We are fast approaching that time in New England where people are at odds with just about everything. As we just missed yet another storm (Storm warnings!), people are trying to figure it all out. In Vermont we have had a lot of snow. And like others, the un-shoveled roof leaked a little. And this is before all the really big storms we sometimes get in March and April. The mantra “spring is in the air” has been floating around for weeks. Everyone is saying it and wanting to believe it. It is always interesting to me that as we come out of fall and into winter 35 degrees is COLD! But at this time of year, 35 degrees is the breath of spring. Continue reading Cabin Fever- Are You Embarrassed By Your Cabin Fever Skills? Here’s What To Do→
“Oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood.” That is a line from the Animals’ hit song. (For the lyrics.) I remember the first time I heard it around 1966. I was a beginning drummer with some friends and I used to listen to it over and over on my BSR turntable, with my Realistic 20W set up. Headphones on banging away. For me it became something I did not understand. Why was I not understood? (Some might say it became self-fulfilling prophecy.) Others did that song like Joe Cocker and the Moody Blues, but no one did it like the The Animals. So, now that I stirred up some memories for some of you.. And for others, you may be asking “What is a turntable?” In other places in those lyrics, the singer declares, that his “intentions are good.” Before coming to Christ, I would have said that is fully me. With Christ, I quickly understood that it is not about trying, but about being.Over the years I have somehow felt like I was going through an identity crisis. Who am I? It began as a child and it has never stopped. I was raised (Can’t say “grew up” because we are waiting on that!) in an alcoholic family. I was misunderstood. My father drank and my mom coped. I always tried to be the “best” and when not successful, I resorted to not doing it. Easier to pretend it did not matter, rather than you could not do it, or in some cases even understand it. My relationships often reflected “best efforts” with feelings of not being understood. (I know that I am not the only leader who has felt “misunderstood.”) And I assure you that all my thoughts were towards making things gel and be right. (I am not saying I have no “problems,” but I am saying the difficulties I have encountered have often been the results of misunderstandings.) Continue reading Please don’t let me be misunderstood→
In 2006 I had the opportunity to minister with a couple of wonderful men. Rich Brink at the time was in Waterville Maine. (He is now part of the Global Celebration Ministries with Georgian Banov.) Ralph Ackley was the minister in Machias where the meeting was. The meeting was originally billed as “God Loves The Witches” and morphed to “A Quest For Spirituality.”
One of the interesting things leading up to this meeting was a call I received one night from a “pastor” who accused me of “tinkling in her cheerios.” It turned out that she was the leader of the largest pagan church in the region with over 1,000 members. She was aware of my background.
She promised to show up and boycott us. That never happened.
This is the report I offered up to our followers and prayer folk at the time.
Like millions of others, I watched the Super Bowl. And while I had no favorite, it was tough. I saw Seattle as a young team with a lot of fire and hope. My emotional ties to the Steelers stemmed from my youth where there were annual trips to the practice field and many
autographs including “Mean Joe Greene.” Continue reading One For The Thumb→
I resigned. Stepped down. Life as I had known it for nearly 10 years was over. And I took that step of faith(?) into an abyss not knowing the results. Believe the prophets and you shall prosper.
This morning I awoke at 3:50 to hear “Restore unto me the joy of my salvation” singing through my head. I began to pray for friends and family. But, being in bed just wasn’t working for me, so I arose, thinking I could shake this off, but I couldn’t. So many, weren’t enjoying their salvation. I spoke to a newer Christian yesterday who was reaping the fruits of his choices(Don’t we all, unless the mercy of God is invoked.) He had “tried” to enjoy, but the demons of his past were great and his feeling that it was all supposed to be ok kept him from the confessions of his hurt and his pain. I(I pray my words and gestures bear fruit in his life.). Continue reading Restore unto me the joy of my salvation→
I wrote his story in 2005. This morning awoke and knew I was not up to the task of writing. I read something and thought, what would I share. I clicked on something and it brought me to this.
Ironically it had to do with what I read earlier. It is hard when someone hurts you. Harder when you allow yourself to hurt you or others.
Woody
I had devoted hours to my garden. And as the sprouts broke the ground, I was excited. But one morning i went out and there was something missing. Much of the new growth had been eaten. (Nibbled would have been an understatement!) A neighbor said he had seen the woodchuck munching away at my “kingdom.” Continue reading Woody A Youthful Attempt At Revenge!→
When I was about 8 or 9 years old we were trying to think of what to do, me and my friend Johnny. We were neighbors each summer on the lake. (Schroon Lake) His dad owned a motel and my parents vacationed in a large house on the water that my mom’s family owned. And like any boys that age we just wanted to have fun. Continue reading Man Overboard!→
