The setting is a court room in Dona Ana District Court in Las Cruces. The gallery is full of reporters and the usual people who hang out in courtrooms. Don’t those people have jobs to go to? The jury is intently listening and watching the proceedings as Hamilton Burger, the prosecuting attorney, finishes with one witness.
The case has drug on for a few days now and appears that it will drag on a few more. Perry Mason, the famous and highly paid defense attorney from California approaches the witness stand where Jennifer Lopez is now seated and says, “Isn’t it true Ms. Lopez that instead of being at the park with your children the morning of the 14th as you testified earlier you were actually in the office of Hector Ramirez, with whom you have been carrying on an affair for the last year? Isn’t it also true that while you were there you had a fight and that during that fight you struck Hector Ramirez killing him? Isn’t that true Ms. Lopez? My client, Amanda Stewart, just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Jennifer Lopez blurts out “No, it isn’t true? I didn’t kill Hector. I loved him.” Della, Perry’s faithful, efficient and beautiful assistant hands Perry a manila envelop as Perry once again approaches the witness. “The evidence I have here Ms. Lopez proves otherwise.” Hamilton Burger looks perplexed and a little annoyed. It seems that Perry Mason is once again up to something dramatic that could crack this case wide open.
I was contacted in May and informed that for four months I was on call to be a juror here in Dona Ana District Court. I had wanted to be on Jury Duty for years but had never been called up. While Cindy and others had all serve a time or even two I was never called. This was my opportunity to serve. The way it works here in Dona Ana County you are to be available for a period of 4 months. During your term you show up at the Court House for a two hour training session and get all your paperwork completed and are assigned a Juror number. Then when your number shows up on a calendar you are mailed you call the court and seeing if you need to come in the next day. I had my training and then I waited. I diligently called in when I needed to all the while wondering if this would be the day. There was nothing in June, nothing in July. Finally in August I called in and was told to be there the next morning at 8:15am. I was excited. I had to change my schedule around a bit since I could be there for hours, even days or weeks I thought.
The next morning I got up early and got ready and then drove to the Court House. There was a line of people there already waiting to go through security. I didn’t want to seem too eager nor did I want to seem like someone who didn’t know the ropes so I listened to my mp3 player and tried to look the part. I made it through security, put my belt back on and headed toward the court room.
Well the setting IS court room number 2 in Dona Ana District Court in Las Cruces. The gallery is full of people like myself who are there to serve on the jury if selected. This pool of people is intently listening and waiting to be told what to do next. Is that the judge over there? Who are those people conferring up front? We are to be quiet so no one knows anything. It has been over an hour and nothing is happening. I’m glad I have my pda so I can read a book. Finally the door to the Judge’s chamber opens up and some comes out and announces that both sides have come to an agreement and all of us are released. I was more than a bit disappointed.
It’s been three weeks since this happened and I still have over a month to “serve”. Maybe next time I’ll get called and I’ll serve. I didn’t get to see Perry and Hamilton spar after all.
I attended Federal Court in college for some long forgotten reason. I do know that it involved a land dispute. Man, it was boring. No drama, no raised voices or pointed fingers. No shackled prisoner leaping at the throat of his attorney. Instead it was simply people calmly talked about property issues.
Then the last time I was in court I was there to support a woman from our congregation who was seeking a divorce from her abusive husband and waiting to hear about the custody of her children and his visitation rights. She got the divorce and custody of her kids and her husband was in jail. That was a little bit more meaningful but there was little drama.
I guess that I’ll have to get my kicks watching bad behavior on “America’s Most Shocking” because it apparently happens very little here. I’ll let you know.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Rebuilding Biloxi One House at a Time
For most of the world Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath is old news and mostly forgotten. For the people of Biloxi, Ocean Springs, Gulf Port, Bay St. Louise, New Orleans and other communities both large and small the aftermath of Katrina which struck in 2005 is front and center in their lives. The following is an excerpt from a web page from Elmbrook Church of Brookfield, WI that pretty much sums things up.
“Hurricane Katrina left hundreds of thousands of people suffering on multiple levels. Over 400,000 homes were deemed uninhabitable throughout the Gulf Coast and New Orleans. Personal possessions in the homes were lost, as well, and automobiles swept out to sea, or flooded. Many residents found themselves left with only the clothes on their backs. Closed businesses compounded the struggles of survivors by putting huge numbers of people out of work. And then came the news that most insurance companies were denying claims on houses damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Many Gulf Coast residents lost family, friends, or pets in the hurricane, and most children lost their sense of security. Over one year later, people find themselves overwhelmed with the resulting physical, emotional, financial and spiritual pain caused by Hurricane Katrina.”
The people of Elmbrook church from Brookfield, WI have been sending relief and teams of volunteers to Biloxi, MS as soon as the need was identified. Two of my best friends, Pam & Robin Knoll were leading yet another team to Biloxi and I asked to go along. I also asked that I might bring with me whomever I could manage to convince from my congregation here in Las Cruces. Three of us from Las Cruces and eight from Elmbrook church set aside April 26-May 4th for our adventure.
From Las Cruces, to
Biloxi, MS is 1250 miles or a two day drive. Not much needs to be said other than it was a long drive. It was great getting to know Rick & Mike during the drive there and back. I am really glad they came along. When we were in communication range I called Robin & Pam to hear how their team was progressing. Everything was fine with them also.
