Pray For the Ukraine

I'm requesting that we be in prayer for the Ukraine, especially as the crisis deepens over the disputed presidential election. A lot of people stand to lose their newly-found freedoms if the Russian-backed candidate wins. I've even heard stories (including this one and this one) that Russian Special Forces troops are already in Kiev posing as Ukrainian troops. Lord, lift the veil of deceit that lays upon the Ukraine. May truth and justice prevail. Amen.

A Most Humbling Event

Let me first say that with S's medical problems of the last couple of years, money has been tighter than we like. Currently we still have an appeal going on with our health insurance company regarding S's procedure back in April. S has also been docked some of her pay because she is out of sick time (an adjustment was made to her last paycheck in fact). But we have been able to manage (I think) pretty well. Not even our giving to the church has suffered.

Well today S and I had a rather humbling experience. Our pastor pulled both of us aside today. It seems that a good samaritan in our church has taken S's plight to heart, and we were handed an envelope. When S opened it, we were shocked. There was a considerable amount of cash inside. We didn't know what to say. We don't know who to thank - except for God himself. Yeah, money has been a little tight, and perhaps God upon hearing my concern, put it upon someone's heart to help us out some.

I am still numb from what happened to us today. The money is just about what we need - no more, no less. That in itself is amazing and awesome.

Dear Lord, we are so thankful - and humbled - by the blessing that we have received today. It is so generous. I ask you to abundantly bless those who gave from their heart. Amen.

It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas

Today was spent going up into the attic and pulling down all (okay, most of) the Christmas stuff, and then putting the lights up on the house. It doesn't look like we're going to put up the tree, though, since were going to celebrate Christmas morning at the girls' apartment.

Here's proof that I got the Christmas lights up today (these digital cameras can do a spiffy job at night, too)

David vs. Goliath = Israel vs. the World

I had one of those “ah-hah!” moments last night while watching David, the television movie about King David based on 1st and 2nd Samuel. It came during the scene depicting the well-known story of David and Goliath [1 Samuel 17].

This story is not just a struggle between two people, but a winner-takes-all battle between two peoples. It also symbolizes how Israel always has – and always will – prevail when God is on his side.

There are other Biblical references to how Israel has prevailed (and will prevail) in what appears to start off as a hopeless battle:

• Gideon defeats the Midianites [Judges 7]
  
• The fall of Jericho [Joshua 6]
  
• Israel defeats the Amalekites [Exodus 17:8-16]
  
• Israel’s enemies to be annhilated [Ezekiel 39]
  

Modern history also bears out God’s protection over Israel:

• Israeli War for Independence (1948-49)
  
• Sinai (Suez) War (1956)
  
• Six-Day War (1967)
  
• Yom Kippur War (1973)
  
• Raid on Iraq’s Osirik nuclear reactor (1981)
  
• Persian Gulf War (1991)
  
• Intifada (1988-92)
  
• Al-Aqsa Intifada (2000-present)

Time after time, Israel’s neighbors have tried to wipe them off the map, drive them into the sea, or whatever rhetoric they choose to use at the time, and yet they have failed every time. It’s not only hard to beat God – it’s impossible.

I believe the struggle between David and Goliath not only represents the battle between Israel and the Philistines, but the ongoing epic battle between Israel and the world that we are witnessing today. It doesn’t take much to notice that God is the God of Israel. Are we listening?

Happy Thanksgiving

Today my wife's family gathered at J&M's house for Thanksgiving dinner, where we had plenty of family...

...plenty of food...

...plenty of fun (by the way, that's my grandson next to his grandma on the right and looking up at his Aunt D)...

...plenty of cute little kids...

...and an awesome Arizona sunset.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.

To Boldly Go Where I Haven't Gone Before

I've certainly learned quite a bit this weekend about HTML (HyperText Mark-up Language) thanks to Dr. Joe Burns and the folks at the HTML Goodies website.

