Wow! What a difference a couple of days makes. Sunny and temps in the mid 70's already this morning. I went to the hosptial at 5:30 this morning for prayer with Ruth Major who is having both knees replaced. She is a trooper, and the VCC resident photographer.
Spent a good part of the morning chatting with friends from around the country, including one who used to work with our children's ministry in KY. Hadn't spoken with Holly in a while, and imagine my surprise when she starts talking about being ready for this baby to be born...due May 7th, she is supposed to be having a girl (always hedge your bets on this one, guys), and I had no clue that she was pregnant. This will be child #2 for Zach & Holly. Yay! Meanwhile, Tony invited me to come up to Canton to enjoy the cold, nasty weather since it would go along with my mood of last week so well. I thanked him for the invite, but politely declined. It's nice to have such caring friends.
Last night, I visited a new family in Vero Beach. Mom, Dad, one-year-old daughter, and a Great Dane! YES! I loved playing with "Daisy" during that visit, and would have stayed to play longer, but I had praise team rehearsals (I was 15 minutes late as it was).
Today has more office work (lesson writing to finish up), radio station work, Supper 8 at Bob Evans this evening, and who knows what else? It's Friday night, right? Oh yeah, that's the night I am usually in bed before ten. Whew.
Friday, April 29, 2005
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Random Ramblings
Thursday morning. The week has flown by. Elliott takes his last Final today at FCC, and then has a few days to kick back before heading to Europe. Not really sure where he will be staying on campus, since he pretty much has to have things packed and moved out of the apartment before he leaves on Sunday. Oh well, the fact that he is carless (yes, that means without a car, although I could have spelled that "careless" and meant the same thing), and acoustic guitarless (he left his guitar in the trunk of my car when I took him back up to campus Sunday night) should sufficiently limit his options as to what to do with his free time tomorrow and Saturday. Too bad he can't come back down to Vero Beach, I have plenty of work around the house he could help with!
Ian stays after school today to get some extra help with chemistry, Peggy won't be home until after a school program that runs til about 8 pm, Emily is back in school today (and I am hoping that she actually stays all day today), hopefully migraine free today. I have an appointment at 6 pm with some folks who have visited the church over the past two weeks, and 2nd service praise team rehearsal at 7 pm. Whew! This day is packed! Oh yeah, and I will meet with Ruth Major tomorrow at 5:30 am as she goes in for her double knee replacement surgery. Guess that means an early bed time following praise team rehearsal tonight. I might even get in bed earlier than Lil Bro in his attempt to banish "George" from his forehead forever.
Ian stays after school today to get some extra help with chemistry, Peggy won't be home until after a school program that runs til about 8 pm, Emily is back in school today (and I am hoping that she actually stays all day today), hopefully migraine free today. I have an appointment at 6 pm with some folks who have visited the church over the past two weeks, and 2nd service praise team rehearsal at 7 pm. Whew! This day is packed! Oh yeah, and I will meet with Ruth Major tomorrow at 5:30 am as she goes in for her double knee replacement surgery. Guess that means an early bed time following praise team rehearsal tonight. I might even get in bed earlier than Lil Bro in his attempt to banish "George" from his forehead forever.
geekheaven
Take that, Lil Bro!
My PDA with wireless keyboard in front of the iMac G-5 (note the stack of DVD-RW's next to the iMac) on my desk, sitting beside the monitor for one of the two PC's in my office. Photo taken by my camera phone.
My PDA with wireless keyboard in front of the iMac G-5 (note the stack of DVD-RW's next to the iMac) on my desk, sitting beside the monitor for one of the two PC's in my office. Photo taken by my camera phone.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Rainy Days and Wednesdays
After getting more stuff to improve the house (like stuff to set up a barrier around the newly installed screens around the pool, so the weed whacker doesn't chew it up), and after washing my car (the afore mentioned "Hope"), the heavens opened up with a vengance last night. Vero Beach got nearly an inch and a half of rain between midnight and 6 AM today. Add that to the late nights I've kept for several nights in a row, and I am kinda dragging this morning. In fact as of this posting, I haven't hit the shower yet. Oh, I've been up, taken the kids to school, and done some work here at the house (okay, mostly work-related stuff on the computer), but I am not ready to hit the office just yet.
I spent much time on the phone last night calling around the state trying to get the word out about the week of camp I am working at Lake Aurora Christian Camp. About two weeks ago, I was asked to serve as Program Director for a week of camp for students going into the 5th, 6th and 7th grades. The week is June 19-24. Yes, I know I am supposed to leave Florida on June 24th heading to North Carolina for a family vacation. Yes, I know that I haven't worked a week of camp at Lake Aurora since moving to Florida four and a half years ago. Yes, Peggy is not happy with me about all of this, and yes I need to fill about 25 positions to work this week of camp. Whew!
