Hope...

Working on my sermon for Sunday from the great Romans 8 passage. Here is a great quote about hope... "For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." 8:24-25.

Responding to Evil....

There are two typical responses to evil in our world... 1. IGNORE it! and 2. FIGHT back (respond evil for evil). Paul puts forth another response in Romans 12:14-21. When he says "Do not repay evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all." (NRSV) The third way to respond to evil is to TAKE THOUGHT! Taking thought causes us to pause and opens the possibility of a creative way to solve the struggle.

So, instead of ignoring evil or responding in like manner... TAKE THOUGHT!

The Rut is on...

This is the week that it is anticipated that the bucks (male deer) are rutting (in the breeding mood). It is always a fun time to hunt and usually you see big bucks that otherwise stay out of sight and don't come out until after dark. I plan to hunt as much as I can this week. Have several evening commitments and a wedding on Saturday, that will cut down on the time in the woods... but will get out as much as I can.

It's a lovely time of year to be out observing nature and its beauty. Off to the woods I go!

Dealing with the subject of retaliating evil for evil...

Today in worship we will look at Romans 12:14-21. In it Paul addresses our response to evil in our world and God's response to evil in our world.

It should be a fun time today, as I am offering a "talk back" time after the sermon. I love doing this because it allows us to learn from each other and to ask questions as well as seek answers. Questions are not something to fear... they are the way we learn -- and some questions don't have good answers and in those situations, we must have faith... faith is being certain of something we have not seen.

Great Day!

In spite of the HARD down pours of rain, we accomplished lots of cleaning at our Ministry Center this morning. Most people worked outside, and a few inside. We gathered 3 pickup truck loads of leaves in large bags... TOTALLY cleaning up the downed leaves and now just a few hours later, it hardly looks like we did a thing! Got the flowerbed expanded and mulched, sidewalk edged, new hedge planted, heating system updated so that it will be more efficient and heat the lobby better, closets and cupboards organized, finished insulating the crawl space under the lobby and so much more!

Still had more things to do, but by 4 p.m. those last few were getting tired and all were ready to go home.

Thanks to all who helped out! -- Even had a couple from our sister church in Ridgely, MD come down to help us... what a BLESSING! Thanks Tom and Jo!

Like Old Times Once Again... but we missed Frank

Today, Tri, Jim, and myself spent most of the day at the ministry center working on our to do list. Today we added heat vents in the Library and one bathroom, enlarged the heat vents in the lobby, and began replacing all the downstairs vents that have been painted over and are restricting heat flow. Tri also spent most of the day in the crawl space under the lobby insulating the floor. It was never insulated.

Great day! But we sure missed Frank! I'm told he will join us tomorrow! Then it will be like old times, except we hope LOTS of other people will join us too! Gonna have a clean-up day! Should be a great time for folks to get to know each other and to accomplish the many tasks that are necessary now that we own a property.

Pictures from my Therapy session this morning...

Isn't God's creation BEAUTIFUL!

Headed to Therapy...

Yep, the rain has stopped and the winds settled down... so, I am about to got to the woods to see how the deer are running! It will be my first morning hunt in a spot I've been saving until the wind is right and the rut is on. Should be fun. I love watching the morning light come and the woods come alive! Pooh had it right ... there is nothing more sweeter than the Dawn Chorus!

Surely God Smiles...

When two or more churches work together in mission! I am excited to announce that we are partnering with Bethany Lutheran Church (our neighboring church) to provide a Food Pantry to assist meeting needs that are present in our community. Both Pastor Kevin and I are getting lots of requests! And one day in talking, we decided that it would be awesome to cooperate in an effort to share with our neighbors in need. The location will be in Bethany's house. Both Pastor Kevin and I will have access codes to the Pantry and in it we will have frozen venison as well as non-perishable canned goods.

Community of Joy folks are invited to bring food items every Sunday in November and then the First Sunday of the Month afterward.

Loving our new HVAC system

Yesterday, we got our new HVAC system installed... had no choice. The old one made it 21 years. Went with a York 18 SEER system. It is so QUIET! We hardly know it is running. I am hoping it will help us save lots on our electric bill. Also loving the programable thermostat... can set it to mirror our lifestyle.

Was happy to be able to pay cash for it! Been saving for a new roof next spring. Now, we have to start that process all over, but at least we didn't incur any debt in putting in the system. I don't like debt! In fact in a couple months, I will have paid off my truck early and then will put that monthly payment in an account toward our new roof! And when that happens, the only debt we will have is the house and the van... both are paid ahead a little! Debt is mortgaging your future!

Voted...

Sharon called this morning around 9 to say that there were no lines and she got in and out of the polling place VERY quickly. I went around 10 and had the same experience.... about 20 minutes. But behind me, the lines were forming.... they were headed out the door shortly. Sure was glad that I went when I did! Hope you vote today too!

I have voted in every election since I was old enough to vote! Only once did I vote for a loser who actually won and that is almost over now! Sure hope my vote was part of bringing a great page turn in our country's life!

Props to the poll workers... GREAT job with keeping thing orderly and moving!

Praise Him in the Sanctuary!

Some things fell into place for me today... canceled my men's group because one was sick and I thought I had to pick up Emma from school, but Sharon's meeting was changed and she told me she could get Emma! So,....

I headed to my favorite worship spot! The most beautiful sanctuary ever created! God's sanctuary... the autumn woods. Saw 9 deer... 4 were bucks... took lots of photos of this one spike buck that was under my stand for a LONG time. Even saw two gobblers... will look for them next spring.

It was a beautiful night and a great time and place to pray!

Talk Back

In both worship gatherings today, I had a talk back time after the sermon. I really like doing this... I feel like I learn so much from others and it takes the sermon from a talking head experience to a community experience. It is always good to hear from others!

I never could....

sleep in! It is possible, but RARE for me to sleep past my normal wake up time. So, when the clock read 4:15 this morning... I was awake. Yesterday it was 5:15 but with the time change... it was an hour earlier. Never mind that I could have had an extra hour to sleep. So, I got up and began my routine. Gave me some extra time to pray and prepare for the morning's worship gatherings. I don't like coming into the worship gatherings frazzled! It just sets the wrong tone in my spirit and I fell like it spills over into the gathering!

Looking forward to worship this morning! There is a sermon talk back time... I always like those... love hearing what others are thinking! And then the icing on the cake is the carry-in meal after the second gathering. Love the variety of food and the opporunity to build new relationships.

Enjoying the summer day...

Taking advantage of the heat to get some things done outside...

First, I cut and hauled two pickup loads of pine branches from my pine trees.

Second, started the irrigation at the Ministry Center to water the new grass, especially the part that is taking it's time growing.

Third, winterized the pool, though don't know why... doubt we will put a new liner in this year as it is nearly $3500 and we are getting a new HVAC system on Tuesday and need a new roof in a year or two. Still... disconnected the pump and filter and cleaned them up for storage.

Fourth, filled some holes in the woodwork near the back garage door where mice sometimes come in.

Fifth, put away the window boxes and planters from the summer decoration scheme.

Sixth, getting some arrows fletched so, I can keep hunting.

Seventh, baked some brownies for tomorrow's carry-in.

Eighth, did two loads of laundry and hung them out to dry.

Ninth, made a few church related phone calls.

Tenth, went to the bank for Caroline!

Now, I am tired! If it weren't so hot, I would head to the woods to hunt deer... but it is too hot for that now!