The Owls of Mayo Clinic

I had actually heard about these owls on a Paul Harvey broadcast several weeks ago, and I hear they make the news in other cities on a slow news day.

During construction of the new addition to the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Scottsdale, a couple of owls showed up and built their nest, and then had two babies. Construction on the new cafeteria expansion was halted until these babies can get out on their own. They're about as big as mom now, but still have their baby down feathers. Within a few weeks they should be mature enough to actually fly. But for now, they sit in the nest all day while mom watches over them, as well as people on the cafeteria patio. Then in the evening, dad will come back with a nice dinner, and mom can go out and hunt for her own dinner.

My wife ended up having to go to Mayo on Thursday. A real bummer. But these fascinating animals have been a wonderful diversion.

Dogs Like to Hunt Easter Eggs, Too

To my surprise - and delight - I learned today that some dogs like to hunt for Easter eggs, too. Some dogs includes our own little Princess. Silly dog.

Another Caged Animal

Now that we have 9/11 conspirator Zacharias Moussaoui (ZM) undergoing the sentencing phase of his trial, I think it has become quite evident that we have another caged animal on our hands.

Just when things weren't going so well for the prosecution, ZM takes the stand in his own "defense." In doing so, he effectively sealed his fate by his admission of his failed role crashing the fourth plane into the White House.

Despite the horrific tragedies of 9/11, there were some miracles. God worked in many mysterious ways. Perhaps one of those miracles was that instead of being aboard Flight 93, ZM was languishing in a jail cell (no doubt acting out in as an outstanding citizen as prescribed by his strict religious teaching).

What would have happened if ZM had been aboard Flight 93 as he claims was planned? We can only speculate (assuming that ZM was even telling the truth in the first place). But God knows - and he chose not to allow that evil deed to be carried out.

We know that the reward for Islamic martyrdom is an eternal life with 40 or 70 or however many virgins (sounds like hell to me - especially for the virgins). But what does ZM have to look forward to for his failure? Where are his friends? Where is all the support? It would appear that he is all alone. Sounds like he's already in hell.

Despite being incarcerated in a country that he loathes, it is a country that respects law and order. Despite that he so much wants to die, and that many want him to die - and horribly - he is in a country that won't let that happen. Instead of being shot, hanged, burned, or drawn and quartered, ZM will likely feel nothing but the prick of a needle. And that likely won't happen after several years have passed while he languishes in prison. Perhaps the waiting will unbearable to him. Perhaps he won't know peace until he feels the poison working through his veins. Even then, it will only be brief.

Not Fun But You Gotta Do It

This week has been full of activites that weren't necessarily fun - but you gotta do it. I'm writing this (and typing into the blog later) I am sitting in the Jury Assembly Room at Superior Court. Who knows what today will bring?

It pretty much started Monday on the way to work when I called the number of a dentist my friend J gave me. I was kind of hoping they wouldn't answer (but glad they did). That bad tooth of mine? By midday it was gone, along with a new filling in another otherwise good tooth. I'm feeling pretty good now that the bad tooth is out! And I've got a new dentist that I really like.

I also had to deal with our cooling system which hasn't been working right. Fortunately we have a guy who comes and checks it out our evaporative cooler and our heat pump every spring. Strangely enough we hadn't heard from him yet until this week - and the timing couldn't have been better - our temperatures have hit the 90's for the first time this year (with 96 expected today). But it's all fixed and we're ready for the heat now.

Let's see, what else? Oh yeah, I got the taxes done and my camp staff application sent in. I can't wait till Monday when I can finally relax.

Jupiter's New Spot: A Sign From Heaven?

"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken." [Luke 21:25-26]

Could this be another sign from the heavens? We're all familiar with the images of the planet Jupiter with it's tell-tale Great Red Spot. Well, as it turns out, there is another red spot developing in the planet's turbulent atmosphere. Officially designated as Oval BA - and nicknamed by NASA as "Red Jr." - this new spot was discovered in 2000 when three smaller spots merged into one. As of last November it was still white, but has been changing color; it turned red a few weeks ago.

In the photo above, the Great Red Spot is at the left edge of Jupiter (you can see about half of it). Red Jr. is just right of the center.

Nobody knows what caused the Great Red Spot, or even what makes it red. We know it's been there for centuries, first discovered in 1664 when Robert Hooke trained his telescope on Jupiter. It is believed to be a storm of some sort, perhaps churning up the red material from the lower atmosphere. The same goes for this new spot which was perhaps born as a result of the collision by the Shoemaker-Levy comet in 1994 (another spectacular cosmic event).

