go to: pastorob at www.pastorob.com/rob’sblog.htm
Pastor Rob Patterson 653 A Street Galt, California (209) 745-4665
pastorob's webBlog via TimeTravel™ scroll y2k5: November
Click here for Journal y2k5 October
Click here for Journal y2k5 September
Click here for more Journal Archives y2k5 August
Click here for more Journal Archive y2k5 July
Click here for more Journal Archives y2k5 June
Click here for more Journal Archives y2k5 May
Click here for more Journal Archives y2k5 April
Click here for more Journal Archives y2k5 March
Click here for more Journal Archives y2k5 February
Click here for more Journal Archives y2k5 January
Click here for more Journal Archives 58 to y2k5
Click here for more Journal Archives 17 to 57 y2k5
November 30, 2005
I was in Monterey with Cathy and heard John Kerry (C-Span) comment on the President's speech. I didn't have the chance to hear the referenced speech, so on Dec. 1, I found George Bush's speech online and copied this excerpt:
America will
not abandon Iraq. We will not turn that country
over to the terrorists and put the American
people at risk. Iraq will be a free nation and a
strong ally in the Middle East. And this will
add to the security of the American people.
In the short run, we're going to bring justice
to our enemies. In the long run, the best way to
ensure the security of our own citizens is to
spread the hope of freedom across the broader
Middle East.
We've seen freedom conquer evil and secure the
peace before.
In World War II, free nations came together to
fight the ideology of fascism and freedom
prevailed. And today, Germany and Japan are
democracies and they are allies in securing the
peace.
In the Cold War, freedom defeated the ideology
of communism and led to a democratic movement
that freed the nations of Eastern and Central
Europe from Soviet domination. And today these
nations are allies in the war on terror.
Today in the Middle East, freedom is once again
contending with an ideology that seeks to sow
anger and hatred and despair.
And like fascism and communism before, the
hateful ideologies that use terror will be
defeated by the unstoppable power of freedom.
And as democracy spreads in the Middle East,
these countries will become allies in the cause
of peace.
George W. Bush
CLICK for speech: Nov 30, 2005
EarlyTuesday,
November 29, 2005
--anticipating the second
Advent candle
I checked my gmail
inbox this morning. Surprisingly, there was only
one personal letter but it was written with
passion (for a forward). The demand was simple
...
Ruth said: 'This is a
MUST-READ.'
Ruth didn't include
a hyperlink to an online source for her
must-read. So, I googled the name SGT. Walter
J. Rausch and came up with this link. I
didn't read the e-zine (I'm just using it today as a
link:
MUST-READ).
If you don't like what you read there (or in
Dust
(yesterday's pick) you might
try a mid sixties-era ACTION comic book. One
summer I read as many as I could from Ricky
Green's box of comic books. I am guessing that
the authors of the Kal-el and Jor-el mythic
genealogy had some Jewish issues to work out for
themselves.
Billy Harman was surprised that as a 12th grader
I had never read
Dostoevski. I
had read 'Great
Expectations' and I still have them.
I told
Tom Lane that I
woke up Cathy yesterday morning with my
chuckles. Simply sitting up in the dark (to
avert my dizzy spells) and rehearsing Sunday's
events produced some 'I and Thou' chuckling.
"What?", asks my bedmate.
"Oh...just remembering."
Tom Neal came back from Iraq and we've hardly
seen him. Connie,
ask Tom to come over to the screen and read
Ruth's
MUST-READ.
btw, Ruth is a tearful mother in our local
church. Her tears speak louder than her
political rhetoric.
A. J. Meredith is supposed to be back from Iraq
now. I haven't seen him either. He's quite the
writer as I remember...
Perhaps, A. J. will read
Dust,
War and Peace,
this ol'
song
,
and/or Ruth's
MUST-READ
and, then, add to my understanding by
rewriting history for his generation. I am
reminded that
Greg Parkinson
(Ruth's boy) writes history from his
current,
up-close, war-zone perspective.
"War. (huh)
what is it good for?"
Recently, in the co
urtyard
of our local church, my son,
Jerry, (18) wrote on the banner being sent to Ruth's
boy and his soldiers:
"Have a super fun
time in Iraq!"
Upon further
investigation, Jerry assured this writer that he
hadn't intended to be disrespectful. He had also
drawn 2 thumbs up
and written:
"Keep up the good work!"
Yet I am reminded of the day that my little
brother asked Steve Hawley,
"Did you kill
anybody in Vietnam?"
(fade up)
Steve Hawley had more than one thing in common with
Billy Harman. Both of those returning soldiers
entered the pages of my life story with
enormous, quadrophonic stereo systems. I guess I
was impressed after all.
