I took the youngest two of our three children to the beach yesterday. The red flag was flying because the wind was strong and the waves were high. I didn't let that stop of us from going in Lake Michigan. Since my childhood, I have gone into Lake Michigan with high and strong waves.
The waves knock us around. I can body surf them as well. They are a lot of fun. Nathan lost his red goggles when I wave crashed over his head, and I lost my eyeglasses. Yes, I went swimming with my glasses on. I wanted to be able to see the kids at all times.
I called Lori on my cell phone and asked her to drive Adam to the State Park. I was hoping he would swim too, but he didn't. Adam brought my safety glasses to me so I could at least drive home. We walked on the pier where Nathan and I got splashed hard by a large wave that crashed in front of us. It reminded me of the time my mom and I got hit with a wave on the St. Joe Pier while wearing our Sunday Church clothes.
We went back into the water until we were tired and hungry. My legs are a little sore today, but it was a lot fun. We didn't lose anything we can't live without, but I won't be swimming with my glasses anymore. This is my last pair.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Dehydration from Blood Loss
The American Red called me four times in the past week telling me of local blood drives and the need for blood. The blood banks are low again. It has been awhile since I gave blood and I have been wanting to. The problem is that most blood drives take place during my daytime working hours. Yesterday, there was a blood drive at my former church, Fellowship Reformed Church, RCA,
By the way, my blood type is O Positive and I am positive about my blood type.
Fellowship Church is air conditioned but central air unit is on a timer. It seems to me that someone could have overridden the timer program and provided relief for all the Red Cross workers and volunteers, especially the one who was processing me. She had put an ice pack on her back, and I fanned her with information packet on her desk. After she took my temperature, I told her that is a good way to silence someone who is annoying her. I said, "Just take their temperature and they have to shut up for a minute, and if that doesn't work say 'oops something is wrong with that one' and take it again."
She was laughing and almost lost count while taking my pulse.
I drank four glasses of water before donating which sped up blood flow so donating went well. I sat at the refreshment table and had a small cup of lemonade, a chocolate chocolate chip cookie, and as I left I had a cheese and cracker combo. While, sitting at the refreshment table I had a conversation with a former member of PLC. I remembered her name. She told me about her divorce and how she still thinks she could have done more.
I looked into her and listened to everything she was sharing with me. I could feel the pain of grief through her loss. She told me how her brother committed suicide and she was able to deal with that loss much better than she has with her divorce. I told her, your brother's death was sudden and unexpected; it was sad, but he is gone and there is nothing you can do about it. Your ex, I said, is still alive and there is that lingering hope that you two could get back together. She is carrying a heavy burden from a great loss. She lost her identity of wife. Her husband went into Her husband had taken up with another woman who also was married. The "other woman" went back to her husband and family. Now he is with a younger woman, the volunteer told me.
All I could tell her is that she has to let go. She did nothing wrong and her husband didn't trust you enough to tell you what was going on with him.
Later, I ignored all the Red Cross guide lines and went swimming in a chlorinated pool no less. Did not drink much water, but wine instead. I should have listened to Incubus and chose water over wine, but hey, it is summer dinner was delicious and the wine tasted good.
I fell asleep on the love seat and woke up at 1 am with headache from dehydration. I took ibuprofen and went to bed. I knew better, but the wine tasted good.
By the way, my blood type is O Positive and I am positive about my blood type.
Fellowship Church is air conditioned but central air unit is on a timer. It seems to me that someone could have overridden the timer program and provided relief for all the Red Cross workers and volunteers, especially the one who was processing me. She had put an ice pack on her back, and I fanned her with information packet on her desk. After she took my temperature, I told her that is a good way to silence someone who is annoying her. I said, "Just take their temperature and they have to shut up for a minute, and if that doesn't work say 'oops something is wrong with that one' and take it again."
She was laughing and almost lost count while taking my pulse.
I drank four glasses of water before donating which sped up blood flow so donating went well. I sat at the refreshment table and had a small cup of lemonade, a chocolate chocolate chip cookie, and as I left I had a cheese and cracker combo. While, sitting at the refreshment table I had a conversation with a former member of PLC. I remembered her name. She told me about her divorce and how she still thinks she could have done more.