Sunday afternoon, April 27th found us finally at LeMoyne Blvd. Baptist Church in Biloxi which was to be our headquarters for the week.
Up until Hurricane Katrina devastated communities up and down the gulf coast Lemoyne Blvd. Baptist was a fairly typical congregation. Then Hurricane Katrina opened their world. Biloxi experienced a 12 foot storm surge from Katrina while closer to where Katrina came ashore they experienced a 37 foot storm surge. In the Biloxi area the water came ashore at roughly 9 in the morning & retreated at about 6pm. When the people of Lemoyne Baptist managed to get to their building it had 5 feet of water in it. The grand piano was floating around the sanctuary. The neighborhood around the church was ravaged. Many of the members’ homes were destroyed. Businesses were wiped out and so on.
Cheri Melchiona House - This house is nearing completion, and received a lot of attention today. The team moved a lot of construction debris from the kitchen to the outside so the floor could be scraped in preparation for the tile work. All of the other floors were swept so flooring could be laid and a 2nd coat of paint was applied to the walls.
Foundation work for new bunk houses - Because of church growth, LeMoyne Boulevard Baptist Church is going to build two (2) 12--person bunk houses. The foundation work was started today for the construction, and will continue through the week.
The growth in church membership is a wonderful story of the "church" reaching out to the local community during post Katrina work. Membership continues to grow as folks that have been helped begin to attend and then join the church. In fact, at supper this evening, we heard the story of one couple and their 17-year old daughter who were helped by the church, and have now accepted Christ and are going to be baptized and are joining LeMoyne. We also heard tonight that the Governor has lifted the state of "emergency/disaster" of Mississippi, which would cause LeMoyne to lose the ability to have the RV's of the helpers in their parking lot, not to mention the new bunk houses. That being said, when LeMoyne petitioned the county for an extension, the county sent all of their neighbors a letter asking about the extension. These are all neighbors that have been helped by LeMoyne ... so there was an overwhelming "YES" to the request. Most said, "If it had not been for LeMoyne Blvd. Baptist Church, we would not have our homes." So ... extension granted. God is good!!!
There were many people helping our team accomplish what we could by making their church available to us, preparing us meals, volunteering their experience, getting supplies, taking us on a tour of the coast highway and treating us to dinner out. Without their efforts we couldn’t have done what we did.
I got to know Brother Tom, Brother Ralph and Brother Charlie a bit. You see how every guy there is my brother. Well Brother Tom is a local. He and his wife Margaret, who is a saint to live with that old boy by the way, live north of Interstate 10 and didn’t know the extent of the damage to the church and whole community until they were told about it later. Well I worked with Tom some on the bunk house foundation project. Tom & I got talking about grits. I asked him all about grits and how they were to be eaten. He shared his wisdom with me and then brought me a packet of instant grits as a going away present. Now I just have to take the plunge and go ahead and eat it. I actually tasted my first grits back in college. All I remember is that “no, they are not the same as cream of wheat”. Tom also regaled us with stories and jokes. He was a real joy to be with.
Brother Ralph is not a local but a long-term volunteer. Ralph & his wife came for a week and stayed two and a half years. They live in an R.V. parked in the back lot at the church. I believe they plan to make Biloxi their new home. I also believe he used to be in the construction business but then worked for Ford Motor in the Detroit, Michigan area so he could get a pension.
Brother Charlie is also not a local but from out of state and has been there a few weeks with his wife. He is also 84 years old and outworked everyone of us. I’ll always remember the site of Charlie using a saw horse as his ladder to do electrical work in the shower house. Go Charlie. He also wired Pete Gray’s house.
The work goes. With God’s guidance and blessing the work will continue as the people at LeMoyne Baptist say “as long as the volunteers and money keep coming in.”
I hope to go back for another week.
“Hurricane Katrina left hundreds of thousands of people suffering on multiple levels. Over 400,000 homes were deemed uninhabitable throughout the Gulf Coast and New Orleans. Personal possessions in the homes were lost, as well, and automobiles swept out to sea, or flooded. Many residents found themselves left with only the clothes on their backs. Closed businesses compounded the struggles of survivors by putting huge numbers of people out of work. And then came the news that most insurance companies were denying claims on houses damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Many Gulf Coast residents lost family, friends, or pets in the hurricane, and most children lost their sense of security. Over one year later, people find themselves overwhelmed with the resulting physical, emotional, financial and spiritual pain caused by Hurricane Katrina.”
The people of Elmbrook church from Brookfield, WI have been sending relief and teams of volunteers to Biloxi, MS as soon as the need was identified. Two of my best friends, Pam & Robin Knoll were leading yet another team to Biloxi and I asked to go along. I also asked that I might bring with me whomever I could manage to convince from my congregation here in Las Cruces. Three of us from Las Cruces and eight from Elmbrook church set aside April 26-May 4th for our adventure.
From Las Cruces, to
Biloxi, MS is 1250 miles or a two day drive. Not much needs to be said other than it was a long drive. It was great getting to know Rick & Mike during the drive there and back. I am really glad they came along. When we were in communication range I called Robin & Pam to hear how their team was progressing. Everything was fine with them also.Sunday afternoon, April 27th found us finally at LeMoyne Blvd. Baptist Church in Biloxi which was to be our headquarters for the week.
