GOD is bigger than the boogie man

Okay, I just had to turn off my porch light after giving out candy to almost 100 kids... And I thought four huge bags of kit kats would be enough this year.

Honestly, I never really enjoyed halloween. Even as a kid, I never liked trick-or-treating much. I always thought it odd and scary to dress up in a costume that I had to wear under a coat because it was too cold out, going out in the dark, walking up to strange houses, begging for candy I didn't really like, while trying not to trip over the steps because I couldn't see out of my mask... ugh! I dreaded it each and every year. As I got older, I went to costume parties, which were more fun and warmer and the apple cider and powdered donuts were yummy.

However, as an adult I noticed more and more of the evil and ungodly overtones to the whole holiday. For a few years, I just boycotted the whole thing and said it's all bad. I read alot of articles that agreed with me and I thought, wow what a great holy Christian I am (not!)

That, however, is not what God wanted for me. When I moved into my house, in a very family neighborhood, I realized that I would have dozens and dozens of kids coming to my door. And I thought what a great opportunity to show Jesus' love and invite them to church. So, for the last few October 31st's I've opened my door, greeted the (mostly) cute children with a smile, dropped more than one kit kat in their bag along with a small card:

the heat is on

Okay, this morning I had to scrape the frost off my Jeep's windows before heading to work.

Our furnace poll is now officially closed and the winner is "She controls the thermostat". I am not surprised, nor are all the "shes" reading this. Since I do not have a she in my household (yet, praying someday) but grew up with 2 sisters and a mom, I understand. Also, working in the HVAC industry, the "put a sweater on" answer does not cut it for our clients.

So, it's time for a new poll just in time for election season. No it's not political, but it is controversial depending on the length on your driveway and tolerance for the white fluffy stuff. Yes, when do you like the first snow fall? Vote early, vote often.

things only moms can understand

this song made me laugh... enjoy!
http://www.anitarenfroe.com

random things

"One week without blogging makes one weak"... or something like that.

My Dad and I just got back from an extra long weekend in Charlotte NC and Morgantown WV visiting my sister and friends. We traveled by road... 20 plus hours with plenty of opportunity for talking, talk radio and the random map check. And when you think you've missed an exit, just drive a little while longer and another one comes along. We had dinner with some old and new friends, played some golf, hiked Cowders Mountain, saw a minor league hockey game, walked a museum and enjoyed a visit to Forest Hill church on Sunday morning. Both towns are busy and growing with lots of construction and something always going on. It was good to get away. It is good to be home.

Buffalo sports weekend update:
- Sabres lose two, 75 games to go, my predictions in jeopardy, 75 games to go, 75! No worries (yet)
- My friend Earl did not win the emcee contest, but he had a fun experience. Great effort, we are proud!!!
- Bills win their second game, Trent Edwards starts again this Sunday... J.P. who?
- I'm going to the Bengals game in a couple weeks... sitting in a corporate box... nice.
- Our football was rained out last weekend so I didn't miss a game while on vacation, but it's rescheduled this Sunday morning, so I miss the game anyway... I can't win.

Speaking of winning, I have yet to turn on my furnace due to our very pleasant October. Maybe in a few days, maybe not. My poll question has run away with "she controls the thermostat" Surprised? Not really. Thanks everyone for participating. The poll ends when I turn on the heat... maybe November.

Back to work today, ugh!

KW rehearsal tomorrow night, yeah! We continue to prepare for exciting new changes for our children's ministry. Visiting Forest Hill church this past weekend was excellent because I got a tour of their children's area... lots of great ideas and confirmation of our direction and needs for growth and creativity.

Last thought, life is complicated and very noisy sometimes...

Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He brings them out of their distresses.
He calms the storm,
So that its waves are still.
Then they are glad because they are quiet;
So He guides them to their desired haven.
Psalm 107:28-30

...more on that another day.

"druriere" who?

So, do you think the Sabres are missing Chris and Daniel? 24 goals in 5 games! 3 wins in a row. The "water cooler" talk on the mornings after games is starting already. It's exciting to see the team developing some leaders and scoring lots and lots of goals. Okay, my predictions for the season may be a bit ambitious, but, hey I'm a fan!

In other news, Trent Edwards will be starting this Sunday versus Baltimore... let the controversy begin! Buffalo is still reeling from the MNF loss to Dallas. Is a coaching change a possibility? Can the Bills pull out a 4-12 season? (especially playing Miami twice) Will the "Super Bowl" Bills (Kelly, Thomas, Tasker, Smith, etc) buy the team when Ralph Wilson buys the farm? Questions only sports radio fanatics can answer :)

I'm going to the Bengals game in November... my second game this season after "Family Day" preseason craziness. I hadn't been to a game is years and years. Basically because the Bills have stunk since the mid 90's and I really didn't care. But, now I guess free tickets make it worthwhile.

Speaking of football, last Saturday our team won in a close matchup to bring our record to 3-3. It's been a seesaw season with a rotating roster and a few miscues. We still seem to compete well in spite of ourselves. It's fun and in the end it just doesn't really matter... it's an amateur league with a bunch of "has been"s and "wanna be"s... except for me, of course, I never was nor will be :)

remember?

A year ago, on an October Thursday evening, the snow began to fall. In a few short hours, the branches full of leaves straining under the weight of the wet snow began to bend and crack and break and fall just as the snow. In the aftermath of that "October surprise" I wrote this...

