Thursday: 28 September 2006

Last night I stayed after at the Bible Study speaking with Eli until 10:30 p.m. Joe still wanted to watch Bonhoeffer when we got home. I suggested we wait a day, but we went ahead and watched it. I fell asleep...so I'll still need to watch it again. Here's a website for the documentary (click here).

I have finished the eleventh chapter of R. B. McCartney's unpublished novel. There are eighteen chapters in all. Yesterday, I also listened to a tape of his joyful voice preaching on the Sunday night after he returned from their trip to New York. The combination of reading his book and listening to his heart is having a great impact on me. I realize how much I love that old preacher! I don't think that he will mind hearing me call him old in that context.

Mac and Thelma are a precious couple who have modeled for Cathy and me a friendly team of evangelistic partners in marriage. They have tried to put the Lordship of Christ first in their lives. They inspire me to keep doing my best to remain friends with people even when there's disagreement over certain doctrines or methodology.

I am pleased that Pastor Mac has allowed me to help him proofread his manuscript. I'm enjoying his story. It is true to its author. Like my published songs, Mac's book will emphasize for others what part of the Gospel Message he deems most important for whatever audience God provides.
 

Wednesday: 27 September 2006

Joe and I took a brisk walk this morning from 6:15 to 7:00. Yes, it was brisk. Highlights of the conversation included consideration of the oak trees at Fumasi Park, the effects of the sunrise upon our perception of colors, a scriptural tie to the morning dew, and the mist still lingering over the field at Greer Middle School.

As well, this old saying settled upon us:

If the grass is greener on the other side,
 ______________________________ .

We filled in the blank with an unpublished discussion of watering and fertilization. Joe said he intends to pursue the study sometime.

Our morning prayer walk was prompted by reading from Power through Prayer.

"Morning listlessness is the index to a listless heart".

We will soon be counting the days until Joe leaves for Moscow, Russia. From there, he will fly to the Philippines for his sixth semester of undergraduate studies. I am thankful that God has given me the opportunity to spend this special time with Joe during his junior year in college. His current classes are of interest to both of us. He also enjoys history, theology, and ecclesiology, so our conversations are centered around these topics.

We are awaiting Joe's netflix account to deliver a biography entitled Bonhoeffer. There are not many people I know around here who would express an interest in watching it. I share different interests with the other children.

Yesterday, Jimmie, Kat, Beverly, Joe, and I met in the sanctuary to pray from 10:00 to 11:00. Then, I invested a few hours working through an end-times novel written by R. B. McCartney. He plans to publish it soon. I've offered to help with editing for tense and spelling.

At 5:00, I met with pastors and representatives from four other local churches. We are hosting staff members from World Vision who live in the nation of Lesotho. They will arrive today and be among us until a city-wide morning church service on October 8th.

Discipleship highlights today:

11:00  Home Study at Hugh and Eula's

  7:00  Home Study at the Greene's

Call me if you're interested in attending:

  (209)  323-0727

Tuesday: 26 September 2006

"Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
  There is more hope for a fool than for him."

This morning, Lord willing, at 10 a.m., two or more will gather in Jesus' Name to pray at 653 A Street, Galt, CA. Since his ways are higher than our ways, I am hoping to be granted more wisdom for proceeding as a pastor, husband, and father. I'm also hoping to read R. B. McCartney's book today.

On May 26, 2005, I wrote about a man who was answering a fool according to his folly. I had sung a little melody to the phrase, and though I don't really remember the exact melody, the chords prompted melodic ideas when I tried it out yesterday. Since I had linked the day's activity to Proverbs 26, I read that passage of scripture afresh this morning and was drawn to the word 'quarreling.'

Sunday morning, 'quarreling' was mentioned in the biblical text. Along with 'jealousy', Paul pointed to it  as a sign of carnality. I made reference, jokingly, to Cathy and I having had no quarrels in 23 years (with a slow admission to the contrary).

In fact, we haven't been quarreling lately. However, early this morning, I dreamed that I had raised my voice to her over something relatively minor. I woke up feeling bad about it. I softly whispered to her about the dream. She whispered back, "I dreamed that your Grandma had awakened from her coma and we had a conversation".

That pleasant dream had actually happened to both of us a number of times. During the last ten months of her long life, we had been given special responsibility for that precious soul, Angelia.

