Half Past

It is hard to believe that today marks the end of the first six months of 2009.

God has been GOOD!

I really have to say that I feel incredibly blessed to be living the life that He has granted me. I have a top notch family and we get along great (when we're not annoying each other!). I love my church family, as well. It is so exciting to look to the wonders that God has in store for us as a church. We continue to see people reaching out to others and new believers coming into the family.

I continue to get calls for preaching revivals and have a pretty full fall calendar (I need to update that part of this page). The camps and revivals that I've been a part of this spring have been wonderful experiences. The calls and events are affirmation that full-time ministry is definitely in the future.

In spite of the work place politics and dysfunctional management of the FAA, I have a great job. It is something that I have enjoyed doing and it has provided well for my family. I'm glad to be able to do it for another 2 years, 6 months and 7 days.

While the dismal economy has had its effect on our family, we have been dealing with it and are very prosperous compared to most of the world. The areas that we've cut back in (and still need to trim some more) would be considered luxuries in many households. I know that my kids think that we live in the Dark Ages with only basic cable service and cell phones that are just cell phones and not the "smart phone" variety with full internet capabilities. We have a couple of aging laptops that serve as our computers and are obsolete by computer standards of 5 years ago! No satellite radio, no HD television, no big screen, flat screen or even digital TV. We barely have a working DVD player!

We have decent shelter, more than enough food to eat (you don't get to be this size with an empty 'fridge), four--count 'em--four cars, and enough money to blow on dinner out (too often), an occasional trip to the frozen custard stand, a baseball game or two and the ever popular overpriced Starbuck's coffee. We are blessed with good health and good health care coverage.

As much as I look forward to the day when I get to see my Jesus in heaven, I am looking forward to seeing what the second half of 2009 holds for me and my family. July will host a family reunion for the Hill family (in Indianapolis), a night at a kid's camp (Waynesville MO), another week long kid's camp (Potosi, MO) and a trip to St. Louis for a Cardinal baseball game with my son (his Christmas present to me)! Of course no Cardinal baseball game is complete without a ball park dog and a post game trip to Ted Drewe's...and that's just in July!

I hope that your world--your life--is as full of hope as mine is. I hope that you are looking forward to meeting with Jesus face to face one day, but committed to enjoying this life and walking with Him until that day! If you want some really good news (for a change), check this out: God loves you!

How do I know that? The Bible says that God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Jesus died for us!

Now that's GOOD NEWS!

John <><

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Catching Up

Well I have spent a good share of the morning catching up on my blog reading. I thought that since it's too hot to be outside mowing the lawn or working on putting up lattice around the patio, I'd sit down with an iced latte and write a short post.

I'm currently reading through the Gospel According to Luke in the Bible. I was thinking of posting my thoughts as I read through it like I did last summer with the Gospel According to John. Luke is one of the first apologists. By his own testimony, he carefully investigated what he heard and observed and wished to share the results of his investigation.

¹Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, ²just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. ³Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, ⁴so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Luke 1:1-4

I'll get back to you on that...I haven't really decided yet.

I was pleased to find the Cardinals in first place as we returned to the States. Of course, I managed to keep up with them on ESPN Deportes and even watched parts of a couple of games. I was thinking that a couple of my misguided friends were glad that I was out of the country as the Cardinals taught the cross-state Royals a thing or two about baseball in the Midwest!

One of the day trips that we took was an off road tour into the forest of the Sierra Madre. We had an excellent guide that was full of knowledge of the history of the area of Mexico, the plants of the sub-tropical, transitional forest, and the way of life for the people of the area.

I am always amazed at how people live in other countries and cultures. At times, I think that we have allowed the great innovations of our society to rob us of some of the simple pleasures of life. Sadly, some of the cultures aspire to become what we (in the USA) are--not realizing the price that they will pay. Mexico has a long way to go as a developing nation, yet they are already making great strides in many areas.

One thing that I noticed--although the area is primarily an area for Mexican and American (USA) tourists, none of the signs were bilingual. However, here in the Midwest, many places have bilingual (English/Spanish) signs. I just find that to be odd.

I would love to have more time to lounge on the beach but it is also good to be home. Perhaps someday home will be on the beach (or at least close to it).

John <><

Eligible to retire in 2 yrs, 6 mos, 10 days.

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Quick Post

Just a quick post from sunny Pueto Vallarta...

It's a beautiful day (again) and we are getting ready for lunch and then going to take a bus into Puerto Vallarta. We are staying north of the city in Bucerias.

All is well.

Happy Father's Day to all of the dads. I'll have to suffer by spending mine on the beach!

John <><

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A Great Product: Every home should have one (or more)

Here's something for the person that has everything.

See more funny videos and TBT Videos at Today's Big Thing.

John <><

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