now THIS was one of those days

Maybe the last things that happened to me last night should have been a hint on how the day would go.
Maybe I should have listened to the little voices in my head telling me to "stay in bed!"
Maybe its a good thing that I'm not a gambler.

My day started with me falling in the shower. The good side is that the floor and the edge of the tub broke my fall. I've decided to "enjoy" pain... it reminds me that I'm still alive.
Then I decided to run over to one of my office to get some stuff for the day. Instead, I got sidetracked and never got it done. Oh well. I guess that part of my reading will just have to wait for a time when I thought I would have some "free time".
I then realized that I needed to get some gas for my truck sometime soon, and because I'm not the best at balancing my checkbook (I sometimes forget to take my debit charges out), I decided to check my account online, and found where my account for scammed. It was a good thing that I checked it as soon as I did, because this kind of scam take a few bucks out of someone's account, and then later on, takes out TONS more. I caught it when it was only about six dollars, and the bank credited my account. But in the meanwhile, I had to give up my card as a "hot card" and sign for a new one. So now I have to pay cash for everything, but getting the cash means stopping at the bank. Yes, I could use checks, but so many places won't take "out of town" checks that I keep those for bills. So now I have to wait for that.
After that, I managed to get down to my other office in Pierce for the afternoon, and found out that one of my parishioners had her baby premature. So I grab my bottle of root beer to head out the door and tip the bottle. No problem - cap is secure. So I take off the cap to grab a drink and found out that I was wrong on the "no problem"... the root beer fizzes up and out, dumping on my shirt as I go to take a drink. So to go to the hospital to visit the new mom, I have to change my shirt, and I don't want to drive all the way back to my house, so I look in my truck, and all I have is a hoodie or a heavy coat. So hoodie it is, no matter the fact that it's in the mid to upper 80s outside.

So now I'm back home, getting ready to head off to bed. But after the way my day has been, what else could happen...
Trip over something in the hallway?
The bed frame breaking?
The toilet overflowing?
Running into the wall in the dark?
...I don't even want to think of all of the possibilities!

Comedian Craig Showmaker talks about how we need to laugh about things. And I'm really trying hard to. But I have to admit that at the 3rd or 4th problem today (there were more that too minor to list), laughing made me look even more foolish.
But then again, laughing at the issues - the people who upset me, or having to handle the issues to correct the problems, or having to look "relaxed" while wearing a warm hoodie on a hot day - has actually been a great release.
It beats dropping a pitchfork on my foot.

So as I bid everyone a fond fairwell and good night's rest, think about everything you have had to encounter, deal with, or face in your day, and find a way to laugh about it.
And remember this quote from Rita Mae Brown... “The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four people is suffering from a mental illness. Look at your 3 best friends. If they're ok, then it's you.”
Also, Mark Twain said “Sanity and happiness are an impossible combination.”

So why be impossible?

A moving performance

I just walked around my house, and was taking note of things that haven't been unpacked since I moved here, and stuff that had been.
And then I start giving myself a headache when I try to figure out what is getting moved to Paulette's new place and the stuff that I need to get from her old place.

So, to get stuff from here to the west, do I need a moving truck, or just a van? To get my stuff moved, what system is easier? Is it easier to do everything at the same time, or move her stuff and my stuff at the same time?
The latter is a lot at once, but it would be done. The other would take a couple different times, but it would still get done.
But either way, with things separate like this in two different houses, I don't think we need some moving company, if Paulette and/or I can get some help from our kids or something.
Or, Paulette talked about having a yard sale first, but (not criticizing her), there is a lot of collectibles that she probably doesn't want to get rid of. So that's more stuff that will have to be moved as opposed to being sold. Or maybe she's decided to give the stuff up, which means a bigger yard sale.

All of this is giving me a headache. LOL LOL

But through all of this, I have learned that I hate moving - the simple mention of the word makes me want to drop a brick on my foot. 
But I was also told that I needed a vacation - this after just coming off of taking a vacation to see my family. The difference, I was told, was that I needed to take time "just for me".

BUT, I also remember what I had said last Thanksgiving... What am I thankful for? How have I seen God in my life?

I am SO CLOSE to being done with Course of Study classes. Only TWO more to go, and I'm already scheduled for those this summer in Ohio. If I had been able to take the classes through a correspondence-type program, I might already be done, but how I am and learn, I would have missed out on so much. So I'm thankful for that.
I saw God today in the difference so many people made in the lives of the people in a Nursing Home through their volunteer hours with visits, reading, devotions, or worship services. It was great to sit and visit with a small handful of people who make a difference in other people's lives. Truely awesome!

