Brian Boone

I was digging in my garden the other day.  I found a little green ball.  It is the size of a BB and is made of green plastic.  There it was staring at me in the dirt.  Almost taunting me!

Took me back twelve years ago.  Jon, my son, was very into “airsoft.”  This is a game for young boys where they basically shoot things, and often each other, with airsoft guns.  They are not quite as strong as a pellet gun, but they can still sting a little.  I harped on Jon to wear goggles!

I also had several other speeches I’d give to Jon about airsoft and BB’s.  They were all over the place in the back yard.  Green and white seemed to be the popular colors.

And I knew they were made of plastic so they would “never decompose.”  I wondered why they could not make some kind of biodegradable BB.  I’d ask him and he would shrug his shoulders like , “really dad?”

Today I saw that little green ball… and I was glad it was not biodegradable.  Kids grow up too fast.

July is here.  And some of my favorite things.  First off, it is time for the Tour de France.  I know this sport is on the “outs” with most Americans.  They say, “did they ever clean up the doping in that sport?”  Answer is Yes, significant strides forward have been made.  But I just enjoy the sport because it takes such a team effort.  Every tour winner must have a team of people willing to “spend themselves” to move the key men forward.  It is simple, No team-No win.

Second in July, my strawberries come off – along with other vegetables.  To be honest, this year the strawberries came about three weeks early due to all the heat in Seattle.  But the strawberries are absolutely the best – red all the way through.  It is a reminder of what fruits and vegetables are supposed to taste like.  In a rare summer, we may actually have enough heat to produce ripe tomatoes!

Third, in July we celebrate our country’s independence.  On the 4th, we also celebrate my daughter’s birthday.  So it is always super special.  I still don’t take for granted a country that allows freedoms like speech, assembly, and worship.

Fourth, July is the month that our church goes to Family Camp.  This is the church’s 25th anniversary of this iconic event.  Basically about 200 of us go to a hot spot on the water, Lincoln Rock State Park.  We spend time talking together, eating together, laughing together, praying together.  Reminder of why the Body of Christ is so important to my spiritual health.

The heat of summer is here… and some of my favorite experiences.

It is Israeli independence day today. Appropriate to have a few reflections about Israel.

I was in Israel in March this year. Everyone said it was one of the rainiest years on record. That was very evident by the lush green mountains. What a vivid contrast from two years ago. These pictures help to depict the story.

Near Bethlehem, March 2015

Judean Wilderness, March 2015

Judean Wilderness, April 2013

What a contrast!  Two years ago, it was closer to “normal.”  The desert can be an inhospitable place, where water is scarce and isolation is guaranteed.

I also want to highlight the changes that have occurred near the Western Wall at the Temple Mount.  This is the holy spot of prayer for Jews and visitors from all over the world.  I have included a picture that I took just a few months ago.

Western Wall, March 2015

But I have also shown some pictures from years back.  The Western Wall used to  be a small walkway.  But when Israel took control of that area in 1967, they opened it up to be the current “plaza” that it is today.  Here’s a few pictures from the past on the way it was and how it has changed.

1929

1967

The news reported that 21 Coptic Christians were beheaded by ISIS in Libya. More carnage from a group that can’t seem to get enough blood. They also seem to be intentionally discovering new ways to torture and kill people – one of the latest being to burn alive.

In years past, I have read the book of Revelation noting that it mentions the beheading of select members of God’s people. Years ago that seemed so strange and odd. Today, it suddenly has relevance.

And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  Revelation 20:4-5

Revelation indicates that these martyrs hold a special place in God’s heart. Whether this vision by John in Revelation represents all those martyred or just a select group; that’s up for debate. But the general direction of the passage is that God keeps and ultimately vindicates those who have paid for faith with their own blood. They are ultimate victors more than they are victims.

Let’s also not forget John the Baptist who faced the same fate. He was beheaded at a banquet over a party favor! (Matthew 14:10).

Jesus’ words serve as a comfort to some and a warning to others. Jesus puts it this way,

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.  Matthew 10:28

There are worse things than dying at the hands of murderers.

What’s with all the new names – Vine, Tumblr, Reddit?  Is this some new urban dictionary?  No… these are examples of new social platforms for digital citizens.

