Anointed At Comstock

Six days after Memorial Day Gene and Gayleen Beavers arrived at Comstock, where they lived and ministered for 23 years. Here a dinner was given in their honor. Many served while many others were instructed to simply enjoy the sweet fellowship of the hour. In attendance were those eternally indebted to the selflessness of the couple. Baptisms, births, funerals, tragedy, graduations, ball games, encouragements, challenges, car rides... tolerating small faith, lagging growth, majoring in minors and stubborn hearts... all in the name of Christ's love. And it was genuine.

Erik best summarized the moment as he painted a picture of our coming before God at communion, all of our junk in tow yet received by the face of one who's joy is fully found in our desire to make things right. Who can deny the room filled with the recipients of God's (Gene's) grace?

I suppose we could have taken all the time, effort and money that was used to honor our dear friends and given it to the poor instead. But that wouldn't have made a dent in the poverty stricken citizens of our community compared to the room filled with aroma of the offering poured over the feet (how beautiful indeed) of those who brought the gospel to the same community.

How appropriate that we thank and honor the living. Especially those who have selflessly served us. Let the dead bury the dead. Those who have been given life know better. Lazarus did, do you?

Take A Leap

A Day In the Life - So I have an office calendar that listed Thursday February 16th as Ash Wednesday. Recognize I don't follow this religious observance, but I actually talked myself into assuming the start of Lent being on Thursday this year had something to do with Leap Year. I even wished, someone (who is Catholic) on that day, a Happy (or sad...whatever we are supposed to be on that day) Ash Wednesday. The person looked at me a little strange but didn't correct me or question me. But come to think of it, they did look a little perplexed.
Coffee & Donuts - It wasn't until I went to Meijer the next Monday (the day before Fat Tuesday) that I realized I (and my calendar) was off. Yet I didn't stop to consider why I was wrong about it any more than I had stopped to think why Ash Wednesday would be on a Thursday (I mean was Easter going to be on a Monday?). I just accepted it as being wrong. Right or wrong...I am used to being one or the other.
Kruger Industrial Smoothing - "I'm not too worried about it." Evidently he was after all. Daniel von Bargen attempted suicide last week. Right or wrong does add up after a while. We act like it doesn't matter or we hope it won't, but our decisions take their toll. It must be hard to attempt suicide, a lot of things to consider... many people succeed at it. Also, many people fail at killing themselves. That's gotta be hard to live with. Or maybe the second chance is worth the failure.
Whitewater Can Be Treacherous - I recommend watching the new PBS.com film on William Jefferson Clinton. Very interesting. Dee Dee Myers says that Clinton believed in second chances. He believed that a person should receive as many as they were willing to attempt. Better theology than politics. Yet Clinton took advantage of every one he received. Where is he now? My guess, like the rest of us, he is working one of them out.
An Extra Day - You woke up today like every other day. Step wisely. Your choices matter. Act like it but more importantly, live like it.