Paul Asay

Cracked Barrel, Addams Family Style

2026-04-19T07:55:00.000-07:00

Arrived at a rather desolate version of this well known eating establishment while traveling back to Indiana. The place was rather empty for a Saturday night. Most of the employees sitting on the back step were hanging out. Might have been Uncle Fester’s kin. An episode of Courage the cowardly dog could have been filmed here. Why yes something creepy was afoot.

Once inside and walking up to the “greeting station” was a family that looked like have been waiting till their

tongues were hanging impatiently staring for someone to let them in. We joined in behind like the unsuspecting fools we were.

Then, appearing out of nowhere was a man the likes of Lurch

from the Addams Family, yet a 90 year old version with one foot on deaths door. No words were spoken, not even “you rang”. I’ve seen more welcoming faces on a bottle of arsenic. Slowly he guided us to a table like this was our last meal.

Our waitress soon arrived handing us menus. The families one normal daughter perhaps. A bright spot maybe in an otherwise dark arena.

An ant appeared on the corner of our table. Scurrying off like Thing as I tried to remove it. Poor guy, probably didn’t want to be there either.

One could imagine Morticia was behind the scenes running the show behind those closed doors.

Ordering coffee, it arrived rather lukewarm. I drank it anyway as it seemed fitting for such an establishment.

My meal, if it could talk would have said why would you ever come here? The eggs almost got up and walked off my plate they were so undercooked. The chicken who laid those eggs would have been pissed and asked to speak to the manager.

I guess after enduring the rest of the experience I was in for whatever this place could throw at me. Kind of like running a marathon after mile 20. You’re in to finish even if it killed me.

Eventually the experience came to a conclusion after paying good money for all that.

As a veteran of many endurance events I believe I should have received a finishers medal as I walked out the door for surviving till the end. Oh Cracked Barrel, what has become of you?

The Waffle House close by, on a bad day, offers a 5 star experience in comparison. Even if the cook was smoking a cigarette, and the waitress was having a bad hair day.

What Makes You Happy

2026-01-01T09:31:00.000-08:00

Our 5-year-old grandchild was spending the night, and my wife Sherrie asked him: what makes you happy? His answer had to do with monster trucks, dinosaurs, and riding four wheelers. I have a feeling yours and mine would be a bit different. Besides, when I think of dinosaurs I think of Jurassic Park, not a happy place in those movies.

For as long as I can remember back my family loved vacationing at Anna Marie Island. So, if you were to ask me what makes me happy, a day at the beach in Anna Marie would be very close to the top. It no longer requires a two day car ride from Indiana, it's just 45-60 minutes down the road from Sun City Center. If you go, I have a couple of suggestions. First, go early, or go late, but not between 10 am and 3 pm. Much less trouble finding a parking spot, and your favorite place to park your beach chairs. Second, if you go early, I highly suggest breakfast at Ginny's and Jane E's Cafe. It's in the old downtown section of Anna Marie and the dishes are amazing. They have a cute gift shop in the front of the building and then the line forms for the real treats. They have the most delectable cinnamon rolls and sticky buns you can imagine. They also have Creme Brulee french toast that you just have to taste.

Should you decide to visit in the afternoon, what I call "second shift" the Tex Mex restaurant "The Wicked Cantina" on the south end of the island is just across the street from the beach. There you can watch the sunset and listen to live music as it descends into the Gulf. Catch all this for a very reasonable price. Weekly a guy from our hometown in Indiana, Ross David, plays which is an added treat for us. Well, if dinosaurs and the beach is not your thing, I'll bet you can come up with your own list.

My days in Juvenal Detention

2025-11-27T05:53:00.000-08:00

If you know me, I would think you would consider me an affable character. However, did you know I spent days in Juvenal Detention? As Paul Harvey would say, here is the rest of the story.

Have a particularly good friend Nick whom I’ve known for decades. From riding local mountain bike trails to mission trips in far off, and crazy places. We have seen and experienced a lot together. Now days Nick works as a carpenter extraordinaire, and has a contract with a local interior design company. He installs high-end closets and pantries for mostly new home construction in particularly nice homes. These installs are constructed of large and heavy puzzle pieces, and that’s where I enter the story. I help him as a part-time assistant installer.

This past week instead of working on new homes, we have been installing closets and a pantry in the local juvenal detention center. We have been working up close and personal near the cells and open areas of the jail. In the military I’ve spent considerable time working security in a nuclear storage area, so I’m familiar with thick concrete and steel doors. This however, was a place of discord and disharmony more than being around nuclear bombs.

Needless to say, it’s been an education. Specifically in the use of synergy. These kids only talk in loud voices, and what I would call a travesty of the English language. Kids were ultimately tearing each other down and making life a living hell there. Synergy can be used in a negative fashion just as opposed to a positive one.

Lesson here can be learned. We can build each other up to be more than just a group of individuals, or very much the opposite. Maybe its time to invest in some love and care in our neighbors. Take the time to attend socials and offer some encouragement. If we have a chance to make life better not only for ourselves, but those arounds us let's take it.

Tolkien, the Shire and South Lake

2025-01-28T16:36:00.000-08:00

If you’re a fan of The Lord of the Rings, or perhaps The Hobbit by J R R Tolkien you would have come across a land called The Shire.

In Tolkien's fiction, the Shire is described as a small but beautiful, idyllic and fruitful land, beloved by its hobbit inhabitants. They had agriculture but were not industrialized. The landscape included downland and woods like the English countryside. Families lived in a close community of friends and neighbors, often celebrating and having meals together. He envisioned The Shire as a place of refuge in an otherwise chaotic and often dangerous world. Sometimes I view The Shire a bit like living on South Lake within Sun City Center proper.

Tolkien himself experienced chaos and extreme danger as a soldier in the first World War. Barely surviving the Battle of the Somme, spending months in recovery from Trench Fever. The battle was one of the world's bloodiest battles, with one million casualties.

Within The Lord of the Rings he vividly creates a number of communities each having serious difficulties. Yet the Shire was always depicted as a safe haven. I’m thinking with all the troubles and traumas he lived through, a place like the Shire helped set his mind at ease.

Hopefully you have not experienced the depth of despair like the Battle of the Somme. Yet no one gets through life without more troubles than they would prefer. My hope is that what the fictional Shire did for Tolkien, the real South Lake will do for you.

Godspeed

Paul

Becoming Aristotelian in 2025

2024-12-24T13:29:00.002-08:00

Becoming Aristotelian in 2025

Several years ago, I took one of the free courses provided by Hilldale College called “Introduction to Aristotle’s Ethics”. Sounds rather high-brow, but it turned out to one of the best college courses I’ve ever taken. The course condenses Aristotle’s deep dive into ethics to examine one question: How Best to Live. Turns out in its most simple form, Aristotle would likely say he who lives the most virtuous life lives the best life.

