I'm going to be a father (in-law)

I hope it's okay that I post this now... The boyfriend finally got around to asking daughter Carrie to marry him yesterday!!! He talked to Jane and I on April 30, and we've been holding our breath ever since trying not to give it away. We couldn't be happier. And Carrie has no need for shoes, because she's floating about a foot off the ground still. I have no idea if there is a date yet or not. Congratulations Drew Carrie!

I cleaned my office

I somewhat cleaned my office yesterday. People will be going in there while I'm gone, and it will be easier for them to find what they need. Plus I thought it would be nice when I get back from vacation to have a nice clean office to pile the mail in.

I didn't clean everything. The shelves are really dusty still. But I cleaned off both desks and used pledge on them. I sorted through some papers and loaded up a garbage can. I also rearranged some of my books so it kind of *looks* like I have fewer of them (I need some kind of system). And I vacuumed the carpet. It's much better than it was. But there are still way too many stacks of paper and other stuff. Most of which I can't even remember what it is. And I could probably throw away half my books because they were either free or they're old, and I'll probably never read them. But you never know, you know.

So... there you go... That's what I did.

Bunny and the bird

I caught the bunny and this bird having a chat under the feeders yesterday. There were a bunch of birds all around Mr. Bunny just before this. These two must have been having a stare-down.

Dr. visit

I had to go back to the doctor yesterday for a re-check. I'd had another lipid profile done, so he was checking my cholesterol numbers, as well as seeing how the new bp med dose was working. I also had a skin irritation thingy. And he surprised me with a stinkin prostate exam. Argh.

I was actually really nervous about going for some reason. I was afraid my cholesterol numbers were going to be really bad. They weren't 'great', but they weren't bad either. And, fortunately, I had been checking my blood pressure regularly and keeping track on my blog. So I took those numbers in and he said they seemed okay. It must go up when I'm in the doctors office. But I also gained 5 stinking pounds. How the heck did that happen? Dang. Anyway, here's the lowdown...

• Blood pressure - 124/90 (it was 138/90 when he upped my dosage)
• Weight - 171
• Total cholesterol - 230 (up from 221 a year ago; should be under 200)
• Bad cholesterol - 152 (up from 150; should be under 130)
• Good cholesterol - 34 (down from 35; should be above 40)
• Tryglicerides - 218 (up from 174; should be under 200)

I also had him check out a skin thingy. He said it was no big deal, and typical for runners. He gave me a prescription for a balm. I also got a new script for my nasonex and allegra. When I went to the pharmacy I also refilled my lisinopril, so I had four prescriptions, and it was $50.

Mowing

I mowed this afternoon. It was a nice day - cool and a little breezy, but warm enough for shorts and sleeveless T. I was smart and used some suntan lotion today though. Geez, I've never had to do that for mowing before. My right arm is pealing pretty bad from 2 weeks ago. I also bought some $7 shorts at walmart and wore them. They are like HUGE on me, but will be nice "baggy shorts."

Anyway, it took me 2 hours and 15 minutes. And I saw 2 dead robins laying in the yard. Hmm. I also finally snagged the bicycle helmet that someone left on the playground. It's been there all week and no one claimed it.

Truth but not necessarily fact

My son says of his blog that it is "truth but not necessarily fact." I like that. And, while I am not sure he means it in the same way that I do, I think that has always been a major point in my blog writing too. I write things that I truly do think and feel, but just because I think or feel them doesn't mean it's factual. For instance, if I say that I feel like I'm all alone and that I don't fit in with anyone - that truly is how I feel. However, the fact is, I know that's not really the case. I do have friends, and some very good ones. But it doesn't always change how I feel.

And while I was thinking about this, it occurred to me that much of my preaching might actually be the opposite. Often I will preach from facts that I know to be true about God and Jesus, even though I wrestle with the truth of them in my life. Like, I know God loves and accepts me; but sometimes I have a hard time wrapping my mind around that and I don't feel loved and accepted. I think that's a lot of what faith is: it's learning to trust the facts that we know to be true even when we might be tempted to let our doubts win out.

Anyway, I thought that was a very perceptive little statement the boy made. In my case, my blog has always been a place to just lay down my feelings - not necessarily the facts. For those who only know me through this blog, it might seem like I am a somewhat dark, negative, malcontent type of soul. Well, and I am. A little. But it's not all of me.

Other than that... well... you know... I dunno.

Peace out; and in.

Stuck in the middle

I was at this concert last night. It was a "secular" show, but held in a "church" building. As I sat and listened and watched people, it occurred to me that this really sums up my life. I loved the music, and there were so many people there that reminded me of my friends before I went off to seminary and became a pastor. These were the type of people I held in my thoughts while studying, and praying, and dreaming up what church might look like for me. The guys with pony tails and beards down to their bellies, as well as the nervous-looking tattoo-covered, and even the red-neck beer guzzlers. As I sat there looking at them, it seemed so right, like these were my friends. But I knew this was not the case. Because the truth is... I just don't fit with those people anymore. I might not look at them any differently, but I think they look at me differently. And honestly, even though I still think I talk and dress like them, and think of myself as one of them... I am not. I no longer share their worries, and can't really fully relate to their demons anymore. Not all of them anyway. In a way it makes me sad to realize this.

On the other hand, I also saw some of the staff and people from this church at the concert. I have tried on several occasions to connect with them - we are like-minded church leaders, I've always thought. But for whatever reason they don't seem to see me the same. And it's not just them, but I get that from a lot of "pastor types." The language I use, the clothes I wear, the things I talk about... they don't consider me one of them either. This saddens me as well.

So here I am... stuck in the middle. I don't fit here; I don't fit there. Too secular for the religious; too religious for the secular. It is a lonely place to be. Which doesn't mean I don't think it's where God has called me to; and it doesn't mean I always think it's necessarily the wrong place to be. But sometimes I wonder. I often think that it would be nice to take a year off from being a pastor - just so I can know what it's like to be a "normal" person again. But I also know it's quite likely that if I took a sabbatical I would never return from it. At least not in the same capacity or location. I believe that's a documented fact. So I never know... is God teaching me something through this; or am I avoiding something? Maybe I'm not supposed to "fit" anywhere but in God's graces. Kind of like wandering in the desert. Hmm. God has done a lot of good teaching in the desert. But it's a lonely place.

Or maybe everybody feels like this.

I dunno. Just rambling.

I wanna be a peacemaker

And not just in the Jesus-way. What a nice night it was last night as we took in a Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers show at C2G in Fort Wayne. Besides the fact that this is one of my favorite venues, and I was with the girl of my dreams, and one of our best friends... I was blown away by RCPM for nearly two full hours, as well as opening band Dead Rock West. It was simply a really, really good night.