I love astronomy - God's wonder displayed in the Universe is beautiful beyond compare. And to think this new event could be one of those signs from heaven that Jesus spoke about! Pretty awesome. Keep watch, my brethren. Be vigilant.

Holy Week 2006: It's Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Christmas

Okay, some of this could be prevented with better planning and time management. I've just filled out my camp application (no biggie). This weekend I want to finish up our taxes, watch my grandson play T-ball, and give some badly need attention to our backyard. Sunday is Palm Sunday. There might be a rehearsal for some of the folks singing in the contemporary service next Sunday (Easter). Monday is praise band rehearsal for the sunrise service the following Sunday (Easter) - and I'm not even in the praise band (but I've been invited to sing anyway). Looks like I'm free Tuesday. Wednesday night is choir rehearsal from 7 to 10 (?) instead of the usual 7:30 to 9:30. Thursday I have jury duty. Thursday night is the Seder meal (with some choir members singing). Friday night is the Good Friday service - with choir. Saturday looks good - maybe I can spend the day in a tomb like Jesus did. Sunday is Easter - three services. And I've got a bad tooth that needs to be dealt with at some point. Is it Christmas season?

A Curious Thing

It's official now - my letter to the church appeared in the newsletter we received in the mail this week. It will be interesting to gauge the reaction now.

It's a somewhat curious thing, though. Pastor D came to speak with me two Sundays ago and said my letter would be delayed to the following issue so that he could have time to write a response. But there was no such response in this newest issue.

Last week I had gotten an email from the church secretary thanking me for the article and it would be published. Judging from the tone of the email, she seemed rather pleased with my letter.

So what happened? Why no delay? Was Pastor D overridden? Not that I'm complaining, mind you. But considering the chain of events lately, maybe my letter has had a bigger impact than I expected - or hoped for.

A New Beginning for Our Church

This is a day of new beginnings, time to remember and move on, time to believe what love is bringing, laying to rest the pain that's gone.

- The United Methodist Hymnal (1989), pp. 383;
words by Brian Wren, music by Carlton R. Young

Today we got a big announcement at church. In fact, it was pretty huge (I just don't think folks know yet what an impact this will have).

After all kinds of communication with the Annual Conference and things looking grim for our church, it would appear now that the good guys got their point across and our District Superintendant made well-informed and good decision, and appointed a new pastor for us. And when I heard the announcement of who it was this morning, I was extremely pleased.

You see, Pastor B just happens to be someone I know quite well - he is the dean of the music camp I serve at every summer. I know this man to be a humble servant of the Lord and whose words will have a healing effect on our congregation. Pastor B tends to be pretty laid back and lets the staff do their thing at camp. I think when you translate that to running a church, we will be in good hands The laity at our church will once again be given the latitude to succeed - or fail. But in either case, we should be a stronger church under the direction of this man who truly is a shepherd.

It doesn't hurt that Pastor B has a strong musical background and a love for the music that we provide for worship. And he already has a good rapport with our choir director. It would also appear that those who believe our music program is outdated will not find an ally with the new pastor.

Today, I was given a brand new hope. I know what Pastor B can do for our church, and I'm excited again (I even asked to be liturgist on his first Sunday with us). Just when many of us thought that the next chapter would be the last, it now appears it will be a new beginning.

Pastor B often will open a meditation at camp (and I know he says this in his church as well) by saying, "Has anyone told you today that you're special?" Indeed, these are words that my church is aching to hear. I can hardly wait - July can't come soon enough.

Sure Glad That's Done

I sat staring at my computer trying to work on my annual performance appraisal on Thursday night. Definitely not the funnest thing to do (see my previous post to see how I really feel about it). I didn't get any farther on it Thursday night.

But on Friday night I got really ambitious and started writing down a lot of stuff. And hey, I had a pretty good year! I finished my review at the office on Saturday morning.

I'm glad that's over with.

Explaining Death

I got this in an email and thought it was pretty cool:

A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side."

Very quietly, the doctor said, "I don't know."

"You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?"

The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing...I know my Master is there and that is enough."

Ugh! Annual Performance Appraisal Time

Well, it's that time of year again. Time to fill out my performance appraisal for the year. One of those things I hate to do (in fact, everyone hates to do it). It's due Monday. I would rather go clean the cat box. Come to think of it...

