A tooth is gone

Our minute older girl lost her first tooth tonight. Her first tooth came in on Christmas Night 5 years ago. Tonight on New Years Eve she came to me with dental floss in hand and asked me to pull it out. After just a few seconds of tugging it was out.

Winter nights winter lights

One neat thing about winter nights is the light. Tonight with the moon over head the snow had a real glow as I was out walking the water dog. Now he's inside nawing on toys as I surf the web on my remanufactured phone. My beloved and the next baby are asleep on the couch and the 5 year olds are avoiding sleep.

Pheasants and The Brau Haus

I'm toward the end of a hunting break and I've stopped at the Brau Haus in Lucan. The beer is brewed in town, the service is great, and an old friend lives nearby.

Maybe it's time for Barkley

With Coleman and Franken smearing eachother maybe it's time for an indepenent


Independent voices could bring sanity about the over and above the din of two candidates and their allies smearing each other while not facing the issues.

Still Waiting for a Bank Holiday

There's little doubt that the bear market of late has happened as a result of private sector conduct and the public sector's failure to oversee the private sector. The question for the next president will not be if their administration should act in response, but how it should act. I asked for a bank holiday for the whole financial services sector in this blog in March. It clearly hasn't happened yet.

My question today is what comes next. Government involvement proposed thus far hasn't amounted to any real benefit at all (beyond psychological benefit); it's just to early in the game to see if the money allocated for future spending will be spent in the right places and in the right amounts.

I'm curious as the plan to move forward takes shape if it will focus on jobs as well as the reform of financial institutions. There's no question that the New Deal had some real shortcomings; but for all its shortcomings Roosevelt's plan was more comprehensive than the current plan because it dealt with both the needs of the unemployed and and the crisis in the banking sector. If politicians learn anything from history let it be that the whole nation has been effected by the financial crisis and that its not enough just to create jobs or just to pump money into FDIC insured banks and uninsured institutions that act like banks to keep them afloat.

The New Deal drove the economy of the working class for most of Roosevelt's first term; but it wasn't enough; banking and investing needed reform. Still after all is said and done even the New Deal alone wasn't enough to rebuild the national economy. Roosevelt created his own mini depression by trying to end the New Deal in his second term. Unemployment rose because the private sector wasn't able to employ those who had earlier been employed through the New Deal. History has many lessons to teach our next president if anyone is ready to help him listen.

Published simultaneously at Unlikely Banter on Newsvine

Studs Terkel Author and Socal-Historian Dead at 96

One of the great students and story tellers of American Social History died this week. Mr. Terkel's books have told the stories of working class Americans and social activists for the last half century. He never hid his politics or passion for justice and truth in his writings or in his interviews of people who might never be interviewed by the mainstream media.

Stud Terkel's books have been found on many a night stand and have allowed our nation glimpses of our diverse culture, life-styles, and experiences. His taped interviews allowed people not just to be described but to tell their own story and use their own words to make sense of the often challenging dynamics of our nation. He will surely be missed both as a literary figure and a key social commentator committed to telling untold stories in creative and interesting ways.

published simultaneously at Unlikely Banter on Newsvine.

Was it Realy a Rally in the Market

In the past two weeks we've seen two major days of gains in the Dow each in the neighborhood of 900 point. It seems logical that someone might come out to buy as prices fall. It also makes sense that as stocks are sold off at loss they have to sold to a party ready and willing to buy them on the way down.
The question remains until the losses stop when will the bottom come and who will be lucky enough to buy in at the absolute bottom. One days gains can quickly disappear as confidence and the will to risk scarce capital diminish. It seems sad to watch a little money put into the market a few weeks ago shrinking; but the losses of the last week don't compare to the losses of the last month. It just leaves investors and would be first time investors with a little cash to start saving with when is the right time to start.

No pheasents 2 bluebirds & 2 eagles.

Teddy, the American Water Spaniel, joined me in a long nature walk today. I went, 12-guage in hand, looking for tasty birds to eat but found none at any of our 3 stops: Spring Valley WMA, Upper Iowa WMA, and Beaver Creek WMA. We did spot a fox, several mice and gophers, 2 bald eagles, and 2 bluejays.