I hadn't been to C2G in quite some time. I know not since the new baseball stadium was started. But it's hard to beat it for someone like me. Smoke-free, alcohol-free, lots of open space, dark, and they have excellent lighting and sound. I was reminded last night just how nice their sound is. It is quite loud enough to feel it in your chest, but the perfect mix so even I don't require ear protection of any kind.

Dead Rock West opened with the lovely Cindy Wasserman singing a solo acappella in a dress and cowboy boots. Wow. And then the band came out and rocked very goodly. One guitarist was on a flying vee, but the lead singer slung a telecaster. Jane read my mind, because as soon as they were done I said, "I think I'd like to buy that telecaster now." They were very fun, and good. On a side note: an awkward moment for me was later in the evening I went to get us drinks and had to stand at the counter beside Ms. Wasserman for what seemed like forever. She was super nice, but I felt like a Jr. Higher stuck in a moment with the prettiest girl in school. The only words I could seem to muster were, "You guys were great!"

Anyway, then Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers took over around 9:10, and they played non-stop for the next 2 hours. The worst thing about the rest of the night was going back and forth in my mind between wanting a Tele or a Les Paul. All I can say is, "Wow" again. I have heard them described as a "vacation band" and that fits well. You feel like you're at a party. Of course they are perhaps best known to the masses for doing the theme song to the tv show "King of the Hill," but they play such a variety of music (actually, it was Roger's previous band, The Replacements, that did the King of the Hill theme song). And all of it guitar-driven goodness. I have to say, it's hard not to like a band that so obviously loves their audience. And you can tell they do by the following they brought with them. Certainly Roger could have spent more time talking with the faithful during the show, but it's a good bet he knows why everyone is there: to hear them play. So play they did. No breaks, very little chit-chat, and a great time was had by all. Though this was perhaps the first alcohol-free show they've ever done, it was easily worth the price of admission. I think they would have played all night long if they'd been allowed. I love seeing a band that loves playing. And I really liked how they said, "Let's just forget the whole encore thing. If you wanna stick around, we're going to play some more." Priceless.

Thanks NIPR. An excellente night!

I need a vacation

Actually, if I can make it through this week I will get one. But things are not exactly going as planned so far. I wasn't expecting the newspaper interview this week, the credit card fiasco, getting the oil changed in 2 cars (which means I have to take Jane to work and pick her up), and today the copy machine broke down. Hopefully they'll come to fix it tomorrow.

Also, this week I am trying to plan for 4 worship services. Which always confuses me. I've got this coming Sunday to plan for (and there's a breakfast beforehand, and we have some missionaries coming to speak); then the next Sunday I will be gone, so I'm planning the service and making the bulletins for it; then the following Sunday I will be gone too, so I'm planning the service and making the bulletins for that; and then I will be gone the next week, but will actually be here for that Sunday, so I'm trying to plan the service, do the bulletins, and I also need a sermon for that Sunday - plus it's Father's Day!

And, I know that I could find someone fully capable of doing some of this stuff. But it just seems easier to do it myself. I'm not good with a lot of things on the table at one time.

I think I have things taken care of with the credit card. We won't get our internet shut off anyway. And I actually got the bulletins done for 5/31, 6/7 and 6/14. So I'm good there. Though the ones for the 14th don't look very good. They will have to do. I wouldn't be at all surprised if they came to put our new sign in sometime this week. And we still need to stain and put up the trim on the new pavilion wall. Plus, you know, all the usual stuff that I do each week. I need to make a couple visits, and some calls, and some other stuff. And I'm going to have to hope I can time the mowing just right to fit around me being gone. I was really hoping to get a sermon prepared for the 21st so I don't have to think about it while I'm on vacation. Whatever.

I still don't have any plans for the one week of vacation. I needed to be gone on that weekend, and I will still have another week to take before August, so I just decided to take the whole week off. I can get the patio prepped to pour, and dink around, I suppose. I was going to try to go somewhere alone for a couple days, but... you know how that goes. One week Jane and I are taking off on a road trip. I'm not big on driving, but we're heading to Minnesota for my nephew's graduation, then heading west to South Dakota to Deadwood and maybe spear some fish, then heading to her brother's in Colorado. And I was a complete idiot, because I didn't realize that the day after we get back I have to go to lovely Decatur, Illinois for 3 days for our regional conference. Man, I'm worn out just thinking about it. And I'm not at all sure what day it is anymore. I have too many dates and calendar updates floating around on pieces of paper. Oh, and the electricity went out for a little while too. That helped.

Ugh. Peace out; and in.

No credit card for me

Apparently the credit card Natzi has decided that a certain business card will be no more. I have a credit card for the church - a business account - and yesterday I received a letter stating:

"Your ____ Business Card account is funded by an independent trust which owns the balances you owe on your account and provides funding for new transactions. We expect the trust to stop funding activity on our accounts. The trust also restricts our flexibility to fund activity on your account. Unfortunately, as a result, effective May 30th all _____ Business Credit Card accounts, including your account, will be closed. This means that you will not be able to use your card or account for new transactions... beginning on May 30th.

My first thought was that this was some kind of scam or something. So I dug out an old bill and called my credit card company. But, sure enough, it is for real. And the real bummer is - I received my letter (which was dated 5/22) on May 26; and it's no good in FOUR DAYS! I'm sure I can get by for awhile without a card, and I can only think of one bill that automatically charges to my credit card - which I'm apparently going to have to switch to my personal card, because who has time to get a new card in that amount of time - but can you imagine a big business that has lots of people using these cards, and lots of things billed automatically? This seems really strange. And, I know, someone will say it's just us. But it's not. It is the entire cc company. Weird.

So, anyway, I got this at noon yesterday and spent awhile trying to get to the bottom of it. I finally ended up having Jane bring me an application from her bank for a new card. I mailed it off this morning.

Has anyone else heard of people having their business cards closed recently?

UPDATE: See article here and here.

Newspaper edit

Er... this had absolutely nothing to do with the comments, but I needed to take down the Newspaper Interview post. Sorry. Nothing serious, just one of those things.

Six characteristics of church community

Dan Sheffield has a post "Do We Need A Missional 'Scorecard'?" I don't know about all that, but I like the list he gave from Lesslie Newbigin's 'The Gospel In A Pluralist Society' of "6 characteristics that should serve as a congregational hermeneutic of the good news." I'm not sure why you can't just say, "6 things I would like our church to be about," but anyway, click over to Dan's blog to read the details. Here are the six things:

1. a community of praise.
2. a community of truth.
3. a community that is deeply involved in the concerns of its neighborhood.
4. a commonity where men and women are prepared for and sustained in the exercise of their preisthood in the world.
5. a community of mutual responsibility.
6. a community of hope.

I like these. And I agree with D.S. that I don't like the idea of a 'scorecard.'