In my vocation I have learned this:
Not all battles are fought with
bayonets,
bullets, and bombs. Tim Timbrook once
shut the ever-running mouth of Jeff Bowling
with these words:
"I refuse to have a battle of wits
with an unarmed man."
I was a silent observer in that particular
scene. Tim had previously been the super-christian
in Jeff's eyes. Well, Jeff didn't have anything
else to say--that day.
(dissolve)
I hadn't heard anybody say:
"Have a SUPER-FUN time
on the surgeon's table."
Interspersed with Sunday's laughter, real tears
appeared on faces in our sanctuary. The adults
knew they were powerless--yet remained prayful
about Monday's scheduled operation. Anointing,
words, hands, hugs . . .
The next day passed. Then, during evening choir
practice, heads turned.
pastorob's 24/7 cell phone was humming.
Q and A:
bottom line:
The surgeon's bayonet had done its work.
Epilogue:
Cathy and I are driving to Stanford today to
visit the survivors of the battlescene. We're
gonna have a SUPER-FUN time.
CyberMonday,
November 28, 2005
"How can I defend
myself
if you deprive me of pen
and paper?"
--Saddam Hussein (today)
Yesterday, I preached two sermons and shared
thematic songs in three different multi-generational
settings. I hadn't written an entry since
Thursday. Instead,
recent blogable experiences have been
hyperlinked to a most unusual Sunday. I
shouldn't walk into the pages of this particular Monday without
first reflecting upon
Sunday's links to antecedent events.
Relationships in my immediate family (and the
ever-extending family) have been stimulated
through this most recent holiday. I hope
to process some of those interactions verbally
in the days ahead. Cathy and
I regularly have conversations about each of our children.
Most of the time it is appropriate to discuss
'church' and 'community' relationships with her
as well. However, many of the interactions I
have with others in cyberspace occur with 21st
century rapidity. Important moments can quickly
be forgotten if left to my 'short-term' (random
access?) memory.
Therefore, I will end this entry with a few strings
around today's finger:
Somebody mentioned 'Billy
Joel' and it prompted somebody's co-worker to
look me up on the Internet. I think my voice had
once reminded him of the
former pop star. So,
Billy Harman wrote
to me.
I had met Billy Harman back when I was a boy. I
think I was in fifth or sixth grade. He was a
soldier who had been in Vietnam (I think) but
would later spend time in Germany and Holland.
Then I heard that he was working as a
military attaché
in Afghanistan. I described him as 'kinda like a
secret agent' to my buddy. I figured he
delivered papers in an
attaché
case. Still, I didn't care much for
adults.
His world seemed far removed from my own. My
worldview was being shaped by emulating the
actions (and re-thinking the thoughts) of Tom
Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Their surroundings
and times were different than mine but I
identified with both of those boys.
Billy Harman,
however, didn't make much of an impression upon me as a
kid.
I know not the depth of soul-searching endured
by Billy
and
others who have served as soldiers and
diplomats. My contribution to this generation's war efforts
have been less direct.
However, personal involvement in the world's wars have shaped the lives and thought of others in my family tree. These days I am allowing these aforementioned individuals to make a further impression:
George Washington
Cleveland
(reprise)
Robert C. Patterson
(prelude)
Billy Harman answered a question for me. Who
were the Sarssians?
Several google searches and hardcopy, library
index-searching had not yet satisfied my inquiry.
Mr. Harman has offered an answer. I had
considered that option but had no source to
cite.
Mr. Harman has published an online version of
his novel:
Dust.
It might make for interesting reading for those
who would choose to leave their bubble of
arrogant ignorance. If any of you are well-read and up for a
challenge,
click here.
btw...iyd..
please send me your observations.
In an initiatory click-through,
I developed an interest in his contrast between
the God of Moses and the God of Joshua.
awat
Joe and I watched a PBS special about Japan's
invasion of China in 1938. The documentary
served as another interpretive
frame-of-reference to connect with our various
visits in Asia. I was there in 1995 (Hong Kong,
Indonesia). Joe has been to Hong Kong,
Singapore, and South Korea in years past. I know
that it was eye-opening for Joe to see the
images preserved from battles so 'recently'
fought in those very places.
During the month ahead, Joe and I will be
sharing a study of the life and times of
Charlotte Diggs
Moon (1840-1912). Her personal invasion of
China started at the age of 32 when she left her
privileged southern lifestyle with a sense of
mission.
Thanksgiving Thursday, November
24, 2005
The turkey is in the oven. This entire branch of
the Patterson Family will be around the table between
noon and 1:00 for a meal. Our pilgrim from
Liberia ought to be showing up for dinner (just
like last year). Macdonald Wreh has been here
for just over one year now. Last night Doug
Shepherd led our fellowship through the Bible.
