749AFC120707
“It’s been a busy week in Lake Wobegon…*” And a busy week here as well!
My goodness, it is already December. I haven’t even started the Annual Christmas Letter. One of my brothers and his wife have already sent out their cards and letters. They are so organized! And this despite making a major relocation recently. Impressive! I have trouble any more keeping up with what day of the week it is. . .
Today is Pearl Harbor Day, and it is also the day the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations decides on the status of our accreditation. Hopefully I will know before the end of the day. Thank you fro your prayerful support since their visit in August.
We’re currently in our rainy season and we’ve already had some whoppers. As I recall we’ve had at least one day when we got over six inches of rain. And it’s been COLD (OK so it’s on 68 degrees, but that FEELS cold), and wet for days. Not near as bad as it has been up in Washington and Oregon, but still we’ve had a lot of flooding and damage to trees, buildings, and roads. Thanks to God, at our house we’ve only lost about half of one of the big trees in our yard.
The kids are fine and preparing in their own way for Christmas. The grandchildren are excited about their first Christmas in their “new house,” the one they moved into this past summer when Crucita and I went over there. They are all doing well.
It has been a week for learning, too. The Healing Word this past Sunday was STAND. I was reminded of this passage from Ephesians 6:10-17 (quoted from the New American Bible):
10 Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. 11 Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. 13 Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. 14 So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, 15 and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all (the) flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
As we reflect on the tragedies of another school shooting, so many innocent people afflicted by war, famine, disease, and evil actions by other humans, we can stand together and pray for peace within us and peace around us. I may not be able to directly influence what is going on in Kenya or Darfur or Iraq or even in Hawaii. I can make the world a more peaceful place, however, by bring peace to my life and to those around me, to be held in peace and to hold in peace is the Gift we celebrate in Advent. It is also the time of year for the wonderful festival of Chanukah and we rejoice with those who are celebrating this wonderful miracle which exemplifies God’s Providence.
Finally, the best new short lesson of the week: “Jesus was not hung up on the rules. He was, however hung up on the cross because of the rules.” Something to think about on several levels.
May your Advent be one of Joy. I hope I’ll get the Christmas letter done before Christmas, or at least before Epiphany. Meanwhile know that we are praying for all of you daily and continually thanking God for blessing us with the love we share among us. Grace and Peace be with you from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus the Christ Child.
Chick and the whole MBN
*© Prairie Home Companion – Garrison Keeler – Minnesota Public Radio
749AFC120707
“It’s been a busy week in Lake Wobegon…*” And a busy week here as well!
My goodness, it is already December. I haven’t even started the Annual Christmas Letter. One of my brothers and his wife have already sent out their cards and letters. They are so organized! And this despite making a major relocation recently. Impressive! I have trouble any more keeping up with what day of the week it is. . .
Today is Pearl Harbor Day, and it is also the day the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations decides on the status of our accreditation. Hopefully I will know before the end of the day. Thank you fro your prayerful support since their visit in August.
We’re currently in our rainy season and we’ve already had some whoppers. As I recall we’ve had at least one day when we got over six inches of rain. And it’s been COLD (OK so it’s on 68 degrees, but that FEELS cold), and wet for days. Not near as bad as it has been up in Washington and Oregon, but still we’ve had a lot of flooding and damage to trees, buildings, and roads. Thanks to God, at our house we’ve only lost about half of one of the big trees in our yard.
The kids are fine and preparing in their own way for Christmas. The grandchildren are excited about their first Christmas in their “new house,” the one they moved into this past summer when Crucita and I went over there. They are all doing well.
It has been a week for learning, too. The Healing Word this past Sunday was STAND. I was reminded of this passage from Ephesians 6:10-17 (quoted from the New American Bible):
10 Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. 11 Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. 13 Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. 14 So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, 15 and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all (the) flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
As we reflect on the tragedies of another school shooting, so many innocent people afflicted by war, famine, disease, and evil actions by other humans, we can stand together and pray for peace within us and peace around us. I may not be able to directly influence what is going on in Kenya or Darfur or Iraq or even in Hawaii. I can make the world a more peaceful place, however, by bring peace to my life and to those around me, to be held in peace and to hold in peace is the Gift we celebrate in Advent. It is also the time of year for the wonderful festival of Chanukah and we rejoice with those who are celebrating this wonderful miracle which exemplifies God’s Providence.
Finally, the best new short lesson of the week: “Jesus was not hung up on the rules. He was, however hung up on the cross because of the rules.” Something to think about on several levels.
May your Advent be one of Joy. I hope I’ll get the Christmas letter done before Christmas, or at least before Epiphany. Meanwhile know that we are praying for all of you daily and continually thanking God for blessing us with the love we share among us. Grace and Peace be with you from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus the Christ Child.
Chick and the whole MBN
*© Prairie Home Companion – Garrison Keeler – Minnesota Public Radio
About Chick Todd
American Roman Catholic reared as a "Baptiterian" in Denver Colorado. Now living on Kauaʻi. USAF Vet. Married for over 50 years. Scripture study has been my passion ever since my first "Bible talk" at age 6 in VBS.
