Cheryl & the Pope

Cheryl attended an ecumenical gathering in New York with the Pope last Friday. It was by invitation only and there were about 250 non-Catholics there (mostly church leaders). It was quite an honor to be invited; she is not certain who put her name on the list.

The following is a shot of Cardinal Keeler, a friend of Cheryl's who may have put her on the list. [No one ever accused Cheryl of being a great photographer or driver.]



Another shot of the Pope follows. I call this one an example of Cherylesque post-modern expressionism. Notice this close-up of the Pope begs for viewer interpretation of the woman's excitement about being in the presence of the Pontif, an excitement that can only be fully appreciated by meditating on her back as she swoons in his presence. We are challenged to enter into the moment by imagining the excitement we would have felt if we were there. If you can't close your eyes and see the Pope in this picture you are no doubt caught in modernity. You might need to just buy a post card or find an old episode of the Smurfs.

Another Calf

Blessing had her calf early Sunday morning, a boy, giving us one of each.

Calf is Born

We had our first baby calf born today. The mother would not let me get close enough to see if it is a boy or a girl. I got there a few minutes after it was born. It had not gotten on its feet yet and once it got up it took a few minutes to find out from which end dinner was served.

A Poem

I recently ran across some of my earlier writings, things I have not shared with anyone. I will post some of them here. The first endowment follows. It reflects a time of great uncertainty. Most of my writings are full of angst. When all is well I live life to the fullest; when things are not so well I sometimes muse in verse or journal.


Where?

Oh, God, where?
Where do I go from here?
I sought to know your will;
Want to know it still.
All you have said is “waite, be patient.”
I’ve tried to sit and be content.
How long am I to linger under this tree
Looking for a messenger of majesty?

Where must I go to hear you speak?
A still, small voice is all I seek.

I am an unworthy instrument,
Not certain of your intent.
I keep myself at your feet,
Unwilling to consider retreat,
Knowing I have nothing to give,
Not even the life I live.
What I do not possess, I can not tender.
All I can hope is to fully surrender.
Place in your hands
All your will demands
You are Creator God
I but a vessel made of sod.

Where must I go to hear you speak?
A still, small voice is all I seek.

JDJ
Early 90’s

SPS

Cheryl and I attended the Society for Pentecostal Studies (SPS)annual meeting last week (Wednesday through Saturday). About six hundred people were registered. This year it was a joint meeting with the Wesleyan Theological Society. We met at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. We were able to spend time with a number of former church members (Larry McQueen, Eloy Nolivos, Dale Coulter)and friends (Mel Roebeck, Bill Faupel, David Reed, Susie and John Stanley, and many more). I was involved as a respondant to several papers and I chaired one session. As a former president of the SPS, Cheryl chaired one of the plenary sessions.

One of the Plenary speakers was Dr. Koenig from Duke. He has done extensive research into the rlationship between religiosity and health and has provided evidence it pays to be religious. I would recommend everyone take a few minutes to check out the Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health at Duke.

Alethea, Camdyn & Charlie Visit

Watch out Tarzan.


A woman holding on to a man letting go.


I see that camera.


Two of a kind.


Poo Sticks Anyone


Who is having the most fun?

Farewell to a Friend

On Thursday a dear friend and brother, Dennis Melton, finished his earthly race. He and his wife Sue have been gifts of grace in our lives for about fifteen years. Around thirty years ago Dennis lost the use of his arms as the result of an industrial accident. Shortly after I met him he fell and injured his hip resulting in an inability to walk.

We had his funeral this afternoon. Cheryl did a beautiful, comforting eulogy. I brought the sermon. Dennis taught us much about living as a Christian. He had a gift for meeting new people and making them comfortable. He was a true friend. He never became bitter about his condition. Instead, he spent his time thinking about problem solving, the promises of God, and things that needed to be done for the church.

Pray for Sue, their children and grandchildren.

Memphis Visit

Your Chance To Win

Please help us decide if we should keep the fireplace screen Cheryl bought. We are not certain if we really like it or strongly dislike it.

Respond and you will be entered into a drawing for the chance to win a lifetime subscription to this blog.

Vote "Yes" and we will keep it or "No" and Cheryl will take it back.

