A dear friend asked me if Christians were supposed to be door mats.
Short answer= no.
They said, Jeff when I think of the last two weeks of sermons, this is my message: lay down your books. Keep no record of wrongs. Forgive. And then help the broken, be the good Samaritan.
In a way, it all sounds like I should be a door mat.
Well, ok. But, no.
We do need to forgive, but that does not mean that you have to hang with those people anymore. Forgiveness means to let go of the offense. It does not mean that you have to spend thanksgiving with them. Forgiveness does not mean that you stay married to someone who beats you. You forgive them and move on to healthy living.
Helping the poor. Yes we should. More than we do. However, you still must provide for your own. Don't sell your house and give everything away, leaving your children to starve. Don't do that. But for most of us, that is not the issue....the issue is that we can do so much more. And there is joy in doing the more. There is joy in giving one's self away. You will know when it is too much.....but we have to stop trying to find joy by accumulating things and realize that joy comes when we give ourselves away.
You are not a door mat. Jesus challenged the pharisees. He turned over the tables of the money changers. But he also helped a ton of poor folks and he kept no record of wrongs.
It's a beautiful day in God's world. Be sure to see the good.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
thoughts
thoughts. Do you ever have times when the bad thoughts seem to be getting more attention? I am disappointed with something that happened. I feel discouraged for some reason. Snow is coming back. On and on it goes.
So, let me take this moment to find some good. To see some good. What are the good thoughts? My daughter Jenny turned 21 last week. We got our stuff off to the tax man. My son came home for the weekend. I have the greatest job in the world.
There is always some good. And when I think of it, I feel better. how about this for a good thought....I met someone at church today who has tried ten churches and every single one made her feel bad until she came to worship with you at Woods Chapel. That is a happy thought. If we look hard enough, we can always find a happy thought. There is always something good.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
So, let me take this moment to find some good. To see some good. What are the good thoughts? My daughter Jenny turned 21 last week. We got our stuff off to the tax man. My son came home for the weekend. I have the greatest job in the world.
There is always some good. And when I think of it, I feel better. how about this for a good thought....I met someone at church today who has tried ten churches and every single one made her feel bad until she came to worship with you at Woods Chapel. That is a happy thought. If we look hard enough, we can always find a happy thought. There is always something good.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
your life
Your life is not really your life. It is yours only so long as God allows you to keep it. It was designed and given to you for a purpose. Many people live and die and never know why they have the gift of life.
God gives us life so that we can celebrate Him and all of creation. Worship, that is, but celebrate is a less churchy word.
When I celebrate God, his world and his people, I don't spend time whining and complaining. I stop picking at other people. When I celebrate God, his world and his people, my problems seem much smaller.
Oh how our lives would change if we spent more time celebrating God and his goodness and giving ourselves to one another. That is why we are here. The more we do that, the better life is, for we are doing that for which we were created.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
God gives us life so that we can celebrate Him and all of creation. Worship, that is, but celebrate is a less churchy word.
When I celebrate God, his world and his people, I don't spend time whining and complaining. I stop picking at other people. When I celebrate God, his world and his people, my problems seem much smaller.
Oh how our lives would change if we spent more time celebrating God and his goodness and giving ourselves to one another. That is why we are here. The more we do that, the better life is, for we are doing that for which we were created.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
not moving
Well, I heard a rumor the other day that Jeff was moving to another church. This would be news to Jeff. I have not heard a thing from the District Superintendent's office that would indicate that I was moving.
I like it fine where I am. You all are great.
Several asked about some of the books that I posted in the blog yesterday. If you are ever interested in finding used books or out of print books, I buy all of my books at this web site www.alibris.com
I'm still not moving.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
I like it fine where I am. You all are great.
Several asked about some of the books that I posted in the blog yesterday. If you are ever interested in finding used books or out of print books, I buy all of my books at this web site www.alibris.com
I'm still not moving.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Friday, February 5, 2010
books for my kids
Well, each of us have books that we have read in our lifetime that made an impact on us. Besides the Bible, the following books are the main ones on a list of books that I have collected for my children. I have collected three copies of each book so that when they are ready, each of my three children will have a copy of each of these books that have marked my life.
If you should choose to read them, remember that my age at the time of reading, and my life situation probably told volumes of why that book spoke to me at that time.
I’m OK, You’re Ok by Thomas Harris– [first read in 1972 when I was in the 9th grade]
The road less travelled by Scott Peck [read in 1984]
Illusions- by Richard Bach [read in 86]
Holding on to hope by Nancy Guthrie [given to me after my dad died in 2002]
In his steps- by Charles Sheldon [a classic, read in 2004]
When bad things happen to good people by Harold Kushner [read in 2005]
Walking on water by Anthony Demello [read in 2005 and every year since]
Velvet Elvis – Rob Bell [read in 2009]
The Go-getter by Peter Kyne [read in 2010]
I think it is important to try and leave our children some sense of "what makes us tick." I am also working on a list of songs that I have found valuable in my life.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
If you should choose to read them, remember that my age at the time of reading, and my life situation probably told volumes of why that book spoke to me at that time.
I’m OK, You’re Ok by Thomas Harris– [first read in 1972 when I was in the 9th grade]
The road less travelled by Scott Peck [read in 1984]
Illusions- by Richard Bach [read in 86]
Holding on to hope by Nancy Guthrie [given to me after my dad died in 2002]
In his steps- by Charles Sheldon [a classic, read in 2004]
When bad things happen to good people by Harold Kushner [read in 2005]
Walking on water by Anthony Demello [read in 2005 and every year since]
Velvet Elvis – Rob Bell [read in 2009]
The Go-getter by Peter Kyne [read in 2010]
I think it is important to try and leave our children some sense of "what makes us tick." I am also working on a list of songs that I have found valuable in my life.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Concrete
Concrete is very hard. You may not usually think of concrete as being really hard. When I walk on it, I really don't think about it at all. However, if you ever have the opportunity to fall on it, say, if you had a full head of steam, running from the bad guys, and you fell on it, well, then it would be pretty clear that concrete is really hard.
Such was my experience yesterday. As you may know, we have some troubles at church from time to time with near-do-wells. Yesterday, I got a call from someone who wanted to meet me. So I am out in the parking lot talking to them, and they ask for money. Ask, in a way that made me take a step back. Then they stepped toward me. I stepped back. They stepped towards me. Pretty soon, I am in a full run headed for the church door, with the troubled youth in hot pursuit.
Now, I used to have the speed of Jessee Owens, but the years have taken their toll. I know if I can get to the church building though, most people will respect the church as a place of sanctuary. I should be safe if I can just get inside the doors. Well I am bounding up the east sidewalk with the grace that can only be mustered by a 52 year old pastor running from his college age daughter who wants money.
She swears that she did not trip me, but I am sure that I felt her foot sweep my trailing shoe as I was coming up the last stair. She says that I am just clumsy, but she is faster and younger than I am. At anyrate, I hit the ground. Hard. Concrete is hard. Remember? It was a three point landing, both palms and my right knee. Her response to my fall was the kind of snicker that young people sometimes deliver to older folks. She put her foot on my neck, reached into my back pocket and took out the $28 that I had mentioned earlier that I might give to her. Then, she stood to her feet, said, "thanks Dad, I love you," and off she went.
I was left on the deck, broken, bruised and humiliated. Today, I am bloodied and bruised. I really should have a bandaid on my knee, but the bandaids in my office are ten years old and all the stickem has deteriorated.
