random thoughts about life

Add a little excitement to your faith...

2012-02-10T06:20:00.005-05:00

If you want to add a little excitment to your faith and life, I have a recommendation for you. Find someone who is seeking to know more and begin to mentor them. It will spark your fire again for sure! I have been doing just that in the men's group that I meet with each week. It has been heart warming and fun to see a 60 year old man come alive in his faith as he searches and digs deeper. And the icing on the cake was when he invited his 31 year old son to join us! The son is also seeking and digging deeper. My friend and I came away from that gathering last night - flying high! So cool!

Thank you Lord for allowing me the privelege of leading someone deeper into a relationship with you. And help me to find others to help as well!

It's Almost That Time...

2012-02-08T06:35:00.001-05:00

On Saturday evening we open our doors at Community of Joy to 20 homeless men from Salisbury. We will be hosting them for 2 weeks. Bethany Lutheran and Beacon of Light Churches ( our neighboring churches) will help us. We couldn't do it without them!

The men come in at 5 p.m. and then we feed them a delicious meal at 6 p.m.. They sleep the night in our sanctuary on cots (an advantage of using chairs not pews!) then the get a hot breakfast at 6 a.m. and are out the door with a bag lunch at 7 a.m. It is a lot of work and takes many hands to pull it off! It is one way we live out our mission at Community of Joy - "Jesus Christ calls us to actively reach out with God's love, hospitality, hope, healing, and peace."

I am thankful for all the people who step up and give so generously of their time and resources to host the men.

I have had a couple people wonder why we do it... when some of the guys we host don't appear to be doing much to get out of their situations. My response is that this is not our concern. Sure, we would like to see them break free of their homeless situation and all that things the keep them in that cycle. But even Jesus said, we will always have the poor with us. So, I think our role for some is simply to offer them a warm place to spend the cold winter nights, a few meals, God's love and hospitality, and our prayers.

Looking forward to these next two weeks!

The way you end is all that matters!

2012-02-06T17:49:00.001-05:00

Been thinking about this all day today... The Giants are the first team in NFL history to have such a poor record and win the superbowl. They got off to a very rocky start this year yet, ended up the top team of all! Just goes to show that it doesn't matter how you start, but how you end.

Apply that to our lives and the same is true. Jesus came to prove it! With Jesus, it doesn't matter where we've been or what we've done as long as we turn away from that and toward him. Consider the story that Jesus tells in Luke 15 of the wayward son, who took his share of his inheritance from his father and wasted it all... then came to his senses and decided to seek his father's forgiveness... "while he was still far off, his father saw him and went running to meet him." And he didn't stop there, the father embraced him, put a robe on him, a ring on his finger, sandals on his feet, and threw a feast for him. It doesn't matter how you begin, it only matters how you end.

No matter where you are or what you have done in life, you can end your life with Jesus... he is waiting to embrace you and welcome you home! All you have to do is turn back toward him!

Always enjoy it...

2012-02-05T16:31:00.003-05:00

One of the things I really enjoy about pastoring is working with a couple to prepare for and pull off their wedding. Today I had the privilege of working with yet another couple as they prepare for their end of September wedding. It is so exciting to see how they work at navigating all the challenges that can be there. I especially love helping them put their mark on this special day - after all it is one of the biggest commitments of their life they will make this day.

Looking forward to gathering with the couple and their family and friends on the 29th of September at a vineyard in the Eden area as they move toward that lifetime commitment of love.

Render to Ceaser What is Ceasers...

2012-02-04T16:33:00.002-05:00

Just finished doing my part of our taxes. Now will send them off to the accountant so she can work her magic! Oh how I hate doing taxes, but it is a necesarry thing! Glad to get it done earlier this year, because the next step in the process is the FAFSA forms. Need to check and see when they are due, sure hope I haven't missed the deadline on them.

An Interesting Concept...

2012-02-02T06:30:00.001-05:00

The discussion Tuesday and Wednesday on the street preacher's and the church's methods of sharing God's love has got a few of us thinking. How can we actively share the love of Christ with others without pushing them away or turning them off? How can we get past the baggage that so many carry because of past experiences with overly zealous christians who have made them a project - notch on the bible rather than a person to be loved?

I am short on answers, but I think it is all about relationships and valuing people. I think it begins with having the same kind of non-judgemental love that Jesus has. It also includes meeting people right where they are even in the midst of the mess. And it includes being honest with the mess that's in our lives as well! And it takes lots of time... and is kinda like a dance step... two steps forward, one back, three forward, etc.

Here is an interesting concept... that began with a bunch of churches going to the Mayor of their community and asking what the best way they could help serve the city. The Mayor's response got the ball rolling on an initiative that I think is a great way to start the process of doing what Jesus tells us is the second most important thing to do... Love our Neighbors.

Here is a link to the introductory video.

What do you think?

Happy 50 years!

2012-02-02T06:06:00.003-05:00

Wanted my first post of the day to be a shout out to my parents - John Earl and Mary Ellen Hutchison on their 50th wedding anniversary! Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! Hope you have a great day! Looking forward to our family dinner in a couple weeks, when Caroline is home!

An Image of the Church?

2012-02-01T13:41:00.002-05:00

I posted a similar picture of this woman here on my blog and on Facebook yesterday. On Facebook, it sparked quite a lot of conversation, from folks saying she is off her meds....to folks saying she has inspired them to stand out for Jesus more.   I agree there are lots of ways to look at what she is doing. It was an interesting conversation yesterday and today.

But I can't quite get the image of this peristent and vocal woman out of my mind. And what I see is an image of the church. Too often I fear, the church is like this woman, with one huge exception (and that is we prefer to stay within the confines of our walls).   I fear the church has a very urgent message to share and yet the method we choose to share it doesn't serve us well. In other words, we are stuck using methods of gospel delivery that might have worked at one time in our history but now are more suspect than effective.   Can we speak the timeless message of love and grace found in Jesus Christ in a way that the people who need to hear it take note and respond in positive ways. Or do we speak it in such a way that people just pass us by - ignoring the importance of responding to God's love through Christ Jesus?

There is one thing this woman does that the church ought to take note on and respond in similar ways... we need to stop expecting people to come to us. We need to be comfortable sharing Jesus outside our walls.   We need to find ways to get out into our community to help others come to know who Jesus is and what he can offer them.

So, for all the downside to how this woman is going about her sharing Jesus, there is a positive challenge as well.

Fruitful or Fruitcake?

2012-01-31T12:34:00.000-05:00

One thing can be said of this unnammed woman... she is persistent and she loves the Lord!

But my question is this... is what she is doing frutiful or fruitcake? She has been standing on the corner of South Blvd and Rt. 13 quite frequently. As she stands there, she holds her Bible high and shouts, reads, and raises her hands high.

I watched her for a while, with my windows down trying to hear what she was saying. It was interesting to watch as people would see her and would do a wide circle around her, either walking behind her or on the other side of the street. No one seemed to want to walk by her. Actually, I wanted to go talk to her, but when I heard the tone of her voice, I chickened out and stayed in my truck.

For sure, it would be better if more of us who love Chirst would be more intentional and visible in our witness, but I seriously doubt that this style will yeild much fruit.

Out of the Blue...

2012-01-31T10:49:00.000-05:00

Was not feeling real good about my sermon last Sunday! It seemed to fall flat both times.   Yet, felt really led to preach it.

After the first gathering, I had several positive affirmations for the message... so, I thought ... maybe it wasn't as flat as I thought.   Then the second time, I got ahead of myself in my notes and didn't feel that I recovered very well. Looking at folk's reactions is hard, but that didn't help my feeling of flat.

Then last night, I got a facebook message from someone, thanking me for preaching it and saying that it had hit them between the eyes. That led to an interchange this morning and a promise of more conversation in the near future.   AMAZING how God works!

I am grateful that it doesn't totally depend on me! If I am faithful and do my part, get out of God's way, the Holy Spirit can take over and work in ways beyond my comprehension! That's what is so neat about trusting the Spirit to work and watching for where it does!

Thanks be to God for the incredible, out of the blue gift of the Holy Spirit!

Love it when...

2012-01-28T18:00:00.000-05:00

I love it when people in the congregation come up with great ideas to live out our mission and then are willing to take the lead and work to see the idea become a reality. Late last week, I got a text from one person who had an AWESOME idea!

I see my role as throwing gasoline on that fire... so, I said... make the contact and lets talk about how it would work. And that is where we are in the process right now. Next step is to form a team who will carry out the idea and meet with one of the stakeholders to see what ideas they have and then we can get out of the way and see God at work in and through us to carry out the mission he gave us...

As we actively reach out with God's love, hospitality, hope, healing, and peace!

Love it!

2012-01-27T09:02:00.001-05:00

I have been meeting with a triad of men for many years ( lost track but over 7 or 8) now... the group has changed in make up over that time, but for the past 5 plus years, we have been the same 3. Both of the other guys are NOT from my congregation, though one was a while back. It has been a game changer for me. Wouldn't want to not have one in my life. We have done a variety of growth plans.... mostly reading specific passages of the Bible throughout the week and sharing our learnings. More recently we are working our way through Luke, using the 5 Q method that I like so much. And of course there is always time for sharing and prayer... we don't end without it! - no matter the time!

Recently, we added a new member and it is exciting! This is a long time friend of one of the regulars. Our new friend is a new Christ follower and is asking some AWESOME questions and pushing the rest of us to wrestle with positions and beliefs we have held. It is invigorating to rise to the challenges of looking at things from another perspective!

