41

So, it happened. I could not stop it. At 10:05 a.m. on Sunday, February 6th, I turned 41. I don't care for it. The number that is. My life seems good. I like where I am in my life and my surroundings. I like that I get to pastor a flock of God's people. I like life, but the fact that every day I get closer to the time I am leaving this life is a bit unsettling. It doesn't help that I have buried about 5 people since I've come here. Life is so short. We really do have to make every minute count.

Is it time for me to get a red sports car? No. I couldn't afford the insurance anyway. I'm not sure how I feel about getting old. Maybe I don't like it at all. Maybe I'd prefer to ignore it. Not totally sure. My judgement for the 41st is just up in the air a bit. Odd.

Church logo

Well, I finally got the logo together. I think it turned out well. We have license plates with something similar on them. Kinda neat. Let me know what you think.

Racism is still living in America

Wow. Yes, it's still around. Ah, but I met a few heros for integration recently. Both were in the school system and were threatened by the KKK if they allowed integration to occur. They stood strong and risked their lives and went ahead and allowed it to occur. I'm proud of them.

Yes, it's amazing that racism is still alive after all these years. It is taught and caught. Let it stop with you.

Well...live and learn

I feel almost as shocked as some others tonight when we voted on going ahead with the A/V update at our church without giving everyone a heads up on just what we were getting. I did not realize that whatever is voted on at the Deacon's Meeting goes straight to the church for a vote without any delay unless so requested. I will know better next time. Meanwhile screens are coming, but not until we can openly discuss what we're getting at a family meeting. Pray for us as we seek to learn each other as pastor and congregation. This is an awesome church! I am so pleased to be associated with it!

P.S. In reflection, I guess many could say, and rightly so, I should have known this about the vote being brought to the church after it was shared in the Deacon's Meeting. For some reason I just did not catch that was what was happening.

At the brink...

As we stand on this side of the end of this year my prayer is that this year will stay where it is–in this year. If God chooses to give us 2011, I hope you'll leave 2010 behind. Any sadness and any disappointments need to be left behind. Yes, even the joy. You can't live on the joys of yesterday or yesteryear. Joy must be something we obtain from the Lord on a daily basis, not something we try to live on from another day in our past. Sure we can enjoy those memories, but we need joy for today. Get it from the Lord. He is there for us. He is there to give us strength for today, hope for today and joy for today. Let's grasp those as He hands them out to us on a daily basis.

I hope your journey to the new year finds you with an empty backpack ready to collect all the Lord has for you in 2011. May He bless you and strengthen you and remind you of His presence daily.

Christmas with the Beemans

Christmas is a special time of gathering for the Beemans. I grew up listening to the Christmas story read out of Luke's gospel, chapter 2, praying and then opening gifts. Each Christmas we did that. I am thankful my father insisted on doing that. Sometimes we'd even read a different translation. Always, it was to help us focus and remember who we were celebrating. What a joy!

My prayer for you is that you will be able to stop, focus and be thankful for what God has done in the sending of His only Son. Thanks be to God for His marvelous gift!

Thankful

I'm thankful today for a church who has sensitive and caring people who love each other and their pastor. What a church!! God has placed me in a place to serve Him where I feel I don't deserve to serve. Wow. Thank you for all that you do, God. You are awesome.

I'm praying for us all during this Christmas season. Don't forget there are some who are hurting over the loss of a loved one. Minister to them. Pray for them. Love on them. They need to know someone remembers.

Family, food, funeral

Well, the family is on their way home from Texas a day early. They should be back this evening. I stayed with Beau. Amazing dog. He was very well behaved not having Jack around. I ate at the White's home for Thanksgiving lunch. I watched a bit of the Saints beating the Cowboys, almost losing and then winning game. That was good. Today I shall do the funeral of Robert Gwin. Great man. Great smile. Great attitude. Loved his wife, grandchildren very much. What a man. Sad to have him leaving us. Every church needs cheerful and supportive people in it.