2 Churches then homeward bound

Sunday morning on vacation is always a moment of decision for me; as an active pastor in a church. 48 Sundays a year I'm committed to be present in 1 congregation of 1 specific denomination. On Sundays when I'm on vacation there's a surprising moment of decision. Where to worship? This morning I visited 2 different churches.
I went alone to my first pick, ST JOSEPH Ukranian Catholic Church, located at 5000 N Cumberland Ave, Chicago, IL 60656. It was a quick drive from our hotel. The 8 a.m. mass was in Ukranian (sung parts) and English (spoken parts readings, prayers, sermon). The sermon was top notch and scriptural. The preacher held up Jesus' story in the gospel text about Lazarus and the rich man in Luke as an invitation to both care for the poor and to live with humility if we live in plenty.
I was greeted in Ukranian on my way in and out of church. On the way out I had a good conversation with the cantor.
We went together as a family (along with my beloved's dad and his girlfriend) to the UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST Church of Elgin located 39W830 Highland Avenue Elgin, Illinois. The order of service allowed time for sharing of joys and concerns, had adult and youth leaders, a variety of music (some prerecorded) .
Chilren were ushered out for snack and story while the adults received a presenation about "reclaiming the word god" from the minister. It was a thoughtful reflection on the nature of the divine but I couldn't help wondering throughout the presentation just how the congregation and its minister would have reacted durring the response time if the Apostle Paul had stood in their midst and delivered his same sermon that he shared on Mars Hill in Acts 17 :16-34. I'll email their minister and ask his response.

Last night in Chicago for a While

We've had a great trip to Chicago this October break. In our second full day in Chicago we made it all the way to the top of the Sears Tower before heading over to the Field Museum and the Adler Planetarium. It was a good trip to the Museum Campus but we could have used another day or so at the Field Museum alone. Today the girls got dolls at the American Girl doll store after our trip to the Museum of Science and industry. I had great memories of the Museum of Science and Industry as a kid and was glad to get my own kids in too see what I still think is a great museum that helps non-scientists appreciate what's going on in science and how it effects everyday life.

This trip has been different than my last couple of trips to Chicago. I seem to remember a few St Patricks day trips that I made in my 20's that were sure different than this trip. No late night concerts at the House of Blue this time. Instead we've been finding the kid friendly parts of museums and just experiencing the city with a couple of people who are seeing something brand new at each and every turn.

Its been neat to see the city with the help of two five-year-olds who really get excited about life and even things that might be brushed aside by adults as ordinary and everyday. Riding the L all around the city was a highlight for the girls and the train-buff in me. One thing that I didn't do was take many train pictures (Sorry Dee). I did get a few pictures of the awesome HO layout in the Museum of Science and Industry.

Watching the Sun Come Up NW Chicago

We had a great day all five of us on the go in the Windy City. I feel bad for our little one on the way. While present for the trip this little one can't see anything or remember anything. My parents took me to New York en utero and now we're taking our next baby to Chicago. Poor kid will be in the pictures but we can never make out a face.
We started at the Cumberland Station on the Blue Line and headed in to pick up our Go Chicago cards. Siri found the cards looking online for vacation deals in Chicago and they really fit that description. Our 3 day cards get us into most of the attractions we'd considered visiting and at a great price.

We saw quite a bit yesterday on the go in Chicago. We left the Hotel out here on the North Edge of the city (still in the city limits) about 9:20 we were at the water tower by 10:30 and looking out the windows at the Hancock observatory before noon.

The highlight for the girls was the Children's Museum at Navy Pier. The highlight for dad was getting everybody there and back and ready for bed when we were done. The blue line and red line were pretty smooth rides yesterday. Both girls were wide eyed as we started our journey. By the end of the day they were more interested in drawing pictures of the Ferris Wheel and Carousel at Navy Pier than the train on our ride home.

October Break

We're on our way today for an October Break. My folk's are watching the dog and we're heading southeast towards Chicago. We'l be in Illinois for 4 nights. Tomorrow we'll head downtown and start a Chicago adventure. With one more kiddo on the way in the winter this is probably our last vacation for a little while.

The girls are in the back of our van at the moment watching DVD's. My beloved's watching the road and I'm alternating between conversation, blogging, looking at the countryside of southern Wisconsin and drawing.

The fall color has just about reached peak in our area on the Minnesota side. The oaks with their deep maroon are dominating the scenery back home; but here just 100 miles southeast there's still a lot of green with some of the bright reds (sumacs) and yellows (birch and maple) of early fall.

