The following clip I found on Youtube is of one of my favorite George Carlin bits. While his act was not always suitable for family viewing, most of us have seen at least part of his routine and no doubt experienced a good laugh. Carlin was a comic genius and he will be missed. Enjoy George Carlin’s Baseball vs. Football.
George Carlin Baseball Football comedy video Youtube
Greeted by Angela and Rachel, warm temperatures and thunderstorms, I returned home from Alaska late Saturday afternoon after a 26 hour journey aboard four airplanes and two of America’s busiest airports, LAX and Atlanta. It was a long trip home and it is good to be back. Not only am I still a bit jet lagged, but I am also faced with a long list of things that need attention. Today I will be playing catch up with all that has happened during my absence. There is progress on my first call, items around the house that need attention and we want to begin looking for a new car to purchase before the end of the month. All of these and a few more items are on the front burner.
My father-in-law and I had a great trip and I am ready for another journey to Alaska. I have some photos I want to share and perhaps a video or two as well. Tomorrow I will begin posting some pictures from the trip along with a few reflections.
Today is also the 13th anniversary of the day Angela and I began our life together. I feel so incredibly blessed that I am married to Angela and words are not enough to describe how much I love her. Happy anniversary Angela! I love you all the most…all the rest…all there is….plus one!
So David, where are you going again? Just click on the video link from Youtube and you’ll know all about it.
The time has come to hit the road. I’m off to visit the 49th state for ten days of fishing and enjoying God’s good creation. Feel free to browse my archives while I’m gone and I’ll begin posting again on June 21st.
This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Every now and then I mention that I love reading books by Henri Nouwen. Nouwen was such a great spiritual leader as well as someone who embodied the loving spirit of Christ in all of his actions and deeds. One of my favorite devotional books written by Nouwen is his yearlong journal he kept entitled Bread for the Journey. In this book are the reflections that Henri jotted down each day for an entire year, and then published them as a guide to help those who desire to live a spiritual life. The following is an excerpt from the book, today’s message from Henri Nouwen.
Empowered to Pray
Prayer is the gift of the Spirit. Often we wonder how to pray, when to pray, and what to pray. We can become very concerned about methods and techniques of prayer. But finally it is not we who pray but the Spirit who prays in us.
Paul says: “The Spirit … comes to help us in our weakness, for, when we do not know how to pray properly, then the Spirit personally makes our petitions for us in groans that cannot be put into words; and he who can see into all hearts knows what the Spirit means because the prayers that the Spirit makes for God’s holy people are always in accordance with the mind of God” (Romans 8:26-27). These words explain why the Spirit is called “the Consoler.”
I don’t know about you, but when I am alone in prayer there are plenty of times when I try to put my thoughts together in logical order so as to pray a meaningful prayer. All too often I end up concentrating on the words of the prayer instead of simply following the Holy Spirit’s lead and enjoying my quiet time with God. Another favorite author and theologian understood this, and explained it is simple language that captures the essence of our prayerful relation with God, and how we come before God through the gifts of the Holy and Life giving Spirit. In his small catechism, Martin Luther explains the third article of the Apostles Creed:
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
What does this mean? I believe that I cannot come to my Lord Jesus Christ by my own intelligence or power. But the Holy Spirit called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, made me holy and kept me in the true faith, just as The Holy Spirit calls, gathers together, enlightens and makes holy the whole Church on earth and keeps it with Jesus in the one, true faith. In this Church, The Holy Spirit generously forgives each day every sin committed by me and by every believer. On the last day, he will raise me and all the dead from the grave. God will give eternal life to me and to all who believe in Christ. Yes, this is most certainly true!
When we come before God in prayer, we come as needy people; people who cannot come before God without the help of the Holy Spirit. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we enabled to meet God on such an intimate level. We must understand that it’s not the words of our prayer that God receives with joy; rather, God knows our hearts and receives our prayers as faithful response to the gifts of the Spirit. In prayer, God receives us, the totality of our very being. Through prayer we enjoy communion with God, no matter how unworthy our words seem to be.
Loving Father, we give you thanks for the gifts of your Holy Spirit that we may come to you in prayer. Continue to bless us with these gifts, and help us to be such blessing to others that they too may realize the power of Christ, through these same spiritual gifts. We humbly pray for this and all that you see as good for us, through the precious name of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Henri Nouwen spiritual gifts prayer Martin Luther Luther’s Small Catechism Apostles’ Creed
As the time is getting closer and closer, I am becoming increasingly excited about my trip to Alaska. A few of my friends have been to Alaska at one time or another, and each has a story to tell. Listening to all of them, one thing has become crystal clear; I’m going to have a great time. The best part of the entire trip will be the simple fact that I don’t have to plan anything, and I don’t have to keep to any schedules except for making it to the boat in time to go fishing.
I am going with my father-in-law Carl, who has traveled to the Kenai Peninsula several times over the last ten years. He knows the folks at the lodge who own the cabin we will be staying in, and he knows the fishing guides who will be taking us out in the bay for halibut fishing, and in the glacier fed rivers where we will fish for king salmon.
