This has been an incredible year of experiences for me. The past few weeks have been full of good things. We graduated some amazing students in our masters in missional leadership program, including my son, Josh. I attended the Pepperdine University Bible Lectures last week and was so proud to hear friends and former students preach and teach.

These events were preceded by a Spring break trip to Turkey. What an amazing trip! And today, I visit the White House.

I got an email two weeks ago inviting me to a one day briefing conducted by the office of faith based initiatives. I was invited, it said, because I was a religion scholar. I know what you’re thinking. Surely there are people ahead of me on that list. I think I must be down near the bottom of that list somewhere.

I thought maybe it was a prank. Or maybe a sting. Maybe I show up at the White House and they arrest me for something. You know, something. I did say some pretty critical things of the previous administration (but mostly to myself). Or maybe that time in college…

I later found out that I got the invite because I’m friends with Shaun Casey. Shaun has been a theology/religion advisor to President Obama. Anyway, I’m going. I got through the background check, so that thing in college is evidently behind me. And I can’t wait to participate.

All of this is grace. I’m going to the White House because of Shaun Casey’s merit. I made it to Turkey on John Barton’s. I feel very blessed.

I’ll let you know what I learn today in a future blog.