Monday, June 05, 2006
A Good Kind of Tired
What a busy weekend! First, we spent the night on a vibrating bed in Siberia. Sort of. Actually, we were in Josh's apartment and he keeps it so cold, Janice shivered all night ... providing me a most relaxing vibrating-effect bed. I woke Josh up Saturday telling him we needed to take his mama to the hospital. His eyes popped wide open, "What's wrong?" I replied, "She's frozen solid!" After breakfast, we headed out to the annual Temecula Wine and Hot Air Balloon Festival. More on that tomorrow....
The drive over Friday afternoon was an event in and of itself. Thinking we got away before the traffic nightmare began, we quickly discovered we were so-o-o-o-o-o wrong. It's only about 85 miles from Long Beach, but it took us 3 hours! And, we were in Jessica's Civic, which is a five-speed, so add to everything else the never-ending clutch work. I was exhausted when we reached Josh's home. For about an hour we didn't get over 10mph in stand-still traffic. Just one of the many advantages of living in Southern California. Same trip home took about 90 minutes.
After spending the morning with Josh in 101 degree heat, Jan and I headed home to a much cooler Long Beach temperature of about 97 to celebrate Grad Nite with our church family. Josh and Heather came over and Jessica came home, as we are very close to our two graduates this year. Joanna (JoJo) and Morgan (Morgie) are almost like our own daughters. Fun evening. Great food! Lots of laughs. More than a few tears. And air conditioning!
Yesterday morning I preached lesson #7 in our journey through Romans. Chapter 3. Salvation by Faith, Part 2. Expressed many of the same thoughts (though I didn't steal them from him) of what my good friend, Steve (The Puckster) Puckett, wrote in one of his recent blogs. For many years I've thought our "doctrine" on salvation was shakey at best, if not down right spurious. We've been so focused on "our" response and "our" part in salvation, as if we have anything to offer God. Trying to respond to Acts 2:38 has been our battle cry: What must I do? The only thing we bring to the process is our sinfulness! Paul is rather emphatic in Romans 3 (and elsewhere) on the biblical doctrine of salvation by grace through faith. It began as a covenant with Abraham, only God's name was the only signature on the contract (so to speak). It's all about God's gift of Jesus. God's satisfaction with and resting in what Jesus did. God's justification of us based on Jesus. No wonder Paul asks, "So what do we have to brag about?" (Ro.3:27-28). I suppose we could boast about receiving an undeserved gift, but isn't that rather pathetic in comparison to God's love when we were so unlovable?
Then to have one of our elders publicly thank me and affirm the teaching (as well as many of the church family) is always a serendipity. I am blessed in many ways to be a part of this church family. For instance . . .
Our church family treated Josh and Heather to a luncheon / gift shower. And they were most generous both in gifts and in attendance. We were blessed with having Heather's mother, sister, and grandmother with us for worship and the afternoon events. Josh and Heather (hereafter referred to as J&H in future blogs) filled two cars with gifts. I'm talking trunk and back seat.
Five weeks from yesterday is the event. I've thought all along that I would be able to officiate their wedding without emotional breakdown. Almost bragged to others about it. But this gift-shower brought some significant lumps to this old daddy's throat, so now I'm not so sure. But it'll be all family there, so if I happen to shed some tears, then it will be with people who understand. And when it comes to my kids, I'm not above being an emotional whimp.
After spending the afternoon with Jessica ... doing a bit of shopping for the remainder of one of our wedding gifts to J&H ... dinner with dear friends ... Jan and I completed the weekend filling out loan apps for Jessica's final year of college. My life's goal now is to live long enough to pay off these college loans!
So I finished the weekend tired. But a good kind of tired. As always, thanks for stopping by. Have a blessed week.
The drive over Friday afternoon was an event in and of itself. Thinking we got away before the traffic nightmare began, we quickly discovered we were so-o-o-o-o-o wrong. It's only about 85 miles from Long Beach, but it took us 3 hours! And, we were in Jessica's Civic, which is a five-speed, so add to everything else the never-ending clutch work. I was exhausted when we reached Josh's home. For about an hour we didn't get over 10mph in stand-still traffic. Just one of the many advantages of living in Southern California. Same trip home took about 90 minutes.
After spending the morning with Josh in 101 degree heat, Jan and I headed home to a much cooler Long Beach temperature of about 97 to celebrate Grad Nite with our church family. Josh and Heather came over and Jessica came home, as we are very close to our two graduates this year. Joanna (JoJo) and Morgan (Morgie) are almost like our own daughters. Fun evening. Great food! Lots of laughs. More than a few tears. And air conditioning!
Yesterday morning I preached lesson #7 in our journey through Romans. Chapter 3. Salvation by Faith, Part 2. Expressed many of the same thoughts (though I didn't steal them from him) of what my good friend, Steve (The Puckster) Puckett, wrote in one of his recent blogs. For many years I've thought our "doctrine" on salvation was shakey at best, if not down right spurious. We've been so focused on "our" response and "our" part in salvation, as if we have anything to offer God. Trying to respond to Acts 2:38 has been our battle cry: What must I do? The only thing we bring to the process is our sinfulness! Paul is rather emphatic in Romans 3 (and elsewhere) on the biblical doctrine of salvation by grace through faith. It began as a covenant with Abraham, only God's name was the only signature on the contract (so to speak). It's all about God's gift of Jesus. God's satisfaction with and resting in what Jesus did. God's justification of us based on Jesus. No wonder Paul asks, "So what do we have to brag about?" (Ro.3:27-28). I suppose we could boast about receiving an undeserved gift, but isn't that rather pathetic in comparison to God's love when we were so unlovable?
