More Tuesday Morning Coffee . . .

Well, it's been a while again. So what's been going on?

Well, our big news, I guess, is that my son got a job! He is in his senior year at Western New England University in Springfield, MA and so beginning the whole applying and interviewing process. Last week he had an interview at BAE Systems in nearby Manassas, VA. So he took the train down on Monday, had his interview on Tuesday, and took the train back to school on Wednesday. He said the interview went well and they really liked his experience both in and out of the classroom. Well, by the end of the week, he got the job! So now he can relax and enjoy his senior year without having to worry about a job after he graduates. And we get the bonus of having him close by - at least for a few years. We'll see where his career takes him after that.

Before getting that job, my son asked us if we were interested in selling him our Honda Civic - he would need a car to go on his job interviews. Well, we weren't in the car market and I really like my Civic, but as we thought about it, it made sense. He needs a car and was willing to pay more than what we would get trading it in. We could sell it to him for less than what he could buy a similar car for in the market. And we had some money saved . . . so we went ahead and got a new car - a 2017 Toyota Corolla. We have a Toyota minivan and really like it. It's been pretty dependable. And we got a good deal on a 2017 closeout. So now we have a new car and my son has a car to go on job interviews he doesn't need to go on anymore! :-)

The third thing is that my father took a rather large step down the last few days. He is noticeably weaker and spends less time awake and alert. It happened rather suddenly. I guess that's the way things go at his age. So we're keeping a little closer eye on him now. To the right is the latest picture I have of us together. He's been doing pretty well of late - I guess he's just starting to wear out. He's having trouble even getting through a whole devotion with us now.

Finally, I have a question for anyone who has read this far: When Luther wrote in his hymn A Mighty Fortress "one little word can fell him," what is that one little word? I have heard a number of suggestions from a number of people: Jesus, Christ, grace, forgiveness, tetelestai (Greek for "it is finished"), gegraptai (Greek for "it is written"), just to name a few. As far as I know, Luther never specified in his writings what that word was for him. What do you think? What do you think it is? :-)

Have a great Tuesday - officially the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation today!

Tuesday Morning Coffee

Just some thoughts on a Tuesday morning . . .

My wife and I are transitioning to using an electronic calendar for all of our stuff. I have been resisting and using my paper one, but it is getting harder and harder to coordinate her stuff, my stuff, and family stuff that way without one central calendar that I can access wherever I am. So, we're moving. It'll take some getting used to, but I know will be beneficial in the long run.

Preaching. I was privileged to preach at my District's Professional Church Workers Conference last week. Know what I noticed? How much easier it is to preach in a church, from a pulpit, than preaching in the house church that we are forced to use at the moment, due to our building still being under repair. I have found it quite challenging preaching in that environment. I can't quite put my finger on why, but it was just so much easier in the church.

And speaking of our church, no, repairs still haven't begun. The contractor is still talking with (haggling?) the insurance company(ies). Hopefully soon. I am getting very worried now about mold in the building, and that even when repairs to the roof are made, that will only be the beginning of the problems.

I also think I understand why District Presidents tend to be full time and not also serving as pastors - it's not the time it takes so much as the emotional toll. A pastor hurts for his people, and a District President hurts for his pastors and congregations. I experience some of this as a Circuit Visitor. It's not easy. You can insulate yourself to a degree, but its still tough to bring bad news to a congregation, or to work with a pastor who is hurting.

My wife - what would I do without her? Without her forgiveness, understanding, unwavering support, encouragement, management, care, and wisdom? I don't even want to think about it. :-)

Proud Dad

Here is the program from my daughter's symphony concert last night. Notice the list of Violin 1 players, and look at who is at the top of the list! A first semester sophomore as concertmistress. Pretty awesome. #ProudDad

Labor Day

Well, it's been a long hiatus from blogging. Some of that was vacation, some busyness, some lack of incentive to post anything. I'm going to try to catch up.

First up, here's what I did on my Labor Day holiday:

I labored! :-)  We have a bunch of these large, overgrown, part dead, part rotten, all ugly bushes behind our house, next to our deck. Wanting to do something with our deck, we figured the first step is getting rid of these monstrosities. Without them, the whole backyard opens up and is much nicer. But what a lot of work! So many branches so densely grown together. I got the first three out - the first two were the biggest and toughest. There are three left - we may leave the last one, not sure yet. But also have to think about the stumps now. I'll try to dig them out, but if that's too hard, we'll just saw them off down below dirt level. Then we're thinking of putting a raised garden there. Anyway, that was my Labor Day!

More Post-Storm Pictures

Just got back from the church. Here are some more pictures of the tree which fell upon our little church . . .

View from the east side of the building, the top of the tree over the roof.

View from the west side, the main trunk of the tree.

View from the neighbor's yard. A pretty big tree! Probably fortunate it didn't go farther into the church and cause more damage.

Red tagged building.  :-(

Storm Damage

Last night during the storms that blew through our area a tree came down onto the church building that we rent for use. So the building will be unusable for a time. Hopefully we will be able to get in today and move what we need out of our closet there. Please keep us in your prayers.

Special Guest

Athanasian (can't say "former Athanasian" because "once an Athanasian, always an Athanasian!") and missionary Chris Yang and his family are in town on furlough from their work in Asia and visiting friends and supporters. He will be at Saint Athanasius to preach this Sunday and present what he is doing to the congregation afterward.

Yesterday, however, he made the time to visit my father. My father supported Chris through Seminary and corresponded quite often with the family, even after they left the Seminary. When they arrived, it was great to see his face light up - he knew them right away. We had a great visit. Here's a picture . . .