On the days we don’t fish we will be traveling by car to some of Alaska’s most beautiful places. We hope to visit the towns of Seward and Homer, and along the way we should be able to see many glaciers and other wonders of God’s creation. I have my camera packed with extra memory sticks, and I also plan to take along my video recorder to try and catch some of Alaska’s wildlife. Most certainly we will see some moose, but not like this.
Welcome to Saturday, June 07, 2008
Feeling Good in the Neighborhood
Breakfast this morning will cost $5.00. We will be dining on pancakes, bacon and coffee, perhaps even an orange wedge for a garnish. Sound a little over the top for Saturday morning at the breakfast table? Well, it’s not when you consider that Rachel’s swim team is serving a pancake breakfast at our local Applebee’s to raise money for their season.
This is going to be fun. The smallest kids on the team (Rachel’s group) will be acting as hosts and hostesses while the older kids will be waiting on tables, serving and also clearing the tables for the next guests. Hats off to our local Applebee’s for helping the kids out in such a unique way. When I was a kid we would have washed cars or something.
One man’s Trash
By now we’ve all most likely heard the phrase; “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Well, this story I came across earlier in the week gives it new meaning. It seems that one man’s trash can also be more than treasure, it can be his final resting place. Fredric J. Baur, designer of the now common place Pringles can died and chose to have his ashes buried in one such container. No doubt the Pringles can made him a fortune, and we have all probably found several uses for the empty containers, but none quite like Baur’s. Read the full story here.
Well, this is an abbreviated Saturday Morning Post, it’s time for pancakes. Later I hope to upload a few pics of our favorite waitress. Until then……….
Borrowing a line from Carly Simon’s song, “Anticipation is making me wait.” I have mentioned it in passing, but next Tuesday I will be traveling with my father-in-law to Alaska for ten days of fishing and just plain relaxation. I haven’t had such a vacation in years, and I can’t think of any better place to go after spending the last four years in study at seminary and preparing for a career change.
Fortunately, I have had the benefit of seeing plenty of pictures that my father-in-law has taken on his several trips to Kenai, and even some from when he took our son Derek a few years back. I can’t wait to take in the beauty of the landscape, and feel the cool air. I also can’t wait to be out on the water fishing and listening to our guide explain the nuances of our surroundings.
I have made a list of books to take for those days when we are not fishing. First and foremost I plan on spending some quite time in the wilderness reading some of my favorite psalms and reading my psalter. This will be a spiritual exercise that I have missed since I was at sea in the navy so long ago. Next I plan to take along one of my new books, most likely Seeds of Hope: A Henri Nouwen Reader by Robert Durback. Between these two books I should have plenty to contemplate and reflect on as I spend some time apart from everything else that distracts me, but I have a few other small books in by bag as well.
From what everyone tells me who knows, the salmon will be plentiful, the halibut will put up a fierce battle, and we will most certainly see some moose and bears. From what I’ve read, there are over 100,000 glaciers and ice fields in Alaska, many near the place we will be staying. Like I said, I can’t think of a better place to spend some time apart from the rest of the world, time to relax, and time to simply enjoy being one of God’s beloved children.
For this week’s offering, Sally wrote: “This week I took some time out to stop and walk and take in the view; my son Chris is studying in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, too often we simply drive up there, turn around and come home! This time Tim and I took time out to take in the view. It occurs to me that we need to do that more in life.”
She’s right you know. We all live busy lives and sometimes we don’t even notice the beauty that surrounds us. Even when we travel from one place to another, we simply zip by in order to get where we are going. Sometimes it would be better to simply pause and take a breath. With that in mind, here is my offering for the RevGalBlogPals Friday Five.
1) How important is the “big picture” to you, do you need a glimpse of the possibilities or are you a details person?
I guess I’m a big picture type person. I am always thinking more in terms of possibilities rather than details. Too often, details stifle possibilities and discourage dreamers.
2) If the big picture is important to you, how do you hold onto it in the nitty gritty details of life?
I am fortunate that my wife and best friend is a details sort of person. When I am busy dreaming of what might be, she is thinking of the necessary things to make such things a reality. When working, I try to include plenty of detail oriented people in projects and listen to what they have to contribute. I’m thankful there are people who enjoy the details as much as I enjoy the dream.
3) Name a book, poem, psalm, piece of music that transports you to another dimension ( one….what am I thinking….)
It’s a tie between Psalm 23 and The Road not Taken by Robert Frost. Then of course there is Fur Elise by Beethoven and Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major. Paintings? How about Van Gogh’s Yellow House or Sidewalk Café at Night. There’s so much to choose from.
4) Thinking of physical views, is there somewhere that inspires you, somewhere that you breathe more easily?
I love going to the Mountains in western North Carolina. When we need a break that is the place we escape to; particularly the town of Highlands.
5) A picture opportunity… post one if you can ( or a link to one!)
This is a photo of Linville Falls near Boone, NC.
Too bad this Friday Five didn’t come a week later. On Tuesday I am heading to Alaska for 10 days of taking in the BIG picture. I’ll be sure post some photos.
dreamers mountains music Van Gogh big picture Beethoven Robert Frost
It’s a world of laughter, a world or tears,
its a world of hopes, its a world of fear.
