.Real.Greg.Lee.

I’ll include some pictures in this quick summary of our walking tour of Ahmadabad today.  It started at the Swaminarayan Hindu Temple and ended at a Muslim mosque (both pictured).

In between we visited many small shrines and temples and learned the history of a city that dates back to the year 1400 and a lot about its religious heritage.  India is over 80% Hindu (there are a wide variety of expressions within this) and over 10% Muslim.  It is less than 5% Christian with a smattering of other faiths.

To any observer, the streets of this city are full of activity and cramped quarters – creating a little sensory overload at first sight.  I’ve seen some narrow roads in old parts of Europe, but these are even smaller.  Roads built for slower paced, simpler times are now jammed full of busses, cars, motorcycles, bicycles and these three-wheeled “RicShaws”.  Not to mention cows, which wander freely even in the cities.  Everything seems to weave in and out in ways that make us cringe, but is beautiful if you can step back and appreciate it.  Our tour guide today said drivers in this city need three things: “ good horn, good brakes, and good luck”.

After the walking tour today, I rode in one with 2 friends back across the city in one of the ricshaws.  We held on tight and had a few good laughs!

I’m still processing what I think of all of this.  We have had incredible access to some of the highest leaders (Sadhus and even the Acharya) of a prominent stream of Hinduism called “Swaminarayan”.  It was explained to us today that the Acharya would be equivalent to their “pope”.  I will probably spend some time reflecting about their faith and my own before writing anything.  I just keep coming back to the word “fascinating.”

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Today we got to tour the “Satyagraha Ashram” Mahatma Gandhi established outside of Ahmedabad upon his return to India nearly 100 years ago.  The setting was fascinating, but the essence of his conviction was captivating.

I’ve known of Gandhi in general and respected him as an important 20^th century figure.  We did some reading about him in advance of our journey here.  But being on the site of where his plans were made was wild.  The pictures here include two of his philosophies.  Click on them to enlarge.

I would embrace much of what he stood for and there are parts I would disagree with also, but his voice as a leader came because he personally modeled what he publicly stood for.  True integrity…the integration of what I say I believe with how I actually behave.  The truth is none of us know the true depth of our convictions until we are severely tested – until it would personally cost us something substantial to live them out with consistency.

Gandhi did.  Completely.  Humbly.  Just makes it obvious to me how much personal growth I still have to do.

You too?

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Over our first week in India, we will get to experience some key sites of Mahatma Gandhi’s work, along with a full exposure to Swaminarayan Hinduism.  But after 24 hours of travel from Chicago to here, these are just my initial impressions.

Not in Kansas anymore. I looked up to find my gate in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) and saw this screen.  I can make my way through most airports by figuring out the signs…not this one.  Let me give kudos to Ethihad Airlines.  It was the best flying experience I have ever had – even if I was in the middle seat of the middle section!

Rich/Poor…Ancient Modern. Our first drive through the city from the airport was a story of contrasts.  We saw this HUGE camel walking down the road while also seeing development like you would in the States.  There was also some great poverty, much like I have seen in Liberia and other places.  Still, unlike Liberia, there are also sections that are quite well off.  We are staying in a very nice home of one of the Swaminarayan Hindu families.  Their children and grandchildren live in Boston and New Jersey.

Before I leave I’m going to make sure to take a ride in one of these three-wheeled Rickshaws.  They are everywhere!

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I’m typing this as I see on my flight map that we are actually pretty close to flying over Bagdhad!  I’m on my way to India and with all the other things happening I haven’t been able to hardly think about this trip, much less write about it, but let me give you the quick update since I hope to post about my experiences for a couple of weeks.

I’m nearing the end of a two year “Fellowship” with 18 pastors from around Indiana.  The Fellowship has an academic bent to it (in its qualificaitons and experience) and a leadership bent to it (so we are encouraged to DO SOMETHING with what we are learning).

It has been the vision of (and completely funded by) the Lily Foundation in an effort to sustain pastoral excellence, and explore how pastors and churches could be part of addressing challenges in our state and our world.  Most of our experiences have been addressing particular social challenges in Indiana – from education to economic development to justice issues, etc.  it has been fascinating, thought-provoking.

