Future Articles/Essays

I am working (as time permits) on a couple of essays...

1) Congregational choice or family business -- on the growing trend of Baptist churches of allowing Pastors to choose their replacement or successor before they retire or resign...

2) Musical values - where do we obtain our values when it comes to music: from the world or from the Bible




Coming soon....

I have been tagged

I have been "tagged" by another blogger....

This is what I have to do as part of the process:

1. Search your blog archive.
2. Find your 23rd post.
3. Find the fifth sentence (this is meant to say something about you).
4. Post that sentence in your blog along with these instructions.
5. Tag five people to do the same.

Ok, my 23rd post was my last post regarding my letter to the editor being published in the StarTribune. The fifth sentence was, "This was a disgrace and an embarassment to the hard working, taxpaying citizens of this state" Yes, it is true, I am a hardworking, taxpaying citizen. It beats the alternative. Now I have to find five people who I will tag. I could only find one!

Mike

Well I made the paper again!

I have no problem in expressing my opinion. I do not have an opinion on everything, but if something strikes me just right, then I will do the American thing and comment on it. Those of you who live in Minnesota are probably aware of the Governor's attempt to call a special legislative session for the purpose of making a decision regarding funding for a new stadium for the University of Minnesota. I was aggravated about this because:

1. Recently, the Legislature wasted taxpayer dollars and then could not agree on a budget and then they shut down the State Government here. This was a disgrace and an embarassment to the hard working, taxpaying citizens of this State.
2. Minnesota has some crazy law on the books regarding the regulation of gas prices and there are many people who would like to see that law repealed and another law put in place (like Wisconsin's law which prohibits how often prices can be raised within an 8 hour period)
3. If the U of M wants a stadium, let them raise the money themselves and not raise the taxes of the citizens of this state to fund an athletic stadium. The same goes for the Vikings and the Twins, if they want new stadiums, let the owners build them with their money and not public money.
4. At the time of the writing of this post, gas prices here in the Twin Cities are $2.67 a gallon. I realize that there are places where people are paying more for gas (California, etc.), but I think that the fiscal priorities of the Governor are severly misplaced.
   

You can click on the link and read my post, the date it was published was 10/8/2005, so if you click on the link after that date, the link address may have changed.

Goodbyes are never easy

Today my wife and I along with members of our Sunday school class and church, bid goodbye to a dear couple and their children. This dear couple, John and Tammy, are moving to the East Coast, where John has a new job opportunity waiting for him. When I first heard the news almost a month ago, I thought it was a mistake, then it was confirmed that they were moving away. It is hard to say "good bye" to folks who are not only dear friends, but faithful servants of God.

John and Tammy were a blessing to me in the days before I got engaged and then before our wedding. They were a source of good advice and good information regarding some of the little things in our wedding. John served as an usher at our wedding.

Both Tammy and John ministered to Heidi and I when I was at home recuperating from my fall in January where I was homebound for a couple of months. Not only did they bring a meal for us, Tammy was a great encouragement to me, when I went from using the walker to the aircast. I never thought I would be able to give up the walker, but I eventually graduated to the aircast with a cane. I watched Tammy walk around in her aircast and she gave me some good advice when I eventually used mine.

We shared some good times with these dear folks, playing Balderdash a few times. John was always an encouragement to me, especially when I was going through some difficult times at work and then compounded with seminary classes. I could always count on him to be a spiritual blessing and encourager.

We know that God's will is perfect and that he makes no mistakes. Our loss here will be the gain of those they will unite with on the East Coast. Our prayers are with you as you travel, as you get settled, as you find a good solid Bible preaching church. We will keep in touch, and hopefully as the Lord allows us to pay you a visit!

I am reminded of the verse in Acts 27:3

"And the next day we touched down at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself."

Thanks, John and Tammy for being a blessing to us.