We're reminded that it is good to 'give thanks'
to God.
A fellow from Tustin was surfing the web and
found our page. He, too, is quite interested in
Liberia. He sent me this link to a project by
another group of interested American Christians
who have rallied around a young Pastor Shadrach.
Joe and I have been reading the journals of
those who have taken trips there to help with
education and to start small businesses. If you
would like to see what progress they have made:
CLICK HERE
for www.liberianministries.com
We wrote to them and told them about our own
ministry work in Liberia. Maybe we will be able
to learn from each other and be more effective
in our efforts.
CLICK
HERE
for
children
chasing
bubbles
1:02
Two of our church members,
Mike and Robin McCall, made a one-month trip
there in February, 2005. For those who have
high-speed connection, you should be able to see
these short videos clips from that trip.
Bible Story with
Flannelgraph
5:53
Mike teaches 'the Limbo'
1:23
Jumping Rope
1:11
We Wanna See Jesus
Lifted High
1:19
Do you know your
A.B.C.s?
:14
Abigail and Eunice
Dancing
:41
The Wesley Family
1:08
Tuesday, November
22, 2005
Joe is home for the week. We worked hard at
compiling all the paperwork needed to get the
Liberian Visa stamped on his passport. That
involved a Yellow Fever Vaccination, more
photographs, application, medical certificate,
travel itinerary, details about financial
solvency, etc. It was a lengthy process but it
felt good to have this step completed and ready
to be mailed off.
Then, I saw Karen busy at 'work' visibly
supporting Charlotte in 'her ministry'....it was
a beautiful sight until.....
Karen looked me in the eyes and asked,
"How
many
of these shoeboxes have you
made?!"
"None..." (my simple, honest response)
"......but I put some money in that box
to help send them...."
"Ask Joe how many he made..."
(I felt like Adam pointing over at Eve...)
Joe said, "They wouldn't want a box that I would
put together."
I try to regularly share this fact in our public
services. Although we share many opportunities
to serve....and although we ASK for everyone to
give...somehow...to something, we can't EXPECT
that everyone will give to everything. Still,
there's that sense of 'peer pressure' when you
walk past someone else 'working' in their
ministry. I have a hard time watching someone in
the church kitchen scrubbing pans while I'm
standing there with a cookie and coffee in my
hands.
In our local church some other important mission
efforts have been completed. I wonder if anyone
else missed being asked:
HOW MUCH did
you
'work'?
115 'shoeboxes of love' were secured and
loaded to send to children in Mexico.
17 similar gift
boxes were packaged to send to Greg Parkinson
and his fellow soldiers in Iraq with a
banner signed by members of our church.
Sunday night, Pete Cowan told me about
the recent training he and Jeannie
received to serve in the Mobile Clinic at
the Migrant camps next year. He said there will
be a need for other people to help on several
dates ahead.
As
Karen and I continued our conversation an idea
popped up:
Whenever we participate in 'any' mission
endeavor we ought to receive a
'GET OUT OF
GUILT'
CARD
Now that's a thought worth 'working' on.
ANY VOLUNTEERS?
you?
or
how 'bout that person standing next to you with
the coffee in his hand?
Monday, November
21, 2005
Yesterday, during the theme song (As for Me and My
House) I experienced a fullnes
s
of thoughts. It was the second dose (11:00) of what we
offer the community on Sunday mornings.
Cathy was interpreting the lyrics for Theo but
he had turned around to acknowledge my
presence...so I started showing off my 'sign
language' abilities to him.
'my' 'house' 'the Lord'
'we' ... 'Serve?'
Well, I didn't know the sign for serve. Still,
Theo was smiling...that's what I was looking
for. I thought about 'my house' and nodded that
all four of our teenagers were in 'service' with
us.
<<REWIND<<
>PLAY>
I had been the substitute teacher for Loren's
youth Sunday School. We shared a lesson from the
New Testament, then went for a walk to the Donut
Shoppe. Although there were only four students
in the class, I recalled that I had baptized all
of them. I enjoyed walking alongside
them--enjoying the sunny, Sunday morning.
>>FAST-FORWARD>>
>PLAY>
...I look down at
the bulletin. This is the last song. How will I
transition to the sermon portion of the service?
I look at the words one last time and step up to
the platform to sing along with Pastor Dan.
I notice a couple stand up...now they're leaving the sanctuary...
(hmm...wonder where they're
going?...)
I don't know these
words coming up in the bridge so I'll have to
lip-read Dan's mouth for what to sing next:
"mothers and fathers,
sisters and
brothers,
we need each other . . ."
I notice two of my sons are smiling, whispering
to each other, then giggling...
(hmmm...are they commenting on
the 'corniness' of this anthemic moment?
