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December 18, 2009
I often tell my wife I'd move to Texas in a heartbeat if she gave it the green light. I get tired of being cold for 5 or 6 months. However, after giving it a little more thought, I've decided we live in the kind of place God intended us to live in.
Our "Yankee" friends get so much snow that it changes their personality and has the reputation of leaving them sour and stoic. The Floridians and Texans get little to no snow. However, I'm convinced that we need these occasional snow days. I've come to think of them as God's natural antidepressant for us. It is nice to have the occasional day off from work, chores, running around, and life. It's good to be trapped in the house with our families from time to time.
So, enjoy the snow. I will.
December 10, 2009
In the morning bible study, we have started studying the book of Ecclesiastes. One of the things we've discussed is that the book is largely about reflecting on life and how we spend our time. After we left, I spent a few minutes in the car reflecting on my own life and even the last couple of weeks of Advent.
Looking back, I am thankful for how I've spent most of my time. There aren't a ton of things I regret. I'm glad I went to college, seminary, and became a minister. I'm glad I met Lisa and had Macey. There aren't many things that are worse than looking back on life and feeling that you've wasted your time. Last week, I achieved the ripe, old age of 32. I'm proud of my life and have tried hard not to waste it. Like the author of Ecclesiastes, I pray that my life has not been a waste.
At Advent, we are invited to slow down and do this kind of reflecting ... to think about what really matters and get our priorities straight as we prepared for the coming (and second-coming!) of the Christ. If you haven't done so yet, take some time for reflection this Advent.
November 30, 2009
Thanksgiving is over. How sad. Yesterday, after worship, I saw another minister I know at El Rodeo. I asked him if I he was going to the ministerial meeting this week. He said, "My family is in town. Probably not." I admire that. Some ministers are better than others at setting boundaries and making sure that those boundaries protect family time. I found myself wishing Thanksgiving was more than just one day.
But, I have to say that the Thanksgiving I did have was enjoyable. As we did last year, Lisa and I stayed in Roanoke. The day before Lisa and Macey went to Lynchburg with me so I could meet with our Regional Minister. It was a nice trip and Macey behaved. Thursday, we went to my dad's house, then to my mom's. Later that night, we went to Cracker Barrel, which was surprisingly not-so-busy. Friday, we had the chance to have a Post-Thanksgiving lunch with a church family (which was wonderful!). On Saturday, Lisa and I decided that Thanksgiving should continue. After a quick trip to Food Lion, we made our own Thanksgiving dinner. And, I should say, Lisa does a good job of turkey cooking to be a rookie. Needless to say, we had a very nice holiday weekend.
Man times flies! How is this possibly the last day of November? I'm still on the fence as to how I feel about it being Christmas time. Am I ready? No. Maybe. Yes. No. Definitely no.
I am not ready at all because Advent is a time to slow down and at the moment I've got a lot to do between church and home. I have a mucky basement that calls my name every time I go home. I've tuned it out so far.
Every year, I promise myself I will do a better job of emptying my calendar and to-do list. I vow to spend more time contemplating the meaning of Christmas. I do a much better job of this at Lent and Easter. Maybe this will be the year. Maybe I'll go home and get my priorities right.
Wherever the season of Advent finds you, I hope that you will feel the hope and anticipation that fills this season.
November 22, 2009
It is rare for it to be so long in between journal entries. That is a sure sign that life has been hectic ... and it has. But, as Marian Miller said, it is all a part of being in the "there's never a dull moment" club. I don't recall requesting such a membership ... I think it came with the baby and the house.
It would be an understatement to say, "Wow. It's time for Advent." I like Advent, but, geez, how did it get here so fast? Every year, I enjoy reading the lectionary passages and seeing how they fit in with Advent.
We have several good worship opportunities this Advent at Bethany. I hope you will come join us for some of them.
November 5, 2009
Well, after more than a week, the contacts are starting to sink in. It was utterly miserable for one week. Guess it just goes to show you the importance of perseverance. Still can't see so hot, but I'm not crying every 15 minutes.
Next week, I'll be taking advantage of a sabbatical at the church. I couldn't help but think was a misnomer that is. The professional sabbatical is not a "Sabbath" when done right. It comes from that Old Testament idea of giving the fields a break every so many years. However, my sabbatical is not a break at all ... not a vacation.
I will be working, but not at the church. It's like I'm on vacation, but not. The week will be consumed with planning, reading, studying, writing Bible studies, and visiting a couple of other churches ... all things that are just about impossible to do during a typical week due to meetings, visitations, etc.