Think on these things: Pastor Gary Gilley wrote a kind response to a letter I sent him about his website. I shared a brief testimony with him and encouraged him about the work he and others in his church are sharing on the Internet.

As well, Dr. R. C. Sproul recently broadcast a series about Martin Luther's view of preaching. Virginia wanted me to be encouraged so I listened to three of them yesterday. Here's a link to that page (here).

I hope to invest wisely today.

Monday:  25 September 2006  

It is very important to my calling to be connected to a scheduled, extended time of prayer. Our Saturday morning men's prayer meeting begins at 6 a.m. but is not widely attended (and it doesn't allow for me to hear the prayers of women).

I'm going to try to hold a Tuesday morning prayer meeting in our sanctuary. Men and women will be welcome to come and to pray. Starting tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. We will meet there every week except the first Tuesday of each month (when we have an outreach ministry at Royal Oaks).

My current reading of Power through Prayer reminds me how valuable 'Daily Devotions' has been to me in years past. Here's one way that I hope I'll be able to share my continued growth with you.

1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  21  22  23  24  25  26  27  28  29  30  31

(previously-published, proverbial daily devotions from May, 2005). I plan to copy-and-paste these (and other) devotional helps into my dateline for this column.

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Yesterday, at prayer meeting, Eli gave me a small paperback copy of Power Through Prayer by E. M. Bounds. Eli says he has read it over and over again. Here's an online version (click here). It is an inspiring work; I'm happy to have this book to read. It has come along at a good time for me.

Friday, September 22, 2006

Thursday nights are set apart for Band Practice. I'd rather it be known as Worship Praxis. I remember the chuckle inside when Diana Kracker used to ask us to 'practice' singing in the Spirit. It just sounds weird.

The A Street Band 'practices' Worship on Thursday nights. Last night the worshipers included Fred, Ruth, Jim, Mike, Glenn, and I. We practiced.

This Sunday we are offering a time of sharing Communion during 'Worship' (which still seems to be that certain amount of time allotted before the children are dismissed to 'children's church').

So Worship Team members talked through the flow of the Public Service we hope to offer.

  Then, we worked on it.

    We walked through the timeline.
 
      We prayed through it as the band played on . . .

    We played through it again with the key changes.

We listened to the Word of the Lord. . .

  We listened (here it is).

...then we lingered before each other in the sight of God. As the coach I shared our strategy for overcoming the opposition. We purpose to lead the people of God in a truthful, spirit-led time of worship in the church.

I'm not coaching novices. This Worship Team is made up of believers who understand that our battle is not against flesh and blood. They also affirm that we cannot 'lead' anybody anywhere that we are not going ourselves. So, we practice.

We lingered on . . . before each other: bonding in the spirit of love, unity, mutual respect. We spoke of the power of testimony, disciple-making, grace, law, and the importance of rightly dividing the Word of God.

I stayed at the church until 10:00 pm talking with
Glenn Parker about continuing on as believers. I've had Glenn as a friend since he was just a boy.

He is now 22 years of age. I remember Glenn coming up to me to offer commentary on a sermon years ago--before he was a teenager. I remember his teen years (watching him come kneel at the altar week-after-week).

Last night he was ready to be shown the hope I'm holding onto. He seemed very interested in helping me to blaze a new trail through the peculiar terrain of the 21st Century.

Life Together.

Hope. Future. Freedom.

Another pioneer who will work alongside me for a lifetime will be Joe. When I got home, Joe wanted me to watch Annapolis with him. So, I did.

Then, I got online and checked over Eva's latest endeavor. I wrote to her asking for some insight.

     g2g

Thursday, September 21, 2006

I knew that I had just waxed Lucado-ish, but still yesterday's devotional thought carried me into the morning Bible Study at Hugh and Eula's. Fellowship with these homebound Christians was sweet.

I looked up at Eula during our singing of The Old, Rugged Cross and noticed that she was singing. This caused a spontaneous <Halleluhah!> to launch from this ol' tongue.

Hugh was in the mood to talk during the study of a certain passage. He spoke of training Russians to use a ship that the U.S. gave to them at the end of WW2. My curiosity about the aftermath of that war caused us to depart from the biblical text. It seemed good to simply let the man share these memories and observations. 

Hugh is 89 years old, still very sharp-witted, and is another Christian man that God has used to model servant-husbandry. He has laid down his life for his wife.