I almost pantomime the
'corporate waving
of lighters and cellphones' ...but
keep that
thought to myself...until now...)
Pastor Dan
motions for me to watch him for 'direction.' He
has a repeat/tag ending that he has planned.
PAUSE
I approached the preaching of the message
differently during the second service. I had all
the lights brought down and moved the lectern to
the floor. This way the onscreen colors, words,
and photos would become the focal point. My
voice would be 'heard' more than 'seen'.
What an important message...in the first
service, I had acknowledged that 'my house'
extends
to
those over whom we have exercised influence. I
mentioned last Monday's message by
Roger Barrier.
His
theology (from Genesis 2) was helping me see that
he could include me as part of 'his house'.
Henry Blackaby's borders have been extended too:
When God
speaks, that's our invitation to join Him in
what it is He is about to do. The tender and
sensitive heart will readily respond to the
slightest prompting of the Spirit.
I could go on and on about what I saw "God
doing" ye
sterday.
Who should I talk to about all this?
"It is not good for the man to be alone."
Mike and Robin met Cathy, Joe, and me at the
movie theater to see
I Walk the Line
together. Afterwards, I told Mike that all five
points of his recent sermon could be illustrated
by that film. So, could yesterday's sermon.
Well, I h
ope
you invested your Sunday in the 'House of the
Lord.' If not, today is the day that the Lord
has made.'
Let Jesus come home with you!
Friday, November 18, 2005
Roger Barrier
emailed me some sermon helps for this Sunday. On
Monday (in San Jose) he preached some an
important point that I wanted to share with our
church.
This afternoon I'll pick up Sis (family nickname
for Mary) and go to a wedding rehearsal for a
local Denny's couple who are getting married
tomorrow. As far as I know I've only had two
couples out of all that I've married opt for
divorce later on. Barna's 50% divorce rate for
'Christian' couples hasn't applied in my
experience. I have a theory about that
oft-quoted statistic. Ask me.
I called my Dad in Michigan early this morning.
He said that it snowed some yesterday and was
cold today. I told him about
Eva's moving plans. He advised that they get
some warm clothes and gloves.
Today,
I Walk the Line
is having its debut. The film sure has had heavy
promotion. Most reviewers say that Reese
Witherspoon will be nominated for an Academy
award in the role of June Carter Cash. Joe is
driving home tonight for the thanksgiving break.
I'll guess that Mama and I will take Joe with us
to see this movie.
He actually enjoys hangin' with the parents.
During this thanksgiving break, Joe and I plan
to work full-speed-ahead on his plans for 80
Days in Liberia. If you're interested in
becoming involved, please email me.
pastorob@gmail.com
For awhile (near the top of this page) I am
going to include this link to a free research
tool that I have used extensively. It is one way
to 'connect' with others who may have uploaded
their family history. Using only this path, I
have found a great number of links to others who
had information on several of my direct
ancestors. This may be of no interest to you,
however if you have the last name and a specific
year of birth or death for one of your ancestors
you may be surprised at what you discover.
My shortcut
to free family research page:
CLICK HERE
Note: for the free stuff,
SCROLL DOWN halfway to the box for SURNAME,
GIVEN NAME, BIRTH PLACE, etc.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
As parents in our twentieth year of marriage,
Cathy and I are working together to transition
our children through the teen years. We sat
together last night at the community memorial
for Aaron Brooks. We first learned that Aaron
was missing as we sat in our living room working
on laptops. Mary read about him missing on
myspace.
During the days that followed I heard many
different facts about him. He
had been in Char's Kindergarten class. The girls
also remembered that he had attended one of our
Vacation Bible Schools. Christina told me that
she had brought him to church with her back when
he was in 8th grade. Victoria had gone
trick-or-treating with him last year.
Joyce and David had met the parents at Lodi
Memorial Hospital when Aimee
(and Aaron's older brother) were born. The young
parents later visited our church with the Sayres
but eventually joined the Seventh Day Adventist
church.
At the memorial it was interesting to hear
different teachers, friends, and family members
stand and speak of his relationship with each of
them throughout the years. Jebby had been
Aaron's guitar instructor. I am reminded to fix my eyes upon
God who sees the Big Picture of our interconnectedness.
The memorial slideshow ended with a stream of
myspace messages to Aaron's webpage. On the way
home, we talked about the role that the internet
played in sharing information about this
community tragedy.
I reminded the girls that everything they
publish on myspace is subject to the review
and interpretation of others. Cathy and I have
much more to do to raise our teens (and
influence their friends) in the days immediately
ahead of us.
... and that's life during our twentieth year of
marriage in twenty-first century small-town
California:
In God We
Trust.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
I prefer being a morning person. I woke up at
6:00 today--ready to get up and get moving.