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It's Off To Fun They Go

My wife is on spring break now, so she and the girls and our grandson are on the way to Disneyland for a few days. S was amazed how she wasn't all tired and sleepy when she got up this morning. She can use the break.

Meanwhile, I'll hold the fort here with all the critters. I'm going to grill a steak, now.

Taking A Stand

Taking a stand isn't always easy. My letter to the church (link) hasn't even been published yet and it's already stirring up a few people - most importantly, our pastor.

Mind you, this is a letter not written of my own mind, but inspired by the Holy Spirit, and written under the authority of Jesus Christ. These are words that need to be shared in our church. Granted they are strong words, but they don't single out any individual. They don't place blame on anyone. Yet, they seem to be convicting. And my pastor is upset. So I hear. He doesn't talk to me.

My letter. My pastor's rebuttal. My church's response. Our next church newsletter should be very interesting indeed. As one friend says about my situation, I already have one foot out the door. What have I got to lose?

Speaking out boldly in my faith has been invigorating to my spirit. I have received positive responses from two people already. They are encouraging me to fight the good fight. Pastor D has promised to put up a fight of his own by writing a rebuttal. I say bring it on - in fact, I welcome it. It only serves to strengthen my resolve.

A Letter to My Church

If you've been reading this blog, you know that we've experienced considerable turmoil at my church. In response to a recent article in our church newsletter, I was compelled by the Holy Spirit to respond with a letter of my own. The opening of my letter pretty much states the testimony I wrote on my home page. The following is an excerpt from the remainder of the letter:

There has been some talk that we need to have more available in [our church] to keep people in our church. I couldn’t agree more. But there is also talk that perhaps there is too much emphasis on worship, and what we offer every Sunday is perhaps too much. Well, I don’t buy that (how do you think I got here? didn’t you just read my testimony?)

Recall the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). To make a long story short, three men were entrusted with various amounts of money (called talents) while their master was away. The one who received the most talents did very well, doubling his investment. The one who received the next higher number of talents also doubled his investment. But the one who received the least made no return as he didn't even bother to invest his talents.

Many of the artists who share their talents with [our church] have been blessed with an abundance of those talents. Perhaps without realizing the Scriptural significance of their actions, they are also investing those talents in a place where those talents will get the most return.

Let’s face it. In order to get the most out of his/her talents, one needs to be in a place where they will get the most return for utilizing those talents – it simply does not work elsewhere. If the man with the most talents just buried them, who would have benefited? Nobody!

While [our church] is unique in its music program, that does not mean it is unnecessary or without value. There are few places outside of [our church] where the talents we currently possess can be utilized to their full potential. Some of those other places in the Phoenix area are

not even in a church. And sadly, none of them are in a United Methodist Church.

We have some highly talented people who have made a conscious choice to share their talents in a worship setting at [our church]. And if it appears that those involved with the Worship and Arts seem to jealously guard what they have here at [our church], just know that they are essentially fighting for their home. It’s not like they can just go to another Methodist church in the valley and pick up where they left off – because one simply does not exist. Period.

I happen to be one of those whom God has abundantly blessed with a musical talent. That talent is what God used to lure me into [our church] – and ultimately a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. Sure, God would have found another way – but this was the best way – and in my mind, the only way. So I hope you understand that for me, this is deeply personal. If you discount the mission of our Worship and Arts, then you discount my testimony.

I don't worship at [our church] because it is convenient. I don't drive from Glendale (almost Peoria!) every Thursday night to rehearse because it is convenient. There are at least a dozen pages worth of churches listed in the phone book that are closer to home where I can practice my other spiritual gifts. Our music program is the only thing unique to [our church] that keeps me coming. And what a privilege and honor it is to be able to minister to my church - [our church!] - in a way which I have been so blessed and so much enjoy.

It’s time to drop all the bickering and politicking – NOW! It’s time to work together – as the Body of Christ (read 1 Corinthians, chapter 12). It’s time to give of our time, our resources, and our talents so we can make all this happen. And be the church God intended us to be.

Well, there it is.

Weather We Can Get Excited About

It rained here yesterday. Pretty exciting. Only in Arizona.

It wasn't just the fact that it rained yesterday. It rained for the first time in 143 days, the longest dry streak in Phoenix history. It not only rained - it rained a lot. We got about an inch and a third here at our house. It also snowed in the slightly higher elevations. We can see snow-covered mountains around Phoenix, especially to the north. Pretty cool.

