Ah, Sunday

Nothing in particular to write about today. Just that it is Sunday. Sundays are not the same since I retired from the ministry years ago. I don't have to be at church. I don't have to play the 'church games' that so many ministers do. Do I miss it? Not too much.

However what I do miss is the fellowship or family feeling of a congregation. Now, I am an orphan. Have no church family to speak of. My professional ethics prevent me from attending the church from which I retired. Another reason I do not attend is it has become radically theologically different. It is very radical in its conservative and evangelical approach to the Faith. Thus, my theological views are out of sink with theirs.

Any new congregation I visit would not afford the spiritual family connection as I would always be the 'adopted' family member. At my age, I am too old to be adopted and begin the process of being part of the family.

Ah, Sunday a day of relaxation for me in my retirement years.

Church Websites

I visit many church websites just to keep up on things. Most of them are current and updated on a regular basis. One, however, has not been updated in several months. It still contains the news that it will be moving soon to a new location.

However, that is not the case at all. All of their plans since the inception of relocation have fallen through for one or more reasons. But you would not get that information from its website. It still includes an architect's drawing of a church that will no longer be.

The lastest word is that the church will not relocate but remain in its current location despite some concerns the DNR [department of natural resources] has about the property beneath the current building. The website does not mention anything of this nature.

The pastor's blog has not been update in over a year. The associate pastor's has been updated recently.

All of this causes me to wonder about churches which direct us to their websites only to see outdated information. In this day and age, I think it speaks volumes about the church--perhaps being out-dated itself. I have no personal knowledge of this church only via its website and the things I hear from neigbors in the community.

Oh well, now I said it and I shall retreat to the wonderful world of a church website surfer.

Have a great and wonderful day.

Dr. Ron

Buster and A. B. Wood

This video shows more of the interaction between A. B. Wood and Buster. I had to constantly pet Buster to ease his fears of this new and strange thing. :)

These two videos were taken by my daughter using my HP Photosmart R847 digital camera. This is our first attempt at uploading videos from the camera. I'd say we did rather well. One of these days, I will get use to all the modern technology and by the time I do it will be obsolete. :)

Once again, enjoy the antics of Buster and A. B. Wood.

Dr. Ron

Buster meets A. B. Wood

Buster is my daughter's dog. She and her gentleman friend came over Friday evening to grill hamburgers, etc. My daughter found A. B. Wood, one of my muppets, and introduced him to her dog. Buster was not too sure what to make of the deal. He was a tad afraid. Then her gentleman friend took A. B. while I held Buster. I petted him while A. B. kept getting closer and closer. Lots of laughter and fun as we watched the scene play out before us.

Have fun watching. Remember life is short and there is much to smile and laugh about so laugh much each day.

Dr. Ron

A friend

I sometimes think about the end of life and what it may be like to 'passover' to the other side. During one of my speculative moments, the phone rang. It was a dear friend I had not heard from in a long time. She and her husband were and are dear friends. We met during my active pastorate years and shared many, many happy times. Sue and Pat are the kind of people you instantly fall in love with. Both have a zest for life and for living.

Sue phoned to inform me that Pat has ALS and is under hospice care with the end of his life drawing near. So sad for a young man--in his fifties--who had that amazing zest for life and lived it to the fullest. The news hit me like a ton of bricks. My heart aches for Sue, Pat, and their boys as they approach this chapter in their lives. Of course, my prayers are with them.

I have always believed in the hereafter from the Christian perspective. When it is time for Pat to crossover, I know it will be to a better place and that he will be relased from the pain and suffering of this life. That provides me with some comfort and joy. I will, however, be saddened that a good friend is now longer with me. That's natural. However, in my saddness I will rejoice because Pat touched my life significanly and I have grown because of our encounter.

Thanks, Pat for being my friend.

Dr. Ron