BUSY

No pics this time. Just busy with too many board meetings this week on top of the regular meetings, classes, and preparations. We're really looking forward to next week. We'll leave late (11:35 pm) Wednesday night and get to D.C. around 7:30 am. We'll spend Fri - Sun nights at the Hilton Garden Inn on 14th St. with all the kids and grandkids from the east side of the country. Always lots of fun to go to the museums and other fun places with the little ones. We'll be back Monday night and have to hit the road running to get ready for the following weekend. One of the fun parts of the weekend is that it will be Beck's 5th birthday. I expect we'll hear plenty of laughter and squealing and other things that remind us of the joys of grandparenting. Hope you all have as much fun as we're going to have and I also hope you get a lot more rest than we will!

IN FULL BLOOM!

As you can see, the Vulcan Magnolia is really in all of its splendor this year! We enjoy this beautiful tree so much. Many cars actually stop and the people get out and look at it. Neighbors ask to take pictures with their families in front of it. I guess we should charge!

I've been able to make some good progress on the book this week since I don't have to preach on Sabbath since our Pathfinders will be in charge of the service. That's good news as I really need the time to focus.

We met with a precious family last Sabbath where the wife is losing her battle with cancer. We have several other church members in similar conditions as well as families undergoing relational, financial, and other physical challenges. As I look at that I see how blessed we are, but I also see how fleeting and fragile our lives are. I have so many members and friends who have died from, or who are currently battling, cancer that it just makes me wonder when it is going to hit our immediate family. Life is certainly precious, but also unpredictable. My only hope is to stay close to Jesus. It's not about what I know, but WHO I know that counts.

May we each blossom like the Vulcan Magnolia in our front yard!

Beauty Amidst Sorrow

I conducted the funeral today for the 102 year old member. It was interesting to witness the pain in the eyes and faces of the four living children (three had died), all of whom were in their late 70's to mid 80's, as they laid their mom to rest. No matter how long you have them, you're never ready to let go of mom. Perhaps the fact that they had her so long made it so difficult to comprehend that she was actually gone. And so we have mixed emotions everywhere we look, but God is always there and we can always find evidence of new life and hope if we look for it.

I hope you can enjoy these beautiful blossoms in our front yard. We watch them now daily as they will be completely gone in a few days, but they are glorious while we have them. Our loved ones are the same way. Enjoy the beauty of your family and friends today. Tomorrow they may be gone, but we still have the promise of an even more wonderful tomorrow.

May God bless you and keep you in His hand today.

Nice To Have A Long Weekend!

Wonderful to have an extra day to the weekend. Ingrid dealt with a big project in repainting one of the guest rooms. I was available to help when needed, but spent a great deal of time working on the book as well as other items that would need to be done during the shortened week, like weekly letter, sermon, and all that good stuff. I also have two funerals this week which only adds to the list of things needing time and the lessening of time in which to do it all.

We are fully enjoying some spring like weather. The Vulcan Magnolia in our front yard is starting to bloom already and we are ready for some warmer weather and sunshine (bike weather!), but we are not complaining as we talk with our kids back east and their 45" of snow with more coming today!

So, I wish you and yours a blessed week as well. Keep the faith!

OK, I'm back

I am back and after having read blogs from other colleagues I am chagrined to realize that I have not been faithful at blogging unless I was traveling or leading up to something. I hereby resolve to change that and get blogs up at least twice a week and hopefully more.

So, what have I been doing since I last signed in? Well, aside from the usual church items, which seem to keep me more than busy, I've been writing on the book, "The Journey." I am now about halfway through it and picking up speed. I do hope to have it done this spring and published asap. The writing of it has been a journey in itself and it does take a lot of time. Anyway, no more excuses. I'll just ask your forgiveness for being slack on this blog and get back to business.

I am currently working through a sermon series on "Challenges Facing the Church in the 21st Century." Challenge #1 was, "Do Not Worry", #2 was "Perceptions", and #3 was "Apathy." This Sabbath will begin to cover #4, which is "Truth." I may take two weeks to work that one through and then move on to "Reverence." It has been a fun series and well received even though I've been very much to the point. You can go on the church website and still pick up this series. Go to napasdachurch.com and click on Worship Services. Let me know what you think. I love feedback.

Much to do, but I'll post again at least by the weekend.

Blessings

A Poem For the New Year

Twas the day after New Year

And time for reflection

On how to eliminate

All that confection.

Year after year

I am so resolute

But the best of my promises

Seem nothing but moot.

But really, those pounds

Are the least of my fears

As I think of the sins

Of my 63 years.

I want to do right,

Yes, my heart’s fully in it

But, time after time

Where there’s wrong I am in it.

The things I should do

I rather neglect

And things I should not

I do quite direct.

I know I am wretched

In need of a Savior

To cleanse me anew

From repeated behavior.

Praise God there’s an answer

That brings such elation

For in Christ I’m daily

A brand new creation!

This marvelous news

Of redemption and grace

Is the primary reason

We come to this place.

We all have been broken,

We’re hopeless alone

But Christ came to Bethlehem

For sins to atone.

And this is our message

To all who will hear,

Emmanuel, God with us,

Can cast out all fear.

His arms are wide open

For one and for all

Eternal life is yours NOW

If on Him you’ll call

And we, this church body

So strong with those hopes

Will humbly and lovingly

Hold onto your ropes.

Happy New Year!

It's been a little while so I thought I'd better at least let you know that I'm still here for 2010! My main focus as we launch into this new year is to get the book done. I have to really concentrate on that and get it done before summer or it will be of little value.

I will also do my very best to post here at least once a week just to make it worthwhile for anyone who takes the time to check in.

We have been super blessed throughout the Christmas and New Year holidays. We've been with all three kids and all five grandkids as well as both of Ingrid's sisters and families. Who can say that we are not rich. I wish I could see more of my family in Washington, but that just doesn't seem to work out as easily. Our church is doing so well and we are so blessed to have completed ten years in Napa now. Doesn't seem possible and we're still having fun!

In my next post I'll include the poem from last week's letter to the church. As you may know I do a letter (the VIP) each week and this week I included a copy of VIP #1 along with VIP #524! Bundle them all together and you've got quite an epic!

Here's to a happy, blessed, and wonderful New Year to each and every one of you. God bless us everyone!