We will be celebrating Macey's birthday today and this weekend. It is so hard to believe that she is 1 year old. When she was only a couple of weeks old, I remember telling Lisa I'd give anything for her to be 3 months old so we could get some more sleep. Now, I'd give anything for her to be 2 weeks old again. Funny how life goes!
October 29, 2009
I was once told that Thomas Jefferson designed UVA in such a way that it had a lot of "nooks and crannies" which would be good places for students and academics to hunker down for their studies. I've found my best place to hunker down for studying and thinking is the coffee/tea shop. So, I head over there about once a week.
The coffee shop affords me the chance to see all kinds of people and to do a lot of thinking. I ponder the deepest issues there: how to get the skunk smell off of my dog, why my phone doesn't work, why my email won't go through, and so on.
One of the things I've given some thought to is something I talked about several weeks ago in my journal. I believe I said that I had to start wearing contacts and that was possibly the worst idea anyone has ever had. I was wrong. I now have to wear hard contacts to fix my unique astigmatic eye condition. Hard contacts are definitely the worst idea ever. I'm trying to take the attitude that a little suffering is good for the soul and makes one appreciative of the good things in life.
Skunks, email problems, inoperable phones, and astigmatism. These are all good topics to mull over in the coffee shop. I hope you have such a nook or cranny to do your best thinking.
October 19, 2009
A keratometry machine also extracts accurate corneal measurements and provides the doctor with minute data to correct vision problems with surgery or astigmatism contact lenses. Eye surgery is an extremely delicate procedure which requires utmost accuracy. One wrong move can cause scarring of the cornea, permanent visual impairment, or at the very worst, blindness. But researchers have perfected highly-calibrated and exacting tools, such as the keratometry machine, to perfect the science of enabling people to see clearer. Just as ophthalmologists work to heal blurred vision, so has God given us His Son, Jesus Christ, to open spiritually blinded eyes to the truth of the gospel. "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (II Corinthians 4:3-4).
People never cease to amuse me. Recently, my doctor told me I would have to start wearing hard contacts if I ever wanted my headaches to end. So, I was reading more about hard contacts and how they work. Right there in the middle of this eye health web site was a piece of evangelism. As strange as it seems to be proselytized in this context, it doesn't really surprise me.
I've often found myself sitting in waiting rooms, groceries stores, and gas stations and a random person will walk up and ask me if I've found Jesus. I try hard not to be a wise-guy and say what I really want to ("I didn't know he was lost.")
I don't know what to make of this type of evangelism. I suppose it is harmless, but man it sure does catch you off guard sometimes. So much so, that sometimes I have to think before I can answer.
I hope that you have a good week. Don't be surprised to find a carrier of the gospel just about anywhere in your life.
October 9, 2009
In seminary, I took a year and a half of biblical Greek. It took me all of about a week and a half to forget most of it. I always vowed that I would pick it back up. In 2008, I made it a goal to to do so. I would not recognize a vocative or pluperfect verb if they "hit me upside the head." However, I have done well enough. It took me a year, but I finished reading the first chapter of John in Greek (much of which I attribute to being somewhat indifferent and the rest to having a baby).
Undoubtedly, the rest of the world couldn't care less. However, I've often heard that life is made up of small victories. However small it was, I got my victory!
Earlier in the week, I met with the Williamson Road Ministerial Association for breakfast at K&W. We truly had an interesting conversation. We talked about some tough topics, such as what the ELCA (Lutherans) have been deciding regarding homosexuality and the church. I often wish the church could have open and honest conversations like that and not end up in discord or division.
I hope that everyone enjoys their weekend ... 86 degrees today and 62 degrees tomorrow. Very strange.
October 4, 2009
Where, oh where, did September and my summer go? Lisa and I went to Michael's today and suddenly Christmas stuff is out.
As I was preaching today, I couldn't help but look at everyone in church. Some people looked like they were held in rapture by the sermon, hanging on every word. Some people looked like they could have fallen asleep at any minute. It makes me wonder what is going on in everyone's life. People come into church with so many different experiences, problems, and joys that it is quite difficult to preach to them all.
Also, I can't say what this was, but something happened with a church member today that just made me smile. Sometimes, the church people really do surprise me with how they live their lives. I love those times of surprise. I was able to go eat tacos at El Rodeo and simply be proud of Bethany. I hope you feel the same way sometimes.