So I have been patiently waiting for the IRS to deposit my tax return. The idea of E-filing is awesome. You don't have to mail anything and you get your money within days! I sent off our tax return and quickly received our return from the great state of California! I hoped the federal return would come soon. I have checked the website and was told to wait patiently...so I did!
Last night I checked again. The website told me that the money was deposited...but wait, it hasn't been deposited, I checked several times...
So I went back and checked my direct deposit info. That info is no big deal. It is only 19 numbers that have to be exactly right for you to receive your money! I have to say that I am proud of myself for getting it right once, but can the government really expect you to get it right every time?
If I was playing baseball, I would be doing well. I would be batting .500! I inverted the last 2 digits of my checking account number. I got 17 out of 19 numbers right the second time around.
So I wait...patiently...again!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Just a thought
Matthew 9:35-38 – The Message
Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. "What a huge harvest!" he said to his disciples. "How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!"
Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. "What a huge harvest!" he said to his disciples. "How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!"
"Jesus is so much more interested in the eternity of those he encountered, but he healed their “right now” first. He understood that healing their “right now” would open the door to healing their eternity. "
Monday, April 5, 2010
2 Turntables & A Microphone!
Actually the title should be "2 Weddings and a Funeral," but it isn't as catchy...even if it is almost a movie title!
(points for anyone who can tell me who sings that song (in the title) {except Beth...I know she know!})
I have to say that this past week was the one of the most emotionally and physically draining in my pastoral career. Let me give you the details and then I will elaborate.
Friday (March 26th) - Daniel asks if I can perform his sister's wedding (on Tuesday!)
Saturday - Churches 1st annual Easter Egg hunt!
Sunday - Church (Sermon #1)
Monday - Get ready for Lynn & Johnny's wedding
Bible Study
Tuesday - Patrick's visit with his mom (Beth took him)
Soccer Practice for Maggie's Team (5:00pm)
Lynn & Johnny's Wedding (6:00pm)
Wednesday - Easter Planning Meeting (9:30am)
Noah says bye to his kids and leave for Saudi (9:30am)
Get a call about the death of Ezra (10:30am) He was 98!
Tell his Granddaughters who were in the meeting
Go meet family as they are taking Ezra to the hospital.
Thursday - Drive 2 hours to a wedding Rehearsal (8:30am)
Drive 2 hours for Patrick's court hearing (12:00pm)
Get ready for Communion Service that night (5:00pm)
Finish writing Ceremony for Wedding (9:00pm)
Friday - Get things ready for wedding (9:00am)
Leave for Wedding in Gilroy (2:00pm)
Wedding (Sermon # 3) (6:00pm - 8:45pm)
Drive 2 hours, pickup kids, get home (11:00pm)
Finish sermon for Ezra's Funeral (11:00pm)
Saturday - Get ready for Funeral (8:00am)
Funeral visitation at church (9:30am)
Funeral for Ezra (Sermon #4) (11:00am)
Finish Sermon for Easter (5:00pm)
Sunday - Get baptistry ready for morning service (6:00am)
Easter Breakfast at Church (9:30am)
Easter Service (Sermon #5) (11:00am)
Baptize 2 people!!!!
Eat Amazing food at Carla's Grandma's house (1:00pm)
Go to Sleep (4:00pm)
So the biggest thing I learned through all of this actually sounds a bit "new-age-y." But I think it is still true. I come to realize that I am more of a tour guide through life. I don't say that to belittle any of the experiences of those I spent time with this past week, but I really was at these events for moral support and guidance. I tend to be too self-deprecating, and I know that God's word is authoritative and because of that people tend to give pastors more authority than they deserve. But taking all of that into consideration, I simply was a helper or "guide" for those who needed it this week. I helped 2 couples understand the role of God in their marriages. I helped Ezra's family remember the promises that scripture gives us on life after death. I was able to help 2 people make a public profession of their faith when they were baptized. Beth, Maggie, and I are helping Patrick have a safe place to grow up...and hopefully give him a place to mature into a God-honoring Man.
So, through all of these events, I get to live vicariously through those I am helping. I think that is what it means to be a shepherd or pastor. I grieve when others grieve, I get excited when others are experiencing joy. I get to remind people why our existence on this planet matters and that following the way of Jesus brings fulfillment beyond any worldly understanding can.
I am glad I am back to just Monday bible study and Sunday sermon preparation. It is nice to be back on normal pace, but I can't wait for the next surprise...God is good all the time...All the time, God is good!
(points for anyone who can tell me who sings that song (in the title) {except Beth...I know she know!})
I have to say that this past week was the one of the most emotionally and physically draining in my pastoral career. Let me give you the details and then I will elaborate.
Friday (March 26th) - Daniel asks if I can perform his sister's wedding (on Tuesday!)
Saturday - Churches 1st annual Easter Egg hunt!
Sunday - Church (Sermon #1)
Monday - Get ready for Lynn & Johnny's wedding
Bible Study
Tuesday - Patrick's visit with his mom (Beth took him)
Soccer Practice for Maggie's Team (5:00pm)
Lynn & Johnny's Wedding (6:00pm)
Wednesday - Easter Planning Meeting (9:30am)
Noah says bye to his kids and leave for Saudi (9:30am)
Get a call about the death of Ezra (10:30am) He was 98!
