I am back.

It has been three years since I last blogged. I made a new years resolution to blog more but that fell by the wayside. This morning I decided that part of my blogging would be to post about once a week, and to post about what ever is on my mind at that moment, and depending on what is happening at the moment. One of the things that I am going to blog about is what I hope will become a book. I am going to blog about two people and their pre adolescent and adolescent adventures. The working title of the book is going to be called The Adventures of Ponoppscott and Wormy. This will be a funny but sometimes irreverent look at growing up in a religious environment that beat one into submission, and conformed to a set of rules, or forced one to leave in rebellion. Keep checking back as I will try to post on fridays.

Sabbatical Day 10

Today was a very lazy day. After arriving home on tuesday from a week of traveling and visiting I cleaned out my email, went through the mail that arrived while I was gone, and worked a little on a technology project. I felt it was time to trim my beard because I am starting to resemble Si from Duck Dynasty. I have not been to get my hair cut since late August when I was asked to do a funeral for a family member. I am wondering how much money this is saving me! I looked over the pictures we took while on our trip and will post some on the days that correspond with our activities. While on our trip we traveled to Indiana to see my dad who we were not able to see at christmas. He is doing fine, and enjoys being retired and hunts most every day. The hamlet that he lives in is 17 miles away from the nearest WalMart. We spent the night in Salem, IN and then Alec and I went to Paoli, IN where he snowboarded. After that adventure, we traveled to Farmersburg, IN to visit with my cousins. This is the town where my grandma and mother grew up in, and it takes me back in my mind to hot summer days where we played with our cousins and life seemed to be sooo much simpler. We had a good visit, and got to catch up with everyone. My cousin's granddaughter was sick and her mother said the doctor said she did not have strep throat so no antibiotics. My cousin said she claims she is a carrier because everyone that comes in contact with this 18 month old gets sick. Well true to form, that's where I got my sore throat from. (I jokingly nicknamed the child Mary after Typhoid Mary.) Our visit was fun, and relaxing. While we were there I did some research on family history. (I figure it helps to know where we have come from.) We traveled home on tuesday and part of me did not really want to come back, but things at home needed to be done. (I like visiting the favorite places of my childhood as it reminds me how good my childhood was, where there were very little concerns.) We passed by the cemetery that is the final earthly resting place of my mother, her parents, an aunt i never met, and several great uncles and aunts who gave me many great memories. Passing by this place was bittersweet as I counted the number of funerals I conducted at this place and how many of the people in my life are now no longer physically present with us. Our trip home was uneventful and we made it home in record time just under 11 hours.

Sabbatical Day 9

We headed home after saying good bye to some little ones. Stopped and had lunch on the way and talked about what needed to be done when we arrived back in texas. We made good time and good MPG. We talked about stopping for the night but after discussing it we decided it was better to push and drive straight through since we were only a few hours away and we could catch NCIS on reruns instead of paying for a hotel. We made it home a little after midnight. Overall this first week has been relaxing. For several days we were with out internet so I had to catch up on the blog after we arrived home.

Sabbatical Day 8

Day 8 of the sabbatical and I traveled to the mall to take Alec to do some shopping and I went to a library to do some research. I had been wanting to do some research for a while and this was the opportunity to do just that. Was able to obtain some information that I could only get in person, so this trip and time allowed me to do just that. Alec finished his shopping at the mall, so we headed out to lunch at Fazzoli's but had to make a stop at a pawn shop. We went back and relaxed the rest of the day. We made plans to get ready to hit the road and head back to texas.

