Maine

Well two days ago Ashlee and I returned from our official honeymoon in Maine. It was amazing. We got to see moose and whales. The crazy thing was the moose was skiing behing the whale...j/k. The lobsta was great. We went hiking, canoeing, kayaking, swiming, and lots of other great things. I had a full hour massage which doesn't sound manly, but was very relaxing and relieved a lot of my neck and shoulder pain. The people were nice, but at sometimes a little hard to understand. If you ever get a chance to visit you should. Peace

Living with Nature

I've started writing weekly column's for our local newspaper here in Seagraves. So I'll start posting them. Here is my second article. ..

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” [1]


This past week my wife, Ashlee, and I had the opportunity to visit her parents down in San Antonio. It was a great trip, but the highlight for me was our two day adventure at Sea World. Having only been as a child I wanted to go see all the shows especially since they were new. We arrived with high expectations. However, after realizing none of the shows started until 45 minutes after the park opened and standing in a line those 45 minutes, I was pretty frustrated. It was a typical San Antonio morning, hot and humid which didn’t make my mood any better. After standing in line, sweating, and pondering whether or not I should attempt to sway the crowd to start chanting “Let us in, let us in,” the people working in the park allowed us to go and sit down. By this time I was very eager to see the Viva show with Dolphins and Beluga Whales. I was amazed at these animals. Not only was the show amazing, but if you looked closely you could see every animal with what appeared to be a great big smile. You could tell the animals were truly happy. After the Viva show we went to two more shows, seeing the same thing with the animals. All the animals appeared to be having the time of their lives. I was shocked. These animals had small spaces (as compared to the ocean) to live, were trained to do shows, and had people trying their best to touch them. Then I remembered what God said here in Genesis. How he created everything so that we could rule over them. This was his divine purpose for all creation since the beginning of the world…for man to rule creation. Looking at the animals in this light I could see their trainers cared for and protected them. I could see how they were all living in harmony with one another just as it was in the Garden of Eden. I also felt God telling me to do the same- to live in unity with his creation. I know that this sounds like something a “hippy” or “tree-hugger” would say, but I believe that this is God’s will for us all. So I urge us all to attempt to live in unity with creation, not taking all the fruits of the earth for ourselves, however, living as those who realize our children and grandchildren will one day have to live in this world whether it is good or bad. Grace and Peace
[1]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Ge 1:26). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Churches...

So I was thinking about churches. It's odd how we have these huge buildings that we only use a few times a week. I mean typically we use the sanctuary like 9-12 hours a week. For our church that would be about 7 hours too many. Then there are the Sunday school rooms, the kitchen, the fellowship hall, and other places. All to be used for maybe one full day a week (excluding offices). And each of these churches cost a bit of money. I mean I would guess that most churches cost at least $100,000. If not more. I know our building which is modest and small compared to a lot of others is insured for a lot more than that. So my point is we have these huge expinsive buildings that are all over the place and not really used to their full potential. Would any other business build a building and only use it for a few hours everyday? I think not. So to me it really doesn't make that much since to spend all this money on these buildings that we only use every once in awhile. Look at Seagraves. We have about 2000 people and 12 churches. If each church cost about $100,000 then that'd be a total of $1.2 million. Do you think that using that money for these buildings or for maybe helping those who need food, or better living conditions, or clothes, or healthcare, or anything. What could 1.2 million mean for 2000? I bet it could mean a lot more than 12 buildings that only about 500-700 people use. Just a thought....Peace

A long few days

Well over in my neck of the woods it's been a long week or so. Last week we had annual conference. During it an elderly member gave us a scare so we returned home for a brief amount of time. Then on Friday we had a tragedy, a lady who comes to our church son died while working. He was 21. So I've been busy working on the funreal arangements and whatnot. Then last night we had some of the youths at our house till 11:30. A question that I had is this week people keep telling me, this sudden death makes them want to question God, but they know they aren't supposed to. Do you think we can question God? Why?/Why not? Peace

World Cup

Well as you know, or may not know, the World Cup is coming up very quickly. I know that most Americans could care less, but I’ve been an avid soccer fan since I played when I was little and loved the game. In fact when I was playing when I was about 6 I was the goalie for a few games and one of my team members, a guy named Taylor, shot the ball on our goal (against me). I made the save then proceeded to gripe him out until he cried. I was always pretty intense when I played. It’s kind of how it is when I watch. A few things that sadden me are the injuries of Rooney from England and Shevchenko from the Ukraine. Both of the players are amazing and without them being 100% it will greatly hurt there chances. Luckily Ukraine has a weaker bracket and should make it out, especially since Shevchenko is set to play in Ukraine’s last pre-Cup game. However the English with Sweden and Paraguay may face a tougher struggle, with Rooney going back home to get his foot X-rayed Wed., but I still predict they’ll make it out. The Americans are looking pretty good, but facing one of the best teams the Czech Republic has ever produced, and the always skilled Italians, will be a tough one for them. It’d be sad if America did get beat out, but most Americans would never know. Well only a four more days until we play some real football. Peace