So, who exactly was Aristotle? He is considered one of the three most famous philosophers from ancient Greece along with Socrates and Plato. He was born in 384 B.C. and became the authority on everything from philosophy to mathematics, politics, metaphysics, ethics and much more. He also served as the personal tutor to Alexander the Great.

What if we took a look at his key virtues and tried to apply those to ourselves for 2025? What would the outcome be? Some of his cardinal ethics/virtues are listed here. The question becomes, how can we make these a central part of our lives?

Justice, Patience, Truthfulness, Friendliness, Temperance, Liberality, Magnanimity and Courage. Magnanimity btw is keeping your pride in check, yet recognizing your abilities and bringing them to their highest level. Combined, he called the person who could master these virtues as Eudaimonia. This person, who by shaping their character and virtue so well that all these virtues come naturally. This in turns brings real happiness and your best life possible.

Now that would define a real Aristotelian 2025.

Godspeed, Paul

Sermon on the Beatitudes Sierra Leone October 27 2019

2019-11-04T12:32:00.001-08:00

This team stand here today among friends
We may have been born in different countries, but we are the same
Today we are going to talk a little bit about Jesus defining sermon
It’s found in Matthew chapters 5, 6 and 7
It explains how a Christian should conduct themselves
It sets a very high standard for all of us to follow
This conduct is for every man, woman and child that professes to be a Christian
No more important words have ever been spoken on earth before an audience

At the start of this sermon Jesus mentions 9 specific Beatitudes

A beatitude is a way to be blessed by God

Do you want to be blessed by God, I do

These blessing may not happen on this earth, but they will happen in heaven

The sermon begins by Jesus sitting on a quiet mountain side with just his disciples

So lets read the story: Read Matthew 5 1-12

Verse 3: blessed are the Poor in Spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven: which means you feel broken and can go no further
Verse 4: blessed are those that Morm for they will inherit the earth: this means you have lost your closeted friend or family member and feel great sorrow
Verse 5: blessed are the Meek for they will inherit the earth: this means to be a humble person and content with what you have
Verse 6: blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled: this is when you want to be so close to God you want to talk directly just to him
Verse 7: blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy: This is When you care deeply for those around you
Verse 8: blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God: this means to think good thoughts, to show good discipline in our minds
Verse 9: blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God: When you can get people to work together for good, and not fight
Verse 10: blessed are those who are persecuted because of their righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven: when following God gets you in trouble, but you do it any way
Verse 11: blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and false say all kinds of evil against you because of me: When people tells lies about you just because you follow Jesus.

By living by these words we can be blessed eternally in Heaven. Jesus specifically tells us that. In heaven it doesn’t matter if you were from Pele Wala, or America. What counts is did you accept Christ. Then each and everyone of these blessing with be given to you should you decide to follow these words. Think and act on these words very carefully. These blessing will be given to you for all eternity. My pray for all of us is to experience these in heaven together.

Sierra Leone October 21-30 2019

2019-11-04T12:17:00.000-08:00

October 22, 2019 Pele Wala Village Sierra Leone

Took the long way into the village and passed where we turned in before. Road we took last year was impassable. The greeting we received was just like last year, but even bigger. This time they did a native dance and drums. Overwhelming for sure. I quickly saw Fatmala that is sponsored by Ken Baker. So glad to see a friendly face among a few I knew.

The local construction crew had the church walls up, and were working on the school as well which is right next door. Both just passed the well that was put in last year.

We had introductions again under the big tree, couple of speech’s then walked down to where the school was under construction. Santos is the foreman leading the construction and the walls for the school was about half done. After that they had lunch for us and played with the kids. Watching the kids eat lunch was crazy. They went for the food like they haven’t eaten in a week. No knives, forks or spoons, they eat with their hands in round plastic bowls and 2 to 3 feet wide. They just set them down at random and let the chaos begin.

Drove back to the house which is about 3 miles on a really rough road. Just hung out on the porch, then had dinner with fish, chicken and couscous. The local kids hung out with us and played inside while I’m typing this. Matt and Josh are teaching them Rock, Paper, Scissors. This is going to be a really hard week. Just imagining how this will go. All 8 of us are staying in this small house with a broken tiny bathroom and no water. Interesting ... Well, we signed up for this, and as rough as it is, this is good compared to the rest of the village.

The name of the village we are staying in is called Kagbere. We are embedded in their culture 100%, 24 x 7.

Wednesday October 23
Started at 5am with the obnoxious Muslim call to prayer. Sounded like he was right outside my window. Just as he got going I heard a big fart coming out of the Miller, Duerlinger and Buell room. Had to be Matt, or Josh. Nope it turned out it was Doug. I laughed tell it hurt. Had breakfast around 8 am in the house then devotions before leaving at 9 am for Pele Wala. Had eggs and no bake cookies, great combination. Work was oppressive. I stayed with Jonathan and Doug Wire to work on the church. The rest of the guys did concrete mixing to make brick for the school. Lori and Shelby went to the school to work with the teachers and kids. I didn’t do well in the heat at all. Really none of us did. About two hours of working on the scaffolding and I was about to boil. Took a long break then set in the shade for a good while. Then we had lunch, chicken sandwiches with Hawaiian style rolls. Very good and washed it down with coke which set me back into action. Carried cement mix latter in the afternoon to build the top beam of the front porch of the church. Work continued with Jonathan, Doug Wire and the construction guys. Felt like I couldn’t carry my weight. Left in the afternoon about 3 pm and headed back to the house. I was covered in sweat from head to toe.

Hanging around after work together we watched them take one of the goats they brought the night before to be prepared to be cooked. Yeah, right next to us. Not a fan of eating goat anyway ... Smelled it cooking all night. Hung out together after dinner on the front porch during heavy rain all night. An integral part of each evening is hanging out together with the crew from World Hope and lots of locals. This is what people do here, and for the most part it is very healthy.

Thursday October 24

Not the best night sleep, hot and a stupid dog was scratching all night out my window. Breakfast and left at 8:30 am, Williams’s mother died the night before so we were down to one vehicle. Started carrying block with Doug Wire until we moved them all to the front of the church where they were finishing the front. One hour of that and I was done. Hot and sweaty and had to sit for an hour. Went back to lift block up to the workers, but pace was slow.

Had lunch with a coke which was so good then we played with the kids for an hour at the school. It was mayhem and the kids were overjoyed. Afterwards the ladies were all meeting about various things including what major health care needs they had. We met with them for a while and then they sang some songs to us. Headed back to the house around 2:30. Fautu was the girl’s name that hung out with us a lot. She was friends with us all, but more so to Doug and Lori.

Friday October 27^th

This was the morning when we started to crack from the heat, lack of sleep and tough conditions. Fanta called Carrie Jo for us about a rest and recovery in Makeni. Which they graciously were willing to do.

