Off to Laity, Austin and LA

Tomorrow morning we fly off to the motherland: Texas. We are such suckers for good Tex Mex. Thank God for the co-inherent relationship between Texan and Mexican cuisine.

Here is a little bit of what will be happening over the next week.

First Stop: Laity Lodge Retreat (Mar. 4-7)

We are bursting with excitement about this retreat. Such wonderful people are coming down for it. Folks like: Luci Shaw, Charlie Peacock and his wife Andi from Nashville, Cherith Nordling from Michigan, Terri Fisher, Ahna Phillips and Erik and Shannon Newby from Vancouver BC (and Rosie Perera too), Tamara Murphy from upstate NY, my Regent College pal Brian Williams from Kansas, Matt and Geinene Carson from Atlanta, Jeff Guy (who has fantastic artwork in my book--last chapter), Bryan Brown from Christ Church in Austin, Brie and Kate and Adam, Ceallaign Anderson from Minnesota. Jez and Miriam Carr are coming in from England. My dear friend Jo-Anne White flies in from New Zealand. And other really good folks.

I'll be speaking about mentoring as naming. Luci will talk about mentoring as the art of paying attention. The Welcome Wagon, aka Vito and Monique Aiuto, will play music. Steven Purcell will offer us superb hosting. And the Laity Lodge will minister beauty and rest to our tired souls. Yum yum.

Second Stop: Austin (Mar. 7-9)

We'll drive to Austin on Sunday. There we will get our hearts nourished as we spend time with family. We'll go to Arandas and Chuy's to experience TexMex ecstasy (you can tell we love it, can't you?). We'll also get to celebrate my brother-in-law Cliff Warner's 40th birthday. He is the fabulous rector of Christ Church Anglican, which we miss sorely.

Third Stop: Biola University near LA (Mar. 9-12)

I'm praying for a sweet, divine, pastoral connection with about 100 art students that I'll be addressing Tuesday evening. I'm also praying for God's grace and wisdom as I preach in chapel to around 2000 students on Wednesday morning. My topic is beauty. Beauty in 30 minutes. It'll be great. It'll also be nice to connect with the community there. Afterwards I'll get to hang out with Jeffrey Travis, my filmmaker friend from Argentina. And maybe play golf!

My book is now, according to Amazon, officially "in stock." Hallelujah.

I also just found out that I have a radio interview with a Canadian radio station: AM930 CJCA Edmonton “Positive Talk." It's happening at 7AM (MST) on April 19. Stay tuned. And three of my books will be given away. How fun.

Lastly, I just had the most amazing "class" discussion this afternoon. Three fellow theology and art grad students here at Duke--Bo Hemlich, Brian Curry, Tanner Capps--and I are doing an independent study with Jeremy Begbie. Our topic is the doctrine of creation. Our primary conversation partner is Karl Barth. Today's three-hour conversation is the kind of conversation I dreamed of while a pastor. I'm so grateful for these good men.