As a result, I've spiced up this site somewhat, especially in changing the background (compliments of ARG). Pretty sharp, huh? And I was able to use HTML to alter the description on a couple of my web pages, although Blogger says I shouldn't use HTML there.

So nonetheless, I'm feeling pretty smug, if I do say so myself.

My Trumpet Has Arrived

Well, tonight the trumpet I wrote about earlier arrived, somewhat battered as advertised. And as I was told before, it was not playable - at least initially.

I must have spent a good fifteen to twenty minutes inspecting it. You can tell it was probably dropped and repairs attempted by someone who didn't know how to repair a musical instrument. It's a little bent and dented, and the crossbraces were shabbily re-soldered, but the bell of the horn looks good. The valve action was still good on the first valve, not so good on the third valve, and the second valve was stuck altogether. The slides were in good shape. The finish is bad.

When I played it, it sounded like something was stuck in it. Then just for fun, I took out and inspected the valves one at a time. They looked fine. Then I remembered something my junior high band teacher said 32 years ago - never take all the valves out at once because you might put them back in wrong. But I also remembered that the valve number was usually stamped into the metal (which is why I got away with taking all the valves out at once). So once again, I took out the third valve - it was stamped with the number 2. So I pulled the second valve and sure enough, it was stamped with the number 3. No wonder the trumpet wasn't playable (I haven't played in years, but come on, I couldn't have gotten that bad). Anyhow, I switched the valves and voila - it played fine, much to the chagrin of my wife and dog.

Some the solder joints are coming loose. The trumpet could definitely use some rehab, but with a good cleaning, some vaseline for the slides, and some valve oil, this instrument will be quite playable. Praise God!

El Gato

Here's a picture of Snoopy taken with my new digital camera - he's trying to figure out what Dad is doing (Dad is trying to figure out what Dad is doing. Dad will be spending considerable time figuring out how to use his new toy, and he will be subjecting his blog readers to plenty of inane photos I'm sure).

Memorial Service For A Saint

Last week, the wife of a former pastor at our church passed away quite suddenly and unexpectedly. Today was her memorial service at our church; our choir had the honor of singing for the service.

I don't intend to sound morbid, but I love Christian funerals and memorial services. There's just something about the moment that makes me feel that much closer to God; I believe our spiritual plane is more in line with Jesus'.

I also love to see how full the church is at a memorial service. That typically is a testimony to that person's faith. Today was no exception - the church was packed.

Being that K's husband was a pastor, a district superintendent, and was (with K's help, of course) instrumental in bringing the Walk to Emmaus movement to Arizona, there were lots of people I knew.

Most of the ministers were decked out in their robes, looking quite fine. Our district superintendent was also there, as well as a former bishop to our conference. I must have known at least half of the clergy there.

I really didn't know K - she and Pastor L had already moved on to another church before I started attending CUMC. But I had heard plenty about them, and I knew who they were. Nonetheless, I was quite touched at her memorial service today, as if I knew her all my life.

The music was beautiful. C sang His Eye Is On the Sparrow and the Lord's Prayer. The choir sang The Lord Is My Shepherd by John Rutter (which is part of the Requiem we just sang a couple of weeks ago) and also John Rutter's The Lord Bless You And Keep You. That one chokes me up anyway, let alone what it did to me today.

Despite the circumstances, it was a joyous occasion. I talked to a lot of friends (including ministers) that I hadn't seen for a while. Even the minister that married S and I was there.

One thing is certain - K was very much loved, and now she's in a far better place, walking with Jesus.

A Soldier Is Home On Leave

I mentioned in a previous post about a soldier I was concerned about. Well, he's home for the moment, spending a couple of weeks with his family.

When his dad came to choir practice last night, M made a surprise visit. But I'm sure M was even more surprised at the cheers, applause, and standing ovation we all gave him - and the thank you's.

It certainly was good to see him again. Army life appears to have been good to him.

One More Semester

Our daughter E gave us (her dad and stepmom, her mom and me) the heads-up on her tuition coming due for the spring semester. I'm just glad we're splitting it.