We started the morning by handing out our sponsored kids gifts. I handed out all the ones

from Faith Wesleyan and the one Charlene gave me. Then gave the one to Santigie. He was very appreciative. Later I saw his mom with her two smaller children. All afternoon we handed out school supplies to 168 kids. Backpacks with the supplies inside, and a new uniform. Only about half these kids are sponsored, but World Hope is trying to help every child in school. The goal was to have one for everyone, but more kids are in school now then before so a good 50 or so didn’t receive anything. Very joyous day for the village. When all was handed out we headed back to Kagbere to get a day’s supply in our own backpacks for the evening. Then we headed back to Makeni for some rest and recovery. Geoff hand us keys to the same rooms we had before, and it felt like pure luxury. Geoff and Rebecca took us to the Wassum hotel for dinner out by the pool. Carrie Jo joined us as she returned from work. First time I felt comfortable temperature wise. I was also full from a good dinner of cheeseburger and fries (chips). This was a good decision. That night I slept great.

Saturday October 26^th

We had a lazy morning at Carrie Jo’s house, breakfast with pancakes, then just hung out for a while. Later around 1 pm we had pizza brought in. Afterwards we headed back to Kagbere. Can never get used to that drive. It is hard on all of us. We played with the kids, then took a walk and shared the gospel in several homes. Daniel (an intern for World Hope) and Doug used the evangelism cube to present the gospel. Several said yes, and had some interesting times with some Muslim’s who were thinking about it. Also ran into the guys who had the small crocodile they caught. Joseph was his name and they were cooking it for dinner. He got rather heated about the gospel, but did my best to present a clear case for Jesus fixing things in heaven. After we walked back Fanta gave us shirts she had made for us to wear to church. We are so impressed with her work as well as her help for us. Had a light dinner then finished small touches on the sermon. Hot as usual and didn’t sleep worth a hoot.

Sunday October 27^th

Today was sermon day. They started the service with some music in their style which was pretty fun. My first and good chance my last sermon. Delivered it to a packed house. Thanks literally to God I gave it with some authority about the beatitudes with Pastor Andrew interpreting for me. He was authoritative so it made me much more so than about any other time. It seemed to be the right words for that day, and I gave it my all.

After a last walk in Pele Wala to the school and church for pictures we made the trip back to Kagbere. There we had goat soup with the local Paramount Chief (who is a very interesting fellow), his brother, Pastor Sorrie, Pastor Andrew and the team. It was hot, but not really that bad. It was the goat they brought when we first arrived plus a small one the chief brought. The chief brought cokes for all as well and it was a delight. After goodbyes with the local kids and school teachers who followed us back. We headed out for the rough ride back to Makeni.

Rebecca made us a spaghetti dinner that was really good, and after a bit we made a journey into town to meet with a guy whose cousin owned the guest house we stayed in at Kagbere. Turns out she let us stay there for free. Carrie Jo had a gift picked out that we delivered. She wanted us to give it very specifically, and not use the word “gift”. I was the one who was supposed to give it, but only after others had said a gracious word to him. All went smooth, then we headed back to the house. Had a good night’s rest, and made plans for Monday and the departure to Tokeh Beach.

Monday, October 28^th

After coffee we headed out about 8:20 am for the World Hope office in Makeni. Had devotions with them, sang a couple songs, then we went for a tour. MOMOH the kid I talked to last year came by and I told him about the iPad I had for him. After the tour we headed back to the house and MOMOH came with us. Gave him the iPad and said our goodbyes. Said goodbye to Issa as well. Loaded up the trucks and made the 3 hour drive to Tokeh. Rebecca and Fanta along with drivers William and Nat made the trip with us. All paved roads for a change except for the last mile drive to the hotel. What a relaxing place. Beautiful view and a nice place for dinner which we had around 3pm. Went for a nice walk down the beach to near the end which was about a mile. The hotel turned on the power about 12 hours a day so it came on around 7pm, and turned off at 7am. Odd, but after a week in the villages it was no big deal. Place is run by a British fellow named Matt. Kind of a laid back surfer guy who added to the ambiance.

Tuesday, October 29

Had breakfast of omelets or scrambled eggs and toast then headed out to visit with the ETC team. They do therapy on kids with Cerebral Palsy all around Freetown. Then did 2 home visits with teams of 3 plus the two therapist Alfred and Eve. My visit was to see Ernest that I sponsor.

We went to his school where he is in 2nd grade. Met with the lady pastor who had just started that school In September. So very encouraging with how he is doing all things considered. Gave the family a small gift, then we said our goodbyes. Next we visited a child that was in poor shape. He could not sit up, speak, and wasn’t eating. His mother was maybe 20, and not in good spirits. Had a long visit there, then they did a number of stretching exercises with him. Left and headed back to where we split up. From there we headed into Freetown which was a bumpy, traffic filled drive. Had lunch where we ate last year, then headed to the market downtown. So crowded and passed the slums where it is just burning trash and tin homes. Awful! The market was fun, and we stayed about 1 ½ hours. From there to the World Hope office for a short tour. Afterwards we had gelato by the beach that was sooo good. Afterwards another arduous journey back to Tokeh. Road construction and traffic was pretty bad. Dinner at the hotel again, and then headed straight to bed. Whooped.

Wednesday, October 30^th

Started breakfast at 8 30 then got in a really nice swim in the Atlantic Ocean. Had some sit time at the beach before grabbing some lunch. Back in the cars for the long ride. Drove half way back to Makeni then we dropped off Rebecca and Fanta when Carrie Jo arrived. Said our goodbyes then drove another 45 minutes to the airport. Again goodbyes to the drivers William and Nat. They were as much a part of this journey as anyone. Inside the airport we ran into a 75 year old lady from North Carolina who makes this journey often for the Moravian church. What a positive person to meet. The first flight to Brussels was about 6.5 hours and it actually seemed easy. Plane wasn’t full so I could spread out a little.

Brussels, Chicago, Indianapolis Thursday, October 31^st

The layover in Brussels didn’t go too bad, but we were running low on energy for sure. The last 9 hour flight just did me in. I wasn’t worth anything when I got off that plane. When we landed in Chicago the weather was atrocious and we quickly found out our flight to Indy was canceled. Only call was to rent 2 cars and make the 4 hour plus drive to the Indy airport to get our van. We did stop to get a full meal, and I slept for 2 hours so it wasn’t terrible, but I wasn’t driving either. From Indy on the drive home went fairly quick. We said goodbyes as we all dropped off one place or another. No emotion was shared, just didn’t have it at this point. Was so glad to see Sherrie and be home. No words ...

Benediction

I’m sure it’s possible to just write this experience off and just say the problems in Sierra Leone are just too big. To just chalk it up as another crazy experience in life. However, I’m just not wired that way. I feel it in my inmost being. Individuals, the places, the kids living there on a day to day basis. They are a part of me. Where do I go from here, and what do I do with this. Some ways I don’t know I’m up for another experience like that again. In some ways I want to be in the midst of this every day for the rest of my life. No answers at this point. I only know that I serve a God that cares deeply for everyone I met. What Jesus would have me do, well I’ll just have to wait and see.

