Please pardon the lack of paragraphs in my writing recently. Since the last upgrade, the program has been stripping them out. Steven and I are working on it but have not found a solution yet.
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Category: Journal
My journey
My wife and I so much enjoy walking at Green Lakes State Park. Green Lakes is such a gift to all of us. Monday morning was a beautiful early fall day for such a walk. Yes, I know it was technically still summer, but here in Kirkville the feel definitely changed to fall a week or so ago. The smell in the air, the crisp mornings with fog hanging over the corn field across the road from my house, the alternation of clear blue days and soggy gray ones; all tell us that it is September.
Walking and praying go together
Even though Monday was perfect for walking, not many people were out so I was mostly left to my own thoughts. I love to pray aloud as I walk and I did. Holding a conversation with God while meandering on a woodland trail is refreshing at multiple levels. I’m relaxing; I’m breathing fresh air; I’m getting some exercise. I’m also unloading my cares to God and listening for his Spirit’s still small voice of counsel in return. I’m participating in the spiritual work of intercession for others too. There’s something about being out in nature that rejuvenates us all. There’s something about personal times of prayer that does the same. Doing both together is like working a team of horses, the result is more powerful than the sum of the parts.
I’m a nature observer
Another joy of Green Lakes hikes are the nature observations. Being a bird watcher, I’m always on the lookout for rarer birds, especially pileated woodpeckers which are not really rare at Green Lakes. I didn’t see one Monday, only a hairy woodpecker. But, this past summer I saw a male scarlet tanager, one of the few times I have seen one of those in my life. However, it is not just birds that get my attention; I also look at the ferns, the fish, and the fungi among other things. Okay, so I’m a nature nut. I have numerous guide books and sometimes actually look at them too. I prefer to think of myself as simply a good observer.
We prayed this prayer in our services this morning for this 10 year anniversary remembrance of 9/11.
Our heavenly Father, source of our strength, protector of our homeland, ultimate giver of all prosperity; to you we come on this anniversary of one of the greatest tragedies in the history of our country. We come humbly; confessing our unworthiness, our failures as a nation to follow your laws and uphold your values. Yet we come to you, because we know you are the ultimate source of life, and blessing, and protection.
On this day we remember again the families of the victims of 9/11. Undoubtedly the remembrances of this day open tragic memories which only you can heal. May your comfort and encouragement be theirs as we pray for them.
We come to you also today on behalf of current public servants whom we remember especially on this day. We pray for firefighters, police, ambulance personnel, and homeland security workers. We ask that you would give them strength, wisdom, spiritual guidance, and divine protection. We pray that you would grant them success in their work. Thank you for their selfless sacrifice as they serve us working for public safety.
Our Father, we remember today also on this 10th anniversary of 9/11 that ever since that day our country has been continuously at war. We are reminded to pray for our soldiers wherever they are. We pray especially for those in Iraq and Afghanistan that they may sense your presence daily and be shielded by your power. We plead also for the leaders of our country that they may have wisdom to guide our country out of war and into peace.
We seek your face for your blessing on our country. Above all others our country has been blessed. Thank you for the safety that you have granted to our country in the last 10 years. Thank you for the prosperity that we enjoy. Thank you for the privilege of freedom of worship. We pray that you would help us so to live that you would be pleased to continue to bless our country. May our moral example and spiritual passion strengthen the fabric our nation Help us to preserve our freedoms; and help us to be able to pass to those who follow us a nation that is even stronger than it is today.
We pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, King over all nations, AMEN
I’ve been planning our September service emphasis to go along with the 10th anniversary of 9/11 which we are all marking this next Sunday. Most of us remember exactly where we were when we first heard the news of the devastation caused by the terrorists’ depraved acts. The tragedy moved us all to greater prayer and increased awareness of our collective spiritual needs. Suddenly prayer and patriotism were close companions. Had we known at that time the 10 years of war and trouble which the enemy’s actions have precipitated, we would have been even more dedicated to prayer than we were. Yet, unfortunately, such openness to God and dedication to prayer have not been maintained or nourished in most of our cultural landscape. Instead we have seen unprecedented decline in moral values and an increasing chasm between government and faith. Now the occasion of this 10 year remembrance provides a time for us to regain our perspective; to once again call upon God on behalf of our country, and to draw closer to Him for ourselves as well. I am praying that this series will help us to regain our spiritual fervor.
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September sermon series – Preserving America |
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| Date | Title | Text | Key Question |
| Sep. 11 | Remembering | Ps 37 | Who does God say inherits the land? |
| Sep. 18 | Recommitting | 1 Tim. 2:1-8; Titus 3:1-8 |
How do we live in a post-Christian America? |
| Sep. 25 | Protecting and Preserving | Eph. 6:10-24 | How do we protect and preserve America? |
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JoAnne swims another lake
Congratulations to my wife, JoAnne, on accomplishing another of her summer goals. She likes to swim across lakes. I bet not many people have that on their list of things to do before school starts. Yesterday she swam the length of Eaton Brook Reservoir; it took 47 minutes. That makes two lakes this summer. She uses flippers and varies her strokes. Since she exercises regularly, she also is careful to pace herself so that her heart rate stays in the training range. She is a natural swimmer, able to float easily, so she can use most of her energy to move forward. By contrast, I would have to use most of my energy to stay on top of the water. And I would probably last about 2 pool lengths without a big rest; beyond that it would soon be time for the rescue squad.