But we had a trip to mexico last year and this is the crowning event…a week in Amedebad, India (in the region of Gujerat if you click on the map) and another week in Kottayam, India (in the region of Kerala on the map).  Amedabad was a huge part of Ghandi’s life and we’ll get to experience a Hindu Culture first hand (staying in the homes of Swaminaryan Hindu followers).

Hope to have some interesting stuff and good pictures to post along the way.

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Bears 24 – Seahawks 13

I missed making my prediction last week with Grandma’s funeral, but I’m back on it here.

Cutler is back (hopefully he’ll make it the whole game).  Seattle is terrible on the road.  I trust the Bears defense (though if Lance Briggs can’t go, it could be a problem).  I don’t like coaches that walk away from their college program as it goes on probation for deeds on their watch (Pete Carroll).

Hope the Bears pound them.

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Nineteen years ago I asked one of Ilene Royalty’s granddaughters to the homecoming dance.  I married Jenny and few years later and received the gift of “Iney” becoming my grandma too.  Last week, she passed from this life to the next after 91 incredible years.  Nothing I write could be complete…or enough, but everyone deserves at least a small window into her life…

Her Community: Iney fell in love with Tom Royalty and moved to Clayton, Illinois, becoming central to the fabric of this community.  They owned and operated “Royalty Dry Goods” in town for 40+ years, helped his brother start a similar store in a neighboring town and also had a 4-lane bowling alley. Grandma Iney was always – always! – fixing extra plates of food from her meals to run across the street to the family in need or uptown to the elderly woman who couldn’t get out on her own.

Holding Jack for the 1st time with soulmate Helen Kim

Her Cooking: It was legendary.  Four months ago (at age 91) she was still fixing dinner every Sunday for any family that was in town.  This after having everyone over for coffee and cookies every Saturday morning.  Iney would bake (no exaggeration) 90 cookies every week…meaning she has baked about 100,000 cookies…since age 70!  Jack sat down and drew some pictures about her when we learned she was going to pass.  My favorite was a rainbow he drew, but instead of a pot of gold at the end, there was a pot of Grandma Iney’s noodles.  He LOVED them.  We all did.

Her Faith: I get to see faith come in lots of packages and personalities.  I like Grandma’s best.  It wasn’t Flashy…not pushy or demanding or judgmental.  And it wasn’t Fake…she handled her death like she handled everything else…with grace and confidence.  I found these scriptures written down in the front cover of her Bible.  I think they say a lot about her faith…

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes… -Romans 1:16

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible…And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. -Hebrews 11:3,6

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. -1 John 5:5

Christmas...Iney with her three daughters

Her Family…She and Tom kept their vows to his death 10 years ago.  They had five children of their own and when a new young minister came to their Presbyterian Church in the 1960’s…straight from Korea with no family here and a culture gap…the Kim family was fully adopted as part of the Royalty clan.  So there were dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Nothing generated more joy for her…and for us.  It was all-family, all the time.

I got to sit down with Grandma on Labor Day weekend for what turned out to be our final conversation.  She said something to me that I found both inspiring (because she was a living example of it) and convicting (because I am not).  Here it is:  If you are going to be a good family person, you are going to have to overlook a lot of faults.

When you stop and think about it, that is huge: Not being judgmental toward the faults of others; Not ignoring faults either.  Just decide…choose…to look past them and accept people/family for who they are.  Warts and all.

So I wasn’t surprised when I found these scriptures in the front cover of her Bible either…

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. -Romans 14:19

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? -James 4:1

Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it…There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? -James 4:11-12

There is more, but to me that is the essence of Grandma Iney.  We will miss her…and we will see her again.

Christmas 2008 with Grandma in the Center

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I have lots of things I want to post on (and will), but just checking in here.  I didn’t post for the last 5 days because we learned Tuesday that Jenny’s Grandma Iney took a turn for the worse and then passed away that night.  She had a full and wonderful life of 91 years (a whole post on her will come sometime soon).  It was great to connect with so much family there and I got the honor of officiating at her funeral Saturday morning along with the minister at her church.