To top it all off, Emily just called, asking me to come pick her up. She has been battling migraines for the past two days (not going to school until this morning), and she needs me to go pick her up from school. Guess the shower will hafta wait for a few more minutes.
I spent much time on the phone last night calling around the state trying to get the word out about the week of camp I am working at Lake Aurora Christian Camp. About two weeks ago, I was asked to serve as Program Director for a week of camp for students going into the 5th, 6th and 7th grades. The week is June 19-24. Yes, I know I am supposed to leave Florida on June 24th heading to North Carolina for a family vacation. Yes, I know that I haven't worked a week of camp at Lake Aurora since moving to Florida four and a half years ago. Yes, Peggy is not happy with me about all of this, and yes I need to fill about 25 positions to work this week of camp. Whew!
To top it all off, Emily just called, asking me to come pick her up. She has been battling migraines for the past two days (not going to school until this morning), and she needs me to go pick her up from school. Guess the shower will hafta wait for a few more minutes.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Mighty Warrior
From my daily devotional today, I am convinced that I am a mighty warrior in the same vein as Gideon. I am the least of the least of all people when considered on my own merits. However, because I have God with me and in me through the power of Christ Jesus, I am a mighty warrior. Man, what a difference a week makes, eh?
A new week, a new perspective. Not that the challenges of last week have gone away, just that my attitude is different. I spent some time with Ian's Guidance Counselor at school today, and came away very encouraged. Yes, there are hurdles to overcome, but Ian is the one who has to overcome them. He can do it, I just have to let go and allow him to do it on his own (with the strength of the LORD). Ian is my mighty warrior, and my encouragement to him today will be just that: "You are a mighty warrior in the Lord. I know that on your own, you cannot accomplish anything, but if you will allow the Lord to work in you and through you, then there is nothing that you cannot accomplish."
Oh, I just heard from Jeff Sagstetter. His mom was in an automobile accident last night, and is hospitalized. I don't know any further details, as he is still waiting to see what's what.
Oh yeah, did I mention my new "toy?" I bought a Dell Axim X50v handheld computer. I have loaded lots of good stuff on it, and bought a wireless keyboard, etc. Just got it last Thursday night. It crashed yesterday, and after a fair amount of time online with tech support, they decided to replace it for me. My new one should arrive this week. Meanwhile, I am still using the first one, just without some of the cooler features. The fact that the machine wouldn't let me restore the backup data caused the tech to replace the unit for me. Oh well, easy come easy go!
A new week, a new perspective. Not that the challenges of last week have gone away, just that my attitude is different. I spent some time with Ian's Guidance Counselor at school today, and came away very encouraged. Yes, there are hurdles to overcome, but Ian is the one who has to overcome them. He can do it, I just have to let go and allow him to do it on his own (with the strength of the LORD). Ian is my mighty warrior, and my encouragement to him today will be just that: "You are a mighty warrior in the Lord. I know that on your own, you cannot accomplish anything, but if you will allow the Lord to work in you and through you, then there is nothing that you cannot accomplish."
Oh, I just heard from Jeff Sagstetter. His mom was in an automobile accident last night, and is hospitalized. I don't know any further details, as he is still waiting to see what's what.
Oh yeah, did I mention my new "toy?" I bought a Dell Axim X50v handheld computer. I have loaded lots of good stuff on it, and bought a wireless keyboard, etc. Just got it last Thursday night. It crashed yesterday, and after a fair amount of time online with tech support, they decided to replace it for me. My new one should arrive this week. Meanwhile, I am still using the first one, just without some of the cooler features. The fact that the machine wouldn't let me restore the backup data caused the tech to replace the unit for me. Oh well, easy come easy go!
Monday, April 25, 2005
A Fresh Start
It's Monday. A new week. A fresh start. I took Elliott back to school last night, after an enjoyable day with him and Peggy's parents. I even survived preaching, and I must admit that I felt better about this message and the delivery thereof, than I have of any sermon God has shared through me. Emily sang a special yesterday, and it was "Beautiful." No seriously, that was the name of the song she sang. She sang it beautifully. It was such a thrill to hear her sing the special, and to have Elliott and Ian on guitar and bass respectively in the praise band during the contemporary worship service. That was some of the most fun I have had in a long time!
Anyway, Elliott and I had a great heart-to-heart talk on the way back to Kissimmee last night. This is Finals week at Florida Christian College, and then he leaves for his Europe trip on Sunday, May 1st. I had a great prayer request-type talk with Elliott's room mates Andrew and Jason concerning Ian, and I had a long phone conversation with Peggy on the way home...keeping us both up well past our normal bed times, since I didn't get home until almost 1:00 AM.
