STUFF AND MORE STUFF!

• For you locals- don't forget to vote regarding the school bond issue. For me, I don't see any other option than to support the board and their research. Whatever your choice, go and vote.
• By the way- did I mention I was going to be a grandpa? (17 1/2 weeks in the womb)
• Congratulations to Alice Summers - 96 years young. (Still sharp as a tack)
• A little bragging on Kyle who took 1st in the javelin, 2nd in discus, 2nd in the shot put, and his "weight" relay took first at the Tribune track meet on Tuesday. Not bad, huh?
• Whose idea was it to bring Krispy Creme donuts to the local grocery store? Like I need a dozen of those?
• Congrats to our middle son and his wife for the buying of a new house in Topeka. I don't even have a house to call my own. (Thankfully the church owns a great parsonage).
• Anyone have a decent car in the 4,000-5,000 dollar range? I know of someone who is looking.
• How about all this moisture we've been getting? Are we sure this is western Kansas? What a blessing.
• Pray for my brother Randy - depression is rearing its ugly head again. Thanks.
• Palm Sunday is this coming Sunday with Easter a week away. Are we ready to celebrate the resurrection or are we falling asleep like the disciples did the night Jesus prayed in the garden? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

God is good, all the time! All the time, God is good!

CLICKING MY HEELS!

Well, today is my last blog from Georgia. It has been an awesome time. Last night the Spirit fell upon the group in a powerful way. Ask me about it when I get back. I don't have enough space to explain.

The picture of the palm trees are just before sunset looking west from where we were meeting. Pretty cool, huh? The other picture is of Bishop Paulo Lockman and his wife Glasia, from Brazil. He is the Director of World missions with the World Methodist Council. I got to spend and hour and a half with him today. Great story.

Tomorrow morning I click my heels and head back to the flatlands. Pray all will go well with the travel. See you soon. P.R.

PRAYER AND PRAISE!!

We are having a wonderful time at the conference in prayer and praise. The little chapel you see is a prayer chapel constructed by the Methodist men of the south Georgia Conference and is located at Epworth By the Sea (where the conference is being held). The picture of me is overlooking the Atlantic Ocean near a lighthouse along the beach of St. Simon's Island. I went to the village with some friends M.L. and I met in 1998 from Texas and Pennsylvania. The worship and study today has been fabulous and I am getting ready to go and listen to the South American regional secretary from Brazil speak in about 20 minutes. I spoke with him last night and he had quite a story of the hastle of getting here from Brazil through Atlanta. He's a great guy and the Lord really is working through him. The weather is absolutely beautiful, not even humid. Wow! I hope to update you tomorrow.

God is good!! Later - P.R.

ALONG THE SEASHORE

As you can see, the sunset is beautiful as the day comes to a close on Monday. I am on St. Simon's Island looking west to Georgia. The church is a chapel replica of the Lovely Lane Chapel where John Wesley conducted the Christmas Conference in the 1700's. We take Holy Communion in the chapel each morning at 7:15. The conference has been a blessing thus far, just as I expected. God is indeed good.

I'll try and keep you posted. Blessings!

GEORGIA ON MY MIND!

Well, I guess someone has to do it. I'm preparing to leave for

Saint Simon's Island off the coast of Georgia early Monday morning for a conference with the World Methodist Council on Evangelism. It is a reunion with those who are a part of the Order of the Flame (Faithful Leaders as Mission Evangelists) within Methodism. We will be hearing from leaders from around the world regarding the work that God is doing in and through His people. Historically this is an area where John Wesley came from England to evangelize the Indians but was not very successful. You can read about it in his journals (as if you will).

Sadly my wife will not be going with me (saving days to spend with the little grandbaby when he/she (they) arrives). That's the only downside to the trip.

I understand there is wireless internet at the site so I'll try and take a picture or two and put on the blog during the week to keep you updated. In between pictures and speakers I may have to eat a few grits. (Remember, you don't order a grit. They don't come by themselves).

Pray for safety on the road and in the air as well as flight being on time. Traveling can be great but also can be a real pain. Which it will be is yet to be seen.

Carry on.

STICKS, BRANCHES, AND LIMBS

As you can see, a bunch of the guys from the church did a little outreach ministry Saturday morning removing broken down limbs and branches that were on the ground following the recent winter storms. Several of the men had chain saws and put them to good use while others loaded trailers and hauled it all off to the dump. A lot was accomplished as many yards were cleaned up, especially for those who were unable to do it themselves.

As you can see, one of our youth worked so hard he ended up falling in exhaustion on to the hiway in front of the Templers. We kept the traffic from running over him while he regained his strength although at times we were tempted to see if a car could actually knock a little sense into him.

Anyway, it was a good morning and it felt good to help out in the community as we try to bring to completion this crazy winter. Thanks to all you guys and to the youth who helped. You know who you are.

WICHITA (not the county)

I am currently sitting in a motel room in Wichita preparing for some meetings I have with the Board of Ordained Ministry tomorrow and Tuesday, My buddy Mitch is attempting to read some material as well ( I think he is falling asleep, however).

Boy, I tell you, this Super 8 sure is fancy - it even has running water.

Oh, sorry I got diverted. We are meeting with some of the upcoming candidates for ordained ministry for our conference and anticipate a busy couple of days. Keep us and those being interviewed in your prayers.

It was a great morning in church this morning (at least I thought so). What did you think? And for those of you in Shad's class, what are your thoughts? (Orthodoxy, sacraments, apostolic succession, etc. etc).

For those of you not from our community, what did God have to say to you this past weekend? Did He bless you in worship? Did you bless Him? What spoke to you? Prayer time, the music, the sermon, the fellowship with other believers? Let me know - I'm interested.

End Of The Week Stuff

JUST a few thoughts as we head into the weekend:

Wow, it's amazing to see how many men show up on a Friday morning at 6:30 when biscuits and gravy are on the menu. What a great time we had. By the way, we are going to do some community cleanup next Saturday (the 10th) following the mess the winter storms have left behind. If you'd like to help, meet at the church at 1:00 p.m.

Sadly the basketball season for the boys and the girls at the high school is over. It was a lot of fun even though the records were not what we had hoped. Sorry I yelled so much. I'm working on it. By the way, Kyle, you done real good this year!

Todd and I just registered for the Emergence Conference 2007 this April in Austin Texas. It will be led by a friend of ours and also a great N.T. scholar, professor, and all around good guy, Scot McKnight. We are hoping to get together with him after the Friday night meeting just to catch up (old Chicago days).

Need I remind you to pray for our Jr and Sr high kids? Enough said.

Oh yes, lest we forget, the church does not exist for itself. There are so many who have yet to be touched by the love of God through a saving relationship with his Son Jesus. Who will tell them or show them unless it's us?

And last but not least, did I tell you I was going to be a grandpa?? (Just checking)