The Face Says it all...

Clemson 3

Ga. Tech 13

Sermon Recap: Back to the Primary(school)--Lunchtime

Picture in honor of Amy Jenkins Maxton-lover of all things smurfy.

This is the first week of a sermon series titled,"Back to the Primary-Things we knew already but have forgotten." Hope you all enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed the preparation time.

For our 3 year olds at the Primary school, one of the best parts of the day is lunchtime. At 10:20 we begin the process of degermification. We take our little ones to the bathroom in shifts and then sanitize them. We do not use a pressure washer or anything like that, the item used is a miracle gel. To be honest, I do not buy into the whole antibacterial deal. Not to long ago I heard a comedy routine with George Carlin. He talked about his childhood and how his mom would let him play in the sewer drains in New York City. He then went on to say that he never gets sick. He credits this to all the strong immunity his body built up over time. On the other end of the spectrum is the way we attempt to keep our kids healthy and ungermed. A squirt of the magic gel, a little rubbing and then they are off to get in line.

We have an appointed line leader--this is a position of mere title. The problem we have is that our line of six, three year-olds is not really a line. It is a part snake and part stampeding bull and it seems useless to get them in the appointed places. We have one little girl with a limp. She always moves to the left. We are supposed to stay hugged against the wall on the right side of the hall. She bounces about to the left--I steer her back to the right. As soon as she gets lined back up, off to the left she pops again.

We find our spots at the table. My little guy is always impatient and wants his food, NOW!!! He does not talk, but he lets me know that he is hungry and does not want to wait on the assistant to warm it up. His mom sends the same thing for him to eat everyday. No, really...everyday. He has chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes. He never eats the potatoes, but inhales the chicken. I make the sign language symbol for chicken--he never makes the sign and I give him the chicken anyway.

The little boy across from me at the table has anger issues. He is super smart, but oh my!! If he does not get his way it is chaotic. He throws himself in the floor and throws whatever he has across the room. He gets so angry he jerks all over and he loves to push people. At lunch, he just sits there, super still and never eats a thing.

We have one little girl that is super messy. Chocolate milk goes everywhere and food is all over the people that sit beside her. She needs to wear a bib, but it would never stay on the entire 30 minutes. I made sure the second day I was there to always have someone sitting between she and I.

This motley crew of three year olds share a table 4 days a week at school. Food is important for them, just as it was for the people in the scripture today. Often times we forget how many stories there are in the bible that are about food.

John 6:30-34

They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
“Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.”

The people wanted a sign. Show us a sign and we will believe. Moses showed us and we followed him. What are you going to do, Jesus?

I just love the hint of sarcasm in the voice of Christ. My loose translation is..."Let me tell you something--Moses did nothing. My Dad did that, and guess what He is still offering you something but this is much better than before.

I am enough to fill you forever. The manna was a daily portion, my portion is for a lifetime and then on into eternity.

They wanted some of what he had to offer then. Give us that bread EVERYDAY!! Reminds me of my little guy with the chicken. It is the same everyday, but it fills him. Are we satisfied with Jesus. Is he enough? Seems like we always want more when what we really need is right here.

This morning we are coming to the Table of Christ. Is His body (bread) enough? Is His blood (the cup) still sufficient for you and me? Maybe we long for something more exotic and dynamic--but the reality is that nothing can take the place of Christ in our lives. We try to fill the "God shaped void" and we find ourselves gorged, but empty.

In this time of silence before coming to the table--ask God to show you what has gotten you off track. Don't fool yourselves. We are all in the same boat here. We have not given God our whole heart and we rarely love our neighbors as ourselves.

Remember--He is enough for whatever you are facing..yesterday, today and tomorrow.

**While serving over 115 people Communion, I said to one gentleman, "The blood of Christ given for You." His reply, "I am so glad to have a place at his table."

Guess what? There is room for another---care to join us?

Clemson win total by Douglas--sponsored by Rooms to Go

Clemson 42


NC State 20

Quote- "But Daddy, what about our good friend Sammy?"

Reply- "It's OK son, He's used to losing to Clemson."

"How bout them Tigers!"

Clemson win total by Douglas--Sponsored by Yamaha Golf Carts

click to enlarge

Clemson 38
Furman 10

"Daddy, I think I need to get more Clemson stuff."--Douglas

Worth Repeating--Sermon Recap

For the past three weeks I have started to become acclimated to my new part time job at Myrtle Beach Primary school. My job is to shadow a three year old autistic child. I am there for half a day on M, Tu, Thu, and Friday. I really enjoy it, but it has presented several challenges.

Perhaps the biggest challenge is the repetition of each day. For primary and elementary school teachers, life is similar to the Bill Murray movie, Groundhog Day. Every day is the same routine, doing the same things, saying the same things and teaching the same things. For the last week, we have been reading the following book.

Douglas, our five year old and resident children's literature specialist will assist me this morning in the reading of Brown Bear, Brown Bear--What do you see? (This was a non practiced event and I have great fear not knowing what He will do when He has a microphone in his hand. He had the book 90% memorized, he messed up in a few places and sighed and put his head down. He then got the right word and kept on working through the book until he completed the task.)

Now what is the author trying to teach children in this little tale?

(Audience Answers) He is teaching about different animals. He is trying to teach about different colors. He is teaching repetition and basic words. He is also encouraging interaction between teacher and student.

When this book was written there was an intended purpose, and you all have done a great job of picking up on it.

This morning, our scripture passage speaks of purpose as well.

John 20:30-32 states for us:

The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.

This certain book of scripture in many ways encapsulated the intended purpose of the entirety of the biblical Canon. We have these stories so that we can come in contact with Jesus. After the contact, then the intent is that we will Believe. After believing, then we will live empowered lives by the Spirit.

At school we spend a lot of time reinforcing positive behavior and keeping of rules. My little guy runs me around that room all morning long. He slides back to the sink and turns on the water. I get him out of that situation and start to clean up, and then in a flash he is up front in a cabinet pulling stuff out and throwing it all on the floor. I toss the water filled paper towel in the trash and run up front, and.....he runs to the back for the sink again. Now I could just make him sit in the chair beside me while I clean up, but he will never learn if I do not give him some freedom.

I have been able to get him to understand that he cannot throw things in class, except for a little cloth baby doll. The flipping and throwing of things is one of the few things that calms him down. My strong hand on his shoulder or chest is the other. Often he only needs to realize that I am there, and then he calms down and settles in to the routine. He is a little dude trapped inside himself, unable to tell others what is going on. Imagine the frustration involved in his daily routine.

