High Noon In The Church Parking Lot

Had an exciting lunch yesterday. As I was walking through our church parking lot a car just about ran me over. It stopped, backed up, tried to exit the lot and was stopped by a police car. A cop quickly jumped out and pulled a gun on the car. I was within 10 feet of this pleasant little get-together.
The cop was yelling at the driver as I'm walking backward wondering if bullets are going to start flying. Unfortunately, I'd forgotten to bring my gun to church that day or I could've helped out. Of course, all it shoots is water so I'm not sure it would've been much help. It was kind of hot at noon though.
They got him into custody. Turns out he'd been "acting suspiciously" around a house -the owners of which the police were familiar with. When they told him to step out of the car, he took off. The end of their car chase was in our parking lot. I looked for news helicopters but I suppose there wasn't time since the chase only lasted about two blocks.
Considering my heart rate during this episode, I'm amazed and thankful that police officers are willing to take on this kind of responsibility. Not so sure I could. Think I'll buy them some donuts.

This Weekend

This Sunday evening my message title will be "You Look Better From A Distance". The sub-title is "Heaven's Perspective".
There's a pop song from the 80s that had this line in it: "People are people so why should it be you and I should get along so awfully?" Remember that one? I think it was either by Depeche Mode or Evie Tornquist. Think I heard her sing it at a Billy Graham crusade once.
Anyway, unfortunately, that question could be asked far too often in the church. At first everything is just tip-top, rosy, hunky-dory, peaches and cream with sugar on top. Then, one day, an ominous chord strikes on the sound track of your life as there's a conflict between you and someone else. We're then faced with a choice. We can let that conflict distance us from each other -or we can make every effort to live in peace with others.
Maybe we need a heavenly perspective when we look at each other. Are we really planning to avoid each others mansions when we get there? Eternity is an awfully long time. We're bound to bump into each other eventually. So what are we to do in the here and now? What does the Bible say about this? Join us!

Paper Or Plastic?

New Dog Treats

This Weekend

This Sunday morning my message is titled "Beware The Chair". To run in such a way as to get the prize, we need to be careful not to get too attached to all the creature comforts around us. Things are faster, sleeker, and more comfortable than ever before. They can present quite the temptation -and quite the deception when it comes to helping us actually win the race.
When I was a boy I had a record. Yes it was vinyl. One of those big round black things you'd put on to listen to music. But this record told stories and one of those was the Tortoise and the Hare. If the Hare were running this race today he'd probably be wearing stretchy pants, snacking at fast food restaurants, and, of course, taking plenty of rest stops. He, like many people today, thought it was all about speed. He'd probably go to church and hear all the things that need to be done. But he wouldn't do them. Maybe later. He thought he could always make up for lost time later on. So he went on snoozing in his big, fat, comfortable chair. But he lost the race.
The tortoise, on the other hand, was the object of ridicule. The other animals made fun of him as he plodded along. How in the world does he think he could ever win this race? But maybe he knew something the hare didn't. Beware the chair. Run in such a way as to get the prize. Join us!

I've Been There

I went to the Post Office yesterday. While approaching I noticed 2 people looking longingly at the automatic door that was automatically staying shut. It then hit me that it was Columbus Day. I'd been in the same position last year. I remember walking up to that door and bouncing right off because it didn't open. Someone noticed my look of "huh?" and explained..."It's Columbus Day."
Well, of course, I felt like an idiot. After all those Columbus Day specials on T.V. and the Columbus Day Parade with the Nina, Pinta and the Lima Beana ships...I should have remembered it was a holiday.
So when I saw their look of confusion I knew immediately what was happening. They turned to me with little lost puppy expressions and asked, "Why?" I reminded them it was Columbus Day and their furrowed brow turned into more enlightened expressions. I was so glad to be there for them in their time of need because I knew, just one year ago, what it felt like to be turned away from the post office.
2nd Corinthians 1:3-4 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

Christine

Yesterday I attended a funeral for the little sister of my friend Dennis Luce. Christine died a day after her 35th birthday. She was on horseback and had an accident which caused pressure and swelling on her brain. The brain damage was too severe and now she's with Jesus.
I'd like to ask you to keep my friend Dennis in your prayers...as well as Christine's husband, Mark, and her parents, Bob and Janice. Also, Christine has a 17 year-old daughter, Susannah. She gave a beautiful tribute at the service.
A website is being constructed as a tribute to Christine. http://www.weloveyouchristine.com/
There's nothing quite like a funeral to remind you of the really important things in life. Two things that I thought of especially yesterday were to keep short accounts (not holding onto your hurts)...and to express your love to people more often. I think if we really did those things, life would be far less complicated than we often make it.