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September 18, 2009
This week ushered in an undesirable event. I had to get contacts to help correct my vision. My astigmatism gives me headaches that even make my teeth hurt (I didn't know this was even possible). Only recently was a contact invented that can correct astigmatism. I told Lisa that God never intended for us to touch our eyes ... that is why we have eyelids. However, it is amazing what this little piece of rubber can do sticking to my eyeballs.
Recently, I found to my delight that Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion is now available in whole episodes online. I have always been fascinated by his show. The idea of sitting around and listening to the radio is not one my generation gives much thought to. We typically demand television now. I keep up with technology and one thing that is right around the corner is 3-D TV. TV is no longer enough. Now we need 3-D TV. Something about a radio show takes us back to simpler times.
Speaking of simpler times ... I have been reading The Last American Man. I cannot remember who the author is. But, the book is a fascinating account of a man named Eustace who has eschewed all the amenities of modern day life: TVs, ovens, houses, and just about anything else you can think of.
All of these things set my mind in motion. There is so much that keeps our attention off where it really should be: God. That is what Sunday's sermon gets at (hopefully). I often think we've industrialized ourselves right out of life. Perhaps we'd all be better off to live as Eustace does. Perhaps we'd all be better off to get rid of most of our "stuff" and focus on life and faith.
September 14, 2009
Recently, one of my best friends moved to Florida. She called to tell me how warm and nice the beach was. I told her, "It's starting to feel like Fall here." And it is. However, I like that. Yesterday, Betty and I began discussing Advent. Can you believe that?
For the last handful of Sundays, church has looked a little sparse. I notice that this person and that person is gone. I suppose everyone is catching up on vacations, relaxing, and whatever else. However, church just doesn't feel the same when someone is missing.
I hope that you have a good week and enjoy what's left of Summer!
September 4, 2009
It always amazes me that one day it feels like summer and the next day it feels like fall. Somewhere in the last week, it suddenly felt a bit like fall. However, that is nice. Today, one of my best friends moved to Florida. As much as I might like to move to Florida or somewhere warm, I think I would miss the seasons and changes.
Speaking of seasons ... my garden was just about a unanimous disaster. Bugs ate the corn up, deer at the tomatoes and beans, and God only knows what happened to everything else. Next year, I'll just go to Food Lion for vegetables.
Speaking of September, Labor day is right around the corner. I hope that everyone is able to have a nice weekend!
August 25, 2009
August 25! Where has the summer gone? It truly is amazing how fast times goes. However, it has been a good summer. I was able to get a lot of work done, Macey got to see her mom, and we had a nice vacation.
A couple of Sundays ago, I went to First Christian Church in Roanoke to see Chris Yopp preach for their revival. Jim Rivers said that they had not had a revival for 25 years. I think that even predates Jim's time there.
As I sat through the service, I was thinking things over. First, I found it ironic that that very Sunday morning I preached a sermon about holy rest/sabbath. In the sermon, I said that I would occasionally love to come to church and just sit on the back pew. That same day, when I went to see Chris preach, I made sure I sat on the back pew. It truly was rest to my soul to be able to just sit and worship.
I also gave some thought to revivals. They have largely gone out of style. However, I thought that there are often times in my own life when I need revival. At times, I am just going through the motions. At times, I feel like life has lost its pop and pizzazz. How we get that revival doesn't matter so much as THAT we get the revival ... revival of joy, revival of purpose, revival of faith, revival of community, revival of hope, revival of trust in God. I was glad I went. Revival was just what I needed.
August 14, 2009
Recently, I have played around with Facebook.com some. I don't really post messages there, but I do try to catch up with old friends. The gentlemen to the left came up on Facebook. I have a recollection that his name is Doug. I don't really have any idea. I was a bit of a loner in high school. So, I never knew many people.
I clipped the picture because it was mostly amusing to me. I often wonder where old friends have gone. Some stayed right here in Roanoke. Others have meandered to all corners of the earth.
Macey has been crawling for about two weeks now. It is nearly ready to drive us crazy. She is constantly endangering her own health. She either has no fear or not enough common sense. All the same, it is amazing to watch her pop around the house. She seems so proud of herself that she has figured this crawling stuff out.