New Look for This Old Blog

Okay, so this blog really isn't that old. But I think the new and simplified style looks better and will be easier on the eyes. It will also be easier to edit. Most of the links have been moved to my home page and are easier to see at a glance. And granted that construction is essentially over, there will be more tweaking in the days and weeks to come - but you probably won't notice. So enjoy!

Construction Alert on This Old Blog

Do you ever get that urge just to change things around a bit? That's what I'm going to be doing here on this blog. I've taken advantage of some new software and the free webspace provided by my IP and created a whole new home page (how about that!). Many of the little doodads you see on this old blog will move to my home page and I'll make this blog look a little more bloggish (is that a word? is "blog" a word?) and will probably sport a whole new look. So hang in there with me, and we'll have some fun!

Under the Weather

I've been fighting some upper respiratory ailment for about two or three weeks now. It was finally enough to knock me down and make me call in sick for work yesterday and today. Yesterday I could feel it in my chest. Today, I was showing signs of infection. So I went to the doctor's office and saw the nurse practicioner. I got drugs now. Life is good.

She's Home, She's Home!

My wife got to come home from the hospital yesterday afternoon and she is off working today. All her parts seem to be working as they should. Praise God!

Deep Healing

One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today." [Luke 5:17-26]

I was thinking a lot about this Bible verse this past week. It's a verse that makes quite a few important points about faith, healing, and forgiveness. Upon hearing it this time, though, I was focused on the healing aspect.

Here's a man who was essentially paralyzed, at least from the waist down. How long had he been that way? We don't know. It could have been weeks, months, or his entire life. But Jesus merely uttered the words, and the man could walk.

Those of us who can walk do it without any thought. But you have to realize that we all have to learn to walk. Even if we've temporarily lost the ability to walk - because of accident or illness - we have to undergo weeks or months of physical therapy to learn how to walk all over again.

Now look closely at the story again - Jesus said the word, and the man got up and walked. He not only had the physical ability to walk; he knew how to walk. He didn't have any physical therapy, but he obviously had all his faculties together; just coping with his sense of balance alone was quite an accomplishment (and remember, he bent down to pick up his mat!)

Now that's healing - deep healing. Amen.

Update on Crappy Week

S just now called from the hospital. She's exhausted today after them having done an echo-cardiogram. They're concerned that her heart rate has been too fast. So she's on medication for that and being monitored. If that doesn't work, they'll shock her heart. Fun, fun.

Meanwhile, the docs have now ruled out that the infection was caused by her stents - the infection has cleared up too quickly. It was probably viral.

Pretty Crappy Week

My wife is having a pretty crappy week now. On Tuesday she broke a crown while eating dinner. At about 4 AM on Wednesday she woke up (pretty amazing that she could) with her blood sugar at 43. She stayed home on Wednesday feeling not so well (pretty normal when she's had a low-blood sugar episode. Then on Wednesday evening she started experience nausea and vomiting (but no pain otherwise).

On Thursday morning she announced that we were going to the hospital. She figured she had the flu or something and she knew she'd get terribly dehydrated if she didn't get treated soon. So off we went. We arrived at the emergency room at about 7:20 AM. Amazingly we got right into an exam room and with S running a temperature of 102, they began to give her IV fluids to rehydrate her along with some anti-nausea drugs. They drew blood and urine samples and gave her some Tylenol (you don't want to know where) to bring her fever down. It was definite that S had some sort of infection, and given her history with the pancreatitis, the doctors wanted her admitted to the hospital (that was the long part - S didn't actually get into a regular hospital room for another 12 hours on account that the hospital was full).

She's feeling much better now and the infection is under control. The gastroenterology docs have ruled out - sort of - that this is not a pancreatitis/bile duct episode in itself, but could be S's body thinking the stents placed in her bile duct last month is a foreign object (which it is) and triggering the infection. And now they're keeping her in the hospital longer because the infection my be affecting her heart.

So that's where we're at with that.

The other bummer is that one of my coworkers worked his last day with the company on Thursday (well, maybe "worked" is too strong a word for what he did on Thursday) and I wasn't able to be there for his sendoff. He has been a good friend; we enjoyed many lunchtime conversations over various topics, including religion. I will miss those talks, but I hope to at least keep it up through email.

It's gotta get better.

Biggest Non-News Story of the Week

It must have been a slow news week, even with the Winter Olympics.

Vice President Dick Cheney accidently shot his friend while they were hunting last weekend. As a result, Mr. Whittington endured more media scrutiny than was called for. I'm not going to bother to link this story because it was that much of a non-news story. Instead, this post is intended to point out the questionable journalistic skills of our liberal media.

