And the mad dash on the writing begins...

Laurie and Jeff from Odessa and I met all morning and early afternoon on the Christmas program here. And now I'll begin to write. I have a flood of ideas that I'm trying to prioritize and shape. Lord give me focus over the next few hours to do all that I need to do.

The Houston to Odessa connection was delayed so I spent an extra hour in Houston. Time to think, read and pray.

The world fixates itself it seems on the egos of atheletes and the latest horrors of terror. flashes of carnage struck a wedding celebration yesterday in Jordan. The world quakes of disaster and i hear the groans of prophets- "how long, O Lord."

This world seems to wind itself down. we struggle between the reality of life's fragility and God's movement through times of pain.

There are birth pangs everywhere i go. But where are all these events (large and small) taking us as a global community. Where is the plan. The not-knowing engulfs us all and we cling to the rock of Jesus. He is there. We find his treasures in darkness of despair and pain. We feel his presence but he doesn't show us his Hand.