I looked into her and listened to everything she was sharing with me. I could feel the pain of grief through her loss. She told me how her brother committed suicide and she was able to deal with that loss much better than she has with her divorce. I told her, your brother's death was sudden and unexpected; it was sad, but he is gone and there is nothing you can do about it. Your ex, I said, is still alive and there is that lingering hope that you two could get back together. She is carrying a heavy burden from a great loss. She lost her identity of wife. Her husband went into Her husband had taken up with another woman who also was married. The "other woman" went back to her husband and family. Now he is with a younger woman, the volunteer told me.
All I could tell her is that she has to let go. She did nothing wrong and her husband didn't trust you enough to tell you what was going on with him.
Later, I ignored all the Red Cross guide lines and went swimming in a chlorinated pool no less. Did not drink much water, but wine instead. I should have listened to Incubus and chose water over wine, but hey, it is summer dinner was delicious and the wine tasted good.
I fell asleep on the love seat and woke up at 1 am with headache from dehydration. I took ibuprofen and went to bed. I knew better, but the wine tasted good.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Beer Tasting
My step father is not happy with Anheuser-Busch, INC. This is the same man whose CB handle in the 70's was "Budman." After he retired he switched to Michelob and really enjoyed the Premium Lager. Well no that Anheuser-Busch, INC. is no longer American owned he wants to permanently switch again. So, we are here taste testing several different beers, and yes we have to suffer tasting MGD, the weakest and most watery of the bunch. Feel sorry for us as we have to finish off the six pack.
Thus far we have tasted Molson Canadian, Michelob, MGD. Future tests will include, Sam Adams, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Miller High Life, Leinenkugel, Blatz, Coors, Schlitz, Labatt's Blue and Stroh's.
We have not scheduled the tasting event as of yet.
Thus far we have tasted Molson Canadian, Michelob, MGD. Future tests will include, Sam Adams, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Miller High Life, Leinenkugel, Blatz, Coors, Schlitz, Labatt's Blue and Stroh's.
We have not scheduled the tasting event as of yet.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Jabez was gay.
I didn't make it to church on June 22. Apparently Pastor Mark preached on the fallacies of the Jabez prayer literature. I never even heard of it until he said something about it. So, I looked it up in the Bible. Jabez's name means "Ouch!" He was large and caused his mother a lot pain when he was born. No father is mentioned, which means he was a fatherless child. There is no mention of a wife. He prays for a larger farm and for protection from harm. I think the man was a homosexual. He needed a larger border and safety to keep from getting killed. He was an abnormal in many ways. large, single and frightened. So, today, I think he would be seen as a gay farmer. I know that isn't what the book about the Jabez prayer is all about, but think of the twist this brings to that gospel of prosperity.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Synod Assembly
Well, I made it look easy, I guess. The congregation applauded when I was done and I received several compliments on the report. I was at Synod Assembly for three days and two nights. I listened to three speakers and three pastors. Although I took notes, the speeches and the sermons become mingled and blended in my mind. I had several meaningful conversations and my friends gave me encouragement and through their love for me, God directly blessed me.
And then comes the challenge. How do I condense all of it into a five minute report at the end of the worship service immediately before the dismissal?
Fortunately, I took notes while the speakers were speaking and pastors were preaching. This helped me retain the thrust of each message and I was able to see the common thread that linked everything together, The message was for all congregations to be a public church. I then built on what they said and lifted one or two of their sentences and raised it before the Peace Lutheran Congregation.
This is how it came out.
I stand before you with the challenge of condensing three days of Synod Assembly into a five-minute presentation. The repeated message we received was a challenge to be the Public Church. This was visually clear to us on opening night with an event called The Festival. Rather than having Workshop Sessions as in the past, this was a celebration of New and Renewing Missions in our Synod. I will touch on three of these. Trinity Lutheran in Hillsdale still supports the homeless and working poor with a community food pantry called Kings Kupbord. Trinity Lutheran in Battle Creek keeps their doors open everyday with a buzz of activity in their participation of the Joint-Religious Organizing Network for Action and Hope (JONAH). In Saginaw, all eight ELCA congregations formed the Saginaw Metro Ministries, which support a food pantry, kitchen, and youth center in Saginaw.
