Spiritual Food

As I've written before, I am having a struggle in my heart over my church. S and I took a bold step today by attending a different church. Wow! What a difference!. This place was so alive with the Holy Spirit! One could not help but feel it. I can see why it attracted our friends who go there. This place is alive!

The music was relaxed and casual, and very well done. They have a praise band and a worship leader who knows what she's doing. There's a tremendous emphasis on prayer (duh!) that I'm not used to seeing in my own or any of the other Methodist churches I've been to. In observance of Pastor Appreciation Month, several went up to pray over the pastors (who definitely need prayer always). I believe I even detected an altar call - imagine that! Worshippers are encouraged to come up front after church for further prayer needs.

We happened to visit on Family Sunday there. The children's choir sang and did a pretty good job of it (I especially enjoyed their rendition of Shout to the Lord). I could tell S was enjoying it, too (she used to lead children's choir at our church). There was also a puppet show that really was uplifting. And today the associate pastor preached a message which was very well-delivered and to the point.

What impressed us both the most was the cross-section of age groups; it was more like what you see in the non-Christian world. Our church has a much higher median age, and definitely not as many children and younger adults. I felt that we were at about the median age unlike our own church where no matter how much older we get, we seem to be in the younger age bracket.

I was also impressed with the friendliness of the people there. We had struck up conversations with at least a couple of strangers. And I did manage to talk to all the men from that church who attended the recent Walk to Emmaus (including T from my table).

A church is not a building - it is the people who call themselves a church. This was what we experienced today. This is a church where the people are engaged. I could hear it in the prayers. I could hear it in their singing. I could see it as they gave praise to the Lord (there was no doxology - but the praise was constant throughout the service). It is reflected in the messages given. This a a church where the people bring their Bibles unlike our church where the Bibles collect dust in the pews. Whenever the pastor mentioned a particular verse, I was amazed and delighted to hear the sound of people flipping the pages of their Bibles. It was not a distraction in the least - it was an affirmation!

All in all, it was a great experience. I was moved nearly to tears several times. "What a church!" I thought. "I wish our church could be more like this," I also thought. That in itself makes it all the more difficult for me to stay where we're at - a church that seems to be more on life-support than anything else. There is much left to be resolved, though, before we make any move. But just as much as I've felt in my own church, today I felt I was at home. Today I was spiritually fed. Lord, please close some doors in our life so that others will be opened.

Teacher Appreciation Day: Homecoming 2005

Where the bold saguaros
Raise their arms on high
Praying strength for brave tomorrows
From the Western sky
Where eternal mountains
Kneel at sunset's gate
Here we hail thee, Alma Mater
Arizona State! [listen]

Today I woke up sporting a nice sunburn. My lips are sore from playing a trumpet off and on all day (first time in I don't recall how many years - probably four or five). I have sore fingers where I held a trumpet most of the day. I also have sore legs and shoulders. Was it worth it? You bet it was!

Yesterday was the Homecoming game at Arizona State University. I was one of 285 members of the Alumni Band that marched during the pregame show - the most we've had for any homecoming ever. Most of the alumni are still pretty young (most graduating within the last ten years, and many grauduating within the last five). But we also had a pretty nice representatation of folks from "my generation" of about 25 years ago - also the best I've ever seen.

Each and every one of us made it the special day that it was. There were also several people that, through their own efforts, made a tremendous contribution. I have to salute one man in particular, though, and that's Dr. Robert "Coach" Fleming, Director Emiritus of the Sun Devil Marching Band. He saw, like many of us, the waning enthusiasm for the alumni band. He made it his mission to make the alumni band something really special to be part of, just like he made the Sun Devil Marching Band something that was really something special to be part of.

Those of us who were under Coach's direction were quite fortunate. To say he is a motivator is an understatement. He would tell us that he "eats, sleeps, and drinks Sun Devil Marching Band," and he made you believe it because he didn't just talk the the talk, he walked it. Coach had a way of making us believe in ourselves. He demanded the best from us, and he got it. Not because we did it for him (necessarily). We did it for ourselves, and we did it for each other - the friends we made as we marched and played together.

