leap day

Every four years, in years evenly divisible by 4, except of century years not divisible by 400, on this 60th day on the Gregorian calendar, Februrary 29, 2008... Happy Leap Year!!!

"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven" Ecclesiastes 3:1-12

Our lives seem ruled by calendars and time schedules. Today, we are reminded "to rejoice, and to do good" because everyday is a "gift of God". On this extra day, let us redeem the "time to be born, to plant, to heal, to build up, to laugh, to dance, to gather, to embrace, to gain, to keep, to keep silence, to speak, to love... a time of peace."

big bear

Tonight, I went to my first Sabres game of the season. And what a game! Our new trade Steve Bernier scores the first 2 goals, earns an assist and almost has a hat trick for first star honors. Wow, welcome to Buffalo! This big win over the Predators 8-4 was a Sabres classic including alot of phycial play, a few fights and even a goal from Peters. Hopefully, this will boast our playoff chances. Go Sabres!!!

the original plan?

I just had a really odd thought after reviewing Pastor Jerry's "moment after you die" sermon.

What was God's original plan? You know, if Adam never sinned. C.S. Lewis' Perelandra asks a similar question in the story of a planet that never fell to the temptation of sin. What if there was no death and everyone lived forever? Assuming procreation was part of that plan, where would the billions upon trillions upon gazillions of people live? Would earth be on huge city of skyscrapers, like Coruscant in Star Wars, one city one planet? Speaking of sci-fi, I guess maybe that explains why God created an infinite universe of solar systems and planets. Maybe He intended for us to populate the entire infinite universe. It's intriguing to think of 10,000 years of sci-fi solutions, space travel, technology and other cool things that may have developed if we were obedient to God's sinless plan and rested in His love? An odd thought, I know.

9th place

Okay, my October Sabres season predictions have proved "challenging". With a 28-23-8 record and 64 points, our boys in blue & gold are fighting for a playoff spot. In this final stretch with 23 games to go, they'll need to string together a bunch more wins to make that 7th or 8th seed. Our young team is showing glimmers of hope with Pominville, Roy, Vanek & Paille. And goalie Miller's .914 save % has kept us in some tough games. Soon we'll find out if Brian "Soupy" Campbell will stay a Sabre... and help us win a Stanley Cup. Go Sabres!!!

chronicles of kings

“Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations…and the LORD said ‘Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them’... And you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and the Lord will not hear you in that day. Nevertheless the people refused to obey… No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” (1 Samuel 8:5-22)

1050 BC Saul, David, Solomon
930 BC Divided kingdom: 20 kings of Israel, 20 kings of Judah

“for so it was… the children sinned against the LORD their God… they did not obey, but they followed their former rituals… So these nations feared the Lord, yet served their carved images; also their children and their children’s children have continued doing as their fathers did, even to this day.” (2 Kings 17:7-40)

Bold personalities present themselves as saviors and kings to a nation founded on a Covenant promise and Godly Law. Leaders whose obedience to the LORD is suspect and rebellion to His WORD is evident. The downward spiral of sin, ebbing and flowing between temporary obedience and fundamental rebellion. A chosen people choosing “evil in the sight of the LORD” and continuing to do “what was right in their own eyes.” (Judges 21:25)

The LORD gave prophets and warning, miracles and hope, protection and forgiveness. Yet, the nation rebels and appoints “kings… like all the nations… to fight our battles”

722 BC Assyria scatters the ten northern tribes of Israel
586 BC Babylon captures southern Judah for 70 years

2008 AD United States of America… a nation rejecting… a nation refusing to obey… a nation falling.

But the hope of salvation does not reside in a president, politician or king. The LORD is faithful and “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign…” (Isaiah 7)

“behold… He who… was called Faithful and True… KING OF KINGS” (Revelation 19:11-16)

Jesus Christ… KING.

the toaster

My 94 year old Grandma often says: "the first hundred years are the hardest". This last week my family has experienced a major transition in the long and loving life of my Gram. After much stress and waiting, decisions and more decisions, changes and logistics, we moved my Gram to a very nice and friendly adult living home with renewed opportunity for new friends and activity.

However, it's hard to pack up 94 years of life into a cozy room and a closet. For the last few years, my Gram, in her wisdom, had begun to give away alot of her things. Her good health and wit has allowed her to ask each of our family what we could use or would want.

Today, I received "the toaster". This appliance has toasted bread for sandwiches for lunch that my Gram has shared with me for the past decade or so. Every few weeks, I had opportunity to stop at her apartment to enjoy lunch. Now, the toaster sits on my countertop reminding me of my Gram and our special lunches.

Next week, maybe my Gram and I will start a new tradition. Maybe I'll meet some of her new friends. Maybe we'll play a game. Maybe I'll bring a sandwich to share. Toasted, of course.