Last night just before Youth Groups started (while I was up in the projection booth fixing last-minute bugs with my presenation), a member of Vero Christian Church came up to me and gave me an envelope, saying, "put this in your pocket." I did, and gave it no further thought until after I was finished with my devotional talk for Youth Groups. When I went back to the office, I pulled the envelope out to find a very generous check written out to me with the following notation in the memo line: "Elliott's car repair or ?"!!!!! It blew me away. God is so much better to me than I could ever possibly deserve. He uses His people to minister to one another in a variety of ways. I can never thank these precious people enough for the love, prayers and support they have always been and continue to be to my family and to me personally. See, I'm whining, and God is working. Time to stop whining and let God work through me, eh?
God has shown me over the past week that I must get out of my pity-party mode, and remember that He is King. He's still on the throne. Nothing that happened last week shocked Him off of the throne. So, with the start of a new week, comes the restart of a right attitude on my part. I am so glad that God is patient with me.
So, today, Monday April 25, 2005, it is Fresh Start Time. Just in the nick of time, too. I have bunches of stuff to take care of like a week of summer camp I have commited to leading, getting a couple of month's worth of worship services worked out, so I can be gone for camp, vacation, NACC, and CIY, and then the "normal" things I work on like lesson plans, devotionals, Senior Roast materials...whew, I'd be tired thinking about this even if I had not been driving on I-95 after midnight! Not complaining mind you, just stating fact.
Anyway, Elliott and I had a great heart-to-heart talk on the way back to Kissimmee last night. This is Finals week at Florida Christian College, and then he leaves for his Europe trip on Sunday, May 1st. I had a great prayer request-type talk with Elliott's room mates Andrew and Jason concerning Ian, and I had a long phone conversation with Peggy on the way home...keeping us both up well past our normal bed times, since I didn't get home until almost 1:00 AM.
Last night just before Youth Groups started (while I was up in the projection booth fixing last-minute bugs with my presenation), a member of Vero Christian Church came up to me and gave me an envelope, saying, "put this in your pocket." I did, and gave it no further thought until after I was finished with my devotional talk for Youth Groups. When I went back to the office, I pulled the envelope out to find a very generous check written out to me with the following notation in the memo line: "Elliott's car repair or ?"!!!!! It blew me away. God is so much better to me than I could ever possibly deserve. He uses His people to minister to one another in a variety of ways. I can never thank these precious people enough for the love, prayers and support they have always been and continue to be to my family and to me personally. See, I'm whining, and God is working. Time to stop whining and let God work through me, eh?
God has shown me over the past week that I must get out of my pity-party mode, and remember that He is King. He's still on the throne. Nothing that happened last week shocked Him off of the throne. So, with the start of a new week, comes the restart of a right attitude on my part. I am so glad that God is patient with me.
So, today, Monday April 25, 2005, it is Fresh Start Time. Just in the nick of time, too. I have bunches of stuff to take care of like a week of summer camp I have commited to leading, getting a couple of month's worth of worship services worked out, so I can be gone for camp, vacation, NACC, and CIY, and then the "normal" things I work on like lesson plans, devotionals, Senior Roast materials...whew, I'd be tired thinking about this even if I had not been driving on I-95 after midnight! Not complaining mind you, just stating fact.
Friday, April 22, 2005
The Longest Day
Well, I am back in Vero Beach after towing my car (the Honda named "Hope") up to Kissimmee, and picking up Elliott's broken down car. Does a "couple of months" of jerking as a car shifts gears mean trouble? I mean, it wasn't every time it shifted.
I've never towed a car before, so this was a first. Borrowing Kevin Aldhizer's truck and renting the car-dolly, accidently figuring out how to get my car hooked up (thanks to Ian, who figured out how to release the tire straps at 7 AM today), getting my car on the dolly and heading for Kissimmee was a pretty good morning's work by 7:30, eh? Not worrying about going too fast, but not wanting to be run over by Interstate 95 traffic was fun, but I survived. I even survived the obstacle course known as route 192's construction zone. Oh, then while cruising through St. Cloud, this guy motions for me to lower the window, and he informs me that one of the ramps is dragging the road. Something had popped (he said), and the ramp slid down just before we came to the stoplight where he was telling me this. Working my way across two lanes of traffic, and looking for a nice big parking lot, I got out and sure enough, the spring-loaded cotter pin for that ramp was gone! Now I am desperately scrambling to find something to hold the ramp in place. Fortunately, there were some bungee cords in Kevin's truck, so I cleverly got that situation taken care of.
I was supposed to meet Elliott's friend, Tyler at the school, unload my car, then go to the Aamco Transmission place and rescue Elliott's car. As you can see from the previous post, we had plenty of help, and the process was actually much easier than I feared. You see, Elliott's car won't go in any of the forward gears. Oh, reverse works just fine, but forget about going forward. That meant the Rescue Crew had to push the car up on the ramp of the car-dolly. Like I say, it was much easier than I had imagined. Myles (one of Elliott's apartment mates) was a whiz at getting the tire wench taken care of in a hurry, and we were off once again.