The Art of Living Well

2019-04-22T07:47:00.001-07:00

I'm a fan of wisdom literature, and the idea of how to live well. Recently, via a friend I heard about The Bible Project and their use of visuals to tell a unified story. Just this past week I watched the series they produced on Wisdom, and Living Well. Came away very impressed with not only the product, but the method of production. I would humbly call this a revolution on how to present timeless truths of the Bible in the modern world.

The idea of this particular series is to present Wisdom in three separate forms from the unique books, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job. Taken as a whole the insight from three perspectives is a brilliant take on a vastly important idea, How to Live Well.

Here is a link to the series: https://thebibleproject.com/explore/wisdom-series/

Here is a details background information on how it was produced: https://d1bsmz3sdihplr.cloudfront.net/media/Quarterlies_Other%20Downloads/TBPq_003_digital.pdf

Highly recommend this for any and all who are even remotely interested in the idea of making the most of this life.

Tower of Babel

2019-01-24T06:59:00.001-08:00

Ever read the story of the Tower of Babel and not believe it to exist? Facts show otherwise. You can download my presentation of this Tower of Babel Presentation

Sierra Leone November 12 - 18

2018-11-21T11:25:00.002-08:00

Sierra Leone, November 12 – 18 2018

Tuesday: The flight arrived at airport after dark, and we walked out of the airport to get tickets to the ferry. $40 per person to ride about 10 miles across to Freetown. We loaded in a bus who took us the short drive to the boat. Smooth ride on a somewhat small boat at night so it was pleasant. Meet by two drivers who took us to dinner where I had Chicken Shawarma and a coke. Then took a short drive to Barmoi hotel. Nick and I stayed in one room, all the others split into groups of 2.

Wednesday: Woke up early so we could run on the beach. Walked down a little unsure where to find it, but was no problem. The beach itself could be beautiful, but was covered with trash. Mostly just awful. Ran 2.5 miles Nick who was running better than me. Felt super-hot at the end. Walked back up the hill to the hotel and into the big gate with a guard. Got in a quick swim in the small pool there that felt great. A shower then held to breakfast. The restaurant Barmoi is next to the pool. Super spicy omelet that made me sweat :) It was tasty though and good coffee. The view of the ocean at the Barmoi is really very pretty, and the experience was quite nice.

The official day started with a visit the World Hope International organization in downtown Freetown. Meet the staff who did physical therapy on children with Cerebral Palsy. They treat 9000 patients in Freetown. Anna was the person from Britain who was the lead and she was trained at Oxford. She had about a staff of 9 that she had trained to do home visits around Freetown. Met Paul who was maybe 25 and such a good guy. He works with Anna giving treatment to the kids.

Had lunch the same place we had dinner when we arrived. Falafel and coke. Paul came with us. After lunch we divided up and Nick and I went with Abu and another volunteer to see two patients. Both around 4 years old. In extreme poverty even more so at the first house (tin shack) in a crowded neighborhood. The boy was an extreme case and they worked with him to get stronger. One just can’t imagine the situation. We are so filthy rich and spoiled it’s not funny. They also made a wood chair for him to sit in, but had to Velcro him in it.

Second one was a lady on a busy side neighborhood in a tiny house who had twins about 1 and another 3-4 year old with Cerebral Palsy. She joked he looked like me. The treatment was short and he cried a lot. She followed us back to the car and asked Nick to take the boy home. We got to hold her twins.

That evening we did the three hour drive to Makeni with Willow as our driver. Towns of urban sprawl on a highway built by China that was a toll road. Lots of really small businesses along the road for the first hour, then wide open bush with lots of Palm trees.

Dinner with Carrie Jo and Jeff then short drive to the guest house. Nick and I staying in one room, Alfy and Phil in another. Forgot my backpack so no contact case of tooth brush. Carrie Jo grew up here as an MK. Educated in the states as nurse. Been here since 2014. Her father was a teacher in Freetown then Makeni. Grew up here with the family. Worked here during Ebola crisis earlier. No one was allowed to touch anyone else for months. That was 2015 with the last case in January 2016. I think she said 11,200 died here from Ebola. Generally speaking they don’t shake hands even now, but they did with us.

Thursday: Woke and headed to Carry Jo and Jeff’s at 8. Good breakfast they headed to World Hope office in Makeni. Short tour and briefing of the day. Headed out to a Katherie village that had a partnership with Daybreak Community Church to meet the people. Crazy dirt road about 15 miles. Meet the kids singing in kindergarten. So fun to shake hands and hear them sing. The local pastor and leader gave us a tour. Had a well that you manually pump. Got a basket that a guy was weaving for 25000 or $3 U.S. just to donate. Nick paid for most of it. Saw the high school the church and the community center, drying floor, and meet some of the villagers.

Drove to another school closer to Makeni and greeted by the 1-2 graders like rock stars. So fun. Probably a 100 kids swarmed us. Then played volleyball with the older kids. Took pictures of the kids in class and had good fun with them showing them the pictures. Went to another school close by and also had a great greeting of the kids within the classroom.

Lunch at the place owned by a charity that puts on the marathon. Group from the United Kingdom. Ate a 10k burger and fries that was really good. What a great organization all proceeds from the race and restaurant go to help kids.

Drove back to World Hope and got a presentation on community health (WASH) group that digs the wells. Getting into the villages with equipment is a big job. Cost about $10,000 U.S. per well all in.

Another presentation on the CHAMPS team. Visits mothers that had a death of infants. About 12 percent die by age of 5. Hard thankless job with lots of stress. Trying to solve as best they can.

Mosque is across the street playing call to pray music 5 times a day. Plenty of churches and mosques here and apparently it is all well tolerated. Mostly they just see it as God with just different flavors. Not really educated about the differences. Came from North Africa.

Back to guest house to rest. Went to dinner at Carrie Jo’s and bought the giraffe wood carving for 150000 Leones. Rebecca did the negotiation for me. She is maybe 12 and Carry Jo and Jeff’s daughter.

Friday: Breakfast at 8 at Carry Jo’s and headed to Pele Wala with the drilling rig and two trucks. Took about 1 and half hours. First part was wide pavement but a couple a single lane sketchy bridges. Then hit the dirt road that got progressively worse. So ruff half way the 55 gallon drum fell off the drilling rig and they have to pick it up loaded with fuel and put it back on. Had to be super heavy. Without a good 4x4 you can forget making it to the village.

Soon as we arrived they were ready for us with all the younger children. Roughly 170 kids and another 15 to 20 adults. They sang to us in mostly English for 20 minutes plus. What a wonderful welcome. Overwhelming is putting it lightly. Later the adult leaders introduced themselves. Then we introduced ourselves. The whole thing lasted well over an hour. Then we all walked down to watch the drilling rig. They had some problems so after a while we walked back. Pele Wala is length wise along the dirt road so longer and narrow. Some grass/bamboo huts but mostly poor concrete homes. Had a primary school, but secondary schools is a 5 mile walk away. It also costs money to attend so most girls don’t even get the chance.