As a former member of the Sun Devil Marching Band, I have fond memories too numerous to mention. There have been only a few other mountaintop experiences in my life that compare to those after having performed what Coach called "the biggest show of your life." It wasn't so much the performance (which turned out awesome in itself), but that it was an experience that was shared with most of my closest friends.

And that's what Coach is trying to accomplish. The ASU Alumni Band is not there just to raise money for the band (although that's nice). It's not there just so we can dust off our instruments and try to make some decent music (which we did pretty well). It's so we can enjoy the company of our fellow bandmembers.

One day a year, we can experience together the "torture" that reminds us of the hard work and yes, even pain and discomfort, that we endured as we prepared a pregame and halftime show for every home football game (granted when we were a younger we didn't concern ourselves much with the pain and discomfort - it was just part of the process). One day a year, we can be reminded of how we reap the rewards for our perseverence through experiencing the accolades of an appreciative audience. One day a year, we can get together with old friends and share how we've grown and how we continue to apply the lessons we learned from Coach.

Yesterday was a beautiful day. I enjoyed seeing friends I don't see often. I enjoyed making new friends amongst the younger alums. That's what it's all about.

Needless to say, I slept like a log last night. I'm going to go and heal, now. I look forward to seeing my fellow alums next year. [listen]

Jesus: Our Defense Attorney

I received this by email and thought it was well worth sharing. I think it’s a nice illustration of John 3:16:

After living what I felt was a "decent" life, my time on earth came to the end.

The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house. The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table.

As I looked around I saw the "prosecutor." He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen. I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney, a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him.

The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room I couldn't take my eyes off of Him. As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, "Let us begin."

The prosecutor rose and said, "My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this man belongs in hell." He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and in the past when I cheated others. Satan told of other horrible perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank.

I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about. As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all. I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done?

Satan finished with a fury and said, "This man belongs in hell. He is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise." When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan and beckoned Him to come forward.

As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty. I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me – my Lord and my Savior. He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, "Hi, Dad," and then He turned to address the court.

"Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned – I won't deny any of these allegations. And yes, the wage of sin is death, and this man deserves to be punished." Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, "However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and he has accepted Me as his Savior, so he is Mine. His name is written in the Book of Life and no one can snatch him from Me. Satan still does not understand yet. This man is not to be given justice, but rather mercy."

As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, "There is nothing else that needs to be done. I've done it all." The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from His lips: "This man is free. The penalty for him has already been paid in full. Case dismissed."

As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, "I won't give up, I will win the next one!"

I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, "Have you ever lost a case?" Christ lovingly smiled and said, "Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to represent them has received the same verdict as you: Paid in Full."

I Hate When That Happens

My wife complained about a low tire on her car earlier this week, so I pumped it up. Yesterday, on her way to work it went completely flat. A nice man changed the tire for her (AAA didn't understand when she gave them her location and never came to help - but's that's another story). She says another tire is low. Time to go to the tire store. I hate when that happens.

Idiot of the Week: Lottery Winner Used Stolen Credit Card

This week's idiot of the week is most deservedly Christina Goodenow of White City, Oregon. She recently won $1 million in the Oregon Lottery. But there's a catch - she used a stolen credit card to purchase the winning ticket. [story link]

Obviously, those of us who make a living by researching fraudulent charges and tracking down the criminals who make them are ecstatic today. What? She didn't think anyone would check? What an idiot!

Tragedy in the Family

We got word this morning that our grandson's stepmother (our ex-son-in-law's wife) was killed in a motorcycle accident last night. Apparently she was thrown off the motorcycle and broke her back.

It was just the day before that she had reconciled with our ex-son-in-law (they had recently seperated). She was only 25. What a shame.

A Struggle In My Heart

Ninety-three years ago on her maiden voyage, the grand ocean liner Titanic sank into the icy depths of the North Atlantic. The real tragedy here is that the ship had been mistakenly deemed unsinkable. As the dying ship began its descent, there were still people on board who didn't believe they were sinking.