Sabbatical Day 7

Made plans last night to go to church today. I woke to the alarm and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and found my eye matted and my throat sore. (I was holding sick child the day before, and she shared her food and illness with me. She also shared the illness with everyone in the house.) So trying to decide what to do about church, and wondering what to do. I was taught or maybe it was more like one repeated guilt trip, when I was younger that you should always be in church on sunday. As a pastor, I even have encouraged and told people to be in church. Here I am as a pastor and what do i do? DO I go to church, not knowing if I was contagious would this be the best thing to do? Then the Holy Spirit spoke to me from a passage in Mark 6. The disciples had been busy and lots of things were happening and they were not able to eat. Here is the scripture: Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest". Mark 6:31 The thought occurred to me that in the busyness of doing I have failed to take time to spend time with Jesus, because I have been busy doing stuff for Jesus. Here is what I needed to do on this sunday, get away and spend time with Jesus. Instead of doing today, or going, it was time to stay right where I was and spend time with Jesus. I did just, read some scripture and spent time reading. Relaxed in a chair with a blanket and visited.

Sabbatical Day 6

Today we got to sleep in and spend time visiting. Made a trip to walmart for some food, and mad white fiesta chicken chili. Did not do much of anything, and we opted to stay in due the weather report of rain, sleet and snow, but as the forecasts go nothing happened.

Sabbatical Day 5

This morning we got up and had breakfast and headed to the ski slopes. The nights sleep at the "Bates Motel" was relaxing and quiet. We made it to the slopes and Alec went snowboarding and I found a warm spot in the lodge to sit and read. Read some emails and comments from friends about my blog, thanks everyone for reading. After a couple of hours, Alec was ready to go, but he enjoyed the snowboarding experience and wants to do try it again. We hit the road, with me driving and Alec soon fell asleep. We drove for about 2 hours and made it to our destination.

