Back from Vacation

Well, we're back from vacation. It was a good two weeks. Shut my brain down. Saw and heard very little news - world, national, or sports. Had no idea what was going on with the debt ceiling debate in Washington, no news of the NFL lockout, no knowledge of how my Phillies were doing - nothun'! Just times with my family sightseeing, playing, going to the beach, swimming, and relaxing. It was very, very nice.

What is hard, then, is getting my brain to turn back on when I get home! The first Sunday back is always a struggle. That, and it always seems like my voice isn't as strong after a couple of weeks off. I'm not sure that's really so, but it seems that way. But it always good to be back with my flock and see them again, even though I know they were in good hands while I was away.

I am feeling pretty good now, though, and ready to dive back into things and get some things accomplished . . . which is good, for I have a LOT that needs to get done! I'll post some pictures from the vacation soon, when I get them on my computer.

Vacation (with a little Hebrew thrown in!)

Been meaning to post here for a while . . . but have been busy getting ready for vacation! Leaving in the morning - I can't wait! I need the break. Still have a few more things to finish up, though.

One thing that has intrigued me of late, that y'all can think about while I'm gone. We were going through Genesis 18 in Sunday morning Bible Class, and after Sarah laughs at the news of her having a child, verse 14 has the Lord's response: "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" And then there's a little, tiny footnote - easy to miss - which says that the word "hard" may also be "wonderful." That's quite a difference! One of my eagle-eyed members caught it, and asked: Well, which is it?

Turns out that the word in Hebrew there can be translated either way, but it seems that "wonderful" may indeed be the primary meaning. My member then pointed out the Messianic promise in Isaiah 9, where the child to be born will be called Wonderful . . . hmmm . . . same word. Then, in the Treasury reading for today, from Judge 13, it came up again! After the angel of the Lord tells Samson parents that they are going to have a child, he says (v. 18): "Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?" Same Hebrew root. Hmmm. When I get back from vacation, I think I would like to do some digging into this . . .

So, let me go finish things up. See you in a couple of weeks!

4th of July

Ah, a complete, 100% day off! :-) Didn't even turn on the computer. No e-mail, nuthin'! Very nice.

Went to a 4th of July parade with my girls in the morning. We didn't go into DC for the big one; instead, we went to a smaller one in a town close by. Not bad, not too hot, and we enjoyed ourselves very much. A couple of pictures . . .

Waiting for the parade to start.

My youngest in front of one of the giant balloons.

VBS

A tradition unlike any other.

No, not the Masters . . .

This is our VBS week. We do not have as many children this year as past years. Not sure why. This year will be the first year our own children actually outnumber our guests. That will make for a new dynamic.

We're using the CPH materials this year - Big Jungle Adventure.

It's not bad, but honestly, not up to par with their regular Sunday School materials. We keep hoping that the VBS programs will be improved to match the Sunday School materials, but so far, not yet. Perhaps this could be a suggestion for CPH - if you want to compete with the big VBS programs from other publishers, that's fine. And these materials probably do a good job of that. But perhaps also include some materials that have a bit more meat for those that want them.

For example, we don't do all the decorating and making the place look like a jungle. First of all because we don't own our building and would have to put it up and take it down every day - much too big a task! Our teachers instead do a great job in their classrooms with props and telling the story and even some decorations. We also don't use the DVD skits and a lot of the other extras, But my teachers (especially of the small ones) would like more ideas of how to teach the children the stories. They come up with their own great ideas, but its not always easy.

And yes, our children have fun. It is vacation, not school. Yet at the same time, to quote from another pastor friend of mine: when we work we work, when we play we play, and when we worship we worship.

Well, its been a pretty good week so far. Enjoying the kids. Always glad when it's done, though, because that means my vacation isn't too far away . . . :-)

66 Devotions!

For a couple of years now, I have tried to send out a weekly devotional note via e-mail that I call "In Touch." During special times in the Church Year I may send more than one a week, but there have also been times where I have been "dry" and void of ideas and didn't send one out for weeks. I am amazed at my brother Dr. Scott Murray in Houston, who sends out a devotion every day! (And ones of great substance.)

Well, today I decided to try something: I am going to write 66 devotions, one for each book of the Bible. Each will be about the book's general focus, and emphasize how this book shows us Christ and the good news of His work for us. So that's a devotion each week for the next 15 months! Hopefully that, and a bit of inspiration sprinkled in between, will keep me going for a while and help me be more consistent with these. We'll see! And if you're interested, go here to sign-up for yourself and receive them. The first one goes out tomorrow morning.

My Friday

I love what Maple trees look like from the ground up. When we moved here, we had three of them around our house, and they provided very nice shade and fantastic colors in the Fall.

I hate what Maple trees are underground. They must have the biggest, orneriest roots of any trees! So, once those roots started causing trouble around our house (i.e., splitting our concrete steps and clogging drains), the trees, sadly, had to go. That was two years ago. We planted two dogwoods in place of two of them, and left the third place vacant. We weren't sure if we wanted another tree there.

Well, I am still dealing with the roots left behind by that tree! Oh, when the landscapers took the trees out, they ground out the stumps - but Maple roots are looong and spread far. Shortly after the trees came out, I laid a new drain to help with the water by our front steps. Something like 30-40 feet to the back of the house, and I had to chop and dig my way through some terrible roots!

Well, yesterday was my turn for more agony. That old tree used to be right next to a garden we've been wanting to plant. We have, but the ground is still so rooty that it's hard to dig and plant anything. So yesterday's job was to tackle that garden and try to de-root it. Oh my. I had no idea what I was in for! It took all day, digging, pulling, and chopping, but I am happy to say that our garden is now in much better shape and we have planted a bunch of plants there that I hope will look nice for years to come. Last night I was really sore and tired (and still a bit today!), but a job done right is a job I hope I will never have to do again!

And when we have those ugly looking bushes next to some other steps taken out - trust me! - it will be the landscapers digging up those roots! :-)

Friday's Treasury Reading

On Friday, we read from Numbers 27, where Moses is told he will not enter the Promised Land. He asks God to appoint a successor so that "the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep that have no shepherd." Of course, the immediate successor was Joshua, but those words immediately made me think of our true Joshua, who during His public ministry had compassion for the crowds, "because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36).

The parallels between Joshua and Jesus are many, but I had never seen or considered this one before. Then add Ezekiel 34, which speaks of those who should have shepherded Israel but didn't, so God promises to be their shepherd and sends the Good Shepherd. For, of course, the Law (Moses) cannot lead us into the Promised Land of Heaven - only Jesus can do that.