Thank you to Tom Bundle and his friend Marge for graciously hosting her swim at Tom’s beautiful cottage on Eaton Brook. We also used Tom’s bass boat to accompany JoAnne. That’s much easier for me. Usually I have to row or paddle there and back when she swims. Tom says she swims too fast to troll for walleye. He estimates the distance JoAnne swam as a “good mile.” Having an accompanying boat is essential for protection from other boats who do not expect a swimmer in open water. After we were all back at the cottage, Marge served a great wild blackberry pie to celebrate! Hmmmm!
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Fall birds today
I was reminded that it is September by the scene in my backyard this morning. A migrating flock of robins was busy feeding on the lawn. Many were young robins. An occasional starling was mixed in the flock. Farther in back of the house is the sweet-corn field, recently disked in. It holds numerous flocks of geese this morning picking up a good breakfast.
Big concerts not our thing
Concerts are a big deal at the fair! But, for JoAnne and I, the big venue concerts are not our thing. They are too loud, and very seldom present our kinds of music. The one at Chevy Court on Tuesday late afternoon was so loud it was literally painful to walk out of the Center of Progress building. So we detoured back through the building just to avoid it.
Found two great small concerts
However, that doesn’t mean we don’t like concerts, for we do. This year, JoAnne and I sat in on two small venue concerts while we were at the state fair. I thoroughly enjoyed a packed concert by the Rhythm Airs at the New Time Theater. The group’s big band style seems to appeal mostly to older folks, but some younger folks also came in and seemed to love it too. My delight was increased by the fact that I kn
ew several people in the group. It was too bad that it was interrupted by a fire drill. I heard, but couldn’t confirm, that a cooking display crew burned the “toast”…
Later, we sat in the Pan African Village Theater and listened with relish and joy to Five for Life, a black a cappella gospel group– what energy, what talent, and what enthusiasm. They had good voices and exhibited fine stage presence as well. My enjoyment was increased by our common Christian beliefs, even though we come from different cultural streams. I am a great fan of quartet singing, gospel singing, and a cappella singing, so Five for Life was a real treat.
These two concerts made the day really special!
I’m known as a decent judge of food. So I have to weigh in (pun not intended) on this one. Two of my favorite fair foods this year are not on the poll list. So I will make my own list. My wife and I eat at the fair every year. The last couple years we have gone twice so that has increased the chances of a good meal at the fair. Here’s my 1,2,3 list of great foods.
1. Jerk Hut – Curry chicken on rice and red beans with cabbage and plantain. — Great tasting meal, just enough spice, lots of food too, with Jamacian flair at a great price. Relish the taste, spit out the bones, go away satisfied.
2. Gianelli Sausage with peppers – always a favorite – Gianelli is tops
3. Apple dumpling with vanilla caramel sauce, ice cream and whipped cream — Good apple, cooked just right.
You can check out the poll that Syracuse. com is taking at: http://blog.syracuse.com/cny/2011/08/best_of_central_new_york_vote_for_your_favorite_nys_fair_food_poll.html
Every gardener sh
ould have a tall sunflower jungle picture. So this year is my chance. I planted a few in what I thought was the least favorable corner of the garden. And they grew and grew. Now I’m cutting for the table for us and feeding the birds outside. The goldfinches are already eating to their heart’s content and yesterday I saw cardinals, another seedeater, flying nearby. The tallest is 4 feet higher than I can reach which means it’s about 12 feet tall. I planted several different types so I have lots of different colors too. Delightful!
ould have a tall sunflower jungle picture. So this year is my chance. I planted a few in what I thought was the least favorable corner of the garden. And they grew and grew. Now I’m cutting for the table for us and feeding the birds outside. The goldfinches are already eating to their heart’s content and yesterday I saw cardinals, another seedeater, flying nearby. The tallest is 4 feet higher than I can reach which means it’s about 12 feet tall. I planted several different types so I have lots of different colors too. Delightful!
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On Joining Facebook
Well, I finally did it.
I’ve been talking about it for months.
Thursday, Steven Sgroi helped me take the leap. My friend list is building fast—up to 70
already. What has impressed me most is
how much people are on Facebook. Seems
like anytime I am on, there are several friends I could chat with. I notice already that most people are
checking Facebook more than their email, I think.
Some may wonder why I decided to join Facebook. I think there were three reasons, listed in
rough order of importance. First, I felt
that without it, I was missing an excellent opportunity to connect with lots of
people. As a pastor, connecting with
people is the heart of what I do.
Second, it was recommended by many, including my DS, Kim O. and Eva.
B. Third, to be honest, I was hoping to
draw more attention to my blog. I love
blogging. It seems to suit my
personality and my purposes very well. So
I am interested in building up readership.
Besides all this, I’m discovering, Facebook just might be plain
fun!