A real beauty....

This turkey call is one that I am selling on ebay right now... it is so beautiful. Thought I would share it with you. It is painted by my friend, Wilhelm Goebel, nationally known wildlife artist.

Heaven....and Hell...

Went to Heaven this morning! Turkey heaven that is! Got an invite to hunt with a dear friend on a PRIME piece of Turkey land. It is a Huge farm with lots of foodplots (green fields) and mature trees. Took the bow and thought it was going to happen for me today. But all we saw were hens... called 4 in to our set up. By 7:15, my friend was ready to leave (he has a tumor on his spine and it is pinching a nerve plus he had to head in for radiation). Just as well... the hell part ... was a flare up of gout that I am having. It woke me up this morning at 3:30 and feels like someone is beating my foot to a pulp with a 12 pound sledge hammer. I couldn't even get a shoe on that foot to drive home.

Hopefully tomorrow a.m. will be a different deal!

First Quarter Comparison....

I've been sitting on this for a while ... waiting to give it a chance to come out in our Newsletter -- JOYLINE!

But wanted to crow here abit too! The first quarter comparison of attendance and giving in 2007 and 2008 is telling a wonderful story of God's resurrection power at Community of Joy!

Average weekly attendance has increased over last year by 43%.

And giving for all purposes has increased over last year by 51%.

WOW!!!!!!

That is just a phenomenal reality! All Praise be to God!

Getting Ready....

I am starting to think seriously about my trip to Guatemala now. Got the preachers lined up and will get the orders of worship and bulletins all ready next week when I get their topics. Starting to find the necesarry things to take along. Bought a pocket camera so that I don't have to take my big digital along and stick out. Dad and I are starting to schedule our time there. Looks like we will spend almost a week with Becky and Aaron in the the Union Victoria Community. Really looking forward to that. Wish I knew a little more spanish... but did have a few years of it in High School.... but that's been a LONG time ago. I hope it is like riding a bike... you never really lose it!

Something I've never done...

I did something I have never done before! And as guilty as I feel about it, I might never do it again!

I went to our local NWTF banquet last night... not our chapter's because it folded earlier in the year due to politics of the regional and national level leaders. I must say it hurt me very deeply that the chapter had to fold due to lack of willing leadership and the fact that the regional director allowed a new chapter to start in Delmar... just 6 miles from ours. We begged and pleaded for that not to happen and it did anyway. That was the kiss of death.

Anyway... with that background, back to what I did that I have never done before... At the time in the program where the Invocation was the next thing on the agenda, the Regional Director came over to me and asked if I would do him the honor of having the invocation. ... and I said "NO!, I'd rather not!"

That SHOCKED him... and left me feeling really guilty!!! Why not pray? What kind of witness was that?

But here's the deal for me... I felt used as a token.

It turned out pretty awesome though, because they couldn't find anyone else to pray, so one of the supper servers volunteered... she was NOT afraid or unwilling at all! And she had a beautiful prayer!

Mixed Emotions...

Yesterday was the first time that Sharon and I had gone back to the church that we left 9 years ago to come here. That was a painful pastorate for 3.5 years and very challenging. We were invited back a few years ago to be part of an Anniversary celebration of the building and thought we were going to go, but the closer the event came the more turmoil we felt and we finally ended up canceling our going. That was a good decision then.

It is interesting how one deals with painful experiences.... for us, for the most part, we shelved that time and those experiences.... but the closer we got on Thursday night the more the conversation between us turned toward those years there. Neither of us were sure how we would handle being in the building or seeing certain people. But going to the funeral home first for the viewing allowed us to ease our way back into it. We encountered some of the folks there and that was easier. It was especially touching to encounter Joe's two granddaughters who are in their 20's now, but were in the youth group then. Immediately upon recognizing us they came over and gave us big hugs. The one told Sharon that when she looks back on that time period of her life, those years were some of the most meaningful for her and that at the time, she couldn't express how she was feeling, but now she could.