In general the kids were a bit reserved to us at first, then just the opposite. They swarmed us for the rest of the day. We all had lunch together, some kind of fish added to rice. The rice was fine and I had some broth that was spicy and tasty. They loved getting their picture taken and then seeing it on your phone. They also wanted to hold our hands or sit next to us all day. It was exhausting in the heat.

We finally headed out about 4 pm and they ran after the trucks for a good while. We stopped at another village that a church in the states is building a church for. It was really rough and they looked so poor. Met the pastor and the youth leader. Both were very friendly.

Dinner at the house and some light discussion for a couple of hours. This team gets along really well. Lots of good natured joking going on. I do my best to get in my share. Back to the guest house for a direly needed shower.

Saturday: breakfast at 8:45 then a drive into town to see the Women of Hope Ministry. They provide jobs and a place for handicap women to seek refuge. Very hard for the handicap women to exist otherwise. Place was really nice, I was impressed.

Next was being dropped off at the open air market downtown. What a tour de force of people, eclectic items, strange raw foods, mud, smells and sounds that words will never describe. The most intense was inside the building with the endless rows of fish, chicken feet and the most smell bazaar items anywhere. Something we just had to experience it to see life here in Makeni.

We then drove out to the health clinic in Gdendembu at the same location was a Bible College. The health clinic has a PA Samuel and a nurse of sorts. Mostly just a few beds and a doctor’s office. No equipment beyond 1 stethoscope. Probably next to no meds. To be honest it hurt my soul to see it. They did have 1 patient a girl who gave birth the day before to twins. They were all healthy and doing well. I’m sure they were taken care of, but if they had any real trouble they would have to call the 1 ambulance that World Hope provides for the whole region.

We then walked over to the Bible College and were pleasantly surprised at the library. Have a number of books and a decent study area. Met two teachers who spoke good English and seemed to have a wonderful heart for God. Took my picture with the librarian Stephen who explained how he was trained there by a librarian from the states. Had a book on librarianship that he used as his manual. He said they don’t have any new items since 2006, but he maintains everything. Had everything shelved in Dewey and a card catalog with Author, Title and Subject indexed. He was a very sincere man. He took his job very seriously. Did my best to encourage him.

Walked over to the college classroom and talked with the leader. Brett and Alfy had prayer with the students which was very moving.

We then drove to the hotel in town that had a pool. We ordered then Brett and I went for a swim. Cost 20000 Leones to swim each. Had to take a shower first to get in. The shower had to rather large grasshoppers we had to share with. Cracked me up. Pool was so so, but I got in a decent swim all things considered. Lunch took forever, but mine and Bruce’s came out first. Got chicken instead of the cheeseburgers we ordered, but who is counting. Ken ordered soup and it took roughly 1 1/2 to get it, then it was terrible. Oh well our expectations are all in line.

After the hotel it was back to Carrie Jo and Jeff’s. Had a long discussion with Phil on where to go from here with the partnership, and planning. Hopefully the 3 churches can keep informed and make good decisions together. This is something so different than normal that it could go really good, or really bad. Thinking the former not the later.

Sunday: Breakfast at 7:30 (coffee cake was top notch) then headed to Pele Wala for church. Same crazy path, but more mud puddles. Church was setup outside under a makeshift awning with chairs on the top level of the school sidewalk. They sang and clapped several longer songs with 3 lady’s both young and old. Two guys playing bongos were pretty good. Brett spoke and it was translated into creole, and Loco the local tribal language. We also sang a few hymns from the printed booklet, but they couldn’t read those and it was really just us singing. We were bad!

After the service Pastor Andrew spoke some further directly to them and they feed us lunch in the school room. Rice and some kind of goat meat stew to put on top. I skipped the stew. Asked Pastor Andrew what they really needed first, and he said a church building.

We all walked down to the drilling rig accompanied by all the kids holding our hands. Found out they hit water at 40 meters. Was installing the pipe to make it permanent. They also picked out a place for the church which was next to the well. After a short while we walked back to head home with kids holding our hands tightly. Got in the trucks and they ran behind us for a good way shouting goodbye.

Had a nice lunch at Carrie Jo’s with cookies for dessert. Just hung out for a couple hours then did the drive back to the airport around 2 hours away. Pretty quick trip compared to going via Freetown. Had dinner in the airport restaurant upstairs. Four of us had the “cheese burger and fries”, and all four of us agreed that was not beef. To be honest it was worst meal of the week. From now on we will skip the airport food.

The Benediction:

Sierra Leone is actually a beautiful country, but very underdeveloped. The people could not have treated us any better. At no time did I feel unsafe, or unwelcome. In fact few are treated to such welcoming groups as we were. I only wish I was this popular at home.

As for Pele Wala itself, we have some serious work to do. I’m not one to want to do a half way job and call it good. What can we accomplish with this partnership is not yet written.

To Phil, Brett, Alfy, Bruce, Ken and Nick you all make a great team. Just a really fun and enjoyable group. I consider this chapter 1 of an interesting book …

Living the Christian Life like Eliud Kipchoge runs the Marathon

2018-09-17T08:14:00.000-07:00

Discussion in Sunday School class was dominated by the results of the Berlin Marathon. What if we determined to live the Christian Life with the effort that Eliud Kipchoge runs the marathon? What would we need to be successful?

Here is the goal of Christian Living:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. Mark 12:30-31

Here is the results of our discussion:

Be in constant prayer for direction and purpose so that you can be in as close of contact with God as possible. Allow the Holy Spirit to be your guide.
Surround yourself with others with the same goal. May include distancing yourself with those who lead you the opposite direction.
Be forgiving – The art of wisdom is knowing what to overlook.
Take our thoughts and actions captive. Keep a steady focus on the prize.
Do not let your circumstances define success. (Running on a dirt track has its advantages)
Start your day with the goal and mission in mind.
Give it your all. You don’t win with half efforts.
Use your time wisely even with a sense of urgency.
Hang on and don’t quit even when you’re the 25th runner in a pack of 25.
Stay in your lane. You are running your race not anyone else’s.
Be aware where you need to improve and seek to accomplish it.
Encourage others and be an example. Even when no one else shows up to the track you are there.
Love what you do.
Fuel the fire. Worship, read, listen and learn on a constant basis.
Everyone needs recovery and refocus time. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. A scheduled daily refocus a.k.a. tea time is a likewise wonderful idea.

If you need a verse to backup this train of thought:
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

On Pascal's Wager

2018-03-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

You may or may not be familiar with Blaise Pascal, or his famous wager, but if not it is well worth a quick look. Just a bit on Pascal himself, he was a French mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer and Catholic theologian. A child prodigy who developed one of the first mechanical calculators, did extensive work in many other areas of mathematics and science before dying at an early age of 39.

