Here is the most recent set of entries -

May 19th, 2006
09:49 am
Next......Next week I will review some of my latest observations as I develop my ministry coaching skills - the latest and greatest new title for an old activity - discipleship.
Current Mood: good
09:15 am

District ConferenceLast week of April I went to Muskegon, MI - first time I had ever been there - and we spent time at our host church listening to our various leadership teams give us updates on everything from summer camps to church planting, approved some simple by-law changes, and had almost nothing to argue about........ Had a chance to run "to the coast" and see the dunes.........it was great scenery and hope to return there this summer with my wife.Here are my observations from the 2 day conference:First thing I noticed is how fat so many of us preacher types had become. I am not talking about 10 to 15 pounds - but truck tire sized "Dunlops" - or a more technical description - seems to be an epidemic of exogenous obesity. Great testimony when we preach and teach on self-control and I have trouble with that second or third piece of pie. Thank God for those new adjustable waist dress pants.......Anyway - was convicted about that again and hope to do something about it this summer.....maybe I will start....tomorrow?:)Besides being reminded of my own weaknesses, I was also challenged by the preaching theme of "Get Off the Island" a play on connecting rather than isolating ourselves from people. I was challenged to think about in light of Luke 5 and the paralytic getting lowered through the roof in front of Jesus. How much of what I do includes intentionally helping people get to Jesus. The story illustrates how we should not be deterred by obstacles, use a team approach, look for unconventional methods, and realize the payoff is life changing encounters when people meet Jesus. Luke 14-15 were also cited and we were encouraged to consider getting off the island of selfishness, isolation, stagnation - stop lingering in our history - arrogant moral superiority, and casual commitment. Good stuff anyway. Also enjoyed the church planting presentation - hopefully we will start the process for our next daughter church next April. My goal is to personally be involved in helping 50 new churches before I retire. Sponsored two so far and daughtered one - 3 down and 47 to go ....that's all. It is difficult work at times, but the payoff........is life changing encounters when people meet Jesus. Spent a little time with good friends, and then came home.
Current Mood: thankful


May 17th, 2006
09:28 pm

It's been awhile. I need to get back on track with my entries. Will save the commentary on the Velvet Elvis for later on. Tonight I want to catch up with the latest.............Was preparing for a message in Mark and as I was going through my files, I found the first Bible study I ever did with IVCF - the first training I ever got in how to study the Bible was level one training in Mark with IVCF. It brought back a lot of memories - considering that was 1976. A few years ago.......but reminded me of the commitment IVCF has to assisting college students in their walk with God. Good stuff.Our house is coming along. In the final stages of the little finishing tasks that take some time - and our final tile order was misplaced so we are about a week behind in that, but it will come in time. The front looks good finished with brick and stone.....should be in by the end of June. It has been a very humbling experience - so many have helped......thank you Lord.The new youth pastor is now on board. He is off to a good start. Our capital campaign is going well. It created some great victories and some opportunities to teach about the faithfulness of God - and to practice through giving that we value Him more than our stuff. hard practice to acquire in some cases.The growth of the church has created some need for some change in the way I spend my time. It is exciting to know that God continues to stretch me and keep me from getting bored - plus I get to become more and more like Jesus at the same time. College students are filtering back for the summer. It is good to see them. Was told that one of the ladies in the church tried to access my site and in searching for me looked for others who had listed theology and several porn type pictures popped up. Not real good for me to be promoting a place where things like that can occur. I will be checking into the problem and then will be investigating other options if it is indeed a problem. Will keep you posted.Here is the order of what I will be doing next:1.I will be reviewing district conference, an annual meeting of all the pastors, 2.Reflecting on my latest coaching challenges3.Reviewing Velvet Elvis.4.May have to comment on the DaVinci code - but I will try to avoid it if I can:) Looking forward to a great weekend.

