The church service this morning was going like so many others had gone before. Music was played. Some sang. Some didn't. Announcements were announced. A few listened. Many didn't. Another song was sung. And then during the next song was when it happened.

First, a man who looked to be in his early 30's walked to the front and knelt down. Truth be told, he was almost lying down with his lower half on the floor and his upper half draped up the first step or two. About a minute later a man I know to be in his 60's walked to the front, knelt beside the first man, placed one hand on his shoulder, and began to pray with and for the other guy. Another minute passed and a third man - this one in his early 20's - headed over to the other two, knelt down, and joined in the newly-formed prayer huddle. Several minutes later, they all stood up, embraced each other, and headed back to their seats.

I couldn't get over how cool it was to see a guy in his 60's and another in his 20's come forward to pray alongside their 30-year-old brother. Can't say I know many churches where that could - or would - happen. Sad. May these three men be an example for us all.

What happened at your wedding that didn't quite go "as planned?" Whatever it was, I'm guessing it's not quite as bad as this. NOTE: Yes - the bride is a pretty blond. Yes - the groom is named Keith. No - this is not Kari's and my wedding!

November 4, 2008. Several things happened tonight I won't soon forget. First, after a political season that made me nauseous most of the time, I watched two men finally being not only civil, but downright affirming of each other. First came John McCain. In his concession speech he spoke over the boos to applaud Barack Obama for his victory. He spoke of being, "Here to help." And toward the end, he referred to Obama as "my president." He was humble, grateful, and incredibly supportive of Barack as he heads into his presidency. If you didn't see the speech, I would encourage you to do so.

McCain's Concession Speech

Then it was Obama's turn. Our first black president. I truly felt like I was watching something special. Not just because he's black and has been elected president. Also because it was the first time in a long time that I listened to a politician speak and was more encouraged at the end of the speech than annoyed, disappointed, or angry. The guy's got charisma. No doubt about it. And to see him take time in the speech for not only the obligatory "I'd like to thank John McCain for a well-fought fight," but to truly honor McCain for his service, devotion, and love for the United States. Good move, Obama. The speech might be almost 20 minutes long, but it's 20 minutes worth taking time to see.

Obama's Acceptance Speech

Then came the icing on the cake. As we were watching all this unfold, my 6-year-old daughter said, "Is that man our new president." Yes, Sarah. His name is Barack Obama. He's our new president. To which she promptly replied, "Does that mean he's going to come to our neighborhood, knock on all the doors, and say 'hi' to everyone."

Now...wouldn't that be a beautiful thing?

Lord Jesus, our true King and Ruler...

Today is a day when our country - in so many ways - is divided. Bring unity. Today we vote on the future leaders of our state and country. Draw them to Yourself...the truest Leader. And remind us that You, Lord Jesus are the real Hope Bringer.

Remind us today that the outcome of the elections is not a surprise to You. You are in control - yesterday...today..and forevermore...amen.

So...what would you do with a trillion dollars? (That's how much the war in Iraq has cost already.) There's a guy in Knoxville who's figured out a bunch of stuff you could do. Give every person on the planet an iPod. Send every current high school student in the USA to college. Build 16.6 million Habitat for Humanity houses. And the list goes on. Pretty thought provoking.

Nation & World | iPods for all: Ways to spend Iraq war's $1 trillion | Seattle Times Newspaper

I’m in Colorado Springs right now, sitting in a castle. No kidding. Glen Eyrie is a conference center run by the Navigators. Beautiful surroundings. Big horn sheep. Wild turkeys. And one of the greatest conferences I have ever been to.

Every year for the past six years I have gone to the Dynamic Communicator’s Workshop. The first time I came as a student. Every year since I’ve come as a small group coach. And I love it! For five days each year I get the chance to help sales people, authors, pastors, and a whole host of other people get better at what God’s called them to do.

They come nervous. The come tired. They come anticipating (hopefully). And they leave as better communicators. Every one of them. I have yet to see a single person leave on a Thursday without being more excited and more confident than when they came.

I’m at the front end of this journey with eight new students. And I can’t wait. Please pray for them…and me…

This is a very cool video about father and son team Dick and Rick Hoyt. I actually heard about these guys a while back, but it never hurts to be inspired again. You can read more about them at Team Hoyt.

I remember Junior High, where it seems like every joke was a put down. Does anyone else feel like people running for office these days are channeling their "inner Jr. Higher?" I haven't seen it as evidently as I did the other night. Since my newborn daughter felt like hanging out with me at 3am, I looked at what I had recorded and realized I had the gubernatorial debate from several days ago between Chris Gregoire (current governor of WA) and Dino Rossi (lost four year ago...taking another shot at it).