Zoo day

Jane and I didn't have anything to do yesterday afternoon and we ended up going to the zoo. It actually seemed much nicer than the last time I was there (other than the $12 apiece to get in). And we even knew the person selling tickets - an old friend/classmate of son Isaac's (Andrea says "hi"). Anyway, it was a good time... and it was an excellent day to walk around. The animals were all pretty lively too. But there were way lots of people there. Like Jane said, it was like a zoo. It seemed everywhere we went we were trapped in by baby strollers, wagons, or wheelchairs. It was fun though. The next time I want to ride the train, the log ride, and the skylift (though I hope to not drop my sunglasses off of this skylift).

Sleeping in the back yard

Lady Jane and I have this saying when it's a really nice night out: "This would be a great night to sleep outside." Last night we went to the $3 theater and saw "Taken" (which was really good, btw), and when we got home at 9:30 we said it, and then... we did it. I snagged the tent from the top of the garage, and even though it was getting dark we had it up in less than 10 minutes. We even took the futon mattress out and laid on that.

After setting it up we came back inside and watched the end of the Cavs/Magic game. Then Drew Carrie arrived (with dirty, dirty feet), and around midnight we headed out to our backyard campground (just Jane and I). It truly was a great night to sleep outside. It was kinda windy, and we pretended the tent flapping in the breeze was ocean waves cracking in the distance.

I laid awake for a long time and just enjoyed the sounds. It was nice. Now my breakfast is ready. Then I'll head over to the office. I love it when Jane has holidays off.

Bunny and the birds

Lots of activity in the backyard yesterday. At one point there were three red finches on the feeder. And these two yellows have been around for awhile. I also saw four yellows fly through together late in the afternoon. Early in the day there were a couple of love birds munching on ground spill. And we saw the prettiest bluebird drop in for a bite too. Just before dark we had what appeared to be a baby robin on our back step. He looked kinda confused. He sat and chirped awhile, pooped on the step, then left. As you can see, we also decided to put both feeders in the same tree. And bunny boy is hanging in there. He never travels too far. Jane took these pictures through the back screen door. (click on the pics to enlarge)

Changed guitar strings

I finally remembered to change the strings on my Alvarez/Yairi today. Holy cow, they hadn't been changed since 11/17/07. I'm not very good about keeping them changed. I thought it was about time though, because the last couple Sundays I've noticed them sounding funny. And sure enough, I kid you not, just as I was changing them, when I went to loosen the little E, it snapped at that very moment. How's that for cutting it close?!

I put on a set of Elixir Custom Lights (.011-.052 with Nanoweb coating) that I've had laying around for eons. They are not the sealed kind though. And I've never particularly liked Elixir strings for some reason. Of course, I can't say that there is a brand that I am particularly in love with. I'm not real fond of that "new string" sound. But anyway, at least I managed to not break one while playing. Whew. I see these are a hair lighter than the one's I took off though, so I might need to change them before a year and a half goes by.

18 minutes. Dang, I'm getting slow.

Eternal life

From William Barclay's the Letters of John and Jude commentary on 1 John 5:11-13, regarding v.13 "I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life" (p.113-114):

The word for eternal is aionios. It means far more than simply 'lasting for ever.' A life which lasted for ever might well be a curse and not a blessing, an intolerable burden and not a shining gift. There is only one person to whom aionios may properly be applied and that is God. In the real sense of the term it is God alone who possesses and inhabits eternity. Eternal life is, therefore, nothing other than the life of God himself. What we are promised is that here and now there can be given us a share in the very life of God.

In God there is peace and, therefore eternal life means serenity. It means a life liberated from the fears which haunt the human situation. In God there is power and, therefore, eternal life means the defeat of frustration. It means a life filled with the power of God and, therefore, victorious over circumstance. In God there is holiness and, therefore, eternal life means the defeat of sin. It means a life clad with the purity of God and armed against the soiling infections of the world. In God there is love and, therefore, eternal life means the end of bitterness and hatred. It means a life which has the love of God in its heart and the undefeatable love of man in all its feelings and in all its action. In God there is life and, therefore, eternal life means the defeat of death. It means a life which is indestructible because it has in it the indestructibility of God himself.

Blood running

The title is a little deceiving. There is no blood running here (probably not even in my veins). Two separate thoughts.

BLOOD TEST
This morning I had to get a blood test. It's time for another cholesterol check. I do not want to find out what it is, because I don't want to go back on the meds. Anyway, I went back to the little PA Labs place in Waynedale that I used the last time. I had to fast, so I wanted to be there early. I checked online and they were supposed to open at 8 am. I was glad to see there were no cars in the parking lot when I pulled in at 8:03. However NO cars meant there were also no employees. There was a teeny little note that said for this week only they didn't open until 8:30. So I drove around for a half hour. When I came back there was a lady sitting out front smoking a cigarette. Finally about 8:33 the nurse came whipping in the driveway. And I'm not sure why, but they told me to go on ahead and sit in the big blood-taking chair first. I gave her my order and my prescription card, and she asked if I was sure I was at the right place. I said, "Well, do you take blood?" But she said that my card was connected to some other type of place. I'd forgotten we had switched insurance since the last time I was here. I told her to go ahead and suck my blood anyway. Five minutes later I was headed to McDonalds for a celebratory sausage, egg, and cheese McGriddle.

RUNNING
I ran last night for the first time all week. My back had been especially sore this week, plus I just seemed to be busier than usual, and some days just too depressed to run. But after mowing I hopped on the treadmill and did a little over 4 miles. And the funny thing is... about the only time my back doesn't hurt is when I run. Isn't that weird? I had thought the running might be what was making it hurt. But that actually makes it feel better. Maybe I should pull a Forest Gump and just run all the time.

See ya.

Mowing

I mowed the yard yesterday afternoon, and it was a beautiful day. It only took 2 hours and 10 minutes too. The grass wasn't too thick, the dandelions weren't too bad, and it was nice and dry. It was also nice to just drive the mower in and out of the shed, what with the new stone ramp and all. No more lining up the wheels on the boards.

I did manage to get a sunburn though. This was actually the first time I'd worn shorts and a short sleeve shirt to mow in. The tops of my legs, my arms, and my face and neck are pretty red. It's because of my blood pressure medicine. It makes me sensitive to the sun. I'm such a sensitive soul anyway. But I did think to take an ibuprofen before I mowed, and my back didn't hurt too bad when I was done. I also started taking a 4-hour antihistamine when I mow, on top of the 24-hour one I take every day. That seems to help.

I think I need to sharpen the blades. I suppose all those dandelions have dulled them.