Last night's fellowship was packed. Ronny is leading us through the gospel of John (verse-by-verse). We have some talkers! I try my best to hold back but Ronny continues to encourage me to speak up.

I've noticed that Eli has a unique ministry. Regardless of who is teaching, Eli will ask a provocative question that stirs up lively, passionate discussion. He sometimes makes remarks based on arguments he has heard put forth by others through the years. I've never quite experienced this method in a Bible Study but it is truly effective. We get into the Word in a very humble manner. Our teachers confess that grappling with doctrinal beliefs will be a continuous, life-long process dependent upon being filled with the Spirit.

Many of us are facing trials in these days. Maybe that's why we are lingering in this mid-week fellowship for hours. I give thanks to my Lord, Jesus.

He gave me a great idea this morning as I went hunting-and-gathering (for milk, bread, and cereal).

I was listening to the Michigan/Sweden/Galt Sessions in the car.





"Hmm..." (thoughtfully) "Yes, Lord. That is a good idea." (good ideas regularly occur to me when I was listen to songs inspired by the Word).

If you would like to be similarly inspired to take one giant leap for mankind in the upcoming generation, I recommend that you download Jörgen's Remix and burn it to a CD (click here). I give you my permission to make copies and listen to the Word of the Lord that permeates these works. If you don't know how to burn these songs to a CD, write me, OK?

Last night (during Bible Study) I had an idea prompted by a mental vision of the animated spotlights in the 21st Century Church logo. I lifted my arms and waved them as premiere night spots. This might not make any sense to others but it is all about John the Baptist to this reader/writer. I enjoy the Voice. I recognize Him when He speaks to my heart, mind, and strength.

The Spirit delivered a personal letter to me through Carol from the pastor in Kenya who hosted her on a mission trip years ago. My heart was touched when I read a letter from him a couple months ago.

...and Joe received a letter from a couple young men in Liberia whose schooling he provided for during their tenth year of high school. They want to go into the 11th grade but don't have the funds (and I don't think Joe feels like he does either).

Here is a photo album of shots taken when we sent Pastor Hendon to Liberia last month (click here).

I wish the windows of heaven would open up and pour out so much blessing that we couldn't contain it all . . .
I know of some deserving individuals who would benefit from the overflow.

I am reminded that the joy of the Lord is my strength (wordclick). After everyone else had left, Glenn, Joe, Renee, Cathy, and I talked over the difference between being a joy-sucker and a joy-pumper. We're gonna choose to choose the better way to relate to those around us. Lord, help us!   awat

Have you ever wondered what happens behind-the-scenes at a Women's Retreat? Consider this strange little video that arrived in my INBOX. It was shot last weekend at Jenness Park and features some of the sisters in our local church.

Joe came in yesterday with news that there has been a bloodless coup in Thailand. He was just there this summer so was especially interested (click here).
     
           related: Coup interrupts Nicolas Cage movie

There is yet another 'pot house' bust in the local news today. Here's an interesting blog that maps out where all this dope has been growing in the next town north of the Epicenter (click here). Have you ever wondered what's happening in that house next door to you?

A Pakistani pastor stays in touch with a couple of us. Here is a prayer request. I just did a little research about his reference to the Pope's words (click here).

Dear Brothers,

Have a blessed day, I am thankful to Lord for you both.

You did not Choose Me, but I Chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name HE may give you.

These things I command you, that you love one another.

If the World hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.   (John 15:16 to 18)

Worthy Brothers, tomorrow here Muslim peoples strike against Pope's words. Please pray for us for our safety.

God Bless you,

Pastor Shamas

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

On Monday, I suggested that Daniel Tealy record a version of 'Lord, I Give You My Heart'. Well, he had already recorded it under the accurate title:

This is my Desire         2:13 Views: 4527

Daniel lives in Australia. He has quite a good selection of songs posted on YouTube. I've enjoyed getting to know him through these songs and by email.

Jennifer and I have been working on some visuals to assist with my Sunday School class discussions and hands-on project.

This composite shot involved several back-and-forth tweaks. Click on it if you would like to see some other developments in this endeavor.

I don't think any of us will live to see the 22nd Century Church and it doesn't make much sense for us to spend too much time back in the 20th Century. So, I need to remember the past and hope for the future but carefully choose to live abundantly in the unlimited potential of today's relationships.