The power that be... or not to be (that is the question)

So the generators continue to hum along in Eggertsville... national grid estimates Friday night for restoration... last night I plugged in my TV and, lo and behold, my cable works!!! And my phone... but alas, no power... With 2800 watts I have my furnace, refrigerator, lamps, microwave and my alarm clock illuminating the night sky... a beacon of technology in a sea of tree desolation.

This morning, as I drove to my second day back to work, the utility truck caravan of 100+ vehicles was head to my neighborhood... Tonight will be one full week, 7+ and counting days without that edison invention and still I continue to habitually flip those disconnected light switches... arggg!!! how dependent we become...

I've been eating good... grilling and camp stovin' everything in my fridge... I understand that all calories have been cancelled during this disaster... good thing :)

All the branches are cleaned up and piled at the curb... basement is dry... so now we wait, wait for "the juice", those famous electrons, the power to rescue us from our Amish existence (if Amish had generators, of course)

And we have learned, learned to work hard, help a neighbor, share a shovel, a bucket, a gas can, an extension cord and batteries... teamwork and tolerance... a smile of understanding... life became simple: food, heat, friends & family... reading by candle light, going to bed early, working hard, waking up with the sun... striving toward the hope of normalcy, but changed. In months to come, we will look back and thank God we are safe, warm and loved. New friends, new understanding, new appreciation of the important things and the survival skills of working a chainsaw, starting a generator and the everlasting knowledge of Lake Effect snow in October.

folly

"Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was futile and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun." Ecclesiastes 2:11

road hazard

Some random weekend happenings...

Saturday was an odd weather day… morning was very hot, humid and sunny playing football, then pouring rain, then sunny in the afternoon long enough to cut the lawn, then evening rain and a lightning storm in the middle of the night… 85 degrees in October!? What's up with that!? No furnace yet :)

Sabres are 0-2… ok, 80 games to go.

Sunday was a busy and unusual day… the preK kids loved participating in our story this week "God made the world and everything in it". We built these sorta terrarium things with water, rocks and dirt. We realized that dirt comes from dried mud which made clean up, well, muddy.

Ms. Debbie was in town for a visit. We missed her since she left for South America in Spring for a Spanish adventure (check our her blog on my favorites). Deb is originally from Dallas TX and claims the Cowboys will win big tonight… now I think they are ready for an upset loss at the hands of the Bills!!!

On the way home from church, Pastor Brek and I spent some "quality time" on the side of the road waiting for a tow to pickup his broken down vehicle. We observed some very interesting "Sunday driving" as people made their way around the blinking hazard lights. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon of fellowship under the overpass :)

Sunday night we had a great time roller skating with KW kids and families. It was so much fun rolling along with all the kids and moms and dads and friends. I have blisters on each foot… ouch.

Go Bills!!!

these are not the droids you're looking for

Tonight, I played Star Wars Trivial Pursuit with my friend's Derek, Michael & Jonas.

It's amazing how much I remember (and don't remember) from the trilogy that defined my childhood and adolesence. Okay, okay, I own all six movies and the special DVD's, plus a bunch of Lego and Kenner stuff and talk with my coworkers all the time about the next Star Wars thing. I guess I'm just an overgrown 10 year old.

And by the way, I won the game! It was a tough battle, but the Force was with me.

he shoots... he scooooooooores!!!

'07-'08 Sabres season begins tomorrow night!!!

It'll be an exciting year of hockey...

a breakout year for our young players!

Predictions:

Record 47W 29L 6OTL 100Points

Standings 2nd Division 3rd Overall

Miller .925 save %

Vanek 50 goals

Connelly 30 goals

Pominville 80 points

Stafford 60 points

Coach of the Year Lindy Ruff

Stanley Cup '08 (yes, finally our year)

Check out some new weblinks and schedule update -->

Game 1 Friday 10/5 vs NY Islanders 7:30pm

Go Sabres!!!

romans 5:1 - 5

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

to the ending of the world

This past week PBS has broadcast the new 14-hour World War II documentary by Ken Burns called the "The War." I have always been interested in history since I was in grammar school. Most of my reading outside work-related stuff and the Bible is usually a history type book. Two recommended books I read after I saw the movies are "We Were Soldiers Once... and Young" by Harold Moore and "Band of Brothers" by Stephen Ambrose. Both movies were well done. However, the books are more important because the humbling stories of the lives of these soldiers capture the real tragedy that is war. This focus is also primary in "The War"; a terrifying and heartbreaking journey with the soldiers and the American towns they came from.

We are reminded that war has always been with us since the beginning of time from the first world war in Genesis 14:8-24 to today's war on terror. We know the purpose of armies are to kill people and break things. We seem doomed to repeat the horrific tragedy, heartbreaking loss and destroyed lives beyond recognition, over and over and over again. 10,000 years of human history and we have never stopped warring among ourselves. A constant struggle, a never ending conflict for power, land conquest and political control.

Why? Sin exists. Evil exists. Remember "your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8

We have hope. Hope in the redemption of His story. Throughout scripture we see God's grace, love and salvation through Jesus Christ. Although, we battle sin and fight against evil, we know the war, the war against sin, is already won. In His coming and His coming again… "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4

Let's pray for all our soldiers fighting today. Remember their sacrifice for the greater good. For love of country. Protection of our families. To battle evil and establish freedom.

May the church rise up and define for this generation, why we fight. May the church reveal The Light that dispels the darkness. May the church, built within each believer, in our individual influence, wherever we are, whomever we are with, tell His Story of faith, hope and love.

"From this day to the ending of the world
We in it shall be remembered
We band of brothers"

october

October and the trees are stripped bare
Of all they wear
What do I care?

October and kingdoms rise
And kingdoms fall
But you go on
And on

U2 1981