Toward the end of an eventful week (or not) . . .
While I am avoiding writing my sermon (and I might add, "successfully avoiding"), I'll tell you about the grand highlight of the week - a trip to Missouri on Monday and Tuesday for the CBF of Missouri Pastor's Conference. I had been looking forward to this one all year, for the speaker was our dear, wonderful Bishop Will Willimon.
He was tremendous. Tired, but tremendous. His luggage didn't arrive until Tuesday, and he was running on about 2 hours of sleep when he started lecturing on Monday afternoon. But still, with half his brain tied behind his back, he was magnificent. And who knew he was so funny. He kept us in stitches.Willimon did something for me. Commenting consistently about Mark's gospel (since we're in year B, and the gospel is Mark), Willimon "desanitized" Jesus for me a little - uncovered some of the "earthiness" of our Lord, and generally gave me the idea that if the clergy feels beat up by the congregation, they have no one to blame but themselves.My favorite line from the sessions was from his story about a student who stopped him to express concern about a theological point she was struggling with. His response - grasp her by the elbow, and say, "Thank God you came to a liberal, mainline minister with this concern." I think I'll put a derivative of that on the back of my business cards - in italics. "Thank God you found a liberal, mainline minister."
Happy Birthday, Dad!!
Today would have been Dad's 81st Birthday.
Happy Birthday, Dad!!!!
Ragweed and the Hunting Dog . . .
I can report that the ragweed in Jefferson, OK is "world class" this year.
As Deer season is approaching, I had need and opportunity this morning to travel north, for the expressed purpose of hanging a deer stand. I decided to double up on the opportunity, and so I took Amy on her first field outing. She was so excited. I didn't run a check cord on her - just let her run loose. She never strayed farther than about 50 yds from me, coming back to check on me regularly as we walked through the fields. She flushed some meadowlarks, smelled every different kind of flower, and ran through a covey of quail. She is so small, and the weeds were so tall, she literally bounced from place to place around the field. She had a blast.
I got my deer stand hung, and a feeder.
And I sniffed a snoot-full of ragweed.
a report from the front lines . . .
First off - I saw gasoline for $2.11 this morning. I filled up for $2.15 yesterday. I feel like I live in Walmart - the prices keep falling . . .Spoke to the Dean at the college yesterday. I had an experience last week where my new obligation to be at the college conflicted with my perceived need to be a pastor, and I didn't like that feeling. So, I told him that I won't be teaching again come spring. I shared with him all the things I like about teaching, and the things that I don't like - how I have gotten past nearly everything I don't like, but that I wouldn't be able to get past this feeling when I am needed in both places at the same time.As an afterthought as I was leaving his office, we discussed the possibility of me teaching an "on-line" class. I kinda like that idea - can fit the teaching more into my hit-and-miss daily schedule, get to use the computer, and will be bringing in a little cash to boot. We'll see . . .It looks like Enid has a football team. They've won the first two games - got behind this last Friday night, and then they took control and won the game. This week will be something of a test, and then week 4 is the real deal - against Tulsa Union.We've had a little cool snap - it got down into the upper 40's last night. It's supposed to be warmer by the weekend. Anyway, the grass is slowing down a bit . . .Amy has reached the "brat" stage. She looks at me, and says, "I don't have to do what you say." We may have to introduce her to "Mr. Shock Collar" sooner than I wanted to. I think tomorrow I'll take her north early in the morning and let her run in the pheasant field. I'm looking forward to the look on her face when she gets her first whiff of pheasant. And I'll hang a deer stand.Headed to Missouri for a pastor's conference on Sunday evening. Will Willimon is the speaker - he's a guru to most moderate pastors. I'm really looking forward to it.That's all for now . . .
2 days later . . .
Friend Gary, his son Greg, and I sat in a different field. Harvested milo. I can report that I'm stuck on 9. Harvested 9 doves again.
My shooting was some better - still nothing to brag about.
Making plans for Miss Lynn's 50th birthday. If you know and love her, send her a birthday card. The party will be Sunday night - 6:30 at the church.
Opening Day of Dove Season
I can report that friend Gary and I each collected 9 doves this evening.
I wish I could report that I only shot 9 times . . .
In sections of the county, the ragweed is "world-class."
That is all - for now.