Lord, help us today
          to watch and to pray,
          to be and to do . . . (accordingly).

        Bible Study Fellowship and Prayer
           this morning and tonight
          
          Call me for directions:  (209)  323-0727

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Eva had written to me months ago about the John Lennon documentary that will soon be released. This article (here) is of interest to a few people I know. It's an old story from Christianity Today and fits with the song Unconditional Love.

I found 'Working-class Hero' on www.singingfish.com last night. It took me back to when I repeatedly listened to that poet's voice.

I am meditating upon the context of this particular verse as I look forward (toward the upcoming sermon on Sunday):

  "By the grace God has given me,
           I laid a foundation as an expert builder."

Joe plans to hang out with me today. He doesn't have school so he will invest his free time about his father's business. Hopefully, it will be time well invested.

It looks like both tapes of last Sunday's sermon are blank. Why? I don't know. So, I'm glad I took the time to download my thoughts on Monday morning. The local church stuff in yesterday's entry is important to me.  

I was reminded of our prayers about the Zoo. Christene reported that after a phone call she made, the idea to charge for videotaping the Backyard Bunch has been dropped.

Monday, September 18, 2006

Today's entry is long and involves local church stuff. If your time with us is limited today, I recommend listening to this mp3 copy of what Jörgen did with Joe's song and skipping the rest (unless you're bored and have lots of free time).

   click here to download Joe's Song (with Jörgen)




 
  I Will Say it Again

Please listen for the addition of organ, keyboards, harmony vocals, and enthusiastic crowd noises tastefully placed by the blind musician in Sweden. What fun--to interact musically across the boundaries of time and space. See Saturday's entry for more about the process.

About the local scene: I formerly shared early Monday morning walks with a close friend but I don't currently have that gift. Instead, I'm facing this template in order to download some highlights from yesterday.

Since Cathy had gone on a women's retreat with nine others from our church, I had added responsibilities over the weekend. Preparation by our secretary much earlier in the week had helped relieve some of the stress of preparing the band's music.

I arrived at 7:30 to find that Deacon Jim had once again brought Dennis Ware to help open all the doors, turn on the lights, set the thermostat, locate the bulletins, make the coffee and probably many other unnoticed, service-oriented tasks . . .

now that's 'deaconing'. . .

Before our band warm-up, Christene mentioned that someone at the Sacramento Zoo had expressed an interest in charging us a fee to video-tape our church kids (using the zoo for background scenery). We shared this with the Band and then prayed. We also prayed over both services and the Sunday School classes, the afternoon Spanish Service, and our Sunday Evening groups.

We started right 'on time' but as goes our church culture, both morning gatherings take about ten minutes for the whole group to arrive. The music remains the same selections for both services.

Yesterday's hymns were Leaning on the Everlasting Arms and There's Room at the Cross. I knew that it was costly to stand and read Acts 15 in its entirety (at both services). I considered (and reconsidered) the need to read the entire chapter aloud. I concluded that it was important to do so.

However, I placed the public reading of Scripture in between hymns and did my best to read with expression. It seemed to be accepted by those gathered--most had a Bible opened before them reading along.

Alex was careful to follow the directions I gave him for the Powerpoint during all the songs.

Other songs we sang together were:
 
Under the Shadow,
    How Great is our God,
    and Lord, I Give You My Heart.

(Apparently, this last song is from Australia. I wonder if Daniel Teale will put up his version on YouTube?)

The altar times seemed to be appropriately placed because there was some response at each of them.

My Sunday School class was a delight. Jerry, Daniel, Mary, Alex, Elizabeth, and Katey shared and discussed ideas in preparation for the possibility of launching something special in November of 2007.

2nd Service: Tommy Rackley and Bryan Ryan were bubbly as they seemed to want certain people to notice that they were there!

Interesting challenges of 'doing business' in relationship as church members served as the theme of my sermon in both services. I think that this was an important message. We considered the oh-so-real relationship between Paul and Barnabas.

Sharp Dispute at the beginning of Acts 15
     Paul and Barnabas  versus  'the men from Judea'

Sharp Dispute at the end of chapter 15
     Paul versus Barnabas

I am in the 11th year of ministry in the same local church. Thus far, this year seems to be a time of personal reflection and rededication. The following facts of church life offer a Big Picture perspective that should prove helpful to those God has specifically called to minister alongside me.