We very much enjoyed catching up with a dear friend who opened her house for us to stay there Thursday night. Then it was off to the Funeral at the church. Upon arriving in the parking lot, we were greeted by a Sunday school class of folks who were and are dear to us... we saw that as God's graceful provision for us. Upon walking in the door, our former secretary was there (we had mentioned on the way there how much we'd love to see her again... and there she was!) The service was beautiful and the pastor did a GREAT job with it!

It became clear to us though that what would have been helpful to us in the process of working through the pain, even now, would be to sit together with all parties and some third party to talk through what happened. And until that happens, one can't really find healing from the pain... Part of the struggle for the church there is that it has a habit of putting on a smiling face and pretending everything is just fine, even when it isn't. And that is NO WAY to promote healing and reconciliation... one of the neat things that the pastor did there was that he named a MAJOR rift that he and my friend Joe had and that for 2 years that kept them at odds and estranged but one day Joe called the pastor to come to his house so they could talk... they did and each confessed their wrong and expressed sorrow and asked for forgiveness and that paved the way to a healthy relationship between the two again. And out of that relationship, then God could work in some powerful ways.

This reminds me that when relationships get strained or estranged, we need to work through our challenges, not hide them and pretend they don't exist. That really is the only way to find peace and reconciliation.

Going to Lancaster ....

Sharon and I will go to Lancaster, PA tonight to be at our friend, Joe's funeral tomorrow.

I've been thinking alot about Joe and his transformation lately. One thing that sticks out for me is that this guy who was a very timid guy before he met Jesus became a bold witness for the Lord after he met Jesus. Joe would never have gotten up in front of a group of people to talk about God, but that's what he did on countless occasions after his powerful transformation. He shared boldly in front of crowds like at churches and other events and he shared with his life...his compassion and concern for others.

One other thing that strikes me so much about Joe is that after meeting Jesus, and experiencing his grace first hand... Joe was filled with Joy and excitement and that joy was contagious. He walked around with a smile as big as the cat that ate a canary!

Another neat thing about Joe... now mind you, he was in his late 60's or early 70's when this change happened... but he committed himself to regular attendance in worship and daily Bible reading AND a small group. Our small group meet every Tuesday at 5 a.m.... yep... you read that correctly... 5 a.m. and the 7 of us became a band of brothers. The picture above is one they took and signed for me when I left the church to come to Community of Joy... it sits on a prominent shelf in my office today! The value of being in a small group and regular worship opportunities as well as reading the bible daily... is HUGE! And Joe often said it was those things that God used to give him the strength to walk away from 50 years of drinking without even a desire for one!

I thank God that he brought Joe into my life!

Guatemala thinking....

My dad and mom came down last night and we met with the Ruby's to get ready for our trip to Guatemala. It is going to be a real experience for me. I talked to Aaron on Sunday and that was very helpful too. I am really looking forward to seeing Becky and Aaron in their community and meeting the people they have been living among.

Glasses....

Got my new perscription yesterday and real bi-focals and what a HUGE difference. This week I won't be almost sick looking out at the blur of people in the congregation! So glad I went this route and so glad the doc backed off on the prescription for distance!

IMPRESSIVE...

My passport came in the mail yesterday after only 10 days since I applied! That, I think is IMPRESSIVE!

Remembering Joe...

Got a phone call last night from a friend at our last church in PA... he called to tell me that a very dear friend and brother in Christ, Joe Wolgemuth, died yesterday.

Joe was such a neat guy... he grew up in the church but never really met Jesus until he was in his 60's. He came occassionally to church when we were pastoring there. But one day that all changed and Joe's life took a drastic turn in a new direction that transformed his life forever.

Joe used to mow our grass, as he had a lawn mowing business... and everytime he did, I would wave to him and spend a little time talking to him. That set the stage for his transformation! One afternoon when I was in the office, he stopped by to "confess" his sins to me. You see, he was an alcoholic and had been stopped for DWI the night before. As Joe and I talked, it became clear to me that the flashing lights of the cop car were his burning bush. God was calling Joe into a new relationship and a new ministry. I told Joe about God's grace and that it was available to him and we prayed together. Joe walked out of my office that day a changed man.

