Category Archives: Uncategorized

I discovered that the new single from U2 “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight” has a pretty interesting amimated music video… click here to see the story unfold.

We bought our mini-van in Jan of 1998. It has served us well. We hate to let it go. It still runs well. Since it was paid off, a trip to the garage every few months to fix this or that is all it has cost us. Never a major repair. I think we have never spent more than $1000 at one time on it.

It’s color (now peeling) is officially some sort of cranberry, but its shape and color named it ‘eggplant’ a long time ago. Eggplant has been as far south as South Carolina, as far north as Long Island, as far east as the tip of the outer banks and as far west as Louisville, Ky. It has over 202,ooo miles (which is not normal) and Sweet Anna says it got a sunburn, so it is peeling, the carpet has stains where Princess Irene spilled coffee and the right mirror is taped in place (thanks again to Princess Irene) and neither the left speakers nor the AC outlet work. Sometimes to get the electronics on the dash to work you have to bang just right on the top of the dash.

But Eggplant has hauled scores of people and hundreds of bags of luggage to and from airports (mainly Dulles) and moved the girls to and from colleges and apartments. It has been filled with bags of mulch, fertilizer and so forth and not a few times filled with flowers Sweet Anna has arranged for weddings. It has been filled with people, singing, reading, naps, arguing and even a kiss or two.

Eggplant has been so faithful. Rarely did it not start or get stuck. The heat and the air always worked great and it NEVER overheated. It keeps up with anyone on 81 or 64 and rides a smooth today as it did when we bought it in Jan of 1998.

Sweet Anna has always said she would drive it till it died. But now, we have decided to turn our old faithful friend in for the CARS program so that the Princess of Obuda can get a car for a more reasonable price. You see, the blue book on our faithful vehicle is $675.00 but with the CARS program we are getting $4,500.00 for it toward a fuel efficient car. So, Lord willing, the eggplant gets traded in today.

Oh, that we humans could be as faithful to each other as Eggplant has been to us.

“Farewell and well done, good and faithful servant.”

Sweet Anna and I… a short trip to serve in a couple of churches in Roanoke today. I just realized, as I sit in a B&N (who are now GIVING AWAY thier wif!!!) that this is a really comfortable place… on the road.
I really am wired for travel.

From July, 1991 to June 1995, Sweet Anna and I served among the wonderful folks at Riverland Road Baptist Church in the hometown of Roanoke. I am preaching there tomorrow at 11 and 6pm. It will great to be with the great folks there. Next weekend I’ll be sharing from the pulpit at Christ Community in Charlottesville both Sat night at 6 and Sunday morning at 10, y’all come!

click here and scroll down to see a couple of my pix from the funeral on the Subotica, Serbia radio station. This radio station is the #1 station in the region.

Last Friday, Sweet Anna and I celebrated our 30th anniversary by renewing our commitment to our marriage in the presence of about 40 friends. This weekend our family is participating in the wedding of a friend who spent her teen years down the street. This couple will promise to be committed to one another through thick and thin. Earlier this week I wrote a reccomendation for a friend who had demonstrated great commitment to serving God overseas for nine years. We have daily opportunities to show show and be conmmitment to people. But lack of commitment is often just as hurtful as having commitment to good is.

I think of the families at the funeral a few weeks ago burying thier murdered loved ones (see earliers posts) and the commitment of some governments to bring the wrong-doers to justice. And how a lack of commitment by other governments to justice allows these killers to stay hidden. But I also think of my colleagues where I taught for 14 years whose commitment to teach in an environment which gives them the freedom to openly and rightfully integrate God’s love and truth into thier teaching… their commitment comes with a cost – they could earn more, but they are committed to their cause.

As I think about this topic, I recognize that usually, commitment comes with, or in the face of a cost. For if there were no cost, no opposition, no hardship, if it were all smooth sailing, there would be no need for commitment, would there?

God demonstrated His commitment to us as Jesus came to live, teach, die and rise – – – for us. Because God is committed to us. His love for us is unconditional. He accepts us just as we are and offers us a better, more meaningful life. His commitment was demonstrated on the cross.
SO, the question is, what are we committed to? Are we committed to pursue unconditional love? Are we committed to justice? Are we committed to doing what we can to making the world a better place? Are we committed to helping people know Peace?