Bono in the Pulpit

This is much the same as his presidential prayer breakfast speech last year, but the energy is crazy good.

Nouwen on living life

More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress. But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn't be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them.

Henri Nouwen
via Jordon

Thousands feared at risk from asbestos on warships

This is a very interesting story, not only because of the content and the tragedy of being exposed to asbestos, but because the man featured here is my Uncle Harvey. He is a good man, and it is sad to see all that he has gone through.

Coffee For People Who LIke to Think

This Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Coffee for People Who Like to Think returns to the Broadway Roastery on Five Corners. We are looking at Philip Yancey's book Soul Survivor and are discussing chapter 3 on Dr. Paul Brand.

More information on the Church of the Exiles weblog.

Tough Day

If you could do me a favor, please pray for Sherryl's family. Her uncle took his own life this afternoon. It is the end of a hard, sad story. Thanks.

www.cbc.ca - The National

This is pretty funny. Rex Murphy has a way with words that few can match, and he's on the money. If you haven't heard, James Cameron has "found the tombs of Jesus and his family". Wow, he's good!

About my appointment...

My doctor's appointment on Monday was routine, but it takes me one big step closer to going under the knife. I met with the surgeon who will do the operation, and he layed out a couple of options. I need to decide whether I'll go with repair or replacement. Repair is better in that I would not have to take blood thinner for more than a couple of months. The down side is that the repairs can wear out after 10 years or so, and a second operation is much more risky. Replacement is somewhat of an easier operation; they just cut out the old and put in the new. And I won't have to have another operation: the fake valve lasts for the rest of my life. The down side of this option is that I would have to take blood thinner for the rest of my life.

The other choice I have is whether I'll be available to go in on short notice. I don't know what they consider "short notice", but that might not be a bad idea; less time to think about it beforehand.


This is a model of a replacement valve. I guess I could be considered a cyborg, but I gain no extra powers.













This gives you and idea of what they want to do. If you google "mitral valve replacement", you'll see a couple of photos that are a little more graphic.