Chances are good that most of us have heard of facebook.  It has become nearly a household name and older adults are the growing users of this platform.  Yet on the other hand, many new social platforms are not as ubiquitous.

I saw this compilation of social platforms in a magazine on the airplane.  I cut it out and digitized it.  Forgive for forgetting to get the author’s name.

I’m betting many of us know YouTube.  And those in business are pretty familiar with Linked-in.

I was even surprised recently to meet international students from Pakistan and Indonesia who were quite familiar with Facebook, Youtube and Twitter.

Do we really need all those social platforms?  That’s a good question.  But it helps to understand that each of them does something that is slightly different.  In other words, everyone is not just building a new Facebook (although this is arguably what Google+ tried to do with very limited success).

In fact, let me help lots of people understand the basic difference between Facebook and Twitter.  Facebook is a “closed” platform and twitter is an “open” one.  Facebook has friends in a network.  They are the only ones who see my posts.  And I have to accept you into my friend network before you can see my information and posts.

Twitter on the other hand is open.  This means that when I “tweet” anyone in the world can see what I have broadcast.  That means I can become a follower of anyone on twitter.  No friending.  No asking.

There is a place for both.  They both have different strengths and weaknesses.

I do not pretend to understand all of the platforms, and I’m not a user on all of them.  But more and more platforms will emerge each with slightly different purposes.  This does not mean that we must subscribe to all of them.  But it is always valuable to have a sliver of understanding about why others do find upcoming platforms so valuable.

These platforms will increasingly become tools for communicating in the 21st century.

Do you need to speak with a human at a company?  Not sure what number to call?  Use GetHuman.com.

I recently needed to contact Amazon for a missing order.  If you search their website, there is not a customer service contact number.  But GetHuman.com came to the rescue.  Not only did they give me the number but also the keystrokes that get me directly to a human!

This is a time and sanity saver.  Mark this website – especially for the holidays to get customer service fast.

Apple recently teamed with U2 for the release of their iPhone 6. Apple gave away for FREE the U2 album called Songs of Innocence to all iTunes subscribers. I loved the album especially for free – but then again I am a U2 fan.

Seems that everyone did not rejoice over the free gift. Apple faced a backlash from some iTunes customers. Bottom line, they did not like the way that the album automatically appeared in their account.

They lamented that if they had wanted the album, they would have downloaded it! They did not need it to be “forced” onto them. Apple even relented and gave a “one click” button to remove the album from the iTunes account.

There is certainly a lesson here for all of us. Our parents have reminded us that there is no such thing as a “free” lunch. We are skeptical of free. We are cautious. What do they really want? What is their gain?

What a great reminder. We live in an era of skepticism where everything is analyzed. Whenever we are promoting something, we must pay attention to how the audience will receive it.

The most important free gift I have ever received is new life in Jesus. Yet it sounds too good to be true. God would forgive sins without requiring acts of kindness or the initial cleanup of life? Yes, He forgives with total grace. Of course, His love ultimately compels change, yet the initial gift is totally free with no merit of our own.

Not surprisingly, some don’t like that free gift. And often times, no matter how it is presented. I think of the passage where Paul spoke about Jesus rising from the dead at the Areopagus in Athens. It was a place filled with all kinds of “thinkers.” Paul spoke and Luke reported,

When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” 33At that, Paul left the Council. 34Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Acts 17:32-34.

There it is. Some sneered and clearly wanted to part of this story. Others wanted to hear more before committing. And still others became followers of Jesus.

Even the best of free gifts can face a rocky reception from some!

Karen Watson went to Iraq as a missionary serving in humanitarian relief.  Before leaving her church in Bakersfield, CA, she left a letter that was to be read in the event of her death.  Karen was 38 years old when she was killed on May 4, 2004 when militants sprayed her vehicle with AK-47 gunfire.

This is the letter she left for her pastor and her church.

March 7, 2003

Dear Pastor Phil & Pastor Roger,

You should only be opening this letter in the event of death.

When God calls there are no regrets. I tried to share my heart with you as much as possible, my heart for the Nations. I wasn’t called to a place. I was called to Him. To obey was my objective, to suffer was expected, His glory was my reward, His glory is my reward.

One of the most important things to remember right now is to preserve the work. … I am writing this as if I am still working among my people group.