I had spent some time looking at Roger
and Julie's church website...so I woke up
thinking about them as role models.
Since I have had so many hyperlinks in recent
days, I thought I'd better give you readers an
opportunity to scroll down and click on
something you didn't get to. So, that's all for
today. (scroll, click, and see...)
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
The State Conference was focused on music in the
Church. The President of the Fellowship of
Church Musicians is Don Fugate. Since my
traveling companion was his Dad, I got to
tag-along to lunch as he hosted the key
speakers:
Roger and Julie Barrier:
click here
What a blessing. Yesterday I mentioned that
Roger's ministry has collided with mine
(indirectly). Well, when I heard him preach, I
just kept nodding in affirmation. He voiced a
theology of Comfort. Later, Julie shared
insights on Navigating in a Culture of Choice.
Both messages fit well with all three services
we had shared from the Epicenter on Sunday.
Jim asked Roger to sign a book he had purchased
for Al and Cathy Warren.
I spoke with Julie about the 'healing services'
we had hosted during Dolores Dick's ministry
among us. I gave Julie a copy of the CD:
A
Theology of Suffering and Healing
which contains important messages from nights 1
and 2:
Jim
Fugate
Roger
Williams
and a sermonic audio montage over the season's
theme song (by Greg Brayton):
Monday, November 14, 2005
If you're reading this then you are only getting
my initial 'hello' for the day. I'm driving to
San Jose today with Jim Fugate to attend a State
Conference where Roger Barrier (pastor and
author) will be sharing a message. This man
doesn't know me but the Lord has used his life's
message at four points. The fourth point was in
a phone conversation I had with him.
I'm without a secretary right now, and I wanna
upload the Daily Bread for today. So, check back
later to see if I had a chance to remark on
yesterday's church experiences. It was a FULL
DAY of God working among us.
Click here for the Daily
Bread.
The L.A. Times ran this story about the
challenge of meeting unusual needs of certain
people groups in Liberia. Children were forced
to take up arms and indiscriminately kill
people; children 'raised' in that environment
were pawns of other crazed killers.
Then there are the individuals who were victims
of the atrocities.
What will happen to the American church that
decides to join God's work among those seeking
'forgiveness' and 'reconciliation'?
I suppose there will be a 'crisis of faith'
where certain families will have to make major
adjustments.
I regularly emphasize 'giving one's life'
(literally) for the cause of Christ. Having
purchased a ticket for our 19 year old to go to
Liberia for 80 days, I am now challenging Joe to
'count the cost' daily. He could die over there.
I was 'perfectly safe' two years ago; the
McCalls were 'perfectly safe' one year ago.
However, God has not promised us that we won't
suffer as we 'obey' and 'experience' Him.
I referenced this story in last night's
sermon...and I read it aloud to Joe over the
phone last night. It's serious stuff. Cathy
started to get nervous and said, "I don't want
Joe to go..." I don't think she means it...she
just doesn't like to hear me talk of man's
inhumanity to man (sin).
Please read it if you consider yourself a
co-laborer with Joe's trip to Liberia:
Reconciliation is TOUGH:
Click here
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Tomorrow is church day.
Instead of preaching in the morning, I have the
opportunity to lead worship through piano,
voice, arrangement of the musicians, singers,
and congregational participation.
I have chosen a couple great hymns:
'Trust and Obey' and
'Trust, Try, and Prove Me'
and these spiritual songs under the heading:
Melodies to Abide in our Hearts through the Week
O Happy Day, We Want to See Jesus Lifted High,
Here I am to Worship, You're the Savior of My Soul.
I've had two rehearsals with subgroups of
musicians; we lifted up prayer for two hours
this morning. Mike McCall has been prayed over
for ten days--since he's preaching!
I expect the Holy Spirit to speak through the
messages of song and scripture.
I hope you will decide to attend church and
listen for the Voice of God.
If you're anywhere within traveling distance,
please leave in time to get here by:
8:30 or 11:00 a.m.
Admission: Free Obedience: Costly
to get driving directions from where you are
to the Epicenter, go to:
www.mapquest.com
653 A Street Galt, CA
95632
I'm gonna be singin' these songs all day today.
Gonna wake up tomorrow singin' these songs as I
make my way to church.
I'm hungry and thirsty for God's House.
If you come from out of town, you can have lunch
with us. I get to preach at 6:00 p.m.
Get a double-dose of the Holy Ghost.
Friday, November 11, 2005
I recently discovered that I share another
interest with R. B. and Thelma McCartney. They
both have major books on their family records.
Years after they were married, they discovered
that they are actually distant cousins of some
degree. Their names are
in the index of each other's genealogies.