Up until Hurricane Katrina devastated communities up and down the gulf coast Lemoyne Blvd. Baptist was a fairly typical congregation. Then Hurricane Katrina opened their world. Biloxi experienced a 12 foot storm surge from Katrina while closer to where Katrina came ashore they experienced a 37 foot storm surge. In the Biloxi area the water came ashore at roughly 9 in the morning & retreated at about 6pm. When the people of Lemoyne Baptist managed to get to their building it had 5 feet of water in it. The grand piano was floating around the sanctuary. The neighborhood around the church was ravaged. Many of the members’ homes were destroyed. Businesses were wiped out and so on.
It was after all that that God worked His transformation. People from Lemoyne Baptist started to respond. They fixed up their building as best they could all the while helping people in their neighborhood with food and shelter. Katrina was the great equalizer – rich & poor suffered and as you can imagine the need was tremendous. First there was the cleanup, then the rebuilding began, one home or business at a time. While in the midst of helping one family someone would tell them of someone else in need and ask if they could help. Before you know it they organized their efforts and to date have helped build or restore 140 homes & businesses. 4800 volunteers from all across this country of ours have donated their time and skills to help. Some groups have been small like ours while other teams have been large. Some people have brought professional skills but whether skilled or not everyone has found a job they could do. To date the oldest volunteer has been 95 years old.
After greeting Pam & Robin we were introduced to the other team members and a few of our local hosts. Then it was get settled, look at the church, get ready for worship, eat and talk about the week.
The following email was posted by Pam & Robin on Monday evening after our arrival and our first day. It really lays out pretty clearly what we would be doing and experiencing during the week.
“Team 23 arrived safely on Sunday evening, attended a worship service featuring a Gulf Coast Youth Choir, then settled in for a good nights rest preparing for today. There are four activities that the team is involved with, and will be highlighted each day. The team is made up of 8 members from Elmbrook Church and three folks from Las Cruces, New Mexico (Pam and Robin's former Pastor and two members of his church).
After greeting Pam & Robin we were introduced to the other team members and a few of our local hosts. Then it was get settled, look at the church, get ready for worship, eat and talk about the week.
The following email was posted by Pam & Robin on Monday evening after our arrival and our first day. It really lays out pretty clearly what we would be doing and experiencing during the week.
“Team 23 arrived safely on Sunday evening, attended a worship service featuring a Gulf Coast Youth Choir, then settled in for a good nights rest preparing for today. There are four activities that the team is involved with, and will be highlighted each day. The team is made up of 8 members from Elmbrook Church and three folks from Las Cruces, New Mexico (Pam and Robin's former Pastor and two members of his church).
Cheri Melchiona House - This house is nearing completion, and received a lot of attention today. The team moved a lot of construction debris from the kitchen to the outside so the floor could be scraped in preparation for the tile work. All of the other floors were swept so flooring could be laid and a 2nd coat of paint was applied to the walls.
Lillian Gray House - Ms. Gray is an 80+ woman whose house has passed rough inspection and is in the process of being dry walled and mudded. Lillian's house is right next door to the house that is being rebuilt for her son ... Pete.
Pete Gray House - Some rough plumbing was done today as was some electrical work. Of the three houses, this house is the newest to be started.
Foundation work for new bunk houses - Because of church growth, LeMoyne Boulevard Baptist Church is going to build two (2) 12--person bunk houses. The foundation work was started today for the construction, and will continue through the week.The growth in church membership is a wonderful story of the "church" reaching out to the local community during post Katrina work. Membership continues to grow as folks that have been helped begin to attend and then join the church. In fact, at supper this evening, we heard the story of one couple and their 17-year old daughter who were helped by the church, and have now accepted Christ and are going to be baptized and are joining LeMoyne. We also heard tonight that the Governor has lifted the state of "emergency/disaster" of Mississippi, which would cause LeMoyne to lose the ability to have the RV's of the helpers in their parking lot, not to mention the new bunk houses. That being said, when LeMoyne petitioned the county for an extension, the county sent all of their neighbors a letter asking about the extension. These are all neighbors that have been helped by LeMoyne ... so there was an overwhelming "YES" to the request. Most said, "If it had not been for LeMoyne Blvd. Baptist Church, we would not have our homes." So ... extension granted. God is good!!!
The church is very quiet right now ... as it usually is the first night. Lots of "groans" from aching bodies that aren't quite use to this level of activity. We will all sleep good ... tomorrow is another day.”
Over the course of the week work was done on each of the homes listed and on the bunk house foundations. It was a good week.
Our team really worked as a team. We worked hard at whatever project needed to be dealt with. We laughed, we talked, we ached and commiserated together. We were a team.
Over the course of the week work was done on each of the homes listed and on the bunk house foundations. It was a good week.
Our team really worked as a team. We worked hard at whatever project needed to be dealt with. We laughed, we talked, we ached and commiserated together. We were a team.
There were many people helping our team accomplish what we could by making their church available to us, preparing us meals, volunteering their experience, getting supplies, taking us on a tour of the coast highway and treating us to dinner out. Without their efforts we couldn’t have done what we did.
I got to know Brother Tom, Brother Ralph and Brother Charlie a bit. You see how every guy there is my brother. Well Brother Tom is a local. He and his wife Margaret, who is a saint to live with that old boy by the way, live north of Interstate 10 and didn’t know the extent of the damage to the church and whole community until they were told about it later. Well I worked with Tom some on the bunk house foundation project. Tom & I got talking about grits. I asked him all about grits and how they were to be eaten. He shared his wisdom with me and then brought me a packet of instant grits as a going away present. Now I just have to take the plunge and go ahead and eat it. I actually tasted my first grits back in college. All I remember is that “no, they are not the same as cream of wheat”. Tom also regaled us with stories and jokes. He was a real joy to be with.