The girls are ready for supper with Brendan and Sabrina in Rockford even though we still have another couple hours to go til we get there. Tonight we'll stay in a hotel just a block from the blue line and tomorrow we'll be headed downtown.

October Vacation

We're on our way today for an October Break. My folk's are watching the dog and we're heading southeast towards Chicago. With one more kiddo on the way in the winter its probably our last vacation for a little while.

The girls are in the back of our van at the moment watching DVD's. My beloved's watching the road and I'm alternating between conversation, blogging, looking at the countryside of southern Wisconsin and drawing.

The oaks have been very

Fall in Minnesota

Fall's here in Minnesota. There are two more signs today; pheasant hunting in the fall colors and concerts in the evening.
One ironic story is that our dog got up on the counter, while I was out of the house, and pulled down a plastic container that held 2 pheasant breasts and 2 legs. I forgot to put them away in the fridge before heading out with the girls. When we got home we found the dog holding the rubbermaid container between his paws with just one pheasant leg left. Teddy looked very pleased with his meal. I sure hope it helps his hunting desire spike.

Homecoming

Tonight we took our dynamic duo to their first football homecoming. After a pep-fest at school they were pumped for a parade and a football game.

The parade was great and ou minute older daudghter stayed at the game until the 4th quarter. She just loves to be social and she had plenty of friends to visit.

Signs off the times

Two signs are clear these days. 1 we're on the edge of fall. 2 we're on the edge of recession or maybe even depression, at least according to this stores sign.

Twins game

Fun game

Sweet Twins season ends on South Side

It's been a year when everybody around here was cheering for our beloved Twins. We all needed the diversion.
With the election year promises and putdowns its been good for everyone to have a little something to celebrate.
When I told the girls, after stories, that Minnesota had lost our minute younger daughter almost cried. So thanks to the team who gave our state a good distraction.

awaiting our next child

Good Evening

My beloved went in for a sonogram yesterday. The results were good. She's about 19 weeks pregnant with baby. We do think we know the gender at this time. I could tell people but hey the suspense is good. Besides come February we won't have any chance to hide the gender any longer.



It's been a really different pregnancy from the first one. Having twins was so different than just waiting for one child. We had two ultra-sounds a week for the last 10 weeks last time. This time we may not have another.

We do ask your prayers for us and all our children in the weeks and months to come.

Pax,
Unlikely

Trout Season Winds Down

Trout season's winding down. It happens every year in this neck of the woods. In mid-September, right after the kids have gone back to school, Trout season comes to an end.

My last time out this year was in Trout Run just a few miles north of the famed Bucksnort Dam between Chatfield and Rushford, Minnesota. I'd fished this section a few years before with my buddy Arlo. It was slow fishing on Friday morning. The gps calendar said it was an average day. I only saw one fish jump in about 90 minutes. The fishing got even slower after Teddy, the trusty Water Spaniel, stepped on my pole and snapped off the top 14 or so inches. A wiseman at the local outdoors store said he could have it fixed in a week.

As the days grow shorter and the cold air starts to creep in at night this trout fisherman's view of the world changes. As I've started to fish more over time I've become more and more aware of the way the world changes through Spring, Summer, and first hints of Fall on the rivers and streams around here. There's still a little bit of trout season left. It's the barbless season, catch and release only, until the end of the month.

With two weddings still to go this month I might not get out again to find trout; but with a Water Spaniel at home I am sure to get out to find pheasants in just a month or so. The DNR has fair reports for numbers this year. Just a few weeks to go before I can get excited for another season and another great reason to get outside. I loaded up on shells at the local outdoor store when I went in to get the trout pole fixed. I'm planning on my best year yet.

Virus Free

Good Evening,

Just wanted to say a note of thanks to the helpful folks at ElderGeek.com who helped me alleviate some malware and virus issues with the computer.

It seems that the troubles are behind me; my computer is running much faster and I have a lot more anti-malware software running. It was an interesting stretch but I think we're passed it.

unlikely

Back in Rushford 1 year later

A year ago hard rains transformed normally quiet Rush Creek in Rushford, Minnesota into a muddy torrent that flooded hundreds of homes. The volunteers are starting to dry up, but there's still work ahead.
5 of us went from church today for 1 day of drywalling. We worked in 2 homes today and we drove past a few we had worked on before this year. It was heartening to see a home we'd hung windows in as a home. There are many still to finish but it was a blessing for us to see some fully restored. The homes that are in need of the most work sit empty a year after the disaster. It made us 5 wonder why its so easy to look past disasters so quickly.

