Faith in the White House
I just watched a show on PAX titled "Faith in the White House" about President Bush. I thought it was excellent and accurately depicted the President's faith and how it guides him. It was also fair in that it didn't depict him as always being that way. In fact, it made the point that he wasn't born again until he was about 40. I know many of us pray for our leaders by name, but I think we also need to thank God for giving us a man of faith in the White House.
Another part of the program dealt with our American heritage and the fact that our country was built on religious principles and freedom and quoted many of our founding fathers. It also stressed the fact that our Constitution does NOT mention separation of church and state (which Willie Meggs reminds us in his Sunday School class quite regularly). The Constitution guarantees freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion. Of course, it also said that our government couldn't create or mandate a religion. It wasn't until the Supreme Court ruling on prayer in school (in the 60s) that the terminology of "separation of church and state" became an integral part of our language. The program also said that in a survey a majority (they said the percentage, but I don't remember it) of people truly believe that the Constitution mandates separation of church and state.
I guess I started rambling, but watching that show just reminded me of how far we, as a country, has strayed from God and how much we need to continue to pray for our leaders and that God raises up new leaders of faith.
On a completely different subject, nothing much going on this week. I did get to play golf (a recurring blog theme) on Monday and had more topsoil delivered on Tuesday morning. However, it rained most of the day, so I didn't have to start spreading it. I get to look forward to that tomorrow. Then, weather permitting, we have another golf day planned for Thursday. I'm not complaining about the rain--we sure needed it and the grass seed I put out last week has sprouted and we are beginning to see green (other than weeds) in our backyard.
Remember, Donnie Davis and Emily Wright will be leaving for Romania on Thursday. Please keep them and their trip in your prayers. Also, continue to pray for the work of Calyn, Lori and all the others in Kiev working for Radooga.
Mission Night and More
I wanted to make sure to blog today so I couldn't be accused of going a week without writing anything. Tomorrow (Wednesday) is Mission Night during WOW at Northwoods. The main attraction (sounds of clapping, cheering, etc) is Pastor Scott talking about his recent trip to Africa. If you were at ROC a week ago and heard him you know how exciting and interesting this story is. If you weren't there, you definitely don't want to miss it Wednesday.
There will also be a short video about the Guatemala Mission trip earlier this year (since we never had the opportunity to share it with the congregation). I hope as many of my fellow team members as possible are there (don't worry, we don't get to talk). I know Lori is Kiev and others are out of town. It should be an exciting night.
OK, on to other miscellaneous topics:
- Does anyone other than me and Lucy think the audio has been too loud at church the past couple of Sundays? I had mentioned it to one of the associate pastors a week ago and he did manage to get it adjusted, but I think it was still too loud. In fact, we couldn't make it through the worship and had to leave, missing the Father's Day message.
-Now, I don't usually pray for rain (it interferes with my golfing schedule), but we finished preparing and seeding our backyard today and it will need lots of water for the next few weeks. I'd just as soon it get that from rain than from me watering.
- Using a shovel and wheelbarrow to spread 10 cubit yards of topsoil is hard work and not a lot of fun.
- I did manage to get to play golf yesterday (in between days of working on the yard).
- My son didn't call me for Father's Day. Actually, he did call me on Saturday, but told me it wasn't a Father's Day call because he had forgotten to call Lucy on mother's day and didn't want to make her feel bad. :)
- If the New Orleans Mission Lab wasn't cancelled, we'd be leaving this weekend.
I guess that's about it. See how boring of a life I live?
Another Busy Week
I know it's been a few days since my last post, but it's been another busy few days. I need to go back to work--retirement is killing me. :)
It's been nice to get a break from the rain (sort of). I finally got to play golf on Monday for the first time in 3 weeks (due to rain and, of course, the bike trip). The bad part is that sunshine also means I've got to get caught up on a lot of yardwork. Last year we resodded our front yard, but still have no grass in the back. So, that is this summer's big project. I had a truck load of topsoil delivered this morning and will spend the next few days spreading it in the back. Then comes tilling the ground and planting the yard (haven't really decided on seed or plugs--not sod this time--too expensive). I mowed the front today and it is really hot.