Brother Ralph is not a local but a long-term volunteer. Ralph & his wife came for a week and stayed two and a half years. They live in an R.V. parked in the back lot at the church. I believe they plan to make Biloxi their new home. I also believe he used to be in the construction business but then worked for Ford Motor in the Detroit, Michigan area so he could get a pension.
Brother Charlie is also not a local but from out of state and has been there a few weeks with his wife. He is also 84 years old and outworked everyone of us. I’ll always remember the site of Charlie using a saw horse as his ladder to do electrical work in the shower house. Go Charlie. He also wired Pete Gray’s house.
The work goes. With God’s guidance and blessing the work will continue as the people at LeMoyne Baptist say “as long as the volunteers and money keep coming in.”
I hope to go back for another week.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
"Heaven" Study
Recently I offered a study on Heaven to our congregation. I optimistically thought I could get maybe 12 people including myself to come along. Well over 30 signed up. We are using a Bible Study by Randy Alcorn and it has proved very interesting.
Excerpt from his book "Heaven":
Are You Looking Forward to Heaven?
“ Many people find no joy at all when they think about Heaven. A pastor once confessed to me, that whenever I think about Heaven, it makes me depressed. I’d rather just cease to exist when I die. I can’t stand the thought of that endless tedium. To float around in the clouds with nothing to do but strum a harp ... it’s all so terribly boring. Heaven doesn’t sound much better than hell. I’d rather be annihilated than spend eternity in a place like that.”
Where did this Bible-believing, seminary-educated pastor get such a view of Heaven? Certainly not from Scripture, where Paul said to depart and be with Christ was far better than staying on earth (see Phil. 1:23). My friend was more honest about it than most, yet I’ve found that many Christians share the same misconceptions about Heaven.”
Randy Alcorn, Eternal Perspective Ministries, 39085 Pioneer Blvd., Suite 206, Sandy, OR 97055,
Used by permission
Randy Alcorn's website: www.epm.org
Questions from our 1st session:
Define Heaven
Define Paradise
How did you learn what you know about heaven?
Where is heaven?
Is Heaven a real place?
Are you looking forward to heaven?
If so, why? If not, why not?
How do you know you are going to heaven?
What does heaven look like?
Questions & comments from our 2nd session:
Read Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; and 1 John 4:l-3.
Q: How should we approach any teaching of Gods Word? We are to test what we are learning. When you are studying God’s Word whether for this study or others you can be sure it is the correct teaching if it agrees with the rest of God’s teachings found in scripture.
The first question we encounter in our study tries to get at the range of feelings people have about heaven. The question is:
Q: How do you feel about Heaven?
a) so excited you can hardly stand it?
b) Don’t think about it
c) Fear it
d) Dreading it
e) Change the subject
Q: What do you think when you read or hear the word destiny? What is it?
a) what will happen – can’t change it
b) predetermined future
c) may be seen either as a fixed sequence of events that is inevitable and unchangeable, or that individuals choose their own destiny by choosing different paths throughout their life.
Q: Where do we get our misconceptions about heaven? (Satan’s lies – John 8:44. Satan's biggest lies are intended to take away any joy we have as Christians and to make us doubt the truth. )
Q: What have we been told about heaven?
a) boring
b) unearthly, ethereal
c) beyond our comprehension
Q: Why does our culture fear and deny death? What is it that is so abhorrent?
a) not ready to die yet, too much to do and experience
b) fear of aging, infirmity
c) not fair, it is the great equalizer
Q: What do we do in our denial of death?
a) worship youth
b) cosmetic surgery
c) dress younger
Q: How do we know it’s OK to study and talk about Heaven ?
a) We are told in scripture to set our hearts on things above. Col 3:1-2 1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Q: Why do you think God orders us to think deeply about Heaven?
a) Our real home – where Jesus Christ lives
b) We are so focused on earth that we are unaccustomed to heavenly thinking
Q: What is your response to the statement, “We should be shocked not that some people could go to hell but that any would be permitted into Heaven”?
a) All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We are by nature sinful and unclean. Basic teaching of the church.
Q: Read Matthew 10:28, Matthew 13:40-42; Mark 9:43-44. What did Jesus say about hell?
a) be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
b) they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.
c) If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
Q: Why do we not tell people who do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior about the cancer of sin and evil? Why do we not tell them about the inevitable penalty of eternal destruction and that eternal destruction can be avoided by Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice?
a) We don’t really believe it ourselves
b) Seems judgmental
c) Seems crazy
d) Pushy
e) Arrogant
Q: What aspect of hell do you find most troubling?
a) Separation from God
b) Separation from all that is good
Q: When did you RSVP to Jesus’ invitation to Heaven?
a) Wasd it at baptism? Is that all there is to it?
b) Every other time we confess our sin and ask for God’s gift of forgiveness
Q: Read 1 John 1:9
a) Forgiveness is not automatic. If we want to be forgiven, we must recognize and repent of our sins.
Q: Read Titus 3:5
b) Can’t earn our way into heaven.
c) Gift of God’s grace.
Excerpt from his book "Heaven":
Are You Looking Forward to Heaven?
