Halloween

Leaves are falling. The air is crisp. Farmers are harvesting crops. I am trying to breathe.

That about sums up today. Actually, we are looking forward to this evening. It's Halloween and we are looking forward to seeing what costumed creatures show up at our door. This is one of the best days of the year for pastors. When else can you visit with many people and they actually come to you? I dare say we will visit with more folks tonight than we might on any given Sunday morning. Different folks. Ones that may still be in bed on a Sunday morning. I can't wait to see who God puts in our path (or rather, on our doorstep) tonight.

Here's to gathering chocolate and other candies in the name of the Lord. Have fun tonight!

30 minutes

Thirty minutes. That’s how long it took us to realize that no one was watching the television. Allison and Natalie were curled up with story of Dumbo. I was on the couch enjoying the musings of Steven James. While words were jumping off each page flashy images were doing their best to interrupt our readings. It really is amazing that it took us 30 minutes to realize that the two most interesting things on TV this evening were “The O’Reilly Factor” and “Dancing with the Stars.” I couldn’t even wait for game 3 of the World Series to begin. I had to turn it off. So in one swift, radical move I turned the flashing images off. Silence. Peace. This is nice. I can actually hear myself think. I am realizing that my thoughts are tired of competing with so much outside noise coming from the TV, Radio, CD Player, etc. Right now I’m listening to Allison and Natalie have a conversation. Even though Natalie’s cooing and aaahhhs are unintelligible words the conversation is fascinating still. She apparently has much to say for a three and a half month old. There is definitely nothing this entertaining on TV right now.

No Bad Time

There is a very scary fact that I am constantly being reminded of these days. There is never a bad time to praise God. Sometimes it's easy. Sometimes it's difficult. There are even times when I want to do anything and everything BUT praise God. However, God always remains faithful. He never stops being God and that alone makes Him always worthy of praise.

In the Bible, David went through many ups and downs. He experienced moments of anger, fear, joy, shame, happiness, victory, and sorrow. Through it all God never stopped being God and David never stopped being His child. As we read the book of Psalms we find moments when David did not have answers to his questions, he was at the end of his rope, his situation seemed desperate and the only thing he could do was cry. At these moments that's exactly what he did. Cry. David opened his heart and cried out to God with everything he had. It may not have been pretty but it was real. When David celebrated he danced with all his might. Again, it may not have been pretty but it was real. Through it all God was still God and David belonged to Him.

Praising God despite the circumstances scares me and thrills me all at the same time. It reminds me just how cruel and evil this world can be but at the same time how faithful and just and persistent God is. More than anything I'm thankful that God never gives up on me. Praise God!!!

first time for everything

Here it is. My first blog. My wife says I'm just trying to be cool like her and maybe I am. Maybe I'm just trying to keep up with the times. Maybe I'm just bored tonight. Whatever the reason it all starts tonight and I'm excited about where it will all go as God leads. Enjoy!