* We will continually experience the process of calling others to help with the discipleship of individuals who are being called on the local level.

* We will continue to send and receive gifted people who were already Christians when they first arrived at this local church. These individuals are 'working out' their salvation as God watches how it all works out.

* Believers will sometimes arise to agree with false teaching (simply because of their background). We will deal with it. It happens. We're finite and limited in our understanding of God's Ways.

* Someone who has demonstrative personality traits and specific calling (like Peter) will stand at times and passionately testify.

* Mission teams (like Paul and Barnabas) will season the day's controversy with signs of hope and stories of God's wonders.

* At times during any given debate, the people will become still and try to listen more attentively to the Voice of the Holy Spirit through each other.

* Soft-spoken elders (like James) will offer practical solutions.

In the midst of all these kinds of people, we will make plans that 'seem good to the Holy Spirit and to us'. The password for our church's high-speed wireless is a truth that overrides the entirety of Acts 15.

The devotional verse for yesterday's message was Proverbs 19:21

   "Many are the plans in a man's heart,
          but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."

* In the midst of all this optimism individuals will still choose to go in the opposite direction. We should commend them to the grace of God and hope for the very best.

What happens when 'a Barnabas' and 'a Paul' seem to experience an irreconcilable difference?

Hmmm...I suppose that a biblical perspective might be to pray along these lines:

May the proposed Mission Trip be doubled.
  May laborers like Silas, Timothy, and Luke be added.
    May a young disciple like John Mark be given a
      second chance and get on with his next step of discipleship.

Remember: God is watching as we make our plans.

On Sunday evenings, Christene Santillan is leading a group of children called The Backyard Bunch. While R.B. McCartney preaches a message for the adults, Cathy and I have been helping Christene with the children.

Last night Amanda Harlan and her friend, Melissa were also assisting. We all agree that this is a particularly sweet time of engaging with these young people--learning some music fundamentals, a body of music, and preparing for a program on November 5th.

Sunday, September 17, 2006

A narrative from Acts 15 is the background for this morning's sermons: Planning as God Watches

Here's Dr. J Vernon McGee with some background on this very chapter in church history:

click for 1st verse     click here for 2nd verse

May the Lord speak to all of us as we meditate upon God's Word today.

Last night, in reference to Jimmie's letter, this email just came in from Iona (a retired high school biology teacher). Her husband, Richard, was a School Administrator.

Hey, Rob:

Neither Richard nor I have read Canterbury Tales...  
   You're in good company!

Have you read any Silas Marner?
   That was my bane in HS English...hated it!

No, I haven't even heard of Silas Marner until now.
Well, I plan to finish reading the short stories in The Canterbury Tales before the '06 comes to an end.
It's all about timetravel. You see, the Miller told his tale long before anyone had ever listened to 'a whiter shade of pale'.

Saturday, September 16, 2006

My cousin, Jim, wrote from Ohio:

Rob,

"I just read your blog for the 15th and am surprised that you'd admit to not having read Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. As I recall, it was required reading for College".

I didn't struggle at all with the admission. I never even heard of Chaucer until I got to college. I knew that Jim wasn't being mean-spirited in his observation. His remark gave me opportunity to write him back with some personal remembrance of my high school years. I also told him more about the day I invested considering high school literature.

I have included this helpful outline which may shed some light into the darker regions of public education.

1. Admission Standards
      a.  the case for objective subjectivity
      b.  the case for subjective objectivity
      c.  either/or
      d.  both/and
      e.  none of the above

2. Standards Transmission
      a.  so forth  and
      b.  so on

Last night, Joe and I watched Citizen Kane together. I offered observations that would be pointed out in any college-level Film Interpretation class. Then we watched most of the film again with the commentary by Peter Bogdonavich (about the same stuff I said).

Greg sent me a note today:

Hey buddy, download this file. See what you think. Jörgen is very excited, and I like it too. I might pull back a harmony vocal or two but his keyboard is very nice and his enthusiasm for the project is real fine.

So, I downloaded the file and listened to what Jörgen (a blind musician in Sweden) added to Joe's song. I am including the original link in case anyone want to learn how Greg and Jörgen are sending the large files.