Now, that's what I call Kissin' Cousins!
I went over to their house to show them how to
start exploring for more family connections on
the Internet.
In recent weeks, I've experienced a number of
'breakthroughs' in solving certain mysteries
about the various tributaries of DNA and
collective histories that I've passed on to my
children. However, even after months of 'googling'
and other detective work, I still hadn't found
any new information on the patriarch of the
Patterson family:
Joseph Patterson
During my sabbatical I had an opportunity to
visit my Aunt Sally and scan some old family photos.
I came across this
photograph of John Patt
erson.
We didn't know who he was.
I suspected that he might have been an uncle.
Then, I
found his name on a census and a plat map of the
township in Michigan our
family had moved to from
Orange County, New York.
clickable photo
On the internet I found a Michigan woman who
offered to help others as she could.
I sent
Carol Stevens
an email asking for some help with local records
from Lenawee County in Michigan. She looked in
two usual sources but found nothing. In the
middle of a tightly bound collection of
biographical sketches (1888), she found a story
about John Patterson. The only reason she could
scan it is because it was near the center.
Carol sent me an email
with a PDF file of the biography and this note:
"Hope
this helps, good luck in your research."
With a PDF file, in an email, she helped me put
together several pieces of a family puzzle. Now
I know much more about
'Uncle John', his seven siblings, and my
great-great grandfather,
Joseph. For
instance, I now have some definite dates about
this patriarch:
Joseph
Patterson
born: July 27, 1793
(in Ireland)
died: April 18, 1871 (in
Michigan)
Dates really help in connecting one's
family records with the work of others. I hope
that someday I'll be able to go back further
with the Patterson stream. For some of the
direct tributaries, I've been able to
'flashback' several generations further. But
man, its fun to start getting the Patterson side
finally.
Thank
you for your help, Carol!
Hey, Carol...look what I've done with the
biography you sent me:
CLICK HERE
If anyone wants any tips, send me an email.
Even though I'm a novice, I've learned some
shortcuts.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
So much happens in one day. My purpose in
journaling is sometimes just to stick a
'selah' in
between important passages of the day.
Do you know what 'selah'
means? Nobody has really defined the word. Many
think that it is a direction to pause (and
perhaps to reflect). It can be seen in various
Psalms-- placed after an important verse--before
another important verse.
selah
I had a 'teachable moment' with my 14 year old
daughter yesterday. In English Class there had
been an open discussion about abortion. The
teacher had noticed that Mary was stirred up by
comments made in the front row (by the smartest
girl in the class).
"O...M...G...
Are you
stupid?!",
asked Mary.
That might not be your preferred style with
which to introduce your contrasting view
but that
is how Mary found herself jumping into the
center of the class discussion.
Teachable moment? Yes...for me. I learned afresh
about Mary's strong convictions when it comes to
the issue of abortion. She and the 'smart girl'
volleyed points of debate about when it is
appropriate to end the life of a baby.
selah
Mary then questioned herself aloud how she ought
to dress to show respect at the Spaghetti Dinner
last night. I was glad that she and her friends
wanted to attend the event.
Several people from our mid-week Bible Study
were also there. I heard that over 1,500
supported the community fundraiser for the
family who lost their 15 year old son.
We can't all be everywhere we would like to be
at the same time. At our Bible Study we prayed
for the people attending the event. Then we
discussed God's Word from 1 John chapter 3.
"O...M...G...am
I stupid?!
How could I 'forget' this? Why am I not more
fervent about sharing HOPE? Hope cleanses us.
Hope in Christ purifies us. When God gives us
the eyes to really see Jesus, we get a glimpse
of heaven.
I wanna go to prayer meeting on Saturday and see
what God is doing...and join Him.
I wanna go to church on Sunday and see what God
is doing...and join Him.
I'm glad I went to Bible Study last night. I saw
what God is doing...I say, "Yes, Lord."
This song was on my
mind during Bible Study
selah
Last night we caught the tail end of 'Trading
Spouses' where they swapped a fanatical Prayer
Warrior mom with a peaceful New Age mom. It was
something to see! Her style of warfare-prayer
was not a pretty sight. Hmmm....I wonder what my
expressed faith would look like on TV? Who
cares? Who would watch me pray? I know...someone
is watching and he looks into our hearts.
selah
Yesterday afternoon I served as a mediator
between individuals from different African
tribes. They were seeking to reconcile a
business dispute. We agreed in writing upon a
solution to their conflict. It seemed peaceful
and settled. I have faith in the process--even
if the end doesn't turn out as I would hope.