March 16th, 2006
04:36 pm


The Red ProfessionalsWell I had the chance to go to my first Red Wings game ever, and we were 10 rows up on the lower level right behind the goalie. It was awesome! 3-1 Red Wings. I wore the only red jacket I had, which was a Red Sox jacket. I suppose I could have worn my Bruins jacket......ya, right. First of all I don't have one and second I might not have survived the evening. They beat the Ducks. It was fun.........and they were indeed professionals - they do look much bigger on TV........Anyway, I said last time that I would comment on Piper's Book - Brothers We Are Not Professionals, thus the name of the update - Red Wings and book title......I enjoyed reading the book very much. It is essentially a list of priorities Piper believes Pastor's should follow. He opens with a warning about tolerance as it is explained nowadays and moves right into the list.Why did God create a people for himself? I created them for my glory Is 43:7, as the first quick chapter says God loves his glory. The goal of spiritual leadership is to muster people to join God in living for God's glory. p. 11, Nice discussion on page 27ff of faith. He then mentions that living the Christian life is not serving God to pay him back...p. 34 Our God will not be put in the position of an employer who must depend on others to make his business go. .....The gospel is not a help wanted ad.....God is not looking for people to work for him but people who let Him work mightily in and through him. God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. p. 45.A pastor who does not know the rhythm of desperation and deliverance must have his sights only on what man can achieve.Nothing exalts him more than the collapse of self-reliance which issues in passionate prayer for help. ....for most of us the voice of self-reliance is ten times louder than the bell that tolls for the hours of prayer. p. 55 The effort to meet needs is, ironically, often the enemy of prayer.......beware of sacred substitutes. Devote yourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word. He then goes on to talk about the value of reading great books and describes the discipline of reading an old book and then a new one, a classic and a contemporary one. Good advice....with the point being to keep the juices flowing. Then mentions the value of thinking and meditating on Scripture, learn the biblical languages, read Christian biographies. Training young people to pray earnestly, read well, and think hard.Be a good example of personal holiness. Preaching that aims to produce true evangelical remorse and contrition must devote itself to making God and His holiness look alluringly attractive and satisfying, so that, by the grace of regeneration and illumination, people will come to love it so much that they feel an intense remorse over falling short of it. 125Explains believers baptism, all pastoral affliction is designed to teach us to rely on God and not ourselves.Relativism no longer means your claim to truth is no more valid than mine, but now means you may not claim to speak the truth. He has a good explanation about the pressures we face as we claim Jesus is the only way and call people to repentance. ...being accused of being judgmental and arrogant.Much of our anger and resentment in relationships comes from the expectation that we have the right to be treated well. Jesus never promised his disciples a fair fight............think about that one for awhile....He next discusses greed, racism, abortion, focusing our worship on what goes on in our hearts and not on forms ..with the essence of worship the chance to experience Christ as gain. p. 235, admonition to love our spouses.Overall a very challenging book. I found the quotes I mentioned and others I did not good food for thought. I would recommend it. Have you read Rob Bell's book the Velvet Elvis? We'll look at that next time.

March 14th, 2006
07:34 am


Two week updateWell, we had a good weekend. It marks my second week back from my sabbatical. Part of the weekend's highlights included a baby dedication in the early service - it is a great privilege to encourage parents as they hope to raise their children with a biblical perspective. There seem to be so many competing messages designed to convince people young and old about the so-called virtues of disregarding the life giving truths found in the Scriptures. If you really want to enjoy the best possible life while we are on this earth, the Bible is a great place to read about what God has to say about first a relationship with Him, and how that primary connection enhances all the other relationships we have......anyway....that is one of the reasons why helping children and parents get off to a good start is so important to me personally..........Many of you have been wondering about the youth pastor position. We are currently interviewing interested candidates and had one yet again this weekend. I will keep you posted, but want to let you know we are actively and continually working on that, and will be giving you details as I am able to do so. Please keep this in prayer. Got to see some college students who were home for the weekend. It was good to see them - I am still at 10 pounds - and the good news is that after 2 weeks of being back I am still able to keep exercising on the bowflex and walking......neither of which are very competitive....and the bonus is that my wife and I are able to exercise together - which in spite of all the options I have seems to be the most effective at this point in time, so I am going to stay with it. We are enjoying the time to talk as we walk. I hope to re-connect with karate after I reach 170 - so the impact will have less wear and tear on the "ole temple" - ie. swollen joints and migraines make enjoying the evening rather difficult - know what I mean?. I have a couple of good options when I reach that goal.Several folks dealing with surgeries and the loss of loved ones....life's challenges.....I can feel spring in the air........looking forward to getting back on the water....House is coming along. Making a lot of decisions at this point - colors, tile, etc. In the mudding stage......Got another team heading to New Orleans next week. Next entry will include some comments on Piper's book Brothers We Are Not Professionals.