He completed a rehab program, helped counsel countless others who had similar struggles. He joined our men's early a.m. bible study group and he started a van ministry at the church -- picking up kids and families who wanted to come to church but couldn't. Joe was a neat guy and God used him greatly!

Today, I give thanks to God for Joe's life and ministry and I pray for his family and especially his wife, Ellen.

Sharon and I are seriously considering going to his funeral on Friday in Mt. Joy, PA.

Seeing Fruit of Ministry....

It is so awesome to hear stories and see ways that Community of Joy makes an impact in people's lives.

Here is the text of an email from Miss Janie Elliott, who was recently told that her MS is in remission....

"Pastor Martin,

I can really say that you, Pastor Sharon, Stace and everyone from CoJ helped save my life.

When Stacy asked me to come stay I was at the end of my rope. I just felt I had nothing left to live for. No friends, no work,no one that could help me understand why GOD had decided to chose me to pick on. I thought I had helped everyone I could all my life, but that didn't seem to be enough, HE wanted more from me.

So I guess those 10 months living over there was what HE wanted. He answered my prayers, along with everyones help.

Thank you so much for everything.
GOD BLESS,
Janie"

God is so Good!

A first for Steve...

Early this morning... My friend Steve and I went turkey hunting ... many thought it was raining... but it wasn't raining where we were.... it was a wonderful day in the turkey woods.

I called in a gobbler who had a harem of hens and he tormented us for the better part of two hours. Finally a hen broke away and came in and she and I dueled. She didn't like me at all! But then she lost interest and left as did the gobbler.

We hadn't heard a thing for a while and I was considering moving... but before I did, I got out the crow call and made a few calls to see if one would shock gobble... it didn't... but no sooner had I put it away, then my friend, Steve, said, "There one is!" And sure enough a big tom had come in silently and was about to beat up my strutting decoy... Steve said to me, "I can't get a shot, you take him... and I said.. NO you take him.. he is yours." And that's when he put up and shot and the bird never moved.... Steve had his first gobbler! YEAH! It was 21 pounds with 1 inch spurs and a 10 inch beard. What a GREAT day! So much fun to see my friend take his first bird and to share that experience together! I think he is hooked now!

A MILESTONE in our family....

Today our oldest... PASSED her drivers test and now can officially drive her car all by herself. She did a great job, in spite of the 40 minute wait(even though we had an appointment) and the fact that the lady ahead of her failed. And when you fail a test, the attendant gets to drive your car off the course... that was unnerving! But she did it with flying colors!

I will really appreciate that tonight when she gets off at 12:30 a.m. and I don't have to wait up for her to print her home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOTS of Stuff and Hard work pays...

Today was a great day for a yard sale and boy did we have one... We had so much stuff... and in the end we made $20 for the building fund and $700 for the youth missions trips... part of that was donations from people and part of that was from selling 330 pounds of leftover clothing to the recylcing place for .02 a pound for a total of 7.56.

We learned several things today... the youth enjoy spending time together in our new facility (many spent the night last night), the youth are willing to work hard, we have a GREAT location!, and we have some really awesome supportive hard workers in our congregation (special thanks to Susie and Ron Foreman and Connie Polovina -- who just showed up last night and today to help out!).

Thanks to all... Great day!

A GREAT DAY...

What a beautiful opening day it was today! This was my first attempt at taking a bird with a bow. Got up at 4 a.m. after getting Caroline from her work at 11:30 p.m. Arrived at the farm at 5:05 and got set up by 5:30.

Heard my first gobble around 5:45 and then in the next 15 minutes heard 7 different birds on the farm. One bird behind me was really hot... so hot that I was sure the neighbor was working him and when the shot rang at 6:20, I knew. That left at least 6. Had hens roosted 60 yds in front.. no gobblers with them. About 6:30, caught two jakes coming in silent ... beautiful show... right in to my decoys, but I practiced the LJW (Let Jake Walk) rule that I imposed a number of years ago... they fed around the dekes for almost an hour and then got a little edgy... and left in a hurry... about 10 minutes later 2 of the other gobbling birds came out into the road and they had LOTS of hens with them... the hens didn't like my hen and they led the big boys straight away.. but one of them stayed at about 75 yards gobbling his head off at every call I threw at him... But no dice... he was NOT coming in. They stayed around for an hour or so and then it got quiet. After not hearing anything for half an hour, I got out of the bilind to adjust my dekes a bit and there was a silent gobbler coming my way at 50 yards... BIG boy too... but he saw me and took off running away.