“ Many people find no joy at all when they think about Heaven. A pastor once confessed to me, that whenever I think about Heaven, it makes me depressed. I’d rather just cease to exist when I die. I can’t stand the thought of that endless tedium. To float around in the clouds with nothing to do but strum a harp ... it’s all so terribly boring. Heaven doesn’t sound much better than hell. I’d rather be annihilated than spend eternity in a place like that.”
Where did this Bible-believing, seminary-educated pastor get such a view of Heaven? Certainly not from Scripture, where Paul said to depart and be with Christ was far better than staying on earth (see Phil. 1:23). My friend was more honest about it than most, yet I’ve found that many Christians share the same misconceptions about Heaven.”
Randy Alcorn, Eternal Perspective Ministries, 39085 Pioneer Blvd., Suite 206, Sandy, OR 97055,
Used by permission
Randy Alcorn's website: www.epm.org
Questions from our 1st session:
Define Heaven
Define Paradise
How did you learn what you know about heaven?
Where is heaven?
Is Heaven a real place?
Are you looking forward to heaven?
If so, why? If not, why not?
How do you know you are going to heaven?
What does heaven look like?
Questions & comments from our 2nd session:
Read Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; and 1 John 4:l-3.
Q: How should we approach any teaching of Gods Word? We are to test what we are learning. When you are studying God’s Word whether for this study or others you can be sure it is the correct teaching if it agrees with the rest of God’s teachings found in scripture.
The first question we encounter in our study tries to get at the range of feelings people have about heaven. The question is:
Q: How do you feel about Heaven?
a) so excited you can hardly stand it?
b) Don’t think about it
c) Fear it
d) Dreading it
e) Change the subject
Q: What do you think when you read or hear the word destiny? What is it?
a) what will happen – can’t change it
b) predetermined future
c) may be seen either as a fixed sequence of events that is inevitable and unchangeable, or that individuals choose their own destiny by choosing different paths throughout their life.
Q: Where do we get our misconceptions about heaven? (Satan’s lies – John 8:44. Satan's biggest lies are intended to take away any joy we have as Christians and to make us doubt the truth. )
Q: What have we been told about heaven?
a) boring
b) unearthly, ethereal
c) beyond our comprehension
Q: Why does our culture fear and deny death? What is it that is so abhorrent?
a) not ready to die yet, too much to do and experience
b) fear of aging, infirmity
c) not fair, it is the great equalizer
Q: What do we do in our denial of death?
a) worship youth
b) cosmetic surgery
c) dress younger
Q: How do we know it’s OK to study and talk about Heaven ?
a) We are told in scripture to set our hearts on things above. Col 3:1-2 1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Q: Why do you think God orders us to think deeply about Heaven?
a) Our real home – where Jesus Christ lives
b) We are so focused on earth that we are unaccustomed to heavenly thinking
Q: What is your response to the statement, “We should be shocked not that some people could go to hell but that any would be permitted into Heaven”?
a) All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We are by nature sinful and unclean. Basic teaching of the church.
Q: Read Matthew 10:28, Matthew 13:40-42; Mark 9:43-44. What did Jesus say about hell?
a) be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
b) they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.
c) If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
Q: Why do we not tell people who do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior about the cancer of sin and evil? Why do we not tell them about the inevitable penalty of eternal destruction and that eternal destruction can be avoided by Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice?
a) We don’t really believe it ourselves
b) Seems judgmental
c) Seems crazy
d) Pushy
e) Arrogant
Q: What aspect of hell do you find most troubling?
a) Separation from God
b) Separation from all that is good
Q: When did you RSVP to Jesus’ invitation to Heaven?
a) Wasd it at baptism? Is that all there is to it?
b) Every other time we confess our sin and ask for God’s gift of forgiveness
Q: Read 1 John 1:9
a) Forgiveness is not automatic. If we want to be forgiven, we must recognize and repent of our sins.
Q: Read Titus 3:5
b) Can’t earn our way into heaven.
c) Gift of God’s grace.
Friday, April 04, 2008
A car + a Son = Disney World
Easter Sunday was a great day on many levels. First and foremost it was the celebration of our Lord’s resurrection from death and worship was a highlight.
After saying our goodbyes at church Cindy & I drove home, changed clothes, grabbed a bite to eat and took off for El Paso and points East. We were on our way. Our destination was Orlando, Florida some 1700 miles away. After a brief stop at the El Paso airport to drop off one of our cars we were on our way.
There is a lot of nothing in west Texas but I had come prepared. Books on tape saved the day. First Bob Newhart then Sue Grafton kept us occupied. The roads were for the most part fine so we just sailed along.
This trip was going to be a bit more seat-of-our-pants. We did not have any motel reservations except in Orlando where we were going to be spending a number of days. It worked great. Somewhere along the way we grabbed one of those free discount magazines you find at truck stops that advertise discounts on hotels along the way and planned from there. Sonora, Texas (west of San Antonio) was first then Baton Rouge, Louisiana then Gainesville, Florida. There’s not much to say about the trip itself.
We did drop down to Pensacola, Florida (just east of there really) so we could see the beach. The traffic was stop and go but it was great walking on the beach once again. It stretches for what seemed like miles. In Las Cruces we have the sand but no water.
The main reason for the trip was to meet up with Matt and his girlfriend A.J. so we could give him our old car. We met up with them at the Orlando train station. They sat up all night having come from Union Station in Washington, D.C.
