Funeral Rant

I am back from attending my cousins funeral in Quincy Illinois. The family gets smaller all the time it seems. My cousin was only 49 years old and just died in her sleep. You never know when your time will come.


The preacher who conducted the funeral hardly mentions her by name and used to funeral message as a means to convert people to his church. He even gave an alter call and asked people to visit him in his church office. I later learned from the funeral director that this preacher uses that same sermon for every funeral. If find that practice to be unethical.

Death in the Family

I will be out of pocket for a few days. I will be off to Quincy Il for a family funeral.

Preaching Limits

YEA!!!!  The congregation where I have been preaching has finally called a new pastor.

She will start on December 20th. Which means that my last Sunday there will be December 13.

It will be so nice to sit with my darling wife in church again.

Teen Irritation

It had been a long day at home, 13 year old Jimmy had done everything that irritated his mother and she had yelled at him for each violation. Finally in exasperation she said, "Jimmy, I would like to go at least one day with out yelling at you!"

To which Jimmy responded, "You have my permission."

2010 US Census

With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S… Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country.

Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice: 
** If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have e a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions.

However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home.

** Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information.

Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.

While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, the Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

Never click o n a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

How Many Times

In the Gospel of Matthew Peter approached Jesus and asked how many times he should forgive some one and then said “As many as seven times?”

Peter wanted to know the limits of forgiveness. How far does a follower of Jesus need to go in tolerating and reconciling with those who sin against him? Peter very likely thought that seven times was very generous as the law only required the Hebrews to forgive three times.

It is tempting for us to want to say to someone who is irritating us: “Sorry, but you have used up the time that I am required to forgive you.”

Jesus teaches us that since there is no limit to God’s forgiveness of us, then we need to forgive others without limit as well. As long as someone asks us for forgiveness we are to forgive. Remember that in the Lord’s Prayer we pray to God to forgive us in the same was we forgive others.

Joy and Peace

I have been reading the Prophet Isaiah chapter 65 and I see that the prophet reminds us that God wishes for us to live in peace with one another. The bickering and fighting that often happens among families  and groups of people is painful to the God who loves us all. 


Instead God desires us to care for one another and to deeply enjoy the gift of all creation. When our choice are made in harmony with God's love and care for all of us, then we can be at peace with God and one another.


How can we be more at peace with those around us?