Backyard: tomatos, bird feeder, tree

I don't need no stinkin' tomato tree. Perhaps you've seen those upside down tomato planters they advertise on tv. I'm hoping these buckets work just the same. I planted these last night. We're actually going to let them grow right-side up for a week (to let the roots grow), and then hang them here. On the left are cherry tomatoes; on the right are regular beefsteaks (or something like that).
This is Jane's new bird feeder she got for Mother's Day. We originally used a wild finch feed mix, and we had birds out the wazoo. The other night we ran out and switched to just thistle seed and put the finch-only inserts in the feeder. That has definitely cut down on the activity, and I'm hoping some of our finch friends will return. We have now hung a wild-bird feeder in the tree in the distance.
This is a sore spot on our tree. We planted this tree maybe 8 years ago. We brought it home in our minivan (before Carrie wrecked it). I don't know what happened, but it's got this big gash in it now. Does anybody know anything about trees? Any ideas on what to do? (and please disregard the trailer-trash back patio. We're hoping to redo it this summer).

Listen until he whispers

From Practicing His Presence by Frank Laubach, p. 28:

One of the mental characteristics against which I have rebelled most is the frequency of my "blank spells" when I cannot think of anything worth writing and sometimes cannot remember names. Henceforth I resolve to regard these as God's signal that I am to stop and listen. Sometimes you want to talk to your son, and sometimes you want to hold him tight in silence. God is that way with us, He wants to hold us still with Him in silence.

Here is something we can share with all the people in the world. They cannot all be brilliant or rich or beautiful. They cannot all even dream beautiful dreams like God gives some of us. They cannot all enjoy music. Their hearts do not all burn with love. But everybody can learn to hold God. And when God is ready to speak, the fresh thoughts of heaven will flow in like a crystal spring. Everybody rests at the end of the day, what a gain if everybody could rest in the waiting arms of the Father, and listen until He whispers.

Stuck starter

This afternoon I decided to return some of our leftover materials from the workday the other day. We had 5 sheets of siding, 2 boxes of screws, and a few other odds and ends. I hadn't had the truck out on the road for a long time, and I wasn't sure if she was up for a trip or not, but... what the heck. Sometimes you gotta live dangerously.

I was especially concerned on the way down, because even though it wasn't a huge load, it was still a bit of weight; and 2 of my tires are dry-rotted all the way around. So I took back roads down to Lowe's in Bluffton. It ended up being a nice drive with no problems.

I unloaded the stuff, took it inside, then headed down to the return counter to get my money back. I had 2 different receipts, and the kid rang it up, put it back on my credit card, and I headed out the door. But it was only for $84-something. So I whipped my receipts out again, and sure enough he failed to ring up the other return - the big one. So he did that, and I ended up getting just over $199 back. But that's when the trouble started.

I headed back to the truck, feeling good that I had made it there, and saved the church some money, but when I hopped in and turned the key... nothing. It was deader than a doornail. So I got out and took the screwdriver to the solenoid. That didn't do anything. So I kinda just stood there. It was hot. 84F. And I had a longsleeve black shirt on. I prayed, and thought about how much my back suddenly hurt. Finally an employee walked by and I asked if he could maybe give me a jump. He seemed more than happy to. So I got my cables out, and he pulled up, but it didn't do any good. I thought maybe it was my cables, because I wasn't getting any spark. He said he didn't have any, but said he would go check if anyone else did.

I waited some more and a young guy came wheeling up. He got out, put his cables on... and it still didn't start. So he beat on the solenoid with his ice scraper. Then he crawled under the truck and beat on the starter with his ice scraper. Nothing. Then he got a crowbar and beat on the starter with that and... presto! It started. I tried to give him $5, but he wouldn't take it. He was very nice. So I headed for home on the main road.

I didn't have anymore problems, but when I parked and shut it off... it wouldn't start back up again.

I knew I should have sold it when I had the chance.

A continuous silent conversation

From Practicing His Presence, by Frank Laubach, p. 25:

Last year, as you know, I decided to try to keep the Lord in mind all the time. That was rather easy for a lonesome man in a strange land. It has always been easier for the shepherds, and the monks, and the anchorites than for people surrounded by crowds.

But today it is an altogether different thing. I am no longer lonesome. The hours of the day from dawn to bedtime are spent in the presence of others. Either this new situation will crowd God out or I must take Him into it all. I must learn a continuous silent conversation of heart to heart speaking with God while looking into other eyes and listening to other voices.

Bring healing

I recently had a friend tell me they were awakened from their sleep to the question, "What are the spiritual needs of the people?" I think that is a very powerful thing God must be doing in their life.

For several days I pondered the question myself, and really had no clue as to an answer. But this morning I was reading Brennan Manning's book 'The Furious Longing of God' and beginning on p. 81 he talks of healing. This seemed to connect a few dots.

Manning related a story where someone asked him, since he had opportunity to travel so much and visit college campuses and churches and whatnot, what he felt the Spirit of God was saying to the American church. He responded by saying...

...if there's one thing I hear with growing clarity, it's that God is calling each and every Christian to personally participate in the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.

On p.82 he clarifies a bit. He says,

Healing becomes the opportunity to pass off to another human being what I have received from the Lord Jesus; namely His unconditional acceptance of me as I am, not as I should be. He loves me whether in a state of grace or disgrace, whether I live up to the lofty expectations of His gospel or I don't. He comes to me where I live and loves me as I am.

When I have passed that same reality on to another human being, the result most often has been the inner healing of their heart through the touch of my affirmation. To affirm a person is to see the good in them that they cannot see in themselves and to repeat it in spite of appearances to the contrary.

He links this to Philippians 4:8: "Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don't ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise." (CEV)

He shares several real-life illustrations of this healing love, and also from Don Quixote and his treatment of Aldonsa/Dulcinea (which, btw, is where I must have picked up on calling my dear, My Lady). And on p.101 I'm not sure if he's quoting Scripture or Don Quixote, but he says,

The past is over and done. We all stumble on the way to maturity. We all look for love in the wrong arms, happiness in the wrong places. But out of it, you've become real. You've got a heart of immense compassion for the brokenness of others. You are utterly incapable of hypocrisy, and I am deeply in love with you.

Hmm... Just imagine God himself saying this to you. How does that make you feel?

I'm not too proud to admit that I need much healing. Perhaps the way to find it is in being a healer myself. It would seem hard to argue that acceptance, affirmation, and love are not what people need most. I know I do.

Ready... go.

Work day, movie night, Isaac's house

We had a work day at the church Saturday. It went really well. Had a lot of good help. It's nice having people who actually know what they're doing, and who also have the right tools to do what needs done. One crew built a new wall on the south end of the pavilion. Hopefully that will keep some wind out. Another crew built a ramp into the garage for the mower. Another crew worked inside cleaning the kitchen and the Sunday School rooms. All in all it was maybe one of the better work days we've had even though it rained off and on for most of the day.

I started about 8 am and left around 4 pm, took a shower, and Jane and I headed to the hospital to see the son of some people in our church. Then we made a beeline to the movie night house. We were about 10 minutes late, but they hadn't started yet. We watched the movie "Meet John Doe." I was not all that excited about it, because it was made in 1941, but it was a really good movie. I was amazed at how relevant it was to today. I highly recommend it. I think it has Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck in it, and was made by Frank Capra.