Over the next several weeks, we are going to be looking at "Primary School" aspects of scripture. These are things that we know, but often forget. C.S. Lewis even spoke of preaching in this way. He said that our primary task as ministers is to remind people of the timeless truths that they have learned but forgotten.

When I was in 3rd grade, I had to learn my multiplication tables. I did great with them except for 6x4. I know, it was simple memorization--but for some reason I just could not get that one. As hard as I tried to make it that way, 6x4 was not 26.

From a spiritual standpoint, we too know the basics. We have memorized the answers, but when the hard times come and the crisis of belief sets in....often we answer 6x4 is 26. The reality is that 6x4 is 24, and that God has made promises to us that have been, are and always will be true.

What has you agitated today? Have you gotten yourself worked up by believing in your ability to solve your own problems? Are you unable to verbalize the hurt and anger that you have inside? Perhaps this morning, We need to be reminded of the gentle hand of God, on our shoulders reminding us of his presence.

The next few weeks will show us the Basics and then we will look into the more technical. One of the great things about Douglas and his reading was not that he did so well. He did a great job, and as his Father, I am proud of him. But I am most assured of the fact that when he messed up, he kept trying and finished his task.

God has a task for us, and although we often mess it up, I am sure that He is so very proud of us for persevering. I am excited about sitting on the carpet in God's classroom, and invite you to join me. By the way, don't be late...or you will need a hall pass.

Nurturing my Inner Redneck

This morning at 6:15, I hopped in the KIA and took off to find a strong cup of coffee. The waitress handed me my "To-Go" and called me "Sugar", I just love that. I scooted toward the Pavilion Parking Garage for South Carolina's Largest Garage Sale.

Lots of People with Lots of Junk-- I love ebay, but it has killed the Old Time Jockey Lot. Now it has pretty much turned into vendors hawking wares with no real "finds" to be found.

There was a Native American musician playing some kind of blowing flute deal as Rednecks were nudging people with elbows, hips and wagons. Bojangles vendors were selling biscuits while most of Myrtle Beach was still snoozing or just getting in from clubbing. What song was the guy playing? The Sound of Silence--by non Indians, Simon and Garfunkel. I passed on the CD.

Here is the run down:

Coffee-1.25
Tip- .75

Parking Meter 2.00
Chicken Biscuit 3.00

Raffle Ticket for High School 5.00
My Pavilion Final Season T Shirt 2.50

Sarah's Pavilion T Shirt 2.50

Putt Putt Ad shirt for Douglas 4 @ 1.00 each

Grand Total--21.00

Nurturing my Inner redneck---Priceless.

Now, for lunch...an RC Cola and a Moon Pie!

Meet Mercury

Douglas has names for each of our vehicles. The mini-van is "Rocket" from the animated series, Little Einsteins. The black convertible is "Shadow" because it sounds cool. Shadow is being replaced, as overnight I have turned into an old man. Due to our promotion and the need for more driving and schmoozing, the Shadow is being sold.

I did not intend on purchasing this car so fast, but it fell smack into my lap. So, meet Mercury, the Grand Marquis that will be paid off in less than a year. The dealer actually is a member of one of our sponsoring churches, and while there I helped him do his bible study homework. We continue to be amazed how God provides for us.

Now I walk out of the house and see a mini-van and a land yacht, and I do not look like "Mr. Incredible" in either of them. I figured since we eat dinner at 4 every night and play putt-putt it was time to get the badge of old age. Stay outta my way, I make WIDE TURNS!!

Clemson win total by Douglas--Sponsored by Apache Pier

Clemson 49

La. Monroe 26

Quote: "I think La. Monroe could beat Fla. State."-- Tommy Bowden

All quotes from the mind of the photographer.

Look what I found-Sermon Recap

This past week on the news there was an interesting story about a piece of property in the fastest growing area for new house builds in our area. Property prices are through the roof and some couple had bought their piece of Earth. It was time to dig down and lay the foundation and guess what they found? Artillery shells from WWII. Not quite what they expected.

Now you all know how I am, and if you don't, well you will soon. When I hear things like this it gets me thinking about other digging stories and how it all applies to our life in Christ. If we did down deep into our past we often find things far worse than artillery shells. These are the things that often hold us back and keep us from being who were created to be in Christ. I just read this past week that our self image is almost completely formed by the time we are in the second grade. Now I have not done a lot of follow up research on this, but it sure seems about right. Many of our parents and teachers had good intentions but let's face it, they each made mistakes. Sarah and I try to breath and speak confidence into Douglas so he will believe that he is special and important and can do anything he sets his mind toward. Yet we are not perfect and we pray that those mistakes made by us will be covered in grace and he will have a healthy self image. Many of us still hear the voices of an authority figure in our past saying words like,"You are stupid, You are no good, You are not as pretty as ________, you will never amount to anything, I wish I had never had you....etc."

The sad part is in many of these situations, those people are not even alive anymore so that we can clear the air and start over again. The voices from the past can be haunting if we keep listening to them. When you look in that mirror, what is your first thought? Negative? Artillery shells indeed!

I read another story about digging this past March. It made me laugh and smile.

(AP) Matt White, a journeyman pitcher trying to make the Los Angeles Dodgers, could become baseball's first billionaire player. It has nothing to do with his arm. He owns a rock quarry in western Massachusetts. White, who has appeared in seven big league games in nine professional seasons, paid $50,000 three years ago to buy 50 acres of land from an elderly aunt who needed the money to pay for a nursing home. While clearing out a couple acres to build a home, he discovered stone ledges in the ground, prompting him to have the property surveyed. A geologist estimated there were 24 million tons of the stone on his land. The stone is being sold for upward of $100 per ton, meaning there's well over $2 billion worth of material used for sidewalks, patios and the like. Of course, that doesn't factor in the expenses involved in processing the stone and transporting it for sale. "It sounds bogus even saying those numbers," White said. "I'm just a small town guy trying to get to the big leagues. It's beyond comprehension."

So, there is a positive digging story! But the scripture tells us about more ground and raising and identity.

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Identity is a fragile thing. Do the voices tell you that you are no good and that God cannot love you, care for you and use you? Do they tell you that you are not worthy of the lavishing love of God? Good!! The gospel is that we are not worthy, we are not deserving. But, if we are buried with him we are raise again to the newness and fullness of life. Christ, in the great exchange on the cross took all our sin and GAVE us his righteousness. We are his children not because we deserve it or merit it, but because he claims us as his own.

For those who accept this gift, this identity, this newness, this fullness we must puss back the voices that tell us to perform, conform and do the dance for acceptance. This is something you and I need to tell ourselves often. Daily may not even be enough!!