After a brief pause at the apartment on campus, where Myles got my new Dell Axim X50v hooked up with the wireless internet system at Florida Christian College, I decided that I needed to eat lunch before heading back. Myles and Tyler went with me (my treat), and so Dennys got feed me a Philly Cheesestake and fries. Alas, while the company was wonderful, and the respite not long enough, it was time to head back to Vero Beach.
The trip back was without incident (which is a good thing), and I dropped the car off at Kevin's house. His son Cole wants to tackle the problem. Cole is a 4th grader, and a much better mechanic than I will ever be. Okay, that's not saying much, but Cole is great with mechanical stuff (takes after his dad that way...Kevin is a Dodge mechanic for the local dealership in town). My cell phone rang right after I had deposited Elliott's car, and the call was from Ian's chemistry teacher. Let's just say that the news was not good, and leave it at that.
Now, I am in the office, going up to the projection room to check the computer that blew Wednesday night, then to the pool store to get some chemicals so Peggy and her parents can enjoy our ever-warming pool water (thanks to the new solar heater) tomorrow. Me? I'll be at the radio station and here at the church office doing the work that I should have been doing today.
I've never towed a car before, so this was a first. Borrowing Kevin Aldhizer's truck and renting the car-dolly, accidently figuring out how to get my car hooked up (thanks to Ian, who figured out how to release the tire straps at 7 AM today), getting my car on the dolly and heading for Kissimmee was a pretty good morning's work by 7:30, eh? Not worrying about going too fast, but not wanting to be run over by Interstate 95 traffic was fun, but I survived. I even survived the obstacle course known as route 192's construction zone. Oh, then while cruising through St. Cloud, this guy motions for me to lower the window, and he informs me that one of the ramps is dragging the road. Something had popped (he said), and the ramp slid down just before we came to the stoplight where he was telling me this. Working my way across two lanes of traffic, and looking for a nice big parking lot, I got out and sure enough, the spring-loaded cotter pin for that ramp was gone! Now I am desperately scrambling to find something to hold the ramp in place. Fortunately, there were some bungee cords in Kevin's truck, so I cleverly got that situation taken care of.
I was supposed to meet Elliott's friend, Tyler at the school, unload my car, then go to the Aamco Transmission place and rescue Elliott's car. As you can see from the previous post, we had plenty of help, and the process was actually much easier than I feared. You see, Elliott's car won't go in any of the forward gears. Oh, reverse works just fine, but forget about going forward. That meant the Rescue Crew had to push the car up on the ramp of the car-dolly. Like I say, it was much easier than I had imagined. Myles (one of Elliott's apartment mates) was a whiz at getting the tire wench taken care of in a hurry, and we were off once again.
After a brief pause at the apartment on campus, where Myles got my new Dell Axim X50v hooked up with the wireless internet system at Florida Christian College, I decided that I needed to eat lunch before heading back. Myles and Tyler went with me (my treat), and so Dennys got feed me a Philly Cheesestake and fries. Alas, while the company was wonderful, and the respite not long enough, it was time to head back to Vero Beach.
The trip back was without incident (which is a good thing), and I dropped the car off at Kevin's house. His son Cole wants to tackle the problem. Cole is a 4th grader, and a much better mechanic than I will ever be. Okay, that's not saying much, but Cole is great with mechanical stuff (takes after his dad that way...Kevin is a Dodge mechanic for the local dealership in town). My cell phone rang right after I had deposited Elliott's car, and the call was from Ian's chemistry teacher. Let's just say that the news was not good, and leave it at that.
Now, I am in the office, going up to the projection room to check the computer that blew Wednesday night, then to the pool store to get some chemicals so Peggy and her parents can enjoy our ever-warming pool water (thanks to the new solar heater) tomorrow. Me? I'll be at the radio station and here at the church office doing the work that I should have been doing today.
Saying "Buh-bye"
This is the Florida Christian College Automobile Rescue Crew, posing in front of Elliott's car (up on a car-dolly) before I towed it back to Vero Beach. Where's Elliott, you ask? Oh, he was in Jacksonville on a school trip!
Thursday, April 21, 2005
I'm Accepted
In the midst of my week from hell, a friend and fellow minister asked me if I had a copy of the lyrics of an old DeGarmo & Key song: "I'm Accepted." Written in 1989, it can't be found in the search engines I have employed. However, I did find the cassette tape that has that song on it, and this morning, e-mailed the lyrics to my brother Tony Amerine. This is one bright spot in my week, and I will share the lyrics with both of the readers of this blog at the end of this post.
Yesterday, Elliott called to tell me that his car wouldn't shift into any forward gear. Oh, reverse still works, but that isn't very helpful. I had him pick up some transmission fluid, praying that it was something as simple as being way too low on fluid (this after also checking with a Dodge Mechanic friend). No such luck. Elliott is supposed to leave Kissimmee for Jacksonville this evening for a school-related trip, and won't get back until Saturday evening. His plans also include coming down to Vero on Sunday for the last chance we will get to see him before he heads to Europe. That bit of excitement with his car really helped my mood yesterday. Then, at praise team practice we noticed smoke coming out of the back of the computer in the projection room. I'm not an expert on computers, but I'm pretty sure that is not a good sign!