Then Sunday afternoon we converted the Buick into a truck and took a load of stuff down to Isaac's new house. He moved in last week and they're still in the midst of acquiring things. I took the back seat out of the car and we managed to get a dresser, kitchen table and chairs, vacuum cleaner, dishes, and a few various other items in. While there we bought them a toaster and some food. It's actually a pretty nice place. Kinda old, but pretty roomy. Three bedrooms and two bathrooms - though the one bathroom could use a little work. Should be a good place. I was mad because I meant to take the camera and I forgot. And it's Ave., not St. (note to self).

We got home around 8:30 or 9 and it seemed like the first time I'd sat down since Friday. And Jane has been hogging the computer working on her final paper. I'll be glad when that is done, though not near as much as she will be. So... yep, it's another Monday. I keep thinking any moment Bill Murray is going to show up.

Peace out; and in.

Crowfield at calhoun st.

Last night we went to Calhoun St. Soups, Salads, and Spirits and took in the band Crowfield. They were mighty fine (although I hear their drummer was a real jerk afterward). And I was glad to see the back room of this place had been enlarged a little since the last time we were here, because it was packed last night. I even got a free bottle opener.

I was also privileged to see IPFW men's basketball coach Dane Fife in attendance. I won't hold it against him that he used to play for IU.

Some things I thought about while watching during the evening...

• I would love to have a place with a back room like this place.
• Before the band came on they were playing some Lenny Cravitz, and that made me want to get a Gibson again. Maybe a flying v. Though I know I won't. But I want to.
• The singer for Crowfield played an acoustic, and I don't know how he kept it in tune all night. But it made me want to get a smaller acoustic again too. Maybe a Martin. Though I don't know if a Martin could stand the way I handle guitars. But I wish I had a smaller one than what I have.
• I like watching a band that is having a good time while they're playing. Seeing people smiling makes it so much more enjoyable than seeing people who seem to wish the crowd wasn't there. Like, why did they invite us. But this band did a good job of making the crowd feel loved. I enjoyed watching them, and they're good.
  
• I am most definitely getting old. I remembered right away that I forgot my earplugs. Usually I can make it through anyway, but last night I actually had to go in the other room at one point. My ears just plain hurt. This depresses me. At least Drew Carrie weren't effected, as they were standing right in front about 2 feet from the singers face.
• It was cool to see the crowd right up in front. It reminded me of one of the first times Isaac played before an audience - I think when he was a freshman in high school - and he had to ask people to back up a little. Ah... the memories.
• I stood next to a guy for awhile that I remembered had been at our Jason Ringenberg show. I was going to talk to him, but decided against it.
• I wondered how long it took the singer to get his beard that long. Mine just will not grow. And I thought it would.
• It was a good time.

Well, we're supposed to have a work day at the church today. It looks like some serious rain though. Then movie night tonight.

Ritz revelation

On Wednesday Tom and I drove over to Findlay, Ohio and attended Ritz Lectures at the beautiful facilities of Winebrenner Seminary. The speaker was Dr. James Resseguie, speaking on the topic of 'Revelation as Story.' It was based on his newly released book "The Revelation of John: A Narrative Commentary." The talk was broken into four parts: A New Exodus, Church and In-Between Times, Helping and Hindering Characters, and Turning the World Right Side Up. It was a most excellent time. I could do this stuff everyday. It started about 9 am and ended around 3:30 pm.

I think one of the things I liked best was that it was simply about the Bible (specifically the book of Revelation). I am tired of hearing about different ways to "do church," or church leadership strategies, or things along those lines. Give me Jesus, you know. It was beautifully done in this lecture. It was also interesting in that Dr. Resseguie is not exactly the most "dynamic" of speakers. Basically he just stood behind this huge pulpit and read from his manuscript. At first I thought there was no way I would stay awake the entire day. But it just goes to show that delivery methods are vastly over-rated. The substance of his lecture kept everyone's attention just fine. And the only powerpoint slides he used were various paintings and works of art he used to describe events in Revelation. It was cool. Good stuff.

We also had a great discussion at lunch. It was Tom and I, plus our table mates Josh and Jayme (sp?). They are both students at WTS. In fact, now several days later, I am having serious withdrawels from discussions like this. I probably shouldn't say anymore about that right now.

I might also add that daughter Carrie did a splendid job of planning this event, and taking care of things while we were there. I was a pretty proud pappa. Winebrenner is lucky to have her on staff. The flowers really did add a nice touch too. :)

I took a few pages of notes, but most of what he talked about is in his book. Plus I can't really read my scribbles very well in many places. Here's a few things I wrote down:

• Revelation is the 5th Gospel (to Dr. R).
• Notice the difference between what John "sees" and what he "hears." Seeing is often the inner reality, and hearing the outer; or, the hearing interprets what he sees.
• Try to read Revelation fresh, as though you know nothing about it. Allow John to tell his story, rather than those who have tried to make it something else.
• From chapters 11 & 12... "The role of the church"...
  
• The spiritual home of the church is the desert or wilderness.
  
• The woman is the image of the church in the in-between times.
• ***The wilderness is not to be avoided, but where the church is nourished, and learns to be dependant upon God.
• Community formation takes place in the wilderness - we are dependant on each other and God.
• 1260 days=42 months=3 1/2 years. This is a broken seven. Seven=perfection; 3 1/2 is completeness interrupted. It represents the in-between times; the time between Jesus' first and second coming; the period of divine nourishment; the wilderness time; a time of God's protection for us and a time when evil does not have the upper hand despite appearances.
• The image of the church in ch. 12 is that of a church vulnerable but protected by God.
• He calls ch. 11 the most difficult but also most important chapter in Revelation.
• Verses 1-2= the church as vulnerable yet protected; verses 3-11= the church as witnesses in the world.
• V.1-2= The measured temple is image of church as spiritually protected community. The unmeasured area is image of church as a vulnerable community.
• V. 3-11= The church is invincible, yet conquered; powerful, yet trampled upon; attacked, yet saved. Describes the counter-intuitive ways of the messianic "fixing-up" of the world.
• Next section...
• Evil's strong suit is its deception. It appears Messianic.
• 666 - the number of the person. Could be humanity in general; a specific person; someone w/a specific personage.
• 6 represents imperfection striving to be like God. The sixth is one less than the ultimate. Anticipating the end, but failing to reach it, incomplete.
• 6 signals incompleteness, represents imperfection, striving for perfection, or humanity elevating itself to godlike status. Humanity seeking to be like God.
• 666 is alternative description of hybrid nature of the beast.
• Last section...
• The seals, trumpets, bowls, etc. are human attempts... Everything turned upside down needs turned rightside up by a Messianic Repair. Ch. 17-22 is the repair area.
• It is NOT about a mere "restoration," but a whole NEW creation.
  