If you don't have a group... I would HIGHLY encourage you to form one! It has made all the difference in my life over these past 21 years of ministry!

Worth Pondering....

2012-01-26T08:51:00.000-05:00

My wife, Sharon, is a Pastoral Counselor for our local Hospice and as such finds herself in a position of being called on frequently to do graveside and funeral services for patients who don't have a church connection. She willingly does so. As do the others in the same position.

This call seems to be coming more and more frequently and it has me thinking...

On one level I think it could be a good thing as it is a witness to a family who needs to hear about Jesus.

On another level, I wonder if their willingness to step in allows people to keep their distance from the church until they need it. If no one would step up and do this service for these families, would it push them to establish a connection with a local church earlier in life, when the opportunity to help them find Christ would be stronger? That's the question I am wrestling with.

It seems that there are still two times those in our culture who are not connected to a church turn to the church - when they get married and when they need to be buried. Why is that? And what can we in the church do to reach these people in all the in between days? I'd love to hear your ideas!

Trump National Golf Course

2012-01-23T09:19:00.004-05:00

On the one afternoon last week that we had time to expore Southern California, we went to the beach, saw whales and walked on the Trump National Golf Course.

Here are the pics... first of the whale watching area... where we saw 5 whales and hundreds of dolpins.

And here are the pics of the Golf Course and the public access beach... we had to walk down the big clif to get to the beach ...

Wayfarer's Chapel

2012-01-22T06:26:00.002-05:00

On Wednesday of last week, we took the afternoon to explore and enjoy some relaxation time. We went to Wayfarer's Chapel build by Frank Lloyd Wright's son. It is pure beauty! Enjoy!

Now, the breath taking view walking out of the chapel!

One Final look at the chapel... Do you see it in the redwoods?

A Trip To So Cal!

2012-01-21T10:19:00.000-05:00

I enjoyed my trip to Southern California this past week... the second trip of 8 for my cohort of Advanced Foundations of Church Leadership. Meeting over a two year period with 6 other pastors from around the country and a number of Bethany Theological Seminary Faculty to explore issues of leadership and strengthen our leadership skills.

The week was spent at a Catholic retreat center - Mary and Joseph Retreat Center in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. A high hill overlooking LA. Beautiful for sure... peacocks roam wild and roost in trees and serve as EARLY alarm clocks.

We were together in session from 7:45 each day until 9 p.m. Lots of exploration of group process dynamics, leadership tools, nutrition, and exercize ideas too!

On the last day, my friend Marty and I walked to the top of the hill about 2 miles away to see the sunrise (unfortunately it was foggy) and then the group went to the same spot to see the sunset... Beautiful!

Best Thing EVER!

2012-01-13T11:11:00.001-05:00

Last night after a long break for a couple of months, my men's group got back together. For the past 8 or so years, I have been part of a group of guys that meet almost every week to support, encourage, hold one another accountable, pray, and read scripture together. Over those years the make up of the group has changed, but for the past 6 or so years, the group has been the same three guys. Last night we added a new guy and it was great to have him join us. He is new in his faith and I think this group is going to be a blessing to him, just as it has been to the original three men.

I can't imagine my life without this group of guys and the support, encouragement, accountability they hold in my life! What a difference they have made in my life! And the neat thing is that each of us sitting around that circle last night could say the very same thing. In fact, one of the guy's wife would also tell you that too!

If you don't have a group that you belong to, I highly encourage you to form one. We use the 5 Q method of Bible Study and find it very helpful. No one has to prepare ahead and you can have any level of biblical understanding to participate!

It takes all of us!

2012-01-10T17:21:00.001-05:00

Working on my "State of the Church" address for Sunday.

I plan to go in a different direction than in past years.... where I usually reflect on and celebrate all the things we have done throughout the year to fulfill our mission.

This year, I plan to look at the passage in 1 Corinthians 12 where Paul talks about the Body of Christ being made up of many members yet being one. Some things jump out at me...

1. God places us where he wants us!

2. God gives each of us a gift and role to play in the church.

3. ALL parts of the body are NEEDED! We can't be who God has called us to be without YOU, if you are part of us! It takes all of us to fulfill our role and complete the picture!

4. No matter what limitations we face, there is SOMETHING that each of us can do! Each of us has a role to play!!!

The question is ... will we play that role?

Best Christmas Gift This Year!

2012-01-09T17:14:00.000-05:00

Sharon and the girls gave me a 1/2 hour tension massage to see if it would help ease the tightness of my facial muscles due to the Bells Palsy that I have been dealing with since March 12. I went for the first session on the Thursday after Christmas and found it to be wonderful. I noticed an almost immediate benefit from the massage, so I scheduled a second visit last week and now am contemplating my third visit. My right side facial muscles are spasming and twitching almost constantly now. Through out the night last night as I slept, I was consious of the movement. I don't totally understand why it has been so helpful, but I am grateful and wonder if I had gone sooner, would I have experienced the same benefit.

I still can't whistle well. And my eye goes shut when I move my jaw, but not tightly shut... that's progress!

Sunday...

2012-01-08T06:17:00.003-05:00

Looking forward to gathering with brothers and sisters today in worship at Community of Joy! Sunday's don't feel the same to me if I miss this part. Last week, we were on vacation and while I thoroughly enjoyed being able to worship in a new setting with people I didn't know, there is just something awesome about gathering with people I have been sharing the journey with for the last 12 + years!

Excited that today, we have several folks participating in a membership class and considering deepening their connection with the body at Community of Joy!

Sundays just aren't Sunday's without seeing the good folks at Community of Joy!

Amazing Deer...

2012-01-06T20:08:00.000-05:00

I love deer. They are so amazing, beautiful and tastey!

Today, after shooting two trees, I was able to take a doe. (long story but my scope must have been bumped sometime, because my gun was shooting 8 inches to the right - thus the trees). The doe I shot, had only 3.5 legs, and you couldn't tell at all! It is the second time I have taken a doe with less than 4 legs and not known it until I walked up on it. She walked just like a normal deer.

Not sure if it was born this way or injured, but it was well healed!

You would think with that stump of a leg, she would hobble or limp, but not so!

Eyes and Nice People...

2012-01-06T19:36:00.002-05:00

Well, the eye saga continued today!

We finally convinced Caroline to go to the eye doctor and get them checked. Thankfully her Aunt Diana went with her! The doc saw her on an emergency basis and good thing he did... it wasn't as bad as it could have been but she has developed an alergy to her contacts and the solution she was using. So, for the next 4 weeks she must wear glasses.

For the past week she has been wearing glasses because of the redness in her eyes... and for the past week she has been complaining of severe headaches. Turns out the nice people at Lens Crafters here is Salisbury told me that her current prescription (which we never had made into glasses because she was wearing contacts all the time) was not as strong as her old one. And the difference, the person at Lens Crafters said was significant enough that it could have caused the headaches.

She has a paper due today (thankfully the prof gave her an extension) but was unable to work on it due to the headaches and blurry vision when looking at her computer. So, I called the nice people at Dr. Filapov's office here and they got a new prescription faxed to the folks at Lens Crafters in Harrisonburg and those nice people were able to get her into new glasses today! Now when she writes her paper tonight and tomorrow, she will be able to see and hopefully not get headaches.

It was wonderful to encounter really nice and helpful people at every turn in this journey as I dealt with details from 5 hours away! Sorry that she has to spend her birthday tomorrow working on a paper.... but happy the prof gave her an extension! This three week interterm is working her hard and she doesn't have time to struggle with sight issues! Hopefully that is all behind us and her eyes will become healthy again over the next four weeks as she gives them a rest using her new glasses!

Our Eyes...

2012-01-05T10:53:00.000-05:00

Been thinking alot about eyes this week...

Caroline is back at College and she is experiencing eye problems... maybe nothing but then again, it could be major...    She has been wearing contacts for a year or so now. And recently she discovered that her eyes are dry and red. So, she decided to change the contact solution she uses to see if that helped. And it didn't seem to.   I didn't think too much about the situation until she posted on Facebook that she was having difficulty seeing.   That's when the switch flipped and I began to insist that she make an emergency appointment to get them looked at.

We only have one set of eyes and we can't get a replacement!

Years ago, Sharon had an infection in her eyes and now can't wear contacts due to that infection. So, for sure, that has impacted how I feel about this situation with Caroline. I am waiting to hear when her appointment is today.

All this is happening when I am working on a sermon on Matthew 6:19-34 (part of Jesus' sermon on the mount) where Jesus talks about the eyes... saying, "The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy your body will be full of darkness,: (v. 22)

All of this is in the context of Jesus' teaching about seeking God's kingdom first... or as some translations render it, "striving first for the kingdom of God."   It occurs to me that striving or seeking first God's kingdom is a matter of having healthy eyes!

There is much that distracts us (and in these verses, Jesus names some of the biggest distractions) and takes the focus of our eyes in areas that make them not healthy.     Many of us want to strive first for the kingdom of God and even make it a resolution for our lives, but quickly we find that God isn't first - not that we want it that way - I think it is not a matter of desire, but a matter of our eyes. What are we looking at? What are we looking for?   Are we seeing things that distract us from seeing God?

Keeping our eyes focussed on God is key to striving first for the kingdom of God!   And as Jesus teaches in this sermon... a major part of that is not worrying... trusting God to provide for our needs. Worry tends to keep us from looking in the right direction... toward God!

Are your eyes healthy?

Through the eyes of a guest...

