Micah 6:8

A few weeks ago I received a stole in church from Chaplain Van Vanderlan: Here is what Chaplain Vanderlan said about the gift,"This stole was with the first Army Chaplain's Kit I received in 1964.  It was the old, heavy metal kit and it once fell out of a helicopter flying back from a hospital ship stationed in the waters outside of Viet Nam.  I had the stole on, so it was not in the kit.  It had 20+ years of service an was retired in 1984 with me. This stole was used for services held at such places as the DMZ, Rock Pile, Hamburger Hill, The A Shau valley and Khe Sahn.  It was used to deliver Holy Communion along the highway from the Rock Pile to Quan Tri, where armored vehicles were situated about every 100 yards, protecting the highway.  Numerous memorial services were held with this stole in RVN (Republic of Vietnam). About 25 to 30 services for men of all branches of our military were held for victims of RVN while I was stationed near Pittsburgh, PA....

This Sunday Skip (the senior pastor at FUMC Killeen for those who are not Killeeners) preached eloquently about passionate worship.  Then Sunday evening I witnessed it: The youth of this church are truly teach me (teaching us) what it means to devote their hearts to God and like Psalm 150 says, Praise the LORD (Yahweh)! What is it about us adults that makes us hesitate to let go and worship God with our whole being? Why do we hold back and not commit ourselves to the moment in worship?  It is within us: Video from 2010 World Cup after Landon Donovan's goal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbn3rOPmR9w Video from the other night, Texas Ranger defeat Oakland As (I was on the phone with a friend when this happened and I was in the same room with Sophie.  It was all I could to keep from jumping up and down :) ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YL81dSj8s4 in these videos we see that adults have no problem exhibiting their passion for sports...but for some reason we are ...

I have to say that I am tired. Probably more tired than I have ever been in my life.  It is totally worth it! As you may know, Sophie Isabel McMinn was born on June 20, 2011 at 11:29am.  She was 7lbs 11oz and 21 inches long! I spent two glorious weeks at home with the love of my life, Michelle and my other love-Sophie.  I can't tell you how amazing it has been (losing sleep and changing poopy diapers included) to have the opportunity to share this time with my two girls.  Every smile that Sophie makes (even if it is just gas!), every noise and every wiggle has been an incredible joy.  To top it off I have gotten to experience it with Michelle which just magnifies my happiness. This new life that is so wonderful has me reflecting on one of Jesus' most important tenants-to live in the moment.  We spend so much time worrying about the past or the future that we forget to live today and share the joy of life with God and others!  Jesus teaches us in hi...