Virus may have a name jo

The virus may be called joke.blusod
I called tech support the local guy from charter hadn't heard of it.

the virus

Found a useful discussion re the virus or malware infecting my pc. I haven't got a name yet but I hope to soon. The link is expert.com/forums/thread/379222.aspx

How the virus works

good evening
I don't know the name of the virus infecting my pc but I do know
1 it blocks access from google to anti virus sites and just straight from the browser line too
2 it stopped me from updating my pc's anitivirus files @ 1 pm yesterday
3 The virus has been redirecting to google analitics durring searches
4 just running anti virus software we use f-secure hasn't stopped it yet. F-secure finds it but doesnlt remove it.
hopefully I'll know more soon
pax
unlikely

Computer virus

Good evening.
My post is short tonight. I'm using the little qwerty keyboard on my phone because the pc has a virus.
The great irony of this virus is that it prevents the user from actually accessing any anti virus sites. Once I have clean pc I will publish the names of the companies who hoped to profit from my misfortunes.
Who knows if any more unsavory things have been done to our pc or us yet. Charlie Brown used to say, "Uggh" and that sums it up for me.
Pax
unlikely

Intesity and Faith

I came upon a great post at Law and Gospel that answered a tough question from Dave at Here I Stand

Law and Gospel's story comes from her work as a Chaplain in an ER. She wrote about watching a doctor slowly interact with a family. She wonders why the doctor seemed so slow in coming to speak to the family and ask any questions about what had happened. Was it the racial and cultural barriers that needed to be overcome. Or was it something else; another barrier.

the story got me thinking about the barriers I and others build up as emotional defenses. The past couple weeks have taught me again that intensity is a real part of any life and death situation. People are raw. They don't know what's coming next for the person they love or what to do with themselves. The old question, "Why God" bubbles up deep inside and we have no good answer to offer beyond an answer of faith and trust.

Tonight an ICU doctor came by church for the visitation of a member who died after a week in his care. He sought me out after meeting with the widow and his parents to express his condolences. I'd watched him do everything possible to keep this man alive, and it wasn't enough. He said it was just right to be there after a week of working hoping to keep him alive knowing and telling his family all the long that it "didn't look promising."

I've seen good people build barriers around themselves. I judge they push away people in hard situations in order (unconsciously or consciously) to push off some of the deep emotions that they might otherwise encounter in other people or in themselves.

What do you think?

Olympics begin

Maybe we're just corny mid-westerners, but we tried to make a night of celebrating the Olympics by going out to our local Chinese restraunt (a buffet) . One of our girls even had on her official Olympic t-shirt complete with the "blue friendly" that we picked up at the Olympic Traing center in Colorado Springs.

It's good to see the Olympics begin and realize even as they do that they still represent a dream that no nation has yet achieved, freedom for its own people and peace with all other nations.

Summer's winding down

Just about this time every year I start to notice some signs that summer is starting to disappear right before my eyes. This morning I noticed the change when Teddy, the Water Spaniel, and I were running and the dew started to gather on us just after dawn.
Sure I've started to see the change every morning as the dawn comes a little later each day but this later dew is different, its the kind of thing that happens as the nights get a little cooler.

Back home

We're all back home and as of today all back to work. The girls are getting up earlier after 2 weeks of staying in bed as long as they wanted and Ilm back to church. After Colorado Springs we spent a day with my Dad's oldest sister in the Nebraska panhandle.

Our last 2 free days were in Hot Springs South, Dakota. We were coming back to the hotel after the lighting ceremony at Mount Rushmore when we saw a buffalo on the highway in Cave of the winds National Park. As we slowed to go passed one buffalo we saw two others silouetted by the moon on a ridge 40 feet to our east. I sure wish I'd had the presence of mind to slow down and get a great picture.

Back in Colorado Springs

We're pretty regular visitors to Colorado Springs. My sister lives here so it's not unheard of for us to spend a week or two here each year.