Likewise, I remain hopeful for Liberia--even
though a look at today's BBC report might give
us 'prayer warriors' cause for concern. Whoever
becomes the next President of Liberia will be
inaugurated in January.
selah
BBC Correspondent Mark Doyle
(BBC) says the tone of
the election, which international
observers had said was broadly free and fair, is
deteriorating.
Mr Weah showed
ballot papers to journalists, which
he said had been pre-marked for Mrs Johnson-
Sirleaf, known as the "Iron Lady" and given to
election officials to cast.
"The world is saying this
election was free and fair,
which was not true," he said at a news conference.
Read the full story from the BBC:
Click Here
awat
a
story pictorial essay:
Liberia
Wednesday,
November 9, 2005:
Ruth's boy has
written from IRAQ:
Click Here
Tom Lane writes,
therefore he is published:
CLICK
The votes have been cast in both California and
Liberia. No comment (today) on California's
choices, but I will continue to share
more Liberian news over which to 'watch and pray.' From
the BBC:
If I Was President:
short essays by 2 young Liberians
In a
local ministry setting, there are sometimes
difficult issues that must be addressed in
people's lives. Certain sensitive matters have
weighed heavily on my mind and heart. These
thought-provoking matters are confidential and
certainly not appropriate to
publish on the internet. So, what
other options are there for christian bloggers
journalists?
Form and Content
of active columnists
Eva seems to have plenty to write about--getting
us ready for her move. Her recent 'annoyance at
bike-riders' seems to be comfortable territory
for her style of journal entries.
Iona's and
Tom's articles are every bit as good
as "Our Daily Bread" or the
godled.org site I
read about in Saturday's paper. Then, there's
Al
and Joe. They all write such great stuff!
I write, therefore I am . . .
I realize that having you 'watch and pray'
with me for
Liberia's
future is a form
of participative learning. Together we can experience unity over
something that doesn't directly involve us.
OOPS...until in our watching and praying, we
begin to really 'see'...yeah, that's the catch!
They were, therefore
we are . . .
Since I've discovered some of the stories of my
ancestors, I've had the privilege of 'emailing'
distant cousins. A 52 year old in Washington
state and a 70 year old in Michigan. We share
DNA and a common heritage. We would probably
never have met each other without access to the
internet.
On Monday, 'Cousin Janet' sent me an
announcement that she was 'cele
brating' her
great-grandparents' 114th anniversary. She sent
me this photo of
Maggie May
Cleveland
and
George Carter
certifying their marriage.
My great grandma,
Minnie Cleveland had
signed it as a witness. So did
Reverend Tuthill
who would speak at
their grandfather's funeral ten
years later.
Janet is my great-great Aunt Maggie's great- granddaughter.
That makes her my some-kind-of-cousin.
The fact that Janet sends out anniversary
announcements for dead relatives may qualify her
as my 'weird' cousin. I don't really know her well enough to
call her weird but the DNA inside me seems to be
saying, it's O.K.
Anyway,
Happy Anniversary to Aunt Maggie and Uncle
George
INTERNET
and other ADDICTIONS:
Even though Barna's research indicates
that many Christian men are addicted to internet
pornography, I've never gone there and plan to
steer clear of it.
Nobody has asked me
what
I
hunger to see on
my computer
screen
('cept
Ross Farrow).
Mr.
Barna,
there are other things one can do with spare
time, internet access and a desire for adventure.
Tuesday,
November 8, 2005
The song we sang
Sunday (Oh, Happy Day) says, "He taught me how
to 'watch, fight, and pray.' In the second
service, I was prompted to pray a 'spiritual
warfare prayer' against 'the thief' who
recently 'stole, killed, and destoyed' some
lives in our community.
Referenced in that prayer was the tragedy of a
local teenager, Aaron Brooks, who was murdered here in
our little town. The young man who was arrested
is also the victim of an evil principality.
Before we dismissed the children to Children's
Church, we took time to acknowledge each one by
name. The best way to 'fight' about the bad
choices made last week is to be a proactive,
positive influence in the lives of individual
young people today.
One of the teenagers came up to me later and
'thanked' me for praying about this loss in
their lives. The search and the discovery has
provoked many teens here to think about their
lives and their friends.
Two important quotes from Jesus:
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness and all these things shall be
added unto you."
"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one
comes to the Father except through me."
Sometimes we forget the basics.
Voting takes place in California and in Liberia
today. For the Christian its important to
remember to watch and pray.
California: I'm voting YES to giving back some
rights to parents to protect their daughters
from getting abortions without their knowledge.
I'm also voting YES on Measure B (of local
concern) to build another high school in our
town. Here's a 'voter's guide' to the
propositions.
I'm not surprised when Christians start to talk
politics. They don't all agree, do they? I don't
recommend just voting the way someone tells you
to vote. It is important to hear the other side.