Let this be a warning to you. If you see one of my daughters, do not be fooled by their wry smile or youthful good looks. They are quick, and they are determined. Hide your $28 and get inside the church. Don't end up like me, broken and crying on the sidewalk. Concrete is hard.
Anyway, it's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Such was my experience yesterday. As you may know, we have some troubles at church from time to time with near-do-wells. Yesterday, I got a call from someone who wanted to meet me. So I am out in the parking lot talking to them, and they ask for money. Ask, in a way that made me take a step back. Then they stepped toward me. I stepped back. They stepped towards me. Pretty soon, I am in a full run headed for the church door, with the troubled youth in hot pursuit.
Now, I used to have the speed of Jessee Owens, but the years have taken their toll. I know if I can get to the church building though, most people will respect the church as a place of sanctuary. I should be safe if I can just get inside the doors. Well I am bounding up the east sidewalk with the grace that can only be mustered by a 52 year old pastor running from his college age daughter who wants money.
She swears that she did not trip me, but I am sure that I felt her foot sweep my trailing shoe as I was coming up the last stair. She says that I am just clumsy, but she is faster and younger than I am. At anyrate, I hit the ground. Hard. Concrete is hard. Remember? It was a three point landing, both palms and my right knee. Her response to my fall was the kind of snicker that young people sometimes deliver to older folks. She put her foot on my neck, reached into my back pocket and took out the $28 that I had mentioned earlier that I might give to her. Then, she stood to her feet, said, "thanks Dad, I love you," and off she went.
I was left on the deck, broken, bruised and humiliated. Today, I am bloodied and bruised. I really should have a bandaid on my knee, but the bandaids in my office are ten years old and all the stickem has deteriorated.
Let this be a warning to you. If you see one of my daughters, do not be fooled by their wry smile or youthful good looks. They are quick, and they are determined. Hide your $28 and get inside the church. Don't end up like me, broken and crying on the sidewalk. Concrete is hard.
Anyway, it's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
soap
You tell a simple story and everyone needs to abuse you. Ok, so I bought a comb and a box of bandaids 10 years ago too. I guess that it is ok that those items have lasted ten years, but for some reason, the fact that I made a bar of soap last ten years, well, that is a scandal..........
Maybe I didn't have to use that bathroom that much during the first ten years.....
Ok, here is a story about that bathroom. True story. We were in the stage of drawing the plans for your new church. It was 1997. The architect has drawn a little bathroom off of the pastor's office. I suggest that we move the door on the bathroom so that it is accessible to everyone in the office. I say, "the pastor does not need his own bathroom." A wise member of the building committee said in response, "you will not always be the pastor."
Busted. True. Kind of funny.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Maybe I didn't have to use that bathroom that much during the first ten years.....
Ok, here is a story about that bathroom. True story. We were in the stage of drawing the plans for your new church. It was 1997. The architect has drawn a little bathroom off of the pastor's office. I suggest that we move the door on the bathroom so that it is accessible to everyone in the office. I say, "the pastor does not need his own bathroom." A wise member of the building committee said in response, "you will not always be the pastor."
Busted. True. Kind of funny.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
waste not, want not
When I was a kid, we did not waste anything. My mother may have well never had a garbage disposal, because nothing ever went down it. If there were left overs, they were consumed the next day. Period. Often, there was a disagreement at the table over who got the last piece of chicken. Dad got the chicken, so you eat the beans or bread and butter. No left overs. Clean your plate. There are starving kids in India.
The children of the depression did not waste anything. A modicum of this view still exists within me and other children of the children of the depression.
Do you know how long a bar of soap can last? There is a sink off of the pastor's office at church. When we got possession of that part of the building in November of 1999, I bought a bar of Irish Spring soap. I finally used it up last month. Ten years, that bar of soap lasted.
Today I am drinking yesterday's coffee. Pour it out of the pot, heat it up for 60 seconds, and I don't have to make a new pot today. Yes, it is not quite as good as fresh, but it will work. I occasionally wonder, how many pots could I make in a row, using the same grounds?
When we buried my Dad, he left behind 4 shirts, two pairs of pants and two pair of shoes. And one cat. He didn't need much. He drove the simplest of Ford products his entire life. He only got electric windows when hand crank windows were no longer available.
Yesterday's generation has a good deal to teach today's generation. In this period of economic whatever, we can all use to "want" just a little bit less. Life does not consist in the collection of our possessions, but in the people that we know and love. Most of the people that I admire can live with a ten year old sliver of soap and yesterday's coffee.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
The children of the depression did not waste anything. A modicum of this view still exists within me and other children of the children of the depression.
Do you know how long a bar of soap can last? There is a sink off of the pastor's office at church. When we got possession of that part of the building in November of 1999, I bought a bar of Irish Spring soap. I finally used it up last month. Ten years, that bar of soap lasted.
Today I am drinking yesterday's coffee. Pour it out of the pot, heat it up for 60 seconds, and I don't have to make a new pot today. Yes, it is not quite as good as fresh, but it will work. I occasionally wonder, how many pots could I make in a row, using the same grounds?
When we buried my Dad, he left behind 4 shirts, two pairs of pants and two pair of shoes. And one cat. He didn't need much. He drove the simplest of Ford products his entire life. He only got electric windows when hand crank windows were no longer available.
Yesterday's generation has a good deal to teach today's generation. In this period of economic whatever, we can all use to "want" just a little bit less. Life does not consist in the collection of our possessions, but in the people that we know and love. Most of the people that I admire can live with a ten year old sliver of soap and yesterday's coffee.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Monday, February 1, 2010
why we are here.
I have been thinking about this story. It is a clear reminder of why the local church exists and the sacrifices that it's members are called to perform for the sake of it's mission.
The life saving station
On a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks often occur there was a once a crude little life-saving station. The building was just a hut, and there was only one boat, but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the sea, and with no thought for themselves, they went out day or night tirelessly searching for the lost.
Many lives were saved by this wonderful little station, so that it became famous. Some of those who were saved, and various others in the surrounding areas, wanted to become associated with the station and give of their time and money and effort for the support of its work. New boats were bought and new crews were trained. The little life-saving station grew.
Some of the new members of the life-saving station were unhappy that the building was so crude and so poorly equipped. They felt that a more comfortable place should be provided as the first refuge of those saved from the sea.
So they replaced the emergency cots with beds and put better furniture in an enlarged building. Now the life-saving station became a popular gathering place for its members, and they re-decorated it beautifully and furnished it as a sort of club.
Less of the members were now interested in going to sea on life-saving missions, so they hired life boat crews to do this work.
The mission of life-saving was still given lip-service but most were too busy or lacked the necessary commitment to take part in the life-saving activities personally. About this time a large ship was wrecked off the coast, and the hired crews brought in boat loads of cold, wet, and half-drowned people.
They were dirty and sick, and some of them had black skin, and some spoke a strange language, and the beautiful new club was considerably messed up. So the property committee immediately had a shower house built outside the club where victims of shipwreck could be cleaned up before coming inside.
At the next meeting, there was a split in the club membership. Most of the members wanted to stop the club's life-saving activities as being unpleasant and a hindrance to the normal life pattern of the club.
But some members insisted that life-saving was their primary purpose and pointed out that they were still called a life-saving station. But they were finally voted down and told that if they wanted to save the life of all the various kinds of people who were shipwrecked in those waters, they could begin their own life-saving station down the coast. They did.
