Thanks to Bumble's blog a few days ago, I was reminded about registering to vote. Haven't voted for 8 years, partly because we were out of the country and partly because I was just sick of what's going on in politics. But the newest issue of World Magazine changed my mind last night, particularly the stories on vote rigging in Kenya and the assasination of Benazir Bhutto. I was reminded how blessed we are to have a peaceful democratic process in the US, regardless of the ugly tactics our politicians used and the poor decisions they made. So this morning I woke up thanking God for the opportunity to vote, and I prayed for an election outcome according to His will. I don't claim to know what that outcome should be. But I did register to vote today. The real hard part was to decide which political party to affiliate with this time!
I also wrote a check of $4500 to the IRS, for part of my 2007 Estimated Tax. I've been missing my tax payment for 3 quarters. Anyhow, I've never been so "happy" to pay tax, knowing that this is such a small price to pay for the blessings I'm enjoying in this land of freedom. And I thanked God for an opportunity to contribute to our privilege of peaceful democracy. I know I sound "preachy," but I really feel thankful today!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Snowed In
In exchanged for our rather uneventful Christmas and New Year, the Lord gave us an exciting and somewhat scary time in Truckee near Lake Tahoe.
We'd planned for 3-4 days of skiing but ended up spending less than 3 hours on the ski slope Wednesday afternoon. The storm arrived on Thursday, shutting down all the local mountains. We went sledding at a local park instead (at least we could still drive around that day):
By Friday the whole area was whiteout - heavy snow, strong wind and continuous blizzard for 3 straight days! Good thing we stayed near a supermarket which we could walk to, with some effort, to get the latest weather news. There was no internet at the condo, power was out for a while, and when the power was up the TV signal was down, and so we lost contact with the "outside world" for a little bit. It was scary, but exactly what I needed - a short isolation from the diversion of city life in order to encounter the majestic creation of our mighty God.
The kids had a GREAT time playing in the snow while I tried to "take it all in":
By Sunday we had to get on the road to go home. Being a pastor itching to open God's Word on Sunday, I gathered everyone before we left the condo. I read from Psalm 93, acknowledged the majesty of God, thanked Him for the encounter, and prayed for a safe trip home. Wouldn't you know it, ours were the last 2 cars that were allowed on I-80 before the freeway was shutdown again. We barely made it through and arrived home safely. Even my brother acknowledged that my prayer "worked"
.
I savored the "no-internet" opportunity until Tuesday afternoon, after a prayer retreat in Santa Cruz to break the fast. There were over 100 emails waiting, taking several hours to process & respond. (although I did spend a few hours online on Monday to shop for a new laptop. It was an emergency - my faithful Thinkpad finally crashed after 5 good years of loyal service
, through the thicks and thins of seminary life and ministry, but that's another story)
We'd planned for 3-4 days of skiing but ended up spending less than 3 hours on the ski slope Wednesday afternoon. The storm arrived on Thursday, shutting down all the local mountains. We went sledding at a local park instead (at least we could still drive around that day):
By Friday the whole area was whiteout - heavy snow, strong wind and continuous blizzard for 3 straight days! Good thing we stayed near a supermarket which we could walk to, with some effort, to get the latest weather news. There was no internet at the condo, power was out for a while, and when the power was up the TV signal was down, and so we lost contact with the "outside world" for a little bit. It was scary, but exactly what I needed - a short isolation from the diversion of city life in order to encounter the majestic creation of our mighty God.
The kids had a GREAT time playing in the snow while I tried to "take it all in":
By Sunday we had to get on the road to go home. Being a pastor itching to open God's Word on Sunday, I gathered everyone before we left the condo. I read from Psalm 93, acknowledged the majesty of God, thanked Him for the encounter, and prayed for a safe trip home. Wouldn't you know it, ours were the last 2 cars that were allowed on I-80 before the freeway was shutdown again. We barely made it through and arrived home safely. Even my brother acknowledged that my prayer "worked"
.I savored the "no-internet" opportunity until Tuesday afternoon, after a prayer retreat in Santa Cruz to break the fast. There were over 100 emails waiting, taking several hours to process & respond. (although I did spend a few hours online on Monday to shop for a new laptop. It was an emergency - my faithful Thinkpad finally crashed after 5 good years of loyal service
, through the thicks and thins of seminary life and ministry, but that's another story)
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Pizza for New Year's Eve
During our years at Regent College, my family became close with many wonderful friends from all over the world, so close that none of us wanted to return when our time was up. My children still say the time in Vancouver was the best 3 years of their lives. Fortunately for us, two of our Regent friends, Betsy and Grace, have settled in the same area as ours, and they came by to share a quiet New Year's Eve celebration with us. Had a great time discussing (and integrating) theology, spirituality, marketplace, personal journey, and food. I've missed having discussions like this. Thank you Betsy & Grace!
I made three awesome pizzas on the new baking stone I bought this Christmas. Without a wood-fired pizza oven, the baking stone is the next best thing!
Happy New Year everyone! May 2008 be the year that we all grow in awareness of God's constant goodness around, in and through us.
Tomorrow my family will be driving up to Tahoe for a few days of vacation. There's a BIG storm coming this weekend, but the house has been paid for so off we go. LORD, please have mercy!
I made three awesome pizzas on the new baking stone I bought this Christmas. Without a wood-fired pizza oven, the baking stone is the next best thing!
Happy New Year everyone! May 2008 be the year that we all grow in awareness of God's constant goodness around, in and through us.Tomorrow my family will be driving up to Tahoe for a few days of vacation. There's a BIG storm coming this weekend, but the house has been paid for so off we go. LORD, please have mercy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