Memphis Visit

This week I went to Memphis to assist Alethea with the children while Justin was out of town.

Danny Alvarez Visits

We were happy to have Danny Alvarez visit last week. Danny was Hispanic Pastor at New Covenant. He is working on a doctoral program at Regent University.

Compliments

I don’t receive compliments well (but considerably better than criticism). One compliment I use to enjoy came from an elderly member of our church family who has now gone to be with the Lord. On many of my visits with him there would be someone at his house for a business or medical purpose. He would always introduce me the same way: “This is my pastor. I really like my pastor. The thing I like the most about him is that he is highly educated … but you can’t tell it.” I knew what he meant and it was for me a great honor.

Another full week of blessings

It was a week of blessings. I taught a D.Min. course (8 to 5 plus two evenings); pictured below. We had a staff meeting. I went to three community meetings. We had a revival (Frday night through tonight). Our evangelist, Tim Staier, is pictured below with his wife Krystal (center) and sister Tabitha. It was a wonderful series of meetings.

Life is full

I wanted to post a photo of Larry McQueen. He stayed with us last week while he was in town doing research for his Ph.D. I took the picture, but the memory card was not in the camera.

Last Saturday we had a "Love Feast" at the church. It was a great time outside in the early fall weather. A picture is below. We also kicked off our new Parish Nurse program with a blood pressure screening clinic.

The kitchen drain at the church was clogged last weekend. It took about a half gallon of acid and plunging the floor drain to unstop it after church Sunday evening. Oh the glory of pastoral ministry.

Cheryl preached last Sunday. Members of The Women's Round Table from Lee University visited with us and we went out to lunch with them. It was refreshing to hear these young women testify of their call to ministry.

We were on fall break Monday and Tuesday. I worked on the fence twelve hours each day. I'm having to clear a lot of fallen trees in the process. I also put in a few evening hours Wednesday and Thursday. I'll be working on it tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll be able to let the Dexters out into the rest of my pasture and woods tomorrow. They will eat the undergrowth.

Next week I'll teach a Doctor of Ministry class 8 to 5.

By the way, Cheryl has been in Indiana all week. She was a guest lecturer at the Menonite Seminary there. They have a great interest in Pentecostalism. Several of the faculty are friends of ours. She is spending the weekend with Karisa and Johnmark in Wheaton.

Family Visit

Jimmy and Iris spent the night with us Frday night. Shirley and Mike drove up from Atlanta for the evening.

Down on the Farm

Alethea, Justin, Camdyn & Charlie came for a visit this weekend. Charlie loves the animals almost as much as Camdyn. Pride especially likes little children. He comes up to them and nudges gently until they pet him.

Dexters are here

I have taken on a new project, raising dexter cows. On Saturday two cows and two steers were delivered. Dexters are an old breed developed in the highlands of Ireland. They are a multipurpose breed: meat, milk, and work (oxen). They are smaller than other cows, about the size of the more recent miniature breeds. Miniatures are downsized popular breeds such as black angus. They are the result of a study in Australia during the 60's in which it was determined smaller cows are more efficient at converting grass to meat. Dexters were there first.

My interest is in getting quality beef. Because they will fatten on grass, they produce less bad fat (cholesterol producing) and more good fat (omega-3). Because they are small I should be able to keep a small herd (5 or 6 - with some work enlarging my pasture); they only need half the space of a regular cow. It wouldn't hurt to get a little money back one day.

Don't ask me about my weekend: unknown to me there was a tree across the fence, cows darted 1/2 mile down road, great neighbors helped, many hours spent repairing fence, little sleep because I was up checking on cows.

Guests

We were blessed this week with visits from Moses and Stanley Lane. I failed to get a fresh picture of Moses, but here are several of Stanley with friends.

Stanley with Greg Rush, friends since they were students at Northwest Bible College.


With Dr. Rickie Moore


With us

Thelma's Birthday

Cheryl and I went to South Carolina for her mother's 91st birthday.

Cheryl, her Aunt Dot, her mother, her cousin Barbara.


Cheryl's nephew Josh and his "special friend" Bethany.

A complete set of pictures is on the flicker site. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jackie_d/