2012-01-03T10:30:00.002-05:00

So many of us who are active in a local church don't realize how intimidating going to a new church can be the first time you go. That's one of the reasons I like to go to visit a church whenever I am on vacation. It helps me to look at things from the perspective of an outsider or guest. If you think about it a moment... it doesn't take too long to acclimate to things you experience regularly and quickly be unable to see things that might frighten guests.

On New Years Day, I enjoyed an opportunity to visit a church in Va, that is pastored by a good friend of mine. It was awesome to see him in his ministry context!

This visit made me realize that we need to almost go overboard to welcome our guests and make them feel at ease. And it begins with pointing the way to the entrance and then from there to the sanctuary. I arrived about twenty minutes before the start of the service and parked in the back, but walked to the front so that I could enter the front door. There were no outside signs to help me navigate my way. Upon entering the building, there was a hallway with a long ramp and some steps, it was hard to know where to go - so I chose to walk up the steps and there encountered the sound guy busy at work... he offered me a bulletin and I went in to sit and wait for worship to begin. I was releived that I had found the right place! I was surprised at my uneasy feeling especially since being in churches is a very common thing for me.

I am grateful that at Community of Joy, we have outside greeters who welcome folks as they come in off the parking lot or street... heck, they even wave to passersby! I am sure that we could do much better once people get inside the building with our extending hospitality and making guests feel at ease! It usually isn't too hard to tell when someone is visiting - and when we notice them, it is a good idea to greet them warmly. And it is important not to wait until the end of the worship time or to hope that someone else will greet them. Studies show that guests determine whether they will come back within the first 12 minutes of being there! We never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Being a place where relationships matter is important! And the first step toward that is to greet our guests warmly!

A blank slate

2012-01-01T08:55:00.001-05:00

A new year is upon us. A blank slate...looking forward to seeing what God does in the new year! So much to be thankful for and lots to anticipate in the new year... Buckle up!

Christmas 2011

2011-12-29T19:32:00.001-05:00

Lazy Days of Christmas Vacation....

2011-12-28T20:03:00.000-05:00

I am thoroughly enjoying this week of vacation after the busyness of the Christmas Season. I have not slept in yet past 6 but that is okay. I have kept my walking schedule in tact and that is a good thing. But other than that, I have enjoyed not having a schedule to keep, or a list of things to do!

I have been cleaning up some things around the house, shooting my bow, doing some workshops online to better learn photoshop lightroom, enjoying time with my family. Tomorrow, I plan to use a gift certificate Sharon got me for a massage the see if my facial muscles will free up any more. Still don't have full control of my mouth or eye on the right side. It has been fun to have Caroline home and to do some special things with she and Emma. Love it!

Pondering....

2011-12-27T12:59:00.001-05:00

In the end of Luke's version of Jesus' birth, he says that Mary "treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart."   I have been pondering something in my heart this Christmas too!

Throughout the Advent season leading up to Christmas, I have explored some postures that we take in relating to God concluding on Christmas Sunday with an exploration of the posture that God takes toward us... WITH.! And challenging us to live fully into God WITH us! To wrap our minds, hearts, and lives around the reality that no matter what God is WITH us!

On Christmas day, I had a thought that I have been pondering since....

In Luke 1, we read that the angel Gabriel told Mary that she had found favor in God's eyes and because of that she would give birth to a child - God WITH us - Emmanuel.   And then later the Angels proclaim to the shepherds after they told them about the child being born...  “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

And the thought that I have been pondering is this...

That when we truly realize that God is WITH us, we recognize that we are favored by him and when we figure that out, peace comes as we live our lives WITH God... when we KNOW that no matter what we face (and we WILL face dark and difficult experiences) God is WITH us... it is then that we find PEACE.   Peace because no matter what we face, God is WITH us. Peace because no matter where we find ourselves, God is WITH us. Peace because NOTHING is bigger that God who is WITH us!

Ponder that and find real and lasting peace!

An enjoyable day

2011-12-23T19:13:00.001-05:00

Totally enjoyed a day off today! Baked two tea rings and some brownies and made lime jello salad. ThEn spent some time doing some home repair projectsmand cleaning up the garage. No hustle and bustle for me....bought and wrapped all my presents in an hour and forty minutes on Monday.

A Sadness Lives In Me...

2011-12-22T10:00:00.003-05:00

I find these days that I have within me a sadness. Not because of something that is going on in my life but because of things that are going on in the lives of people I know and love... people I shepherd.

You see, I believe at the very core of my being that the church is to be a place where you can lean in and find support and encouragement, help for the journey, strength when the struggle is too much. And the sadness comes not in that the church is not that... but in that some people choose to lean out instead of leaning in when they are struggling with things. That some people choose to walk away from the very people who love them and are there to support and encourage them, to walk the mile and bear the load with them.

When we fail to share the struggle and just walk away, we will never realize the full potential of the blessing of being part of the body of Christ known as the church. When we keep our struggles to ourselves, we miss out on what could be. And when we walk away, we will never know the power of support that could be ours.

So, when this happens (and I see it happen alot), I find myself filled with a sadness for my brothers and sisters who have chosen to walk away and lean out rather than leaning in! And I find that my prayers are filled with a plea for God to help them realize the power of being part of the church that they are missing by walking away or leaning out!

Honored!

2011-12-20T12:28:00.001-05:00

Today I was honored to be an observer in someone's blessing others with Christ's love. I got the text yesterday asking if I would want to go along and I sure did! Thanks Ms. Tami for asking! And thanks too for taking the initiative to respond to God's prompting in your life!

A few weeks ago, I got an email from Ms. Tami Brown asking if there were a family at Pinehurst Elementary School that she could be part of blessing this Christmas. She had been unable to participate in the Community of Joy initiative but wanted to do something. So, I gave her the contact I use most at the school and got out of the way! They agreed that she would help a large family. Ms. Tami sent out a wonderfully touching email to her circle of friends explaining how God had used a tv show to pull at her heart string and inviting her friends to be part of the blessing. No sruprise but they responded in a very generous way.

Yesterday, she sent me this picture of some of the stuff that she had gathered...

Today, we met outside the school and went in to the office to meet the guidance counselor. Then out to the parking lot to load the guidance counselor's car with the goodies as she was taking them straight to the family. What a touching moment! This effort and ones like it will go a long way in attracting people to Christ - as his followers share his love generously!!!! (Contrast it to the one I blogged about yesterday! Below)

While there, the guidance counselor had no idea who I was and she proceeded to tell me about the church that was their faith based partner and the generous gifts that this church had shared with each class and how she involved students yesterday to help distribute the gifts to each class and how touched the teachers were. I then told her that I was the pastor of that church - Community of Joy and she couldn't say enough positive things about how touching these gifts were to the teachers and classes.

What a great way to start the day! Thanks Ms. Tami for allowing me to join in!

Help or Harm?

2011-12-19T10:17:00.000-05:00

Saw something on Saturday that I haven't seen in a long time!

Not sure if it is helpful or harmful? Actually I think it does more harm than help.

I know Sharon and I picked up our pace and walked pretty wide when we realized what was going on.

We were on the streets of Annapolis, enjoying a stroll in the historic/ waterfront area near the statehouse when we encounter a guy dressed in a suit, shouting at the top of his lungs on the street corner. His message wasn't bad, but his method of delivery was not effective at all! Infact the only thing it did was repel people. You could see people crossing the street early and steering clear of the guy.

So SAD! The greatest message in the world tainted by a poor delivery method.

The challenge for all of us in the current environment we live in is to figure out how to share the message of God's love in a way that attracts people not repels them. Personally, I think sharing love in tangible ways not shouting about it works best!

Update on Shopping...

2011-12-19T10:10:00.001-05:00

Loved doing my shopping this way this year! With a list in hand and the girls great help, I started and finished in 1 hour 40 minutes! And boy did I get some deals! Now all I have to do is wrap them.

Thanks girls!

Waiting on the Girls to Help Me....

2011-12-15T10:42:00.002-05:00

Haven't bought the first Christmas gift for Sharon yet! This is the first year in our 23 years of marriage that I haven't really had a clue what I was going to get her. So, as soon as Caroline comes home, we will do what I hate to do... brave the crowds in search of that perfect Christmas gift for the love of my life!

Grateful for the help that Emma and Caroline will be giving me this year! Not sure what I would do without them.

Amazed....

2011-12-13T16:17:00.001-05:00

Last night I had an interesting experience.   In the midst of a gathering that I was part of, something happened that brought some emotions to the surface that I thought I had LONG ago laid to rest and moved beyond. After nearly 13 years, it surprised and amazed me that these emotions were even still present in me and it amazed me how fast they took control of my actions and thoughts.

For the first couple of years after I moved past these horrible experiences, I would find myself "ducking" which was a response that triggered when I found myself in situations that we similar to the horrible experiences of years past... but I hadn't experienced that for years and then last night... out of the blue... something triggered these emotions and before I knew it I found myself transported in time and space and was ducking again.

This expereince has been valuable to me and I have reflected on it all day. It has taught me that I must be careful not to allow past situations and emotions to come in and cloud my present relationships and life experiences. And when I start to feel those emotions welling up, it is good to pause, pray, and remember where I am at the time and that there is no need to duck automatically.    It is also helpful for me to realize that something quite emotional that was expereinced long ago can still have an impact on your present.

Thankful that in the end there was no need to duck and that these emotions can be buried once again!   And hope it is another 13 years or never again that they raise up! But know this, if they ever raise up again, I will be better prepared for it and not as surprised by them.