I fear this is what is happening in my church as well. Rumors started circulating a few years ago that the Conference was seeking to close our church. Our current pastor was brought in hopes that his experience in urban ministry would help keep the church afloat. When he first came in, there was a bit of exuberance in the laity of the church. He started a contemporary service on Sunday mornings which has helped bring in some new faces.

But the exuberance has waned. The membership is declining (and oddly enough, our contemporary service is drawing more attendance than the traditional). Several key members (those who gave substantially to the church, that is) have left. Even before this year's stewardship campaign started, the church staff was warned to expect a reduction in salaries.

We used to be a grand old church. Decades ago, there were three services on Sunday - all filled to capacity, with people standing outside listening to the loudspeaker. Now we look as if to be another statistic in the decline of mainline churches. Clearly we do not have the membership base that requires a large church facility. And clearly we no longer have the financial means to support a large church facility, either. I think that will become more apparent to more people when our stewardship campaign is over.

I came to the church thirteen years ago to join the choir. It was only a matter of months when I came to a point when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I attended my first Walk to Emmaus (and served on many teams thereafter) at my church. I got married there. My stepdaughter was married there. My grandson was baptized there. I've celebrated the lives of both my inlaws and several other friends who have passed on there. Since joining the church, I've been involved in other ministries and I have grown tremendously in my faith.

But I still have a long way to grow in my faith, and I no longer have the confidence that I can do it in my own church for much longer. Choir is still a joy, but it isn't enough. And in the other ministries I'm involved with, there seems to be a futility to it all. It's not that I'm not being spiritually fed - it's just that I seem to only be getting crumbs. There are times when our church truly acts as the church should, but those times are getting fewer and farther between. Pretty sad when you consider the distance we drive to church and how many churches we pass on the way.

A friend of mine attends a nearby church. He and his wife decided to just try it out once - they've never looked anywhere else nor have they gone back to their old church. I've met others from the same church. One in particular just happened to go with his wife on the day his teenaged stepdaughter was supposed to be baptized (she had been killed in an auto accident the day before) - they both came to Christ as a result of that one visit.

It's difficult and painful to leave your home church. It's just as difficult to watch it die before your very eyes. I fear the ship is sinking and the time is approaching to abandon it. The time has come for S and I to discuss an exit strategy. I think the first step is to visit our friend's church and see what it's like. Then it's time to figure out when to make our move. But until that time comes, we will continue to support our church through our gifts, our talents, and our prayers. Your prayers are coveted.

A Whole New Look

Hey, sometimes even bloggers get bored. So I spent a better part of the afternoon and evening working on a new look for this blog. So what do you think?

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things which are God's. [Matthew 22:21]

Today was the start of our annual stewardship campaign at church. Pastor D kicked it off right away during the children's sermon.

Each child was given a Ziploc bag containing one dollar in dimes. They were then told that since everything comes from God (as represented by the dimes), we can show our gratitude by giving back ten percent - or one dime. We would still be left with nine dimes apiece while the church would receive many dimes which would help in doing God's work.

In a previous post I mentioned that technically there is no mention of tithing in the New Testament. However, we are still obligated to give back to God - with our time, our money, and our hearts - as a response to the wonderful Grace that has been given us (even though we don't deserve it).

I know it's not easy for some to come up with ten percent to give back. Many of us are slaves to consumer debt. I speak from personal experience on that point. Fortunately, I have been working to free us from that yoke, and we have been able to give almost a dime's worth back to the Lord. That in itself is liberating, as well as a blessing.

I implore you to give what you know in your heart you can give. I know you'll be blessed just as much as those are being blessed by your offerings. Brother (and sister), can you spare a dime?

Oh, And Another Thing

I don't do chain e-mails either.

Nothing good is going to happen to me just because I forwarded a chain e-mail. If God intends for me to win the lottery, he will give me the winning numbers and when to place them. He will probably do that through the still small voice in my heart. I don't foresee that happening; I can't see how my being a millionaire would necessarily bring me closer to God.