So here's to the positive - the "don't stress about hauling boxes across the state" - the enjoying every moment of my life - the "laughter is the best medicine".

what's on tv?

How many people remember Mr. Rogers?

What about Captain Kangaroo?



Seems like so many years ago! But in thinking back, it's only been... so many years ago.

I haven't been feel well lately - probably just a cold - but I took advantage of my day off today and slept in. It helped, until I turned on the TV and was looking for something to watch to "be comfortable" with.

I remember waking up to watch Captain Kangaroo. I remember coming home from school to watch Mr. Rogers (and as a side-note, I had a high school teacher who told me that she once lived by Mr. Rogers, and he was the kind of person that we all watched on tv).

But now when I wake up in the morning, I'll channel-surf through some modern kids programs like Dora the Explorer or Curious George, but those shows are between a Cheaters show, a True Hollywood story about Lindsey Lohan, a show about being 16 and Pregnant, and the numerous other things on tv.

These shows might have some entertainment value to some people, but is this a sign of things to come? What has happened to the days when kids could watch tv without the parents wondering what channel was on? Or the days when we didn't need ratings on our shows like in the movies?

I'm not saying that the television should be the "babysitter". I was able to keep busy by watching the morning and afternoon shows of my time and look how I turned out (ok, maybe we ought to use someone else as an example, especially seeing how on of my favorite movies is "The Cable Guy" with Jim Carrey, but you get the idea!)

Now that we have these "reality" shows on in the morning, is it any wonder why we are wondering why people are turning out how they are, or why times have changed so much?

Holy holograms Batman! Can't we just watch some simple shows anymore?  LOL

Resurrection, now Recovery

On more than one occasion, I've "joked" that as many people make sacrifices for Lent, Pastor's sacrifice "time". It's not meant as a bad thing - as a Pastor, I take joy in recalling the lessons of Jesus and helping people to apply them in everyday life. It's preaching the Gospel. It's telling the Good News. But with added Services and Devotionals, among other things, many Pastors are really worn out after Easter. Maybe that's why there is a Spiritual Retreat scheduled this week (which, because of the timing of some things, most of all my Course of Study class) that I couldn't attend this year. But from a FB post from one of the attendees today, it sounds like it has very effective.

As many know about me, I try to find humor in things. It's needed. It's even biblical (Click HERE for various searches regarding "laughter" in the Bible). And so, as part of my "rejuvenation" process, I will sit and watch various YouTube videos, like Tim Hawkins and Craig Shoemaker. Granted, sometimes the videos get a little "on the edge" for what some people want to expect from a Pastor, but people need to also realize that the only "perfect Pastor" was Jesus Christ, and some of what is considered questionable in one area or group of people is absolutely fine elsewhere. (So if you feel compelled to roll your eyes or gasp at some people's humor, remember the Bible verses about judging each other).

"Laughter is the best medicine" - it's a phrase that I've heard for years, and an idea that comedian Craig Shoemaker uses. So how about we sit back, relax, chill out, stop judging, and enjoy. It's healthy, it's quite ok according to the Bible.

Passionate about the Passion

I just completed the Good Friday Service for my Parish, and now I'm enjoying a "hot-crossed bun" (I probably am saying it wrong) that was made for me by one of my parishioners. She said that it has become a tradition of hers to make some and give them to a new friend on Good Friday to someone that has become a new friend in the past year. (Here's the moment when you don't say "Awwwww", but instead, "Aw, how nice!")

This reminds me of the hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus". We can all think back to a time, recently or farther back, when it seems like life has dealt us a bad hand... an argument, a wrongful act, or a bad mistake -  The burden it places on our shoulders, and the feeling of physical pain that causes in our necks, shoulders, and arms.

When I take part in a Good Friday Service, I always think of the physical pain that Jesus had to endure when he was crucified for us. The reason that people were hung on the cross in those days was that is was a form of torture - a slow death. Hanging as Jesus did would have put a great pressure on his shoulders and arms, so great that the weight of his own body would have him slumped into a position to where pressure and tension, more than we can imagine, was placed upon his diaphram muscles, and thus would have caused a slow suffocation from the inability to take a full breath.
When I prepare for Good Friday Services, I also feel a tension, but nothing compared to what Jesus would have endured for our sake. Mine is simply a case of "stage fright" that subtly happens with me every time I preach.