Saw an old friend today...

2011-12-12T17:17:00.002-05:00

As I was coming out the the hospital, I ran into one of our guest from the last two years Cold Weather Emergency Shelter that we operate for homeless men in Salisbury. It was GREAT to see him. And even greater to hear his story. He looked really good and his story is even better. You see, he told me he has been sober for 9 months and is off the street, living in a transitional apartment and doing really well!

I called him by name as he walked across the parking lot and he came over and we chatted for a while. He remembered how wonderful Community of Joy's hospitality was and was most appreciative!

So cool!

It was a bluebird kind of day...

2011-12-11T07:11:00.001-05:00

Haven't seen many deer in daylight hours this year! Lots of people are saying that. They are still around just not coming out during the day much. Did see four or five yesterday in the moonlight as I walked across the field. What a beautiful moon it was too!

And then it really was a bluebird (and other birds day)... had lots of different kinds of birds all around me feeding on holly berries and tulip poplar seeds.

Thought PROVOKING...

2011-12-09T09:52:00.001-05:00

A friend of mine posted a link to a blog the other day that still has me thinking...

So, I want to share some of what the writer wrote and for those who want to read the whole blog I will share that link too!

Here are a few quotes...

"The turnaround of the mainline churches will happen when we in those churches care as much about those outside the church, as we do those inside. To embrace relevance, we will have to let go of survival."

This is nothing new but it is the heart of the challenge before us right now! Too many of us are concerned about survival of our church. And that fact forces us to emphasize he wants of those who are on the inside and in so doing we miss the needs of those who are not part of us.

"The world is hell-bent on destruction in countless ways. It is desperately in need of a church that offers a Way of peace, truth, compassion and hope, as opposed to the world’s way of power, materialism, exploitation and violence. It needs leaders willing to risk comfort, status and economic security for the life of the world and the outreach potential of the church. It needs a church that looks less like the Pharisees’ religion and more like Jesus’ ministry. It needs a church that is willing to sacrifice everything for those outside: buildings, budgets, sacred cows, traditions, structures. It needs a church that so loves the world, that she’d be willing to die for it."

This is the kind of ministry Jesus modeled and calls us to and if we adopted it, we would be making an impact in our world in huge ways.

And here is the writer's radical approach to making this change...

"So here’s the plan. New policy. Every decision, every single decision made by staff, council and every committee is made on behalf of those not yet here. Every sermon choice, every hymn, song and musical choice, every building and grounds choice, every spending choice is made with outsiders in mind."

The heart of the matter here is that it is so easy for the church to institutionalize and thus become irrelevant to the needs of the people outside it's walls and relevant to the needs of the people who are part of it's life. And no amount of course adjustment will cure this reality once for all... it calls for constant course adjustment in order to connect with people outside our walls.

Maybe Just Maybe by Christmas!

2011-12-07T20:14:00.001-05:00

I've been at this since March 12 and I am NOT complaining... but I am ready to see it change if it is going to! And I have hope that it will.

On March 12 I began a long journey with Ramsey Hunt Syndrome, which is a combination of Shingles and Bells Palsy. Thankfully the excruciating pain of the shingles only lasted a couple of weeks. It's the paralysis from the Bells Palsy that is still troubling me. I still can't whistle a tune. And I can't fully pucker my lips. Still have difficulty closing my right eye and now when I move my jaw (even chewing) my eye goes shut.

For the past two weeks, my face has been really twitching and fluttering. All of that feels funny but I am confident that it means that nerves are regenerating and muscles are coming alive once again.

This journey has taught me so much and has given me a greater appreciation for what stroke victims go through. I also have a greater appreciation for the little things that we take for granted. Like whistling, drinking from a cup, blowing out a candle, chewing your food on both sides of your mouth, blinking and winking your eyes, and the list goes on...

I am hopeful that by Christmas, this will all be behind me and it will be a distant memory.

A Fine Line of Leadership...

2011-12-06T09:49:00.001-05:00

I am a hands-on kind of leader! And that has a good side and a bad side.

It has been my biggest struggle for most of my life! And even though I know it has a downside, I can't seem to navigate away from it. I am aware that the greatest thing I can do as a leader is to empower and mentor others... calling out their gifts and helping them develop. But there is this struggle I have, it plays out like this... "but what if they don't do it the way I would?"   Another side to the struggle is, "why should I ask someone else to do what I can do?"

Both sides of this struggle are growing edges for me that I need to do better at working on!

Yesterday, I spent the day (10 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.) working at the Ministry Center doing something that was a BIG task! It was far bigger than I had anticipated! And I knew I should have called in some help when it became obvious that it was bigger than I thought it would be.

You see, this year the leaves fell late and we didn't schedule a Fall Cleanup day, so now that all the leaves are finally down, they needed to be cleaned up. Since it is hunting season and I didn't want to spare my day off (Friday) or a Saturday for this venture, I missed out on some help on Friday or Saturday of last week (though the offerer did blow off the parking lot!)... besides I looked at it and thought it was not a big job this year... boy was I wrong! I didn't call anyone to help me, when I found it to be a bigger task than I thought because I didn't want to interrupt their day and I had already decided that yesterday was the day - I didn't want to give another day this week to the task.   My issue wasn't that someone else couldn't do as good a job, it was why should I bother someone else to do what I can do! And besides, I don't ever want to be known as one who is afraid to roll up my sleeves and get dirty!

The problem is not really that it took me all day nor is it that I am very sore today. The problem is that in doing it all myself, I don't create a climate for seeing taking care of the Minstry Center as a responsibility of all of us! Rather I create a climate where others think "someone else will do it - so I don't have to worry about it." Not the kind of climate I want to create! It takes all of us!

So, I must do better at letting go and letting others!   All day as I was working, I was thinking of Jethro's words to Moses in Exodus 18: 17-18, "What you are doing is not good. You will surely wear yourself out, both you and these people with you. For the task is too heavey for you; you cannot do it alone."

Lord help me become an empowering leader who calls out the gifts of others!

A Great Hunt with Ben!

2011-12-03T13:36:00.001-05:00

It was not hard to get Ben out of bed this morning nor to get him to go to bed last night! He and I both turned in last night around 7:30 and when I woke him this morning at 5, he was up immediately!

We had a great morning in the deer woods. COLD, crisp, the perfect kind of weather... wind blowing in the right direction. We didn't hear a shot until about 8 a.m. and friends I was texting who were hunting elsewhere said the same thing! We both thought we were going to get to the time he had to leave for a commitment and not see a deer. His hands were cold, so I was holding his gun, when all of a sudden I caught movement on a road in the woods. It was a buck. I passed the gun from my stand to Ben and told him to get ready for when the buck gave us a shot. The buck missed the movement of passing the gun over to Ben, but didn't miss the movement of Ben taking the mitten part of his gloves off. He looked at us and then decided to go out to the field. Which is just what we needed him to do, turn sideways. As he did, I grunted at him with my mouth and he stopped and I told Ben to shoot when he was ready. Ben shot and the deer dropped. Great shot on a great deer.

He is a pic of him that I took a few weeks ago when I was bow hunting that stand and he walked under me.

And here is the buck and Ben and all their glory! I am so proud of my nephew! This is his second buck ever!

Looking forward...

2011-12-01T17:21:00.001-05:00

After a full week of work, and not being in the woods since last Saturday, I am looking forward to a day off tomorrow and getting back into the whitetail woods! It won't be as pretty as it was these past few weeks since most of the leaves are down, but still will be enjoyable.

I am most excited about Saturday. It will be my first opportunity to take my nephew, Ben out to hunt deer. I have devised a way that he can use a hang on tree stand without a rail and still shoot his gun. We will go to the stand where I took both my bucks and I have seen a lot of deer every time I have been in that stand. The other great thing about that stand is that most of the deer we see will be within Ben's effective range.

I am hopeful that we can get him his second whitetail buck ever! But more than that, I hope we have a great time!

Insights from Readings...

2011-11-29T14:23:00.001-05:00

I've not felt the greatest today, so, I decided to spend the bulk of the day reading through the many pages of material that we are supposed to have read before our January gathering of our Advanced Foundations of Church Leadership Cohort group in California. The first thing I finished was a book called "Leadership for a Changing Church: Charting the Shape of the River" by Robert Dale.

Near the end of the book, Dale says something that caught my attention..."When any church feels it has arrived, it takes on an establishment mind-set. The "establishment church" is convinced that it has a heritage worth protecting and invests more emotionally in the past than in the future. Since the church is, by definition a conserving institution, it's too easy and too natural for congregations to adopt a backward direction. But preserving and conserving aren't the same as serving. "Establishment churches" subtly shift our energy from leading the movement to tending the monument - a risky, if not deadly stewardship of energy. The tragic risk in protecting our past is that we may, in the process forfeit our future."

I realize that as we move farther and farther away from the initial purchase of our building, we are slipping more and more into this reality. Fighting the established church mentality is hard. Not quite sure how to break out of it either. I don't think it must be a given either.

EXCITED!

2011-11-27T06:17:00.001-05:00

I am looking forward to being back together with the great folks at Community of Joy today after 2 weeks of vacation! Also am looking forward to preaching again today.

The break was wonderful!

Today we start a new series... Getting to With.

Excited about it!

A New Day....

2011-11-26T19:27:00.001-05:00

Today started with an AWESOME sunrise...