Nothing bad is going to happen to me just because I deleted a chain e-mail. If that were the case, then I should have died many times over or surely I would have endured the tribulations of Job at least several times. I've come close, but not to the degree Job has.

God is in charge of my life. He knew me before I was born [Psalm 139:13-14]. He knows what I'm going through now [1 John 3:20]. He has a marvelous plan for me [Jeremiah 29:11]. I have found my life goes so much easier if I fully trust in Him.

If you wish to send or forward chain e-mails, that's your business. Just don't include me - you're only wasting your time and bandwidth (or however they measure the cyberspace we use up).

Urban Legends: The Truth Shall Set You Free

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. [1 John 4:1-3, NIV]

Do you ever see something on the internet or get one of those e-mails forwarded from a friend making some outlandish claim? Here's some of the latest: Picture of President Bush and his father fishing in the streets of New Orleans; Gas Rationing is Planned in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; Strange Sea Creatures Washed Up From the Tsunami. Obviously these are all quite intriguing - some even plausible - but are completely and totally false.

It pains me to see people - even the intelligent ones - believe everything they see on the internet. Why do they do it? Do they believe everything they see on TV? Of course not! (at least I hope they don't) Dan Rather proved you can't even believe everything you hear on the news!

The internet is a wealth of information - a tremendous source of reference and facts. I also see it as a microcosm of society in general. There is a lot of good to be had out there. But Satan - the Great Deceiver - uses it, too. As far as he's concerned, the internet is the superhighway to your soul - especially when you consider all the crap out there in cyberland.

We who read the Bible on a regular basis are given the armor of truth to fend off Satan's arrows. Armed with Bible knowledge, we can "test the spirits" against the Bible to discern whether someone is telling us the Gospel truth (literally) or trying to deceive us away from the Gospel with their snake-oil sales pitch. Jim Jones and David Koresh come to mind - those trapped in their web got trapped because they didn't know their Bible. I can name other examples that are considered more "mainstream" and I would be labeled (correctly) politically incorrect if I did so. But the point is that no matter how insignificant or harmless it may seem, or the intent of the messenger, - that leads away from God is just that - it is intended to lead you away from God. Sadly, more and more people don't know the Bible.

What floors me are Christians who won't help someone who is down and out because "they don't believe their story" yet they'll believe all the crap they read on the internet. Just because it came from the internet doesn't make it true. And just because your best friend forwarded it to you by e-mail doesn't make it true either (by the way, I don't blame my friends - it just means that the originator of the message "got to them").

My suggestion to you is that before you forward any story to others, just check it out first. One really great resource is TruthOrFiction.com, a link that I have placed permanently on this site under US/World News. Hey, I've been "gotten to" before. It's not fun begging for forgiveness when I should have checked out the story first.

Some of the amazing stuff on the internet really is true! Also consider this wonderful Creation that God made for us and the amazing Grace He offers us (though we certainly don't deserve it, it's free for the asking). Why make stuff up when the Truth shall set you free?

Answered Prayer

Our daughter E was offered the full-time position we were all praying for; she started yesterday. Praise God!

De Colores! Walk to Emmaus #157

And they said to one another, Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us by the way and while He opened the Scriptures to us? [Luke 24:32]

I've been pretty busy since I last posted. I was serving on the team for a
Walk to Emmaus weekend which ran from last Thursday evening through Sunday evening. And I've been recovering since.

As a member of the talk team, I served as one of two table leaders; we helped facilitate the learnings at our table of six pilgrims. I must say it was a very gratifying weekend as I watched these men grow in their Christian faith. We are all in different places in our experience and knowledge, but nonetheless, we are all on the same path towards Christ's throne.

The Walk to Emmaus experience is typically a very good vehicle for Christian growth, especially the pilgrims (a term used to refer to those attending for the first time). I've calculated that I've participated on these weekends sixteen times (including my pilgrim walk in February 1993). I still walk away from these weekends learning something new and a little bit stronger in my own faith. The bonds I form with the other participants are also most precious.