As I watched their opening comments and answers to the first couple questions, I noticed that they not only answered (and I use that term very loosely) the questions, but took at least one pot shot at their opponent. I decided to count how many times they simply answered the question, without slamming the other person. The result?

ONE TIME!

That's it. Dino Rossi answered one question about the environment without mentioning Gregoire. Every other time - and this includes not only initial answers, but also the 30 second rebuttals - they slammed each other! They never opened their mouths without putting down the other person. Never! Unreal...and sad.

I know this may catch me some slack, but I truly don't know how I can vote this year. I am truly ashamed to have Gregoire or Rossi as the leader of this state.

Of course I believe the issues are important, and yes, I might cool down and vote - but holy smokes - I'd trade my vote for an opportunity to wash their mouths out with soap and make them sit in the corner.

Okay...let me have it...

If you're from the Seattle area, then I'm sure you've seen the Pemco ads: "We're a lot like you...a little different." If you haven't - take a look. They're hilarious!

Anyhow, my church - Creekside Covenant - recently started a sermon series looking at our mission and vision statements. A couple guys in our church decided that we needed to parody the Pemco ads and do some "Creekside Profiles." They've done two so far, and they're pretty darn funny.

You can take a look hear: Creekside Profiles. I love to see people do creative stuff. Gotta see more of that at church.

I'm going to be preaching this Sunday on being "in process." We're not finished products. God's at work. Always. This side of heaven, we don't ever get done. I've been thinking about this a ton the last couple weeks - as you might imagine while preparing sermon - and started thinking about how many people in the Bible were "in process." People that we consider "heroes of the faith." Moses - in process. David - in process. You get the picture.

Who else can you think of? I'd love to start a dialogue about this. Post some thoughts, ideas, people, Scripture references, or whatever as comments here. I'd love to hear from you.

It's all yours...

This morning I shared II Timothy and spoke at Grace Church in West Seattle. Grace Church has been in that neighborhood for a very long time. And while they're continuing to see more young families, I certainly saw more suits, ties, and gray hair than I'd seen in a long time. All that to say, I wasn't ready for the conversation I was about to have when talking with an 80-year-old man before the service.

We were just chatting a bit and he said, "Come here. I want to show you something." We walked to the far window in the large foyer and he said, "There's a guy in our church that's really involved in the West Seattle Soccer Association. He says one of their biggest challenges is finding fields for the little kids to play on." Then he pointed out the window to the large field behind their parking lot. He went on to tell me that they mowed it down and turned it into four soccer fields they're letting the community use for their kids to play soccer games on.

Now each Saturday, a bunch of people from the church come out on Saturday's. Some direct traffic. Some point people inside where they can get a latte (that was really good by the way) for $2. Some show people to the bathrooms inside the building. Others simply stand around the fields, chatting with parents and cheering on kids they don't know. How sweet is that?!?

Hmmm...the church, using the resources they've got to serve the community. What a concept...

I realize this would have been much more timely when the Olympics were actually going on, but it's never too late for something funny.

The bus is coming! The bus is coming!

Sure enough. There it was - heading down our street. The big, yellow bus that would change our lives forever. I'm sure the driver and the assistant she had for the first day are nice enough people, but they were there to take away my Peanut.

Seems like a blink since Sarah was as tiny as her week-old sister, Hannah. And there she was, climbing aboard the bus, turning toward us for the obligatory wave, yet clearly more interested in what was to come. The thud of the closing doors. The hiss of the breaks releasing. And off she went. The first day of Kindergarten. 

I am proud. I am excited for her. I am sad. I am scared for what she will face. I am angry at the kid on the playground who will say something that will hurt her tender heart. I am confident she is ready for this next phase of life. I am overjoyed to see the twinkle in her eye as she talks about "her school." I am thrilled at 3:01pm when she comes through the door of her school and runs into my arms shouting "Daddy!" In my arms - right where she's supposed to be.

Oh yeah...and on the walk home when I asked her to tell me her three favorite things about her first day of Kindergarten, the first word out of her mouth was, "Recess!"

That's my girl.

This is an article printed in the Pacific NW magazine yesterday. If you're looking for athletes who make good role models on and off the field - look no further! So cool to see a family who works extremely hard at their respective sports, highly values education, and stands beside each other when one of them stumbles.

Pacific NW | Faith and each other come before sports in the talented Tuiasosopo family | Seattle Times Newspaper

Here's a link to a blog for our family I recently set up...

http://keithferrin.blogspot.com/ 

I'll be posting updates from the hospital as well as some pictures here.

Enjoy! (oh yeah...and pray!)