As the years went by, the new station experienced the same changes that had occurred in the old. They evolved into a club and yet another life-saving station was founded.
If you visit the seacoast today you will find a number of exclusive clubs along that shore. Shipwrecks are still frequent in those waters, only now most of the people drown.
Let's not ever be a part of a story like this.......
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
The life saving station
On a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks often occur there was a once a crude little life-saving station. The building was just a hut, and there was only one boat, but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the sea, and with no thought for themselves, they went out day or night tirelessly searching for the lost.
Many lives were saved by this wonderful little station, so that it became famous. Some of those who were saved, and various others in the surrounding areas, wanted to become associated with the station and give of their time and money and effort for the support of its work. New boats were bought and new crews were trained. The little life-saving station grew.
Some of the new members of the life-saving station were unhappy that the building was so crude and so poorly equipped. They felt that a more comfortable place should be provided as the first refuge of those saved from the sea.
So they replaced the emergency cots with beds and put better furniture in an enlarged building. Now the life-saving station became a popular gathering place for its members, and they re-decorated it beautifully and furnished it as a sort of club.
Less of the members were now interested in going to sea on life-saving missions, so they hired life boat crews to do this work.
The mission of life-saving was still given lip-service but most were too busy or lacked the necessary commitment to take part in the life-saving activities personally. About this time a large ship was wrecked off the coast, and the hired crews brought in boat loads of cold, wet, and half-drowned people.
They were dirty and sick, and some of them had black skin, and some spoke a strange language, and the beautiful new club was considerably messed up. So the property committee immediately had a shower house built outside the club where victims of shipwreck could be cleaned up before coming inside.
At the next meeting, there was a split in the club membership. Most of the members wanted to stop the club's life-saving activities as being unpleasant and a hindrance to the normal life pattern of the club.
But some members insisted that life-saving was their primary purpose and pointed out that they were still called a life-saving station. But they were finally voted down and told that if they wanted to save the life of all the various kinds of people who were shipwrecked in those waters, they could begin their own life-saving station down the coast. They did.
As the years went by, the new station experienced the same changes that had occurred in the old. They evolved into a club and yet another life-saving station was founded.
If you visit the seacoast today you will find a number of exclusive clubs along that shore. Shipwrecks are still frequent in those waters, only now most of the people drown.
Let's not ever be a part of a story like this.......
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
1 Cor 13:5
1 Corinthians 13:5. First Corinthians chapter 13, verse 5 "love keeps no record of wrongs." Love keeps no record of wrongs. Love keeps no record. Love keeps. Love.
God. God is love. God keeps no record of wrongs.
Love keeps no record of wrongs.
These soothing words speak to my soul.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
God. God is love. God keeps no record of wrongs.
Love keeps no record of wrongs.
These soothing words speak to my soul.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
communicating with Jeff
From time to time, people are looking for ways to communicate with me. The best and easiest is for you to send me an email at Jeffb@woodschapelchurch.org with an email, we can dialogue, set appointments, and I can know who you are.
Posting comments to the blog is kind of difficult, because I can't always answer in the next day's post, and I cannot tell who you are when you post a comment.
I take appointments, and I meet people every week for a cup of coffee or just a visit. I like to say that spending time with people is the best use of my time. So if you want to visit, send me an email or call the office and ask for Terri R and she will set something up for us. With as much as is going on during Sunday mornings, if you ask me about getting together on Sunday morning, I will probably ask you to send me an email to set it up. I just forget so many things these days.
Phone calls. I am available M-Th in the church office 795-8848. Friday is my day off. Off? That is a day when I catch up with things that I didn't get done M-Th. If I am lucky, it is not all spent on church stuff, but I get some time to mow the grass, work in the yard and work on cars. Anyway, you can call me in the office and if I am available I can visit with you on the phone.
Cell phone. Sad to say, that over the years I have had to limit the availability of my cell phone. I have had too many cases of folks that call me several times a day, every single day of the week. I am sorry about this.
My home phone is 373-1525. Please use it sparingly. With my wife and kids all having cell phones these days, we have almost gotten out of the habit of using it.
To the person who wants to get me the book "84 Cross Road," bring it on. I love to read. Although it is kind of funny I will bet there are 30 or more books in my office that are waiting for me to read.
To the friend who is looking for a time to visit, send me a note and lets work it out. I look forward to it.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Posting comments to the blog is kind of difficult, because I can't always answer in the next day's post, and I cannot tell who you are when you post a comment.
I take appointments, and I meet people every week for a cup of coffee or just a visit. I like to say that spending time with people is the best use of my time. So if you want to visit, send me an email or call the office and ask for Terri R and she will set something up for us. With as much as is going on during Sunday mornings, if you ask me about getting together on Sunday morning, I will probably ask you to send me an email to set it up. I just forget so many things these days.
Phone calls. I am available M-Th in the church office 795-8848. Friday is my day off. Off? That is a day when I catch up with things that I didn't get done M-Th. If I am lucky, it is not all spent on church stuff, but I get some time to mow the grass, work in the yard and work on cars. Anyway, you can call me in the office and if I am available I can visit with you on the phone.
Cell phone. Sad to say, that over the years I have had to limit the availability of my cell phone. I have had too many cases of folks that call me several times a day, every single day of the week. I am sorry about this.
My home phone is 373-1525. Please use it sparingly. With my wife and kids all having cell phones these days, we have almost gotten out of the habit of using it.
To the person who wants to get me the book "84 Cross Road," bring it on. I love to read. Although it is kind of funny I will bet there are 30 or more books in my office that are waiting for me to read.
To the friend who is looking for a time to visit, send me a note and lets work it out. I look forward to it.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Friday, January 29, 2010
yesterday's comments
I enjoyed so much reading yesterday's comments. Each of your ideas about spirituality are so thoughtful. I must lift up one in particular:
The meaning of spirituality is not easily defined, but I can tell you what it looks like (a story from today's Kansas City Star.) Last week, homeless men at the Kansas City Rescue Mission raised more than $132. to give to Haiti relief. A homeless man who is 30 years old, and trying to turn his life around, gave $5.00. This is spirituality.
The writer is profoundly correct. This is spiritual. This is extravagant generosity. This is the setting aside of one's personal comfort or preference for the sake of the mission. Self-sacrificing. The taking up of one's cross. It would make me feel good today to find or participate in one act of kindness that even remotely resembled this story. Let's see what I can turn over.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
The meaning of spirituality is not easily defined, but I can tell you what it looks like (a story from today's Kansas City Star.) Last week, homeless men at the Kansas City Rescue Mission raised more than $132. to give to Haiti relief. A homeless man who is 30 years old, and trying to turn his life around, gave $5.00. This is spirituality.
The writer is profoundly correct. This is spiritual. This is extravagant generosity. This is the setting aside of one's personal comfort or preference for the sake of the mission. Self-sacrificing. The taking up of one's cross. It would make me feel good today to find or participate in one act of kindness that even remotely resembled this story. Let's see what I can turn over.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
spirituality
Yesterday I was in a 3 hour meeting with a bunch of preachers. Great folks. One of the things that we talked about was spirituality. If you had five minutes to define that word, and you had to do it in one sentence, what would you say?
Think about it for a while and then come back to the blog............
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what did you come up with? What is spirituality? Over the years, I would have defined it in different ways, but at 52, I seem to be stuck on selfishness. It is so sneaky. At 52 I would define spirituality as the journey of learning to give yourself away in the name of Jesus Christ.
