RARE DAY

Monday, June 11, 2007

So far, it’s a rare day in the valley of the sun—no sun! Well, of course, there is a sun—but it’s not shining through the clouds. At least not right now. It will be a rare day indeed if it doesn’t shine at all.

I lived in California for 32 years and when it looked like this, it rained. One day right after moving to this area, 18 years ago, I told our friend Bessie what happened in California when it looked like this. Very kindly but emphatically she said, “This is not California.” Well, of course, she was right in more ways that one. There is a slight chance of rain today—very slight. Some places get more rain in a few hours than we get all year.

I worked outside all morning. I watered the lawn. I don’t expect rain. This is not California.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE

Sunday, June 10, 2007

What a difference being in a worship service can make. I woke up this morning thinking about fish and chips. I wrote about fish and chips in my blog. I went off to church thinking about fish and chips. I'm back home now, thinking about amazing grace. My whole outlook on the day has changed. What a difference being with Him and with others of like mind can make.

FISH AND CHIPS

I like fish cooked many ways but I like it fried best. I know, I know, fried food is not healthy. I have heard this all my life. But like so many other things I have heard, I tend to ignore it.

I have eaten fish and chips from Los Angeles to London. A few times it has been bad but most of the time it has been good—very good. I loved eating fish and chips at Ruby’s Diner out on the pier at Huntington Beach. For a while there were two Ruby’s in our area. One was at the Fashion Square Mall in Scottsdale and the other one was close by at Paradise Valley Mall. They have both closed, leaving me very sad. The closest one now is at the Chandler Mall and that is not close.

So, I’m just going to cook my own fish and chips. It will be great. I can hardly wait. Fish, fries, onion rings, cole slaw, tartar sauce, sourdough bread.

(Today is the Lord's Day and I would like to tell you that I got up this morning thinking about all things spiritual, but no--I got up thinking about fish and chips.)

LIVING LIKE CHILDREN

Saturday, June 09, 2007

Picasso tells us we are all born children, “The trick is remaining one.” How do we remain one? Children are dazzled by a butterfly, entranced by a floating leaf—they are having the time of their lives.

Children live in the now! They live in the moment.

For years I have been trying to live in the moment. I try too hard. It doesn’t work that way. I have to learn to “let go and let God.” Enthusiasm comes from the Greek word meaning, “filled with God.” A God filled life is one that is enjoyed moment by moment.

Saturday is house cleaning day. Ah yes, mop bucket, here I come!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Friday, June 08, 2007

"If you plan to swallow a frog, it is best not to look at it too long. If you have a number of frogs to swallow, swallow the big one first."

SINGING/FRIENDS

Thursday, June 07, 2007

The “Ascending Voice” conference was recently held on the campus of Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. This is a conference for those who are from the acapella tradition of music. One quote came out of that conference that I want to share with you. Ken Nafziger from Eastern Mennonite University said, “The people I speak with are my fellow human beings. The people I sing with are my family.”

Think about it. You sing in the shower, the car, and other places when you are alone. But generally we do not sing when other people are around—except at church. Ah, that’s it. We sing at church. Or at least that’s my experience. Today, people in general, just do not sing. “The people I sing with are my family.” That’s powerful.

Find a church. Start singing!