And you know what? She graduates in May. WOOHOO!!!!!

Roundabout Way to Get A Promotion

Our daughter J arrived at work on Monday to find out that her department was being downsized, and guess what? She was part of the downsizing.

She was going to have to go back to her old department which she hated. There was another department she had wanted to go to but passed it up before. J was either going to try to get into that new department, or quit her job. So she went to the new department's manager and asked how many openings she had there. There was one left, and if she was interested, J could go to an interview at 7:30 on Wednesday.

J starts her job in the new department on December 1 - with a raise to boot!

Putting Politics Aside

While some folks are still bickering about the blue states and the red states, it's nice to know that the guys who have led our country for the past 28 years can put their differences aside and color the country purple as it were. That's why I entered this post on this page and not on the Religion/Politics page.

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These photos were taken at the dedication of Bill Clinton's presidential library yesterday:

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I always think it's cool to see a bunch of Presidents together (and notice that Carter and Bush, Sr. - the guys who have been retired the longest - are smiling. Of course, they've had the most fun.)
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I love this shot of Chelsea and her dad. I think this precious moment between a father and a daughter puts a very human face on Clinton, who until four years ago was the most powerful man in the free world. I predict this will be one of the Photos of the Year in many publications. Heck, I'd give it the Pulitzer.

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I don't think this will be a Photo of the Year (although you never know) but it is pretty cute. Hey, I think W was going to let Chelsea get rained on! Again, it puts a human face on a President.

Days Like Today Make it Hard to Act Christlike

Margaret Hassan

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The picture above is of Margaret Hassan, chief of the relief organization CARE. She is now presumed dead, murdered by those who thought of her line of work as a threat.

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That's the kind of people we're having to deal with in Iraq. Yes, they're targeting soldiers and managing to inflict casualities. But more disgusting, they're targeting those who are trying to get the electricity on, trying to get clean water flowing, trying to rebuild homes, trying to bring in food, trying to comfort a helpless child. They target the weak to compensate for their own weakness.

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Our boys (and girls) are over there getting shot at so they can open doors for the decent citizens of Iraq (which is most of the population). Unfortunately, the pigs that are doing this aren't interested in opening the doors of opportunity; they're more interested in opening the gates of Hell. Given their desire to murder women and children, I think our soldiers are justified in helping these pigs into their journey to Hell.

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It amazes me that slobs like the "documentary" filmmaker Michael Moore just don't get it. What the insurgents are doing is purely evil, plain and simple. If you can't see that, then you have truly been blinded and deceived by Satan.

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Forgive me, Lord. My anger burns hot. It's days like today that make it hard to be Christlike. Please lift the veil of evil that hangs like a shroud over Iraq. Amen.

A Rather Spiritual Evening

Tonight I was out at the ASU School of Music where our church organist, a doctoral candidate there, was performing his recital. There were four of us, myself included, who sang some Gregorian chant in one of the pieces.

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The recital was well-attended. There were quite a few folks from our church, as well as many of H's music students. It was quite a delightful recital.

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It was while I sat listening, sometimes in prayer, sometimes in meditation, that I really felt the Holy Spirit upon me. I could feel that God was pulling me in closer, as if I was holding on to some kind of "cosmic string." It felt good.

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Sometimes we make a leap of faith because we feel a nudge or a push. I've felt that before. Tonight felt different. I'm being pulled in. To what, I do not know. But what I do know is that all I have to do is hang on. It will be revealed to me in God's time. I feel peaceful. Thank you, Lord. Amen.

Long Weekend

I don't know what Dr. C did to me on Friday, but it got my body's natural defenses going. I had a pretty decent fever and headache going into Friday night. But after sleeping in on Saturday I was feeling pretty good again. Got the ol' checking account balanced and pretty much took it easy the rest of the day.

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Sunday was real busy. I was liturgist for both the 8:00 and 11:00 church services. I thought it went fairly smoothly considering I was doing "double duty" by singing with the choir during the anthem. All in a day's work.