March 8th, 2006
06:32 pm


Emerging OrthodoxyA few months ago I had the chance to visit Grand Rapids Seminary when Brian McLaren was visiting. It was my first real opportunity to listen to someone discuss what is being referred to as the emerging church. As I sat in the auditorium I had this strange sense come over me that I had seen the attitude he carries around somewhere else. My initial impressions of the experience was that I was listening to a hippie who had grown older, cut his hair, and swapped dropping acid for Jesus and then went out and got an education. (p. 51 of Generous Orthodoxy) .......but had hung onto a hatred for the country, for any established authority, for anybody who votes Republican or who thinks we should defend ourselves as a nation. I wrestled with this.....noo can't be....I must be imagining .........but at the conference in Grand Rapids he did make some good points.....and some of these may be mixed in with impressions from the book as well, since it has been awhile, but they all describe McLaren as I see it...........1. Why do we have to be so nasty to each other when we disagree?2. Why do we have to always act like we are right and "they" are wrong?3. Why do we always have to use conquest language in phrases like "victory in Jesus" for example?4. Why do we have to be so condescending to members of otherreligions, or assume they are wrong and we are right? p. 39So I did appreciate these comments and was drawn into his presentation because of his apparent relaxed demeanor. and then I read McLaren's book titled a Generous Orthodoxy. I felt a lot more uneasy after reading his book than I did after the Grand Rapids conference. The bottom line in the book is that Jesus may not be the only way to heaven, p 17 - what is referred to as a restrictive posture, the idea of generous orthodoxy means that the doctrines of Scripture are not as important as we have been led to believe - so stick with the creeds for nothing else is worth fighting about or being right about - if the early church leaders didn't think it important enough to include it in the creeds.p. 33. He makes the comment that orthopraxy is more important than orthodoxy ie right practice vs. right belief.p. 35 Question is that I don't see how you can have right practice unless you have right belief. Practice follows belief - true you don't have to have all the intricate details of a doctrine clearly understood before you can share it, but one does need some guidance. I did appreciate his description of sin. That was a helpful word picture to use. p. 63I did appreciate the creative way the book was designed and how he saw strengths and weaknesses in the most well known theological strains....he was right in many respects of both his critique and his affirmation of each.He minimizes the judgment of God p. 102 - It would be nice if he was right, even calls it a good thing, but only discusses half the issue. For McLaren hell, judgment, eternal fire etc. are all overstatements and we should not be repeating them or teaching that is what God means. p. 101 and following. He enjoys slamming the group he calls the religious right - people who would normally be Republicans who are pro life, glad to be Americans, think Jesus is the only way to heaven and say so publicly p. 128 -133, 178. His attitude here slips into the very ungenerous orthodoxy he seems to be slamming:)He makes a good point on p. 140 about how Christians would do better to talk more about what they are for than what they are against.No longer sees the Bible as God's Word, minimizes divine inspiration, p. 178 - disagrees with the fundamentals of the faith as fundamentalists explain it - p. 220He then talks about being right and in and wrong and out - a discussion that seems to suggest that Jesus was never about being right - maybe we should tell people about the wrong ways to meet Jesus, but then that is not what he is trying to say, but rather we should not use right or wrong in the first place......how can we know.....just throw John 14 for example, in the trash I guess.....A lot of his hippie anti establishment attitude shows up in the next pages. At this point the book gets a little frustrating to read. He focuses on the excesses of the perspective. I don't think the Bible teaches that you can believe whatever you want and still get to heaven....and we shouldn't be thinking about heaven anyway.......uhhh...p. 267. He makes a good point about how Jesus threatened people with inclusion....p. 279. He then on p. 281 gets so close to universalism but tries to pull himself back......almost like he prides himself on being nebulous, like that is somehow a virtue.............What? But then goes on and says it is OK to call people to repentance p. 304. He refers several times to Christianity Rediscovered by Donovan. That is a good book about missions and I would recommend it highly.I am still wondering how something that happened hundreds of years ago is still my fault. I was born in 1957. How is it that I should repent of things that happened hundreds of years ago? The Crusades, injustice against the American Indian, slavery, etc. I agree that they were all wrong and that I should not repeat them, but what did I have to do with them? This seems like more political correctness to me. P. 333 is a good summary statement of the whole book and illustrates how nebulous and unclear he believes the Christian journey to be. however he does take some space to mention that if you are still unclear he will be glad to sell you another book to clear things up........or did I read that on his website...:)I spend all this time because I am being led to believe that the emergent church is the wave of the future......as long as we don't need to know where the wave is going, or how it began, or any of its characteristics...but that we enjoy riding it..........and pay no attention to that lifeguard on the beach....he is part of the establishment........I will have to say that the criticisms of the established church are valid in many respects and I appreciate the way he ends the book, reflecting on how stinging some of the criticism has been he says...I believe Jesus was right about everything, but he still responded with generous grace rather than self defense when insulted or falsely accused.....unless of course he was talking about George Bush, Patriotic Americans, Jerry Falwell, or anybody else McLaren sees as a member of the religious right. Oh well, we all have our blind spots. Until next time....
Current Mood: content


