Monday, Monday

Monday, Monday

It was the first Monday after Christmas, our office was closed for the week, and I stopped by church to clean up some of my messes left after the holiday services and make a few notes for next year. I also planned to give Chris a ride to STL to refill his water buckets. Why in the world I was thinking God might be taking an extra day of rest with me now sounds ridiculous – because he certainly was not.

Immanuel

Immanuel

Immanuel is a name that has always been special to me. Monica and I grew up at Immanuel Lutheran of Frankentrost – a congregation our ancestors helped establish back in 1847. “The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7.14)

Bad Thoughts

Bad Thoughts

I know that at the beginning it was a dream, but at some point – I know not when or where – I became awake. It started at a small, two-pump Marathon station way down south. I pulled in with my Trax to get some gas because I was driving on fumes. Other family members were following me in the van. I pulled up to the pump and began fueling the motorcycle I was driving. It needed less than a gallon – it was the family van that I had been driving that really needed gas.