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Bad news, though. I'll be singing with the choir on Friday at a memorial service for the wife of a former pastor of ours. She passed away quite suddenly and unexpectedly early Friday morning. Pastor L must be quite devastated.

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Well, back to work. Gonna be a busy week.

Netherlands the Latest Religious Battleground

It appears now that the Netherlands is the latest battleground in a religious war between Islam and the rest of the world. This latest battle started with the November 2nd murder of filmmaker Theo van Gogh, great grandson of the famous painter. Van Gogh made a film that was critical of Islam, so naturally he was murdered.

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This has touched off a number of incidents between Moslems and Christians across the Netherlands, and various law enforcement involvements as well, including a raid on a Kurdish training ground.

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When will it end? How far will it spread?

A Terrorist Is Laid to Rest

I saw a little bit of Arafat's funeral/burial ceremony today on the news. I haven't heard of any death toll but up to 120 were injured; but remarkably it appears that only four were injured by gunshots or shrapnel. Pretty amazing when you consider how much ordnance was being fired into the air. Even Saeb Erekat seemed to be fearing for his own life as he opened the door of the helicopter.

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There is a lot of hope for peace now that Arafat is gone. After all, it was Arafat himself who rejected a very generous offer made by the Israelis a couple of years ago.

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But I'm not so optimistic, given what I saw on TV today and comments made by Hamas. The Palestinians have had a strong leader for so long, and despite otherwise peaceful efforts made by other lofty officials of the PA, Arafat was the true leader. Now the Palestinians are in effect, leaderless. There may be anarchy there like we've never seen. Israel may have to resort to more forceful measures if things get out of hand. Just another chess piece in the whole complicated Middle East situation.

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What really concerns me is that Arafat died a rather peaceful death considering his violent legacy. This may embolden other leading terrorists.

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Many admired Arafat, even heads of state. But don't let that fool you. Today, a terrorist was laid to rest.

Feeling Yucky

I think I'm coming down with a cold or something -- I've been feeling pretty yucky today. I was supposed to go a Lay Speakers training class tonight and tomorrow but since I had a bit of a fever I thought it best I stay home, especially with it being cold and (at least earlier it was) rainy. A few hours ago I took a couple of aspirin, not for the fever but for the headache -- which actually got worse before it got better. I'm actually feeling kinda okay now.

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We had a nice storm come through late this afternoon. The wind really kicked up and the leaves from the trees lining our street were falling like snow. Then the thunder and lightning and rain came, dropping the temperature by fifteen degrees. Sweet.

Turn the Page - A New Chapter Begins

The news has just broken - Arafat is dead. Now we'll wait and see what happens.

Generalissimo Arafat Is Still Alive - For Now

Boy, listening to the news of the ongoing life struggle of Yasser Arafat is like listening to an old Saturday Night Live sketch.

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A few days ago, I was of the belief that Arafat was being kept alive on life support until they could figure where to bury him. Once that was settled, the plug would have been pulled. Well now it seems to be settled that he will be buried in his compound in Ramallah and that will become some sort of shrine. And Arafat lives.

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Here's a man, leader of many, and considered by many to still be a terrorist. After decades of bitter struggle, his life is not ending in a blaze of glory, but in the haze of frailty - a purgatory of sorts between life and death.

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Perhaps the one I pity the most is his wife, Suha. While some try feverishly to seek an audience with their fallen leader, she is simply trying to make the best of whatever time she has left with him. Perhaps she is trying her best to hold on and not let him go.

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What of the Palestinian people? The world holds its collective breath as they await Arafat's final breath. Will Palestine fall into anarchy? Whether peaceful or not, Arafat seems the only one truly capable of holding his people together. Or will peace become more reachable? I tend to believe the former. This could be a defining moment in God's Timetable. Only time will tell. Perhaps even the next 24 hours.

A Burst of Busy-ness

Well, it sure got busy the last few days.
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You already read about my Saturday. I still have a pretty nice sunburn from sitting in my lawnchair during band practice (ain't Arizona great this time of year?).