It's kind of funny how this all came about on this particular Walk. I had been praying for some time that I be on the talk team again. I felt I had a story to share; God was telling me yes, but wait - the story was still being written. That particular story involved a boy I had been working with at music camp for the last couple of summers. The story came to a happy ending. Ironically, I got the call to serve just a couple of days after camp was over. Well, maybe not so ironic - after all, God has a splendid sense of timing, and I had the sense to recognize it.

Not that it was an easy decision to say "yes." As much as I wanted to serve, I was praying about it just as my wife S went to the hospital with her latest bout of pancreatitis. With my wife's health a concern, I decided not to play the "what if" game and entrust her health to God. I decided to just trust God completely to God and do what I was called to do.

I have to say that it was the most blessed experience I've had for quite some time. There have been many times I've served on a team with other distractions (including my wife's health) going on, and this was no exception. But during the two-and-a-half months of preparation up to and then including the actual weekend, I said an overwhelming sense of peace flowing over me. And the weekend itself was a wonderful exclamation point to punctuate the end of the whole process.

This particular weekend has been an abundant blessing to me. My fellow table leader, T, and the other men at my table - B, T, D, C, J, and J - were a tremendous blessing to me. It is my hope and prayer that it was and will continue to be so for them as well.

Another Bonehead Maneuver by FEMA

In another bonehead maneuver, "The Phoenix Fire Department's Urban Search and Rescue team has been suspended from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for deploying armed police officers to protect firefighters in violation of the agency's rules." (full story)

Excuse me?

Phoenix's Urban Search and Rescue Team has been instrumental in rescue efforts after some of our country's most difficult moments. They were there after the Oklahoma City bombing. They were in New after 9/11. And they were in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina swept through - while some of New Orleans finest took it upon themselves to loot from the people and properties they were sworn to protect. (full story)

Needless to say, Phoenix officials may refuse to deploy the Urban Search and Rescue team to future disasters if they are not allowed to protect themselves adequately.

Besides, doesn't the 2nd Amendment allow us to bear arms to defend against threats to the U.S.? I would think that includes shooting back at the wingnuts who were shooting at rescuers.

Jesus Christ Our LORD and Savior

Then Jesus said to all the people: If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me. [Luke 9:23, CEV]

I find it interesting that, according to some polls, about 85% of all Americans claim to be Christians. In other words, they claim that Jesus Christ is their Savior. But do they claim Christ to be LORD of their lives?

If 85% of all Americans claim Jesus to be LORD of their lives, then why does our country seem to be falling apart? Why do we have 16% of our children living in poverty? Why does our prison population increase? Why are issues such as declining moral values, same-sex marriages, violence and sex in our television shows, movies, music, and video games even issues? If Jesus Christ is truly the LORD of 85% of all Americans, then I should see my church filled to capacity every Sunday for three services and once again on Wednesday night.

But that's not happening. It's easy to say that Jesus is our Savior. But to say that Jesus is LORD over our lives is totally different. Too many are not even willing to take up a cross, let alone actually pick one up.

My own church is going through a struggle right now. Our senior pastor is technically retired as of July 1, but is serving as interim pastor until the next July 1. Part of the reason our Bishop and District Superintendant have not appointed a new pastor is because they're trying figure out what kind of pastor we need. Another part of the struggle is that the church is trying to find its identity and purpose in the community. I'm not certain that our church as a whole is able to discern its priorities (something I find hard to believe when you consider that Christ helped define our priorities).

At the risk of ruffling some feathers, I believe we have too much focus on the arts (of which I'm heavily involved in) and worship that some feel need to be just so; we don't have enough focus on outreach and stewardship. We have a wonderful choir, but frankly it's not filling the pews. We have a wonderful contemporary service which actually draws more than the traditional service. But it's not enough.

I think it's time we take a hard look at ourselves and make it a priority to take up our crosses - daily.