Here is Pascal’s Wager in no uncertain terms:

A rational person should live as though God exists and seek to believe in God. If God does not actually exist, such a person will have only a finite loss (some pleasures, luxury, etc.), whereas they stand to receive infinite gains (as represented by eternity in Heaven) and avoid infinite losses (eternity in Hell)

The logic behind it:

1. God is, or God is not. Reason cannot decide between the two alternatives.

2. A Game is being played... where heads or tails will turn up.

3. You must wager (it is not optional).

4. Let us weigh the gain and the loss in wagering that God is. Let us estimate these two chances. If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing.

5. Wager, then, without hesitation that He is. (...) There is here an infinity of an infinitely happy life to gain, a chance of gain against a finite number of chances of loss, and what you stake is finite. And so our proposition is of infinite force, when there is the finite to stake in a game where there are equal risks of gain and of loss, and the infinite to gain.

6. But some cannot believe. They should then 'at least learn your inability to believe...' and 'Endeavour then to convince' themselves.

You might also find it interesting Blaise had a very intense vision/near death experience on the night of November 23, 1654 that changed his life. From this point on he took the Christian faith very seriously. From whatever happened to him this night he kept these words he wrote down sewn into his coat with him at all times:

GOD of Abraham, GOD of Isaac, GOD of Jacob
not of the philosophers and of the learned.
Certitude. Certitude. Feeling. Joy. Peace.
GOD of Jesus Christ.
My God and your God.
Your GOD will be my God.
Forgetfulness of the world and of everything, except GOD.
He is only found by the ways taught in the Gospel.
Grandeur of the human soul.
Righteous Father, the world has not known you, but I have known you.
Joy, joy, joy, tears of joy.
I have departed from him:
They have forsaken me, the fount of living water.
My God, will you leave me?
Let me not be separated from him forever.
This is eternal life, that they know you, the one true God, and the one that you sent, Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ.
I left him; I fled him, renounced, crucified.
Let me never be separated from him.
He is only kept securely by the ways taught in the Gospel:
Renunciation, total and sweet.
Complete submission to Jesus Christ and to my director.
Eternally in joy for a day's exercise on the earth.
May I not forget your words. Amen.

How to live without hate

2017-11-07T07:06:00.000-08:00

In my 59 years on earth I have heard, and seen many forms of hate. That considered, I don’t know of any that top the massacre at the Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church. The cold blooded massacre of women and children was clearly planned as the gunman fired 15 magazines of bullets regardless of whom he was shooting at. It’s hard to even carry that much ammunition.

While you might be tempted to think this type of hate is something new, it’s clearly not. Recently I studied the Reformation considering it’s the 500^th anniversary of the event. If you look at what happened just afterward, hundreds of thousands of people were killed over relatively small differences in beliefs in how to worship correctly within the church. Did they not read Ephesians 4:31 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice”? Did they not consider the most peaceful words ever spoken were directly from Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount?

If a key exists to living without hate, I believe it is found directly in humility.

The Sermon on the Mount begins with what is known as the Beatitudes. The focus is clearly on humility. Who am I that I should judge others? Who am I to say I am better than anyone else? What within my DNA suggests I am somehow superior?

If you want to avoid the endless hate in the world reread the Sermon on the Mount. Then make it your mission to live it. I know of no words to live by that can bring you personally peace than these.

Rudy the Goat that Ate Christmas

2017-09-19T12:03:00.002-07:00

Dougy and Lori bought a little goat

All black and cute they set Lori's heart afloat

From the first they were consumed with its charm

What could this little goat possibly harm

He will be no trouble just living in the barn

What fun he would be on a Christmas Tree Farm

Little did they know how much Rudy would grow

They thought he would be small but soon he would show

The thought of eating lit Rudy’s eyes aglow

That little Rudy starting off so lean

Soon he got to work eating his plate clean

While Rudy was never mean, he did like eating greens

Just before Christmas they woke with a fright

Dougy saw Rudy eating Christmas trees at night

What if Rudy did eat all to his delight

No Christmas trees on the farm what a sight

All his customers would leave and take flight

Like A Christmas Tree farm hit with the blight

Dougy got up and ran out of bed

So upset he almost lost his head

Little Rudy ate my trees what a dread

Yet all the Christmas trees stood full instead

It had only been a dream and what a respite

Dougy and Lori will never forget this night

Yet he is still here and never a bore

But he is not so small anymore

For goats eating is never a chore

Yet don’t eat the trees Rudy

If you want to stay here more

Rudy and Christmas that what kids come for

Examine All Your Paths

2017-09-05T12:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I rode mountain bikes with Nick, Scott and Clayton at Griffen Bike Park. From past history I know the safest place on a twisty tight trail is right in the middle. If you get too far on one side or the other trouble follows. Having spent plenty of time picking myself up off the dirt I know the hard way.

For about a month now I've spent about 15 minutes each morning reading, thinking about, and praying the Proverb of the day, and today was no exception. Proverbs 5:21 says "For your ways are in full view of the Lord and he examines all your paths." Like mountain biking, it's safest to stay right in the middle of Gods path. However, even there you will find problems. Never the less, it is the only place to be.

So even while trying to stay in the middle of the trail last night I hit a big root just wrong and tasted dirt yet again. Of course Scott had his GoPro on and recorded me picking myself off the ground.

Sometimes you just have to pick yourself back up and dust yourself off.

Happens ...

The Night Bus

2017-07-12T12:30:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago I took the driving portion of the test for a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License). I needed one to drive the church 25 passenger bus up to Canada for a camp we were attending. Passed the written test no problem, and had to take the last part which is a pre-inspection test and the driving test itself.

The night before the test I had a rather vivid nightmare. In the dream I had just come from taking the test and had failed. I was particularly frustrated and needed to pass this test. Just then a black bus pulled up and opened the back/side door to the bus. A guy inside said if you need a CDL come with us, we will get you one. I got on the bus despite the dark nature of the beast and those on board. It was late at night, and sort of dark glow came from the interior. Several men and women were aboard the bus. One particular woman talked to me, and I asked her where she was from. She said Memphis. I never did see the driver of the bus even though I was near the front. That was the end of the dream.

Day came and I went with a friend up to Indianapolis at a professional truck driving school to take the test. Pulling in I didn’t have the best of feelings, but I had studied well, and driving a number of miles in the bus. Felt like I was very well prepared.

For the test itself this rather older gentlemen with a checklist asked me to do the walk around inspection. I pointed out all of what I thought were the necessities, and spent a particularly long time doing it. We then moved to the interior and I showed everything there is to show. Upon finishing he told me I had failed. He mentioned I didn’t point to the water pump, the reflective tape on the bumper, and a few other ridiculous items of such nature. Just purely absurd.

Not realizing it at the time, but my initial part of the nightmare had come true. I believe the rest was a forewarning.

For this past week Sunday school lesson I had been teaching on the Lord’s Prayer. This particular part was on Matthew 6:13 “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”. Having prepared a lesson on this, I completely scrapped it, and related my story instead. I also used Josh Turner’s song and video “The Long Black Train” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZtwxc423jg.