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Sunday started with a little bit of preparation for a Stephen Ministry workshop scheduled for the afternoon. Then came the church service in which the choir sang John Rutter's Requiem. During rehearsal before the service, I took it upon myself as choir chaplain to give the choir one last little pep talk. I repeated something said before by Bob Moody, Director of the Phoenix Symphony Chorus. I told them that the piece we were singing says a lot about our faith and that we needed to sing it as if we truly believed in what we were singing - or at least put on a real good act. I added that I knew this choir better - that they did believe in what they were singing - and to sing what they believed. The service was beautiful - and I believe the Holy Spirit truly filled us and those who heard us.

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After church was a luncheon and then I continued to set up my part of the workshop which got underway in earnest at about 1:30. I didn't stay for the entire workshop, though; I had another performance of the Requiem to do.

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Late afternoon found us at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church where we sang the Rutter Requiem as part of the celebration of their Mass. Again, another beautiful service.

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It was raining as I drove home from the concert, and I realized that despite being part of two communion services that day, I had not actually received communion. Ah, the sacrifices we sometimes make as musicians (although understandably it was not our place to receive communion at the Catholic church).

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Monday was back to work, but the evening was busy once again. My brother-in-law was back in town on business and had arranged to have a mini-family reunion at a local ice cream parlor.

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So tonight was the first time I really had a good block of quality time in which to sit down and blog.

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Tonight, I do need to share a burden that's been on my heart for a few days. I have a friend in the choir whose son is an Army soldier in Iraq. He is due to be home on leave next week. However, he is stationed just outside of Falluja, very close to where the fighting is. I just pray for his safety while he's still there, and for his safe return home. I'm really looking forward to seeing M again and listen to what he has to say about what's going on there.

The Red Shift

OK, it wasn't a landslide. But it was a message. George W. Bush received not only a majority of the electoral, but a majority of the popular vote as well.

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As I stated in my very first post on this page, I'm not a big fan of debating politics. I'm content to listen to what others have to say, even if I don't necessarily agree (who knows, maybe they're right!). I do, however, love the historical ramifications of politics, and how it shapes society and policy (whether I agree with it or not).

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This year is no exception. What we witnessed last week can be called the Red Shift, a term I learned on Jesse's blog. We saw what was a very, very close election in 2000 conspicuously tip over into the Republican's (the red states) favor in 2004.

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There were a couple of factors in this Red Shift this year. The first came from the 2000 Census (which had not yet taken effect in the 2000 election) resulting in a shift in population and EVs (electoral votes) which favored the Republicans. If the states had gone last week exactly as they did in 2000, Bush would have gained 7 EVs just from the net shift in EVs, and he would have won with 278 EVs as opposed to the 271 EVs in 2000.

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But we know that population was not the only factor in the Red Shift. There were three states which "switched sides" in this election. New Hampshire was the only one of the three, however, that made a Blue Shift which took 4 EVs away from President Bush.

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Perhaps the most dramatic switches came from Iowa and New Mexico, two states that traditionally go Blue. This time they made the Red Shift, giving Bush an additional 12 EVs and making his victory more decisive.

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One of the interesting "what if" questions is, "What if there was no Red Shift in population/EVs, and New Mexico and Iowa did not shift to the red, but New Hampshire did shift to the blue? Our news would be filled with stories about possible cabinet appointments in the Kerry administration.

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But in every other scenario with or without a population shift, with any one, or two, or all three of the above states going red would still have resulted in a Bush win.

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It is my opinion that the Red Shift will only intensify in the next two decades at least unless there are dramatic changes within one or both major political parties. The red states are generally growing in population. While a few red states lost EVs, some states had tremendous

growth (Arizona, Georgia, Texas, and Florida each gained 2 EVs). Conversely, the blue states are generally losing population (New York and Pennsylvania each lost 2 EVs). California is the only state that actually gained.