Then to have one of our elders publicly thank me and affirm the teaching (as well as many of the church family) is always a serendipity. I am blessed in many ways to be a part of this church family. For instance . . .
Our church family treated Josh and Heather to a luncheon / gift shower. And they were most generous both in gifts and in attendance. We were blessed with having Heather's mother, sister, and grandmother with us for worship and the afternoon events. Josh and Heather (hereafter referred to as J&H in future blogs) filled two cars with gifts. I'm talking trunk and back seat.Five weeks from yesterday is the event. I've thought all along that I would be able to officiate their wedding without emotional breakdown. Almost bragged to others about it. But this gift-shower brought some significant lumps to this old daddy's throat, so now I'm not so sure. But it'll be all family there, so if I happen to shed some tears, then it will be with people who understand. And when it comes to my kids, I'm not above being an emotional whimp.
After spending the afternoon with Jessica ... doing a bit of shopping for the remainder of one of our wedding gifts to J&H ... dinner with dear friends ... Jan and I completed the weekend filling out loan apps for Jessica's final year of college. My life's goal now is to live long enough to pay off these college loans!
So I finished the weekend tired. But a good kind of tired. As always, thanks for stopping by. Have a blessed week.
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Greg,
Your post raises many thoughts this first thing Monday morning.
- How could your wife freeze in southern California unless the AC was blowing right on her?
- I have 2 family weddings coming up later this year myself, tho neither as emotional as your child's. Actually one should be pretty cool, but it's months away so I'll deal with that more then.
- Acts 2:38 - some day I'll share with you how this verse cost me a great job.
- Whenever I get the urge to visit southern California, I just think about the traffic - and the feeling goes away!
Blessings
Your post raises many thoughts this first thing Monday morning.
- How could your wife freeze in southern California unless the AC was blowing right on her?
- I have 2 family weddings coming up later this year myself, tho neither as emotional as your child's. Actually one should be pretty cool, but it's months away so I'll deal with that more then.
- Acts 2:38 - some day I'll share with you how this verse cost me a great job.
- Whenever I get the urge to visit southern California, I just think about the traffic - and the feeling goes away!
Blessings
I am so glad you are having great times with your kids. Is'nt it grand! I drove to Nashville Sat evening after a very tiring week, to see Peyton in her Ballet Recital. Of course see was only up there for 5 mins, but it was worth the trip. I would have spent the night but I had to sing Sun morn. The things we will do for our kids and grandkids. You will be just fine at the wedding, I remember Michelle Howards, a few tears are ok with me.
I certainly like the idea of coast to coast sermons! Romans is certainly one of my favorite preaching texts.
Outside of maybe Houston, I have never experienced any traffic like SoCal. Glad you all made it safely around.
My suggestion for doing son's wedding–heavy happy medication!!?!?
Peace.
Outside of maybe Houston, I have never experienced any traffic like SoCal. Glad you all made it safely around.
My suggestion for doing son's wedding–heavy happy medication!!?!?
Peace.
Romans is great . . . I am preaching it now.
As for traffic, Steve, have you ever been to Chicago?
Shalom,
Bobby V
As for traffic, Steve, have you ever been to Chicago?
Shalom,
Bobby V
Every time I think about living around LA I visit LA and "drive" the idea right out of my mind.
Sounds like you had a full weekend. Sounds like it's just the start. I hope you can pull off the officiating - I understand the challenge.
Here's a thought to help you through. In five more weeks you are one step closer from being a grandpa!
Sounds like you had a full weekend. Sounds like it's just the start. I hope you can pull off the officiating - I understand the challenge.
Here's a thought to help you through. In five more weeks you are one step closer from being a grandpa!
That Randy. Knows how to put things in perspective, don't he?
The baseball game yesterday had us sitting outside in about 96 degrees. I feel your pain. Not to mention your sunburn.
The baseball game yesterday had us sitting outside in about 96 degrees. I feel your pain. Not to mention your sunburn.
Greg,
Those of us who have traveled those southern California roads in automobiles with manual transmissions know exactly what you are talking about. Living in a megalopolis has some benefits, but as far as I’m concerned, many more drawbacks. I’ll not list them here.
So, is this your first child to be wed? I can’t remember if you’ve ever said whether or not this is the case. The oldest of my three sons married the sweetest young lady imaginable almost three years ago. They’ve been visiting with us for the past few days in order to attend our second son’s high school graduation. Anyway, this whole father-in-law (actually, we call it father-in-love in our family) thing is really great. You’ll love it (That is, if you’re not already loving it and this comment sounds really goofy to you)!
Sure enjoy your blog, brother.
Blessings to you and yours!
-bill
Those of us who have traveled those southern California roads in automobiles with manual transmissions know exactly what you are talking about. Living in a megalopolis has some benefits, but as far as I’m concerned, many more drawbacks. I’ll not list them here.
So, is this your first child to be wed? I can’t remember if you’ve ever said whether or not this is the case. The oldest of my three sons married the sweetest young lady imaginable almost three years ago. They’ve been visiting with us for the past few days in order to attend our second son’s high school graduation. Anyway, this whole father-in-law (actually, we call it father-in-love in our family) thing is really great. You’ll love it (That is, if you’re not already loving it and this comment sounds really goofy to you)!
Sure enjoy your blog, brother.
Blessings to you and yours!
-bill
It won't be but a few weeks until I got to register my first one in college. Seems unreal to me.
My favorite verse in Romans is 4:7
My favorite verse in Romans is 4:7
I sat in 100 degree heat on Saturday at St. John Bosco Graduation but up until yesterday the beaches were overcast all week.
Now back in Austin in 100 degree heat
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Now back in Austin in 100 degree heat
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