Well, I hope that you have a good weekend.
July 31, 2009
Well, Macey started crawling two days ago. I'll never forget the look of sheer joy she found after her first few steps. At first, I thought this can only be bad news for us. It's true, we have spent a good deal of time trying to catch her and herd her in the right direction.
However, there is an up-side to her progress. Last night, at story time we decided to read a book to Macey on the rug in the living room. Macey was on one side of the room and I on the other. Normally, I would have to get up and fetch her for story time. This time, I just held the book up and said, "Come here, kiddo." I'll be darned if she didn't crawl on over to me. Now, if I could just get her to do some of our chores.
July 26, 2009
It's almost here ... vacation time. I'll be on vacation from August 3-10. Lisa and I do not have any plans. We are trying to save money. So, we are staying at home. However, we are trying to find some things to do here in Roanoke that we don't normally get to do.
As part of the evaluation process for the church, I filled out my own evaluation. I've often thought that God should have a set-down evaluation with each of us at least once a year. I think I've always sort of thought of Sunday morning as my evaluation. Going to church has always helped me to think about what I do well and what I could do better. Of course, the good news is that God loves me just the way I am.
I cannot believe that August is just about here. Since Macey showed up in our lives, it feels like I stepped into a time travel suit. Every funeral I attend reminds me just how fast life does go. So, I always try to remember that when I see Macey setting on the floor or Lisa laying on the couch. Time flies and I don't want it to completely slip by me. Here recently, I've had someone constantly reminding me to be with my family. I am thankful that they've been my reminder. So, enough of this work ... I'm off to talk to my wife.
July 17, 2009
Victory at last! We have convinced Macey to sleep in her pack-n-play. She had been sleeping in her little vibrating chair, but that had to end. She has become a bit of an acrobat mixed with Houdini. She can nearly get out of the chair. We had many crying fits before we accepted this big change, but it worked at last.
Everything else is going well. Vacation Bible School has gone really well. Everyone has worked and the kids have behaved pretty well. I have even had fun hanging around the kids.
Lisa and I will be on vacation before much longer (the first week of August). So, we are looking forward to that.
July 12, 2009
Now the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. And Saul's servants said to him, 'See now, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord now command the servants who attend you to look for someone who is skillful in playing the lyre; and when the evil spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will feel better.' So Saul said to his servants, 'Provide for me someone who can play well, and bring him to me.' One of the young men answered, 'I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a warrior, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence; and the Lord is with him.' So Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said,'Send me your son David who is with the sheep.' Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a kid, and sent them by his son David to Saul. And David came to Saul, and entered his service. Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. Saul sent to Jesse, saying, 'Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.' And whenever the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand, and Saul would be relieved and feel better, and the evil spirit would depart from him.
The scripture above was sent to my email box one day in the daily lectionary that I subscribe to. I had never thought about this story much before. I couldn't help but wonder if what Saul really was struggling with wasn't depression of some nature. Saul had the lyre played to lift his spirits. Thousands of years later, we are still trying to fill the voids in our lives.
Saul is such a disappointing story. He seemed so full of promise, but one failure after another piled up. I have often felt sorry for him. Oddly enough, his successor, David, wouldn't do much better.
July 5, 2009
For the last month, Lisa and I have been trying to get Macey to sleep in her crib or pack-n-play. She'll have very little to do with that idea. Since she was born she has slept most of the time in her little vibrating bouncy seat.
Following the instructions of our doctor and nurse, we put her in the crib. She cries and cries. Every 15 minutes we walk in and let her know we are still there. That is not working either. So, tonight we tried a new approach. We sat by her until she fell asleep. So far, so good. Or, at least, better.
Today, many of you heard Colby sing in church. That kid is unbelievable. He is the antithesis of what I was when I was his age. He is funny, outgoing, and talented. I may have had a few talents. But, I was not funny or outgoing. Even now, you couldn't pay me to sing in front of a congregation. I am truly thankful for him and all of the kids and youth at church.