I wrote Daniel Teale a note last night. If you don't know who he is, click on his photo and you'll have a chance to meet him. He lives in Australia. I met him through YouTube. Here's the interchange.


----------------- Original Message -----------------
From: pastorob
Date: Dec 23 2006 11:47 PM
Subject: Crazy Idea

Crazy, perhaps.

You know I'm gonna be unemployed as of December 31st, however I don't think that the Lord is gonna leave me without a major assignment to right to work on.

I'm wondering if you would be willing to give up the next semester to come hang out with us in California.

We (Cathy and me) bring you over as our guest; you could stay with us, play with us...

I'm being presented to this new church on January 7th. They have many older people but I get to help pick the new music minister.

In the meantime, you could certainly help me IF I go to that church. If we don't go there, you could still be part of whatever we're gonna do next.

Is it possible or are you definitely 'locked in'?

I'm thinking of having you come for a 'short trip' initially--six weeks to six months.....ASAP.

Write back and tell me what you think.

Rob

My myspace INBOX had incoming mail this morning. Click on this photo to see Daniel's myspace page:

Hey Rob!

Thanks for the message. I can't really write a detailed response at the moment as I'm at my uncle's place for Christmas.

I'll have a good think and pray about what you said and I'll get back to ya!

Talk to you soon, God bless!

Dan

Saturday, December 23, 2005

I received a phone call from Macdonald Wreh this morning. He will come to be with us for both services tomorrow morning. (For some archives about Macdonald: click here)

I also received this email Christmas Card from Estonia:

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with joy, surprises and blessings!

Karina and Moonika from Estonia

Click on the photo to see the Mission House where Aimee and Cathy stayed during our second short-term mission to Estonia (November, 2003).

Karina and Moonika came to stay with us for the entire summer in 2004. Below is a recent letter we received from Karina.



Tere,

I am Karina from Estonia. I haven’t written so long. But sometimes I just visit you blog just to get to know how you are doing. And today when I read it I just thought that I’m going to write a short note as well.

As I understand you are doing fine there. Here, in Estonia, things are also kind of OK.

I am studying to become a dentist. It is my second year at the university in Tartu. I have always known that I want to study medicine. So I just feel that it is a God’s plan that I am studying this kind of occupation.
I am living in Tartu now and participating in a congregation that is connected with the missionaries who worked in Salem church. They are from the USA. As I know you met them when you were in Estonia. They built a new church that is targeted especially for youth.

Moonika is doing her last year at high school in Tõrva. She doesn’t know her future plans yet. But I am sure she will work them out.

We will be aunts soon because our older sister gets a baby boy. We are so excited.

The time is going so fast. It was already snowing today. That means that the winter is coming again and the Christmas etc..

I have very good memories about the time when I was in Galt. It has been a best trip of my life. So thank you for the time and experiences that you shared with us. I will never forget them.

Blessings for all of you,

Love Karina

Click on this frame and watch a video that includes shots of Karina and Moonika as they helped us during Vacation Bible School.

Archives about our fellowship with Estonians: click here

---

Friday, December 22, 2006

 

Beverly and I are heading out for our last Visitation together. Cathy asked me, "How do you choose where to go?" (licking her finger and raising it up). Actually, to say that we follow the leadership of the Spirit does connect us with the Wind, eh?

Last night, Jerry decided to fly to Nashville to audition for Eowyn's new touring band (January 5-7).

Our friend, Rodney Edwards, has offered to give him a free place to stay while he's there.


Eowyn is being managed by American Dream Entertainment. Here is what their website has to say about their business:

"We are an Artist Management company based out of Nashville, TN. Our goal is very simple. We plan to change the face of the Christian Music Industry. We take artists that truly have a vision for Christ, and help them prosper while keeping them focused on the ministry God has given them. Many artists come into the Christian Music Industry with their hearts in the right place. Somewhere between being mistreated by their label and starving on the road, they become jaded and forget that it all began because they wanted to share Jesus with a lost and dying world. At American Dream Entertainment, we make sure the artist is treated fairly and that they know how to survive on the road. All the while, keeping their integrity and focus on ministry. We CAN change this industry! We CAN make a difference in this world!"

I worked on compiling materials to share with ADE. It makes for a good time of show-and-tell:

Audio-Video Resume for Jerry Patterson  (click here)

I found my Leadership-Lifter last night: (click here)

My good friend, Greg Brayton, wrote to me last night. He's the blind guitarist to whom I owe almost every professional recording I've ever undertaken. His new CD is a cyber-event (as it was produced via internet transmission by Jorgen Hansson--another blind musician in Sweden).