And then saw a heard of does (not able to shoot them on neighbors property)... then two small bucks and then this guy followed a doe to his end. He is OLD... weighed 198 pounds field dressed and teeth are pretty worn. The pictures don't do his massive horns justice!

Love...

2011-11-26T04:48:00.001-05:00

Everytime I am in Harrisonburg VA visitng our family there, I see some advertising for a church. Actually I see lots of advertising for many churches, but this one in particular always catches my attention! Don't know a thing about the church, except it is a United Methodist Church that is fairly new.

The thing I really, really like about it though is it's mission statement! In fact, if I were starting a church or at that stage again with Community of Joy, I think I would strongly consider it as ours too! It is one that is Biblical, easy to remember, and T-shirt worthy! Here it is...

Receive Love. Give Love. Repeat.

Absolutely LOVE it! And wow... what a mission. If we could but get that much right.... our churches would bust at the seams and the world would be a different place!

Thankful for MUCH!

2011-11-24T12:02:00.001-05:00

I am thankful for much!

Thankful that my friend Steve is recovering well and is out of ICU.

Thankful that my brother in law Henry is through his second heart surgery and will come home tomorrow.

Thankful to be spending time with my girls... all three of them.

Thankful to get to see etexnded family in two states over this holiday.

Thankful for the blessings of life and the call of God to lead a great church - Community of Joy!

Thankful for the upcoming deer season and another opportunity to spend time out in the woods.

Thankful for growing relationships with new people in my life - had a nice visit with a new friend of mine _ Marty and his family last night.

Thankful for improved health for several people on my prayer list and for assurance of God's presence in their life regardless of improvement or not!

Thankful for so much more.... I could go on and on and on... for all of it is a gift from God and for that I am truly thankful!

One Never Knows...

2011-11-23T05:25:00.001-05:00

Good thing we don't know what the next day or hour for that matter will bring! If so, we might miss out on somethings in life.

Got the news last night that a good friend of mine, who will turn 50 on Sunday, had a heart attack while at the YMCA. They had to use the defibulator on him and he is in ICU. This is his second in 5 weeks. The news really shook me!

I was happy that we were still in town so that I could spend some time at his bedside supporting his family and praying with and for him! I pray that each day he will strengthen and recovery will be quick!

Memories...

2011-11-22T13:35:00.001-05:00

One day last week, I went to Camp Mardela in Denton, MD to scout out some good settings for a photo shoot that I had for that area on Sunday. As I walked around, I came across a tree that I had carved my initials in when I was there some 30 years ago. Oh, the memories of good times spent at Camp Mardela. Check it out!

Reflections on Visiting a Church...

2011-11-21T11:32:00.001-05:00

Visiting a church is always a strange and interesting experience!

While on vacation, Sharon and I had the experience of visiting two local churches. My relfections are not so much a criticism of these churches as much as a hope that we at Community of Joy will learn from the experience and do better!

If you have never visited a strange (new) church and are actively involved in a church, you ought to avail yourself of that opportunity to feel what our guests feel when they visit.   It is not an easy thing to go into a place where you have never been and don't know people.

In both instances, Sharon and I knew a few people at each church.

Our experience at both churches were pretty much the same. We got there 15 minutes before the start of worship and hung around in the back a bit and then took our seats. We found both churches to be pretty cold in terms of welcoming us. In fact, with two exceptions, the only people who greeted us were people we already knew before we entered.   In each situation, we did have one person that we didn't know prior to going - the first was an elder in the church and he came over and introduced himself to us and told us he was an elder and that the pastor had suggested he come introduce himself to us. As far as I am concerned, he would have been better off not coming over at all! No one likes to be greeted by someone because it is what they were told to do!

The second was a lady who was curious to know who we were and when she found out we were not prospects... she didn't carry on too much longer!

I write all this because welcoming guests is so CRITICAL we must do it well!   We never get a second chance to make a first impression! So, I hope that at Community of Joy we go out of our way to make guests feel welcomed and valued! It is really not that hard to do! It just takes intentional effort - making sure we greet each other AFTER we greet our guests. Introducing our friends to the guest! Taking an interest in them!

Refreshed!

2011-11-21T04:58:00.001-05:00

After 14 days of vacation, I am refreshed and ready to get back in the saddle! Actually woke up at 3:30 this morning with ideas and lists swimming in my head. Tried to stay in bed till 5:15 but at 4:30, I gave in and got up!

My two weeks back to back vacation was the best thing I have done in 21 years of ministry! And I am confident that I will do it again! A week away doesn't really allow you to unhitch and let go... usually the way it works is by the time in the week you are unhitched, it is time to think about hitching back up and go back to work. With two weeks away, the unhitching lasts longer and refreshment comes.

Grateful to have had the opportunity to get away and spend some time pursuing deer in the beauty of God's natural world!

Later today, and this week, I will be posting some reflections from our two church visits on the two Sundays.

Day 14 - the final day of vacation...

2011-11-20T19:41:00.001-05:00

Enjoyed haveing a lazy morning prior to heading to worship at The River in Berlin. Good to be with this new church plant! Pastor Mark preached a challenging message!

Then got to see the Ravens score two touch downs before I had to leave to go to Denton MD. I had donated an hour photo shoot to the youth chinese auction and the winner lives in Denton. She and her hubby wanted to have their dog in the photo...so we met at Camp Mardela. The good color of folliage was mostly gone. I knew that, because I had scouted it out on Friday.

When we got there the dog was very excited... so I suggested we walk to the river first and shoot our way back. That way she would settle down a bit and we could get some good shots. I dindn't even thing about a lab and water... but that was a huge temptation for her! At the second location - the finshing pond, it proved to be too much... she jumped in for a swim!

All in all, I am please with the shots and hope the couple is too!

Had an AWESOME 14 day vacation! And ready to get back in the saddle tomorrow!

Day 13 - One Last Day in the woods...

2011-11-19T15:18:00.001-05:00

Day 13 of my 14 day vacation was again a day for the woods... at least the first part of the day. Saw three small bucks on stand and one on the way out of the woods... can't seem to find a doe anywhere! Enjoyed hearing a LARGE flock of turkeys in the trees, yelping and gobbling at dawn. Was hoping they would come my way, but they didn't. Also saw a red-tail hawk come by me in search of a squirrel, two bald eagles, a fox and countless squirrels.

Decided since I have not seen a doe since Tuesday, I would sit this afternoon out so, I came home to get laundry done, and finish grinding the meat from earlier in the week.

Looking forward to taking Sharon out to dinner later and then enjoying a night with her!

Day 12 - Back at it...

2011-11-19T15:08:00.001-05:00

Friday (yesterday - I am writing two posts today because my parent's internet was down) I went back out to the deer woods. It was perfect. COLD, clear, slight wind in a good direction and it was a wonderful time. In the morning I saw 3 different bucks - the odd thing was that two of them were very similar in antler configuration to the one I shot, each had two points on one side and four on the other. These were both much wider than the one I shot and one had the odd side on the left and the other on the right. Makes me wonder about a genetic issue in the herd on that farm. Got a picture of one of them.

ALos was able to capture some photos of a group of 4 bald eagles - 3 adults and 1 immature eagle. And I shot some photos of buzzards on a fence and a pileated woodpecker, as well as a fox in the field.

The highlight of the day was intentionally staying out of the woods a few moments to capture an even better picture of the lone tree at sunrise. Hoping to enter one of these in the Ward Contest next year!

Thoroughly enjoyed being out in the woods again!

Day 11 - a Transition Day...

2011-11-17T17:14:00.001-05:00

Today is Day 11 of a 14 day vacation. And it is a day of transition in many ways.

First, it is a day of transition weather wise... we are leaving behind the warmer weather of the early part of the week and hopefully the end of the rain is in sight too. Deer hunting is so much better this time of year when it is cooler. So to have the temps be in the 30's tomorrow will be great!

Second, I spent some time today getting all our Christmas decorations down, so that Sharon could begin decorating this Saturday. A time of transition of special seasons.

Third, I find that today, is the first day of this vacation that I find myself thinking about the church more than not. Thinking about the Christmas season. Thinking about upcoming sermons. Thinking about community impact. Thinking about the need to get the leaves gathered up from the ministry center. Thinking about all the work I have to do in preparation for my next Advanced Foundations of Church Leadership Cohort in January. Thinking about newsletter articles that I must write next week. Thinking about a schedule of pastoral care next week. Not that thinking about church is wrong... but one thing a pastor tries hard to do while on vacation is to unhitch... to let go... to get away for a bit. I have been able to do that mostly until today. Everyday, in my times of prayer, I have remembered the ill and othere special needs of our people as well as seeking God's best for our congregation.

These two weeks have been good for me! I have thoroughly enjoyed my time away and feel ready to get back in the saddle and live out of the gifts God has given me and the calling he has placed on my life. This time of transition away and soon back has been a blessing!

Day 10... a different kind of day!

2011-11-16T18:46:00.001-05:00

Today was not a day to hunt as it rained most of the day.

Besides I had butchering to do. So, today was a day to enjoy the fruits of my vacation labors... and enjoy we did. Nothing better than fresh venison tenderloins cooked on the grill wrapped in bacon. YUM!

Tomorrow, I expec to return to the woods after the rain stops. And my plan is to spend the remaining days of this incredible vacation in the woods hunting. I have one more doe to get before I can return to buck hunting and I already have my bonus tag in my possession.

Day 9 - Vacation... return to the woods!