There is nothing I can do to make God love me more. There is nothing I can do to make God love me less.

That is the definition of grace that I learned form the Brennan Manning classic, The Ragamuffin Gospel. The church and the world often makes us perform for approval. Jesus has done all the performing that is necessary! Our works should not be approval seeking, but they should be a "thanks" to God for his grace.

This week, dig deeper and find out what the voices are saying. My prayer is that you will know exactly what to tell them when they speak. That is more valuable than billions worth of rock and much more lasting and stable.

A Forwarded Email--Sometimes they are good!!

Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.

Clemson Win Total by Douglas---Sponsored by SONIC

Clemson 24

Florida State 18

Quotes from the Game: "They beat us again, Dadgummit." Bobby Bowden, FSU Legend

"That is 4 out of 5 for us. Who's Daddy now?" Tommy Bowden, Clemson Coach

All quotes are from the mind of the photographer.

On a Pedestal---Sermon Recap

I am usually not a preacher that rants and raves about things. I try to keep my head clear and stay on a fairly even keel. This week, the sermon is a little different. I do however think that it is needed and necessary.

This past week I was listening to the radio and the 20 second news report came over the waves. There was a wreck backing up traffic, a senator who was not gay that was gay, and a blurb about the war on Terror. The nice little radio voice then gave me the best news of the Day, Cameron Diaz is 35 years old today!

I am not sure when our society took such a marked turn to emphasis of celebrity. Now it seems that Ryan Seacrest is everywhere telling us what so and so is wearing, dating or doing. Paris Hilton is everywhere, and she has not really done anything that matters except star in a movie on the internet with bad lighting and be born to rich hotel moguls. She actually makes 75,000 dollars just to make an appearance at clubs for parties. In some cases the price is closer to A QUARTER OF A MILLION! Lindsey Lohan is in and out of rehab, Brit Spears is a train wreck that we cannot help but watch, and the list goes on and on.

I have a few vices, none of which I am proud of, except my coffee addiction. I love good coffee, strong coffee with Espresso and Starbucks does it best. About a month ago, I had a message on the side of my cup as part of their "The Way I see it campaign." Each week the message changes and it is there to spark thought and encourage conversation about issues. The real plan is to get you to hang out and buy more coffee and strudel and music and then get hooked, but the message is on the cup regardless.

This message was spot on and had to be shared:

Many people lack a spiritual belief system and fill that void with obsessions about celebrities. The celebrities are raised to the rank of gods, and these earthly gods will always fail the expectations the masses have set for them. The cycle runs thusly: adoration turns to obsession, obsession turns to disappointment, and from disappointment it is a just a short emotional jump to contempt.-- Donna Phillips, Claremont CA

I do not know who Donna Phillips is, but she is right. The issue is not just about movie stars.

I love sports and the landscape of athletics is littered with idols. If we elevate people to the position of God we will be so disappointed. Poor Mike Vick, Poor O.J. Simpson, sports is a real issue as it comes to idolatry.

What about religion? Now I fear to say this because you all may revolt and toss me off this pier to the sharks, but what about preachers. Do we idolize them too, do we make them celebrities and give more credence to their message of Christ than another? Think about it. Billy Graham, Joel Osteen, Hagee, Fallwell, Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer and the list goes on and on. Is the Gospel from their lips of any greater worth? Last week I could not help but chuckle when I saw Mr. T preaching on TBN. No, I do not normally watch TBN, but I was flipping and there it was staring me in the face. I just kept waiting on him to say, "I pity da fool that rejects Jesus," but I must have missed it.

This week I conducted three funerals. I though about titling this message, "You Can't spell funeral without Fun", but decided against it. Last Sunday was my Grandmother, midweek was a middle age campground resident that died in her sleep and yesterday was an 18 year old that died in a car accident on her first day of college. Families torn apart with grief, burdens and raw emotion.

This I know to be true; the hope in each of these situations is not Paris Hilton, Lohan, Spears, Vick, Graham or Hinn. The only Hope for these families is Jesus. The scripture speaks to our hope and it does not talk of celebrity.

The Hope of the Resurrection

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.

Jesus is the hope at death and in life. Our hope is not because of our merit, good looks or family. Oh, that is wrong...it is all about family. We are His children, not because we deserve it, but because he loves us enough to die for us. He gave each of these families strength enough to keep pressing on...and believing.

He is the only celebrity worth talking about. He with no implants, no makeovers, and no shameless self promotion. He is our reason for being, he is our hope, he is our peace, he conquered death, hell, and the grave. Where is CNN when you need them?

So, Who are you raising up on the pedestal? It may shock us if we really take the time to analyze and answer.

August Readings

I have been able to read a lot in August. No wonder I am in such a good mood. This much reading is a rarity, and has been a lot of fun.

* * * *

Confessions of a Reformission Rev.: Hard Lessons from an Emerging Missional Church (The Leadership Network Innovation) (Paperback) by Mark Driscoll




* * *

Dear Church: Letters from a Disillusioned Generation (Paperback) by Sarah Cunningham


* * *

Faith of My Fathers: Conversations with Three Generations of Pastors about Church, Ministry, and Culture (Emergentys) (Paperback) by Chris Seay (Author)

This book is from the xxx church group. A good book that speaks about the addiction that is never talked about. These folks are not just flapping their gums, they are at Porn Conventions making a difference for Christ. Interested yet? Guess what? They even take wives along for accountability. I give this one

* * * * *.

Never stick your tongue out at Mama : and other life transforming revelations

Picked this one up at the local library. Should have left it there.

* *

by Max Davis

Sermon Maker, The (Hardcover) by Calvin Miller

Good book about preaching and touching the congregation. Need more preaching books like this. Many sermons are heavy on the Theology and light on the stuff that life is made of. Miller talks about a combination of the two.

* * * * *

Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith (Cover Image May Vary) by Rob Bell

I like this book, especially the middle section about Grace. It reminded me a lot of the Brennan Manning Classic, The Ragamuffin Gospel. Sometimes Rob Bells choppy writing style is aggravating. I think his NOOMA film stuff is great. Check it out at http://www.nooma.com/

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The Complete Live and Learn and Pass It on: People Ages 5 to 95 Share What They've Discovered About Life, Love, and Other Good Stuff (Hardcover) by H. Jackson Brown

Simple little book that can make you think. Good Bathroom reading---if you are inclined to pondering things while sitting.

* * * *

Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections Between Sexuality And Spirituality (Hardcover) by Rob Bell (Author)

I especially enjoyed the beginning and the end of this book. See note on Rob Bell above.