Well, Greg is troubled by news from his doctor; please read this email and pray for this buddy-o-mine. You can listen to samples of his new CD on his website:

 

Hey Brother,

Sort of a tough deal, the Doctor told me yesterday that they saw something that concerns them in my latest x-ray. Unfortunately that means another biopsy for me. It'll happen this coming Wednesday and I see the doc again on January 15.
 
Gosh I've been writing a bunch and just got my new CD out. Things seemed to be going pretty darned well. I asked the Doctor, well what if the results are negative again, and he just said, "Well I don't know, I don't think that likely because of the changes we've seen".
 
I have to tell you he just didn't give me a large dose of optimism, but I feel pretty good most of the time, and I still think God has plans for me here. I'll keep on praying for guidance and strength, and if He brings me to mind in your time of prayer and meditation, I'd ask that you say something on my behalf too.

The last time I went through this stuff, your prayers were such a source of comfort, and even joy at times that I just had to write and ask you again. I pray that God will bless you during this New Year, and that you have a wonderful Christmas too! Soon as I know anything more, I'll pass it along.

Thanks so much for being a friend I can count on.

Sincerely,

Greg
 

www.gbrayton.com

---

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Hmmm...Cathy rear-ended a car last night so we were late to Bible Study. However, the place was packed and we all had a real good time.

Joe has been finalizing his plans for his trip to Moscow and the Philippines. I've been trying to put everything in order to begin the next chapter of my family history.

 Thus, I've been trying to help Jerry with making the most of an opportunity presented to us by Aimee in Kentucky.

An artist named Eowyn has just been signed by a recording label and they are holding auditions in Nashville for her touring band. So, I've been using my day off to compile audio and video clips which help to present our son's abilities:

Audio-Video Resume for Jerry Patterson  (view more)

---

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

So, I don't forget...Dolores Silva told me that she would come to church on Christmas Eve. I met her grandson Matthew, 21, and invited him to come as well.

Eli Tavarez called and wanted me to take a look at Oswald Chambers' devotional for that day: click here

The graveside funeral for Cecil Ursery was touching. His children and grandchildren spoke so kindly of this blind musician. Apparently, he was well-known for kind words, laughter, and sharing the joy of musicianship among his family members. I invited those who would be in town to come to church on Christmas Eve.

I conducted an audio system seminar for Christene and Daniel Santillan as the last meeting of the day.

Bible Studies today and tonight.

Call me for more information:  (209) 323-0727

By the way: Here's Oswald Chambers for today.

---

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Immediate Plans . . .

 

A Funeral: This morning I will meet with the family of Cecil Ursery to plan his graveside service.  Cecil was an elderly man who visited our church with his wife, Dottie. Veda, Beverly , and I all shared several Friday morning visits in their home over the years. Cecil and Dottie both played guitars; Dottie also played the Spoons. We had a jam session once. A group of friends and family gathered in their brother's livingroom and were delighted to hear the preacher pick up a guitar and join in. That was fun. Sadly, Dottie now struggles with the effects of dementia. It will be good to see her again.

A Wedding: Tanya, Phillip, and I met last night to further discuss the stuff of marriage and family. I shared with them that this particular partnership will bind our hearts together for the rest of our lives. Their rehearsal is Friday night and the wedding is Saturday in the late afternoon.

A Baptism: Last Sunday, after the second service, Rosie and Zachary approached me. Zachary desires to be baptized this coming Sunday morning. Apparently, he has been considering this step of obedience for quite some time.

Communion: Sunday night at 6:00 in our Fellowship Hall with whosoever showeth up.


Notes from Yesterday . . .

Cathy and I visited Jebby at his new job: Bear Creek Community Church. We were really excited to see the plans that Pastor Bill, Pastor Dan, and (now) Pastor Jebby have in place. We were given a deluxe tour of the new Worship Center they are currently building. Then we walked through the Vinyl Building where they now meet and learned that about 600 people are currently attending on Sunday mornings.

Jebby shared that he's working on a new song to sing for us at our Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve at 7:00 p.m.

We told Pastor Jebby and Pastor Bill that we are also planning to bring a group from our town to their church on Christmas Eve at 11:00 pm. Then, I started gathering copies of all their cool lobby pamphlets. No use reinventing the wheel. It's a copy-and-paste world these days.

Click below and scroll down for Pastor Jebby's Article:

Living in Mayberry RFD

Last night, after the meeting about the wedding, I went home to sort through paperwork in front of the television. Bono was on Oprah talking about Lesotho (and other nations in Africa that are living with HIV-AIDS). Here's a Business Report link about Bono's involvement in  Lesotho--the small, African nation that our small, American town has assisted (click here).

Here's an interesting link for President Bush and Radio Addresses during his years in the White House (click here).


Notes from Moments Ago . . .
 