2011-11-15T12:16:00.001-05:00

Today I returned to the woods after a day to butcher yesterday. It sure was windy and warm this morning. Beautiful still! I decided to stay local and enjoyed my time in the Wicomico County woods.
I need to harvest two does before I can take another buck, but all I saw this morning was bucks... here are some of the pics... and one has a buck in it.

Day 8 - Vacation .. Time to unhitch and let go...

2011-11-14T19:54:00.001-05:00

Today is the day after a week's vacation that I would have had to go back to work... but not this time! I took two weeks off back to back... and it is WONDERFUL!

Today, I walked at the mall, then openned the butcher shop. Glad to have meat to eat and share!

Then I ran some errands, visited with some friends, and got supper ready for the oven. And before I knew it it was time to head to Wi Hi for the Powderpuff Game that Emma was playing in. She was quarterbacking the junior team. I knew from our time of catch in the yard the other night, that she would be a fine QB! And that she was! The team beat both the sophmores and the Seniors and came away with the title. The Freshman couldn't field a team (didn't have enough girls willing to play). WOW! It was fun to watch.

Tomorrow it is back to the whitetail woods... though I am staying local and hunting only morning and evening as I must take two does before I can hunt another buck!

Day 7 - A Day of Rest and Worship...

2011-11-13T07:05:00.001-05:00

It felt good to sleep in a bit today. Didn't need to get up early to prepare for preaching at Community of Joy nor to go hunting. It was nice!

I am looking forward to another day off and especially to going to a local church where I can just be a participant and not need to say a thing! Also anticipating some more time to spend with my family!

Ended yesterday on Hoopers Island with some friends at their house and then at Old Salty's for dinner. The photos were taken from our friends dock. It is the view they have from their house too!

What a day...

2011-11-12T12:39:00.001-05:00

Got up at 3:50 and still was late to the woods this morning! But that allowed me to get a photo I wouldn't have gotten otherwise and it didn't matter anyways.

I realized just as I got to the farm that I had left my cell phone at home and was dreading the all day sit without connection to the outside world and not knowing what time it was. It is amazing how stranded I felt without the ability to have connection to the outside world. I did realize that Sharon would see my phone and realize that I didn't have it.

I left by 8:09 a.m. this morning and had already seen 7 deer under me... and shot a buck that was loaded in my truck by that time too! It was a buck I photographed on Wednesday (the last picture on my blog for that day) and it wasn't as big as I thought. And I confess, it doesn't have 13 inch brow tines like I said in that post either... and you know what, it never will either!

Came home deciding to spend the rest of my day with my wife since she is also on vaction! And in the process I cut my finger pretty badly, but don't think I am going to the ER!

Day FIve - a day at home...

2011-11-11T08:28:00.001-05:00

Didn't go hunting today due to the high winds... so this is the first shot of the day as I went out to get the newspaper. Both shots taken at same time... different settings on camera! The lighter one was taken seconds after the first one... note how fast the clouds moved over the moon! That is why I stayed in!

Fog Seems to Be the Operational Word...

2011-11-10T20:41:00.001-05:00

For the 4th morning this week, Fog has settled in thick! Today it was so thick that in the woods the water dripping from the trees sounded like a hard rain. And when that stopped the wind came and blew hard. Didn't see as many deer today as usual and only had one close. Saw a total of 9 - 2 at 8 a.m. and 7 after 4:40 p.m. Sat dark to dark today and it was grueling!

Missing my wife and needing a break from the dark to dark sitting... I decided to come home tonight and sit out tomorrow. It is supposed to be super windy anyways. Since I have all next week, I don't feel pressure to stay in a tree and make the most of the last days of this week. Otherwise I would be out there. Not sure if I am taking my nephew for Youth day on Saturday or not... will find out tomorrow if he is able to go or is out of town.

There is a bird in the 6th and 7th pictures ... see if you can find them. And note the buck in the last picture sure has a funky rack... due to a front shoulder injury prior to growing this years rack. Notice in the last picture he struggles to walk... but when he ran... you would never know a thing was wrong with him.

Day Three... turning a corner

2011-11-09T19:53:00.001-05:00

Today was day three of my two week vacation. While I did not sit dark to dark today, because of a Pastors Gathering that I am part of. I sat on the morning spot until 9. While there, I heard ducks and geese on the river below me. Turkeys in the trees above me. Saw Owls and Eagles buzzing by me. And the only deer I saw was a BIG buck (the kind I am looking for!) but he was at the begining of the lane as I turned off the road to drive back to my parking spot and it was still dark.

After the Pastors gathering, I headed to a farm I have not hunted before. On the way, I saw another BIG buck out in a field behind my sisters house along with a doe and then in another field on the way I saw another BIG buck. Both seen around 1 p.m. I also saw a medium sized buck laying in a soybean field along the road, and I suspect a doe was bedded near by. It is that season and that is why I am hunting now.
The following pics are from the evening spot. Found my "Still Waters" and saw BIG deer from this stand... one was green and the other was a BIG funky 5 point. He walked under me at 8 yards and I had to decide not to shoot him with my bow... wait until he was far enough away that I could move and put my bow down and get my camera so I could shoot him... unfortunately the only shot I got was not a grea one... he had three points on the one side and two on the other. Both brow tines were about 13 inches tall. Also seen tonight are three longbeard turkeys... don't miss them in the pics.

Day Two of Hunting...

2011-11-08T19:22:00.000-05:00

Today started at 4:30 a.m. After a short 8 mile ride, a short walk across a field and then 11.5 hours in a tree. Felt like I was in the zoo. Heard turkeys gobbling and yelping, had eagles, red-tail hawks, and buzzards in the trees around me, saw 11 deer total - 8 were bucks, 1 was a doe and 2, I couldn't identify. 4 of them were too far, 7 were less than 20 yards from me (none were big enough for me) and I saw 6 of them from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. and only one deer after 2 p.m. at 5 p.m.

Here are the pics.... WONDERFUL experience!

Day One of Two Week Vacation... in the great outdoors

2011-11-07T18:55:00.001-05:00

Gray Squirrel

Got to the farm I was hunting today a bit late due to the heavy fog on the way... the first photo is the begining of the day and the last is the end of the day... in between those two I sat on the stand the whole time... and some of the pictures document what I saw... though of all the 9 deer I saw, none were close enough to take a picture of.

Lovely Day in the Outdoor Sanctuary!

2011-11-05T07:02:00.001-04:00

I sat in a deer stand yesterday from 6:45 a.m. till 5:50 p.m. And it was a wonderful thing! I got down once to take a short walk to take a few pictures. Saw my first buck at 7:30 a.m. at 15 yards. Second at 9:30 a.m. at 8 yards, third buck at 1 p.m. at 30 yards and fourth buck at 5:40 out in the field. And I saw 4 antlerless deer (2 button bucks and 2 does) I shot 4 deer with my NIKON and pics are posted here. Wonderful day!

New Beginings...

2011-11-02T19:24:00.000-04:00

Every day is a new begining! Thank God for his mercies which are new each day!

Took a walk today after our Board of Directors Meeting of the Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center and snapped a few photos. What a beautiful world God created!

WITH.

2011-11-01T14:17:00.001-04:00

Our area Church of the Brethren Pastors group is reading and discussing the book: "With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God" by Skye Jethani.   In preparation for next week's gathering, I read the two chapters assigned and couldn't put it down. Been thinking about an Advent Theme for 2011 and think I may have found it.

From the book..." The Life With God posture is predicated on the view that relationship with God is at the core of the cosmos: God the Father with God the Son with God the Holy Spirit. And so we should not be surprised to discover that when God desired to restore his broken relationship with people, he sent his Son to dwell with us. His plan to restore his creation was not to send a list of rules and rituals to follow (life under God), nor was it the implementation of useful principles (life over God). He did not send a genie to grant us our desires (life from God), nor did he give us a task to accomplish (life for God.   Instead God himself came to be with us - to walk with us once again as he had done in Eden in the begining. Jesus entered into our dark existence to share our broken world and to illuminate a different way forward. His coming was a sudden and glorious catastrophe of good."

In the book Skye compares and contrasts 4 postures we often use to relate to God. Life under, over, from, and for God. And he shares the disappointments each leads to. Then he encourages us to consider living out of a 5th posture... Life WITH God.   This is what the gospel writers record about Jesus. Especially evident in John 1.

With.

Hunting with a camera

2011-10-29T08:16:00.000-04:00

While taking a mid day break yesterday from bow hunting, I took my camer out of the bag and outside to hunt some fall color.

Here is some of what I found in my parent's yard.

Cold BUT....

2011-10-28T13:31:00.001-04:00

I was in the whitetail woods this morning for the first time this fall. It sure was COLD, but it was a beautiful time out!

The wood ducks and mallards were very active about 30 yards beside me in the river. The squirrels were not as active this morning as I thought they might be. A bald eagle flew around and over me. Saw a nice buck as I walked in and jumped a deer that I did not see but nothing while on stand. Nothing deer wise that is. I did enjoy watching three young foxes playing nearby in the woods. Two ran off. And one decided to lay down to take a nap - twice. He laid there over an hour just 20 plus yards away. For a while he groomed himself and then he fell asleep. The sound of a squirrel hoping in the leaves awakened him, but he was too much in a daze to catch it. Rather than laying still and waiting for the squirrel to take a few more hops, he stood up and stretched and thus gave his location away... the squirrel jumped on the nearest tree and was out of there!

Beautiful to be out in the woods this day!

The Beauty of God's World...

2011-10-26T10:24:00.002-04:00

This is one of my favorite times of the year!