* * * *

Career Placement Test--Sermon Recap

In the Fall of 1984, I was sitting in Freshman English in a small classroom in Inman, S.C. Standardized Tests were given out and we answered about 200 questions, in hopes that we would begin thinking about our futures. As a Freshman, I was not thinking a lot about anything, unless it was girls, and that job did not pay too well.

After thinking about the test and carefully answering each question, I turned it in. Mr. Burns, the bearded English prof said, "Thanks, Mr. Jenkins," and off to the computer tabulation center it went.

About 6 weeks later the results came back. What was the proposed course for my future? Well, here goes:

1- Crime Scene Investigator- Now this is before the barrage of TV series about murder and figuring out whodunnit, only Jack Klugman, as Quincy was doing this well at this time. I was encouraged at the prospect of this career. I liked Quincy, he lived on a boat and that helped with the ladies.

2- Writer

3- Teacher


Now I am sure that some of you are surprised that I did not score well in the preaching area. Now that I think about it, you may not be surprised at all. Some of you may be saying, "Ahh, so that explains his problem." I did some research about the CSI work and decided I was not interested in all the Math and chemistry needed to succeed in this field. I have a few friends that are math nerds. I like them, in fact I like them a lot, but my mind just does not work that way.

It is funny though how I have not been able to escape dealing with death and dying. As a minister it happens all the time. People often ask about my congregation and what kind of people I work with. I reply, "From Womb to Tomb." The past three weeks I have dealt heavily in death and it seems to be everywhere I look.

Several weeks ago, I got a call from my uncle concerning the declining health of my Grandmother. I grabbed 5 days worth of clothes, a few books, and my Funeral Garb. You see, I even have special clothes to "Marry 'em or Bury 'em." The Geneva Gown is black with ruffles sleeves and looks very formal and solemn. I though black had a slimming effect, but somehow I think it does not apply with me.

The drive of 4 hours to the upstate of SC is one that I enjoy. Especially when I am alone. My mind takes me many places and often I get lost in the music and memories and wake out of my Daze around Columbia, SC. The car is a place where I clear my mind and has been the birthplace of many sermons. I do not do it much anymore, but I have been known to drive around and get lost and end up in the middle of nowhere. But, I drive still.

On that trip home, I thought a lot about my Grandmothers life. She was married over 50 years to my Pop. (There is a story about him on down in the blog--Check it out) In ways, she never recovered from his death. She lost 2 sons to tragedy and illness, and spent her life in a hard working but simple manner. If anything would make me lose my faith, it would be to lose my son in a tragedy. I guess that is one of those fears of mine that borders on the irrational, but the shroud of death is there. Although she suffered all that loss---she never lost her faith.

A stroke had left her unable to walk and becoming less able to talk and interact. I entered the hospital room and approached the bed. I grasped her hand and moved toward her ear, "How you doing, sweetie?" She was barely able to get out the reply, but it still came, "One Day at a time, Richard, One Day at a Time." The voice of a fellow walker on this road of life spoke from my soul, "Aren't we all, Grandma....Aren't we all." A day later, she stopped eating and drinking.

I spent about 5 days there. What does one do when death is coming? What is there to do beside one who cannot even talk anymore? I told Grandma that she was the best Strawberry Cake maker ever. I touched her face. I dipped a little mouth sponge on a stick into mouthwash to give her a fresh mouth. I helped nurses change a diaper and give a bath and realized that she once gave my Dad a bath and changed diapers too.

Her last remaining son is only 5 years older than me. He was a late gift to them. I have a pic of my Dad in a Graduation gown holding his little brother. Now that is a surprise! He has not had an easy time. Being raised by aging parents, competing with stories and memories of brothers that are dead. Dead people don't make mistakes, and sometimes his were magnified. The past few weeks have brought us closer. I have been able to meet his new wife and share a meal in their home. We were able to pray together and encourage each other and tell a few stories that brought smiles. Even her death has been a source of unity and reconciliation.

Driving to the hospital one morning, a little pup ran full speed out in front of me. I dodged to miss him and He kept running. Where to...? He was running toward a graveyard. I looked in the rear view mirror and saw gray hairs peeking through the red on my goatee.

I drove past a telephone pole that my buddy, Brent Blackwell ran his camaro into in 1986. It was in front of a mortuary. He lived, but the pole was still crooked.

I grabbed a paper and read about death. Local, State, National, and World....death.

We seem so separated from God, we seem so seperated from each other. We seem to be trapped by our fears and problems. What is our Hope? Is there an answer?

Romans 8:38-39
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

One evening, I looked over and my grandmother was playing with her wedding band. I couldn't help thinking that she was thinking about my Pop. I thought about their love and a deeper love as well.

Because she is His Bride--Death has been conquered
Because Death has been conquered-She has no need to fear
Because she has no need to fear--She has peace
Because she has peace-she is longing for him.

Because she longs for Him--He comes to get her
He comes to get her--because she is His bride.

Years ago at the lake, Grandma would call me or Amy and ask us to meet her at the fence. She would make me Strawberry Cake or make Amy a chocolate pie. There were more calls to Amy than me--but who's counting! We would reach over the fence and reach over to get the prize, a gift of her love.


Christ would meet my Grandma on Friday evening. She was wrapped in His righteousness as she entered into heaven. Jesus met her at the gate and ushered her in. He reached across and offered the gift of healing and restoration---and she will never be the same.

No matter what you are struggling with today, Jesus is there to meet you at the Fence and offer what you need. I have a feeling that if he can conquer Sin and Death and Hell...you are a piece of cake. Not strawberry, that is all mine...but you are a piece of cake. Reach out, he is there for you!!

Things I think about

If you see a self help book reduced to half price should you buy it?

I saw two Baptist churches side by side the other day. The names were Happy Home Baptist and Christian Fellowship Baptist. I bet they split over the color of carpet.

Thief

This Guy stole my book. Not really, but this is the book that I wanted to write. The sad part for me is that he wrote it better than I would have. The good part is that you can read my book and I can work on my new book. Unless Donald Miller steals it too! So, the question for you is...

"Who wants to borrow my book first?"

Not sure if an Apology suffices...

Bubble gum with Nazi sticker sold in Israel

Roll Bubble Gum's surprise sticker turns out to be of swastika wearing Nazi officer.
Reuters
Published:
08.14.07, 08:21 / Israel Jewish Scene

An Israeli woman was astounded to find a tattoo- sticker of a Nazi soldier inside a pack of bubble gum she had bought at her local store, Maariv daily reported recently.
"A surprise awaits you," said the "Roll Bubble Gum" pack, showing a picture of a pink wrapper alongside what it said was the sticker, which showed a Nazi officer in uniform and wearing a swastika armband.
Some suggested that the sticker was of "Red Skull", which is the name of a Marvel Comics villain, who is the enemy of Captain America.
Marvel featured three Red Skull villains in its comics, the first two were Nazi agents and the third a communist.
The newspaper quoted Orna Gutman, 23, as telling its website the pack's label was in Arabic and English and stated the gum was made in China but did not name the importer.

