be fun.)

Between Good (actually GREAT for us) Friday and Easter Sunday, I take time to reflect on this ultimate act of selflessness and redemptive act by Jesus. Two songs that speak deep to my soul are by my friend, Josh. I've printed the lyrics/poems below. May they refresh your soul with the grace of God.

Good Friday By Josh Garrels

Broken wing, forgotten dream, shattered thing
That a mans hands can’t ever truly mend
Shadow land, desert sand, a man searches
For a love that’ll never die
Truth be known, you’re not alone
Your aching bones will find a home
In place where God he sets us free
Wake me up before you go
I will listen for the sound of your voice
Hear the wind in the trees
It goes where it please
Like the breath in me
And all who have breath can sing

When we layed your body down
In earth and in the ground
Oh child, rest your soul.
Will a hope be made good
When a word is understood
In the day, will we see you again?

Gather round, hear the sound
Of a story that’s so old that it’s been told
Before time
He was born in the flesh and the blood
In a world that was dark as hell, and dead in sin
Born of the spirit, and the virgin child
He’s the son of God, son of man
I didn’t recognize that look in his eyes
When they cried
With a sorrow that no man has ever known
Hang him high, watch him die, hear the cry
Crucified up on that God forsaken tree
And all who have breath can sing

When we layed your body down
In the earth and in the ground
Oh Lord, rest your bones
Will a hope be made good
If your words are understood
In the day, will we see you again

Oh Eloi, Eloi, lama sabacthani?
Oh my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Oh Eloi, Eloi, lama sabacthani?
Oh my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

YHWH by Josh Garrels

Holy, holy, holy is the lamb
Almighty, almighty, almighty is the Lord

It’s unlocked in his left are the keys to death and hell
And in his other palm are seven stars
Silently circling like seven seals and sounds and seven cycles
Seventy sets of seven are prophesied
Before the king comes from heaven
The earth will quake and men’s hearts will shake
When they hear the war drum
And I’m talking about creator of the mountains
I’m talking about the one who gave up his son
I’m singing about the one who died for everyone
And in his blood he’s giving us real freedom
Brought by one, bought by one son
Someone from the kingdom come
He was, and is, and is to come
Healing the deaf and dumb
His words cut the dark like a sharp weapon light
Wrong or right?
All mankind was blind and he came to give us sight
Wrong or right?
Tell me, what is it about the name of Jesus Christ
It makes men fight within
Against the sin, against the night, dark or light
Day and night
Polarized
This is not a grey matter choice
And don’t blame it on another mans voice
Because time keeps on slipping, into the future
I don’t lose you
You must make a decision soon
Be it life, or death

Holy, holy, holy, is the Lamb
That was slain, that was slain
Worthy is his name, worthy is his name

YHWH

He was, and is, and is to come
He was, and is, and is to come

First fruits...

This turnip is very curious. Other than being enormous! See the 3- seperated stalks on the top? The only thing we could conclude is this is the evidence of 3 seperete seeds that grew into one!

There are many things that this brings to mind: The flexibility of bio-mechanics... Given the SoCal sunshine, our watering and rich soil care, these 3 seedlings found a way to grow... I'm thinking of the verse in Ecclesiastes - A chord of Three Strands is not easily broken. There is probably a case for 3-in-1 here, too. I'm just in awe of how the first fruits from our garden are blossoming!

K-Town!

This is my friend, Dennis. He graduated two years ago from Foshay. He did the marathon 3 times in High School - and since then has gone on to be a running mentor and done two more marathons! It's great to continue this relationship, and we had a rich conversation about relationships, and the ultimate relationship - especially leading up to Easter - had greater significance. I took him to my favorite Sushi place in Koreatown - Fat Fish. Here he is with the "Burrito Roll"! He love it! (and named it:)

Fat Fish is the only 'rotating sushi bar' in K-town. Its great fun and they make incredible creations.

I asked Dennis if he'd every been to Pebble Beach - or Monterey Bay. He said he hadn't to either - So I took him to Pebble Beach... On 6th street in LA! :)

Yes, the Virtual Famous California Coastline! This place is always busy, too. Get your tee-times early.