What new thing are you learning? What books are you reading? What are you doing that challenges your life paradigm? Do you see selfishness within yourself? Do you fight it? How?
Spirituality- the journey of learning to give yourself away in the name of Jesus Christ.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Think about it for a while and then come back to the blog............
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what did you come up with? What is spirituality? Over the years, I would have defined it in different ways, but at 52, I seem to be stuck on selfishness. It is so sneaky. At 52 I would define spirituality as the journey of learning to give yourself away in the name of Jesus Christ.
What new thing are you learning? What books are you reading? What are you doing that challenges your life paradigm? Do you see selfishness within yourself? Do you fight it? How?
Spirituality- the journey of learning to give yourself away in the name of Jesus Christ.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
the impossible
Well, every now and then we see something impossible. The Olathe high school coach is blindfolded, spun around and told to try and shoot a basket from half court. No one thought that he would make it. He didn't even know what direction the basket was. Impossible. Seemingly so. Yet, he made the bucket. Amazing.
Every now and then I run into something that seems impossible. Insurmountable. Impassable. Yet, life is amazing and unpredictable, and our God is uncontainable. He can make the impossible things become possible.
What challenge are you facing? We may not be able to see it, but with God, nothing is impossible.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Every now and then I run into something that seems impossible. Insurmountable. Impassable. Yet, life is amazing and unpredictable, and our God is uncontainable. He can make the impossible things become possible.
What challenge are you facing? We may not be able to see it, but with God, nothing is impossible.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
sick
How many days a year do you call in sick? I have not done it in 16 years. Until today. I am never sick. Blame the flu shot, blame good genes, I am never sick.
I always get sick on vacations. It is like my body lets down when it knows I can give it a break.
I have never been sick on Sunday. Can you imagine that? You have to talk all morning, but you are sick?
Anyway, being sick makes a person enjoy being well.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
I always get sick on vacations. It is like my body lets down when it knows I can give it a break.
I have never been sick on Sunday. Can you imagine that? You have to talk all morning, but you are sick?
Anyway, being sick makes a person enjoy being well.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Monday, January 25, 2010
walking into the unknown
Sometimes we are called to face things that we have never experienced before. Such times generally cause us to be fearful. Even nervous, angry or hysterical. We don't like change and we don't like pain. We want things to stay the same. After all, we are entitled. Aren't we?
So here comes something that I have never experienced before. For some reason, I am not afraid. I am oddly over come by a sense of God's presence. Trust. Maybe it isn't that odd. God is so good, it's just all going to be ok.
Whatever tomorrow brings, we face it with hope, for God is with us. You can trust him.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
So here comes something that I have never experienced before. For some reason, I am not afraid. I am oddly over come by a sense of God's presence. Trust. Maybe it isn't that odd. God is so good, it's just all going to be ok.
Whatever tomorrow brings, we face it with hope, for God is with us. You can trust him.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
practical jokes
Well, somebody is always trying to get me. To sneak up on me, to mess with my brain. I don't know why and I don't think it is very nice.
Here I am this morning, kindly making my way to church to get ready for today's services. I park the car, walk to the office and turn on the computer. Sitting on my desk, right in plain sight is my name tag.
Why is my name tag there? I never leave it out. It has a place where it lives. "A place for everything and everything in it's place," thats what I say. The name tag is out because someone has loaded it up with silly stickers. A big heart, a big pair of juicy lips and bird stickers.
Well, the heart is illegal since it is the sign of those certified on the defibrillator, which I am not. The juicy lips are right out. Not going to happen. I start to peel off the bird, then I realize, that sticker is a talking point. Can you hear the birds sing? Ok, I will leave that one on the front. The lips and the heart will be on the backside in case anyone wants to see them.
I don't ever pull pranks on others, I don't know why people do this stuff to me.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Here I am this morning, kindly making my way to church to get ready for today's services. I park the car, walk to the office and turn on the computer. Sitting on my desk, right in plain sight is my name tag.
Why is my name tag there? I never leave it out. It has a place where it lives. "A place for everything and everything in it's place," thats what I say. The name tag is out because someone has loaded it up with silly stickers. A big heart, a big pair of juicy lips and bird stickers.
Well, the heart is illegal since it is the sign of those certified on the defibrillator, which I am not. The juicy lips are right out. Not going to happen. I start to peel off the bird, then I realize, that sticker is a talking point. Can you hear the birds sing? Ok, I will leave that one on the front. The lips and the heart will be on the backside in case anyone wants to see them.
I don't ever pull pranks on others, I don't know why people do this stuff to me.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
the dog house
The dog house is that place where husbands go when they are in trouble. It is worse than the couch. The couch usually just lasts for a night, while the dog house may go on and on indefinitely. Yesterday, I got out of the dog house. I had been in the dog house since Christmas, so it was about time.
I don't know about other guys, but I can get into the dog house for all sorts of things. If we run out of dog food, I am in the dog house. If the grass is not mowed, I am in the dog house. I may even be in the dog house for something that I do not know, although I am supposed to know.
This time, I have been in the dog house because the Christmas lights are supposed to come off of the house on Dec 26th. Every year, Dec 26th. No exceptions. Christmas is over, lets get the stuff off of the house immediately, she says. Everyday that I go without getting the lights off of the house, I am in the dog house.
Now, I hate to stick up for myself, but it has been cold. Really cold. We have had a foot of snow on the ground. And, I have been busy, I have a job you know. Mostly I wish someone could explain to this woman that Christmas lights are supposed to stay up until January 6th. Have you heard of the 12 days of Christmas? They go from Dec 25th to January 6th. 12 days, beginning with Christmas and ending with Epiphany, January 6th.
So she wants the lights down on the first day of Christmas, and I am in the dog house every day until they come down. Well, yesterday afternoon, January 22nd, I got the lights down. Now I am out of the dog house, until she finds another reason.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
I don't know about other guys, but I can get into the dog house for all sorts of things. If we run out of dog food, I am in the dog house. If the grass is not mowed, I am in the dog house. I may even be in the dog house for something that I do not know, although I am supposed to know.
This time, I have been in the dog house because the Christmas lights are supposed to come off of the house on Dec 26th. Every year, Dec 26th. No exceptions. Christmas is over, lets get the stuff off of the house immediately, she says. Everyday that I go without getting the lights off of the house, I am in the dog house.
Now, I hate to stick up for myself, but it has been cold. Really cold. We have had a foot of snow on the ground. And, I have been busy, I have a job you know. Mostly I wish someone could explain to this woman that Christmas lights are supposed to stay up until January 6th. Have you heard of the 12 days of Christmas? They go from Dec 25th to January 6th. 12 days, beginning with Christmas and ending with Epiphany, January 6th.
So she wants the lights down on the first day of Christmas, and I am in the dog house every day until they come down. Well, yesterday afternoon, January 22nd, I got the lights down. Now I am out of the dog house, until she finds another reason.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Friday, January 22, 2010
the love file
The love file. I was thinking about it yesterday for some reason. I can't remember if it is a Dave Ramsey idea, but the love file is a good idea. The love file holds everything that your loved ones need to know if you should happen to die.
Life insurance. Who is the agent. What is the phone number. How much is is the coverage.
Car insurance. same info.
Savings accounts. Location. Account numbers.
Online accounts. Logins and Passwords.
Mortgage. Who is it with? How much is the payment. When is it due.
What are the general bills. When are they paid. How do you usually handle them. A copy of every monthly statement.
