Super Bowl Bound!

Fly Eagles Fly!

Panama, Day 1

Finally got some free time, so thought I'd get some pictures from our recent trip to Panama up here. :-)

First of all, why did we go to Panama?

Well, one of the families I was catechizing moved to Panama in the middle of our catechesis. So I told them, finish up with me online and when you're done, I'll come down a confirm you in Panama. So I did!

So on Friday, January 13th, we flew down and arrived in the evening. So pretty much just went to our hotel and settled in. On Saturday, we got a tour guide to take us around Panama City - to the canal, some of the significant sections, and to the old city, Casco Viejo. After the tour guide left, we stayed in Casco Viejo and had lunch and explored a bit, after which we Ubered back to the hotel and spent the evening with the family we came to see. (You won't believe how cheap Uber is in Panama!)

So, a few pictures:

At the Panama Canal - notice the different water levels on both sides of the lock.

At the famous (and touristy!) Panama letters

With the family . . .

Rooftop pool at our hotel!

View of downtown Panama City from our rooftop pool!

Interesting mural on the side of a building in Casco Viejo. Click on the picture and see the look of Jesus' face.

Athanasians at the March for Life

I have many things to post - including pictures from our trip to Panama! - just not a lot of time to do it yet. For now, here is a picture from yesterday's March for Life. Hopefully I can do some more posts soon!

Athanasians at the March for Life

Like Carrots?

So the church we share a building with gets unsold/leftover/old food from Trader Joe's each week, which they give to their members and/or folks in need. Whatever they do not give away (on Saturday) is left for us on Sunday. Our folks can take what they want and then the rest we deliver to a Laundromat owned by one of my members, and the folks there (often low income) can take whatever they want. Some weeks we get more, some less. Sometimes what we get is quite interesting. Like this past Sunday, Christmas Day, this is one of the items waiting for us . . .

Yup, Carrots! Lots of 'em! If you zoom in on the picture, you can see that there are 50 pounds of carrots! Now, if we only had a horse or two . . .  :-)

Merry Christmas!

 A Blessed and Merry Christmas from me and my family to you.

Different Views on Faith

I was reading something recently which talked of different views of faith. It goes something like this:

Evangelical Churches: Faith is such a great work that we are saved by faith. Faith is what we do.

Roman Churches: Faith is not a good enough work; it must be supplemented by good works.

Lutheran Churches: Faith is not our work, but the work of God in us by which we receive the gifts of God.

So, how do you know you are saved?

Evangelical Churches: Because I believe! (My work, my decision, my choice)

Roman Churches: Because my faith is completed by my love and good works.

Lutheran Church: Because Jesus saved me and has given me the gift of eternal life.

Interesting, no? Different views of faith can lead to other very different theologies . . .

(Note: I am painting with a very broad brush here, and I am NOT trying to say who is saved and who is not! But different churches (confessions) do think differently about things . . . )

Mmmm, yum!

I don't know who the Stan of "Stan's Donuts" is, but he makes a mighty tasty donut! These were an early birthday present for me before we leave for the wedding we're going to tomorrow. I've never had a Chocolate Peppermint Bark donut before (never even heard of such a thing), but I recommend them highly. And I consider myself somewhat of a donut connoisseur, since donuts are my favorite kind of bread!