Here's Something You Don't See Everyday

This was pretty cool. Our daughter E was at some luncheon a few weeks ago where Arizona Diamondbacks leftfielder Luis Gonzales spoke. There were pictures afterwards, and so she got to meet him.

A Pretty Good Week For Our Daughters

J, our oldest daughter had an interesting conversation with her ex-husband. He apologized for what he put her through before, during, and after their divorce. Turns out his #2 wife is doing the same to him. Nonetheless, J feels vindicated. However, I don't feel vindicated; I actually pity him. My prayers go out to him.

Meanwhile, E, our younger daughter has been working as an intern for an architechtural/ engineering firm since she graduated from ASU West last May. The company she works for really seems to like her and have been doing everything they can to keep her. She had an interview on Thursday which could land her a job as an administrative assistant as early as this week. This would be a real job with benefits and everything.

E has also been part of an Irving Berlin musical review which will be playing at our church the next two weekends. Today in church, she and another cast member performed "Easter Parade" - it was pretty awesome!

Disappointing Week in Sports

Well, the Arizona Diamondbacks put up a great effort in the last couple of weeks, but it was too little, too late. They did end up in 2nd place in the NL West, 5 games behind the Padres. THere's always next year.

Meanwhile, there was a lot of hype over the ASU - USC game. As I expected, ASU did not win, but not after putting up a spectular effort against USC in the first half; USC faced its largest point deficit - 18 points - of its current winning streak. Wait till USC creams UofA next week - hee hee hee hee.

Diamondbacks: Just Not Ready To Die Yet

It's been a pretty mediocre season for the Arizona Diamondbacks. But it's been pretty mediocre for the NL West as a whole. And in spite of it all, the D-backs aren't out of it yet.

It will take a combination of two Arizona losses and/or San Diego wins to eliminate the D-backs. In fact, if Arizona sweeps its remaining games, and San Diego gets swept in its remaining games, Arizona will win the division. Looks good on paper, but I'm not counting on it.

As of now, the Diamondbacks just beat L.A., and the Padres are leading the Giants.

Remember, there's no crying in baseball.

Rising Tensions

The situation in Palestine continues to worsen. While Hamas continues to rocket Israeli civilians, the IDF has gone into the West Bank and arrested 206 suspected terrorists. There were also additional Israeli airstrikes on suspected weapons manufacturing facilities. (related story)

Whether you believe that there was an accidental explosion at a Hamas rally (as Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and other eyewitnesses contend) or that it was an Israeli airstrike (as the terrorists contend), it is blatently obvious that someone does not want this peace process to succeed.

Nice to see that Israel is not taking all this sitting down. If it comes down to it, I don't think they'll hesitate to reoccupy the territory they just gave up.

The Game is Up - Maybe

It was only a matter of time before the Palestinian appeasement process failed (see source article). After last month's pullout from Gaza and West Bank settlements, it was hoped that peace would settle in over Palestine. Right - and I've got a levee in Louisiana I'd like to sell you.

It all started Friday afternoon after an explosion during a Hamas rally killed at least 15 people. Israel denies any involvement, and the Palestinian Authority (whatever that means) blames Islamic militants for mishandling explosives during the rally. Hamas claims Israeli warplanes fired missiles into the crowd.

So Hamas retaliated against their own stupidity by firing 35 rockets into Israeli towns. Israel in turn has begun retaliation by launching airstrikes at suspected Hamas targets in Gaza. Israeli troops are now massing at the border awaiting orders for a ground incursion should it come to that. The Israeli government is putting a lot of pressure on PA President Abbas to get the militants under control - or else. A unanimous decision by the Israeli cabinet would get the IDF moving.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is in danger of losing his job as early as Monday. His most likely successor would be Benjamin Netanyahu, one who has said all along that the recent Israeli pullout would be a threat to Israel's national security.

Naturally, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is alarmed that the peace process seems to be falling apart. Like that was a surprise?