Is there a 401K or retirement. Location. passwords.
A copy of your will.
Any instructions for your funeral.
In general, every piece of information in one manilla file that would help your spouse or children know everything and anything about how your life is managed. One of these days, they are going to need it. It is kind of a funny feeling to put it all together, but it provides you with some peace of mind, and your family will one day be glad that you did it.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Life insurance. Who is the agent. What is the phone number. How much is is the coverage.
Car insurance. same info.
Savings accounts. Location. Account numbers.
Online accounts. Logins and Passwords.
Mortgage. Who is it with? How much is the payment. When is it due.
What are the general bills. When are they paid. How do you usually handle them. A copy of every monthly statement.
Is there a 401K or retirement. Location. passwords.
A copy of your will.
Any instructions for your funeral.
In general, every piece of information in one manilla file that would help your spouse or children know everything and anything about how your life is managed. One of these days, they are going to need it. It is kind of a funny feeling to put it all together, but it provides you with some peace of mind, and your family will one day be glad that you did it.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
yesterday
Well, I survived yesterday, and I honestly appreciate the scolding that a few of you gave me. Yes, life is good, even when you start the day with a long list.
But, what is the use of this blog if I can't complain every now and then? It is hard to write some days, when I can't write about what is on my mind because there is a bit of a struggle in it somewhere, and I am afraid that the blog readers will wish better of my brain.
Man that was a long sentence. The point of it is this: is it ok, for me to be transparent in this blog, and if I do, can you readers live with it?
Back to yesterday. Adding insult to injury, I was in the middle of a meeting with a young ministerial student and we got an emergency phone call. It was my daughter. She is on the side of 291 with a flat tire. So, put on the Dad hat. Cancel appointments and go help daughter with flat tire.
I spent the next two hours with that daughter. She is awesome and we had a great time. Oh yes, and we got her tire fixed.
I am sure that the other appointments will be caught up. No problem. It was a good day. A wonderful day. And here we go again today, if God gives us the breath of life.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
But, what is the use of this blog if I can't complain every now and then? It is hard to write some days, when I can't write about what is on my mind because there is a bit of a struggle in it somewhere, and I am afraid that the blog readers will wish better of my brain.
Man that was a long sentence. The point of it is this: is it ok, for me to be transparent in this blog, and if I do, can you readers live with it?
Back to yesterday. Adding insult to injury, I was in the middle of a meeting with a young ministerial student and we got an emergency phone call. It was my daughter. She is on the side of 291 with a flat tire. So, put on the Dad hat. Cancel appointments and go help daughter with flat tire.
I spent the next two hours with that daughter. She is awesome and we had a great time. Oh yes, and we got her tire fixed.
I am sure that the other appointments will be caught up. No problem. It was a good day. A wonderful day. And here we go again today, if God gives us the breath of life.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
6:25
It is 6:25am. Ahh. I am awake. God has given me the gift of this day. Or at least this morning. A long list for today.
A funeral for a friend. Kathy Rogers, 48 years old. Hmm. God, how can this be?
My wife is in Nebraska.
My daughter has lost her car keys so we have to get the extra set to her in Warrensburg.
AgDay is on the TV. Ha ha.
Someone asked about the parking blog. Here is what I would clarify- when we sit in the parking lanes waiting for spaces to open, we block others who come in behind us from parking and going into the building. Drive a little further out, pass a few open spaces. Park your car and go into church. Please don't hang out waiting for something close to open, it just slows everything down.
What else?
I have a TV that has to go to the shop.
My wife broke her 4th suitcase in the last 12 months, so I have to go get her another one.
I am meeting with a young minister today.
I am singing with the quartet tonight.
I am giving my testimony to the confirmation class.
All of this, if God gives me the breath of life all day.
Oh, yes, and I woke up with that song in my heart..."hold to his hand, God's unchanging hand....build your hope on things eternal....hold to God's unchanging hand."
It is, yes it is, a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
A funeral for a friend. Kathy Rogers, 48 years old. Hmm. God, how can this be?
My wife is in Nebraska.
My daughter has lost her car keys so we have to get the extra set to her in Warrensburg.
AgDay is on the TV. Ha ha.
Someone asked about the parking blog. Here is what I would clarify- when we sit in the parking lanes waiting for spaces to open, we block others who come in behind us from parking and going into the building. Drive a little further out, pass a few open spaces. Park your car and go into church. Please don't hang out waiting for something close to open, it just slows everything down.
What else?
I have a TV that has to go to the shop.
My wife broke her 4th suitcase in the last 12 months, so I have to go get her another one.
I am meeting with a young minister today.
I am singing with the quartet tonight.
I am giving my testimony to the confirmation class.
All of this, if God gives me the breath of life all day.
Oh, yes, and I woke up with that song in my heart..."hold to his hand, God's unchanging hand....build your hope on things eternal....hold to God's unchanging hand."
It is, yes it is, a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
a letter from a missionary in Haiti
These folks [Steve and Faith] are friends of Betty P's family. I found their story to be very interesting, please keep them and all those in Haiti in your prayers.
Dear Mary,
I'm so glad to hear from you. I am sending you a copy of a letter
that we are sending to several people. As you will see in the letter we
have left Port au Prince and do not plan to return any time soon so I
don't think that we will be much help to the news folk. However, I have
a very good friend who has lived in Port au Prince (they have the guest
house we were staying in) many years. They are right in the middle of it
and could be available I think. Greg Bensonis
his email address. Mary, I have thought of you many times over the years
and am glad you contacted us. I will continue to pass along to you what
we see out in the country side. I hope all is well with you.
This email will go out to many people who have varying levels of
knowledge of who we are and what we do so I will start with a short
history. Faith and I moved to Haiti with our four small children almost
fourteen years ago. Since then we have raised our children and operated
a small mission hospital in a remote part of northwest Haiti. One of our
responsibilities is to go to Port au Prince every 6-8 weeks to purchase
supplies both for the hospital and our family. It is not a trip that we
look forward to as it takes 10-12 hours of driving over very poor roads
to get there; then three days of driving around in the city trying to
find everything we need, followed by another long trip home. We have
always stayed at the CSI (Christian Service International) guest house
in upper Port au Prince. The folks who operate it are like family, and
the guest house has truly been our home away from home for over 13
years. Faith and I had driven in on Sun. Jan. 10 for one of those trips.
Faith was originally scheduled to attend meetings the first two days at
the Gheskio Bureau. Our little hospital partners with them in the effort
to provide treatment for AIDS in our remote corner of Haiti and these
meetings were to discuss changes in the program. They had decided to
postpone the meetings but we needed to go purchase supplies anyway so we
went to Port. We spent Monday Jan. 11 purchasing medical supplies, doing
some banking and working on renewing our resident visa's (which required
us to turn in our visas and passports). The next day we planned to spend
the entire day downtown in the old original part of Port au Prince.