One of our new stops in Colorado this year was at Santa's Workshop at the North Pole. It's located just west of Colorado Springs on US 24.

It's a great amusement park for families with kids under 10. There were very few rides that weren't right for our whole family.

On Thursday we left the Springs with our niece joining us for 3 nights of travel and headed to Denver and then west up I70 into the mountains.


My beloved's cousin lives in Frisco. She gave us a tour including a stop at a top notch play ground and a small mountain pond called Rainbow Lake. One really fascinating and disturbing part of our stop was all the devastation that we saw happening in the forests in Summit County and Grand County. The Pine Beetles are wrecking huge stand of timber in a matter of 5 or 6 years depending on who you ask. Some estimate that up tp 90% of the Ponderosa and Lodge Pole Pine will be gone after this infestation runs its course.

After Frisco we headed to Winter Park for a night and then to the YMCA of the Rockies and to Snow Mountain Ranch for a reunion of my wife's family.

Vacation posting

We've covered some real ground this week.
We started with the prairie of Southern Minnesota, Northwest Iowa, Nebraska, and Northeastern Colorado. Most of these photos are from the arch at Kearney, Nebraska. Its a great view of travel across the prairie from the Native American hunters who followed game trails, the prospectors and pioneers who came across in covered wagons, the Pony Express. Notable to our girls were all the things left behind as people crossed to the west because they didn't want the furniture, books, or other items they had thought necessary to pack for their trip.

vacation on the road

What happens when 4 people get in a van and drive west? Vacation.

we've covered a lot of miles, and a nifty wireless web device makes posting possible. We've had 2 good stops all 4 of us would recommend.
1 Wells Dairy Visitor Center in La Mars, Iowa. it's a top notch ice cream shop in the middle of Northwest Iowa. We headed downn the road next to US 20. The road winds through Nebraska's beautiful Missouri River Bluffs. Even West of Kearney the whole state has been green from this years considerable rainfall.
2. Our second notable stop was the Great Platte River Archway Museum just east of Kearney. It's a neat museum complete with life size wagons, welcoming costumed staff, audio accompaniment, and ok special effects.

Open to the Spirit

Regular readers know that my partner in ministry decided to retire earlier than expected this Spring after a year of part time ministry and disability leave.

I'm getting my mobility papers/resume ready. It's to be open to the Spirit not only for the church I serve today, but all churches that might be looking for a new pastor.

I'd appreciate your prayers as.

pax,

unlikely

T Ball Season Game 1

It was a beautiful blue sky and puffy white cloud evening on our edge of the prairie and the Hiawatha Valley. The local t-ball fields were hopping. Dozens of mini-vans and increasing unpopular SUV's were parked along side the soccer/t-ball fields as we arrived at 6:45 for practices before the 7:30 games.

The dog and I spend time in solitude running in this park on the edge of town almost every morning; but tonight the place was chalk full of 4 to 6 year old kids in there color coordinated team t-shirts and oversized batting helmets. There were a lot of spectators too; parents, a few grandparents, and siblings who just came along for the ride seemed to enjoy their chance to cheer.

There are 8 t-ball teams currently fielded in town. Our kids are on an as yet un-named team dressed in dark blue t-shirts. They're coached by three outstanding women who all know much more about playing ball than I can ever hope to learn. Even ushering at the Metrodome for 4 Twins seasons didn't prepare me to teach my kids how to play. My daughter said simply, "Dad you're supposed to be good at this, as I muffed a ball with a borrowed glove during practice.

The rules of t-ball are simple for a 4 or 5 year old, if your up to bat, just hit the ball, not the parent who bravely puts it on the tee, and then run to a base. If the next person in line gets a hit then run to second.

If your out in the field the game is a little more challenging. It's tough for these kids not to be distracted by the birds, clouds, weeds, mud, water, and other kids out at play. A favorite moment was watching our minute older daughter who was playing first base give a big hug to a boy who had just reached base from the other team.

pax,
Unlikely

A good old meme

Here it is. Days after the invitation I've completed this meme.
Hope all is well

Rules:
The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
Each player answers the questions about himself or herself.
At the end of the post, the player then tags five people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
Yadayadayada

Ten years ago:
Ten years ago at this time of year, I was living in St. James, MN finishing my internship year at Augustana Lutheran Church. I was enjoying the end of my first full year working in a church. I had a lot to learn still (and still do) about all that is involved. The relationship I was in was ending and I was even thinking about my last year in seminary.