Sermon Recap- Holding the Reins

There are many different styles and approaches to preaching. The most popular style is the Expository approach. In this approach the preacher usually preaches through a book of the bible and breaks it down, verse by verse, paying special attention to original languages, word studies, cultural dynamics, and attempting to make the leap from a time long past to our present day situations. I like this approach, especially for churches filled with people that are lacking in basic biblical knowledge. The problem that I have with this kind of preaching is that often it is repetitive. If you have heard one exposition of The Adam and Eve story, then you pretty much have it and know where the preacher is going. There are essentially no surprises.

Another approach is the topical sermon. I am not a big fan of this approach because often it turns into soapbox preaching. Often a preacher will pick a sin to "rail about" for the week and find a lot of "proof texts" to substantiate their views. Popular topical sermons deal with homosexuality, divorce, alcoholism, and abortion. Often these types of sermons neglect the systematic whole of the scriptures and reduce the bible to a book of do's and don'ts.

Some very creative preachers act out the biblical story in a first person account. These ministers are extremely talented and imaginative. This technique is effective if used sparingly. A problem with that approach is that often a lot has to be added to a biblical account to make the presentation flow. This could pose as a danger, but often these dramatic monologues show the emotion of the characters involved and turn the scripture into much more than mere words on a page.

There are other approaches as well. My approach is a hybrid version. I think that is is very important to listen to what God is saying in your life. Often we walk around, paying little or no attention to the quiet voice of God. We need to notice the gentle pushes and amazing things that happen in our lives. My goal is to tell my stories and encourage you to tell your story. These touches of God, these Holy experiences, in light of the total scripture are often the things that let us know that we are not alone.

Six weeks ago, I went to the urologist. Sarah and I both have control issues.(Laughter) Now before you laugh too much, I know that some of you do too. We are all compelled to control and often times we are so good at it that we are blind to it and others are as well. So, I made an appointment for a surgical procedure, and gave my fine, caring doctor a one week window to work with. He gave me a date for the procedure, and I gave him money. I lined up someone to preach for me, and Sarah contacted her parent to keep Douglas. Everything was great until two days before the surgery...the receptionist called. "Mr. Jenkins, I know that you were scheduled for surgery on Thursday, but the Dr. will not be in that day. We need to reschedule you for the next week. Tuesday will be your day."

Let me tell you all, sometimes it is hard to be a Christian. Guess what, sometimes it is hard to be a Chaplain too. Many things flashed through my mind to say, and none of them were biblical. I had made all these plans, and I had secured a preacher, and I had planned to Go to my Moms the next week and I had already decided what I was going to read in the bed after my procedure and I...well you get the picture.

I was riding the horse named Life and I was holding the reins tight. I expected my life to go in accordance to my will and the way I yanked those reins. Guess what? God taught me a valuable lesson. He kinda sounded like Kenny Rogers, "You gotta know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em.

The plans changed and I went to visit the family a week early. I had the best time with them that I have had in years. It was laid back and non stressful. I was only there a brief time but was able to have good conversations with several family members and we just loved being together. It was time to let go of those reins that I HELD SO TIGHT. It is funny how God knows us better than we know ourselves.

On the way home last Sunday, I stopped at my usual pit stop area off Clemson Rd in the heart of Columbia. I grabbed my coffee and got ready to pay. I was in such a good mood and so thankful for what God had done that I told the cashier that I would pay for the paper that the lady behind me had in her hand. The lady asked, "Well, do you want the sports section or something?" "It is just for you, and remember God loves you." Now I do not normally do that kind of stuff. In fact, I am not sure why I did it then. I got back in the van and headed up the road.

Sarah called and told me that worship went well. Before I could tell my story, she told me this:

"Richard, we were in Plantation Pancake house about 5 minutes ago and Billy Ray(one of our regular folks) came by and paid for my breakfast. Oh, he paid for Peter and Deena's too. (They had helped with services in my absence.) Isn't that something?"

Now at the same time that I bought a paper my family was being provided for. Now I am not one of those TV preachers that treat God like a cosmic ATM. But it is funny how those tokens of Good will come flying back at us.

So in the instance, God spoke to me reminding my that I can pick up the reins of my life and make a difference in the lives of others. our lives are here to give away...not orchestrate. Our friends and family and neighbors are gifts, not to control...but to cherish.

I shared 2 other stories, but will not type those.

Scriptural emphasis was---

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all Thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths. PROVERBS 3:5

I used this text within the past 3 months---but evidently God planned for a revisitation!

The Follies of a Foley

The catheter was removed today. I am gradually getting more comfortable (odd word choice) with the process. Our bodies are all "fearfully and wonderfully made," at least that is the way the KJV puts it, and mine is closer to the fearful than the wonderful. Of all the places in the world to have scar tissue build-up, I happen to have it in my urinary tract. So, I ask the urologist what causes such a thing, and he gave me several possibilities:

1-Rough Sex--For some reason, this is not the one I am leaning toward. Surely he was being a funny Urologist!

2-STD--Squeaky Clean here!

3-Trauma due to sports injury--Now were on to something!

4-Born that way--Maybe, but why would it first manifest itself at the age of 33?

So, I am leaning toward my days of umpiring baseball and the wildness of pitches coming from the arms of 12 year olds.

The bad news is that this procedure is repeated usually once a year.

This is the fourth time that this procedure had been performed.

The first time, the catheter was TOO WIDE. Very painful. Removal of the too wide catheter was even more painful.

Second time--Catheter was too small. Passed blood clots for three days. Removal was easy.

Third Time--Just like the three bears, "Just Right." I moved around a good bit and bled a fair amount. Removal was a cinch.

Fourth Time-No moving around, perfect fit, minimal bleeding. Had a scare this morning though. When the nurse attempted to drain the water out of the balloon that holds the catheter in the bladder, the water did not come out as it normally does. Usually it is a pull of the plunger and the bulb deflates and "out comes the catheter." Today a few drops would come out and then she would start over and then a few drops more. Viewing this from above, I had way too much time to think. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead, as I envisioned the outcome of a partially deflated balloon being pulled through the place where a partially deflated balloon should not come. I took a deep breath, the nurse made a deep pull, and no reconstructive surgery was needed. All is Well!!