If all one listened to was TV commercials, one
could sure make a mistake on Informed Consent.
Well, enough about that...
What might happen in Liberia's elections?
CLICK HERE.
Here is an important story about those who
would want to 'assist the poor' by trying to
provide jobs in Liberia.
Monday,
November 7, 2005
I sure enjoyed talking with Mike and Robin
McCall after church last night. This Sunday,
Mike will be preaching more about "Adjusting
to God's Ways." I told him that I would pray
every day for him as he watches and prays for
God's direction from the Scriptures.
I love to experience God's sons and daughters
exercising their gifts and abilities. I will
lead the Worship Team before Mike preaches this Sunday; that's what I
must prepare for.
Tomorrow is special election day here in
California. Polls are open from 7 AM to 8 PM.
There are a number of
propositions that
must be voted upon. Cathy and I are part of the
18% (I heard that stat on TV) of eligible voters who will show up to the
polls--not much different than a Baptist church
business meeting.
Saturday,
November 5, 2005
A couple days ago I answered my designated
telemarketing phone and guess who was on the
other end? Randy Stonehill. Like everyone
else, he knows that he can call me
24/7 (not
just at dinnertime).
On December 4th, Randy will be sharing
his gifts within driving distance of the
Epicenter (in the morning at
Discovery Church
in
Elk Grove and in the evening at
Community Presbyterian
Church in Vacaville).
Well, today he called me with some welcomed
news. He and Phil Keaggy (another
favorite artist) recently collaborat
ed
for a DVD and CD release. I told him that I
would write about it. Perhaps, I could write
more intelligibly if someone were to remember me
at Christmas time . . .
Click here
for ordering information on the Stonehill/Keaggy
DVD/CD
package.
Through the years,
Cathy and I have enjoyed the great body of
music created by both Phil and Randy. We caught
their separate performances at Spirit West Coast.
Both were exceptional--as usual. I'm glad that
someone decided to get them together for this
project. I hope to see/hear it soon.
An article in the Galt
Herald shared this photo of some beautiful girls
at our FEAR FACTOR e
vent:
Harvest Festivals around the
area: First Baptist did its part to
provide good clean fun for the community with
jump houses, gummy worm eating contests, a
puppet show and more. A free dinner and snacks
were also provided.
Friday,
November 4, 2005
For over twenty years, (on the first Tuesday
of each month) our church has sent an outreach
team to Royal Oaks Convalescence Center.
This week's visit was especially sweet
as we sang old hymns together, recited scripture
verses from memory, and hear Jim Fugate deliver
a personalized message from the Bible.
One of the residents there was a precious woman
named Marcellus. Today, a gathering of family
and friends will commemorate her life at the
Galt Cemetery (1:30). I spoke to her
granddaughter last night. She told me that she
had been there with Grandma for our services at
different times. It looks overcast here today. I
hope that it will warm up before we gather
around her gravesite.
As we prepare to send
Joe to Liberia it is important to keep track of
the what is happening in their presidential
election. On October 11th, voting took place but
now there will have to be a second vote between
the top two candidates.
This is such an important current event. If you
read the two short articles about these
candidates you might be prompted for pray with
understanding. Click on either name below.
George Weah, 39
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf,
66
Ross Farrow, from the Lodi News-Sentinel, called me on Thursday for a story he might write on church websites. I could only speak to him for about ten minutes. I suggested that he check out the personal journals and blogs on our site.
So....just in case you're reading this:
Hey, Ross! Call me back.
Wednesday,
November 2, 2005
I enjoy watching Dan
Malloy direct the multi-generational choir in
preparation for our community Christmas program.
I'm singing in the tenor section; I've been
sitting next to Ryan Perez (a senior at GHS).
He had the lead role in Godspell last year--a
gifted singer. Years ago, we baptized Ryan. I am
pleased to have this opportunity to share a
musical experience with him.
Last Sunday night, I called upon Mike McCall to
share a word with us. Yesterday I asked him to
preach in our morning services on November 13th.
Mike began to make major adjustments in his life
when he went with us to Estonia in 2000, again
in 2003. Then he traveled to Liberia with his
wife, Robin, earlier this year. Their
participation encourages me in my calling as
their pastor. I know that they impact others in
similar ways.
Before Mike preaches, I will play the guitar and
lead the Worship Team. That will be fun.
Tuesday,
November 1, 2005
The Lord has been good to Cathy
and me today. We are still celebrating our 20th
anniversary year. Today, we went to Royal Oaks
together and out for a Tuesday Matinee. Tonight,
we will both attend the city-wide choir
rehearsal.
My thanks to everyone who wrote messages for
Pastors' Appreciation. My heart overflows with
joy that somebody out there values my input
through the body of Christ.