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What fun September 21st was this year.  I had a small, short party!  No, the people were not short – the party was short.  Nor were the people small . . . OK, I’ll stop the descriptions there!  All this was held in my office at the church in the morning.  I think I blew out all the candles on the cake, although one was rather stubborn.

Then I traveled up to visit my daughter and the grandkids (Scott was off working in Manitoba).  On the way, I stopped by to see Randy and Connie Friesen.  And there was more cake!

And finally to Alli’s where we had another cake!  And ribs!  And fun around the table. 

The trip was only planned as a birthday party, so I headed back today – with this picture of the family in my mind.

Some started early.  Wishes have been coming in for a happy birthday.  Along with cards and one of those gifts you have to enjoy.

A gift of a new wine skin.  Literally from Spain.  The symbolism is biblical.  The application is contemporary.   There are historical and prophetic implications for me.  Maybe some day I will reveal that to the one who gave the gift.  Sneak preview:  there is a sense of vision and mission attached.  I love it.

Tonight I dine with my daughter and her family.  The cake will be one of the many I enjoy.  She won’t tell me which one.  A birthday surprise. 

This morning one of the ladies of the church will bring by a cake for myself and staff and anyone else who shows up to celebrate.

59 years.  Alive and loving it!!

I hit my 59 birthday on Friday.  In past years, I have found that the birthdays just prior to decadal numbers (20, 30, 40, 50) have signaled changes in my life.

This year has been no different.  In fact, probably this year will have some of the greatest impact!

With Jill’s death I have had to reflect on my own life.  I’m finding protocols and approaches to others have changed.  While married life carries certain restrictions, because of love and respect for each other, singleness also carries certain restrictions.

Matchmakers consider you a new prospect.  Service groups see a person who should have greater time.  Family and friends stop you in public spaces and want to hug and console you. 

None of these are bad.  In fact, they are signs of love and concern.  At the same time, you are still figuring out how you approach members of the opposite sex, how you decide on what religious and civil duties to take on, and how you divide your time between friends and family and the broader community. 

In this case, for the good  of myself and others, I am finding that I must restrict myself.  There is much good, but what is the best.  And in doing so, while encouraging some, I disappoint others.

Oh, the joys of being a widower!

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) has been around for decades.  Within North America, there was a time when Billy was mentioned amongst the kings of the day.  Next year he turns 95.

In commemoration of his years of service, and to push forward the passion of Billy Graham, BGEA is launching a November 2013 program called “My Hope.”

Local churches are being asked to come alongside with this outreach into our communities.

Last week a representative of BGEA asked to come speak to some of our pastors.  The timeframe was short, but we were able to get a few of us committed to meet this morning at 8:00.

The work a church does is often plodding.  Every once in a while it is good to join together as a community with other churches.  And less often, but still needed, are those national and international cooperative efforts that can reach into a community. 

I look forward to today’s discussion.  We’ll see what hope there is of this coming to pass!