Heaping up of troubles is not apocalyptic warning

I love this beach along the Napali Coastline in Kauai. May get to see it again this summer.

Earthquakes,tornadoes, oil spills, corrupt politicians...surely the end of the world is near!!!!!!!?????

I am sympathetic with the sincere person who concludes that when times are in upheaval it must mean the end is near. Sympathetic but unconvinced. There are physical, natural, human problems in every year of every era of history. They cycle in and out, sometimes cluster, and seem overwhelming, but......most who claim a particular verse of scripture to connect to today's news, are acutually reading someone elses mail. Biblical apocalypse had specific application to bring the Old Covenant to an end...it was the time of the end, not the end times. That is why there are so many apparently embarrassing time limits in scripture. ie. all these things shall happen before this generation passes.

Just pray for victims of disaster, support disaster relief, carry the love of Christ into hard times and hard places, hope those attempting to stop the old slick will succeed. But don't play the "this is the end" game. It really is embarrassing.

A new Droid user

Yep, I have been waiting to jump into a greater degree of connectedness. I liked the reviews about the new HTC Incredible so I was in a line of nine to get mine today. I have been saving for a new camera lens, but decided that will all our summer travel it would be nice to find places and locations and stores when we are in strange places. Our kids are message senders and now we will be as well. So, I am in learning mode and loving it.

Fellow parishioners, do not judge me for my love of high tech organizing and connecting tools. The world is really changing, and so will I, a little later and slower, but I am a life long learner. The wedding of Droid and google tools is awesome, the camera will post my travel pics, and I can catch news and weather anywhere.

Dying Fridge

Here is a classic kitchen photo from the 70s. Remember those models of Fridge.










We had a newer refrigerator when we bought this house but Laura said the colors was not right so we gave it away. Now almost 7 years later this machine is quitting on us. I guess there is never a great time to replace major appliances but just before vaca is not the ideal time. Anyhow, here comes the stainless steel Whirlpool. Glad to help the recovering economy thank you.

Enjoying Pixar Disney's Up tonight

I am hoping to expand the story hearing capacities of my folks with my movie choices.
Movies like Up help children and adults discuss life and death and fear and dreams. A bunch of the ladies are twisting their hubbies arms to come. This is a life affirming film and a love story and a friend story and a dog story, and of course a misquided villian story.

Say it is'nt so, Lorena!

This is the rebuilt practice green at Cottonwood Club, and it came out very nice. I posted a picture when it was being reshaped and expanded last fall.

Women's golf is losing a real class act with the early retirement of Lorena Ochoa. She is a credit to the game, to women athletes, to her country, and to her desire to shift her focus to family and children.

I was always impressed by the way she handled herself on the course whether playing well or poorly, always polite and in control, a great interview after every round, and some terrific competitive golf.

What are you doing to my hair?

Today I returned to a Presbyterian practice for a family spread all over the map who wanted to celebrate this event together. I have baptized many, many babies, and practiced believer's baptism and baptized many young and older adults. When asked, this practice does not violate my conscience, I get both views and embrace the lack of uniformity in baptismal practice because the issues are so similar. It really is an act of faith, a vow to raise a child in the faith, and hope that God will capture the heart of this little girl for His own.

When the children are a little older you never know what kind of reaction you are going to get, and this one was precious. Thanks to Roger B for doing a wonderful job with my Canon Xsi.

Who invented Clapping?

Freedie V is thanking the cooks at our weekend banquet.









Our Choir has a clapping song tommorrow, and we have the classic clapping passage for our final poetry emphasis. Isaiah 55, "all the trees of the field shall clap their hands"....obviously a metaphor, since only Disney trees have hands. Our church is a clapping bunch, always expressing appreciation even when the solemnity of some pieces would invite silence.

Applause in a nearly universal language. And a great percussion and timing instrument.