Sunday Left Overs

This past Sunday I took a vacation day and headed to Prescott for church.

It was a great time of worship, teaching and fellowship.

It was the first Sunday morning service that I had been able to attend since February 6!

Now that does not mean that we have not been to church.

We have gone on many Wednesday nights.

But there is something special

(and right)

about showing up for Sunday morning worship.

There are some strange ideas

"out there"

among Christians about "going to church" and fellowship.

Some Christians will say that they

"don't need to go to church to be a Christian."

There is also the idea that

"I don't need to go to church. I get everything I need right here at home."

Then there is the idea of

"God told me not to go."

An interesting verse concerning believers gathering together is in Hebrews 10: 24-25.

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,

as is the manner of some,

but exhorting one another,

and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Pastor Chuck Smith said this regarding this passage:

"Part of the purpose of the church, as we gather together,

it that we might be encouraged to good works,

encouraged to seek the Lord,

encouraged to forsake the things of the world,

and encouraged to walk close to Christ.

This exhortation is part of the reason we gather,

along with being built up and edified in our faith,

and being comforted together in the Scriptures."

Another wonderful passage that I think goes along with this idea is found in Psalm 133.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is

for brethren to dwell together in unity!

It is like the precious oil upon the head,

Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron,

Running down on the edge of his garments.

It is like the dew of Hermon,

Descending upon the mountains of Zion;

For there the LORD commanded the blessing--Life forevermore.

The need for fellowship.

The need for corporate worship with the body of Christ.

The need for solid teaching from the Word of God.

Good reasons to show up for church.

Good-Bye Tex

In June, 2008 my daughter went to camp for a week. My wife and I had been looking for a truck camper since we had sold our Airstream a few months before. We had looked at a truck camper in Flagstaff and really liked what we saw. So while Janie was out enjoying summer camp we bought "Tex."

We actually used Tex a whole lot. He got broken in well a few months later when Missy and Janie took him to Colorado for a few weeks. I did not get to go on that trip. (Somebody had to stay back and support their trip financially.) We would also take Tex to town whenever we went to Prescott for church and shopping.

My favorite trip with Tex was in December 2008 when we took three or four days and hung out in Prescott. We went and watched the Christmas tree lighting at the courthouse in old downtown Prescott. We went and enjoyed Christmas lights in Prescott Valley. And of course we went to church on Sunday morning.

This past Friday Tex was sold to a family in Flagstaff. What is funny he returned to the neighborhood where he came from. Tex is no longer a part of our family but we will remember him well.

Good-bye Tex. Hope you get used a lot.

What A Burger!

I discovered Carl's Jr. in Illinois back in 1994.

In that state they are called Hardee's.

In Bushnell, IL there is a Hardee's that I have been to a few times.

It is on the corner of the main street in Bushnell and the road that leads to

Cornerstone Festival.

But in certain states Hardee's is named Carl's Jr.

Why?

I don't know.

But they have the same menu. (Maybe it is to confuse certain people.)

The other day we went to Flagstaff and had lunch at Carl's Jr.

I couldn't help myself.

I had the new Steakhouse Burger.

Man was it good!

Thanks Carl's Jr. You made a wonderful three day weekend even better.

[Note: picture of the burger is taken from www.carlsjr.com]

These Times, They Are A Changin'

The American Heritage Dictionary defines the word "change" as

"to cause to be different; alter."

This past week there have been some serious changes taking place in our household.

Missy and I have spent the last few months

talking,

praying,

discussing

(not fighting - HONESTLY)

about my job in supervision.

A whole lot has happened this past year to get me to the place

where I realized that I had made a

major error

(think mistake)

in accepting the position of full-time supervisor.

The biggest and most improtant mistake was

that the Lord did not want me in there!

I wanted me in there.

The biggest problem with the job was the toll it was taking on

my family life,

my daughters' education,

and on my physical rest.

On Monday I resigned from my position.

I am now a seasonal shuttle bus driver.

I will be here until November 30th, and from there

I will have three months off.

In regards to my family life - the tone has completely changed.

And I am getting caught up on my sleep.

Wait on the LORD;

be of good courage,

And He shall stregthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the LORD.

(Psalm 27:14)

The Band That Won't Go Away

Wow!

It has been a while since I posted anything here.

For those that keep up with me, please forgive me.

I will try to do better.

Last month we headed down to Phoenix to see seminal Christian alternative rock band

Daniel Amos.

When we got there the doors had not opened yet.

I went and stood in line and met some diehard DA fans there.

This is Steven. His shirt is an original Doppelganger t-shirt.

It is amazing that the shirt is in such amazing condition. But it is even more amazing that he can even get into it.

For those that don't realize it Doppelganger came out it 1983!

Daniel Amos took the stage and played an amazing set

from all through their catalog.

Here is the set list from the Phoenix show:

Who's Who Here

Mall All Over The World

Walls Of Doubt

Catch That Angel

Endless Summer

Broken Ladders to Glory

If You Want To

Hide The Beer (The Pastor's Here)

New Car

Man In The Moon

Ain't Gonna Fight It

The Twist

Sanctuary

I Love You #19

Encore:

Ghost of the Heart

Hold Back The Wind Donna

Stone Away

And So It Goes

Buffalo Hills

Encore #2:

Joel

It was a fun night full of great music

from a band that has been around for so many years.

Terry and company, thanks for a great summer concert.

I must also thank Ben Newsum for booking the concert.

This was his first concert to promote.

I appreciate Ben and his hard work.