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| Three posts in a day: Overkill, I know. The other day I got to thinking ("A dangerous passtime." "I know.") about the things I miss the most about pulpit ministry. The top three were (1) mornings spent in Word, prayer, music, study, (2) the one-on-one, face-to-face personal work, trying to discern the true needs and contributions of individuals, and (3) planning and executing youth work. Then, today, these questions crossed my mind: What keeps me from doing an hour or so of solid Word and study and prayer before we leave for work every morning? Answer: Only me. What keeps me from doing one-on-one, face-to-face personal work with my co-workers? Answer: Only me. What keeps me from planning and executing youth work at Olive? Answer: Only me. I recall a great conversation with a fellow preacher who had resigned from a congregation and was unable to find another congregation. He finally got a decent job with a county social-services agency. I asked him how he liked it, and he said with a smile, "Joe, the only thing I don't get to do is preach. I still do all the ministry I did with the church, and then some. And, I don't have to do board meetings." It's all a matter of perspective. ICXC NIKA. Coram Deo et populo. | | |
| Habitare fratres in unum! 52°F at 6:30 p.m. Waxing crescent moon is riding low, and will soon set. This time of the year, especially when the moon is in certain phases, it feels like midnight by 7:00 p.m. That's good for long evenings of conversation, reading, music, games, indoor hobbies. It's been a good day. Piddled around the old shed; most all the boards are apart, so I just have to pull nails now. The Cooks, Granny, and Marmee went to the Amish this morning; Ash & Fred to Lexington. I bought Marmee's ThanksChristmas present at noon while we were all in Danville for lunch. I got the van LOF'ed, Chris mowed our yard with the big mower, Dave fixed the basement door window. We all enjoyed a Granny supper: Chicken and dumplings, corn, green beans, corn-meal dressing, cinnamon-pickled cucumbers (very tasty), baked dried-apple pies, and Granny's special seven-fruit juice. There's a fire in the ManCave. We may all retreat there for the evening. Life is good. God is good. Again, enjoy the Day with King Jesus and the sibs at the Table tomorrow. ICXC NIKA. Coram Deo et populo. Special note to Wally: Dear friend and brother, over the years you have never steered me wrong, whether it be about books, music, the devotional life, the academic life, or donuts and coffee. Thanks for the reminder about Rich Mullins. His stuff has been a channel of blessing to be, much like Brennan Manning. With many thanks--the Old Goat. | | |
| 56°F at 10:30 a.m., light SE breeze, clear skies. Holding Fred as he finishes his morning bottle and goes back to sleep, listening to Rich Mullins sing "We are not as strong as we think we are," "If I stand," "Let mercy lead," "Elijah," "Calling out Your name," "My one thing." Watching the day brighten over Springview. I could live in moments like this forever. Unlike the psalmist, I do concern myself with matters too wonderful for me. I worry about everything, stress out about everything, get frustrated about everything. I am thankful for Rich Mullins for reminding me that I am only a creature, only one of the billions God has brought into this world. My life and my destiny is of no consequence except as it brings honor to my Creator and Sovereign. Dave and Chris arrived safely at about 9:30 last night. This morning they are with Marmee and Granny in the Casey County Amish community, looking for an operating molasses mill. Ash & Fred are off to Lexington; Chels is still in bed. Time to go piddle at the old shed, LOF the truck, and maybe go to Lowe's. Enjoy the Day with King Jesus and the sibs at the Table tomorrow. ICXC NIKA. CDep. | | |
| 46°F, light breeze, cloudy and hazy. The waxing crescent moon has set already at 8:40 p.m. Frosty morning at Springview this morning. Found the lid to the septic tank last night and this morning. By grace, we may have all that taken care of before ThanksChristmas. Dave & Chris should be here soon. Think I'll monkey with the old shed a little in the morning, go get the plexiglass to repair the basement door window, and LOF the van. A nice, leisurely late-autumn Sabbath. I wish I had invested the time in languages. Latin looks like the language of thought, of logic, of law. French and German seem more emotive and descriptive; they look to be languages of lyricists and poets. I mashed the tip of my left ring finger at work. It's starting to throb and turn colors. I hope I don't lose a nail. The last year we lived in Michigan, I dropped a rather large block of oak on a toe and ended up losing the nail. It never really has been "right" since. Note to Hatter children, Fat Guys, and other pilgrims to Springview: When you pass through Stanford, stop at the WalMart first and make sure I'm not wandering around the parking lot looking for the van or truck. I do that a lot when Marmee's not with me. I did it tonight. <sigh> Growing old is not for sissies. When I get old, please feel free to laugh at me. Laugh at me in front of me. I suspect I'm going to get plain loony. Think I'll take a nap before the Cooks get here . . . | | |
| Getting a little cooler in Walltown. Rainy and damp. Good lesson from Genesis 44 at Olive tonight. Jacob & Sons could have been the poster children for the Dysfunctional Families of Canaan. All the lies, all the bitterness and resentment, all the favoritism; it's a wonder the family survived at all. Dear God: Have mercy on me. Like Jacob, I created most of my own problems, and in turn created much of the hurt within my own family. Help me and all of us become a people of honesty, humility, repentance, and grace. Time to help Marmee. We've friends from Grant coming in this weekend. I'd like to get the septic tank opened and pumped before ThanksChristmas. I need to do my part to get everything ready for the influx of family and friends from the Great Frosty North. Special note to the Emperor: I hope you're enjoying the little challenge from the Songs of Ascents. Today's title is from Psalm _____. ICXC NIKA. Coram Deo et populo. | | |
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