Although she made numerous threats to yank my catheter while I was down, Sarah was a very good nurse.

So, gentlemen..."Be nice to the wife, you never know when you may be in a situation where she has the upper hand. Oh, never mind, they always have the upper hand."

Skipping Church

No church for me this week. I took a quick trip to Lyman, S.C. to visit family. Douglas and I had a great time and Sarah enjoyed being alone for a bit. I had originally planned to take the trip this week, but my surgery date was changed. I had already secured a guest speaker, my good friend Peter Copeland.

During the worship hour I was in the middle of my drive home. I loved being able to listen to my music very loudly. The IPod holds 5000 songs. I think that it has 1200 that Sarah likes and I hate. There is also 1600 super high quality songs that I appreciate and that she despises. The remaining 200 songs we agree on. So, I put on the stuff that I liked and in the 4 hour drive I went through about 100 songs or so. These were the favorites of the trip.

Eleanor Rigby-Beatles
Lady Madonna-Beatles
Red House-Jimi Hendrix
Hey Joe-Jimi Hendrix
Brand New Day-Sting
One-U2
Mysterious Ways-U2
Hallelujah, I love her so-Ray Charles
Taking It to the Streets-The Doobie Brothers
You shook me all night long-AC/DC
I'm on Fire-Bruce Springstein
There will come a Day-Faith Hill
Not enough love in the World-Don Henley
Boys of Summer-Don Henley
Sunset Grille-Don Henley

So, I missed church and listened to AC/DC and the Doobies. Instead of the lyrics to "You Shook me all night long", I want to share the words of Rich Mullins, one of my favorite lyricists. Enjoy, and feel free to share how much you like or dislike my music. Sarah always does.

Well, I am a good Midwestern boy
I give an honest day's work if I can get it
I don't cheat on my taxes,
I don't cheat on my girl
I've got values that would make the White House jealous

Well, I do get a little much over-impressed
'Til I think of Peter and Paul and the apostles
I don't stack up too well against them I guess
But by the standards 'round here
I ain't doing that awful Lord,

it's hard to turn the other cheek
Hard to bless when others curse you
Oh Lord, it's hard to be a man of peace

Lord, it's hard, oh it's hard, You know it's hard to be like Jesus
Don't you know it's hard, oh it's hard, Oh Lord, it's hard to be like Jesus

And it's hard to step out on them waves
Hard to walk beyond your vision
Oh Lord, it's hard to be a man of faith

Lord, it's hard, Lord, it's hard, Oh Lord, it's hard to be like Jesus
Don't you know it's hard, oh it's hard, Oh Lord, it's hard to be like Jesus

Well, His eye's on the sparrow
And the lilies of the field I've heard
And He will watch over you and He will watch over me
So we can dress like flowers and eat like birds

And it's hard when your soul had been stripped bare
Hard to lift your eyes toward Heaven
Oh Lord, it's hard to be a man of prayer

Lord, it's hard, oh it's hard, You know it's hard to be like Jesus



Maybe I should have attended church before driving back?

Reading for July

I have had a lot of time to read this month. 5 star is top rating.



Take This Bread: A Radical Conversion (Hardcover) ****
by Sara Miles (Author)




God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It (Plus) by Jim Wallis (Paperback - Aug 29, 2006) *****




Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism by Scott Hahn and Kimberly Hahn (Paperback - Aug 1993) ****

I would love to dialogue with you after you finish these. All are books that make you think, and stretching the gray matter is never a bad thing.

Quote for thought

"Your life and my life flow into each other as wave flows into wave, and unless there is peace and joy and freedom for you, there can be no real peace or joy or freedom for me. To see reality -- not as we expect it to be but as it is -- is to see that unless we live for each other and in and through each other, we do not really live very satisfactorily; that there can really be life only where there really is, in just this sense, love."

Frederick Buechner

Lessons from Day Camp

**I thought that this site was ending, I had gotten out of the habit of posting and writing. Then I looked on the Apache Campground website and tadaa, there was a link to the chaplain's sermon site. Just what I needed...accountability. So, the site lives on!!



This past Friday marked the end of our Summer Day Camps at Apache. We had six weeks of VBS type activity for kids between the ages of 4-12. Groups came from KY, GA, TN, NC, SC and AL to share the Good News of Christ with our vacationers here in Myrtle Beach. This Summer has taught me several things of varying importance, and I am thankful to have the chance to share.

1-Kids love to Run and do stuff that is messy and nasty. If it involves sand and water and disgusting things, then they are all into it. Even the prissy ones get into it quickly.

2- Boys do not usually like dancing and music. I have told Sarah for years that my fear of dancing is hereditary. She still isn't buying what I am selling.

3- Cheap cookies are pretty tasty. Stale cookies are not.

4- There are many varieties of ready mix lemonade. Some are really good and some are terrible. There is very little middle ground here.

5- If you mix orange gatorade and lemonade, a new flavor is created..called YUCK!

6-Limbo keeps kids mesmerized and has about 15 minutes of high quality entertainment value.

7-Sometimes we learn a lot from observing. Several weeks ago, day camp was getting started and a boy kept riding by on his bike. He would not enter the ministry area, only riding around ignoring us. The Youth leader asked me what I thought about the kid, and I replied, "Be patient, he will be back by." He zipped past several more times but began to look in to see what was going on. Tuesday was a repeat of the previous day with the rider noticing that I was looking at him. Wednesday got him off his bike and he hid behind a huge support column on the perimeter of the Day Camp area. He had some poppers in his hand and would look under the pier at us and then throw a popper in our general direction. He was saying, "Notice me...I am here, Do you see Me?" He through another popper and one of the youth workers ran over and said, "You can't do that here. You are distracting us. Stop doing that." The kid dropped his head, got on his bike and sped off. By the way, I did not see him the rest of the week.

3 Weeks later a different boy came up on a Tuesday and rode his bike under the pier during the day camp. This is not allowed, as a kid could be injured and it is distracting. He saw that a group was under there and his usual area of bike tricks had been taken over by a group in yellow shirts that were doing crafts with kids. He inched closer on the bike and checked out the situation. He hung out until snack time and then left. The entire time was spent on his bike scooting from station to station. The next day he zoomed up as snack time was beginning. I asked him if he knew exactly when it was snack time? He said, "no man, I just woke up." I invited him over to eat cookies and drink lemonade. The group loved on him and he got off the bike and stayed a bit. Before he left, I challenged him to get there in time for the entire day camp which started at 10am. Thursday morning, Douglas and I headed off to grab a bite of breakfast before Day Camp. We swung by to drop off our registration notebook at the ministry site. It was 9:20 am and the kid was there already! "Is this early enough for you," he asked. His smile and mine spoke volumes and God whispered to me. "See Richard, love makes a difference. If my church would just focus on the can do's instead of the can't do's, the world would see that a life of faith is a powerful transforming thing."

