Yearly Archives: 2015

Some years its weddings.  Some years its deaths.  This year is shaping up to be anniversaries.

And not any general type of anniversary. 

This is the year of church anniversaries.  We have already accepted two invitations.  50th anniversary types!

One is my wife’s “growing up” church.  The other is a church where I ministered for 11 years.  Both will be festive events with new people to meet and “older” ones to reminisce with.

Both churches saw us in a music role.  We will sing and maybe dance??  OK, not sure every church is ready for that yet, but you never know. 

And so, off we go . . . oops, not for another few months . . . but we are excited to have the opportunity.

There is a combination that inspires me, brings rest to the soul and exercise to the body.

I love to lead singing – small and large groups.  I’m not the most accomplished, nor the most exact or even the most educated in this area.

But I love to sing, and those around me seem to catch on to the enthusiasm.

I have had opportunity to lead music a few times these past weeks.  In a seniors complex and at church.  I’ve had some amazing musicians to work with.  And the freedom to “do my thing” – which I must always keep in check!

Somehow, and I’m not sure how – other than God wired me this way, I come away having sung my lungs and my heart out.  To find something that is re-freshing is a very good thing.  Almost like God, as he finished creating this earth – it was very good!

And the next day God rested.  No big schedule (other than to keep the earth revolving around the sun, and oxygen flowing to the creatures of the earth and the stars twinkling!).  Just a day of rest.

Not sure how this happened . . .  glad it did.

Our son was off to youth group tonight.  In between two activities he needed a food/nutrition break (the sugar filled chocolate bars I offered him did not impress him).

Home he came.  We ate the most marvelous pizza (thanks to the kindness of one of our parishioners who filled our oven and house with the aroma of love!).  We then texted the youth leader to see where to meet them.

The adventure begins . . . the youth group was on a prayer mission.  They regularly visit people in our congregation and just pray for them – a short 10 minutes which seems to carry an impression of eternity.

The meeting place was planned for just across the street from us.  I accompanied our son and was invited to join them while they prayed.  As we were exiting the apartment building, I was asked by the youth leader if there was anyone else we could pray for.

I had seen another parishioner in the common area.  So we stopped and chatted with her and the others surrounding a games table.  After introductions, and a proper pause before leaving, the youth leader asked if the group would like us to pray for them.  There were immediate prayer requests and we all prayed..

Now, this was probably the first time I’ve been with a youth group and we have prayed for “strangers.”  May this increase! 

Not a bad example for the rest of us older types!!

Almost 10:00 in the morning and not a mouse is stirring.  Of course, snow fell over night and I doubt their tracks would be expected on a day like today.

But then, no other tracks are showing!  The driveways are still covered with a fresh skim of white.  My wife’s tire tracks (on her way to work) are the only driveway disruption I can see from my front window.

What makes this Saturday a day of rest?  I’m not sure. 

Perhaps the melting of spring (what we call “breakup”) has forced many oil companies to slow down.  Their heavy trucks can no longer drive rural roads.  Moving into a maintenance mode means an “easier” work week.

Perhaps a farming community is just awaiting spring planting season.  They are ready – now the ground, skies and snow must respond in like fashion.

Perhaps sports tournaments and finales are in the midst of a hiatus as we await the next season.

Perhaps Saturday actually is a weekly day of rest.

Whatever the reason, I’m enjoying a slow start and rejoicing in a new day!