This morning, I called Elliott who was "freaked out," because he set his alarm clock wrong, was rushing to get ready for class, and still hadn't talked with a transmission place in the Kissimmee area to get his car looked at. He has now, and the car will be picked up at 11 this morning to do the trouble-shooting.
So, yeah, that is the excitment that makes up my life right now. Oh, I have tons to do to finish out sermon work, a lesson to write for youth groups on Sunday night that usually takes me 3-4 hours to take care of, and on and on I could go. But I won't. I spent a lot of time whining yesterday, and this blog post is a pretty big whine fest so far. I am just glad that God can forgive me of my whining. I'm glad that inspite of the fact that I am a big doofus, I'm accepted. The following lyrics are not used with permission, but I will give full credit to Eddie and Dana. Those guys rocked when contemporary Christian music wasn't nearly as "cool" as it is today!
Yesterday, Elliott called to tell me that his car wouldn't shift into any forward gear. Oh, reverse still works, but that isn't very helpful. I had him pick up some transmission fluid, praying that it was something as simple as being way too low on fluid (this after also checking with a Dodge Mechanic friend). No such luck. Elliott is supposed to leave Kissimmee for Jacksonville this evening for a school-related trip, and won't get back until Saturday evening. His plans also include coming down to Vero on Sunday for the last chance we will get to see him before he heads to Europe. That bit of excitement with his car really helped my mood yesterday. Then, at praise team practice we noticed smoke coming out of the back of the computer in the projection room. I'm not an expert on computers, but I'm pretty sure that is not a good sign!
This morning, I called Elliott who was "freaked out," because he set his alarm clock wrong, was rushing to get ready for class, and still hadn't talked with a transmission place in the Kissimmee area to get his car looked at. He has now, and the car will be picked up at 11 this morning to do the trouble-shooting.
So, yeah, that is the excitment that makes up my life right now. Oh, I have tons to do to finish out sermon work, a lesson to write for youth groups on Sunday night that usually takes me 3-4 hours to take care of, and on and on I could go. But I won't. I spent a lot of time whining yesterday, and this blog post is a pretty big whine fest so far. I am just glad that God can forgive me of my whining. I'm glad that inspite of the fact that I am a big doofus, I'm accepted. The following lyrics are not used with permission, but I will give full credit to Eddie and Dana. Those guys rocked when contemporary Christian music wasn't nearly as "cool" as it is today!
I’m Accepted
Written by Eddie DeGarmo & Dana Key
I may not be rich, don’t wear fashion clothes.
Don’t live in a mansion. Don’t have much that shows.
Never won a contest in popularity.
Don’t have much to offer, but Jesus still loves me.
I’m accepted, accepted. I’m accepted by the One Who matters most.
Never set a record in sports agility.
Never was magnetic in personality.
That don’t really matter. I’ll do the best I can.
‘Cause there’s a God above me Who loves me like I am.
I’m accepted, accepted. I’m accepted by the One Who matters most.
If you think you’re a loser, when you fail it seems at everything you do.
Just remember there’s a Savior, and you are worth enough,
He gave His life for you.
I’m accepted, accepted. I’m accepted by the One Who matters most.
©1989 DKB Music (a division of The ForeFront Communications Group, 1105 16th Avenue South, Suite C, Nashville, TN, 37212 615-327-1880)/ASCAP
Written by Eddie DeGarmo & Dana Key
I may not be rich, don’t wear fashion clothes.
Don’t live in a mansion. Don’t have much that shows.
Never won a contest in popularity.
Don’t have much to offer, but Jesus still loves me.
I’m accepted, accepted. I’m accepted by the One Who matters most.
Never set a record in sports agility.
Never was magnetic in personality.
That don’t really matter. I’ll do the best I can.
‘Cause there’s a God above me Who loves me like I am.
I’m accepted, accepted. I’m accepted by the One Who matters most.
If you think you’re a loser, when you fail it seems at everything you do.
Just remember there’s a Savior, and you are worth enough,
He gave His life for you.
I’m accepted, accepted. I’m accepted by the One Who matters most.
©1989 DKB Music (a division of The ForeFront Communications Group, 1105 16th Avenue South, Suite C, Nashville, TN, 37212 615-327-1880)/ASCAP
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Worn Out
This has been a difficult week for me already, and it is only Wednesday. Tensions created by indifference are wearing me down. Peggy and I are struggling to keep things afloat, and while we are fine, we are more than a little concerned about Ian. His indifference is staggering.
I know that satan (I never capitalize his name, he is not worthy of that much respect), is working hard on me this week, as I try to prepare a sermon since Danny will be on vacation Sunday. I know that satan wants to knock me off track as I study about "Which King Will You Serve?" I know that I have to dig in that much harder. I also know that I am physically, mentally, and spiritually tired today. Even more so than yesterday, and I didn't think that was possible.