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As the Red Shift intensifies, it essentially erodes the effectiveness in the blue states. This will make it increasingly more difficult for liberal Democrats to get elected president unless they can be exceedingly charming (like Bill Clinton) and/or the Republican candidate is exceedingly lackluster (like Bob Dole).

A New (Used) Trumpet For Me?

My wife, S, was talking to a neighbor today and mentioned I was over at ASU meeting up with the alumni band. She asked what instrument I played and S her I used to play the trumpet. Well it turns out this lady has an old trumpet that one of her music students used to use. It looks like crap and is probably not even playable. She was just going to get rid of it, but couldn't bring herself to do it.

As I was listening to this, I was surprised to find myself thinking how wonderful it would be to have a trumpet again. I haven't felt that in a long time (and usually only when I was checking out a "school horn" when I played in the alumni band). Imagine my delight when S went on to say she would like to give it to someone else instead of just get rid of it - and would I be interested? I said yes. I don't care what it looks like, and with a little refurbishing, perhaps we could get it playing again.

Reunion Time

Here's a little something from my past: during my college years I was a trumpet player in the Sun Devil Marching Band at Arizona State University. What a fun experience that was!

Today was Homecoming. I went over to ASU and watched the alumni band practice and ran into a few old friends. I was somewhat disappointed that more from "my generation" weren't there, but I understand (I've not been able to attend as often as I'd have liked). Nonetheless, I was happy to see those I did, and to share the old stories.

Walking around the campus was interesting. Most of the old familiar places were still there. Some had been transformed over the years (amazing what a difference 25 years can make). Still other things and places were new, and seemed a little out place compared to my memory. It's amazing how they can construct new buildings in some of the tightest places.

I didn't join in with the alumni band as far as playing. My obligations this weekend (two performances of John Rutter's Requiem tomorrow and a Stephen Ministry convention at church as well) are just too much and I need to save myself. But it was fun to watch the rehearsal and talk with some of my old friends. It was also pretty cool to turn the TV on to tonight's game between ASU and Stanford just in time to see a couple of seconds of the tail end of the alumni band's pregame show, and say to my wife, "I watched them rehearse that!" All in all, a wonderful day.

OK, It's Final

Yep, Bush wins Iowa and New Mexico.

Final Results - Maybe

286*** George W. Bush (R)
252*** John F. Kerry (D)
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Well, wasn't that fun?

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I'm seeing indications that Iowa and New Mexico completed their tallying and projecting that both have been won by President Bush.

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I wasn't too far off - only 14 EV short of my final prediction. New Hampshire (4 EV) switched sides this time, and neither Minnesota or Wisconsin at 10 EV apiece (I was actually counting more on Wisconsin) didn't switch as some had predicted

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I was actually pretty impressed both with Senator Kerry's concession speech and President Bush's victory speech. After a long, hard, dirty campaign, they both showed a lot of class today. Perhaps this country can get healing in a hurry.

Well Thank God That's Over

I don't know about you but I'm thankful the election is over. Now we can concentrate on more important and mundane things. I have to admit it was fun staying up late and keeping track of the results. I opened the websites from all five TV networks plus realclearpolitics.com and checked off each state when there was a concensus of who won. Hats off to FOX NEWS for being the first to call Ohio. That kind of surprised me, though, as I believe they were the last to call Florida. Anyhow, the votes continue to be counted, but it's all mathematical at this point. Congratulations, Mr. President.

Nice Turnout

I showed up to the polling station at about five to six this morning. Quite a crowd - it reminded me of Walmart during Christmas season! It is good to see such high interest in this election. I'm kinda dragging today, but at least work is half over. I pick up the wingnut after work and head home after that. Could be an interesting night.

Election Eve Projection

300*** George W. Bush (R)
238*** John F. Kerry (D)
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All this hinges on Bush taking Ohio and Florida. I am also predicting a surprise in that predominately Democratic Hawaii will go to Bush (not sure why, but I'll take it). When the electoral college meets, don't be surprised to see one electoral vote from Maine going to Bush.