Eh... there's some more. I'm not sure how accurate all my notes are. And I left out some of the best stuff. Just some ramblings.

My heart

I've poured it empty
and then some more
I'm just another
heart-ache whore

There's nothing left
but moth and rust
Ash to ash and
dust to dust

Mow the yard

I mowed tonight and it took exactly 3 hours. I had to go super slow because of all the stinking dandelions. I felt like Forrest Gump during the missing Jenny years.

I thought going that slow might at least not make my back hurt so bad. Wrong.

I did see the mother bunny again. I was surprised to see her back. But once I got near the green shed she tore outta here. Then as soon as I put the mower away and came inside the baby bunny came out of hiding and came right up to the back step. Innaresting.

Wedding anniversary

Today is my 26th wedding anniversary with Jane. We were actually engaged almost 2 years before that too. Unfortunately it falls on a Thursday this year. She works from 8 to 5 and then goes straight to school afterward. So I am planning to pick up a couple Joey streakers and go to her work and eat lunch with her. She only gets 30 minutes, but at least they have a nice place to eat. And somehow I forgot to get her a card this year. So I made one on the computer last night. I am planning to spend the day working and the night mowing if the weather cooperates.

There are a few more details about this day from what I wrote in 2008 (with "our song") and 2007.

Random #somethin' somethin' somethin'

• I think I have the oatmeal thing down. I can finally make my own and it tastes pretty good. Maybe even better than the premixed kind. Last night we actually found some granulated brown sugar. That makes it soooo much easier. And I'm all about easier when it comes to food.
• I see Facebook has made unannounced changes again. I can't seem to get it so I can go "offline". Every time I click on the thing it takes me back to my opening page, or else it just won't do anything. I don't know why people put up with Facebook. I guess they're addicted like me. But it seems if anyone else changed things as much as they do, with absolutely no regard for the people who use their service, people wouldn't put up with it. Maybe it's time for me to switch over to Twitter and just forget Facebook.
• We actually have two people in our church who are connected to a recent murder in Fort Wayne (it actually happened elsewhere, but the people involved are from here). A guy killed his mother and 3-year-old daughter, and left behind two other children and his ex-wife. One person in our church is related to the guys ex, and another has a child who is a classmate/friend of one of the surviving children. It was weird, because they were both standing beside one another Sunday and neither of them knew of the others relationship to the situation. Sad, sad, sad.
• Last week was such a looooow week for me emotionally. I hadn't been that down in a long time. There was almost a physical weight to it. So far this week has started off much better.
• I think I need to take a couple days on my first week of vacation and just go somewhere and do a silent/meditative retreat. Pick one verse or phrase and contemplate it the whole time; write down my thoughts; listen to God. Not sure where to go.
• Tomorrow I am actually going to have to get up early and wear presentable clothes and everything. Picking up Tom (6:50-6:55-ish) and heading to Findlay for the Ritz Lectures. I need to put gas in the car today. Might need to go to bed before 11:15. Probably shouldn't wear a hat.
• It was 39 degrees when I got up this morning. They were giving frost warnings for last night. I don't think it got us though. At least the sun appears to be shining today. Nice. Sun is good.
  

In defense of opening my soul...

In reading the letters of Frank Laubach in Practicing His Presence, this caught my eye on p. 3. It rather sums up my reason for blogging. Laubach wrote this on January 26, 1930:

In defense of my opening my soul and laying it bare to the public gaze in this fashion, I may say that it seems to me that we really seldom do anybody much good excepting as we share the deepest experiences of our souls in this way. It is not the fashion to tell your inmost thoughts, but there are many wrong fashions, and concealment of the best in us is wrong.

This is what I've always thought about blogging (or why I blog). It is merely "opening my soul" for all the world to see. Maybe it's not much, but it's what I have to offer. I've always thought the best theology wasn't necessarily theological. It's what you find in the little words, the passing thoughts, the glimpses of holy as we make our way through the day.

So far I like this book.

Peace out; and in.

A nice day; and now...

We had a good Mother's Day, and now it's on to a busy, busy week.

• It was a fairly decent Sunday morning, other than me totally screwing up the ending on the last song. That's one of the nice things about our church though - it just made for a good laugh.
• Afterward me, Jane and Carrie had Mother's Day lunch at Moe's. It was good, but they didn't say "Welcome to Moe's!" the whole time we were there.
• After that Jane wanted to go look at shoes. She found a new pair of red ones to replace the ones she just blew a strap on, and I even found some shoes. I wouldn't have bought them, but they were on the clearance rack, and they are dr. martens and super comfy.
• Then we came home and Jane and Carrie planted flowers and put up the new finch feeder I got Jane for Mother's Day. I went over to the church and worked for awhile.
• Son Isaac came home for a visit after having to do worship at his church, and by the time I got back over to the house Drew was there too and everyone was sitting out back.
• We all sat around in the back yard and watched the bunny play and the new finch feeder get a good breaking in. There were two yellow finches, a red one, and gobs of brown ones. Pretty neat. I was going to fly my kite, but the wind kept dying down. Then it got kind of cold.
• Isaac had to go to a Redi-med Saturday, as he had a bad earache and passed out again on Friday. Just an ear infection. And DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN GET FREE ANTIBIOTICS AT MEIJER'S? I didn't know that, but he did.
• We splurged and ordered a bunch of food to bring home from East of Chicago for supper. Then everyone went their separate ways.
• Isaac moves into a different house today (hopefully). He'll be moving out of the AU campus apartments and into an off-campus house with Graham and Caleb. They will live there this summer and through next year (their last year of undergrad at AU). Graham leaves for India today, and Caleb will be going to Nicaragua (or somewhere) in July. Isaac is taking 3 classes this summer (11 hours). I think it's Greek 1 & 2, and something else.
• I ordered the new sign for out front, and sent in the contract to get the parking lot resealed.
  
• This week I will lose a day and a half. Wednesday I go to Findlay for Ritz Lectures, and Saturday we have a work day at the church. And I'm not one of those people who works real well under pressure, so I'm hoping I don't freak out. So far, so good.
• I suppose that means I should probably get to work.

peace out; and in.

Wedding butterflies

We had a wedding at the church Saturday and they did something I had never heard of before. Instead of throwing rice or bird seed or blowing bubbles, they released butterflies as the couple exited the church. Well, at least they tried.

As the guests walked out they handed everyone a small triangle envelope, and inside was a real live butterfly. They came from the Butterfly Release Company (butterflyreleasecompany.com). Someone read some thing about making a wish and blowing it in the butterfly's ear, and as the couple came out we were supposed to open the flap and the butterflies would all fly out and take our wish to the Great Spirit (or something). Well, it was kind of windy, and a little chilly, so maybe that's why most of our wishes had to be pulled out and thrown into the air. Mine went up as far as I could throw it and fell right to the ground. Probably had something to do with my pessimistic attitude. There were maybe a dozen or so that fluttered off.