Pastor Wesley and I had an online chat yesterday. He wanted to know if we would move to Auburn if I was called to pastor there. I told him that we would probably try to sell our house. Then, I added that I've been saying its either "Auburn or Africa"...

He said, "Hallelujah!"

 

Then, this morning I wake up to find this waiting in my INBOX:

Dear Pastor Rob,
 

...If God is leading you and your family to
come to Liberia, we highly welcome this with open arms.

You are at liberty to stay at our house or if you would like to have your own home, with few thousand US Dollars, we could build you a home with 2 or 3 bed-rooms, a porch, living room, rest room that will be fully  air-conditioned with electricity and pipe-borne water, Internet and telephone facilities.

 

There are also very good schools in the city of Monrovia that some of your younger kids could attend while your family is here.

Thank God that Liberia is peaceful now and there are great
opportunities to make "God known to a dying world".  We are praying along with you daily.

Pastor, whatever way the Lord is leading you,we will continue to pray for God's favor and blessings upon you, your family and the ministry to which God will call you.

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

We love you,

The Wesley Family


Another letter in my INBOX:

 

Hey Rob,

How's it goin mate? There's no real purpose for this email rather than to see how you're going and to keep in touch J.

What's been happening? I bet you're busy with Christmas-related church things!

I've been doing well. I just got back from my hometown where my parents live. It was great to get down there and visit them. I'm still recovering from my journey back to Australia.

God did some awesome things in Thailand and Cambodia! I'll have to tell you all about it sometime. Now I'm in the process of translating the things I learnt over there, into being as culturally relevant here as possible.

I found out as soon as I returned home that I need to move out of the house I live in by the end of January. The landlord, a good friend of mine is moving in here with his wife and they're selling the house they're currently living in.

I feel God leading me into a new season although I am still concerned about finding somewhere else to live! If you could pray for me that would be much appreciated!

God bless you richly and I'm sure I'll hear from you soon!

Dan
 

The final letter waiting in my INBOX:
 

heethun666 has replied to your comment.
To read the reply, go to the comments for
"Whose Working Class Hero Was He?."

Thanks for using YouTube!

So, I braced myself for what someone named heathun666 might have to say about the video commentary I posted. So, I clicked on the comment.



Sid Peterson once said:

"Love me or Hate me... just don't ignore me."

I hear ya, Sid.

 

---

Monday, December 18, 2006

Click here for more info on Blood Diamond

If you haven't yet seen The Nativity, you'd better go to that movie first.
 

Sunday, December 17, 2006

During these Sundays of Advent, it has been helpful to me to reconsider the mystery of the Everlasting Gospel. The verses below are rich with promise. These passages help me to celebrate the Author's Name:

Everlasting Father

Ruth 4:17  "There is a son born to Naomi." They called his name Obed:  he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
 
1Sa 16:18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him. 

Rom 15:12 Isaiah says, "There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust."

After our two morning services and a special time spent with La Luz de Cristo, I wrote and submitted a letter of resignation to the members of my local church in Galt, California.

On January 7, 2007, I will be presented as a candidate for Senior Pastor for another church about an hour away from here. Before that date, I felt it was important to resign with at least two weeks notice.  Below are some excerpts from my letter:

   Steps of faithful obedience make possible great blessings in our lives. Since giving my life to Christ in June, 1982, I have made only a few decisions which have dramatically altered the course of my life.

   This decision is certainly as important as any of those other life-changing milestones. Through a pattern of continual prayer and personal accountability to others in the Body of Christ, I have arrived at this altar of decision. Life-changing decisions usually affect the lives of many other people, so it is with the utmost concern for everyone involved that I offer this resignation today.

   By resigning this office beforehand, I hope that I have demonstrated a singleness of mind and personal integrity. It is indeed difficult to leave this pastorate of nearly 10.5 years.

   I have poured my life and passion into the great multitude of individuals who have attended this church since July, 1996. Many of the believers have been called by God to new areas of service; many others have passed on into eternity.

   I have made a commitment to remain available to any of you who look to me as an elder in the greater church of Jesus Christ. As well, I humbly submit to the Lord’s guidance and will allow church members to proceed as the local body of Christ without the pressure of hearing my opinions on decisions you will make in the future.

   I love you all and trust that, in His time, God will bring forth the next Senior Pastor who will lead this local body of believers to function as a New Testament church. May our years together be viewed with respect and honor as history is written about what has happened among us.

Saturday, December 16, 2006

I think that domain names ought to be protected by Law. Oh well, I suppose that we will continue with this dot-com name and start over. We had our fifteen minutes of fame! More on that later.

I hope you will make plans to come visit our church tomorrow morning. Call me for more information: 

    (209)  323-0727