Things I'd do if I was a billionaire:
-give it all away as fast as possible. My wife might want a bigger house but I'd rather keep the one we've got than just spend until we had everything in the world. I think I could give it all away in less than 10 days and not feel bad about it and then go back to being a pastor.


Three bad habits:
never getting my council report or newsletter in by the first deadline at church
staying up to late watching tv with my bride
not picking up after I finish projects (my desk always has open books that just need to be closed)


Five places I've lived:
Lauderdale, MN
Neenah, WI
St James MN
Kenyon MN
Winona MN


Five jobs I've had:
boy scout camp commissary staff
usher at the Metrodome
art model
teaching assistant
book store shipping clerk

I'm tagging Habs at Armed and Gregarious
and Dr John

a challenge

Good Morning
I've been tagged for a meme by lawandgospel
I will hopefully get around to it soon

cheers

unlikely

Fishing report: May 8, 9, &10

I always spend a few days before Mother's Day fishing for trout in the White Water Valley not far from Altura, Minnesota. The valley has really changed since rains at the end of August last summer.

The White Water River has changed from the River I've fished with friends since college; in a matter of a day the channel moved, rocks ended up where they'd never appeared before.

I caught my full limit of trout and now I'm anxious to start to eat.

I'm almost ready to start thinking about church again (beyond preaching and visitation) after a couple good days off. Right now members of the church council and I are contemplating shared ministry: that means we will have multiple pastors on a staff with no senior and no associate pastors; just two or three people called pastor sharing the ministry. It's a relief to me to have a different model to look at right now. I don't much look forward to working with a new senior pastor, nor do I feel ready for the job: and this point in the middle seems to be best.

Who knows what's next? I guess it's time for discernment.

Fishing report. Saturday April 26

We headed to the Lanesboro Park Trout pond tucked neatly behind the Son's of Norway Hall on Saturday. My beloved seemed more interested in fishing than either of the girls and really enjoyed casting and really in the rooster tails. She spotted a few fish in the pond. One fellow said he caught a small fry on a night crawler with a slip bobber.

All told we fished for maybe 20 minutes and played for 20 in the strong wind at the park.

An added bonus the dog got a new cool reflective leash at spoiled rotten an upscale pet store in Lanesboro right on Main Street.

What comes next? pray

A Celebration of Ministry was held today for my partner and his wife. It was good to hear old stories and see some old friends come for the celebration.

What comes next?
pray and discern. Am I ready to lead this congregation on my own? Do I stay as associate and wait to see if a good partner is going to be found?
I wish that God gave road maps to answer the prayer, "not my will but thy will be done."

Book of Faith

Our Book of Faith.

When did you last read from the Bible?

this morning, last night, last week, back in confirmation class, never...

Over the next 5 years the ELCA is asking every Lutheran to engage scripture directly.

The ELCA, nationally, is offering no one size fits all plan. Instead we're all invited to read the Bible as Our Book of Faith (you can see the proposal www.elca.org/bookoffaith). The idea's simple: read the Bible. But experience teaches that some of simplest and best things are the hardest to do; especially if we do them alone or out of duty and obligation instead of Christian freedom and joy.

Over the next 5 years we're invited to make scripture part of everyday life. In some congregations all meetings might start with scripture. Other churches may give bibles away to anyone and everyone. In some churches families may get a story Bible at baptism. Other congregations may start new Bible studies. Some will renew emphasis on Scripture in ministry to children, youth, and families. There's no one plan; but there's a common invitation: to dwell in God's Word.

Looking for someplace to start? try one of these

• Read the Gospel of Mark. Its the second book in the New Testament, and it tells about Jesus' ministry, death, and rising. Read as much as you want each day asking questions like “What is God up to?” or “What does God want to do?”

• Get a children's story bible and read one or two stories a day to kids in your life. Some grandparents might read over the phone with their grandkids.

• Start using a daily email or online devotional.