I am not trying to throw a self pity party here, just stating fact. I know that God is able. I believe that God is victorious. I have no doubt that I love Jesus with all my heart, and that He loves me inspite of myself. It is no coincidence that a big part of my study this week has come from 1 Kings 19:3-13 where Elijah is whining to God and God shows Elijah what's what. It is no coincidence that I am preparing a message about "Which King Do You Serve?" Even if no one else needs to hear that message Sunday, I do.
Being relatively new to this whole blog thing, I don't know if these ramblings would be considered good blog materials, but since I am about the only one reading this stuff, I guess it doesn't really matter, eh? This is theraputic though. These are things I can journal about that I wouldn't necessarily send in my daily devotions. These are things I wouldn't necessarily talk about from the pulpit or in a lesson. So, I guess I can just whine all I want on this blog, eh? And when I am finished whining, I will praise God for putting up with me, even in the midst of my whining!
I know that satan (I never capitalize his name, he is not worthy of that much respect), is working hard on me this week, as I try to prepare a sermon since Danny will be on vacation Sunday. I know that satan wants to knock me off track as I study about "Which King Will You Serve?" I know that I have to dig in that much harder. I also know that I am physically, mentally, and spiritually tired today. Even more so than yesterday, and I didn't think that was possible.
I am not trying to throw a self pity party here, just stating fact. I know that God is able. I believe that God is victorious. I have no doubt that I love Jesus with all my heart, and that He loves me inspite of myself. It is no coincidence that a big part of my study this week has come from 1 Kings 19:3-13 where Elijah is whining to God and God shows Elijah what's what. It is no coincidence that I am preparing a message about "Which King Do You Serve?" Even if no one else needs to hear that message Sunday, I do.
Being relatively new to this whole blog thing, I don't know if these ramblings would be considered good blog materials, but since I am about the only one reading this stuff, I guess it doesn't really matter, eh? This is theraputic though. These are things I can journal about that I wouldn't necessarily send in my daily devotions. These are things I wouldn't necessarily talk about from the pulpit or in a lesson. So, I guess I can just whine all I want on this blog, eh? And when I am finished whining, I will praise God for putting up with me, even in the midst of my whining!
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Spreading The Love
Okay, Lil Bro, I'm following suit. Taken from My Brother Ed who got it from Paz who got it from Alison...
1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence in your journal along with these instructions.
5. Don't search around and look for the coolest book you can find. Do what's actually next to you.
In a column for the Wall Street Journal, (Author Charles) Murray wrote, "The Democrats of 1964 and the activist Republicans of 1998 - shall we call them modern Republicans? - share the fatal conceit that lawmakers can engineer the incentieves governing human behavior."*
*Wall Street Journal, 20 February 1998
From the book Blinded By Might - Can the Religious Right Save America? by Cal Thomas & Ed Dobson.
1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence in your journal along with these instructions.
5. Don't search around and look for the coolest book you can find. Do what's actually next to you.
In a column for the Wall Street Journal, (Author Charles) Murray wrote, "The Democrats of 1964 and the activist Republicans of 1998 - shall we call them modern Republicans? - share the fatal conceit that lawmakers can engineer the incentieves governing human behavior."*
*Wall Street Journal, 20 February 1998
From the book Blinded By Might - Can the Religious Right Save America? by Cal Thomas & Ed Dobson.
Monday, April 18, 2005
Famine 2005 Group
This group of 12 folks (including the photographer...that would be me) raised close to $2,200 for World Vision to help feed hungry children, during the 2005 30 Hour Famine. We also spent four hours working at a Habitat For Humanity work site in Vero Beach during our Famine. For more pictures from our Famine Activities, click on the group picture and check it out! Thanks to all who went without food, and to all those who sponsored us for the Famine 2005!
Friday, April 15, 2005
30 Hour Famine
Starting this afternoon at 1 o'clock this afternoon a group of students and four adults from Vero Christian Church embark on the "30 Hour Famine." We have done this event for several years now, raising literally thousands of dollars for World Vision. World Vision is a Christian organization that helps feed hungry children, and that helps teach folks in third world countries how to farm, etc. to be able to provide food for their families.
Among the activities we will be involved in during the Famine, working at the local job site for Habitat For Humanity. We like to do a local service project while fasting and raising funds for World Vision. I am so grateful that our students are concerned about helping others. These guys also support a child monthly through Compassion International (another Christian organization that helps feed & train hungry children and families). Thanks in advance for your prayers for us as we do the Famine today and tomorrow (April 15-16). We end the Famine at 7:00 PM Saturday, with a feast. The funny part about that is no one can ever eat nearly as much as they think they will when we end the Famine. It's a hoot watching first-timers trying to eat after they have rested their stomachs for 30 hours (we drink water and 100% fruit juices to keep hydrated)!