That particular song relates well to both the passage, and my nightmare. You can also read how that song came to Josh here: http://www1.cbn.com/700club/story-behind-josh-turners-long-black-train.

Moral of the story, be careful what you want, and how far you will go to get it. Nothing, repeat nothing is worth a ride on the Long Black Train, or the Dark Night Bus. I’m not feeling any too good about Memphis either …

Top 14 Most Beautiful Cars

2017-05-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

Here is my pick of the top 12 14 most beautiful cars. One of them I own (my brother in-law Gary owned it first). As you can imagine, it is the least expensive of the list, but I'm no less thankful.

While it may seem a bit a lot materialistic, much can be said for creating something both beautiful, and an engineering marvel. Even if money were no object I would not be a collector of these. I think one is plenty. People are always more important than things, but people can also develop some pretty cool stuff.

In alphabetical order with images below:

Acura NSX

Chevrolet Corvette

Dodge Viper GTS

Ferrari Dino 246 GT

Ford GT 40

Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R

Jaguar XKE

Koenigsegg Regera

Lamborghini Miura

Lamborghini Huracan LP

McLaren 720S

Mercedes AMG GT

Porsche 918

Saturn Sky Redline

What say you?

ISU Visits Sequoia National Park

2017-03-23T07:08:00.000-07:00

Had the opportunity to spend the best part of last week with a group from ISU Alternative Spring Break (ASB) in Sequoia National Park in California. The 10 of us had a great week just taking in the mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and sunshine.

To earn our keep we had to do some slave labor in the nursery, repairing fish nets, and cleaning houses, but that was all for a good cause. In-between time we hiked all over the park.

Every trip I've been on with ASB has been really rewarding. This one was no different, and probably the closest group to date. Working with a group of service minded students and chaperones makes for good times.

On our one evening going out to eat we visited The Habit in Visalia about 50 miles away. We got some interesting looks from the regular customers when we all showed up in matching t-shirts from Indiana State U. Questions were like, are you really from Indiana, and what are you doing here? Kind of fun, and the double cheeseburger with fries were a nice site for my eyes :)

Sequoia National Park itself is in may ways stunning. From the giant forest of Sequoia's, to the mountain views, and hiking trails the vista's were endless. Just as good was sitting on the boulders by the rushing snow melt rivers.

The trip went by way too fast before we were back on home soil. To Kent, Keenan, Megan, Sydney, Shelby, Amber, Courtney, Haylee and Brittney you are a great group to work, and enjoy the park with.

Quick Things I Learned Teaching on Heaven and Hell

2017-02-07T13:06:00.000-08:00

Quick Things I Learned Teaching on Heaven and Hell

1. Teaching on Heaven is infinitely more popular than teaching on Hell

2. Like it or not, the bible clearly teaches you are going to one or the other: Matthew 25:31-46

3. Most people believe they are going to Heaven, but Jesus says otherwise

Matthew 7:13-14 13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

This is in keeping with St. Faustina’s vision: "...I saw two roads. One was broad, covered with sand and flowers, full of joy, music and all sorts of pleasures. People walked along it, dancing and enjoying themselves. They reached the end without realizing it. And at the end of the road there was a horrible precipice; that is, the abyss of hell. The souls fell blindly into it; as they walked, so they fell. And their number was so great that it was impossible to count them. And I saw the other road, or rather, a path, for it was narrow and strewn with thorns and rocks; and the people who walked along it had tears in their eyes, and all kinds of suffering befell them. Some fell down upon the rocks, but stood up immediately and went on. At the end of the road there was a magnificent garden filled with all sorts of happiness and all these souls entered there. At the very first instant they forgot all their sufferings"

4. Heaven is Much Better Than We Anticipate

1 Corinthians 2:9 But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"

About every Near Death Experience (NDE) from heaven talks about unconditional love and not wanting to leave.

5. Hell Much Worse:

Matthew 13:41-42, 49-50 "The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Likewise, every NDE talking about Hell finds in a place of endless dispare.

6. Near Death Experiences Can Be Deceiving

Lots of Near Death Experiences are recorded in books, and video. Generally speaking I believe such experiences are real. However, Bryan Melvin’s account of his descent into Hell talks about watching another arrive there. Being deceived by Satan initially into thinking she is in a good place only to find out later being truly in Hell. His book is “A Land Unknown: Hell's Dominion“ might be well worth a read. Video of his experience is also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-We6WnA8aQ&list=PLvrGm7rQ2_V61aZn5AdfCF19tu0otbRci

7. A Number of Books from Mystics Exist on the Subject

From Dante’s Inferno, to Emanual Swedenborg’s Heaven and Hell, you can find a lot to read on the subject.

8. My Suggestion: Accept Jesus and Live Accordingly

Hell is no place for you.

Panama City Beach in January

2017-01-12T06:40:00.000-08:00

Spent 4 days in Panama City Beach in early January, and was pleasantly surprised. My first trip to the panhandle of Florida as we normally go further south. We visited a couple of days with Sherrie's parents, and then spent 2 days at the Holiday Inn Resort Hotel. The view from hotel balcony gives one the impression of Hawaii. Very picturesque place, and one I would visit again for sure.

While January is certainly their off season it was a very quite time to visit. The prices of the hotel was also very reasonable.

Lots of shops, restaurants, movie theater and a variety of things to do. I'm sure during Spring Beak I wouldn't dare visit, but most times of the year this would be a fun place to vacation.

In the evening the hotel had a pool-side movie playing on a big screen they pull up as soon as it gets dark. Even had a decent view of it from the balcony. Waking up and sipping coffee on the balcony overlooking the ocean was also a highlight.

Generally the temperature was in the 60's which was a bit cool, but with a heated pool and hot tub, it wasn't bad either. Even got a good ocean swim in, but with a full wetsuit on. The ocean was around 65 degrees. A good wetsuit will make this a year around vacation spot.

We left on a Friday to head back home and the day we returned it was zero degrees. Needless to say we will be looking forward to stopping here again next winter if not sooner.

Do the Wise Thing 24 Hour Challenge

2016-10-24T11:41:00.000-07:00

Up for a little challenge? This may seem a bit simple, but I have a feeling it might be tougher than you think. Give it a try and let me know how it goes for you.

Pick a 24 hour period of time, and write the date down in advance.
Pray once in the morning, noontime, and night.
Do something for someone else without compensation of any kind.
Speak only the truth, and show compassion in your speech.
Choose only healthy things for the mind, body and soul.
Be humble all day.
Be patient, and peaceful all day.
Be productive as possible.
Exercise 45 minutes.
Encourage someone.