Traffic is so bad getting to and from downtown that we always try to do
everything we need to do there in one trip. Most trips this requires
almost an entire day down there. I say "down there" both figuratively
and literally since the guesthouse is up the mountains several miles and
Down town is along the bay. The figurative part has to do with how
crowded and depressing it can be just being "down there" In a city with
over a million people and very little sewage facilities everything tends
to run "down there". We had a very productive day down town and
accomplished all we had hoped to,(which is unusual). Our last stop
downtown was the Gheskio bureau. Even though our meetings had been
canceled we still needed to go there and turn in some accounting
reports. The Gheskio bureau sits in a particularly polluted part of the
city in an area that once was in the bay but has been filled and built
on. The building has been added onto several time and is like a maze
inside. I stayed in the truck out front parked right next to the
building, (there is almost no parking space), while Faith went to turn
the reports in. I have spent a fair amount of time in recent years
sitting in front of this building and have many times noticed how the
ground jiggles up and down when heavy trucks go by on the street about
fifty feet away. I have also sat there and wondered what would happed if
an earthquake were to come ripping through that area. I have also
wondered what would happen to the tens of thousands of homes built one
on top of the other going up the sides of the mountains and crowded into
narrow ravines.
I will return to our trip but this seems like a good time to discuss the
fact that anyone with any understanding of the history of Port au Prince
(a terrible earthquake two hundred years age and faults running
underneath the city), along with a basic understanding of what poorly
constructed concrete block houses stacked one on top of the other would
do some day could see that it was only a matter of time until this
tragedy happened. I have said to Faith many times over the years, "I
hope we are not here in the city when the Quake comes". However, mankind
has a habit of building up scenarios for tragedy and then acting shocked
when it happens. It is in man's nature to flock to the cities in poor
countries and and build shelter wherever he can. Haitians are not unique
in this.
We left the Gheskio bureau and that part of town about 2 1/2 hours
before the quake. We have been told that that entire area was destroyed
including the Gheskio bureau. We went on our way to transact other
business unaware that we were parting with people for the last time.
After a few other stops we were ready to head to Caribbean Market to
purchase some groceries and exchange some money. For 13 years we have
shopped for groceries almost exclusively at this place. They also allow
us to write an American check and exchange it for Haitian money. I was
very much wanting to get there and exchange some money since we had very
little in hand. As we were headed there Faith asked about one other item
that we had been looking to purchase and if we should stop at another
place and look for it. I reluctantly agreed and we did find the item
which took more time. After we left there we continued on our way to
Caribbean Market but traffic was bad and it got later and at the last
minute we decided to wait until the next morning to go there. Instead we
went back to the guest house and unloaded the supplies that were in the
truck. Faith went upstairs to our room and I sat on the porch visiting
with a friend. When the earthquake started it was a tremble and we
immediately stepped out into the yard. Within a few seconds the tremble
had turned into a strong shake and I turned to look at the building. At
that moment something much like a wave went through the ground and I saw
the entire building sway back and forth about two feet. It is a two
story building made of concrete block and poured concrete pillars,
floors and roofs. As it swayed I realized that it might actually
collapse and I remembered Faith was upstairs so I decided to go get her.
As I started towards the porch a second wave came though the ground and
all the windows on the porch shattered and much of the first floor walls
started to break apart and collapse. I remember very clearly thinking,
"If it doesn't stop shaking the house will collapse before I can get to
her and the kids will lose both of us. I have to wait". Thankfully about
then it started to taper off and within ten seconds I was able to enter
the house and work my way through the rubble to the second floor where I
found Faith standing in our room which didn't have a single crack in any
of it's walls. This in spite of the fact that the two interior walls
underneath that room were rubble. I went from terrified that Faith might
be hurt or killedt to very angry that she was looking for her shoes and
grabbed her by the arm and pulled her out. She said the shock of the
quake coupled with the fact that in our room nothing was braking apart
made her unaware of the fact that the house was about ready to fall in.
The Caribbean market that I was so hot to get to completely collapsed,
four floors of concrete one on top of the other. Had we not changed our
minds we would undoubtedly been inside of it. We have a friend who had
just walked out of it and was in the parking lot when it collapsed. How
many times in our lives do we walk by death and even brush shoulders
with it but are not aware that it has happened?
We spent the first night on the street and then in our truck listening
to the never ending wails of people crying for the dead, but also the
singing of hymns and prayers of thanks that they were alive. I don't
know how many dead there are but 100,000 seems like a conservative
estimate to me and I wouldn't be surprised if it was double that. A very
large densely populated area of almost exclusively concrete structures
lay in ruin. Many of these houses have twenty or more people living in
them. Few have less than ten. The next day we decided towards evening
that we should try to go home on Thursday if possible since we had a
truck load of medical supplies for the hospital and funds for the
hospital. Haiti has a history of people blocking the roads in time of
trouble and we decided our first obligation was to the hospital and the
people of Bombardopolis. God granted us a safe trip home yesterday. We
are helping the Mayor of Bombardopolis coordinate efforts to bring the
many children of Bombarde that attend school in Port home if possible.
We have pledged some funds to help with this.
I know that many countries are gearing up for a big relief effort. This
is so important because we fear that if security and supplies are not
quickly brought in many tens of thousands could die from disease,
hunger, thirst and violence.
Here in Bombarde there is no physical damage. However, Haiti is a
country in which every family has relatives in Port au Prince. I would
not be surprised if a quarter of the population lives in the capitol.
This means that it is a tragedy for the entire country and the effects
both psychological and material will be felt by the entire country.
There are so many other things that I could tell but I think that I will
stop for now and try to get this sent out if we can get a signal. Please
pray for this poor, sad little country which has had so much tragedy in
recent years and now has one greater than all the others combined.
Steve and Faith
Friends, we too often take our blessings of food and safety for granted.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Dear Mary,
I'm so glad to hear from you. I am sending you a copy of a letter
that we are sending to several people. As you will see in the letter we
have left Port au Prince and do not plan to return any time soon so I
don't think that we will be much help to the news folk. However, I have
a very good friend who has lived in Port au Prince (they have the guest
house we were staying in) many years. They are right in the middle of it
and could be available I think. Greg Benson
his email address. Mary, I have thought of you many times over the years
and am glad you contacted us. I will continue to pass along to you what
we see out in the country side. I hope all is well with you.
This email will go out to many people who have varying levels of
knowledge of who we are and what we do so I will start with a short
history. Faith and I moved to Haiti with our four small children almost
fourteen years ago. Since then we have raised our children and operated
a small mission hospital in a remote part of northwest Haiti. One of our
responsibilities is to go to Port au Prince every 6-8 weeks to purchase
supplies both for the hospital and our family. It is not a trip that we
look forward to as it takes 10-12 hours of driving over very poor roads
to get there; then three days of driving around in the city trying to
find everything we need, followed by another long trip home. We have
always stayed at the CSI (Christian Service International) guest house
in upper Port au Prince. The folks who operate it are like family, and
the guest house has truly been our home away from home for over 13
years. Faith and I had driven in on Sun. Jan. 10 for one of those trips.
Faith was originally scheduled to attend meetings the first two days at
the Gheskio Bureau. Our little hospital partners with them in the effort
to provide treatment for AIDS in our remote corner of Haiti and these
meetings were to discuss changes in the program. They had decided to
postpone the meetings but we needed to go purchase supplies anyway so we
went to Port. We spent Monday Jan. 11 purchasing medical supplies, doing
some banking and working on renewing our resident visa's (which required
us to turn in our visas and passports). The next day we planned to spend
the entire day downtown in the old original part of Port au Prince.