Sabbatical Day 4

Well day 4 of the sabbatical and I had made some plans to get up early and travel some more heading to our destination. However, during the night some how my phone became unplugged and the battery was dead, so our waking up and hitting the day suffered a set back. (My son, and traveling companion Alec, must have not fully plugged the phone in after watching a movie on netflix. (I still am one with an unlimited data plan with verizon, so they are going to get a shocker this month.) The later time of waking up was not a serious error, as I realized I have no agenda for the next several weeks, so the extra rest was welcome. I went down to retrieve my bathroom bag from the car, and was shocked to find out it was 17 degrees. Brr, I had to warm up the toothpaste and other things needed for my day in hot water. I enjoyed a fresh hot cup of coffee and it was nice not having to make it. Alec and I enjoyed a nice light breakfast in the hotel lobby, where yogurt and oatmeal were on the menu along with a good passage from 2 Kings 4, where the Shunammite woman gave Elisha a place to stay and then later he raised the lady's deceased child back to life. (Much more on that later, there is much from that passage.) After breakfast we then packed the car for the next leg of the journey. We made a stop in a thrift store looking for winter coats and snow pants or a snow suit for Alec, and struck out. So we headed out on the highway had a great time of discussion about life and the future. He took my phone and began to watch another netflix movie, while i drove, i listened to the GPS to direct my way. Going through some hilly country the GPS kept loosing signal, and the gps cwas continually flashing: GPS SIGNAL LOST. This could have been a real problem if had let it, but when I travel I always make sure I have studied the map or routed the trip on Google Maps, just in case. I never fully rely on technology to guide. As I was thinking about the lost GPS signal, the Holy Spirit impressed on me that at times we come too dependent on circumstances, other people, the latest book or fad to direct us where we are headed just like we become dependent on the GPS or technology to guide us. The problem arises that those things only go far, and times do not address where we at or they just are not strong enough to take us through the journey we are on at the moment. When they drop signal or don't currently address where we are at we begin to panic, mostly out of fear because we don't know where we are headed or the latest thing cannot guide us through. Then the Holy Spirit whispered: If you stay in the word and stay close to God, then you don't need anything else, because then the "I am that I am" will be guiding and being in the word keeps your course charted correctly. (Now i am not down playing good books that help, or listening to the wise teachers, but don't substitute them for being in the WORD.) I became relaxed at that moment because at this time, (A desert type experience for me at the moment, more on that later), if I draw close to God and get close, and stay close I then don't have to get nervous or upset because the path I am traveling is one plotted out by God himself. I find it quite relaxing to know that if I lose touch with the latest writings and teaching I wont get lost, but rather find myself right where God has planned. We arrived at our agreed destination for that part of the day. Spent time visiting attempted another Goodwill for snow pants, or heavy winter coat, but struck out. (I did pick up another Targus laptop bag, brand new with tags, and paid 1/5 of the price for the same item in Walmart. Made a stop for some food at a restaurant that serves square 2" X 2" hamburgers and hit walmart for possible snow pants but struck out. Thermal underwear was discovered, and purchased. We then went back and spent more time visiting. We then decided it was time to head a little further north and hit the road. Not having any time schedule or agenda we discussed if we should stay the night in a cabin or spend the extra money and stay at motel. The choice was obvious, the cabin had no bathroom, that required us to go out and go to another building for restroom and shower facilities, or a motel with full facilities. We made our decision and decided to stay at a motel. Well some would not say this is a motel. This motel is located on a hill, and its like one you see in old movies or would resemble one that could be found on Route 66. All the rooms are located on one level, and have outside entrances. This place is dated, the outside looks like it was built in the late 50's and the inside of the rooms are reminiscent of the 70's paneling and all. There is no indoor pool, no fancy vending machines and no breakfast in the lobby, and you park your car right outside of your room. The keys to the rooms are not the fancy keycard swipe type, but are actual keys, the kind you put in the lock and turn the knob. Alec, my traveling companion and son, says the motel looks likes a place where a murder happened. I think this place looks like it could be used in a B horror film, and I wonder if Norman Bates may be lurking somewhere close. I will post a picture later. The plus side its warm, has inside attached bathrooms, cable and wifi, so we have the right frills, and a unique experience to remember and tell stories about a few years down the road. As i write this the temp is 27 and the forecast calls for low of 22. In the morning we try again for snow pants and then head to the slopes. Yes there will be pictures but don't worry no ski's on these feet. Just in case your wondering I am being vague on purpose when i mention our location, what we are doing and our destinations. My sabbatical is for disconnecting from certain things and reconnecting with the important things of life. If I let out where we are, I don't want to offend anyone by not being able to meet or spend time together. I will post at the end of each time leg of the sabbatical where I/we have been. Feel free to comment or email about anything you read in this blog.

Sabbatical Day 3 Jan 2

Today I arose early, after not sleeping well, to do the final things needed for our departure from the wet cold south, and into the frozen, frigid, and snow covered north. I remember now why I prayed and asked God to let me move south, the cold is something that is hard to take. Made chex mix for the ride, packed a cooler with water, packed a few items for the trip, fueled the car headed north, sent a few emails and submitted the statistical report. As i stated in an earlier post I was not sure I was really looking forward to this time. Today as I traveled with son, he doing the driving and we spent some time discussing issues of the past few months, how we each were doing currently and what the future looks like. Neither of us can agree what the future holds, but we know how we handle things today determine some things in the future. As i watched some netflix on my phone and he listening to the tunes on my ipod nano, (he was driving), I began to contemplate and felt the holy spirit began to speak. I really have a hard time letting down my guard and allow very few to know me. Part of this is out of self preservation, and part is that some may think I am totally bonkers. But today as I looked out upon the dark brown landscape, I felt there is something I need to share. Since there are not many who read this blog, very few will know this, so here goes. I have for the last several years struggled with bouts and sometimes deep pits of depression. There are days I can barely function, and there are days when I have energy to do everything and more. This issue I struggle with has left me at times wondering about my own sanity, and times I feel very angry, and lately has been hard to conceal. During this time I am beginning to recognize how to live daily with this problem. I hope to share more about this as the days go by. This evening my son and I arrived at a Super 8 motel in the frozen north country. Snow on the ground and 22 degrees as we ran from the Steak & Shake and then from the car to the hotel.