Ah well, better go get something to eat while I still can!
Among the activities we will be involved in during the Famine, working at the local job site for Habitat For Humanity. We like to do a local service project while fasting and raising funds for World Vision. I am so grateful that our students are concerned about helping others. These guys also support a child monthly through Compassion International (another Christian organization that helps feed & train hungry children and families). Thanks in advance for your prayers for us as we do the Famine today and tomorrow (April 15-16). We end the Famine at 7:00 PM Saturday, with a feast. The funny part about that is no one can ever eat nearly as much as they think they will when we end the Famine. It's a hoot watching first-timers trying to eat after they have rested their stomachs for 30 hours (we drink water and 100% fruit juices to keep hydrated)!
Ah well, better go get something to eat while I still can!
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Thank you, Grandpa
My Grandpa would have been 88 today. Grandpa continues to be a source of inspiration for me. I am very lucky because he was like an extra dad for me. In a very good way. He didn't try to take my dad's place, but his wisdom was always available, and his love was never deniable.
He was a good man, who loved his wife, his kids, his grandkids and his great-grandkids with reckless abandon. Very late in his life, he came to love Jesus and was obedient to the Gospel. I had the privilege of baptizing him into Christ in July of 1997. He died of esophogeal cancer in September of that year.
Today, I just want to reflect on Grandpa, and on his impact in my life. His impact in the lives of my kids, and my wife, and I want to let everyone know that I think of him often, I love him dearly, and I hope I can be half the man he was.
He was a good man, who loved his wife, his kids, his grandkids and his great-grandkids with reckless abandon. Very late in his life, he came to love Jesus and was obedient to the Gospel. I had the privilege of baptizing him into Christ in July of 1997. He died of esophogeal cancer in September of that year.
Today, I just want to reflect on Grandpa, and on his impact in my life. His impact in the lives of my kids, and my wife, and I want to let everyone know that I think of him often, I love him dearly, and I hope I can be half the man he was.
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Working Hard
Lou Ann paints some of the trim in the living room.
Of course, you can see more pinting crew pictures by clicking on this or any of the pictures published on this blog. DaBlounts want to publicly proclaim our thanks for the hard work Rebekah and Lou Ann are putting in at our home. A big thanks to Shirley Hughes for watching Dan & Rebekah's kids allowing Rebekah to minister to our family in this very special way!
Fun Job
Does't this look fun? Lou Ann is laying down on the "shelf" painting the recessed wall in the living room.
PouringDaPaint
Rebekah and Lou Ann get things ready for Lou Ann to paint the recessed areas in the living and dining rooms.
Painting Crew
The painting crew is going at it again in our house! Rebekah Hughes and Lou Ann Collins are transforming our house with a whole new look! Pictures are coming along with this posting.
We have the new solar heater installed now, and it is warming the pool water even as I type this. Yay! I may get in the pool this weekend and get some of the stuff out of the bottom of the pool. We still have to get the pool structure screen replaced to keep the leaves, small tree branches and varioous critters out of the pool.
I also seem to be in a season where so many people around me are going through tremendous life changes. All of my kids, for various reasons. Lisa & Brent as has been chronicled here before with her recent brain surgery. Jamie Roberts and her family (please pray for J.K. especially right now). Dan Hughes is facing major shoulder surgery next month. The list goes on and on.
And now on with the pictures...
We have the new solar heater installed now, and it is warming the pool water even as I type this. Yay! I may get in the pool this weekend and get some of the stuff out of the bottom of the pool. We still have to get the pool structure screen replaced to keep the leaves, small tree branches and varioous critters out of the pool.
I also seem to be in a season where so many people around me are going through tremendous life changes. All of my kids, for various reasons. Lisa & Brent as has been chronicled here before with her recent brain surgery. Jamie Roberts and her family (please pray for J.K. especially right now). Dan Hughes is facing major shoulder surgery next month. The list goes on and on.
And now on with the pictures...
Monday, April 11, 2005
Salt losing its saltiness
I've been wrestling with the concept of salt losing its saltiness today. Part of my daily devotional reading came from Luke 14:34-35 in which Jesus says,"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit for neither the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
I know all the metaphorical ties between living the Christian life, being salty for Christ, etc., but I wanted to know how can salt lose its saltiness? The answer is that it can't. Salt is salt, no matter what, but it can become polluted, thus losing any resemblance of its purpose. If we don't remain put in Christ, we can lose any resemblance to our purpose. Our purpose of course is to worship God. Well, I wrestled with the concept in my daily devo, and I am still wrestling with it on my blog. I don't want to become polluted by sin and by the world to the point that I lose any resemblance of my purpose. I must admit, I had a rough Friday that temporarily took my eyes off focus, but God is faithful and He put the right folks in my path on Friday to restore that focus, so I didn't lose too much of my salty character when all was said and done. He is so cool to do that. He has that timing thing down pat.
