Vacation it is not...

I have recently embarked on a three week sabatical from the church. What that means is I am letting my staff take care of the day to day operations so that I can refresh. Now many have asked me, well take a weeks vacation. Well in being in a Pastor even when you are away, you are never truely away. There are situations that come up (and we had a funeral this week that I ministered at) and you really never stop being the Pastor. You worry about things that are going on, you worry about who is doing what, you worry about if services are going on as scheduled. But with a sabatical you are supposed to not worry about those things. You let others handle them.
I thought not thinking about church stuff would be easy. Well it is not, I have been challenged in the last week about what we are doing for our community, what differences we are making, are we serving to our ability? I have read through at least two books this last week and a half about dreaming GOD sized dreams and also chasing after what GOD would have us do. I think I am thinking church more now than ever. But I am only one week into it and I am already preparing for a sermon that is three weeks out. I am itching to get going again casting vision for our community and dreaming GOD sized dreams.
Be Blessed

I am so thankful for the little things that I have in life. I did a lot of driving this week through a couple of states and saw that people live in all sorts of climates and conditions and it got me to thinking that I have it so good.
I may not live in a mansion, but I do have a house that keeps the critters out and the rain off my head. The AC might not keep it 68 but it does keep it below 80. The water might not have great pressure but it is not rusty, does not stink, and is hot most of the time. The carpet is not new, but it is better than dirt and my bed might not be the best but at least it is a bed and not just a blanket in the corner.
I may not have a brand new car, but I at least have one that runs, gets me to where I want to go and does not cost me a fortune.
I have a family that loves me, a wife that thinks I am still great after all these years and a GOD who is always faithful.
Life is indeed good!

Have you ever not been able to sleep?

I am away from home in a hotel room and can't sleep. So I got to thinking...
If you knew what you know now, do you think that you would have gotten married in the first place? I know I probably would not have...

Now wait a minute, it is not about me. I think if my wife knew all the stupid decisions I have made, how much I hog the covers and mess up the bed, how sometimes I zone out and don't listen to her she might have decided not to marry me in the first place.
Now me on the other hand, I am so lucky I got her to say "I do" before she found out all the things that "I don't"!!

I love my wife!!

Convertibles...

I just love convertibles!! I happened to get a convertible Mustang on my last trip and decided to go "topless" for a little while running down the highway.
Here are some rules for running with the top down...
1) Everyone will look at you. With the top down it is like a traffic accident, everyone wants to see who is driving that car. So prepared to be stared at, thumbed at (as in good thumbs up) and notived wherever you go.
2) If you have a bald spot, it will get burnt. Trust me on this.
3) Bugs will fly into your car with the top down. Hey they are interested too in the convertible and will fly in for a closer look. Note, if you are above 6' plan on a few finding your forehead as they miss the top of the windshield.
4) if you have loose papers laying around, well you will lose papers.
5) You can not put the top up while traveling at 60 MPH no matter how fast the rains are coming in. Keep an eye on the sky and be aware for raindrops at 60 are no picnic.
6) You are not protected from bird droppings with the top down. Just so you know.
7) All those smells that you don't smell with the windows up you do with the top down. Like the ocean salt smell as you cruise down the beach hiway. The wild flowers blossums as they bloom in the fields, and the pig farm you pass by none too quickly.
8) Did I mention that sunburns on the bald spots really hurt?
9) Did I mention that if you are above 6 feet and wear a hat, that said hat will disappear at approximately 53 miles per hour.
10) Enjoy yourself. No one hates to see someone riding around in a convertible with a frown on their face. Come on, have you ever seen that grumpy person and think what must be wrong with them when they have a convertible and they are STILL not happy...
Peace!