The Rev. Dr Cheryl Peterson, who teaches Systematic Theology at Trinity Seminary in Ohio, spoke to us on the theme, “On Earth as in Heaven.” She urged us all to seriously consider the words we use in the Lord’s Prayer every Sunday, “Your Will be done,” and to think of how God breaks into our lives. We, the Church have a mission to break into the lives in our community. She ended her sessions with these words. God has a mission and His mission has a Church.
Andrew (Drew) Genszler, Director of the Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs challenged us with this additional perspective, that perhaps it is all our “stuff” that keeps us from focusing mission before us, Every speaker and pastor who preached, reiterated our Synod’s mission statement: Marked with the cross of Christ forever, we are claimed, gathered and sent for the sake of the world.
And then comes the challenge. How do I condense all of it into a five minute report at the end of the worship service immediately before the dismissal?
Fortunately, I took notes while the speakers were speaking and pastors were preaching. This helped me retain the thrust of each message and I was able to see the common thread that linked everything together, The message was for all congregations to be a public church. I then built on what they said and lifted one or two of their sentences and raised it before the Peace Lutheran Congregation.
This is how it came out.
I stand before you with the challenge of condensing three days of Synod Assembly into a five-minute presentation. The repeated message we received was a challenge to be the Public Church. This was visually clear to us on opening night with an event called The Festival. Rather than having Workshop Sessions as in the past, this was a celebration of New and Renewing Missions in our Synod. I will touch on three of these. Trinity Lutheran in Hillsdale still supports the homeless and working poor with a community food pantry called Kings Kupbord. Trinity Lutheran in Battle Creek keeps their doors open everyday with a buzz of activity in their participation of the Joint-Religious Organizing Network for Action and Hope (JONAH). In Saginaw, all eight ELCA congregations formed the Saginaw Metro Ministries, which support a food pantry, kitchen, and youth center in Saginaw.
The Rev. Dr Cheryl Peterson, who teaches Systematic Theology at Trinity Seminary in Ohio, spoke to us on the theme, “On Earth as in Heaven.” She urged us all to seriously consider the words we use in the Lord’s Prayer every Sunday, “Your Will be done,” and to think of how God breaks into our lives. We, the Church have a mission to break into the lives in our community. She ended her sessions with these words. God has a mission and His mission has a Church.
Andrew (Drew) Genszler, Director of the Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs challenged us with this additional perspective, that perhaps it is all our “stuff” that keeps us from focusing mission before us, Every speaker and pastor who preached, reiterated our Synod’s mission statement: Marked with the cross of Christ forever, we are claimed, gathered and sent for the sake of the world.
It took me about a half hour to write my report as I reflected on what I heard and what I should say. Perhaps it was easier for me to do, than for someone else. If that is the case then indeed I have a gift and I used it in a small way to benefit Peace Lutheran. I do not attend Synod Assembly with an agenda. I go their and empty myself of my ego. I see and listen and find information that will apply to the activities already happening at Peace Lutheran. The only agenda I set for myself, if that is what it is called, is to be present and participate.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
WOW!
Talk about the proverbial wake up call! I know that I can write pretty well, and I am pretty good speaker as well. I could never believe that I have the gift to preach. I always thought that God reserved the gift of preaching to those who are ordained ministers, and I would never be able to preach ever again. I received an A- on the Introduction to Preaching class I took ten years ago at Western Theological Seminary. Upon hearing that my friend Barbara told me that was 10 years too long. I was honored to preach at Extended Grace in Grand Haven and I made sure that I told the 12 people who were there that it was indeed an honor and privilege to preach to them. I did not take it lightly at all.
Today at the Bible Study class ,after the worship service, my pastor asked me to share with the class what I knew about the Hilkiah and Jeremiah. He knew what I knew because of the sermon I preached at Extended Grace. I e-mailed him a copy of my sermon.
Now what do I do? I did something and it has been affirmed. A true wake up call.
Today at the Bible Study class ,after the worship service, my pastor asked me to share with the class what I knew about the Hilkiah and Jeremiah. He knew what I knew because of the sermon I preached at Extended Grace. I e-mailed him a copy of my sermon.
Now what do I do? I did something and it has been affirmed. A true wake up call.
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