There’s so much that we share
that its time we’re aware,
its a small world after all.
CHORUS:
Its a small world after all.
Its a small world after all.
Its a small world after all.
Its a small, small world.
There is just one moon and one golden sun;
And a smile means friendship to everyone.
Though the mountains divide,
And the oceans are wide,
It’s a small, small world.
By Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman
Sorry if I unintentionally planted that never ending song from Disney World firmly in your brain, but the smallness of the world is quite evident this morning. Even though our daughter Katie is on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, we can speak to her or send messages back and forth instantly. Case in point; this morning as we were still sleeping, she left a comment on my blog telling us that she was headed to York. As I write this, I know that Katie is shopping, because when family visits the U.K. they always head to certain specialty shops in York.
As each of her grandchildren turn 11 years old, my mother-in-law takes them “home” with her to England. The trip is a whirlwind tour of London, York, Edinburgh, and across the English Channel to visit Paris. Katie is the third of our kids to make this trip, but somehow it is different sending Katie to Europe than it was when we sent our boys. Perhaps it is because it has been a while since Derek went and we are just feeling a bit more nostalgic. Perhaps there is another reason.
This year is a summer of travel for our family. While Katie is in Europe, I will be heading off to Alaska with my father-in-law for a bit of relaxation. As a seminary graduation gift, he is taking me salmon and halibut fishing in Kenai. Needless to say, I can’t wait. I have always wanted to go to Alaska but never really figured I would get much chance. For ten days we will be staying at a small lodge, fishing the various rivers and even heading out into the bay a time or two
While all of this is going on, Angela and Rachel will be taking a week to visit friends in Wisconsin. Angela and her friend Kim have kept in touch ever since Kim’s family moved to Wisconsin a few years ago, and now seems to be the perfect time for a reunion and renewing of friendship. Kim’s husband Marc is a student at the Episcopal Church seminary in Nashotah, Wisconsin. Perhaps he caught the bug from me, but I think it is great that he is there. He will make a fine priest.
It is in these instances that I will be glad that it is a small world after all. While I am in Alaska, Katie will be halfway around the world in Paris, while Angela and Rachel are some where in between. As I wake up in the morning, Katie will be getting ready for bed. As I eat my supper, a new day will be dawning in Britain and a new adventure will await her. Our family will literally be scattered around the globe, but we will be able to contact one another in an instant. Certainly we will miss one another, but think of the dinner table conversation when we all finally make it back home. We will have literally hundreds of pictures to share, and memories that will last a lifetime.
It is a world of laughter and a world of tears, but it is also a world in which people can remain connected no matter how far away they seem to be. These are our vacation plans for the summer, the first time that we have all gone in different directions at the same time. Yet, I am sure it will be a summer vacation that we will talk about for years to come.
So I’m curious, what are some of your best summer vacation memories? What places have you been to and what are your favorite stories?
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea– for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20
Many people spend a lifetime trying to run away from Christ’s invitation to fish for people, perhaps I am one such person. Way back when I was a kid, the pastor of my church and the principal of my school both told me that after high school, I should consider college and then seminary. Like so many adolescents, I quickly dismissed their comments as wishful thinking. Instead, I followed my dream to work in the electronics field, and that is what I did for nearly twenty-five years. But you know, when God calls, you can’t run forever.
Even the most casual reader of this blog knows that I have just completed my Master of Divinity degree at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. It was four of the most challenging, and demanding, yet rewarding years of my life thus far. Jesus’ invitation to drop what we are doing and go fishing for people is not one that is to be taken lightly, and many who begin seminary don’t finish. It isn’t easy. Whether on the ordained ministry track, or the Master of Arts and Religion track, people who attend seminary don’t complete their course of study and discernment and emerge unchanged. Ordained minister or consecrated lay leader, it makes no difference; newly appointed church leaders all go through some sort of transformation, and then abandon their fishnets and begin fishing for people.
So why the sudden urge for such reflection? Well, it has been nearly a month since my class graduated, and now a few have accepted their first call to become pastor and have ordination services planned. Others, like me, are nearing the final stages of the call process and are contemplating a life in ministry. The changes we have experienced through the candidacy process, the revelations we have experienced and the lessons we have learned are all about to be put into practice. In a sense, my classmates and I have dropped our nets and we are taking those first steps with Jesus, anticipating, wondering, and eagerly answering God’s call to be disciples.
Several of the blogs I read daily are published by students at various ELCA seminaries, and each is in a different phase of their discernment. Reading these blogs always makes be pause and remember what it was like at the beginning. Still, there are other blogs I read that are published by recently called pastors, not far removed from the seminary experience. In essence, they have cast their first lines into the waters, relying on Jesus to fill their nets.
Somewhere in between these two sets of blogs is where I find myself standing at the moment. It’s a strange place to be sure. But through it all I know and understand that soon I too will be casting my net into the waters. What a joy it will be to go fishing with Christ, and what a thrill it will be, to know that the dream my pastor and school principal had for me all those years ago will become a reality. Thanks be to God.
Jesus gospel fishers of people seminary pastor Master of Divinity ELCA
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