I took the past couple of days off from work to spend time with my family. We did a little gardening and then spent one day in Palm Springs (’cause the weather was nice) and the next in L.A. (’cause the weather was nice).

We hiked Palm Canyon, went to an Air Musuem, hung out in Downtown Palm Springs, Chinatown in L.A., as well as checking out the Disney Concert Hall and the La Brea tarpits. Ahh, California.

Vacationing can be a really wasteful time, or it can be redeemed.
I’m all for fun and relaxation and family time.
But I don’t want to forget Jesus in the midst of it all.

So what concerns Jesus?

People.

Of all the things we saw during these past couple of days, it was the people that really grabbed my attention.

We were in Palm Springs a few weeks ago, and then again this week.
There are so many interesting people there — artists, homosexuals, lesbians, regular people, mid-westerners and snowbirds.

How I see a potential for ministry  — more specifically a Jesus-preaching
church right in the midst of it. That would engage these people with the
Word of God, right where they are.

And then Chinatown.
Chinatown is teeming with life, activity and actual Chinese people and culture .
It’s a great place.

 My daughter noticed the Buddhas in all the shops. Some were curios for tourists — while other shop owners had full blown altars — with fruit and other goods offered to a smiling Buddha. 

Gemma and I had a great conversation about the reality of Jesus, and the falseness of idols and other religions (with a five year old!).

Again though — there are lost people everywhere. People literally worshipping idols a mere hour and a half from my house! And a mission field of foreign born or influenced people very close to us.

As with any vacation, I took some photos.
Here are some photos of the faces and people that Jesus cares about.
Enjoy, and pray

In the Marketplace

What do the faces in your community look like?
Jesus loves ’em!