Here is a quote from Emanuel Swedenborg that may help you with this:

Some people live good lives and believe that the Lord governs the universe; that he alone is the source of all the good embraced by love and charity and all the truth espoused by faith; that life itself comes from him; and consequently that from him we live, move and have our being. The condition of these people is such that they can receive the gift of heavenly freedom, and peace too, because under these circumstances they trust only in the Lord and do not let anything else bother them. They are positive that under his care, everything leads forever toward what is good, blessed, and happy for them. People who believe they control their own lives, though, constantly feel troubled. They constantly become embroiled in their appetites, in worries about the future, and so in many forms of anxiety.

A good view from the lowly bunk bed

2016-10-11T12:14:00.000-07:00

One of my good fortunes is the opportunity to travel a lot in my lifetime, and more so in the last few years. One interesting thing in common in the most important of those travels sounds a bit odd, but I would have to say is the bunk bed. A bunk bed actually implies group travel, and most often with altruistic intentions. I’ve visited a number of bunk beds in various places this year, and all of them have been a delight to the soul.

My latest adventure was with a group of students from Indiana State University on a trip called Alternative Fall Break. We visited the Indiana Dunes National Learning Center to provide some community service. Staying at a group camp run by a non-profit and working with the National Park Service doing some land reclamation projects. Day one was simply cutting down weeds in what was once the Good Fellow Youth Camp. The National Park Service, specifically Ranger Ted is working to restore parts of this camp that was operated by U.S Steel’s Gary Works. The camp was operated from 1941 to 1976, but then abandoned.

Day two found us picking specific seeds from the natural prairie that started here and went through most of the Midwest before mankind got a hold of it. Have to admit I wasn’t really looking forward to this part, but it was actually a really nice activity. The prairie on a nice sunny day is a relaxing place to visit. I think everyone on the team enjoyed it, and we collected a lot of seed to help expand the prairie in the future.

I would have to say a divine providence has had an impact on bring me to each of them. The dynamics of a team working together to be of value can’t be overstated. Something just clicks in the soul on each of these occasions, and it just makes me want to be involved in more of them. I’ve also had the good fortune to have some more upscale sleeping quarters in my travels. Not that I mind a soft bed, but I’m more than willing to sacrifice it with a good group of people. Be it family, friends, or students here at the university.

May such travels be in each of our futures.

Why we should get out of Syria Now

2016-10-05T11:13:00.000-07:00

Aleppo Syria is often in the news these days as it well should be. What’s going on there with the civil war is certainly a catastrophe of the worst order. If that is the case, why do I believe the United States should get out of there post haste? Sit tight, the answer starts a few years ago …

As recently as 2005 Aleppo had 2.5 million citizens and was among the oldest cities on record. It had multi-denominational churches and mosques that coexisted. In 2012 however it became a chief battleground of the Syrian Civil War. Massive protests against the government of Bashar al-Assad spilled into Aleppo with rebel fighters from a variety of groups battling the government forces to this day. If it was only Syrian rebels against the Syrian government it would probably be long over. However Islamic extremists and foreign fighters joined the battle. Followed of course by foreign countries who supported one side or the other. The end result is an ancient city reduced to rubble. Most if its citizens either left, or died in the cross fire with bombs still dropping on the city daily.

The United States has had a policy of assisting the moderate rebels including the Free Syrian Army and a shifting alliance of moderate Islamic fighters. However, Russia, Iran and Lebanon has decided to back the government of Bashar al-Assad. You don’t need to be a foreign policy expert to realize this is a toxic mix that has greatly increase the destruct power of this civil war.

The question now becomes one of will. That clearly is on the side of Russia and Iran. They have become far and away the aggressors in this battle. Prior to 2016 the United States could have stepped in to become the dominate force to determined what would happen. Bottom line is we didn’t. Russian and Iran saw this as a sign of weakness and moved in whole heartedly. As of now they control the battle and have forced the United States to play such as weak roll that we can no longer even come to the bargaining table.

With that in mind continuing to support the moderate rebels will only extent the bloodshed. One alternative is to establish zones of protection by splitting Syria which would directly confront Russia and Iran. Something akin to East and West Germany in years past. To leave would appear an incredible weakness on our part, but that was already long decided by our limited strategy in this war. The Russian and Iranian alliance has already usurped the United States. To stay the fight now would only extend death and destruction. A terrible choice, but one already determined years ago.

Fountain of Youth Found

2016-08-17T11:12:00.003-07:00

This past weekend they had the first official opening of the lake jump at the Griffen Bike Park. It was also just a couple of days before my 58^th birthday so I was thinking birthday present to self. However, the day was one of endless rain showers so I pretty much talked myself out of it. Just then I got a text from Mike telling me he was getting ready to go. Well, can’t say no to that so to the park we went.

You would think a group of hard-core mountain bikers would be in line for the jump, but not so much. It was kids, early twenty somethings, and a couple of middle age types with life jackets on and in line for the jump. Lots of people there to watch as well. Mike and I both surveyed the jump, watched a few other brave souls go before we got a life jacket, and got the courage up to join in. They had bikes strapped with “noodle floats” attached so you just had to fetch the next one out of the lake and get in line.

I walked the bike up the hill and asked the first guy I saw what the trick was to making the jump without doing anything horrible to oneself. His answer was to just relax, keep the knees and arms bent and just push the bike away at the top of the ascent.

Now inline I see a kid maybe 12 years old behind me. Asked him if he had ever done this, his answer was a flat no. Told him me neither. At this point I and the 12 year old were clearly equals. Feeling every bit like a 12 year old rookie I have to admit I was nervous. No other cycling experience I’ve had prepared me for this. Soon I received the go ahead to proceed down the hill toward the ramp. Keep saying to myself on the way down I can’t believe I’m doing this …

Well I hit the ramp at decent speed, went up the ramp and proceeded to get maybe 15 feet into the air before pushing the bike down and flying over the top of it and into the water. Wow, that was actually not the terrifying ordeal I thought it might be. It was actually really fun.

Concerned you’re growing old, well if you want to be 12 again, I know just the place.

Your Value as a Human Being

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Your Value as a Human Being

Genesis 2:7 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

The Body

We indeed are made of the common earth elements (the dust of the Earth):

65% Oxygen

18% Carbon

10% Hydrogen

3% Nitrogen

1.5% Calcium

1% Phosphorous

0.35% Potassium

0.25% Sulfur

0.15% Sodium

0.15% Chlorine

0.05% Magnesium

0.0004% Iron

0.00004% Iodine

Total worth about $4.50

The Mind

Yet on closer examination just looking at the human brain which contains 100 billion neurons, each with about 10,000 synapses. It has been estimated that the brain of a three-year-old child has about 1 quadrillion synapses.

In fact if you considered all complexity within multiple, interconnected systems that are within your makeup, you are beyond imagination.

God turned common dust into the most complex system on earth.

The Spirit

The spirit/conscience/soul within you which came from the very essence of God as mentioned in Genesis 2:7 is then of eternal value.

The Bottom Line

If you are concerned about your self-worth, you shouldn’t be. You are worth more than you can possibly imagine. God may have started you from the dust of the Earth, but he form you into something that has incredible, and eternal value.