Here is an mp3 copy of what Jörgen did with the song:

   click here for Joe's Song (with Jörgen)

The original download was a 32 MB wav file. I've hadn't heard it on big speakers yet--only the laptop. On the little speakers I hear a click that sounds like an old-fashioned tape-splice near the beginning. Maybe it is a low bass signal that the laptop speakers can't reproduce.

I do enjoy hearing Jörgen's vocals and the keyboards. Joe just burned the song to a CD so we can hear it on a bigger system.

Here's the link that Greg sent me so you can learn about sendspace.  (click here)

Friday, September 15, 2006

I was asked to fill in as a teacher at the high school today. I haven't taught there in a whole year. I just finished teaching first hour and have a break until third hour, so I came over to the church office. In class, the lesson plan said that we were to read aloud from the book Canterbury Tales. I had never read it so I asked the class to give a synopsis. Now it has my curiosity stirred.

Last night's music rehearsal went well. After practice of the hymns and spiritual songs, we discussed the topic for Sunday morning and had another time of mid-week prayer.

Joe and I watched a session of his Cultural Anthropology class on the computer yesterday. He has two classes that are broadcast in real time and then are stored online for anyone who wants to review the material. I am quite impressed by the extra value that this distance-learning tool brings to community college students.  

Then, we were able to drive down to Stockton to go bowling before Music Practice. Daniel had invited his friend, Nate, a young man who has been at our church the entire time we have. Nate is currently attending a trucking school working toward his Class A license. He also was just accepted to take an entrance exam at the Sheriff's Academy.

The birthday boy won the game. I came in second. Did I let him win just because it was his birthday? Frankly, I'm not sure...I did throw a couple gutter balls.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Eighteen years ago today, Daniel Patterson was born. Our third son, Daniel has fulfilled his unique role in this family with a great sense of humor and deep loyalty. Cathy and I made the decision to wait until the end of his fifth year before sending him off to public school for kindergarten. So, that is the reason he is in his senior year (although now he's an adult). He asked if the family could go bowling together as a way to celebrate his birthday.

The next few years are going to be interesting as we launch all four kids into the independence of adulthood. Currently, Mary and Daniel are in my Sunday School class. I also asked Jerry to join us last week because we are vision-casting as we read that old Rick Warren book (The Purpose Driven Church) together.

Jebby and I went for a walk today. We discussed the Scripture I'll be focusing upon in this Sunday's sermon.

Yesterday I met with Tim Stevenson, Mary Sanders, Craig Dale, and a few others about the gathering of churches which will take place on Sunday, October 8th. I was sorry to see that Frank Mack, Rick Keiser, and Dave Ross weren't there. At the gathering I was humbled as I reflected upon the interrelationships of these people who each play a distinct role in this chapter of my life.

In Bible Study, Ron Shindy asked us to read aloud the prologue to the Gospel of John. I once preached through the entire book of John (over a period of 1.5 years). I also put some of these verses into a chord progression back at Alpha and Omega (click here).  I am so thankful for a chance to attend a Bible Study led by someone else. Familiarity with the Bible can sometimes be a hindrance to my growth as a Christian. One might only see the verses in the context of when they were first heard.

Therefore, I purposed to listen for the Spirit as we read these especially-familiar passages. I was challenged afresh about taking direct action to follow Christ in his model of incarnational ministry (John 1:14).

After the study, I showed Eli and Barbara to watch this slideshow of the apple harvest on Tuesday (click here).

In late December, Joe is planning to go on a 12-day trip to Moscow, then to the Philippines for a semester. He doesn't have school or work today so he wants to spend some time with me.

Cathy is teaching third grade today. She's leaving tomorrow for the weekend to go to a Women's Retreat. So, I'll have to make the adjustment necessary to run the household without her.

I was happy to see that 82 people stopped by this page yesterday. Its been awhile since I have had that many visitors. I hope they found something of value to them here.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Our weekly morning study was cancelled so I've been given an additional hour on this bright Wednesday morning. It is full speed ahead as I'm trying to work with members of various committees to launch into a new fiscal year.

This afternoon, pastors and leaders from our the churches in our town will be meeting to discuss the next community-wide worship service. It will take place at Galt High School on Sunday, October 8th at 10:00 a.m. We will celebrate the work we have done together in Lesotho (Southern Africa).

About yesterday: Joe and I enjoyed our trip to the appleman's orchard. Eli's retirement regime may look different than many but one must admit, the man appears to be enjoying himself.