Disney World was our destination now that we were together. Our first stop was Downtown Disney. It is a “six-acre nighttime entertainment complex.” There are several restaurants and shops there along with attractions like Cirque du Soleil. We spent time walking around and looking at the sights then we were off on a short boat ride to and then a carriage ride around the Port Orleans Riverside Resort. One thing about Disney is they do things so well. Their resorts are beautiful, too expensive to stay at perhaps but beautiful. We had a very nice time that night.
The next two days were spent at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. The crowds were big but not a problem. We started at Splash Mountain then it was on to The Big Thunder Mounta
in Railroad. Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Hall of the Presidents and on and on kept us going all day and into the night. The fireworks were spectacular and the Spectral Magic parade ended our evening at the Magic Kingdom. It was great having Matt there since he worked there for a time. He knew the places to go 
and how best to do it. It was also fun watching A.J. since she hadn’t been there since she was 3 years old.
At Epcot we went on Mission Mars or Space and Soaring. Both those rides were great. One takes you into outer space via a flight simulator and the other takes you hang gliding over scenes in California. Wow! The best way to do these rides is of course by getting there first. The other way is by using the Fast Pass system. If you can be flexible you show up at a ride at the time your Fast Pass tells you and you go to the front of the line. That really worked slick. On one occasion we walked ahead of at least 500 other people to get to the front. I felt terribly guilty for a little bit. I didn’t make eye contact with any of those I was trotting past.
You know that Epcot is composed of two areas: the rides, etc. in front and then the showcase of countries in the rear. For dinner we actually went to a sit down dinner at the German showcase. We got great food and a short program including oompa music. It was fun. The evening ended with a lazer light show. By then Cindy & I were simply worn out.
Thankfully our time in Florida ended not only on a high note but a less strenuous one as well. Saturday was spent going to Coco Beach which is straight east of Orlando on the Atlantic. The beach was beautiful and the sun warm and inviting. We lounged around for a few hours then headed back for the Luau at the Polynesian Resort.
The Luau was great. The food was plentiful, the atmosphere was festive and the evening concluded with a great floor show.
On Sunday we had to say our goodbyes. Matt and A.J. had a many hour drice ahead of them. They were heading back to Washington, DC where they both needed to be on Monday for work. Cindy & I boarded our plane and after the usual hassles we arrived home Sunday afternoon.
It was a great trip.
After saying our goodbyes at church Cindy & I drove home, changed clothes, grabbed a bite to eat and took off for El Paso and points East. We were on our way. Our destination was Orlando, Florida some 1700 miles away. After a brief stop at the El Paso airport to drop off one of our cars we were on our way.
There is a lot of nothing in west Texas but I had come prepared. Books on tape saved the day. First Bob Newhart then Sue Grafton kept us occupied. The roads were for the most part fine so we just sailed along.
This trip was going to be a bit more seat-of-our-pants. We did not have any motel reservations except in Orlando where we were going to be spending a number of days. It worked great. Somewhere along the way we grabbed one of those free discount magazines you find at truck stops that advertise discounts on hotels along the way and planned from there. Sonora, Texas (west of San Antonio) was first then Baton Rouge, Louisiana then Gainesville, Florida. There’s not much to say about the trip itself.
We did drop down to Pensacola, Florida (just east of there really) so we could see the beach. The traffic was stop and go but it was great walking on the beach once again. It stretches for what seemed like miles. In Las Cruces we have the sand but no water.
The main reason for the trip was to meet up with Matt and his girlfriend A.J. so we could give him our old car. We met up with them at the Orlando train station. They sat up all night having come from Union Station in Washington, D.C.
Disney World was our destination now that we were together. Our first stop was Downtown Disney. It is a “six-acre nighttime entertainment complex.” There are several restaurants and shops there along with attractions like Cirque du Soleil. We spent time walking around and looking at the sights then we were off on a short boat ride to and then a carriage ride around the Port Orleans Riverside Resort. One thing about Disney is they do things so well. Their resorts are beautiful, too expensive to stay at perhaps but beautiful. We had a very nice time that night.
The next two days were spent at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. The crowds were big but not a problem. We started at Splash Mountain then it was on to The Big Thunder Mounta
in Railroad. Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Hall of the Presidents and on and on kept us going all day and into the night. The fireworks were spectacular and the Spectral Magic parade ended our evening at the Magic Kingdom. It was great having Matt there since he worked there for a time. He knew the places to go 
and how best to do it. It was also fun watching A.J. since she hadn’t been there since she was 3 years old.At Epcot we went on Mission Mars or Space and Soaring. Both those rides were great. One takes you into outer space via a flight simulator and the other takes you hang gliding over scenes in California. Wow! The best way to do these rides is of course by getting there first. The other way is by using the Fast Pass system. If you can be flexible you show up at a ride at the time your Fast Pass tells you and you go to the front of the line. That really worked slick. On one occasion we walked ahead of at least 500 other people to get to the front. I felt terribly guilty for a little bit. I didn’t make eye contact with any of those I was trotting past.
You know that Epcot is composed of two areas: the rides, etc. in front and then the showcase of countries in the rear. For dinner we actually went to a sit down dinner at the German showcase. We got great food and a short program including oompa music. It was fun. The evening ended with a lazer light show. By then Cindy & I were simply worn out.
Thankfully our time in Florida ended not only on a high note but a less strenuous one as well. Saturday was spent going to Coco Beach which is straight east of Orlando on the Atlantic. The beach was beautiful and the sun warm and inviting. We lounged around for a few hours then headed back for the Luau at the Polynesian Resort.