Oh well... what a great day!

This is what they will see...

Here is what the big tom turkeys will see tomorrow morning and I sure hope they will like what they see and hear! Time will tell!

Probably won't sleep much tonight--- awaiting the dawn choruses start!

Recycling Pays....

Recycling is a GREAT thing to do! It helps the earth tremendously and it pays money as well! Just got back from taking aluminum cans to be recycled... I had 104 pounds that folks from the church saved and we got a premium price of .88 a pound for a whopping $91.52 for our youth mission trip.

Besides that, I learned today that they now pay for recycled plastic bottles, cardboard, newspapers and magazines. The get a whopping .02 per pound... AND they also take GOOD wearable clothes and give you .02 per pound. The clothes are shipped to another country and given out there.

So, if anyone wants to recycle these items... for extra cash for themselves or for the building fund or youth fund... have at it... IT PAYS in MANY ways!

SOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!

Woke up this a.m. at 4 and couldn't really get back to sleep...so at 5, I got out of bed and began putting the final touches on getting ready for the first day of turkey season... TOMORROW!

Finally got a hold of the farmer where I hunt and got permission... I just love this place and so enjoy hunting there! What a privelege!!!!

Shot my bow last night and feel real confident with it.... this is the first time I have ever attempted to hunt turkeys with a bow ... looking forward to that. Got my decoys ready as you can see above. Got my vest packed. Sprayed my clothes with permone to kill ticks... don't want lymes disease. So, the only thing missing is tomorrow morning! Hurry up and get here!

Update on glasses...

Got them adjusted today and still having headaches. I made an appointment to go get another exam on Monday. Hope they can get a better prescription. I think they are off and that is why I am having such issues.

What a journey... almost tempted to go back to the $7 walmart readers that sit on the end of my nose!

Don't know...

about these glasses! Got them yesterday and promptly got a head ache from them... the distance part is not very clear and the bi-focal part doesn't work well either. They said it may take a week to get used to them, but I am going back today to see what they can do.

It feels as though the bifocal is in the wrong place. We'll see what they say. It's too much money to spend for them not to work better than that!

A thought on TAX day...

For all of you from Community of Joy, here is a thought for you... why not consider tithing your tax refund and your economic stimulus check to our building fund? It will be great to pay it off early and save a bundle in interest charges! But the only way we are going to pay it off is to throw extra money at the principle.

Our family will be tithing both to the building fund!

An Incredible opportunity

I have decided to travel out of the country with my father in the near future.

We will be going to Guatemala! And YES, we will visit with Becky and Aaron! That is exciting to me. We will be gone about 2 weeks.

The sign...

will soon disappear from our corner! I went to the city zoning office yesterday and they really leave us no option to appeal or keep it. Appealing would cost $150 and what we would be appealing is the director's interpretation of the zoning code and he told me that the board would likely NOT find him wrong in his interpretation.

While I am not sad to loose the look of the sign... I am VERY sad to loose the sign as it has proven to be VERY effective!

An exercize in blindness

Wow! Today was only the second time in my life, that I can remember, ever having my eyes dilated.... WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! Now I know what my girls complain about!

What do you do when you can't see and most everything you need to do depends on sight? What a helpless feeling.

Sharon was willing to come pick me up... but I was supposed to call her when done. I had a hard time seeing the phone to tell if it was her number I was dialing! I still can't see clearly, however, because I know how to type without looking, I can do this.

And yes, I will be getting glasses... my distance vision is in slight need of adjustment and we all know that my near vision is in need of help. So, that means bi-focals in my very near future! I hope that is better than wearing reading glasses on the tip of my nose!

New ministires...

I love it when folks want to start a new ministry at Community of Joy!