I wonder this morning about the kid with the poppers. I wonder this morning about the kid that came to Day Camp early. He has gone now back to Ohio to be a son, student and brother. I wonder about the youth groups that came here to minister. I wonder about the 225 kids that came to Day Camp this Summer. I wonder about the 4 weeks that we had free because no church came. It only takes 10 people to lead a Day Camp. I wonder if you have a Church that would like to help. I wonder if you have a youth or middle schooler that God is going to call to ministry through a Day Camp at Apache. I wonder about a lot of things...what about you?

Random pictures that make me Smile

Stripped

"I was suddenly faced with my naked self, open for affirmations and rejections, hugs and punches, smiles and tears, all dependent simply on how I was perceived at the moment." Henri Nouwen

Your Tag is Showing

This past Friday, it was Golf day. I say this like it is a great time of fun and relaxation, but the truth could not be farther from the truth. I have not played a round of golf since Sarah and I have been dating. SO...that means 7 years married plus 2 years dating, that makes 9 years. Oh, I did not play in seminary either, and there was one year of seminary that I did not know Sarah...so that makes at least 10 years since I have played a round of golf. Thursday evening, I had to get ready. We hopped in the convertible and zoomed to Dick's Sporting Goods. I had to pick up balls. Looking through the brand names...I was impressed with the story that they spoke of...Titleist...Top Flite...and the one that I could not pass up...Pinnacle. While I was there I grabbed a beautiful Clemson hat that fit me just perfect.

The alarm buzzed at 5:30 am for our 7:30 Tee time. I was dressed for the part of recreational golfer: Nice colorful Madras Shirt, loose fitting shorts, and my spiffy new hat. I addressed the ball on the first tee, with my eye firmly staring at the pinnacle logo, I rared back and swung with all my might, straining to see the ball bounding hop after hop down the middle of the well manicured fairway. My vision is impeccable but I struggled to see exactly where the ball ended up. My worst fear was realized....I had missed the darn thing. Hmmm...if this was the PINNACLE, I was in big trouble. A tough pill to swallow for one as competitive as me. I prayed for rain....and God left me out there to take a beating! Dressing the part was not enough, I was a fraud, not a golfer.

This past week I spent time substituting in a classroom and noticed the shirts of the first graders. Three jumped out at me...as if God was yelling, "LOOK HERE IT IS!" There was a little girl (who I had noticed the other 2 times that I had been in the class) who was the outcast. She was rarely spoken too, and always was timid. She wore a shirt that said, "I am having a bad day" and the back said, "I need a Hug." The class trouble maker was wearing a shirt that said, "If you mess with me, I'll get even." Another kid was wearing a shirt that said, "99% Perfect."

My prayer is that I wish that we all were honest enough to wear our feelings on a t-shirt for each other to see. Walking into the worship service this morning...what would your shirt say? Perhaps..."My marriage is in the toilet." Maybe..."I have a drinking problem, or I am addicted to porn." Some would say, "I am a failure as a parent, or sometime I do not believe in God." Oh, but we sure do a great job of turning our shirts inside out so that people cannot see who we really are.

But what a shame that is,because if you and I were wearing the same shirt....then we could help each other. Instead we play the game of...Everything is just fine. Then nothing is ever improved upon and bettered.

James 5:16 says to us, "Confess your sins one to another, and pray for one another. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous person availeth much."

To negate the scripture we realize that it does not say...Keep your sins away from other people and forget about the needs of others. Prayer does no good anyway.

Trust is hard, but we are commanded to do it. It is for our own good. Will you try it? Will I try it? Do we dare?

Good Friday (Death) and Easter (Life)......Bad News and Good News

Christians have identity in the odd space between death and Life. Our hope is built firmly on the DEATH of Christ, but we are raised to new LIFE because he too, was raised from the dead. This past week, Sarah has been heavy in Spirit due to a situation at her school. Her take on the event is included below.

In my class at school, our kids are living in some very difficult family situations. Its the kind of things that make me more appreciative everyday for the childhood I had, which would be dream-like for some of the kids in my class. Anyway, last week it was brought to a unbelievable and sickening point. The news paper described it this way ...

"Myrtle Beach police found several hungry children living in a filthy hotel room on Thursday with no parent in sight.

Officers responded to the Sea Banks Motel at 2200 South Ocean Boulevard after a resource officer at Myrtle Beach Middle School told police one of the children had not been in class since Monday, according to a police report.

Police found the girl, 12, and her 7-year-old brother in the hotel room with several unidentified adults, the report stated.

Dog feces, dirty clothing and trash was scattered throughout the room.

There was no food and the children were wearing dirty clothes, the report stated.

The girl said she had not eaten a full meal in about a month.

It was unclear if an arrest was made in the case.

A representative from the Department of Social Services took custody of the children."

When he was still at school we knew things seemed worse for him, but we had no idea it was this bad. As a result of being in the custody of DSS, he is now in a different school in the district.

Please pray for me, for the other teachers who taught these two kids and for these two kids. I don't know the sister, but the boy is so smart, absolutely loves art class and just needs love and affirmation. Our class just isn't the same without him.

In situations such as this and the recent VA. Tech massacre, we are often numbed. Why do we fear feeling this pain so much. Usually this is the place where we can actually hear God speak...in our isolation and hurt. Each day in some countries hundreds of people are killed in bombings, wars and turmoil. We ignore it, and we should be ashamed. We ignore the issues that we read in the paper from the U.S., and sadly if I had read this story, without having the link to the child...I may have breezed right past to get to the comics. Father...forgive us. We have sinned.

Our world is a place for evil to roam, but the story below tells us again that often following DEATH...there is LIFE and in this case and the case of our Salvation...there is NEW HOPE.

NICKEL MINES, Pa. // As a morning mist burned off the surrounding pastures, four children hurried up the long driveway carrying lunch pails. The smallest boy skipped.
They were headed to a place where they had not been since a gunman changed their lives in October: a real schoolroom.

Monday, Amish children who survived the attack that killed five of their classmates began classes in a new schoolhouse, named New Hope Amish School.

"I think the day is sort of a bittersweet day for the community," said Herman Bontrager, a member of a liberal Amish sect and a spokesman for the organization that collects and disburses funds for the victims. "There's the excitement and enthusiasm about having a new school facility for their children, but it's also a stark reminder of what they lost."