February 27th, 2006
09:23 am

It's over........Well my first sabbatical ever is drawing to close. It has been a very rewarding and refreshing time. I found that I focused on what was re-energizing and left the "work" projects for later. Over the next few weeks I will be reflecting more on the resources I read as I process them and integrate some of what I read into ministry. But to the more important stuff....I have worked out an exercise routine with my wife. Lost 7 pounds so far. Key will not be starting, which in this area is never a problem for me, but sticking with it...........especially when I get back into the press of Pastor Mike stuff.Went to church at the first Nazarene Church of Detroit off of 275. I have driven by that building so many times that I thought it would be a great place to visit. Turns out it is a great place to have the building committee visit as well. It was a great service - a blended service that was a great way to end my sabbatical. Message was on I Cor 10 - dealing with temptation. One of the staff members has relatives that live just down the road from the church......go figure. We were warmly greeted, and overall it was a great experience.We then went to Cabelas........got a picture of me between those 40 foot bears....got my spring gear and will be organizing it today.On the home front - the basement floor has been poured and now scored, (when they cut the lines in the cement), I picked up some of the junk around and got stuck in the front yard in the process...:(..but my neighbor saw me in distress and pulled me out, that was a nice contact with new neighbors. My truck was a mess and so was I, and spent the remainder of the day cleaning off the mud from my truck and me......We now have all our rough inspections and the dry wallers are starting to complete their work. It is coming along!The Present Future is one of the books I read during the last month. It was a book that challenged how we are currently doing ministry and asked a very basic question something like this..."If our church disappeared tomorrow, would our community notice we were gone?" Well.......? Some quotes I found interesting for one reason or another....The whole book is good and I recommended highly.1. The Bible...is a record of radical obediences of people who listened and responded to the direction of God for their lives.2. 90% of highschool kids active in youth groups have dropped out of church by the time they are sophomores in college and one third of these drop outs never return.3. Church activity is a poor substitute for genuine spiritual vitality.4. For those outside the church he says, "In their mind, the church is a club for religious people where club members can celebrate their traditions and hang out with others who share their common thinking and lifestyles.He goes on to make a big deal out of the "club" mentality and suggests the church needs to move away from this perspective. He has a good point. For those raised in the church is club mentality can develop unconsciously. 5. We have the best churches men can build, but we are still waiting for the church that only God can get credit for.6. Religious people don't see people, they see causes, behaviors, stereotypes, people "other" than them.7. This is what life in the church bubble can do to you. It can shrink wrap your vision down to the size of your church.8. Create a culture .....where people can practice being missionaries.9. Until we start adopting schools and hosting community food banks and teaching parenting seminars and holding financial planning seminars for the people who come to us for food, we will keep fostering club member mentality.10. ...less church activity and more people development.....Well the book goes on. If you have yet to read it, get a copy and read it....well maybe not. It will challenge club members..........But it sets the stage for my next review in a few days - one approach to combating this club mentality is the emergent church movement. A Generous Orthodoxy has a thought provoking approach I will comment on next week.Unil then, hang in there, stay the course ......be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for you know (yes you do, you just get too tired to remember) that your labor in the Lord is not in vain, despite the enemy's best efforts to convince you otherwise........a paraphrase of I Cor 15:58
Current Mood: chipper


