Book one, chapter one is now rekeyed and I got a good start on chapter two.
The goat barn is mucked out, fresh straw down, and the grain bins refilled.
I ran three miles.
I took a nap in my chair after lunch, coughed too much,
Done.
I heard a story on NPR today about the social sin of cultural appropriation. I should have known; it can only be committed by the cultural or racial group that holds the dominant position in a culture. (Read: white people.)
This nonsense is what gave us Donald Trump.
Today I read about dry sump engines. I'd heard that term but never knew what it meant. Today I heard it used when I was sitting at my computer and could look it up. Can't say I feel particularly enriched as a person now that I know what it is or that I'll ever use it in a sentence. So I guess it's pretty much a worthless bit of knowledge.
Pam says I specialize in that.
Speaking of engines, if you're looking for a nice car here are two good options that have drawn me dangerously close to the sin of covetousness.
This one is a great bargain IMO. Yes, it's a 4-door automatic, but that engine has all kinds of power, the car is a time capsule with crazy low mileage, and it will turn heads wherever it goes. You cannot buy it's equivalent in a late model anything.
And here we have another fine example of what cars used to be and still should be. Higher mileage, but it's a manual, in equally good shape, and would be a hoot to drive around town. Mileage would be excellent, it's indestructible, and another head turner.
When I asked myself who taught me at my third church it's a tougher question. What an interesting group of people! At one point during my six-plus years there I did the math and realized 10% of the congregation was on psyche meds. Or supposed to be. (When B went off his meds he decided the pastor needed a serious beat-down. In the middle of a church picnic. Turns out I can do an adequate job of talking down.) From that group I learned to let it go. Their emotional needs pressured me for more time and energy than was reasonable by any standard. It took me too long to realize their current crisis was not mine to solve, or even minister to, and that even if I could help we'd replay it all next week. It goes against everything a pastor thinks he should be and do, but sometimes it's OK to say, "No, S. I can't talk with you now. You're going to have to find another way to deal with this. Goodbye."
More than offsetting that bunch were some extremely gracious and faithful workers who embodied the servant heart. They were the kind whose first instinct was to say "Yes" and look for ways to help out even when not asked. J & L became dear friends who understood what it was like to be a "pastor family." G & Z exemplified graciousness and wisdom. He was the elder every pastor dreams of having. He would speak wisdom whether or not it aligned with what the pastor had said, but backed up his talk with service.
Between them those two couples became the gold standard of service to God and his church.
I'm retired now.
I want to be that kind of congregation member.
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