pastorbob's Journal

Sermon this week was on Cat and Dog Theology. As most of you know, cats in general live as if it is all about them. Everything and everyone exists to meet their needs. Dogs on the other hand are eager to serve and want to please their master. In the Church today we find both type of people, those who are there to have their needs met and be blessed without giving back and those who want to serve obediently and with joy and thanksgiving.  These two theologies are illustrated throughout the Old Testament in the history of Israel. God said from the beginning with Abraham, "If you obey me and follow me, I will bless you and you will bless the world."  Yet they continually rebelled and drifted away from God. In the New Testament, Jesus gave us three commandments that are the core of how we should serve and follow Him. "Love the Lord your God with all of your body, mind and soul," "Love your neighbor as you love yourselves," and "Love one another as I have loved you." Yet today we find people in the Church who desire the top line blessings of God but neglect the bottom line blessings that they are to be.

So my brothers and sisters, which are you? Are you a cat or are you a dog? In reality, we are usually a mixture of both, though at times more one way or the other.

It amazes me how much time passes in the blink of an eye. I didn't realize I had not written in my journal for so long. We have been extremely busy to say the least. Besides my normal pastoral duties, I have been doing a lot of sub-teaching. Vickey has been getting a lot of hours at Wal-Mart. 

In spite of our busy schedules we found time to get together with family on Saturday evening and Sunday. Went to (daughter) Katie's and Kevin's for supper and fun time Saturday. Friday was Vickey's birthday so it was a belated birthday dinner. Kevin fixed steaks on the grill and we had sliced poatatoes also cooked on the grill (wrapped in foil with onions and seasoning). Katie prepared a wonderful salad that was out of this world. Needless to say I over indulged. Then we played games for a couple of hours. K & K gave Vickey a gift card to a local lawn and garden store that she loves to shop at. I gave Vickey a gift card to Michael's craft store.

On Sunday we went to (daughter) Kathy's and Doug's and went out to Texas Roadhouse for supper. Again I over indulged. I am going to have to double my treadmill time this week to make up for it. Kathy and Doug gave Vickey a gift card to Wal-Mart and a note attached telling her if she didn't use it for personal stuff it would self-destruct. LOL We spent the night after a wonderful visit and that is where I am typing this from. They have broadband internet which is about 100 times faster than my dial-up. So I am trying to catch up on DS while I have access to it. Vickey and I plan on going shopping later and then we will stop by (daughter) Jessica's and visit on our way back home.

It has been good to spend time with family and Vickey. We have both been so busy we have had hardly any time together. That makes our time the last couple of days more special.

The latest on the knuckle head who used my name and address to order telemarketing info and magazine subscriptions. Apparently all he/she has is my name, address and phone number. The attacks have been annoying but not a real threat. So far three magazine subscriptions and a large number of telemarketing calls. We have canceled the subscriptions without any charges and asked each telemarketer to remove our name from the list. In all cases once we explained what has happened they have been apologetic and complied. So whoever it is either didn't intend to do harm or didn't have enough info to do harm. I strongly suspect it is somebody who lives locally. One thing I have learned over the years is that when we live our lives as living witnesses to Jesus Christ, we attract negative attention as much as the positive. Some of the shenanigins here on DS prove that to be a fact.

I have decided to go for the Master's in middle school / high school teaching with an emphasis in Math. It will take me about 18 months to 2 years depending on how hard I push.

We love all of you and pray that you are doing well. May you all find your strength in He who is the source of all we have and are.