I took a littl blog breather

but I'm back...

We went away for a little family vacation, and where we landed had no access to the interweb (ht SMM). In fact, we were about 30 minutes outside of the nearest town, at the very end of a dirt/gravel road. Kim booked us in a little cabin nestled on the Shenandoah River, and it was wonderful.

We spent 5 days playing in and around the water, making mountain pies and memories...

Then we cruised down the Upstate (that's South Carolina) to see my folks. They live on a lake, and my kids can't get enough of the water. They loved being dragged around the lake behind Paw Paw Rusty's boat. It was a great time to reconnect with my parents and MawMaw.

If you're interested (or bored) you can view some photos here...

I love the 80's

The sermon series kicked off tonight, and the set looks great. Adam knocked off the Rubik's Cube in no time at all, and he and Scott Mangene did a great job leading worship. I only wish that we had added some 80's music to the set...I'll have to watch that I don't get caught up in the memorabilia and lose sight of the main message.

Last week I discovered/remembered what trips me up preaching all the weekend services--my memory. I forgot to tell one of the stories at the 11:00--I thought I had already shared it. Oh well.

I enjoy preaching. Most folks ask me if I get tired from all the speaking, but it energizes me.

This series (Psalms in the 80's) should be a good one, with lots of points for us to grow as followers of the Most High. Plus, there's the cool toys on stage...I seriously want to play the Atari.

late night rambling...

sorry for the lack of posts in the last few days...this week has flown. I have to figure out how to manage my time better with the preaching...

• Kim and I got the most encouraging letter we've ever received today. It came from a young lady who was part of our youth group, now in college. She is a jewel, and growing so deep in the Lord. It blessed our socks off.
• I'm starting a new series at Calvary this weekend: I Love the 80's! While the trappings and set will focus on the decade of decadence, the content will flow from the Psalms in the 80's. Not the decade, but the Bible, Psalms 80-89. Read ahead if you want...
• I'm still frustrated with trying to move this here blog. I have a domain name, but I'm needing HELP!
• 17 couples met me on the field for a pre-game renewal of their wedding vows tonight before the Spikes game. One couple was actually celebrating their 64th anniversary! How cool is that!
• Check out Joshua 14--Caleb steps up to claim the promise that he was given at age 40. He spied out the Promised Land and was one of 2 (Joshua was the other) who gave a thumbs-up. Moses promised him land. He's now 85, and wants the hill country, even though there are Anakites living there--Giants who ruled the land. He's still strong, able to fight, and vows that "if the Lord is with me, I will drive them from the land." I want that kind of vision, faith, and perseverance. I'm 40 myself, you know...

some like it hot

but not me so much.

We've lived in PA since 1990, and have never lived in a house with air conditioning. I know, if you're reading this in one of the southern states, that sounds crazy. But they didn't put AC in homes built in this part of the country until the 80's (my guess; I have no proof of this, but it sounds right.)

Most of the year, that's not a problem. We have a bunch of great shade trees, and our house stays cool long into the day. When it's in the low 70's with low humidity, our house can actually fool me into wearing jeans and a long sleeve shirt when I head out in the morning. We have an attic fan that does a great job of pulling the cool night air in to make it oh so comfy for sleeping.

But when it's muggy and reaching the mid-80's, our house is a veritable sweat box. The night air is clammy, and there's no escaping the humidity. I get out of the shower, dry off, and in a few minutes feel like I need a towel. My flip flops are sticky wet. Nights like tonight make me wish that we had AC, or make me want to grab a sleeping bag and take the family over to the church for a camp-in...

Fortunately, the number of nights like this are few, and we'll soon be back into the low-humidity, cool nights that we love so much.

thanks

Many thanks to those of you who were praying for us over the past few days.

Kim and I got home this evening, and we're about ready to crash. Pap's funeral was today. I got to lead the service, and it was an honor to lead people in celebrating Pap's life, so full of faith, hope, and love. Pap lived well and full. There were lots of tears, and lots of laughs. Several people spoke about how Pap influenced their life and faith.

Pap was a constant in our lives, and even though most of us didn't see him every day, we always knew that Pap was there, praying for us. It's going to be difficult to visit Bedford, knowing that Pap won't be there. I can't even imagine what Gram must be going through. 66 years of marriage...how do you wake up and face the day without your lifelong best friend?

There was a great wall of photos recapping Pap's life. All the grandkids and great-grandkids loved looking at those photos, seeing what Pap looked like when he was young and strong. It was fun to be reminded of special times together.

Everyone was interested in seeing where they showed up in Pap's life. But I think the bigger thing now will be looking to see where Pap shows up in our lives...

wet fireworks, anyone?