Look around at the pure beauty of God's world... and you see why!

More thoughts on fruit...

2011-10-25T09:36:00.001-04:00

Sunday's discussion of John 15:1-17 is swimming around in my being today.

Someone raised the concern that often times christians judge other christians by the lack of evident fruit in their lives. It is NOT our place to judge others at all! That is God's role.

That said, the way we live our lives, the way we treat others, the way we conduct ourselves when situations don't go our way... all gives testimony to the presence or lack of presence of the Spirit of God at work in us.   We can't just say we are a Christian and then not live like one.    There must be evidence.

That's what Paul works at in Galatians 5:16, 22 -24.... "Live by the Spirit, I say , and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want.... By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generousity, fiathfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with it's passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit."

The presence of the Spirit in our lives transforms us from desires of the flesh to desires of the Spirit.    May the Spirit work his transforming power in our lives so that the way we live gives testimony to the love of Jesus!

First time for this...

2011-10-24T10:05:00.003-04:00

First time ever in my 21 years of pastoral ministry that I "filled the pulpit" for myself... but I did it yesterday and it was fun! Decided to use the 5Q method of Bible Study as the medium for the message time and it was rich!

I love engaging people to read, reflect, and interact with the Bible and then to apply it to their lives. Found the participation to be plentiful and insightful. Had several people mention how good it was when they were leaving.

While it doesn't take as much prep time as a sermon does, I did find that the tiredness level after the time is equal. But after a wonderful walk in the beautiful outdoors at Pemberton Park with my lovely wife yesterday, I found rejuvination!

Bummer Vacation...

2011-10-19T18:07:00.002-04:00

This should have been an awesome vacation! But instead it is a bummer...

First, I learned too late in the weekend that my coverage for this Sunday was not available and I didn't have time to figure out how to take care of that, so I will guide our conversations on Sunday! Thankful that we just had a weekend away with Caroline.

Second, thought I was working at getting things ready for the sika hunters at the place I am guiding... but that didn't pan out.

Third, I thought I was guiding all three days of the muzzleloader season, but it now looks like it will only be Thursday.

So, this week has not been what I hoped it would be!

Outta Here for a bit....

2011-10-17T14:56:00.000-04:00

This week was supposed to be a week's vacation for me, but due to some sad circumstances I am not taking the full week. Praying for the family of our District Executive, whose father died this past week. Gene was scheduled to preach for me on Sunday and now can't due to the memorial service for his dad. So, I will be back from vacation to fill-in on Sunday.

It will not be a sermon as such but a time of reading, reflecting, and listening to God as we look at John 15:1-17.

I had promised a friend that I would work with him this week guiding sika hunters for the early muzzleloader season on Thursday through Saturday, so I can't change the dates of my time off. It just seemed easier at the last minute to step back in on Sunday. Thankfully, we had another Sunday off so that we could go to Caroline's Family Weekend at Bridgewater College and that weekend was not a vacation due to my being away the entire week before for my Advance Foundations of Church Leadership Cohort.

I am looking forward to the next week in the marshland of Dorchester County... Crapo, MD. Love the harsh habitat, and the sounds and sights of Maryland's little elk. Also looking forward to seeing some good friends who will return this year to hunt with us!

Hopefully I will get some great photos too!

An interesting approach....

2011-10-13T09:38:00.004-04:00

As I travel long distances by myself, I listen to podcasts of several pastors sermons and other leadership material. Yesterday on my way to and from the Area One Church of the Brethren Pastor's group I was listening to the final two of Andy Stanley's sermons in a series called "Road to Recovery". I HIGHLY recommend this series. Infact, it might be fun to watch them in a group and discuss. I think Andy has lots of good things to say about the state of our nation and our economy.

One thing he said that resonates with me is this.... he says that many churches and non-profits are struggling financially right now and are blaming the economy for it. He says it is the economy but not the way we think it is. Andy says that people are living in fear of the future so they are holding on to more of their funds than giving. The shortage is not necessarily that things have gotten more expensive or funds tighter but that fear is making people hold on tighter. I think that this makes sense.

Being the Body...

2011-10-10T17:31:00.000-04:00

Spent the day today being the body! And it is a great thing to be!

Started yesterday when one of our folks who was having surgery today was struggling to accept the offers of people from Community of Joy to be the body... to transport to and from the surgery. It's hard to let others do for you. It is easier to do for others. But it is important to be both... to be the body of Christ for others and to allow others to be the body for us!

I was happy to be the one who was able to serve and share love in this way, but I am also delighted when others step up and serve and share love with me. It is a two way street!

If you are one who is eager to help others but struggles to allow others to help you, I challenge you to change that pronto! Please be eager to let others be the body of Christ to you too! It is how God designed us... to be mutually dependant on each other! The body is not complete unless you serve and allow others to serve you!

Here are the lyrics to a song that captures well what I am saying...

"Will you let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I might have the grace
To let me be your servant too"

Living Witnesses

2011-10-06T12:50:00.003-04:00

The book I am reading this week is Sacrilege: Finding Life in the unorthodox ways of Jesus by Hugh Halter. I really like Hugh's books and think he is pressing a button that needs to be pressed in today's american Christian malaise.

Here is a quote from Hugh to challenge us "When Jesus called his followers to be witnesses, he was asking them to allow their lived to tell the story of his life. He wanted their actions, their community, their values, their love and kindness, and their visible transformation to be the most powerful way to communicate God's heart to the world."

Too many times when we try to use our words, we turn seeking people off and away from ever wanting to follow Jesus. Largely due to the inconsistency of our words and our living. But when our lives tell the story... people begin to see God's love and are drawn toward it not pushed away from it!

King of the World

2011-10-05T09:34:00.004-04:00

Last night in our Bible Study group, we read and explored Mark 15. It is the trial and crucifixion scene. As we explored the passage, I had an interesting insight. The charge against Jesus is that he is the King of the Jews. Yet, that is not a title Jesus ever uses to refer to himself.

I always understood the interaction with Pilate (in 15:2) when he asks Jesus if he is the King of the Jews, and Jesus responds saying, "you have said so." as Jesus telling Pilate that it is as he said. But last night it hit me that perhaps, Jesus is saying to Pilate, "it is you that is saying that, not me." So, I explored a bit and found that Jesus NEVER refers to himself as the King of the Jews. And for good reason! He is NOT! Rather he is King of the World! He came to the world... not JUST the jews. Yes he was a jew and yes he came first to them, but he came for the world.

I am so thankful that Jesus is not King of the Jews! But that he is so much more!

Life Stages....

2011-10-04T09:39:00.003-04:00

I love the stage of life that I am in right now!

As our children grew and moved from one stage to another, Sharon and I would often say, how much we loved the stage we were entering and how much we missed the stage we left. Not any more!

On Friday, we crossed into a new stage for us. All four of us can now drive by ourselves. And I absolutely love it! After years of playing taxi driver, I now find that I have more time on my hands and less to worry about in my daily schedule. Yesterday was the first day that I didn't have to be concerned about when I needed to leave to pick up Emma or take her some place and it was freeing!

Caroline is soaring in her second year of college and is going to new heights as a young adult and it is wonderful to see! She is discovering who she is and living out of her gifts! It was so wonderful to see her thriving in her environment this past weekend!

All of that leaves Sharon and me more time to enjoy being together and that has been wonderful too! We enjoy walking at the mall in the morning, going out to eat, watching football together, and just hanging out! Now we don't have to worry about who will go where to get whom.

It also leaves me more able to do things that I enjoy doing as well.

Absolutely love this stage of life!

Welcome...

2011-10-03T10:19:00.000-04:00

It is always interesting to attend another church, besides the one you lead! The place we went on Sunday was one we attend often when we visit Caroline, so we are no strangers there. But you would think we have some horible disease! As no one, besides the people we already know, speaks to us.

Thought that this was going to be the case again on Sunday, until this lady and her husband came up to us right before worship to welcome us - I guess that is what it was! They came up smiling and stuck their hands out said "welcome!" "And who are you?"...

I prefer to say, "Hi, I am Martin and what is your name?" It feels a whole lot more welcoming!

One other reflection... when we entered the building... someone greeted us with a name tag on that said "Welcome" Today's Greeter".... Well, in my opnion, they would be better off, having people assigned to be greeters, but without name tags telling me that is why they greeted me!

It is interesting how unfriendly some churches can be! I sure hope Community of Joy is not that way! I am sure we miss the boat sometimes, but I hope not often!

Neat Weekend...

2011-10-03T10:12:00.002-04:00

Really enjoyed getting to see Caroline this past weekend at Bridgewater College's Family Weekend! On Friday night we were able to attend an Eagle Productions event that she was the team leader for and it was fun! It is so neat to be able to see her living in her element and watch the leader in her fly high! Definitely makes her dad proud!

It was also neat to meet some of her friends and to get to spend time with them and their parents. We had a fabulous weekend and very much appreciate Community of Joy releasing our time so that we could do this on the heels of being away all last week for the Advanced Foundations of Church Leadership cohort.

Silver Lining....

2011-09-29T19:07:00.002-04:00

Had my flight from Dayton to Philly delayed twice so far... which meant that I had to book a different flight (the last one for the day) from Philly to Salisbury. That is really frustrating! Means that I won't get in to Salisbury until 11:38 p.m.