Traffic is so bad getting to and from downtown that we always try to do
everything we need to do there in one trip. Most trips this requires
almost an entire day down there. I say "down there" both figuratively
and literally since the guesthouse is up the mountains several miles and
Down town is along the bay. The figurative part has to do with how
crowded and depressing it can be just being "down there" In a city with
over a million people and very little sewage facilities everything tends
to run "down there". We had a very productive day down town and
accomplished all we had hoped to,(which is unusual). Our last stop
downtown was the Gheskio bureau. Even though our meetings had been
canceled we still needed to go there and turn in some accounting
reports. The Gheskio bureau sits in a particularly polluted part of the
city in an area that once was in the bay but has been filled and built
on. The building has been added onto several time and is like a maze
inside. I stayed in the truck out front parked right next to the
building, (there is almost no parking space), while Faith went to turn
the reports in. I have spent a fair amount of time in recent years
sitting in front of this building and have many times noticed how the
ground jiggles up and down when heavy trucks go by on the street about
fifty feet away. I have also sat there and wondered what would happed if
an earthquake were to come ripping through that area. I have also
wondered what would happen to the tens of thousands of homes built one
on top of the other going up the sides of the mountains and crowded into
narrow ravines.
I will return to our trip but this seems like a good time to discuss the
fact that anyone with any understanding of the history of Port au Prince
(a terrible earthquake two hundred years age and faults running
underneath the city), along with a basic understanding of what poorly
constructed concrete block houses stacked one on top of the other would
do some day could see that it was only a matter of time until this
tragedy happened. I have said to Faith many times over the years, "I
hope we are not here in the city when the Quake comes". However, mankind
has a habit of building up scenarios for tragedy and then acting shocked
when it happens. It is in man's nature to flock to the cities in poor
countries and and build shelter wherever he can. Haitians are not unique
in this.
We left the Gheskio bureau and that part of town about 2 1/2 hours
before the quake. We have been told that that entire area was destroyed
including the Gheskio bureau. We went on our way to transact other
business unaware that we were parting with people for the last time.
After a few other stops we were ready to head to Caribbean Market to
purchase some groceries and exchange some money. For 13 years we have
shopped for groceries almost exclusively at this place. They also allow
us to write an American check and exchange it for Haitian money. I was
very much wanting to get there and exchange some money since we had very
little in hand. As we were headed there Faith asked about one other item
that we had been looking to purchase and if we should stop at another
place and look for it. I reluctantly agreed and we did find the item
which took more time. After we left there we continued on our way to
Caribbean Market but traffic was bad and it got later and at the last
minute we decided to wait until the next morning to go there. Instead we
went back to the guest house and unloaded the supplies that were in the
truck. Faith went upstairs to our room and I sat on the porch visiting
with a friend. When the earthquake started it was a tremble and we
immediately stepped out into the yard. Within a few seconds the tremble
had turned into a strong shake and I turned to look at the building. At
that moment something much like a wave went through the ground and I saw
the entire building sway back and forth about two feet. It is a two
story building made of concrete block and poured concrete pillars,
floors and roofs. As it swayed I realized that it might actually
collapse and I remembered Faith was upstairs so I decided to go get her.
As I started towards the porch a second wave came though the ground and
all the windows on the porch shattered and much of the first floor walls
started to break apart and collapse. I remember very clearly thinking,
"If it doesn't stop shaking the house will collapse before I can get to
her and the kids will lose both of us. I have to wait". Thankfully about
then it started to taper off and within ten seconds I was able to enter
the house and work my way through the rubble to the second floor where I
found Faith standing in our room which didn't have a single crack in any
of it's walls. This in spite of the fact that the two interior walls
underneath that room were rubble. I went from terrified that Faith might
be hurt or killedt to very angry that she was looking for her shoes and
grabbed her by the arm and pulled her out. She said the shock of the
quake coupled with the fact that in our room nothing was braking apart
made her unaware of the fact that the house was about ready to fall in.
The Caribbean market that I was so hot to get to completely collapsed,
four floors of concrete one on top of the other. Had we not changed our
minds we would undoubtedly been inside of it. We have a friend who had
just walked out of it and was in the parking lot when it collapsed. How
many times in our lives do we walk by death and even brush shoulders
with it but are not aware that it has happened?
We spent the first night on the street and then in our truck listening
to the never ending wails of people crying for the dead, but also the
singing of hymns and prayers of thanks that they were alive. I don't
know how many dead there are but 100,000 seems like a conservative
estimate to me and I wouldn't be surprised if it was double that. A very
large densely populated area of almost exclusively concrete structures
lay in ruin. Many of these houses have twenty or more people living in
them. Few have less than ten. The next day we decided towards evening
that we should try to go home on Thursday if possible since we had a
truck load of medical supplies for the hospital and funds for the
hospital. Haiti has a history of people blocking the roads in time of
trouble and we decided our first obligation was to the hospital and the
people of Bombardopolis. God granted us a safe trip home yesterday. We
are helping the Mayor of Bombardopolis coordinate efforts to bring the
many children of Bombarde that attend school in Port home if possible.
We have pledged some funds to help with this.
I know that many countries are gearing up for a big relief effort. This
is so important because we fear that if security and supplies are not
quickly brought in many tens of thousands could die from disease,
hunger, thirst and violence.
Here in Bombarde there is no physical damage. However, Haiti is a
country in which every family has relatives in Port au Prince. I would
not be surprised if a quarter of the population lives in the capitol.
This means that it is a tragedy for the entire country and the effects
both psychological and material will be felt by the entire country.
There are so many other things that I could tell but I think that I will
stop for now and try to get this sent out if we can get a signal. Please
pray for this poor, sad little country which has had so much tragedy in
recent years and now has one greater than all the others combined.
Steve and Faith
Friends, we too often take our blessings of food and safety for granted.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Yesterday
Yesterday Josh preached. He did an awesome job! Greg told me that he had a great crowd in his "Unchristian" class. Yesterday I got invited to play softball. Hmm.
Yesterday, I witnessed a bit of a parking nightmare. After visiting another church, I arrived at our church between the 1010 and 1115 services. I came in the front entrance and went into the south parking lot. What I saw there was kind of painful. There were about five cars just hanging out, waiting for a parking spot to open. A few were driving around in a circle waiting for someone to leave. It was like the only place to park was there on the south side in front of the main entrance.
People. Hear my plea. Come in the back entrance by the youth and mission building. If you don't know where it is, find it. Come in the back entrance. Leave that south lot for visitors and the elderly. If you come in the back entrance, you can find a place to park with no problem. That means that you won't be driving around blocking others who do want to park.
Please consider those who need to park close, and the general flow of traffic when you come to park. Jesus told his followers not to take the best seat at the table. I am asking that you come into the lot, drive past some open spaces and take a spot that is open further away so that we don't tie up traffic driving around waiting for the perfect spot.
Thanks for listening. I love you all and you are wonderful.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Yesterday, I witnessed a bit of a parking nightmare. After visiting another church, I arrived at our church between the 1010 and 1115 services. I came in the front entrance and went into the south parking lot. What I saw there was kind of painful. There were about five cars just hanging out, waiting for a parking spot to open. A few were driving around in a circle waiting for someone to leave. It was like the only place to park was there on the south side in front of the main entrance.
People. Hear my plea. Come in the back entrance by the youth and mission building. If you don't know where it is, find it. Come in the back entrance. Leave that south lot for visitors and the elderly. If you come in the back entrance, you can find a place to park with no problem. That means that you won't be driving around blocking others who do want to park.
Please consider those who need to park close, and the general flow of traffic when you come to park. Jesus told his followers not to take the best seat at the table. I am asking that you come into the lot, drive past some open spaces and take a spot that is open further away so that we don't tie up traffic driving around waiting for the perfect spot.
