Church – Page 7 – Wanderings

Computers – Who Needs Them?

joe February 22, 2008 Church, Faith

That’s how it seemed yesterday. Between setup, a wedding and a meeting, the day went flying past. Barely time between the happenings to get ready for the next one. Although very busy, did enjoy the day. Nathaniel and Joshua had a sleep-in (sleep over) at Harvest Church in downtown Richmond. The youth group they participate in on Monday nights was doing a “Youth Sunday” this morning, so they were all going to be there all night practicing and worshipping. We got their sleeping bags out, and because of the appproaching storm, had them take flashlights. Memories of our last outage (25 hours) is still fresh in our minds.

Since the boys had to be down there at 5, Karen and I got some time to just sit back and watch a couple of movies. Rented two comedies, and laughed our heads off. At one point, I was afraid that I was going to laugh my dinner out my nose. Really enjoyed being able to laugh together.

Finished 2 Peter 1, and am still working on getting a better understanding of what Peter said. Even though he was speaking to the church, he wanted to make it clear that “you don’t get better at what you do without practice.” One commentator says that he was just like a football coach. Everyday, the team runs through the same drills – each day they get better. So it is with our Christian lives – we need to practice the things in 5-8. Practice means “doing”, not reading about or thinking about. Kind of like I’ll never do more pushups if I don’t practice (exercise) to build up the muscles.

Two Day’s Worth

joe February 18, 2008 Church, Family, Patriotism

Missed the Sunday post – running to get ready for church. Had a super day, even though it was very busy. Pastor Dave has been doing a series on the “Supernatural”, and yesterday we had an illusionist (most of the time we call them magicians) in church. Toby Travis was awesome, explaining how things are “tricks”. Even the magic mentioned in the Bible. In a fantastic Q&A time with Pastor Dave, he explained things like ghosts and the witch at Endor (see I Samuel 28). Also talked about people being possessed as in the man who was filled with a “legion” of demons that Jesus cast into a herd of swine. Last night, he and a friend did a show for us. Some of his humor had me laughing so hard, it almost made me forget my job as sound tech.
On this President’s Day, we need to remember that our freedom cost many lives. As citizens of this great land, we need to remember that men and women for hundreds of years have fought to keep these shores free. Many gave their lives in many places just to make certain that we remained a nation of free people. Some fought with guns and planes – some with words and actions – all gave what they had to give for what we have today. We live in the greatest nation in the world – where else are you free to become all you want to be? Where else is your “right” to be free written in the documents establishing your nation? Where else can you say and do or become almost anything you want to? We have been blessed by our nation’s founders with the freedom to “become” – why do we throw it away?

Then, there was the ultimate “Freedom Fighter”, Jesus – He gave His life that we might be free from our sins. His life was given to bring us new life so that others might see Him in us that they too might be free.