VBS and A/Cs

What is the deal with A/C problems during VBS? It is becoming a yearly ritual, and I can predict when the A/C will go out next year also. Just tell me the dates of VBS.

Special thanks to Teeter for his expertise in straightening out some kinks in the thermostats. Thanks to Pops and Bill M for their help in getting the thermostats going as well.

I know the nursery was glad to have some cooler air today.

VBS is for my kids

How do you measure the success of VBS? Prospects? Baptisms?

I'll tell you how I measure it. Both Richard and Caleb said Monday afternoon that they couldn't wait to get to VBS that night. Getting them to church is like pulling teeth, but VBS has been a great encouragement this way. Thanks to everyone who has volunteered for VBS. You have made my kids excited about hearing about God's word and being at church. I can't tell you how excited that makes me. Thus, I consider VBS a success because of my kids and their reactions.

Also, it is a great blessing for me to watch my daughter Hannah grow up right before my eyes. Her leadership in the worship time has been fun to watch. I thank Ruby for her example and willingness to help Hannah. Once again, seeing my own kids in actions make me feel that VBS is a success.

Thanks again to everyone who has loved on my kids this week. That love flows right to my heart.

VBS and anything else doesn't really mix

VBS is always a tough week for all of the volunteers involved. I am feeling it this week as well because I am trying to keep up with an online class--so I am coming home after VBS and typing notes and administrating tests and assignments this week. Haven't gone to bed before midnight. And it is only Monday (feels like Wednesday already).

So, I want to pause and thank all of our VBS volunteers for the sacrifice of time and energy you make this week. You make it difficult for me to outwork you, but I will do my best.

Have I got a deal for you

Hey guys, got a box of books for Father's Day. The Measure of a Man by Gene Goetz is called a classic by John MacArthur, and many have been inspired to a deeper walk through it. After looking it over, it seems like an easy read that will challenge anyone who picks it up to a deeper walk with Christ.

"Books?!!!!" you might wonder out loud. Yep. These are great little paperback books that a perfect devotional and discipleship books. I am looking forward to exploring the book myself and want to invite anyone to join me. I think you will find the book to be very inspirational.

We are giving them out Sunday morning to all adult men who will be worshiping with us. Bring your father, or son(s), or brothers, or whoever so that they can get one of these inspirational books. And then join us in reading them together.

What if your plane stops flying at 40,000 feet

Two days after I arrived back home and enjoyed worshiping again at Shadow Hills I saw that Air France Flight 447 had crashed in the Atlantic Ocean. After having spanned the North Atlantic twice, and the Mediterranean twice as well, my heart goes out to those who have suffered loss in that tragic accident.

I find myself watching for updates and hoping for a rationale for why that plane went down.

The realization that it could have been my flight is very sobering and frightening. I mean, what are you going to do if your plane quits flying at 40,000 feet above the ocean?

I did not expect any problems on my flight, and it was very uneventful. However, I am reminded that there are not guarantees. I am very thankful that I am at home now with my family and work.

I believe that God is in control of the world I live in. But there are some things that happen that do not make sense to me. Why do most arrive home safely, but some do not? And tragedies are not always a result of bad choices, at least as far as I can see. But I am limited.

I guess that makes me human--and thus not God. Still doesn't make me feel any better for those families.

Thanking and praising God for another day. Asking for more wisdom to understand it all.

Home--finally

Even if you love travel, 30+ hours on planes and in airports may seem excessive

8:30 PM at airport in Kenya
11:45 PM board plane
8:45 AM (6:45 AM London) arrive in London
1:45 PM (11:45 AM London) flight departs to Dallas.
11:45 PM Arrive in Dallas at (3:45 PM Dallas time)

We're now up to 27 hours in transit. Switching to Central Standard Time.

Spends what seems like 14 hours waiting on my luggage (actually took 45 minutes)
4:30 In line at customs
4:45 on way to lightrail to go to Terminal B and American Eagle.
5:00 Board the flight with 10 minutes to spare.
6:00 arrive in Lubbock, TX.
6:45 Making arrangements to have my luggage delivered because it didn't make the same flight I did.

Add three more hours and change and you get 30+ hours.

Makes me glad I wasn't with the couple who made the 14 hour flight from Singapore to London on their way to Connecticut via Dallas. I think they were going to log 40 plane hours--but they had the money to stay in London for a couple of days. Now that would've been nice . . . .