The Luau was great. The food was plentiful, the atmosphere was festive and the evening concluded with a great floor show.
On Sunday we had to say our goodbyes. Matt and A.J. had a many hour drice ahead of them. They were heading back to Washington, DC where they both needed to be on Monday for work. Cindy & I boarded our plane and after the usual hassles we arrived home Sunday afternoon.
It was a great trip.
Friday, January 11, 2008
The Health Club
Howdy,
Well, I did it. I joined the club. Our local health club had a Christmas Special so I took the plunge.
Now I join other "sluggards" young and old, male and female, 5 times a week on the tread mill and the other diabolical machines designed to carve those pounds off, tighten up those muscles and make me "buff" again. Okay, so maybe "again" and "buff" are not to used by me in the same sentence. I used to be in pretty good shape but you know how it goes. So I'm really trying to get more healthy and if the pounds come off and all the rest, so be it and praise the Lord.
In one part of the building are the free - weights being used by those who don't seem to need it. They have bulging muscles all over their bodies that just accentuate their tatoos. I read somewhere that genetics has a large say about whether or not I could develop 6 pack abs instead of the keg I'm sporting now. I have no intention of venturing into free - weight territory.
Instead I'm using the treadmill, stationary bikes, and resistance machines. I actually am enjoying it. It's fun to see other people suffer. It motivates me. I'm not the type to go off running by myself somewhere. Just to see someone else sweating and straining gets me going.
The whole experience has been rather comical. What do I need to pack in my gym bag? Oh, and what kind of bag should I take? I can't stuff my stuff in a Wal Mart bag. It just isn't done. I'm certainly not going to go out and spend money on a bag since I must have something in my closet that will work. Actually I'm not really concerned about how I look coming into the club / gym or whatever it's called. I don't know if I should call it a club since you might picture a members only tea room off to one side where soft music is played and people sit around in winged back chairs reading the paper. To call it a gym doesn't seem right either. Isn't a gym where a bunch of sweaty oofs work out at punching bags while others are clanging free weights around and grunting. It's sort of like a gym but nicer. Anyway, back to the bag. I began by using a small duffel given to us when we went on a cruise so it says the name of the cruise company on the side. Now I'm using a back pack that my daughter used to use in school I believe. I'll see how that goes. Then how am I supposed to dress to go there? Do I wear my exercise stuff under my street clothes and simply strip down when I get there? Do I wear sweats or office type work clothes? Does that depend on whether or not I'm stopping off at the "gym" on the way to work or on the way home? I want to do what's right. Of the agony of deciding.
So far I've used the treadmill. You can program those things to give you a real workout but first you have to figure them out. You can simply hit a quick start button and get going while adjusting the speed but that would be bush league. You really need to program it so the bed goes up and down and the speed varies to simulate uneven terrain. Wow! So far I just turn it on. Then you plug in your headphones so you can listen to the audio coming from 5 different television screens up front. I like that part. After each workout you are to spray down your machine with disinfectant and wipe it down. You want to do your part to keep everyone healthy.
The resistance machines have proven challenging and that's before I use them. I CAN'T FIND THE RIGHT MACHINES! I went through an orientation about the machines when I first started but they all look alike. I've spend what seems like most of the time I have available simply walking up and down the rows of machines trying to identify the ones I'm supposed to use. After 20 minutes or so I end up going back to the treadmill because I know where they are and how to turn them on.
I know that all of this will come together eventually and that I won't be so intimidated just walking into the building. Soon I'll know some of the players, I'll have figured out how to dress and what to carry my gear in, the machines will do wondrous things at my command and all will be as it should be as my body gets even better looking.
Pray for me. I'm visiting the "gym" this afternoon.
Shalom
Well, I did it. I joined the club. Our local health club had a Christmas Special so I took the plunge.
Now I join other "sluggards" young and old, male and female, 5 times a week on the tread mill and the other diabolical machines designed to carve those pounds off, tighten up those muscles and make me "buff" again. Okay, so maybe "again" and "buff" are not to used by me in the same sentence. I used to be in pretty good shape but you know how it goes. So I'm really trying to get more healthy and if the pounds come off and all the rest, so be it and praise the Lord.
In one part of the building are the free - weights being used by those who don't seem to need it. They have bulging muscles all over their bodies that just accentuate their tatoos. I read somewhere that genetics has a large say about whether or not I could develop 6 pack abs instead of the keg I'm sporting now. I have no intention of venturing into free - weight territory.
Instead I'm using the treadmill, stationary bikes, and resistance machines. I actually am enjoying it. It's fun to see other people suffer. It motivates me. I'm not the type to go off running by myself somewhere. Just to see someone else sweating and straining gets me going.
The whole experience has been rather comical. What do I need to pack in my gym bag? Oh, and what kind of bag should I take? I can't stuff my stuff in a Wal Mart bag. It just isn't done. I'm certainly not going to go out and spend money on a bag since I must have something in my closet that will work. Actually I'm not really concerned about how I look coming into the club / gym or whatever it's called. I don't know if I should call it a club since you might picture a members only tea room off to one side where soft music is played and people sit around in winged back chairs reading the paper. To call it a gym doesn't seem right either. Isn't a gym where a bunch of sweaty oofs work out at punching bags while others are clanging free weights around and grunting. It's sort of like a gym but nicer. Anyway, back to the bag. I began by using a small duffel given to us when we went on a cruise so it says the name of the cruise company on the side. Now I'm using a back pack that my daughter used to use in school I believe. I'll see how that goes. Then how am I supposed to dress to go there? Do I wear my exercise stuff under my street clothes and simply strip down when I get there? Do I wear sweats or office type work clothes? Does that depend on whether or not I'm stopping off at the "gym" on the way to work or on the way home? I want to do what's right. Of the agony of deciding.