The next morning there were still quite a few butterfly wishes laying in various states of discombobulation at the entrance of the church building. I'm sure if the weather had been better it would have been a really neat thing.

One of those moments

The other day I had occasion to see this older woman, and it was one of those moments where you feel strangely empty but somehow it's like God is there trying to show you something. Then it's kind of like you're outside of yourself looking in and you raise an eyebrow and wonder if it's real or not. I don't know...

It all reminded me of a gentleman I'd once known, and I knew him in ways perhaps no one else ever did. I preached at his funeral several years ago, and before that I visited him regularly in the alzheimers unit of a nursing home. Those were always such bittersweet visits. It was the first time I'd ever had a grown man put his head on my shoulder and sob uncontrollably. Sometimes he would look at me and it was so completely knowing that it was like his whole face was a smile, yet there were also times when he would grab hold of my shirt with a look of horror and demand I not leave him alone. I always dreaded going to visit him, but every time I left afterward it felt like somehow I had just been in the presence of God. Certainly not because of anything he ever said, because often it was unintelligible. A lot of times neither one of us would even speak, we'd just sit there. I don't know how to explain it. I miss those visits now.

So, anyway, the other day I see this woman. Someone was trying to get her attention and she was completely lost in a conversation - and it may have been only with herself. All of a sudden it reminded me of him. She was so like a child. At first I was sad because - and realize, I am no doctor, so I don't know - but the thought occurred to me that, "Oh my, she is developing alzheimers." But at the same time it brought a smile to my face, because she really had no clue as to what she was like. For now.

I don't know much about alzheimers, but I think it would be better if those suffering from it didn't remember ANYTHING. Unfortunately there seems to be a lot of frustration involved with it. They remember enough, and seem to be aware enough, to be miserable. But I wonder if God, in his loving grace, doesn't also allow them to forget enough that they can enjoy just being His child. I don't know.

I don't know that I have a point, but I remember sitting there the other day... looking up and seeing this woman, and remembering this man. It brought back a lot of memories. They were both good and bad all at the same time. I don't know what to make of things like that. There seems to be a certain serenity about it. Hmm.

Bookstore buy

On my day off yesterday I made a trip to one of the local Christian book superstores. Though it's not quite as super as it used to be since they had to rent out some space to help pay the bills. But anyway... I kinda splurged. I needed to get some gifts for some things coming up, and I accomplished part of that. I also bought several books for myself (kind of).

Two books I read about this past week, and they sounded rather appealing. I can't remember who was talking about Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges' book The Most Loving Place In Town, but I liked the sound of it, and the fact that it's only 161 pages, and it has a discussion guide in the back. I will put it on the back burner for a little bit. The other one I was looking for was Brennan Manning's new one, The Furious Longing of God. A friend just wrote a nice review and it sounds like something I could use right now. It's another good and short read at 136 pages. I may jump into this one soon.

While looking around I picked up two old classics Practicing His Presence and In His Steps. I don't believe I've ever read either one and I'd like too; plus I thought they would be nice additions to the church library.

Lastly I bought a Max-On-Life interactive Bible Study from Max Lucado. It's on 'Gaining a New Attitude on Life.' I thought if nothing else Lady Jane and I could go through this ourselves (God knows we could use it). It comes with an audio cd right in the book, and then it has discussion questions and stuff. And it's only four lessons. Plus it looks like a children's book, which I thought was kinda cool (that's what caught my eye, actually).

I had just been thinking that maybe I should re-read some of my old Max Lucado books. I don't know how much of a theologian he is, but sometimes you just need to hear that you're loved and that everything is going to be alright, and that's what I remember about Max's books. So I may do that sometime this summer too.

Mowing 3, push 1

I mowed for the third time last night. I wasn't planning on mowing yesterday - I thought it was supposed to rain all day. But the neighbor was mowing in the afternoon, so when I closed up shop I decided to join him. Of course after about 45 minutes it started pouring down rain. I got it mowed around the church and quit. But then it cleared off again, so I finished. It took me a loooong time though. I think it was 2 hours 45 minutes. There is a wedding this weekend and I wanted it to look good, so I went slow to get the dandelions, plus the grass was a little wet, and it was thick and tall.

After mowing with the rider I decided to fire up my old push mower. It's the first mower Jane and I ever bought - I don't even remember how old it is - but it started on the very first pull. I mowed around the new trees at the church (around the stakes), and between the little trees behind our house. I noticed the gas line dripping pretty bad; then I remembered that it had been leaking last year, so I put a new gas line on the push mower. I also decided to wash the riding mower. It had grass all over it. I sprayed it down with the hose, and I think altogether it took me 3 1/2 hours.

For some stupid reason I forgot to wear my back brace and could hardly walk afterward (and still). I took a shower and went to Wendy's and got a Southwest Salad and brought it home. Ate about 8:30.

Church stuff

Some things going on at church at the moment.

• We have basically agreed on a new front sign, but I am still fine-tuning it with the designer. She probably hates my guts. I had her do 5 or 6 changes today. I will think about it over the weekend, but next week we'll probably get it ordered.
• Les fixed the furnace today. I guess the motor was bad. He got a new used one and it seems to be okay now. Good thing. It would not be good to not have air conditioning with a wedding this weekend.
• I had a guy come to the church today to check out our handicap accessibility situation. Geez, those lift chairs and things are expensive. We talked about one of those chairs that glides up the stairs. That would be the least expensive option. But the best option would be a wheelchair lift that would go to all three levels. I don't know that we can justify that expense with the shape our building is in though. Ugh. I hate stuff like this. Why did they ever build these old church buildings like this?
• I'm still waiting on another estimate to get the parking lot re-sealed. I talked to this place this winter and they said they would get us an estimate; then I called last Saturday and they said they would get it to me right away. I can't believe I'm going to have to call again. The only thing is - when I talked to them Saturday something the guy said made me wonder if he has the right church. Maybe all that tar has went to his brain.
• I also had a guy come and measure for a concrete patio on the back of the parsonage. Before we moved in they said they were going to put a deck on. I'm beginning to think they're not going to (after 10 years). A patio would be nicer. I have a feeling my back is going to regret mixing and pouring ourselves though. Whatever.
• Next weekend we're supposed to start work on enclosing the south end of the pavilion.

All I can say

Many thanks to Tony for putting this together, and David Crowder of course.

I desire

In trying not to freak out over my growing list of things to do before I try to take a couple weeks off next month, and the fact that I am once again at my weekly point of thinking there is no way I'll be able to come up with a sermon and worship service for Sunday, among other things... This morning I looked to 'The Only Necessary Thing: Living a Prayerful Life'. It is a compilation of writings from Henri Nouwen put together by Wendy Wilson Greer.

