Break

So I'm on a study break/sabbatical of sorts. It's impossible to do what I need to do as I can't leave the house... and it is way too noisy here to work. So I have no idea how this will work out. But I'm going to take some time away from the computer and email... and yes... even blogging and checking blogs. I say that, but I might use my blog to work on sermon stuff... as I have done in the past. But for now... I'm taking a bit of a break.

But you can offer me a sabbatical gift.

Okay?

I know a lot of people read this thing. Many of you email me. So, for my present, you can all post and just say "Hi, I actually read this once in a while."

Now, I know you won't. I have found that when I ask people to post, they never do... but I thought I would try this... I would love to know how many people read this thing.

So, stop by and just say hi.

And for you... just something to remember me by as I take a break. Enjoy.

Saint

Thomas Long defines a saint as follows: "Saints are figures out of the Christian past whose lives have been insufficiently researched."

The bill

I just got the bill for my knee surgery. Actually, it's not that bad, or at least as much as I thought it would be. The total was $19,455.30.

If you are interested, this includes several charges, including, but not limited to:

Operating Room Services = $12,315
Anesthesia = $1,454
Recovery Room = $4,743 (This seemed really high to me, but I slept through most of it.)
And $104 for "Physical therapy" -- a person who spent about 10 minutes teaching me to use crutches.

We will have a special offering Sunday. I expect all of you to "reach in them jeans and pull out them greens."

What do people do without insurance? A good blog post itself.

Life on the couch

As a part of my recovery from surgery, I can't use my quadriceps muscle in my right leg for 6 weeks. Basically, what that means is, if I want to move, someone must move me. This can be quite humbling and even a bit humiliating, as I am dependent on everyone.

In the midst of this, there is a certain amount of trust that must take place. For one: I have to trust that people won't drop my leg. But there is yet, even a deeper trust. People can wonder around my house and I can't see them. They can play with your stuff when you are not looking. You can't get to, or even keep an eye on your stuff... so you have to trust that your friends, for example, won't play with your camera.

Quote of the Week

"The modern, essentially atheistic mentality despises mystery and considers enchantment and befuddlement an affront to its democratic right to know--and then use--everything for purposes of individual fulfillment. This flattened mind loves lists, labels, solutions, sweeping propositions, and practical principles. The vast, cosmic claims of the gospel get reduced to an answer to a question that consumes contemporary North Americans, though it's hardly ever treated in Scripture: What's in it for me?"

-Will H. Willimon, bishop of the United Methodist Church, Birmingham (Alabama) Area.
Taken from "Power Pointless: The way we distill the gospel for presentation can take the life out of it" in the Summer 2007 issue of Leadership journal.

Celebrating what is right with the world

Although, it seems that they should have figured this out earlier.

Celebrating what is right with the world

Since I was about 5, my family has owned a cottage on a lake in Northern Ohio. It's not fancy, it's not big, but it is one of my favorite places in the world. I have so many memories of that place that I could write a hundred blog posts on just them alone. But I will spare you that!

This picture was taken just after sunrise on the morning of my injury, basically from my front porch. For a few more, see my flickr account.

Celebrating what is right with the world

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."