Tell his Granddaughters who were in the meeting
Go meet family as they are taking Ezra to the hospital.
Thursday - Drive 2 hours to a wedding Rehearsal (8:30am)
Drive 2 hours for Patrick's court hearing (12:00pm)
Get ready for Communion Service that night (5:00pm)
Finish writing Ceremony for Wedding (9:00pm)
Friday - Get things ready for wedding (9:00am)
Leave for Wedding in Gilroy (2:00pm)
Wedding (Sermon # 3) (6:00pm - 8:45pm)
Drive 2 hours, pickup kids, get home (11:00pm)
Finish sermon for Ezra's Funeral (11:00pm)
Saturday - Get ready for Funeral (8:00am)
Funeral visitation at church (9:30am)
Funeral for Ezra (Sermon #4) (11:00am)
Finish Sermon for Easter (5:00pm)
Sunday - Get baptistry ready for morning service (6:00am)
Easter Breakfast at Church (9:30am)
Easter Service (Sermon #5) (11:00am)
Baptize 2 people!!!!
Eat Amazing food at Carla's Grandma's house (1:00pm)
Go to Sleep (4:00pm)
So the biggest thing I learned through all of this actually sounds a bit "new-age-y." But I think it is still true. I come to realize that I am more of a tour guide through life. I don't say that to belittle any of the experiences of those I spent time with this past week, but I really was at these events for moral support and guidance. I tend to be too self-deprecating, and I know that God's word is authoritative and because of that people tend to give pastors more authority than they deserve. But taking all of that into consideration, I simply was a helper or "guide" for those who needed it this week. I helped 2 couples understand the role of God in their marriages. I helped Ezra's family remember the promises that scripture gives us on life after death. I was able to help 2 people make a public profession of their faith when they were baptized. Beth, Maggie, and I are helping Patrick have a safe place to grow up...and hopefully give him a place to mature into a God-honoring Man.
So, through all of these events, I get to live vicariously through those I am helping. I think that is what it means to be a shepherd or pastor. I grieve when others grieve, I get excited when others are experiencing joy. I get to remind people why our existence on this planet matters and that following the way of Jesus brings fulfillment beyond any worldly understanding can.
I am glad I am back to just Monday bible study and Sunday sermon preparation. It is nice to be back on normal pace, but I can't wait for the next surprise...God is good all the time...All the time, God is good!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Fun with Reading
Maggie and I were driving home from picking up her team's soccer uniforms and she decided that "reading was her favorite hobby!" So she was reading all the signs she could. We stopped at the corner of Louise (Maggie read it as "Lucy") and Main St. She started reading in the "24 hour fitness sign." Here is what she came up with...
1st - 44 fishes
2nd - 44 fins
3rd - 44 fitness (after my help with fitness)
daddy - "Maggie, that doesn't say 44 it says 24"
Maggie - "Oh yeah, 24 fitness, what does that mean?
daddy - "What does the word under 24 say?"
Maggie - "four"
daddy - "No, that is an H, not an F"
Maggie - "Oh...24 whore"
Of course it says whore...because "four" = fore but "hour" = our....
Don't you just love English....and 5 year olds!
1st - 44 fishes
2nd - 44 fins
3rd - 44 fitness (after my help with fitness)
daddy - "Maggie, that doesn't say 44 it says 24"
Maggie - "Oh yeah, 24 fitness, what does that mean?
daddy - "What does the word under 24 say?"
Maggie - "four"
daddy - "No, that is an H, not an F"
Maggie - "Oh...24 whore"
Of course it says whore...because "four" = fore but "hour" = our....
Don't you just love English....and 5 year olds!
An Ode to Noah
Noah left for Saudi Arabia today. He is on the flight right now…He will spend 11 hours in the air getting to Germany. He will then take a 5 hour flight to Saudi. He is a Major in the Army and will be stationed there for the rest of this year. I know he will be ok! Pray for his family. Tanya and the 4 kids will need it…especially Tanya!
I have written a Limerick in honor of Noah. It isn't very good, but it fits the pattern of a limerick…and I believe it captures his essence!
Drive on Noah…HOOAH!
An Ode to Noah
There is a man named No-ah
Who lives in Arabi-ahHe loves tech gear
Sure wish'd he was here
Via con Dios, Hoo-ah
Monday, March 29, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Book Review - "Start Here"
Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are
by Alex & Brett Harris
by Alex & Brett HarrisThis book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. This genre of book is not on my generally accepted lists of books that I read. But, I have to say that I liked this book. For the most part, these guys missed my demographic, but they were not aiming for me anyway! The Harris brothers are a couple of young 20 year old guys who are out to inspire the youth of our world to tackle big things and not wait on "old age" before they realize God can use them in his advancing Kingdom. The book is full of practical advice on how to effect change in the world around you. At 37, I do not struggle with whether or not I will be cool the tomorrow at school, but that is ok...I shouldn't be. Alex and Brett do a great job of dealing with the issues young men and women struggle with...especially if they believe that God can use them TODAY!
While I will not recommend this book to the guys at my church, I will pass on to the next student I see that needs a nudge off the mediocrity stoop. There is a quote in C. S. Lewis' Prince Caspian that says, "To know what would have happened,child? said Aslan. 'No. Nobody is ever told that." That is what this book is combating...the wonder of "what if." No need to wonder if we allow God to use us TODAY!
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