It is real easy to do... only 4 things to check out...

1. Does it enhance our core values and vision for ministry?
2. Do you have a co-leader to work with you?
3. Can you fund it for at least a year or as long as it exists, if less than a year?
4. Will you be willing to evaluate it in 6 months?

If you can answer yes to all of these questions... then have at it! And let me know how I can help you make it a success!

Outreach gets noticed...

It is amazing how many people have seen our adverstizing concerning our coat drive. Got lots of phone calls and some coats coming in. Today, I received a phone call from a mother from the Salisbury School and she said her daughter had LOTS of coats left from their mammoth yard sale and wanted to know if we would like them... I said YES and they promptly brought a whole bunch of coats over... she had seen one of our ads!

So cool! And just think of all those people who will be blessed because we care enough to gather good useable coats!

Fallen from Grace...

Yep, I knew it would happen sometime. Afterall, the neighborhood that the ministry center is in is a contentious one. Well, today we got a nasty letter from the city. Someone complained about our lovely temporary sign and the city says it is a zoning violation. They gave us until April 25 to remove it. I guess I will have to move it out on the 24th!

We can appeal it and probably should ... it has gotten us much notice from the community. I will be looking into the situation to see what we can do. If we don't move it by April 25, then they will fine us $500 a day!

I knew as soon as I saw the return address on the letter that it was about a complaint regarding the sign or the parking area. Oh well, it was up for almost a year! WOW!

Relationships are work...

At Community of Joy, we believe relationships matter! And they should. Relationships are what most of us are craving. However, they are hard work... lots of give and take. Lots of time. Lots of forgiveness and understanding. Lots of listening and sharing. Lots of putting others before ourselves.

The thing that keeps coming back to me over and over these past few days is this... we can't have meaningful relationships with each other if we hold back and keep our struggles, challenges, and joys to ourselves. When we share them with each other, we find traveling companions. When we share them with each other, we allow others into the sacred journey of supporting one another.

It's natural that many of us keep our guard up. We've had past experiences of hurt and disappointment.... but when relationships matter, we can trust enough to let our guard down and share our journey with other travelers and if we get hurt in the process... there is forgiveness and working through the hurt that keeps the relationship moving deeper.

Relationships ARE hard work... but they are well worth it! And I believe that we were created for relationship!

How do you use your time...

Today's fog delay begs the question at our house... when you are given "extra" time, how do you use it wisely? I let the girls sleep in an extra hour and then I woke them up and told them that they had extra time to work on their rooms... they didn't like the idea! But I am trying to teach them that sometimes, when given extra time, you work on things that you need to do, but hadn't thought you would have time to do for a while.

Any ways, they did get some laundry done in the time and some things picked up in their rooms. Teaching this lesson, will take time... but we are on our way!

Taken tonight...

I must look like one gullible fool! Cuz I sure got sucker punched tonight at Food Lion. I usually give everyone the benefit of the doubt until they prove otherwise...

I had just purchased some milk and a few other things that we needed from Food Lion. Usually I use my check card, but I had a pocket of cash tonight because Caroline had just made her first installment on her car tonight before I left. So, I used cash.

After making my purchases, I went out to the parking lot and was chased down by a young lady in distress with a story about Food Lion not being able to cash her check and her car was broken down on the other side of K-Mart. She wondered if I had a few dollars so she could get some gas. I asked some questions, like, how she got there. She said she walked here. So, I took 3 dollars out of my pocket and gave it to her... then said, "that won't even buy a gallon of gas" which she responded to by saying, it was more than she had. So, I gave her the coins I had in my pocket as well and told her at least that would buy one gallon. She thanked me and then offered to let me see her license. Why, I don't know... told her I didn't need to see it. Then I asked her how she would get to her car and she told me her uncle was coming from Nanticoke and would take her. I should have asked her why he couldn't give her money for gas, but I kept quiet.