We drove back late last night and this morning church was a blur.  A very good blur, but a still a blur.  Fortunately, Joseph’s story is so powerful it almost tells itself!  And the worship…as powerful as I’ve ever experienced.

I also still have posts coming about the Hobart announcement, one about week 3 at new our campuses, one about my upcoming trip to India and one predicting the Bears would win 23-6 today.  🙂

Until then…

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Don’t let the title of this post fool you.  The only thing Running on Empty today was the Bears Offense.  Actually our Campuses explored the “Second Chance at Purpose…If you are Running on Empty.”  It was a GREAT day.

St. John…I always expect the crowds to shrink when we send out a huge crew to launch a new campus (or 2), but it just doesn’t ever seem to happen.  Loved your worship today.  Loved “The Culps”.  Loved the conversations after the message.

Hobart…Doug texted me this afternoon to say our announcement went great and he had some great conversations about the upcoming move.  for everyone who is curious…I’ll give a post to it later this week.

Highland…We expect the crowds to shrink after launch weekends that can be inflated.  Didn’t Happen!  Saw some great pics (including the ones here) and loved how you did pizza and playground to start connecting with new people after the services!

Walkerton…Another one of our elders went over there today and had great things to say about Andy, the enviroment and the crowd…also just as big as week 1.

I talked to 3 people this morning who asked me how to get the CD from this morning’ s message to give to their “one”.  Praying God uses it.  I met a few more of your “one’s” today in person.  Keep it up, Suncrest.  I love ya.

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Bears 24 – Giants 17

Hard to believe “Da Bears” are 3-0 and still underdogs to NY Giants team that has not looked strong and is dealing with injuries.  I’m not suggesting the Bears will run away with anything, but I feel good picking the “upset” here.

Excited for a second game I should be able to see in full – love it when the start time is not noon on Sunday.

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Haven’t posted on personal stuff for a while and i was just thinking about some extended family things.  Jenny and I both have great extended families.  On my side most of our interactions stay pretty tight with my parents, brothers, and their families (pictured from our August get-together).  I love that.  Jenny’s family?  Their tree is huge…and free-flowing.  Just hang around and you are welcomed as part of the family.  I love that too.

Outside of being a dad, I think being an uncle is the most fun.  In fact, sometimes it is more fun than having to be the dad!  I always thought the world of my Uncle Bill and want to pass that on (though it is MUCH harder now that we have kids of our own).  I have 4 nephews and a niece that are great first-cousins to Jack and Abby.  Here are just a few highlights about them…

Tim and Beth’s kids…

Eric is the oldest (middle school) and the leader of the clan.   He is a stellar athlete, leading his team to a regional basketball championship and wearing #22 scoring touchdowns.  Best of all, he has his priorities straight.  His Facebook description just says “Sports r awesome but not as awesome as God!!!!”

Megan is my only niece and is a sweetheart, but you wouldn’t want to mistake her kind spirit for weakness.  Maybe it comes with having 2 brothers.  She’s a catcher and a middle child (both just like ole uncle Greg) and is quite capable at “mothering” all of her younger cousins.  What do I like most?  She says she is going to Africa with me someday!

In some ways, Jonathan is my favorite.  Great kid.  I love to laugh with him.  He’s still young, but I’m predicting he will be the Gentle Giant.  He’s got some size to him, is a hard worker with Grandma, and I think it is in his nature to be a great friend, pull for the underdog and  support those who others overlook.

Ben and Karen’s Kids…

Marcus is a 6 year old with NO FEAR.  None.  He’s adventurous, confident, and athletic.  Last month, he did his first triathlon (50 yards swimming/2 miles biking/half mile running).  Incredible.  All the best characteristics you would expect from a first-born with a craving to do everything connected to church too.

Nathan is 4…a month older than our Abby…and they are two peas in a pod.  You might think his personality would be still developing, but I think we all already know.  He’s never going to let his brother get too far ahead of him.  He’s going to be hilarious…he jokes with Grandpa or whoever at every chance.  And he is going to be super-affectionate.

Just one more part of my life that is much better than I deserve…

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