Katrina Is Just a Warning - And An Opportunity

Some people who were there at that time told Jesus about certain Galileans. Pilate had mixed their blood with their sacrifices. Jesus said, "These people from Galilee suffered greatly. Do you think they were worse sinners than all the other Galileans? I tell you, no! But unless you turn away from your sins, you will all die too. Or what about the 18 people in Siloam? They died when the tower fell on them. Do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you turn away from your sins, you will all die too." [Luke 13:1-5]

I want to expand on what I shared with the choir last night in my devotion.

According to a recent story, in a sermon delivered on September 6, a Jewish rabbi said "that the devastation wrought by [Hurricane] Katrina 'was God's retribution' for pressuring Israel to relinquish Gaza and the northern West Bank to the Palestinians.."

In fact, there are some intriguing correlations between major disasters and the treatment - or rather, mistreatment - of Israel. Coincidence? Maybe.

But consider that Muslim extremists also believe that Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment against the U.S. for its evil ways and it policies in the Middle East.

Now wait a minute - if these are to be believed, then it sounds to me like we're damned if we do and we're damned if we don't. How could God be punishing our nation for acting in ways that are contradictory to each other?

That's the point - He's not. Jesus tells a completely different story. I urge you to read what he had to say about the End of the Age in Matthew 24.

Jesus specifically mentions, in verses 6-8, of what would happen before the End of the Age and His coming: ^"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." [New King James Version]

Jesus also made it clear to us that the signs of his coming would be as obvious to us as the changing of the seasons. Verses 32-33 state: "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!"

By the way, the use of the fig tree as an example is no accident; it is the symbol of the nation of Israel.

Here's one last quote which describes how the Christ's return will unfold (verses 36-44): “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

The 20th Century certainly has been the bloodiest in recorded history. The things we have witnessed just in our lifetimes have to give us reason to pause. The 21st Century has not yet rendered much for our troubled world to hope for - 9/11, bombings in London, Madrid, and Bali. Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. One hurricane after another stirring up devastation in Florida. A tsunami that snuck up and killed a quarter of a million people. Millions in Africa dying of AIDS and/or starvation. And Hurricane Katrina.

These disasters do not discriminate - just as the fallen tower in Siloam did not discriminate.

In my opinion, God is not punishing anybody. In my opinion, these are the "beginning of sorrows" that Jesus spoke of. These are warnings to those who have not redeemed themselves to Christ. This is an opportunity to come to Jesus.

For those who know Jesus, and the peace that surpasses all understanding, these are signs of hope - that he will soon come for us. In our lifetime? Perhaps. If things keep going the way they are (and I only see them getting worse), I'd hate to see what this world will be like in fifty years. Or ten for that matter.

To those who know Jesus, this is also an opportunity. An opportunity to testify to God's love. To give hope to those are otherwise hopeless. To bring healing where there is hurt. An opportunity to serve and show what a Christian is.

For some, this latest disaster has served to polarize race relations in this country. But I also know for a fact that we've come a long way since the Civil Rights movement of the sixties. Most of us truly believe that we can all get along - and we do get along. What a golden opportunity to let the dream that Martin Luther King, Jr. come true in its fullest glory!

Meanwhile, let me remind you that the fig tree which symbolizes Israel was thought to be long dead. Toward the end of World War I, with the Balfour Declaration, it began to sprout buds. In 1948, the fig tree was in full bloom. Surely it must be summer by now.

One Nation Under God

Well it appears that the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals - you know, the one located in the Peoples' Republic of San Francisco - is at again. This time a judge there has declared that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in schools is unconstitutional. (story)

Can we secede from the 9th Circuit?

Why Hurricanes Always Used to Have Women's Names

It used to be that hurricanes were named after women because women were considered unpredictable. Then again, this idea was hatched in the male-chauvinist-pig era of the mid-20th Century (and now male names are included in the rotation).

But do consider the hurricane that shares the name of a character from Shakespeare's Hamlet - Ophelia. Since becoming a named storm in the waters around the Bahamas last week, Ophelia has been upgraded to a hurricane three times, then downgraded back to a tropical storm three times. Now for the fourth time, Ophelia is back to being a hurricane.