So far I've used the treadmill. You can program those things to give you a real workout but first you have to figure them out. You can simply hit a quick start button and get going while adjusting the speed but that would be bush league. You really need to program it so the bed goes up and down and the speed varies to simulate uneven terrain. Wow! So far I just turn it on. Then you plug in your headphones so you can listen to the audio coming from 5 different television screens up front. I like that part. After each workout you are to spray down your machine with disinfectant and wipe it down. You want to do your part to keep everyone healthy.
The resistance machines have proven challenging and that's before I use them. I CAN'T FIND THE RIGHT MACHINES! I went through an orientation about the machines when I first started but they all look alike. I've spend what seems like most of the time I have available simply walking up and down the rows of machines trying to identify the ones I'm supposed to use. After 20 minutes or so I end up going back to the treadmill because I know where they are and how to turn them on.
I know that all of this will come together eventually and that I won't be so intimidated just walking into the building. Soon I'll know some of the players, I'll have figured out how to dress and what to carry my gear in, the machines will do wondrous things at my command and all will be as it should be as my body gets even better looking.
Pray for me. I'm visiting the "gym" this afternoon.
Shalom
Thursday, January 03, 2008
New Years Eve 2007
In the distant past New Years Eve was a time only "the old" apparently were allowed to celebrate. I'm sure you remember asking your parents where they were going as they got prepared to go out on that special night filled with unimaginable revelry. Or perhaps you remember the time when your parents invited friends to your home so you were relegated to your room where you were supposed to be sleeping but you really were silently peeking out into the living room to see what all the laughing was about. I know that sentence was too long but honestly I didn't know how to punctuate it, so there.
Eventually you were allowed to get a taste of New Years Eve. Do you remember the thrill of being allowed to stay up to watch the ball drop in Times Square in New York for the very first time? You probably ate exotic foods like Ritz Crackers with cut up summer sausage and cheese or some of that great Velveeta cheese dip made with melted cheese and salsa. I'm certain you also remember then being shuffled off to bed at 12:05 am. The excitement for you was all over.
The time came when I was always awake after midnight so New Years Eve lost a bit of its shine. There were parties of all sorts I attended with friends then.
Then after some time our kids arrived and they went through the same stages we had.
Now that I am more "mature" New Years Eve is nothing very special. If I can keep my eyes open I can stay up late any night I choose. So what do you do for fun on New Years Eve?
Well let me tell you. You invite anyone who wants too to come to the church fellowship hall to be together with others. Our church did just that and we had a great time.
I believe 17 had signed up and 40 came. It wasn't long before laughter filled the room. At first we laughed at each other in those ridiculous hats but then we laughed as we played games together. We started at 4:00 PM and ended somewhere after 9:00 PM. Finger foods of all kinds were spread out on a serving table and we grazed all evening. Every so often there was a drawing which meant another person won a door prize. Probably the best part of the evening though was playing games. One group played some sort of dominoes game. Another couple of groups played a word game that was very frenetic and got people all worked up. Yet another table played Trivial Pursuit. But every table was having fun. It was hard to hear sometimes because of all the laughter coming from all over the room. The evening was a great success.
Then when the evening broke up we went home and still managed to stay up till the bewitching hour. I remember hearing "we missed it" coming from the other room. We forgot all about watching the ball drop but we made it to the new year anyway.
Shalom
Eventually you were allowed to get a taste of New Years Eve. Do you remember the thrill of being allowed to stay up to watch the ball drop in Times Square in New York for the very first time? You probably ate exotic foods like Ritz Crackers with cut up summer sausage and cheese or some of that great Velveeta cheese dip made with melted cheese and salsa. I'm certain you also remember then being shuffled off to bed at 12:05 am. The excitement for you was all over.
The time came when I was always awake after midnight so New Years Eve lost a bit of its shine. There were parties of all sorts I attended with friends then.
Then after some time our kids arrived and they went through the same stages we had.
Now that I am more "mature" New Years Eve is nothing very special. If I can keep my eyes open I can stay up late any night I choose. So what do you do for fun on New Years Eve?
Well let me tell you. You invite anyone who wants too to come to the church fellowship hall to be together with others. Our church did just that and we had a great time.
I believe 17 had signed up and 40 came. It wasn't long before laughter filled the room. At first we laughed at each other in those ridiculous hats but then we laughed as we played games together. We started at 4:00 PM and ended somewhere after 9:00 PM. Finger foods of all kinds were spread out on a serving table and we grazed all evening. Every so often there was a drawing which meant another person won a door prize. Probably the best part of the evening though was playing games. One group played some sort of dominoes game. Another couple of groups played a word game that was very frenetic and got people all worked up. Yet another table played Trivial Pursuit. But every table was having fun. It was hard to hear sometimes because of all the laughter coming from all over the room. The evening was a great success.
Then when the evening broke up we went home and still managed to stay up till the bewitching hour. I remember hearing "we missed it" coming from the other room. We forgot all about watching the ball drop but we made it to the new year anyway.
Shalom
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