February 20th, 2006
08:21 pm

getaway updateWell we just got back from a four day retreat at Michindoh, a retreat center by Hillsdale MI. We had a great time, read a few books, spent some time in prayer about what God wants me to do differently, slept.. went bowling with Sharon for the first time in about 6 years it was fun........but the scores were rather unimpressive - the graphics on the computer screen were funny......had a good visit with some friends and family..you know catching up and solving the world's problems kind of visit......If I can figure out how to insert a picture........I will do it later. Bob the builder let me know today that I have to get another permit to install some fireplaces............:( and the drywall has begun to go up! Spent some time with the electronics guy in the mix and we made plans to put in surround sound for later upgrades......moving along. Back to the gym tomorrow after a long weekend. One of the highlights was visiting Pastor Jerry's alma mater, Hillsdale College - spent one of the afternoons there in the library doing some reading and some planning.Went to church at the Hillsdale Evangelical United Brethren Church - sermon was on the shield of faith in Ephesians 6. Do we go out of our way to greet newcomers? But I risk digressing into church stuff. Will be reflecting on the reading I have been doing. Will start that tomorrow.
Current Mood: rejuvenated

February 14th, 2006
02:05 pm

Valentine updateJust finished RealSex by Lauren Winner. Get a copy as soon as you can.Got to go back to the house this afternoon to finish prep for drywallers and cement folks who will be coming Monday. House will look much different after that. Had a good time with my ministry coach - heretofore referred to as DB. His role is to assist me in clarifying what I need to do personally to help the church get to the next level of growth and influence in our community. With a 100,000 people in our county going nowhere to church, it seems God has not given us permission to stop growing or planting new churches. He has helped me during my sabbatical with some needed healing, personal re-tooling, and some suggestions. This will be on-going for a year. So far it has been great. You can go to ministrycoaching.org to see more about what I am referring to.When I get home tonight from working at the house, assuming I have the energy...:) I get to inventory my fishing gear in preparation for the annual winter restocking trip to say....Caabelas or Bass Pro.....or why not both:)This week I will be reading 5 Dysfunctions of a Team and continuing my reading in Exodus. Interesting how God had an answer for each of Moses excuses about why he couldn't be obedient.........excuses....got any?
Current Mood: contemplative

February 13th, 2006
09:42 am

Sabbatical updateHad a good weekend. Ended up missing our intended target location for worship because we got the directions wrong somehow.oh well, so we pulled off the road into a nearby metro park and did church ourselves. We read the last three chapters of Genesis together, since that is what I am reading in my recent devotional schedule, and there the thing that caught my attention was the nature of the blessings in the chapters. That we would be the kind of people who bless others rather than curse them, encourage, comfort, and reassure as Joseph did his fearful brothers. We then had a sweet time of prayer together. The sun was bright and God's creation was awesome.Started exercising again. Was reconnecting with martial arts (so close to my black belt!)but it was triggering migraines (exercise is a trigger for me) because I am so out of shape. So after talking with my "medical staff" I opted for an alternative approach that will help me gain a better fitness level before jump starting the kicking and punching again. Week one was successful. House is coming along. Will put up the drywall this week, pour the basement floor next week........its coming along.Still recovering from Chestnut's passing. Amazing how attached we get to those little critters. She is the oldest of two poodles we had - died at 14, she was the mom and Pumpkin her daughter is making the adjustments as well.This sabbatical which has been graciously allowed by the leaders of my ministry team, and firmly recommended by those around me in various places of authority, has been going well. I was more tired than I realized and have benefited from the down time. Sharon too is just now after 2 weeks, feeling more refreshed. Not having the constant evening time demands has given her a break, since she is continuing to work. We are now half way through - and have been methodically working through my assigned projects. Just finished John Piper's book Brothers We Are Not Professionals...... read through the Future Present, and just started RealSex by Lauren Winner. I am looking for some updated tools to use in helping young single Christians with the issue of intimacy....Into chapter 3 and it looks good.I have been able to release the church stuff for the most part. Only woke up a couple of times anxious about things.......but it passed, and I need to trust God with his church. As I was standing in worship the Sunday before sabbatical began, and I looked around to see another full third service, and began to wonder how am I going to keep up with all these dear people and insure they are cared for etc......and God said......I am doing this......Led me to a sense of confidence about his providing the leaders needed to do the job.....and we do need leaders of all sorts, volunteer, cell, and full time staff......ahhhh, but they will come.I have also enjoyed some fishing and hunting, which has been refreshing, and some worship with other churches. Went to Grace off of Moross, (message about spiritual friendship) the layout of the building is worth telling the building committee about.....then spent the weekend following (Superbowl Sunday) with Sharon's family - went to church in a little Baptist church in Amherst OH, (message was on love)celebrated a 16th birthday with one of our nephews, which was great fun - and then thought we were coming home, since all the nephews had previous plans, but ended up at Sharon's brother's inlaws to watch the game on a big screen TV. Great time visiting and munching on pistachio nuts.........This coming weekend we will be at a retreat center - our getaway time - at a retreat center in southern MI. Looking forward to the quiet time with Sharon.Went to bass-pro yesterday. Looked around and came home empty handed. I need to inventory my stuff before I buy anything new. I don't really need anything except some new fishing line and a few odds and ends. The ice fishing I did this past weekend was interesting. We didn't stay very long - water was cloudy and wasn't alot of ice either. Well that is all for now. I am enjoying the much needed rest, God is speaking, some emotional healing is taking place, and I am reworking my priorities in preparation for a return to ministry. Will be fun to review these things with my leadership team and solidify some changes in how I spend my time. But that will be for later.
Current Mood: chipper