But the silver lining for me was that while I am here at the airport, I had the opportunity to reconnect with some special pastor friends of mine who have been out of the country for about 15 years. It was wonderful to have 2.5 hours or so to visit and catch up! They are now here in the Dayton area pastoring two churches as interim... on an anglo church and one a hispanic church. Cool to be with them.

Looking forward to being home sometime tonight!

What a Relief!

2011-09-28T21:48:00.002-04:00

Part of our time here at Quaker Hill Retreat Center has been focused on self-care and as part of that they brought in a massage therapist. Last night he focused on my right side of the face and today it was free-er! I can almost whistle. And all day it was tingling and twitching which the last time that happened, was indication that it was releasing more! So, tonight one of the persons who was scheduled to have a massage canceled so, I got to have a second session. The therapist was happy to hear that it was helpful! It felt so wonderful!

WONDERFUL!

2011-09-27T21:06:00.002-04:00

Just had the gift of a massage! What a gift! Had him work on my facial muscles and wow that felt good. Hoping to see a acupuncturist this week too! Maybe I will be able to whistle soon. And can finally put this paralysis from Bells Palsy behind me!

Very much enjoying my time here in Indiana with my new Advance Foundations of Church Leadership Cohort! Two more days!

5th Neighborhood Pork Roast Is History!

2011-09-26T09:02:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was Community of Joy's 5th Neighborhood Pork Roast and Fun Fest! What a good day it was! The weather held off and was cooler than we thought it would be. The friends came and enjoyed. The congregation stepped up to the plate and served our guests and each other and as always the Pork was Fabulous!

Lots of great connections happened yesterday! And that is what the day is about... creating an environment where our neighbors and friends can come to enjoy a good time and connect with each other.

Thanks to all who worked so hard to pull off such a great event! It is impressive! And it makes me so proud to be one of the Pastors of Community of Joy! Couldn't ask for a better group of people to work with!

Headed to Seminary again...

2011-09-25T06:08:00.002-04:00

Decided to take part in an Pastors Cohort around the topic of Church Leadership and I am heading to Bethany Seminary. I graduated from Bethany in 1990 but since then it has moved to Richmond, Indianna from Chicago.

Looking forward to the time away and the learnings that will come! Excited to see the new seminary and some of my former classmates who now work there!

The next four days should be filled with learning opportunities!

Joy Comes From Obedience...

2011-09-22T12:24:00.000-04:00

Spent some time this morning with a gentleman who has recently started participating in Community of Joy... and listened as he shared story after story of how God has transformed his life and now works in and through him in amazing ways!

This gentleman came from nothing and even dipped lower than that when God got his attention and turned it all around. What a testimony!

Over and over for the better part of an hour my brother shared story after story of ways God was working through him to bless others and through others to bless him. He laughed and smiled and was truly honored to be part of God's work!

Two things struck me in our time together... He was filled with Joy and that Joy came from his obedience to God's leading in his life!

Want Joy? Obey God's leading in your life... and it will be yours beyond measure!

Growing and Growing....

2011-09-21T08:21:00.000-04:00

Bible Study continues to grow.... last night there were 17 of us. And besides the numbers... we are growing in our faith and in our relationship with Jesus! It has been a great journey as we began the gospel of Mark in the begining of the year and we are still in Chapter 14. Not sure where we will go next might just be Matthew or maybe John. But it will be one of the gospels as we continue our year long (lifelong) theme of Taking Jesus Seriously!

It is so neat to see how people are growing and growing! What a blessing it is to our lives to be able to gather in a circle around the Bible and allow God to speak to us!

Pushing past how...

2011-09-20T09:28:00.001-04:00

Just started reading Rick McKinley's new book called "A Kingdom Called Desire: Confronted by the Love of a Risen King," and found this quote to be provokative.

"We have traded in a great spiritual lifelong adventure with Jesus for religious chores that we can check off our list. The deeper questions that deal with the mystery of following Jesus - the parables that leave us puzzled, the art of being in Christ in a world of doing things for Christ, the dilemmas of pain and suffering - these questions get thrown out because we are too busy checking off our boxes, proving we are Christians. In throwing out the deepr questions we trade in the deeper desires for the cheaper ones."

Chew on that a while...

A Beautiful Day...despite the weather.

2011-09-19T17:08:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, Sharon officiated a wedding for a co-worker and it was absolutely lovely! The weather was cool, cloudy, and windy, but that didn't detract from the beauty and elegance of the wedding. It was held at Baywood Golf Course in Longneck, DE and what a beautiful setting and a great place to have a wedding. The food was superb too!

It was fun to be part of this special day... as the bride and groom seemed to be enjoying and savoring every moment! So neat to see!

I sat near the front and took pictures with my new nikon professional camera... just to get some practice. These are unedited.

Pork Roast coming fast....

2011-09-19T16:12:00.000-04:00

Sunday will be our annual Neighborhood Pork Roast and Fun Fest. It is our major neighborhood outreach. Everything is FREE!

Good Food... and opportunity to meet new people... Cornhole .... face painting.... big bounce... live music....pleasant weather... what more could you ask for?

This year we are delighted to have invited the staff and faculty as well as the 4th and 5th graders and their families for Pinehurst Elementary School... we are their faith based partners. We hope this will allow us an opportunity to further deepen our connection with the school. We have enjoyed all our opportunites to bless the school this past year.

The weather forcast for Sunday looks phenominal! Hope it holds! And if you are in the area... join us!

Judas

2011-09-14T05:58:00.003-04:00

Last night at our Bible Study, we looked at Mark 14:1-11. In that is the begining of Judas' jounrey toward betraying Jesus. Someone asked the question last night... Since Jesus knew that Judas would betray him, why did Jesus allow Judas to be one of his followers?

Good question!

Have you ever wondered that?

I hadn't.

But what a powerful warning it is to all of us. Jesus welcomes everyone to follow him! But like Judas, we have a choice. Will we follow or will we turn another direction. It is our decision. Jesus does not manipulate us! God has given us free will and allows us to live in the consequences of our decisions.

Judas could not handle his decision to betray Jesus. He couldn't bring himself to return to Jesus to seek forgiveness, so he took his own life. When we find ourselves on a road that is not following Jesus, we also have a choice... we can repent and seek Jesus' forgiveness or we can keep going on that road. Continuing to follow that road leads us to destruction as well! But repenting and seeking forgiveness brings on a whole new day!

Still Happening....

2011-09-13T17:45:00.000-04:00

Yesterday marked the 7th month that I have had effects from the Bells Palsy. Still can't whistle but can now spit. Not using eye drops as much now either.... so there is some improvement but not 100 % yet. Getting closer all the time... I can actually feel the muscles loosening and giving me more mobility in my mouth and cheek.

What a journey!

Lots

2011-09-12T20:50:00.000-04:00

Lots of thoughts swimming in my head! Especially after crossing the 10th anniversary of 9-11. I grieve for all the loss of life that has happened from that day forward. There are families in lots of countries that are mourning now due to the senseless killings of their loved ones.

Also mourning with my community on the senseless death of a beloved english teacher.

Praying for the families all over the world that are mourning tonight!

Keeping Company....

2011-09-08T13:18:00.001-04:00

I am about to embark on a journey... not sure it is what I was hoping it would be... but time will tell. It is a 2 year journey of conversations on Leadership through a grant at Bethany Seminary called Advance Foundations of Church Leadership. I will share this journey with several other pastors.

As part of the first gathering in September, we are to read two books (just got them last week) and yesterday I found out we also have to write a 15-20 page paper in the next 17 days!

Anyways... in one of the books, "Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us." by Adele Calhoun, she talks about Spiritual diciplines helping us to "keep company with Jesus". I really like that image.

What if all of us who call ourselves Christian spent our days "keeping company with Jesus"? Not only our lives but our world would be transformed!

You don't get...

2011-09-03T14:18:00.000-04:00

You don't get a second chance to make a first impression! So true!

After hearing lots of good things about the bakery at a new Coffee Shop in town... Sharon and I went there this morning for breakfast. Which means I went hungry until 9 a.m. when she finally was up and ready.... the anticipation was huge on my part.

LOVED the location and the ambiance! Was so looking forward to sitting on the deck by the pond and enjoying a great baked good and some coffee.

Imagine my shock when the bakery cabinet was nearly empty. The owners must have read my mind and both gave an excuse at the same time... one said, "we didn't expect to be open today." and the other said that their baker was moving today. That absolutely stunk!

So, having gone there for the baked goods and not having any there... we turned around and walked out the door!

On my way out... I thought... you never get a second chance to make a first impression!

Blessed....

2011-08-31T08:41:00.000-04:00

Been thinking alot lately on how much we are blessed! God has blessed us richly and calls us to share the blessing with others! We are not blessed to hoard the blessing but to share it.

So, who will you bless today?

Opportunities to bless others abound!

Power....

2011-08-28T08:35:00.002-04:00

A friend on facebook just posted the following... "The church is without power, so we will not be holding services today at (church name)."

I quickly responded.... "the church is never without power... we just don't avail ourselves of it often."

She responded... "should have said without electricity."

Now that is more accurate!

Two problems with her post... first the church is NOT the building... WE ARE the church! Second... the church's power is the Holy Spirit and it is never at a loss for power! We just neglect to take advantage of the power that is made available to us.

Just some musings as I sit inside and start to go stir crazy!

Heard today...

2011-08-27T16:01:00.001-04:00

Someone said today, about a person who is one of the greatest servants around, "even God depends on you."

It is true about that person for sure.

AND it is true about all of us who follow Jesus!

God depends on us to love the world.... to show his love to the world!