Wow! What has happened to the first half of 2011?Actually, even though today marks the end of the first six months of the year, half way by number of days won't be for another day or so. Still -- the year seems to be flying by!This will be my thirteenth post for the month of June; slightly off the 3 posts per week that I set as a writing goal. All-in-all, I'm happy with that. Vacation, camp, just being busy -- all are excuses that I've used, but still managed to post more than any month so far this year (and more than a third of this year's total...
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Yesterday morning I was driving home after working the midnight shift and listening to the local NPR station. They ran this story on the minting of one dollar coins and how the coins are piling up in vaults and going unused but are continuing to be minted because of a Congressional mandate.Just as it takes forever for Congress to actually do anything; it apparently also takes Congress forever to stop doing something. In spite of the fact that this program has no benefit and is costing both time and money, it continues because Congress...
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
I just finished reading Rob Bell's controversial book Love Wins. (Or maybe it would be more accurate to say I just finished reading the controversial Rob Bell's book, Love Wins.)I know that I'm a few months behind the evangelical outrage over the book, but controversy doesn't always make me stop what I'm doing and get involved. However, it often does compel me to read books that I would not normally read just to see what has everybody's panties in a wad.As a book -- it was an easy read, though not necessarily a good read. I found his...
Monday, 27 June 2011
Wow! Last week was a pretty busy week; too busy to be blogging. Hopedale Kids' Camp was out on Monday. I was scheduled to work Tuesday but took the day off to have my knee looked at by one doctor and then had my annual flight physical by another doctor. Tuesday night I was in Branson for the Missouri Baptist Pastor's Conference (MB125) to entertain the pastors and their families. I finished out the work week and after getting off of work at 6:30 Saturday morning, Chris and I made the trip to Hillsboro MO for her dad's wedding. The best...
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
It's Tuesday morning on the day after Hopedale's kids' camp. It's also the first day of summer. Just some random thoughts from this morning as I enjoy some espresso from my recently acquired stove top espresso maker. (Thanks, Chris!)Camp was pretty awesome. It was interesting to watch things unfold and find that our plan for camp and God's plan for camp weren't exactly the same. It almost seemed as if God was a little impatient this year...
Saturday, 18 June 2011
Just a quick note to say that we had an awesome first day at Hopedale's Kids' Camp. The weather was great; the kids were great; everything went well in spite of a few minor setbacks.I am looking forward to the rest of the weekend and can't wait to see all that God has planned for us. Several kids have already made commitments to follow Jesus.Expect a full report when camp is over and I'm not using my cell phone to type.John<>&...
Thursday, 16 June 2011
It looks like it's going to be another beautiful day in the Ozarks today. It's not often that Chris and I work the same schedule and are able to car pool, but this is the second day this week. I suppose the fact that I haven't traded into the additional mid-shifts this week has something to do with it.I have a little bit of additional time this morning while Chris is getting ready, so I thought I push out a few words on Out of My Hat.Tomorrow is the first day of Hopedale's Children's Camp. As of last night, we have 71 kids signed up! I'm...
Monday, 13 June 2011
Friday is the start of our Hopedale Baptist Church Kids' Camp. Our theme this year is about the priorities of the heart. In examining the theme and preparing the messages for the kids, I can't help looking at the priorities of my own heart with a critical eye. Perhaps they are in need of some adjustment. Certainly, one has to begin with the question, "What is the priority of my heart?"As a follower of Jesus, I think of the lawyer that approached Jesus to inquire about the greatest law (there were over 600 laws according to the Jewish...
Sunday, 12 June 2011
In Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Church, he identifies five purposes of the church: worship, discipleship, ministry, fellowship and evangelism.I was thinking of these purposes and how they fit into our local church (Hopedale Baptist) in particular and most churches, in general. I found that we (Hopedale) are doing three of the five well (worship, discipleship, fellowship), one that we're working on (ministry) and one that seems to have been set aside (evangelism).Let me say a few things about my observations:I make these statements looking...
Saturday, 11 June 2011
This morning several of the kids from our youth group and four adults joined with a few other people to package dried food packages to be sent overseas. We met at the Springfield Kids Against Hunger facility and worked for just under two hours.Each package of dried food contains rice, soy protein, dehydrated vegetables and a vitamin packet. We were told that each package would make six meals, although it seemed more like it would make six side servings...
Friday, 10 June 2011
Last night was a grand evening at Baptist Hill Camp in Mt. Vernon MO. This was the first time in several years that I was not at the Tri-County Baptist Association Children's Camp for the entire week. By all accounts, they had a great week.I feel very blessed to have been invited to share the Gospel on the closing night of camp. I don't know what happened earlier in the week, but I do know that there were several kids and one parent that committed to become followers of Jesus last night. I know that the kids got to hear testimonies...
Thursday, 9 June 2011
I have a few moments this afternoon so I thought I'd write a few words about our vacation.Chris and I had a wonderful time. It was our first trip to Mazatlan, Mexico and our first vacation without kids in a very l o n g time.Honestly, part of vacationing in Mexico always bums me out a little bit. So much of the country is very poor. Even in the resort areas, evidence of the poverty is all around you. Having said that, I am even more thankful for the many blessing that I have.We spent more time at the hotel...
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