"The future is much like the present, only longer." - Dan Quisenberry

Another interesting day. It's Sunday night, which usually means just this side of comatose. And my body feels like that but my brain is still plugging along, albeit on three cylinders.

After church we went to lunch where I traded my Sorento for Josh's F-150. From there to Lyle & Shirley's place where I picked up his flatbed trailer. Thanks to their generosity I'll go up tomorrow to get Ilsa without spending a considerable sum to rent a truck and trailer. Thanks, guys!
In the back of the truck were five potted water lilies that Shirley had ready for me when I arrived. I expected tubers but these are more like little balls of roots. Like many such plants, water lilies multiply not with seeds but through an expanding root system. So Shirley has to divide hers from time to time and I am the beneficiary of that abundance. Plus the pots she put them in. Thank you, ma'am! (Right after I took this pic I set those pots in the bottom of the pond.)

I'll post updated pics as trailers get loaded and lilies bloom.

One of my Sunday afternoon chores is editing and submitting the sound file of my morning message. The company that manages our web site then uploads it shortly thereafter. I typically HATE that task because it requires me to listen to myself. And that makes me think of all the things that could have and should have done better.
I knew going into this sermon that I had to get 10 pounds of potatoes into a five pound sack. What I didn't realize until I listened to it is that I only finished about three sentences in the entire message. Good grief!

From there to Foundations where we began our brief series on parenting. Normally it's just the sermon that gets posted on our church website (link in the upper right portion of this blog page). Because several people requested it, we're going to post these lessons on parenting as well. So, if you're interested you can listen to either the sermon and/or the Foundations hour by going to our home page and looking for "Click here to listen and download" in the lower left area of the page.
It can take a day or so before they actually get uploaded to the site.

The people are the best part.
I actually heard a preacher say, in the middle of his sermon, that the ministry would be a terrific profession if it weren't for the people.
What????
Never mind the obvious flaw in thinking the ministry isn't all about the people, what message did he think he was sending the flock over which God gave him care when he said that?
"OK, you guys should know I tolerate you only because it's the necessary downside of my job, 'cause what I'd really rather do is just sit in my study and read my books."

I had a great time with the people of Pathway this morning. I really enjoy their company and the way we interact, especially second hour which is more informal. Nobody takes themselves too seriously, they interact eagerly with biblical truth and they all pitch in on whatever tasks needs doing.
We have a men's poker party this Friday night. No money, just bragging rights and a trophy that gets additional embellishment by whoever takes it home from our twice-yearly gathering. (It's already fairly hideous.) We'll rag on each other, laugh a lot and I'll take home the trophy.

Speaking of people...
The best part of the Pastor's Conference for me was seeing and interacting with people. First it was at Celebration Bible Church where I got to see many of my former flock. Still love them! Monday I saw Tammi down at the hospital and Bonnie and the kids at their house. Tuesday the conference started, and while the speaker was something of a disappointment (see last night's post) I loved the interaction with colleagues. Sometimes even the briefest interactions spurred thoughts in my ADD mind that made the trip very worthwhile. Most of us in pastoral ministry work in relative isolation from others doing the same thing. In fact, I can't think of a similar occupation where a guy does his job almost entirely without contact with others doing the same thing. (Obviously the multi-staff church is the exception.) So to get a bunch of us together in the same place is very stimulating and helpful. We talk shop, compare notes, challenges and blessings....

Then there were the surprises that warmed the cockles of my heart. Katie came up to me in the cafeteria. "Do you remember me?" Nope. Turns out that's because now she's a college junior and the last time I saw her she was in Junior High. How very gracious of her to come introduce herself to me. I'm sure she doesn't know how blessed I was.
And my student John, now the pastor of a church, who asked me how my quiet time was going. (Inside joke from class.) I told him how eager I was to share the very special times I'd had. Easy banter.
Discussing the implications of specific NT passages on the issue of church leadership options with other pastors.

Turns out I did get a sermon outline. Not from the speaker but from half a sentence someone else said that got me to thinking about Easter vis a' vis Christmas.
Alas, no jokes. Although we did talk about how Seinfeld changed the landscape of humor in the U.S., almost single-handedly eliminating the joke as a genre.

By the way, you were supposed to send me the punch lines from last nights bar jokes.

I've had dinner and supper and I'm still hungry. But it's OK, because I happen to know there's a monster cinnamon roll in the kitchen with MY name on it!