I thank you all so much for your prayers and support. Surely your reward in Heaven will be great. Thank you for investing in my life and spiritual well being. Keep sending missionaries out. Keep raising up fine young pastors.

In regards to any service, keep it small and simple. Yes simple, just preach the gospel. If Jason Buss is available or his dad have them sing a pretty song. Be bold and preach the life saving, life changing, forever eternal GOSPEL. Give glory and honor to our Father.

The Missionary Heart:

Care more than some think is wise.

Risk more than some think is safe.

Dream more than some think is practical.

Expect more than some think is possible.

I was called not to comfort or success but to obedience.

Some of my favorite scriptures are: Isaiah 6, you know the one. 2 Cor. 5:15-21, 1 Peter 1:3, Col. 4:2-6, Romans 15:20, Psalm 25 and 27. You can look through my Scofield and see where it is marked. Please use only what you want or feel is best.

There is no Joy outside of knowing Jesus and serving Him. I love you two and my church family.

In His care,
Salaam, Karen

On Sunday, I’m speaking on”Why We Talk about Jesus”.  The Bible calls the message about Jesus, the Gospel (which literally means “good news”) because Jesus accomplished something previously impossible – the lasting forgiveness of sins, reunion of relationship with God, and connection to the complete riches of Christ (John 3:16, I Cor 15:1-8, Col 1:22-23, and many others). This all happened in and through the cross (I Peter 2:24, Acts 2:23).

God clearly calls us to proclaim this message.  Our lives should definitely demonstrate what we believe, but ultimately people are not saved by our good lifestyles; they are saved because they have been found by Jesus and have followed him as Savior (John 6:44).

The Gospel is transmitted through human relationships.  The Bible records this over and over.  People hear the message of Christ from others!  And often times, God is preparing them for this message (think about Cornelius in Acts 10).

When we spend time with people who don’t know Christ, we are opening the door for an opportunity to talk about Jesus.  This is not saying that we need to shoe-horn this into every conversation, but it is opening the possibility for a dialogue with eternal consequences!

I encourage Christians to take a solid first step – befriend someone who does not know Jesus.  Sounds so simple!  This might be a neighbor, co-worker, or international student.  It might be someone on your child’s soccer team.  It might be a person you know through a civic organization.  Invite them for coffee or lunch.  Get to know them.  Ask them about their day!

Second, be prepared for a spiritual conversation!  What if someone gave you five minutes to explain why you follow Jesus?  What would you say?  How would you engage that person?

Over the years, I have regularly shared this message with people on a napkin using just one verse from the Bible, Romans 6:23.  This verse says:

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Navigators provide a simple description of this method.  For those who learn by watching, here’s a good YouTube link with someone drawing the diagram and explaining it.

Of course, there are many other tools available.  But the important invitation is for Christians to choose one and master it so that it becomes second nature.  Nothing worse than to have an opportunity and then to become so flustered that we cannot easily explain why Jesus is so important to us.

For those who are a bit techie, I just ran across a new tool.  CRU has put out a brand new smartphone app.  It is called “God Tools.”  Download it in your App Store.  This cool app provides the Four Spiritual Laws in multiple languages and answers to commonly asked questions.  It certainly does not replace a vibrant spiritual conversation, but as a simple tool it has its place.

Christians believe that Jesus has given us true life.  It is not something we have earned, but something received as a free gift.  It is one of the greatest joys in life to tell others about Jesus, watch the lights go on, and see them respond to His call.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Our local little league team just made it to the Little League World Series.  It is a big deal for 12 year old boys.  They progress through district championships to state championships to regional championships.  Then they hit Williamsport, PA for 10 days of boyhood dreams.

This is a big deal for our towns of Lynnwood and Edmonds.  More than 700 children and their families make up our league, Pacific Little League.  It takes a village of coaches, umpires, field helpers, equipment managers, and schedule administrators for all this to happen.  Together, we create the environment where little league happens and all-stars are promoted.

I’m excited to watch the games on ESPN.  Here’s a game schedule for those following.  It will be a blast to watch “our boys” play against other gifted athletes from the US and all around the world.  The stories that will be made!

But I’m equally as excited for our community.  I celebrate the kids that play every year and learn so much about winning, losing, and life.  That’s why I have been a coach and administrator for the league for years.  It is a great place to contribute to the lives of kids.  The payoff is to watch a child glow with new found achievements.