My wife's very life was threatened by illness when she was in the ICU two years ago. Did anyone call CNN? John Ashcroft's pancreatitis - a result of a gall bladder gone bad - was nothing compared to what S has had to endure. Yes, we alerted family and friends, and kept them updated. But we did not alert the media.

I'm not trivializing what happened to Mr. Whittington. I'm just trying to respect his privacy and his feelings. This was a hunting accident between two good friends which fortunately (for both of them) did not end up in tragedy. Period. Yet the media has treated this as the crime of the century.

There are those who criticize Cheney for not reporting this to the media sooner. Oh how conveniently the liberal media forgets the tragedy at Chappaquiddick! Senator Ted Kennedy not only failed to contact the media immediately - he failed to contact the police - and left Mary Jo Kopechne to die while he fabricated his alibi.

Olympic Hype

Is anyone even watching the Winter Olympics in Torino? TV ratings have been abyssmal this year (they were beat out by by American Idol!) I'm not sure if that's because the Americans are doing as well as they normally do in the winter games (which is typically dominated by Norway, Germany, and Russia) or if the NBC's coverage has left us somewhat wanting. I was disappointed to see that the opening ceremonies, scheduled to be aired at 7:00 pm local time didn't actually get underway until at least an hour later - I think NBC lost a lot of its audience during the hour they were piddling around with other stories. That's too bad because I think the Italians did a pretty decent job with the opening ceremony (although I'm not so sure about the music selection when the athletes marched in).

Anyway, I found the medal tracker on Fox News to be the most visibly pleasing. Enjoy.

Do We Have An Awesome God Or What?

When they came, he saw Eliab and thought, "Certainly, here in the LORD'S presence is his anointed king." But the LORD told Samuel, "Don't look at his appearance or how tall he is, because I have rejected him. God does not see as humans see. Humans look at outward appearances, but the LORD looks into the heart." Then Jesse called Abinadab and brought him to Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either." Then Jesse had Shammah come to Samuel. "The LORD has not chosen this one either," Samuel said. So Jesse brought seven more of his sons to Samuel, but Samuel told Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen any of these. Are these all the sons you have?" "There's still the youngest one," Jesse answered. "He's tending the sheep." Samuel told Jesse, "Send someone to get him. We won't continue until he gets here." So Jesse sent for him. He had a healthy complexion, attractive eyes, and a handsome appearance. The LORD said, "Go ahead, anoint him. He is the one." [1 Samuel 16:6-12]

It amazes me how God works. And once again, a passage from 1 Samuel figures in today's post.

I felt called to be at my church at various times during this weekend's men's Walk to Emmaus mostly in hopes that God would reveal to me the assistant head cook I've been praying for. And I think I know now how the prophet Samuel felt when he was called to annoint amongst Jesse's sons a new king [David] for Israel; there were quite a few names rattling around in my brain through the course of the weekend - no fewer than those that were brought before Samuel. These were good men to consider, yet something didn't seem quite right.

This afternoon I headed down to the church to see if the team needed any help with the tear-down and cleanup. It was pretty much done by the time I got there. But then T showed up and I helped him break down the sound equipment and set it up in the Sanctuary for the closing service. He had an extra microphone and invited me to sing with him during the service (and as God would have it, we ended up being the only two singing tonight). As I was singing and looking over the crowd, someone whose name hadn't even crossed my mind (although his brother's did!) appeared way towards the back. I had met and served with this man for the first time a few years ago when he was head cook on a Chrysalis weekend - the two of us had clicked instantly. And now I felt that the Lord was putting it in my heart that he would be the perfect choice for my assistant - this is someone I worked with closely and knew that we worked well together, and I knew he loved working in the kitchen. "He's the one, isn't he?" I asked the Lord. I prayed about it more and knew I needed only to ask him.

At the conclusion of the service I approached R and his wife (I can't remember her name!) and after the hugs of greeting I mentioned that I was head cook for the October walk. She said of course I would need an assistant. And then she blew me away when she mentioned that she had been praying during the service that R would get to be a head cook again! I posed it formally to R and he pretty much just needed the dates (I gave him a rough timeline) and he said of course he would do it. We exchanged business cards and the annointing was completed.

So just like that I have an assistant head cook. Like David, he wasn't the first choice - but he was the obvious choice. I just needed to wait and trust that God would provide. He did. And two prayers were answered. Do we have an Awesome God or what?