Now this is just bizarre

This link is for a news article that you won't believe.

Spring Sunday

Well our senior pastor was back today from a long health related absence. He has been working to get his blood pressure under control and is ready to come back to work. It is great to have a team of ministers at the church to fill in for him but nothing can take the place of the shepherd. He was honest today and explained the absence, giving the Lord the glory for the strength to continue and face the future.



Sue is off shopping and preparing for a going away party for Craig. I plan on spending the day in the shop working on a new bed frame for Carries futon. I made one for ours and it worked out great so hers is next. May even go for a drive later, the sun is peaking out and a drive through the valley maybe just the ticket for this evening.

Hope your Sunday is filled with rest and peace.

The Private Bill

As mentioned the other day, Sue and I went to Victoria along with Ken and Joan Deeks. We were there to appear before a legislative committee considering our bill. The bill would establish CFN as a Bible College. It was a peek into the Parliementary system on the provincial level. Ken and I met our lawyer and entered the Birch Room for the actual meeting. A big square table, lined with microphones was centered in the room and we took our place in the seating in the back of the room to wait our turn. When it came we were introduced and then answered questions about who, what, when and most importantly why we wanted this bill. You can read the transcript here joining mid way through the meeting. The first part of the meeting dealt with a different bill.
We are pleased with the progress, it is not over yet and we are farthur along then ever before.
I will keep you posted!

Rambles from SEI

My sister and her family have joined the rakes of bloggers. I look forward to their brand of humor and thoughtful ramblings. Rambles from SEI

Victoria

Well Sue and I are in Victoria BC and have been staying at the small European style hotel in the heart of the city. We have been here on school business and all went well. We have walked around and relived memories of previous visits with family. I remember being here with my folks, Sue remembers hers. We both remember taking the kids to the museum. But one thing is very new. For some reason, we are not sure why, there are multi-colored bear statues everywhere. Ugly and gaudy are too kind of words to describe these beasts.
We have shopped and walked and eaten way too much. Went to an authentic Irish pub last night and it was quite an experience. The food was great, the decor out of the movie “Evelyn”, wow they even had live music. I had Irish stew, yumm

What!

I understand that we are to be wise in our attempts to reach to non-believers however I don't think that the following examples are what Jesus had in mind for us. Sometime ago my oldest boy commented on sandals that left a religious saying when you walked, the tread had words impeded in the sole. Well this tops that or should I say passes it. I found this picture and this link while searching one of my normal on-line forums. It drew laughs, OMG's and many comments but it does not resonate with me. What are your thoughts?

A Good Time was Had by all

Or at least I hope it was. We had the chance to get to know Chris, Necole and the kids last night. They were working with Ken and Brenda in Raliegh. They recently relocated to Seattle nd last night was the first of what we hope is many visits. we laughed and enjoyed good food, enjoyed the girls while Jasper and Brandy entertained us.
Of course Brandy was a big hit. She is a people pet and thinks that everyone who come over is there to play with her. she was notdisappointed last night. She did cycle after cycle of tricks for treats and still exhausted this morning.

Ken and Brenda are making the journey later in the summer and all of us are ready for them. Just knowing that they will be close is extremely pleasent. I have a feeling that we will be spending many visits soouth of the line this coming year. Thats okay. The Element loves to travel and it is a smooth ride with the XM radio blasting out tunes.

Easter Morning!

Happy Easter! We (Sue, Carrie, Tracie and I) went to an Easter presentation last night at the school. The church that uses our building, CrossWay, did it. It was great. Called “The Look”, it centered on the time at the cross and the centurion. It featured singing and was meant to be a neighborhood draw. The senior pastor told me that they had lots of visitors and between the two nights had approximately 700 people attend.

I asked if they were going to take down the set before church this morning but one of the members told me “Why?" "An empty cross and open tomb, what better backdrop to preach on Easter Sunday could there be!”

None that I can think of. An empty tomb makes the cross a place of thanksgiving. Hard to believe that a piece of equipment used in capitol punishment could become the symbol of peace and hope for millions. But it is because of the empty tomb.

Happy He has risen Day!!

