For the flowers in our yard this summer we opted to try synthetic ones instead of the live varieties. Our primary reasoning was around the fact that we anticipated being away from our condo more than usual this summer which would bring more complications than usual in the watering department. Though our neighbors (who have incredible green thumbs) are always more than willing to cover for us when we are gone, it just seemed like more than we wanted to ask this summer.
We returned home Monday from two-plus weeks of vacationing with about the best weather ever. We were on the dock
I am currently reading “Your Detroit Tigers – the Great, the Good, the Top 400” by Tom Gage with Alex Avila (thanks, Keith). While I expect all of you know we are celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary, I am not sure how many know that the Detroit Tigers have been around for half of those years. Founded in 1901 (that’s why season ticket holders are called “The 1901 Society”), our MLB team is celebrating its 125th anniversary. This has prompted me to do some reflecting upon my life.
I was out making a run to Jersey Mike’s when we were surprised by a sudden, and very brief, storm. Monica saw our grill cover getting blown away and made a successful dash to rescue it. However, upon returning up the deck steps she slipped and jammed her little toe against the boards. A week later she is still limping with what appears to be a broken toe. Those sudden turns in life can sure be a pain!
Three sermons in five days! Add to it a struggling Tiger team and the Red Wings going back to the drawing board. And then there is the weather … I’ll leave it at that. Add one more sermon at the end of the week and I will be 100% ready for vacation … almost like the good old days!
Almost like the Good Old Days Read Post »
It was just before 4:00 a.m. when I awoke and the first thing I thought was, “Oh, no! This is Thursday and I did not write a Thursday’s Thirst for today!” It was sort of ironic because for the first couple years I had gotten up at 4:00 a.m. every Thursday to write and sent it. However, this morning I was not about to get up. I rolled over and said, “Hopefully I won’t be so forgetful later in the day.”
You probably are aware that Psalm 119 (all 176 verses of it) is the longest chapter in the Bible. It is unique in a couple other ways as well. First of all, it is divided into 22 eight-verse sections and the first word in each section begins with the same letter (in Hebrew, not English), running alphabetically through the entire Hebrew alphabet (If written originally in English, the first 8 verses would start with a word beginning with an A, the next 8 verses would start with a word beginning with a B, …). And, secondly, every verse has a word referring to God’s Law, such as “word”, “promise”, “rules”, “testimonies”, and so forth.
As we “dialed up” Waze to navigate our way up north last Thursday evening we immediately noticed that a creative adjustment had been made to our usual route. I am sure it had to do with the influx of Memorial Day travelers on I-75 and the lane restrictions south of Flint. The creative adjustment sent us up North Avenue, across through Armada, to I-69, then I-475, and finally, just north of Flint, to I-75. The trip went so well that we just might travel that way again even if it’s not being recommended.
Creative Adjustments Read Post »
After being out of town at conferences Tuesday through Thursday I just had Friday to prepare for a very busy weekend. However, Friday also included meeting with a family and a Mel Ott ballgame. Saturday morning I led a three-hour workshop and then joined a funeral already in progress as a person in the nave. Sunday morning I preached, made a funeral home visit and ended the day with a social engagement. Monday was a funeral for which I could not be late. Monday night I slept well.
I have often said that Mother’s Day may be the most difficult holiday upon which to preach. There are so many variables and differing expectations. Yet to totally ignore the occasion in the sermon never seems like the right thing to do, either. So, I thought I would share with you a little excerpt of my sermon from this past Sunday. The sermon was titled “Another Helper.”
Mother’s Day Excerpt Read Post »