November 14th, 2005
08:06 pm
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Coming back from New OrleansJust returned from New Orleans. I will process this as the days go by, but in the mean time as I travelled back and forth several other things also were happening. The first was that I was reminded once again that I love my wife and remembered why I didn't make the military a career, which would have meant spending the prime of my life away from my wife. Couldn't do it then and still can't do it. Was glad to be gone, but also glad to be home. I was reminded of the sacrifice that those who stay in the military do make regarding family life every day they are away on deployment. Our house continues to move forward. This week the sewer line was attached, the shingles were finished, and some of the windows and doors were installed. Looking forward to getting the house shut up and moving on to the finishing work on the inside.Lost five pounds in New Orleans.Nice to be home and driving my truck again.....:)Finished Rob Bell's book the Velvet Elvis. Enjoyed the chance to read it on the trip to New Orleans. Brought it with me knowing I would be on the road for 20 hours each way. There is nothing new in the book , but it is the way he described things that I found helpful. The word community came up over and over, emphasis on taking a sabbath, avoiding aggressivel apologetic approach about doctrines, ie don't attack others who disagree with you - slowing down to enjoy relationships, embrace mystery rather than fear it, use it to our advantage - interesting how twenty years ago the approach was to "prove" everything with facts, figures, historical reliability etc., now the emphasis is on using the mystery of the Christian life - makes a point about following Jesus and how he chose us - it was a good read and would recommend it.Now on to New Orleans. Will write more later about the event. But will leave us with the thought about how overwhelming the need is there. It is a great opportunity to share the hope of Christ with those who were previously closed to the gospel - and we do it by helping them cut up fallen trees, clean out damaged homes, repair broken roofs, and provide food for those who cannot work at this point. Its hard work, but very rewarding. 23 of us went down with two churches represented. Great illustration about remembering what really matters in life is not the stuff but the relationships...............

November 1st, 2005
10:32 am

CallMy call to ministry began the day I became a Christian. The moment I asked Jesus into my life a thougth went through my head that said someday you will be a pstor. So, at conversion I also got my call to ministry. Now it really didn't register with me, I just shrugged it off and went in the house.I then went on to the University of Maine at Presque Isle where I got involved in Inter-varsity Christian Fellowship. I developed the interest I had in bible study, teaching, and reaching out to others on campus who were curious about Jesus. During this time I began to notice a particular ability in leadership and teaching the bible - not only did I notice the interest, I actually spent more time doing ministry than I did studying my major and was still able to make the deans list. Attending IVCF level one training as well as my other experiences led me to revisit my initial call and I transferred to Bible College.........and the rest is history. The Lord used all these experiences to strengthen my confidence in following through on his will for me............
Current Mood: cheerful

October 31st, 2005
09:55 pm

hearing the call introduction...........Will be responding tomorrow to how I heard the call to ministry.

09:49 pm
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The next chapterWell it has been awhile since my last entry. Bit of heaviness inside due to some stuff I really have no control over, but it is real just the same. Had a busy weekend. Spoke at IVCF at CMU and it was a great experience for me. It brought back lots of romantic memories being on a campus with my wife of now 26 years......:) time flies when you are having fun. Preached three services and then spent most of the weekend with a potential new staff member. Time will tell.Spent some time with some friends as well, and enjoyed the chance to be with them. House is moving forward. Currently working on finding a roofer for our house. Will hope to do that by the end of the week, pick out our bathroom fixtures, and decide on the color of the siding and shingles. It is fun and I look forward to the day we can move in. Had a trunk or treat at the church tonight. Saw lots of kids and people who I had never met before, as well as some I had not seen for quite some time. it was good weather as well. Rain started as we were heading home. Thank you Lord, for waiting.Tired. Been reading Don Miller's second book, and hope to order Velvet Elvis. It is now raining, good sleeping weather. Good night.
Current Mood: tired