Then the manager from Food Lion came out and had a heated conversation with her. And she walked my way. I got in my van and watched where she was going.... she saw it was me and started walking toward K-Mart. I drove around in the parking lot and she thought I was gone so she jumped in a car where a guy was waiting for her... so, I drove over there and rolled down the window, and said, I thought you were broke down. She told me that the guy was taking her to her car. So, I said okay... but by this time I was not buying it... but what could I do? So, I left, but then turned around by DMV so that I could follow them... they got on Rt. 50 and headed into Salisbury and I got on their bumper, flashed my high beams and then turned off onto Phillip Morris and headed home... laughing at being taken. I think she scoped me out and saw that I got change from my purchase and that's why she asked me.

What a funny thing! I should have known better! But then my philosophy is and always has been to trust everyone until they prove that I can't and to say...I'd rather help someone who was conning me than not help someone who needed it... and to know that in the end, they will stand before God and answer for conning people. I don't want to answer for not helping people.

Oh Well... what a night!

LiveSTRONG...

Sunday, we will launch a new sermon series called LiveSTRONG. It will take a look at the New Testament Book of Philippians. I am looking forward to doing a series that progresses through a biblical book. Paul wrote Philippians as a letter to the church he established at Philippi while he was in prison. It is quite an awesome letter with lots of good things for us to talk about. I could spend a lot longer in the book than I am going to... 5 weeks is long enough. We will look at a chapter a week except the last chapter will be divided into 2.

LiveSTRONG... the advice of Paul's letter will help us to do just that!

LONG Day...

Got up this a.m. at 4:30 and left by 5:30 for Frederick for a District Pastors Gathering. Got back home around 6 p.m. Sure made for a LONG day.... and can't say it was very helpful. Fun to see some other pastors and good to spend time with 3 others from the shore as we rode together in my van...there is one more in May, but I don't plan to go to that one!

Standing in the Face of Trials....

As we experience the many trials, challenges, and obstacles of life, we can ignore them, run from them, or stand in the face of them. When we stand in the face of them, we learn that there is NO trial, challenge, or obstacle that is bigger than God. No matter how big they may be, God is BIGGER!

He doesn't always remove them from our path, but he ALWAYS is our companion as we go through the trial, challenge or obstacle!

Time to crow a little bit....

It's 11:15 p.m. and way past my regular Sat. p.m. bedtime! But I have to wait up for Caroline to get off work at the movies... a couple more weeks and she will be able to drive herself home.

The amazing thing about being up this late for me is that I am not even tired and I've had no caffine! Usually by 10 p.m. I have been asleep for a while in the lazyboy chair and if not, by 10, I am more than ready to go to bed and to sleep... but not tonight... I am pumped and need to CROW!

What an amazing congregation Community of Joy is! We just pulled off a major, for us, feat and did it with such finesse! We hosted 51 men for a sit down meal in our ministry center and we don't even have a kitchen! That fact alone, doesn't really phase any of us because we've been doing that for a long time... so long that it's what we do... but the guys who came and knew we don't have a kitchen were amazed! It was a LOT of work for some very special ladies... but wow... their hard work sure made an impression on our guests!

The food was fabulous, the entertainment and education wonderful, the service was better than most restaurants and the ambiance was first-class!

Countless people told me afterwards what a terrific job we did hosting this dinner... and you know I can't take any credit for it at all! Except to be one PROUD pastor who is grateful to be part of such a wonderful church family!

Doesn't she look good?

This is my latest weapon for Spring Gobbler season... a stuffed hen... she sure should draw them in. Can't wait! This should make drawing my bow with their spectacularly observant eyes a little easier.

Getting in the mood....

This week, I've been taking care of my friend's captive wild turkey flock while he is out of town. It's been fun... and it has really gotten me in the mood... just 13 more days until Spring Turkey Season opens and I am ready!

Watching these strutting toms and hearing them gobble sure gets my blood pumping. Can't wait! I'm gonna try taking my first tom with a bow this year! That will be a first for me, but I am ready for it and anxious to try the challenge. Also, gonna take my nephew out for his first bird this season... he is almost 10. And my friend and insurance agent wants to tag along... so, who knows... lots of experiences ahead!

Looking forward to those cool mornings out in the woods listening as the dawn chorus comes alive and puts on the most beautiful production.