Sabbatical Day 2 January 1

I start off the new year by sleeping in and doing very little. Thought I would start off the new year by making brunch for the family and put together an egg casserole, some cinnamon rolls. Read my readings that I will be reading for the first 30 days of this year. I did some laundry and spent some time planning on what to do on this sabbatical. Part of me does not want to be doing this, part of me is ready for this. Tomorrow i hit the road and for a few days will be spending time with my son. We will be traveling to spend time with family and do some winter activities.

Sabbatical Day 1 December 31, 2012

Today began my first official day of a six week sabbatical. Not sure what I will be doing but am taking the time to unwind, do a little writing, unplugging from technology and just waiting to hear from God. I hope to share more details of what I glean from this time.

Daniel Fast Day 21

Daniel Fast Day 21 is coming to an end. This has been a very beneficial time for me. Going without a normal diet was a struggle at times, but has been very beneficial. Most days my breakfast consisted of a Berry Smoothie, (1 cup of orange juice, 1 cup of mixed berries, and 1 frozen banana, mixed in a ninja). The original recipe consisted of just water but I changed it to oj because the water made the smoothie taste weak. Here is what I learned: There are way too many chemicals in our food. The normal calorie intake is way too much. I don't miss meat, dairy, bread, or sugar. Spiritually: God is as close to me as I want to be to Him. (too many times things can crowd out God.) God will answer prayer when we get serious enough to pray and believe that He will answer. Be bold enough to pray big prayers. Fasting has transformed the way I pray. Each week there will be a fast day. Each time I sensed that God was going to do something, the enemy attacked. Spiritual warfare is a much needed and very rarely talked about today. I am almost finished with reading the Bible through in 90 days,and each day I saw some new things. I will continue to blog but it may not be as consistent as I was during this fast. Not sure what I may blog about, it may be random rant, it maybe on an area where I am reading, check back often you might be surprised.

Daniel Fast Day 20

Wow, is all I can say. At the beginning of this fast I thought that a 21 day Daniel fast was going to be tough. Here I am nearing the end, and things have gone well. Except this evening. I think I just will go into hiding on sunday eve, put a sign on the bedroom door, with a threat of life or limb if someone bothers me before tuesday at 9 A.M. Seems that the past two monday's have brought unexpected things, and i really did not like them. Suffice to say I kept to the fast. Things are looking good and tomorrow will be the final official day for this, but I will keep aspects from the fast in my daily life. As this evening draws to a close I am thankful for the trials as they remind me of the good days. Late tomorrow I will post what I have learned from this time.

Daniel Fast Day 19

Caught up on my blog today. I got a little behind but I don't have to be verbose to be effective. Today was interesting day as we started off by loosing an hour of sleep. Made it to church on time, and it being spring break not sure who would show up for Sunday School and Church, plus it was day light savings day. I knew the majority of my sunday school class was gone, so I knew I would have two boys, and ended up having three, (one was a new guest.) The majority of our worship team was out so we had to use come video's for worship. That went well, and no one complained, at least not about the video's. Right before worship stared we looked up and there were new people coming in the door, btw it pouring down rain, and all the sidewalks and back parking lot had water standing. I then remembered my prayer yesterday: Lord enlarge your church. It happened, and the service went well. We took someone out for lunch after the service and had a good lunch, (well it was again interesting to find something to eat without meat, and dairy mixed in.) I am amazed at how God is answering prayer. It seems that each week I am seeing things happen and the only answer is that God has heard the prayers and answered. I am compiling some lessons that I have learned that i will post to the blog on the last day of the fast. But I feel I need to share this one today, and that is the spiritual discipline of prayer and fasting,(fasting in any fashion). This should be included in a class for any one feeling a call to ministry. This discipline has really helped me this year, and it is one that will become an integral part of my life from now on.