  • The Moravian Church church has published daily readings for about 250 years (originally in German) The readings are now sent by email. Sign up at www.moravian.org/daily_texts/

  • Saddle Back Church, home of Rick Warren and the Purpose Driven Life has daily devotionals online www.purposedrivenlife.com/en-US/FreeTools/devotional/dailyDevotional.htm

  • The ELCA publishes a Bible reading online everyday. These readings are often unexpected and surprising. That's good, because it exposes you to God at work in places you haven't imagined www.elca.org/ScriptLib/CO/bible/tbrBibleView.asp

• Pick up a daily devotional. Copies of Christ in Our Home, Our Daily Bread, or The Upper Room are available at many churches and bookstores.
  

• Join a Bible Study.

Over the coming months I pray that other opportunities open up for each of us to engage with God's Word directly.

Fishing report.

My beloved and the girls are away visiting her aunt this week. So I had a chance to get out and fish on a Monday night.

There was a cold front and rain pushing in so I was sure it would be a good chance; I headed east and found myself on Mill Creek. The water was high and fast. I only spotted a few small fry tucked in tight behind a small eddy just off the fast water.

The water spaniel jumped in once and seemed shocked by the strong current. I waited for him to swim back upstream which he managed pretty well. He didn't jump in again. Not much to report on the fishing other than that the 2 beaded nymphs seemed to sink well enough even with the strong current.

Maybe I'll get out again later in the week. Who knows. Right now I am waiting for the Mother's Day Weekend Trouter.

Pax,
Unlikely

Ministry Story

One of my challenges, this spring, is rebuilding our church's youth ministry. The church I serve is blessed with many families; but not much activity, beyond worship, for youth. Part of the situation was caused by history, extra-curricular school activities, and family structure; part is my own fault as pastor for not facing this challenge sooner; and part is the fault of others. Its obvious (at least to me) that the kids of our church are hoping for new places to connect. So this spring I've committed to rebuilding youth ministry.
Part of rebuilding youth ministry is finding connecting points for youth within our church. Yesterday and today we had a painting project. Yesterday we sanded, wire brushed, and washed the picnic tables under our shelter. Today we were finishing painting It was a straightforward project. And the kids had a great time.
My favorite story of the day is of one 9th grader who rode a bike over to church. He had deep red paint on his fingers and realized that he could fake like he'd been in an accident; so he quickly doctored his fingers, wrists and forearms to look like he'd been in an accident. He even put a little dirt over the latex paint to make the injury look a little more realistic. I only wish I could have been there to see his mom's expression when he got home to tell her.

Discernment

My partner in ministry is leaving active parish ministry. It's been over a year since he was last full time. I've been in a sort of limbo playing a big game of coverall for over a year. It leaves a big question, "what do I now?" The answer seems to be discern God's will. Pray and listen for God's response. My most frequent prayer in all this is, "not my will, but thy will."

So I'd appreciate your prayers for my partner as he leaves active ministry after 30 years and for myself and I discern what is coming next. I pray for guidance for the church I serve, my family, and myself.

thanks

unlikely

mobile post

this is my first mobile post it's storming outside and I'm listening as my wife reads stories. Tonight's next to last story is Daniel and the lion's den.
the part that catches me is Darius' struggle. He had power but he feared losing it by acting justly and mercifully.

Taxes

Yep,
It's mid April, I'm classified as self-employed and the taxes are done. One of the real wonders of being self employed is knowing how much we pay in every year (from just one of two people) to keep the Federal and State Bureaucracies running for another year. It's not a small sum that we pay in every quarter either; but I'm not complaining. I appreciate the public facilities that we count on more and more each year. The hard part is asking if the rest of the republic feels the same way.

I've just got to print and mail and the taxes are done for me and my beloved. Still the question rumbles around in my head,
is everybody pleased with where all the money goes?

We need to have a national family money meeting. It works for many families to sit down and face the bills and dreams head on together. It might be tough as a nation because it has to happen in two very distinct parts of our republic. We need an intervention for the debt addicted private equity firms on Wall Street (see Business Week April 14) who are creating capital for a few by saddling future investors with debt and robbing companies of the capital they need to compete in the same vulture like action.

We need an wake up call for both parties in Washington. Both seem certain that somebody else can foot the bill at a later date for our current spending and bail out for financial institutions in crisis. I wouldn't oppose a bailout if it meant regulation for the financial services industry; I figure if our tax dollars are going to help clean up this mess that the greedy have made for themselves (and the rest of us) we ought to expect something tangible and lasting (like regulation of mortgages and mortgage backed securities) in return.