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I sat with a young friend and her family over lunch yesterday.  I had learned recently that she is writing a book.  I'm personally interested in writing.  I've been a part of a writer's group and have taken courses in writing.  I write this blog regularly.  I prepare sermons.  I have served in an administrative role where reports are constantly required.  I love words and their meanings. So . . . I enquired about the book.  What was the plot?  She mentioned that it stretched over an eight year period, was about a young couple and their life. I probed a bit for further information.  To which I received that classic line of all good writers. "You'll have to read the book!" So . . . she's got my order!

I've been switching over to a number of Microsoft software programs lately.  They tend to be more universally used and (I must admit) do the job. Today was a learning curve on Excel - a spreadsheet program.  Amazing the things "Help" provides!  As I went through, I figured out how to color rows and columns, how to increase and decrease the print area and even how to change the page setup. I didn't figure out how to get all the information inputted without typing it in myself.  I was working with small sheets of scrap paper and full sheets of foolscap.  Thankfully there was time, which helped my learning curve immensely. I wonder what program comes next?

For a number of months Friday has started early. There is a 7:00 am men's study group and then an 8:30 pastor's group. By noon my day is more than half over!  But I wouldn't trade it.  Not for a bit more sleep.  Or for a delicious breakfast.  These times are sharing and support times.  The men read and reflect on scripture in an open and unassuming way.  The pastors reflect on their lives and ministries -- often with such openness and honesty that we even surprise ourselves. In the end, I am then prepared to meet the coming weekend.  As final preparation for a sermon comes to a head, as a church service progresses and we seek to hear God's voice, as the local church revolves around Jesus -- these moments on Friday help me to prepare.  That was the particular prayer of the pastor's group today -- that we would be prepared for this weekend.  And that is my prayer for you as you move towards this week-end.  May you find God's voice speaking to you in the hidden moments, the quiet concerns, the compassionate relationships, the tense deadlines, the unexpected compliments, and the painful interactions -- so that you are tenderhearted, humble and open to His ministry to you this weekend.

Our journey to Calgary began 12 hours before it finished.   This was a journey for medical purposes for a friend of mine - I was the chauffeur. The conversation was enjoyable -- actually we both expressed our enjoyment in being able to be together.  We talked about our lives.  What happens over decades can barely be summed up in a few hours, but the general sense of one's life can be expressed. In the end, I was sorry the day came to an end.  And that is a good thing!