Well, enough time spent on this subject for today. I have much to do and little time in which to do it. More painting is on the agenda, and with an Elders & Deacons meeting this evening, while Peggy has an after school training to attend today through Wednesday, we have our hands full!
I know all the metaphorical ties between living the Christian life, being salty for Christ, etc., but I wanted to know how can salt lose its saltiness? The answer is that it can't. Salt is salt, no matter what, but it can become polluted, thus losing any resemblance of its purpose. If we don't remain put in Christ, we can lose any resemblance to our purpose. Our purpose of course is to worship God. Well, I wrestled with the concept in my daily devo, and I am still wrestling with it on my blog. I don't want to become polluted by sin and by the world to the point that I lose any resemblance of my purpose. I must admit, I had a rough Friday that temporarily took my eyes off focus, but God is faithful and He put the right folks in my path on Friday to restore that focus, so I didn't lose too much of my salty character when all was said and done. He is so cool to do that. He has that timing thing down pat.
Well, enough time spent on this subject for today. I have much to do and little time in which to do it. More painting is on the agenda, and with an Elders & Deacons meeting this evening, while Peggy has an after school training to attend today through Wednesday, we have our hands full!
Painting Is Underway!
We are starting the process of painting the hallway, and the living room/dining room/kitchen/laundrey room areas. Yay!
Emily's room is done. Check out the pictures of her room and the hallway to see our progress. We might actually have all the inside work done before the start of hurricane season 2005!
Emily's room is done. Check out the pictures of her room and the hallway to see our progress. We might actually have all the inside work done before the start of hurricane season 2005!
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Thursday, April 07, 2005
For Real
Okay, I am going to start this blog for real now.
Not that anyone will notice, but you never know, eh?
I really did set this account up to help Mary Lee Kennedy and Brent Baker as they were hving problems uploading pictures to the Lisa Baker Update (http://lisabaker.blogspot.com) site. I was their "techie" meaning they were in serious trouble from the get go. We did get things worked out, even if it meant me staying up way past my bedtime to do so. Man, I need all the beauty sleep I can get!
It is such a thrill to talk with Lisa following her brain surgery. The cheerfulness of her voice made Peggy and I very happy! Brent is his usual goofy self, and the Kennedy clan...well, they are, too! I guess I will always be "Otto" to them, and it has been at least 14 years since we did that drama for VBS back in Ironton, Ohio.
Well, this morning, I have been producing more copies of our Easter Musical DVD at the church, playing with satellite dishes to see if we could get the Church Communication Network dish working (we couldn't), and I ordered massive amounts of new computer software upgrades for the church with the blessing of the Chairman of the Elders. I still haven't gotten down to lesson writing for Sunday night's youth groups, and what am I doing right now? BLOGGING! Yeah, it's time to get serious.
I had a prayer request from Jamie Roberts, the secretary at Old Orchard Church of Christ. She is experiencing "terrible pain" and asks for prayers to releive that pain. Hope you will join me in that prayer whenever you read this entry.
Yes, you can post comments on this blog, too (Bob!). I hope to hear from folks soon. I'll try to make my postings more interesting and more humorous, but remember what we're working with here, will ya?
Not that anyone will notice, but you never know, eh?
I really did set this account up to help Mary Lee Kennedy and Brent Baker as they were hving problems uploading pictures to the Lisa Baker Update (http://lisabaker.blogspot.com) site. I was their "techie" meaning they were in serious trouble from the get go. We did get things worked out, even if it meant me staying up way past my bedtime to do so. Man, I need all the beauty sleep I can get!
It is such a thrill to talk with Lisa following her brain surgery. The cheerfulness of her voice made Peggy and I very happy! Brent is his usual goofy self, and the Kennedy clan...well, they are, too! I guess I will always be "Otto" to them, and it has been at least 14 years since we did that drama for VBS back in Ironton, Ohio.
Well, this morning, I have been producing more copies of our Easter Musical DVD at the church, playing with satellite dishes to see if we could get the Church Communication Network dish working (we couldn't), and I ordered massive amounts of new computer software upgrades for the church with the blessing of the Chairman of the Elders. I still haven't gotten down to lesson writing for Sunday night's youth groups, and what am I doing right now? BLOGGING! Yeah, it's time to get serious.
I had a prayer request from Jamie Roberts, the secretary at Old Orchard Church of Christ. She is experiencing "terrible pain" and asks for prayers to releive that pain. Hope you will join me in that prayer whenever you read this entry.
Yes, you can post comments on this blog, too (Bob!). I hope to hear from folks soon. I'll try to make my postings more interesting and more humorous, but remember what we're working with here, will ya?
Tutorial Session Over Now
Aren't you so glad that I am a geek wanna be, Mary Lee? Get those pictures posted on Lisa's update site soon, before you forget what I taught you in the middle of the night, girlfriend!
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
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