But in thinking of what sacrifice was made for each and every one of us, how else can you not realize what a friend we do have in Jesus? To bear our burdens, our troubles, our hurts, and our pains is more than any one of us can do. To give, literally, of himself, so to take away the sting of death, is something that we often forget.

"What a Friend We Have in Jesus" may not always be a "typical Holy Week hymn", but it is something that we can remember every day.

Learning (Church) Politics

I've always told people that in my family, my dad is the politician, not me.
He was a City Councilperson and a Mayor, among other Offices he's held in various groups in his life so far.
I've only been on a Student Council a couple of times (once in Course of Study and another at a Community College, being a Student President for a semester). I've also taken some interest in City happenings, and been on a Planning and Zoning Board for a community I was appointed to once.

Now any of that means that I really am into politics, then I need to reassess my life.

This morning, I went to Lincoln to serve as the Nebraska Legislative Chaplain of the Day. The position is actually quite easy, if you can follow the rules... Give the Opening Prayer, trying to keep it under 2 minutes; Do not express any personal political agenda while at the Stand at any point; Arrive early enough so the Sgt at Arms (Senate Guards) can go over some "ins and outs" with you (it's important to know because one of them will escort the Chaplain through the Floor after the Prayer so you can receive greetings from all of the Senators, as well as knowing where to sit, and when and how to come and go); and anything else someone might deem necessary.
After all of that, then you are introduced and give the opening prayer

Another thing is that you probably want to make sure that you are looking your best - the Sessions are televised on one of the Public Television Stations, as well as Webcast.

I do what I do, but I still have to follow the rules.



After giving the Opening Prayer this morning and taking my seat in the corner of the Senate Floor, I was joined by a High School Sophomore who is working on learning Politics. Her insight was more than I have heard many people express in a long time.
But what shocked me the most about this young lady was the stories that she was tell me of how her own Church was and is going through turmoil. Some of it had to do with the standings of her "National" or "Worldwide" decisions of her Church, as well as local problems.

To give an example, her Youth Group was sternly criticized for where blue jeans in Church. What made this worse was that it was a "casual Sunday", and so the "older folks" who were raising the stink complained that the girls didn't cross their legs when they were sitting down (in jeans).

So imagine the fun we had when one of the items on the Senate Agenda dealt with the use of golf carts in neighborhoods.

My role in life is that of a Pastor. The word "Pastor" takes on many meanings, as opposed to "Preacher" or "Priest" (each have a separate responsibility, and are included in the "job" of Pastor.)
But something that people need to understand is that "politics" don't need to be a church or try to run it, just as one or two people or families can't try to bully a church.
Yet it happens, and so being a Pastor sometimes DOES make me work politics. But not in a good way for all, unless people can be open-minded and caring to and for everyone.

If a Church's Mission is to care for it's community (ALL of the community), just like about every type and size of Church is suppose to do, then what happens when the Church cannot provide for it's own local mission? Do the people just sit around, or do they make things happen? Do people deny that there is a problem in their church, or do they seek solutions so that a beautiful building doesn't go to waste?

If people want to play "politics" with their Church, then they need to be sure what the rules are.

Ya got the time?

I'm enjoying my day off - a day to relax and reflect and rejuvinate myself.
It's also becoming a time to figure out my week - Holy Week - as I make plans to be in the State Legislature tomorrow (and it's not something I can be running late for - the Session starts with me), giving the Invocation at a Prayer Breakfast the next morning (early!), taking part in the Maundy Thursday Service at Pierce, and doing the Good Friday Service in Osmond.
 Somewhere in all of that, I have to prep for Easter Sunday Services as well.

Oh, and let's not forget some homework that's due in my Missions Class the following weekend.

Something that many people may not realize is how busy Holy Week and Easter is for Pastors. And this isn't a complaint, it's a fact of life that Clergy face. This is what we do, and this is who we are.

When I was on vacation, I was asked to answer to someone's opinion of their church (to which I nicely explained to the lady that she needed to get a better understanding of what it meant to go to a Bible Study).
Didn't I just post something about "I'M ON VACATION!!!!" ?

But since my vacation, I'm happy that I now know my nearly 18-year old nephew, I can enjoy a Bahama Mama, and I have the great memories of another vacation.

Now to go pay a bill or two. I think that there is some time left in the day for that =)