Let me go back a few days. Sunday was awesome as ever. I always enjoy our Sunday School clasee (Willie Meggs' class) and then our 2nd graders are great. Although I did enjoy John's sermon, for the 2nd week in a row the sound in the dome was way too loud. Hopefully, they will get it turned down this week. Then, on Sunday evening at ROC, Pastor Scott gave an awesome talk on his trip to Africa. I'm ready to sign up as soon as the list comes out. :)
On Sunday, I did get the bad news about the New Orleans trip being canceled. I was looking forward to it and feel bad for the program there that there will be an empty week without a team, but we know that all things work for good and we'll just have to wait and see what God has in plan for me during that week.
As I mentioned, I did get to play golf on Monday. Again, it was VERY hot and I was pretty much dead by the end (yes, I walk the course instead of ride), but it was still fun.
On Tuesday, I spent the morning at VBS videoing the different activities for a 10 minute presentation on Thursday evening at the VBS graduation ceremony. I was really impressed with the changes (in organization and procedures) made from last year to this year and must congratulate Miss Renee and Miss Cheri for listening to the issues/problems from last year and taking the steps necessary to make things run much smoother. I would almost consider being a line leader again (I didn't really say that, did I?).
The rest of the week was spent finishing up not only the video presentation for VBS, but also all the discs for the bike trip. That ended up being a 3-dvd set and I made 18 sets (54 dvds). It would have been more if it wasn't for multiple people from the same families on the trip (i.e., 5 Kuders). I'll start handing them out to those that are at WOW on Wednesday.
That pretty much catches up to where I am now and will be the next couple of days (spreading topsoil). I hope everyone is having a blessed week and enjoying this great (but hot) weather.
At the Lincoln Memorial with the Washington Monument in the background.
Finally at Mile 0.
In front of the nation's Capital.
Bike Trip 2005
Now that I've finally caught up on my sleep from the Bike Tour, I guess it's my turn to mention some of the things I learned:
- I'm not sure everyone understands and appreciates the amount of time, effort and energy Mr. Robbin spends on planning and conducting these trips.
- When looking for the stop for the evening, the correct name of the church does make a difference.
- Driving alone from Tallahassee to Cumberland, MD is very boring.
- Having company on the drive home really made a difference (it especially kept me awake)--thanks a bunch Erin, Paul, Jake and especially Jenna and Daniel for the last 7+ hours (when I was really tired and sleepy).
- The youth on this trip are all awesome! With boys and girls like these, our country's future looks bright.
- The Wescott's are a great family. I really enjoyed getting to know Shellie and Donnie (Spencer is in my Sunday School class so I already knew him well).
- 17 - 19 hours driving in one day is too much.
- There is too much to see in Washington to do it justice in one day.
- There are great families in our church who will step up to the plate to help at the last minute--thanks to the Wirgau's and the Vinson's for the use of the vans! This trip couldn't have happened without them.
- The seniors from this year's bike tour will be hard to replace, but I could see that the younger ones are ready to take on that leadership and will be an inspiration to the boys and girls who will be joining youth in the next couple of years.
- A truck just 2 feet short (from last year) is twice as easy to drive and maneuver.
- In Pastor John's words, all the boys and girls on the trip are true "Champions." Despite riding long hours on their bikes, they still presented excellent performances.
- I don't think I ever had as much energy as these boys and girls.
- I was truly blessed to be able to be a part of this trip and to interact with all these people.
I just want to thank Shellie, Donnie, Spencer, Melinda, Robbin, Gail, Amy, Jed, Alicia, Jake, Emily, Todd, Anna, Amanda, Nicole, Erin, Paul, David, Daniel, Rachel, Kayla, Janelle and Jenna (bike team order because you are all equal) for the great time.