Exactly six months before, early on the morning of Oct. 2, Charles Carl Roberts IV, a local milk-truck driver, rushed into the one-room West Nickel Mines Amish School. He ordered the adults and boys out and opened fire on the girls before taking his own life. Five girls died and five were seriously injured.

Fathers of the victims and other community members razed the old school a week after the attack and began construction on the new one, just a few hundred yards away, in January.

Monday morning, horse-drawn buggies and vans carrying students and parents pulled up the school's driveway, passing several police vehicles that guarded the school.

Two boys with thick blond hair cut straight across their foreheads chatted with police officers. Leaning on scooters, the boys gawked at the throng of cameramen, reporters and photographers who gathered in a parking lot some distance away from the school.

Other boys threw off their jackets as they ran into the schoolyard. They leapt into the air tossing basketballs and hanging onto a basketball hoop.

The small school, which is covered by rose-colored brick and yellow siding, is more secure than most Amish schools, Bontrager said. Encircled by a fence, it is set back from the road and surrounded by homes.

"No trespassing" signs mark all approaches to the school. The Amish community has issued a public statement asking members of the media not to approach them.

Learning resumes

Teacher Emma Mae Zook, 20, will preside over the classroom, just as she did in the old schoolhouse. About a week after the shooting, she began teaching students who were not wounded -- 15 boys and one girl who ran out with her brother -- in a nearby garage.

Three of the injured girls returned to school in the fall, although some have had to miss class time due to rehabilitation or surgeries. A fourth girl, Sarah Ann Stoltzfus returned to school just before Christmas. Despite a serious head wound, she is doing well in school, Bontrager said.

The youngest victim, Rosanna King, 6, remains in a semicomatose state although she appears to be improving, he said.

"She has shown some signs of physical improvement, enough so that they have decided to pursue some more aggressive physical therapy," he said, adding, "The prognosis still looks like major, long-term disability."

She currently breathes without a respirator; although, she is dependent on a feeding tube, Bontrager said. That the young girl lives is remarkable, since her injuries were so severe, he says.

It is uncertain why Roberts opened fire on the girls. He arrived with objects that suggest he was preparing to barricade himself inside the school and sexually assault the girls. In final messages to his wife, he indicated that he felt guilt over molesting young relatives decades ago, although the relatives did not substantiate those claims.

The Amish publicly expressed forgiveness of Roberts, who was not Amish, and reached out to his widow and children after the shooting.

Members of the community have drawn on the support of one another, Bontrager says. Many of the victims, their families and classmates have sought counseling, as have rescue workers who responded to the shooting.

Forgiving, moving on

Teacher Emma Mae Zook's sister-in-law, who was at the school on that October morning, gave birth last fall and named her baby after one of the victims, 7-year-old Naomi Rose Ebersole, Bontrager says.

His organization, the Nickel Mines Accountability Committee, has collected more than $4 million in donations for those affected by the shooting. The money is being used to cover medical bills and counseling. Trusts for the long-term care of the injured girls will be set up, Bontrager said.

Despite the large quantity of money that has been donated, the new school was built to the same modest standards of all Amish schools. There is no electricity, and toilets are located in separate outhouses. A simple jungle gym, at least one picnic table and a baseball backstop sit in the schoolyard.

At 8:30 Monday morning, the school bell rang, and the boys left their game and ran inside accompanied by several parents.

Bontrager thought that the day would begin with Bible readings and prayer. "I'm sure it was all very focused on thanksgiving for those who are there and for their lives and the buildings," he said.

The Amish community is grateful for the outpouring of support from the outside world, but anxious to heal in private, he said.

He added that the Amish are surprised that so many outsiders have remarked on their ability to forgive. "The Amish reaction is that's what you have to do if you try to follow Jesus, and you don't just do it once. Sometimes you do it 70 times seven times."

We are people of the Resurrection, we are people of New Hope, we are people who forgiven...hmmm 70 times 7, that probably is a LOW number.

Happy Easter every day!!

You Can't Always Get What you Want...

Many apologies for the delays in posting last few weeks sermons. I have good intentions, but...that sometimes does not equal results. I promise that I will do better...but I am not sure when. (Smile)

Brief synopsis:

03-11-2007 Observations, Questions, and Answers

03-18-2007 Bad Company

04-01-2007--Palm Sunday--Did not preach, as we were on vacation in Raleigh, NC.


Sermon recap for 03-25-2007 is listed below...

This past week, I spent a day shadowing a 3 year old in a child development class. He was very well behaved, and I think that it helps that I am a large man. It is something when you have to pull out all means of available intimidation tactics to control the behavior of a three year old. My job was pretty easy, just keep him form hurting himself or others. All things considered, it was a great day, especially since he took an extended nap from noon until 2:15. He woke up just in time for a walk out to the bus. Whew....grace comes in unexpected ways.

This little fellow had an awful habit. We went out to the playground and he mistook it for a buffet. Yes, you heard me correctly...he ate while on the playground. He walked out, grabbed a hand full of sand and popped it right in his mouth. My response...was to dig my fingers in there and scoop it right back out.

In wise, teacherly fashion, after making his mouth minty fresh...the lecture came. I drew back from my extensive research and parenting skills and quoted the famous philosophers, The Rolling Stones. Son, You can't always get what you want. The lecture did no good....as in 5 minutes, I was completing the procedure again. Scoop, cleanse...and lecture.

So today we are older and wiser than my little sand eater, but we often gravitate toward things that hurt us. We follow a long line of sand eaters, or forbidden fruit eaters. David gravitated toward Bathsheeba, and God was there to scoop him up afterwards.

The woman caught in adultery was drawn to harmful things as well, but let us not forget the roles her suitors played in the act.

Jesus played in the sand there, and told her to go and sin no more. In Paraphrasing...he said to the stone carrying judgers, "Hmmm, I smell hypocrisy...what about you. In the light of your own sinfulness, perhaps I should be taking aim at you."

This Lenten season we focus on the Christ that gave it all for us. He took the stones for us. He died in place of thse who desrved to feel the wrath of God. We still sin, and he still forgives...ask him!

Not often do we find wisdom from a Rock and Roll song, but.....

You can't always get what you want.
You can't always get what you want.
But if you try sometimes, you just might find...
You get what you need.



We need Christ, not Sin.
We need Love, not Hate.
We need concern, not indifference.
We need support, not condemnation.
We need Jesus, he does not need us.
I need you, and you need me.


If we eat sand...we need a toothbrush.
If we sin...we need a Savior!
That sounds like the Gospel to Me!!