September 4th, 2005
09:12 pm

Going "batty"Here I was chilling out and watching TV and suddenly Tora Tora Tora (google it if you don't know what this is) - a huge two fisted bat was flying all over the inside of my house - so after a few minutes we "escorted" it out of the house and off it flew without harm or incident. That was kind of fun, and thus the next chapter of our duplex life. We are enjoying the time here, we have a great neighbor, settling into the rythm of life in the duplex and having half of our stuff in storage in inaccessible on a regular basis. The initial construction of the house should begin with digging the cellar hole next week. It should be a great ride - looked at appliances last week in between sermon prep, counseling and other pastor Mike stuff. We had a good weekend in church - even on the holiday weekend and lots of people gone. Look forward to taking my neighbor out for a little baot ride, and some grilling - relaxing et al. Will be doing my bike exercise - about 15 miles tomorrow morning with two of my riding partners - good to get out and get some exercise while we still can.........you can feel fall in the air.....Will be forwarding all the contributions for the hurricane victims - keep praying and supporting the relief effort.
August 14th, 2005
05:08 pm

This past Sunday.Just enjoyed a long nap. Sunday afternoons are great for getting a little snooze. Sharon and I have been doing that since our college days, which of course continue to be longer and longer ago....such is life. My nephew Sean is with us for a few weeks. He is my youngest sister's only child, and we get along great. He likes to come out and visit every two or three years for a couple of weeks. He is 14. A great niece named Madison is clinging to life with some kind of strange infection that nobody can get a handle on. She is now improved a little bit, off the respirator for now, but still being assisted by oxygen. That has been a strain on the family but I am praying for God to heal her, spare my niece from the grief of losing a child, and to show himself to my family through this circumstance. I will keep you posted. We have about un-boxed from our move to the apartment that will serve as home for the next 8-12 months. Sharon is great at organizing things and turning a mess into a thing of beauty. It will be a good place for us to live until construction on the new house is finished. I am fortunate to have such a great wife. Things seemed to go OK this morning, I had a great time sharing in the service - although I must admit, by the time it was over I was exhausted. Lots of secondary pressures at this point. It was good to see one of our summer missionaries safely back home after an extended trip. In the middle of interviewing a person for our youth pastor vacancy. Time will tell how that has gone......and life goes on....God is faithful.
July 31st, 2005
09:34 pm

vacation and movingI sit in my new apartment awaiting now the process of our new home being constructed - exhausted with all the moving and cleaning and re-arranging. If it wasn't for several people who have come over to help us - we would not be as far along as we are in turning in the keys to the new owner of our home on Neuman road. Praise the Lord for his provision of a buyer and the extra assistance in moving. Yesterday, Saturday, Sharon and I spent some time going through our stuff in the basement....lots of pictures and memories......it was special time. But the bottom line is we have too much stuff sitting around in boxes. One of life's occupational hazard I guess. We have now lived in St. Clair longer than I have ever lived anywhere. As I look at the fall and ministry I am encouraged. I am still on vacation at this point, so I don't want to start thinking ministry yet - I need the break and the refreshment of some quietness. The rigors of moving has certainly occupied my mind.Our home phone remains the same. We are now getting used to fans...instead of central air. Oh well - the Lord has provided this place and it is clean, in a good neighborhood, and quite functional....as well as temporary.The washing machine is up and running, as well as the dryer.....the important stuff. Tomorrow I will finish cleaning the garage - put the rails back up in the house, run to the landfill (you should see the pile of junk for the garbage man tomorrow...:)...)and then turn the keys in....YES!
June 15th, 2005
11:27 pm
Fishing.........Just about time for Leno's monlogue and then bedtime. Up a little later than usual because I got a late phone call from a potential interviewee for a job opening. He is not real familiar with the cell model, so he is going to do some reading and then call me back. I want to make sure he knows what he is getting into.This coming Friday I have a coaching appointment and then a planning meeting for worship. The coaching appt will take place in my fishing boat the SS Chestnut - then Monday I have an appointment with a walleye expert for a consultation ........ on site of course....:)May the comfort of the Lord encourage those who have recently lost loved ones.

May 22nd, 2005
03:11 pm]
Well, I have established an account so I can track the summer adventures of a dear friend. We shall see how the summer unfolds.
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