On p.31 Nouwen said this about Our Desire for Communion (from his book Here and Now):

What do we really desire? As I try to listen to my own deepest yearning as well as to the yearnings of others, the word that seems best to summarize the desire of the human heart is "communion." Communion means "union with." God has given us a heart that will remain restless until it has found full communion. We look for it in friendship, in marriage, in community. We look for it in sexual intimacy, in moments of ecstasy, in the recognition of our gifts. We look for it through success, admiration, and rewards. But wherever we look it is communion we seek...

The desire for communion... is a God-given desire, a desire that causes immense pain as well as immense joy. Jesus came to proclaim that our desire for communion is not in vain, but will be fulfilled by the One who gave us that desire. The passing moments of communion are only hints of the Communion that God has promised us. The real danger facing us is to distrust our desire for communion. It is a God-given desire without which our lives lose their vitality and our hearts grow cold. A truly spiritual life is life in which we won't rest until we have found rest in the embrace of the One who is the Father and Mother of all desires.

Our backyard friends

Some of the animals who hang out in our backyard.

I *think* this is a red finch, or red-breasted finch, or something like that. I don't know my birds very well. But it's pretty. There is a nest in this bush just out our back door. Jane took this pic.

I don't know if this is a finch too, or just a bird. Jane took this last year, when we still had the chain link fence up. For some reason I like this pic.

This is our lonely bunny. We had two earlier this spring, but now there is just one. He goes back and forth between hiding under the front step and the shed out back. Yesterday he sat there and munched on grass while I ate my lunch at the patio table.
This is an old pic we still had on the camera card from when Bogie boy could stand up. Not sure if he was looking at something or just contemplating his eventual fate.

Church organization

The church is not organized simply for the sake of organization, but so that Christ can be honored and glorified.

...footnote on 1 Timothy 6:21 in the Life Application Study Bible

No blow, new oatmeal and other random nonsense

The church furnace didn't work yesterday. I noticed this "buzz" Saturday and followed it down to the furnace blower. The furnace worked, and the ac, but the blower wouldn't kick on. It sounded like the start capacitor to me - which was just replaced less than 2 months ago (even though that wasn't what was wrong with it then). First I called Meredith and he came over and confirmed what I thought. He checked voltage and stuff on breaker boxes. Then I called the place that worked on it the last time. The guy didn't sound too interested in working on it on the weekend. Said he needed to mow his yard, and it would cost me at least $200 more if he came out on Saturday than if we waited until Monday. I told him I thought it was the capacitor he replaced the last time, and he said, "Oh, I don't think so." He also said, "It's not like people really need heat or air right now anyway." So I told him to wait. This morning I told him not to bother at all. I found somebody else. Anyway, it turned out to be the perfect day to not have a furnace, because, even though it was a little chilly in the morning, we really didn't need the heat or air. It was 66 in the sanctuary at worship time. The class that meets in the basement at 9 am was a little cold. I turned on all the burners on our big stove and ran it awhile before anyone arrived. That added a little warmth. We all survived.

This morning I tried some new oatmeal. I got a big canister of just regular old Quaker Oats. It is much cheaper. But it cooked different than the kind that comes in little packets. And I tried to put some cinnamon and brown sugar on it, and, you know, that's like cooking, and I must not have used proper amounts, because it tasted like crap. I will try again. I have to now, I've got this big freaking canister. Nothing like starting your week off with a rotten-oatmeal taste in your mouth.

Also, I got a random message on Facebook Friday or Saturday by someone who was going to be visiting the area and wondered if I could recommend a church. She was from North Carolina or somewhere and had found my name on some kind of search. We exchanged a few FB messages and she actually showed up yesterday. But I must have said something, because I could sense at some point that she didn't seem too pleased about something, and once the service was over she made a beeline for the door. Haven't heard from her since. I've thought about sending her a message asking what happened, but... I dunno. That happens, I guess.

Otherwise I'm feeling just a little hollow today. I've been reading all morning, and maybe I'll take a drive somewhere this afternoon. I need to go borrow a book from someone. A bowl of Cheerios is calling my name first.

Peace out; and in.

Fly a kite

Lady Jane got me a new kite last week (for no reason at all). Yesterday was the first chance we'd had to get it in the air. It is a Zoomer Dual-line Sport Kite. Its name is Chilly (that's her in the pic). All I know is it takes a lot of wind to get this puppy in the air, but once you do... look out! This is a killer kite.

I had never used a dual line stunt kite before. This one is for beginners, and I didn't know if I was ever going to get the hang of it. But after a few tries I was swooping back and forth across the sky, doing loops, and all kinds of fun stuff. Some of it was even intentional! It was a good time. You can't just stand there and let her fly though. You've got to be on the ball because the steering is pretty sensitive.

I am not a professional kite flier, but I think it's good for everyone to go fly a kite every now and then. You can buy cheap plastic ones for little of nothing. And even this one - which is pretty darn sturdy - was under $20. If you need a space to fly it - right behind our house is perfect. Feel free.

Peace out; and in.

Why we need missional churches

I have stated before my dislike for the word "missional." I think I am starting to warm to it though. I have never had a problem with the *idea* behind the missional church - it's just a funny thing I've had with the word itself. But after reading this short and simple post from Ben... yes, we need missional churches. Count me in.

Ben quoted Kennon Callahan in his post "Goodbye churched culture." Kennon said:

A churched culture is not so much defined as a culture in which a certain statistical percentage of the population is actively participating in church work... Rather, a churched culture is a culture marked by the presence of a persistent, pervasive, major feeling among the people that the church is important.

I couldn't agree more. And I couldn't agree more with Ben's response: "I think it's safe to say that even in Fort Wayne [popularly known as the "city of churches"], this kind of culture is on its way out, and in some places is gone completely. What we have now is a mission field. Thus the need for missional churches."

Amen and amen.

Peace out; and in.

Mowing and other stuff

I just got done mowing for the second time. I noticed last week that I mowed the first time this year on April 24, and that was the same date I did the first mowing last year. Weird.

I got done in about 2 hours and 15 minutes, but I didn't do a very good job. I mowed high and fast, because I thought it was going to start raining again. I might have missed a dandelion or a million. All this rain lately made the grass really thick.

We started the day off (after staying up half the night watching the Bulls win in 3 OT's) by going to a funeral. It was at this huge and incredible Apostolic church. We had neither one ever been in an ac church, and weren't real sure what to expect. What a nice place though.

After that I took Jane to work and then started mowing. Now I should probably do 3 or 4 miles on the treadmill, take another shower, eat something, and before I know it it will be time to pick her up for our date.

Btw - I did get the new fuel line for the mower the other day and put it on. It seemed to work fine.