Well, it looks like Happy Valley is in for another wet and gray 4th of July. The Sublett family has hosted a party for the families of our students for many years now. We have a great spot for viewing the fireworks over at the stadium, and a good backyard for hanging out.

Did you know that State College has the #3 rated fireworks show in the country? I guess we're kind of a big deal.

I don't know why, but the last few years have been pretty funky in terms of June and early July weather. Is it the melting polar ice caps that are releasing all the extra water into the atmosphere?

Anyway, if you're looking for a slightly damp hamburger to go along with your fireworks, drop by the Sublett house!

an unexpected blessing, and pain

Kim and I loaded the kids into the van and headed to Bedford today. Her grandfather, Pap George, is in what looks to be the last days of his life. Kim and the girls got to see him Sunday, but Levi was sick, and couldn't visit. It meant a lot to Levi to get to say goodbye to Pap.

Pap is 87, and his health has gone steadily downhill over the past few weeks. Yesterday he fell asleep around 2 pm, and they couldn't wake him to give him his meds. We weren't even sure he'd hang on until we got there. But today was good.

Pap was in and out of sleep, but his mind is sharp. He can't talk much, but he knew everyone in the room. We had a good time of visiting with him.

Toward the late afternoon, Pap's doctor stopped in to see him. He talked to Pap, and asked a few questions:
George, are you in pain? Pap shook his head to say No.
George, you're not doing well. Do you understand that? head shake yes.
George, are you scared?

Pap swallowed, looked the doc in the eye, and said
Why should I be scared?

Our Pap loves Jesus, and knows that this life is only the warm up for eternity. I want to be so bold and confidant when my time comes. What a blessing to see Pap, even here at the end of things, so certain of his hope.

what are you watching?

What is it that you want out of life? What do you hope for, dream about...what drives you to get out of bed each morning? What are you working for, living for?

For most of us, I am guessing that our lives revolve around shallow wants and desires--things that are important to us, but not truly necessary for life.

I have about a million different hobbies, ways to pass time, exert energy, devote time and attention, and spend money. Most of the time I find myself in some stage of GAS: Gear Acquisition Syndrome.

I am convinced that ebay feeds that addiction. I know it does for me.

Right now I'm in a constant state of looking for a Karmann Ghia. My grandfather drove one, and I want one like his. This desire is driven by the gas crunch and nostalgia, but there's something deeper.

Before the Ghia, I was watching kayaks. Before that, it was Wayfarer sunglasses. Or high-end acoustic guitars, or roller hockey goalie gear, or backpacks, or laptops, or running shoes, NCAA baseball jerseys, or something else.

I don't often pull the trigger. Most of the time it's the thrill of the hunt that makes it sort of fun. Where can I find the best deal, the biggest savings, the scoop...but I think that the constant looking, the endless want, the relentless pursuit of something else/new is indicative of an issue that I need to address.

It might be called lust, or greed, or consuming consumerism, or a lack of contentment. It flies in the face of the things Jesus taught, runs counter to the simple life that I know would make life, well, simpler.

What's the solution?

What about you? What are you looking for? What's on your Items I'm Watching list?

BP in NY

So I figured it out by the time we hit Bellefonte. Kim was on the phone with her sister, and she said, "The concert starts at 7:30...oops..."

BP=Brad Paisley. For the uninitiated, Brad Paisley is one of the top country singer/songwriter/guitar pickers in the world. He's also a Jesus follower, and the husband of Kimberly Williams (of Father of the Bride fame), and the father of William Huckleberry Paisley. Ain't that cool?

The concert was stinkin' incredible. BP is one of those guys who will make any music lover stop in his tracks, mouth open, eyes bugged. His playing is brilliant, and his music is the perfect blend of old and new country. His show is captivating, creative out the wazoo, and fun.

Now, to be honest, when we got to the Darien Lakes amphitheater, I thought we had entered some sort of redneck parallel universe. I doubt that I've seen that many drunk/tattooed/boot and hat wearing people since I left Georgia. And those were the girls!

Saturday was a sleep-in day. After a late brunch, we headed over to Niagara Falls. I can't imagine a better spot for me and Kim to spend a day walking around. The falls are incredible. We visited there on our 7th anniversary, but this time we took the Cave of the Winds walk to the base of the falls. Standing on the Hurricane Deck, with the water and wind battering me, all I could do was yell! It was simply awesome.

My wife is beautiful, creative, fun, and captivating. I am blessed to call her my wife, and my best friend. Even if she does pull one over on me from time to time.

To see pics of the day, click here.