Looking at her track can literally make you dizzy. She charges at the coast, then backs off, spins around some, sits around for a little bit, then makes another charge at the coast. Her expected landfall has shifted the whole time. First it was northern Florida, then Georgia, then South Carolina, then North Carolina. Now it looks she'll make most of her trouble over the barrier islands off of North Carolina (which fortunately, they're used to). In any case, Ophelia has been taunting us just off of the coast for a whole week. Pretty ironic when you consider that in the same span of time, Katrina was born in roughly the same waters and was pretty much used up - but only after destroying a considerable part of the Gulf Coast in the process.

Pretty darned unpredictable if you ask me. But men can be that way, too.

The Governor Comes to Church

Do you remember the episode of M*A*S*H when General MacArthur was coming to inspect the camp? There was so much hoopla over the preparations and they went to a lot of trouble to keep Klinger out of sight. They went as far as rehearsing it with Radar playing the part of the general, complete with his trademark corncob pipe. When MacArthur did arrive (earlier than expected), he never got out of the jeep as it drove through the camp. In fact, he barely even looked up. Only when the general's jeep passed by Klinger - dressed like the Statue of Liberty with a sparkling torch - did he take notice and returned a crisp salute to the dogface in drag.

That's the thought that crossed my mind this morning as our church service was starting. We've known for over a month that our governor, the Honorable Janet Napolitano, was to attend today's service and deliver a message. Predictably it was a three-ring circus - there's just enough uptight people in our church to make that happen.

For starters, our choir director picked some music to perform along with a brass quintet (we don't usually have a brass quinted - just at Christmas and Easter for the most part). The anthem was a screamer. We can usually handle screamers when we're well into the season. But this was the first Sunday of the season, and speaking for the 1st Tenors, our throats aren't quite ready sing screamers.

During rehearsal this morning, I was standing between two rookie(-ish) choir members. We were struggling to find the notes in the final chord progression (it was a rather odd progression). After looking at the score, I advised them, "The brass are doubling our part - just pick one of their notes and go with it."

The service didn't start off well. Our liturgist hadn't shown up yet, so N, the lady in charge of scheduling the liturgists (and the liturgist's mother!), took over. The choir wasn't lined up for the procession. The uptight folks were even more so. I was telling some to just relax.

Even with the minor hitches (the liturgist finally showed up) it turned out to be quite a lovely service. Our anthem went very well (we hit the right notes, and I got goosebumps) and the contemporary singers (of which my stepdaughter sings with) were awesome. Then Governor Napolitano delivered a wonderful message.

She commended the efforts made in our state towards helping the victims from Hurricane Katrina. She mentioned that is hoped that all who are being sheltered in the Veteran's Coliseum would have found more permanent housing by the end of the week. She commended efforts that churches around the state have been made and challenged us to continue those efforts in dealing with our own homeless population, which is estimated at about 30,000.

Did I actually meet her? Not really. I did pass within a few feet of her as the choir processed in and again as we recessed. As a matter of fact, during the recessional hymn I ignored the fact we were in church. I turned to her and said, "Thanks for coming." She smiled back.

I don't agree with our governor's politics - in fact it's likely we're opposites. However, she has addressed some pretty sticky issues that Arizona is facing and has kept politics out of it. For that, I'm impressed with the job she's done. Her message today was at least a subtle affirmation.

While there was quite a bit of fuss over this visit, I suppose that some of it was necessary. After all, a state governor is entitled to the appropriate amount of respect. But I'm not easily impressed by celebrity or position. I figured that Governor Napolitano is otherwise a regular person like the rest of us, which is why I was telling some of those around me to relax. Through her message today, watching her as she greeted members of the congregation after the service, and through my own brief interaction with her, I was proven right. I appreciate that despite her busy schedule, she took the time to be with us for the entire service (and didn't plow through like General MacArthur did on M*A*S*H). If she wants to come to my church again, I'd gladly welcome her.