Tenebrae

We had a Tenebrae Service today to mark the last morning chapel of the Spring term but more importantly today is also Passover.
The Tenebrae Service is a remembrance of how our Saviour was gradually abandoned and increasing alone. Our downstairs room was set up with a head table draped in cloth. On the table 13 candles were burning. One red candle flanked by 12 white ones. As the readings were concluded, two white candles were extinguished. Eventually only the red on remained.
Tenebrae has a solemn and reflective tone shown in the darkness, the scriptures detail the accounts of Christ’s suffering, in the music and in our silence as we enter and lave the sanctuary. Underlying all of this, however, is the anticipation of the resurrection, which is itself symbolized by the red Christ candle left burning on the table.
We closed with the Lords Prayer an a period of quiet meditation.
No formal closing, just a gentle slipping away out of the room.
Very moving and I believe an important experience as we look to the events of Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Ouch!

Saturday dawned sunny and promised at least a morning of nice weather. Gardening was on the agenda. Plans were set the night before to install or rather extend the sprinkler system in the flower beds. Using a low pressure system from Lee Valley, soaker heads were placed in both beds fronting the sidewalk to the front door. Now to water, I only have to turn a valve and walk away. Neat and cool.
But somehow in the instalation process I tweaked my lower back. I could not go to the softball game last night and this morning I am sitting with ice and heat (alternating) while I wait for the fourth round on the Masters. Sue is very understanding and helpful having spent many a day in this same state.
Tonight we are supposed to go to a Korean dance festival at the Bell Center and I hope this self-medication is going to work!

Spring

Memories have a way of creeping into your mind almost unbidden. Having mentioned the hum-bug the other day I was reminded today of how many of my notions are a product of my mom and dad. I can remember so many things from our childhood; places, houses, different schools and in all of them, my folks are there. Some of the memories are truly happy ones. But I do remember many of the spankings I got too. (And just for the record I believe I deserved every one of them)I guess I learned something from them.

One memory that I had this morning was of the smaller house we lived in that backed up to a creek in Morrilton Arkansas. That was the house where our small dog, Chillibean was run over, where I met my childhood best friend, Stevie and this memory came from. I remember Dad standing at the mirror in the small bathroom shaving and whistling as he prepared to take my mom out for the evening. I don’t know where they were going. I just remember the happiness I felt as I knew they were happy. Sue and I were talking last night and she thanked me for being such a good dad. Well I am what I am because I had a good dad. In many small ways I learned to express love for my wife by watching him love my mom. Although he was not really very expressive, nonetheless the love was there.

On top of the good example that my dad gave me is my understanding from my heavenly Father of just how I am supposed to love my wife. I truly enjoy following both of their examples. I enjoy taking Sue out, giving her my undivided attention. It can be just going for a walk and holding hands. It can be flying a kite as we did last week. The sound of her laughter still fills my ears. It can be honoring her in my thoughts and actions.

Awe, memories! How sweet they can be.

And the beat goes on...

Woke up this morning with a hum-bug in my head. For those that don't know what a hum-bug is just think of that annoying song that you hear and then can't get out of you mind all the rest of the day. Hum...bug... hum-bug. get it?
Anyway, as a result of the vastness of my musical memories the songs that come unbidden are often from a forgotten era. Which also means they date from a less then church genre. So it is this morning. Recognize the song in the title? Ladedadeda, ladedadeday….

Food for thought!

On Wednesday of next week, at two minutes and three seconds after 1:00 in the morning, the time and date will be 01:02:03 04/05/06.


That won't ever happen again.

April First

The fourth month of 2006 arrived today with drizzle and the reappearance that obnoxious creature of construction. The mighty tracked backhoe. It has taken up in the vacant lot behind us and appears to be making a nest for itself. I wish sometimes that I knew when hunting season was. I feel sorry for the closest people; their house is so close that the dirt has all fallen away from their foundation into the hole being dug. And the thing started at 7:00 AM this morning!
The day will be much improved later with the arrival of the perfect middle child. She is popping up for a visit. Unless she is playing April fools jokes on us? Hummmm