Thanks for listening. I love you all and you are wonderful.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
the blues
The blues are back. Not for me. They bounced around and landed on an unsuspecting friend. Someone who actually helped me last year when I had found them.
We were talking the other night and he mentioned how every one would think it was silly, looking at his life, everyone would think that he should be happy as a bee.
That is probably true.
But here is what struck me as we were talking. Do you know how many people love you? In this moment when you are feeling down, when you are struggling a bit, do you know how many people put you on their stellar human being list?
The blues make their rounds to everyone, even this beloved person. Blue he may be, but loved is he as well. And love is the answer. It always pulls us out. We always find our "A" game again because God's love, and the love of others just heals us.
How many people out there love you? More than you think.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
We were talking the other night and he mentioned how every one would think it was silly, looking at his life, everyone would think that he should be happy as a bee.
That is probably true.
But here is what struck me as we were talking. Do you know how many people love you? In this moment when you are feeling down, when you are struggling a bit, do you know how many people put you on their stellar human being list?
The blues make their rounds to everyone, even this beloved person. Blue he may be, but loved is he as well. And love is the answer. It always pulls us out. We always find our "A" game again because God's love, and the love of others just heals us.
How many people out there love you? More than you think.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
my lucky day
Well. Yesterday was my lucky day. I got one speech and two phone calls from people who wanted to tell me that they loved me. For no reason. I was on their heart and in their minds, so they called me to make sure I was ok and tell me that they loved me.
Well. Wow. That is a very very good feeling.
Who is on your mind today? Who has God given you? Call them. Tell them that you are thinking of them and praying for them.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Well. Wow. That is a very very good feeling.
Who is on your mind today? Who has God given you? Call them. Tell them that you are thinking of them and praying for them.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Friday, January 15, 2010
more on Haiti
Several have asked if our church will be doing something to help the earthquake victims in Haiti. The answer, of course, is yes.
We will be receiving a special offering this Sunday at all services. In the near future, as opportunities open up, I am also sure that you will be hearing about mission trips and other ways that we can help.
The United Methodist Church is very active in providing relief for such global calamities. You can read more about what the general church is doing at www.umc.org/haiti
Keep the people of Haiti in your prayers. About the only joy I ever see in such tragedy is that the churches step up and respond in such positive ways. Moments of pain provide us with a chance to be the hands and feet of Christ.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
We will be receiving a special offering this Sunday at all services. In the near future, as opportunities open up, I am also sure that you will be hearing about mission trips and other ways that we can help.
The United Methodist Church is very active in providing relief for such global calamities. You can read more about what the general church is doing at www.umc.org/haiti
Keep the people of Haiti in your prayers. About the only joy I ever see in such tragedy is that the churches step up and respond in such positive ways. Moments of pain provide us with a chance to be the hands and feet of Christ.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Haiti
Wow. The pictures coming in from the earthquake in Haiti are devastating. Let us join together and pray for those impacted by the quake. Also, let us be thinking of ways that we can reach out and be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to these people.
On a side note, in spite of what at least one Christian leader is saying, earthquakes are a natural disaster. They are not visited upon certain people whom God deems evil. The Christians in Haiti were not spared this catastrophe. They died in equal numbers to those who practice voodoo. Earthquakes are a natural disaster. Like a tornado. Jesus said, "the rain falls on the just and the unjust."
This is not about who the good and the bad people are. This is another reminder that life is a mystery and we don't have all the answers. It is a chance for us to act out our faith and care about those who are hurting, and in some small way allow this tragic event to be marked by the grace and love of God.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
On a side note, in spite of what at least one Christian leader is saying, earthquakes are a natural disaster. They are not visited upon certain people whom God deems evil. The Christians in Haiti were not spared this catastrophe. They died in equal numbers to those who practice voodoo. Earthquakes are a natural disaster. Like a tornado. Jesus said, "the rain falls on the just and the unjust."
This is not about who the good and the bad people are. This is another reminder that life is a mystery and we don't have all the answers. It is a chance for us to act out our faith and care about those who are hurting, and in some small way allow this tragic event to be marked by the grace and love of God.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
lost opportunities
An opportunity was lost to share one's faith. Another day goes by and I did not talk to anyone about Jesus Christ.
Well, here is another perspective......what opportunities do we lose if we push too hard? When you work on someone in a way that they feel like your "project," they are going to recoil from you. They will see you coming from a mile away and go the other direction. Opportunities lost.
So we Christians just need to be really careful about how and when we open our big mouths. Jesus did not give altar calls and it is not our job to close the sale for God. We are instead to be carriers of his love and grace. We are to be ready always to give answer of the hope that lies within you.
You will know when the time is right. Don't lose your opportunity to reach them by scaring them away.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Well, here is another perspective......what opportunities do we lose if we push too hard? When you work on someone in a way that they feel like your "project," they are going to recoil from you. They will see you coming from a mile away and go the other direction. Opportunities lost.
So we Christians just need to be really careful about how and when we open our big mouths. Jesus did not give altar calls and it is not our job to close the sale for God. We are instead to be carriers of his love and grace. We are to be ready always to give answer of the hope that lies within you.
You will know when the time is right. Don't lose your opportunity to reach them by scaring them away.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Our Town
Yes, the video that ran with the song, "In the City" was awesome. WM put that together. I hope there will be more.
Yes, the boss say about "My Home Town."
Yesterday I finished the book, "Our Town." Actually it is a play by Thornton Wilder. It is a quick read, it took about an hour. As I have been getting older, I have had a growing desire to read "the classics." A friend recommended Our Town to me, and I finally got around to reading it.
I am not going to blow the plot for you, but I will make one point that the author makes: We cannot just go through the motions. Life is short. I see you. I see you. You matter to me. Tell someone today. Look them in the eye and tell them that they matter to you.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Yes, the boss say about "My Home Town."
Yesterday I finished the book, "Our Town." Actually it is a play by Thornton Wilder. It is a quick read, it took about an hour. As I have been getting older, I have had a growing desire to read "the classics." A friend recommended Our Town to me, and I finally got around to reading it.
I am not going to blow the plot for you, but I will make one point that the author makes: We cannot just go through the motions. Life is short. I see you. I see you. You matter to me. Tell someone today. Look them in the eye and tell them that they matter to you.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Monday, January 11, 2010
worries
Sometimes I wonder about the number of worries that we human beings carry. Life can be very complicated, or it can sure seem complicated.
What will happen with the economy?
How can we help people in need?
How are my children doing, really?
What will happen with health care?
Am I really living sacrificially?
What if the wheels come off?
I am sure that I could add to this list, as could you. There are a number of things that wear heavily on our minds. When I find my brain filled with such thoughts, I just try to remember the simple things.
God loves me.
God loves you.
I survived being a teenager.
So will they.
I will help everyone that I can.
Sort of a "life is short, don't sweat the small stuff." God is good, and we can trust in him regardless of our circumstances. There is plenty of good to see in the simple truths that are always true.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
What will happen with the economy?
How can we help people in need?
How are my children doing, really?
What will happen with health care?
Am I really living sacrificially?
What if the wheels come off?
I am sure that I could add to this list, as could you. There are a number of things that wear heavily on our minds. When I find my brain filled with such thoughts, I just try to remember the simple things.
God loves me.
God loves you.
I survived being a teenager.
So will they.
I will help everyone that I can.
Sort of a "life is short, don't sweat the small stuff." God is good, and we can trust in him regardless of our circumstances. There is plenty of good to see in the simple truths that are always true.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
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