Goodbye, Pluto
"Pluto's status as the solar system's ninth planet became a relic of history Thursday when international astronomers meeting in the Czech Republic decided it was too small to remain a full member of the planetary club."
It was good while it lasted. Back to eight planets. Gustav Holtz will be pleased.
sojourning back into academia . . .
Something new for the Pilgrim . . .
Back into the classroom. I've taught a little college before, but its been a while. I have agreed to teach a class this fall at the local college. Northern Oklahoma College has offered me one section of Social Problems. I told the Dean that it sounded like a good opportunity to make young democrats . . .
It is an ITV (interactive TV) - students at two remote locations, as well as the local site. That part should be interesting. Tuesday and Thursday evening at 5 pm.
Yesterday was a good morning. Pretty good attendance, and the worship service was wonderful. I was glad to be back in the pulpit - I missed it last week.
Nothing else for now . . .
I came home and flew my flag . . .
My friend Faith Sarver wrote this yesterday. She is a thoughtful person, and until yesterday, I didn't know what a good writer she is. I asked her permission to share this essay thought.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
I came home and flew my flag.
"The front page of today’s local newspaper carried an article titled “A hero’s farewell”. A full military service was being held for a local soldier killed in Iraq. Thirty year old Staff Sgt. Clint Joseph Storey had given the ultimate sacrifice for his country – his life.
My heart had been sadden for several days as I had followed the story of this family’s loss. At the end of today’s article I noticed that the church in Kansas who travels our country protesting at the funerals of our fallen military personnel was going to be in town. I made a mental note to avoid that street. I should have made myself a big sticky note to wear.
I was following my normal morning errand route. I approached the intersection and turned, realizing too late that I had driven to the protest spot. A neon poster board sign reading “God Hates Fags” confronted me. My Spirit immediately became broken hearted. I have not felt such heaviness in a long time. I focused my eyes straight ahead, but was not able to ignore the counter protesters on the other side of the street or the police and highway patrol men stationed along the road.
My thoughts raced in my head. God hates fags? Really? My Bible tells me God hates sin, not sinners. Somehow, their message did not seem to be the “good news” Jesus called us to share. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). “Whosoever” means even those who hate – grace is extended even to them. I could not manage anger, only broken heartedness at their message.
My thoughts went to the family of this soldier. His life was given for the right of all Americans to lawfully protest. Even for those who would use his death to spread hate.
I thought of how fortunate this family was to be able to bury their beloved with military honors. Not all of our fallen heroes have had this privilege. Veterans of other wars and conflicts have been flown home in the middle of the night to avoid confrontations with protesters in airports and cities.
I thought of my husband’s young cousin who is completing one of his training stations to become a Navy Seal. His willingness to serve at this time makes me feel honored to know him. Our thoughts and prayers are continually with him and his family.
My attention was turned to the several flags being flown downtown and in our neighborhoods. As I returned to the office I noticed more than normal on display. It was a reminder of freedom. Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the right to assemble……freedoms enjoyed by few other people in the world.
I came home and I flew my flag."
Faith Sarver
a full heart . . .
For the strangest of reasons, my heart is full this evening. Not really sure why - there has been enough activity and plenty of troubling distractions to have caused even the most stalwart of servants to be a little on the depressed side - but I'm feeling a little chipper and full of faith.This week has been crazy. I made the huge mistake of agreeing to teach a course this fall at the local college. I will be teaching "Social Problems" - which sounds like a wonderful opportunity to make young Democrats . . .Anyway, this week has been inservice. Over in Tonkawa. That's an hour each way, three days in a row. I learned virtually nothing Monday, absolutely nothing on Tuesday until the 3 pm meeting, and nothing today. Why do they have these meetings . . .????However, tomorrow, I learn about the interactive television system I will be using to help deliver classroom sessions to remote locations. I actually did my Doctorate in the area of distance education, and so that part of this course will be rather interesting, I think.Amy is doing super. Smarrrrrrrttttt. When I have her "whoa," she waits until I verbally deliver the next command until she responds - she actually ignored a visual command this evening until I delivered the verbal command. I don't know if that's what I really want, but I think she's tremendously smart.I noticed that I'm only getting 3 hits a day on this blog right now - could that be a factor of the reality that I'm writing about once a week????
For your reading pleasure . . .
We are getting new windows in the church. The workmen are here, tearing out the old ones, and we will soon have new, energy efficient windows. Yeah!!!!
News on Amy the pup - WOW - she is coming right along with the commands. Here's the latest one - she is learning "Whoa" real well, and I stop her, face my hand toward her while I reissue the command, and then I turn and walk 30 yards away, drop to one knee, and call her to me. She actually comes straight to me. An obedient dog. COOOOOOOOL!!!!!!
an interesting exercise . . .
I haven't worn a watch, except for Sundays, in nearly three weeks now. It really is for a sort of practical reason - it's so darn hot here in N.W. Oklahoma, and the watch I wear has a leather band, and leather bands tend to get really stinky when you sweat on them too much. So, the watch is sitting in the cup holder in the car, and I have donned my Dad's watch the past two Sunday mornings for worship hour. That's it . . .
There have been three interesting side effects. 1. the skin on my arm under the watch is now just as tanned as the rest of my arm. 2. I still know what time it is - a factor of a rather good internal clock, and a plethora of clocks in my reguraly daily path, and 3. I haven't accomplished near as much in the last three weeks as I usually do.
I'd be interested in hearing your theological or comical responses to this phenomenon.
BTW - sorry I haven't been posting much lately. It's a factor of several things, but suffice to say that I intend to say a little more as these days ensue.