Reminders....

It is so interesting how certain sights, smells, tastes, sounds, take us back in time to other places and experiences. I can't look at pansies without thinking about my Grandmother Grove... she absolutely loved planting pansies early in the spring. And so do I.... I planted these before easter at the ministry center and as I did I thought about the fun times I had as a boy staying with my grandparents on their dairy farm near Hagerstown, MD. I used to spend two weeks with them every summer. And I enjoyed long talks with my grandmother about all kinds of things. What great memories the pansies help keep alive!

Some Sad News...

I received a phone call this morning from Donna Clark saying that she learned that one of the guys in the shelter program was found dead. Frank Busta was also known as pitbull. Yes he had a drinking problem and yes he had been on the streets for 7 years (he told me this on Saturday) and yes he was the one who was run over by a train on the railroad track a while back and lost his one arm. It's so sad... when something takes over some one's life so much that they loose control. Frank had an alcohol problem and it got the best of him. So sad!!!!!

So sad to see so many in our world addicted to substances that rob them of the abundant life God desires for them!

My Favorite Time of Year...

Spring is absolutely my favorite time of the year! I love the greening grass, the flowering trees, the daffodils and the sounds of turkeys gobbling!

The ministry center has these two BEAUTIFUL Redbud bushes on the back side of the property that most folks miss.... didn't want you to miss them. So here they are.

They remind me of my years hunting turkeys in PA... one of the places I loved to hunt was a ridge top meadow that was filled with redbud or ironwood or judas trees -- which ever name you want to use. One morning, I dueled with a big tom up there... and he got the best of me!

It's interesting how the sight of something or the smell of something or the sound of something can transport a person back in time... That's where I go every time I see a redbud tree!

Reality sets in...

As a young preacher, I've stood by countless gravesides and shared the passage of scripture from Isaiah 40..."All people are like grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades: but the word of our God will stand forever."

As I am enjoying the beauty of the flowers and flowering trees, especially the flowering cherry trees, I am reminded that they will soon fade... their beauty will be hidden from view. And the truth of this scripture rings out.

As I am in the final days of being a licensed driver accompanying my oldest daughter as she gains driving experience before getting her driver's license in a few days, I am reminded of the truth of this scripture. It seems like just yesterday, we were bringing Caroline home from the hospital... and now it has been well over 16 years. This is quite an adjustment... and it is a phase of fade... as we move farther along and as she graduates from High school in just a few short years and then college... and so on... the fade continues.

Reminds me that I want to take time to make the most of this vibrant stage of life I am in! Because it fades all too quickly! I want to take time to enjoy my children now and my wife now and the life I have now... so that as it fades, I don't have huge regrets.

And in the end... I am confident that as life fades, the word of the Lord will stand forever!

Glass Houses....

We all live in glass houses! That's why it's best not to throw too many stones at other people. I constantly hear folks pick an issue that they are passionate about and condemn people who fail at that issue... yet if that same person would take a few minutes to evaluate their own life... they would find that there is some issue that they are failing at too! You see, in God's eyes, a sin is a sin. And Paul says it right in Romans... "we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." It's a dangerous thing to elevate ourselves too high... for that makes the fall even harder.

Jesus' interaction with the woman caught in adultery is a great example here... the law said she should be stoned to death... but Jesus said that the one without sin should throw the first stone... no one did... all her accusers hung their heads and walked away... then Jesus did the greatest thing... he extended her grace and forgiveness.

I have a lot to learn from this exchange of Jesus! Think of what a different place our world would be if we were all less quick to point out someone else's faults and worked diligently on our own!

Assumptions....

Assumptions can sure get people in trouble. My former boss... from long ago, always looked out over her reading glasses and pointed her finger at you and said..."Assume Nothing!" And boy is she right!

This morning, Sharon and I were having a conversation and had both made assumptions about the situation... neither assumption was wrong... and yet both would have led us in very different courses of action. And that is one of the problems with assumptions...

Another problem with assumptions is that what you assume, just might not be!

Anyways... "Assume NOTHING!" is a good peice of advice!