Daniel Fast Day 18

Saturday, the I try to use as a sabbath was spent on the road conducting inspections. Day went well, saw some parts of north east texas, and saw some buffalo on my travels. Got to spend some time in mobile office just me and God, and I spent time praying, mainly asking God to enlarge the congregation I am privileged to pastor. I am not against marketing and outreach events but seems to me that when we trust in those things instead of God, they are not as effective. (again I am not against those things I just believe they are tools.) My prayer today was just to ask God to do something, and prayed for a specific goal for the church. On one of my stops where I was required to do an interior inspection as well as exterior I met a man who was confined to a wheel chair. He smiled as I explained the nature of the inspection. His daughter showed me the house, i quickly finished the inspection. As I was about to leave I looked down and there was this man's bible on the coffee table. I do not remember his name but his bible had Rev. embossed on the front of it. I asked him if that was him, and unable to talk to he shook his head yes. I told him I was a pastor also, and his eyes lit up and smile came to his face. I talked with the family for a few minutes, and hopefully my visit blessed them. This visit reminded me that we never know what our words or actions will do for someone. Hopefully a blessing.

Daniel Fast Day 17

One of the challenging parts of this fast has been going into restaurants to eat lunch or dinner. Today I was going around the east texas country side with my son, inspecting homes for my part time job. (it's actually less than part time, time wise, but the money is good!) We stopped to have lunch and there was no salad or vegetarian foods on the menu. I settled for a salad with no dressing and water. He had a taco plate and said it was delicious. Got to spend time with my son as we talked about life and the future, i think some things are starting to make sense to him. Arrived home entered reports and then headed to bed. Stuck to the fast even though everyone else was eating pizza and brownies.

Daniel Fast Day 16

Was able to use the majority of this day as a sabbath. This is hard to do sometimes due to all that goes on between the church responsibility, and the side work that I do. I am looking forward to being able to quit at least one of the side jobs here soon. Staying on the fast has been a challenge today, but with God's help I was able to stay with this. On the last day of the fast I am planning on writing down many of the lessons that I learned through this fast, and what I have determined to continue to do after the fast.

Daniel Fast Day 15

Day 15 of the Daniel Fast. The fast has almost become a natural way of eating. I feel good, no unusual hunger, and no headaches. Hard to believe that it has been 15 days,and I have had no bread, no sugar, no artificial sweeteners, dairy, eggs,or meat. I am not vegetarian, but this fast has been an incredible way of looking at what I have been putting into my body. I have embarked on trying different ways of fixing food, and eating lots of raw vegetables and fruit. I have changed from drinking lots of tea, and frequent soda, (or pop if your in the south), to drinking 1 cup of coffee a day, fruit, vegetable juice and water with lemon slices. I have been making baked potato chips from potato's or sweet potato's for snacks. This evening one of the boys was grilling hamburgers and it did not smell good, as I was cooking my veggie burger. This evening I passed up a cake that was brought to church, it looked good, and smelled good, but resolved to stay with this fast. This evening we saw at church new faces, not very common for a mid week but they were at the activities. Our children's area is growing and we will need to do some revamping to meet the needs of these children. I am not taking any credit but through this fast I am seeing answers to prayer, seeing God move in the life of the church and recognizing I must be on my guard. I see God at work and look forward to sunday with anticipation of what is next.

Daniel Fast Day 14

This is the 14th day and things are progressing. I am certain that yesterday's troubles were an attack from the devil, who wants to derail the good things that are beginning to happen. God was helping yesterday and I am seeing a fresh perspective that in spiritual warfare one must stay vigilant. As I am working on some teaching on this matter I have gained new insights in this arena. God is great, He is my rock, my fortress and deliverer.

Daniel Fast Day 13

Day 13 of the Daniel Fast was not a great day. I stuck to the fast, but there were spiritual things going on that made this day very rough. But I was able to stick to the fast and trust God.