Random thinkings and the next two weeks...

Random comments before I have to get to work, and I don’t really want to think deeply today…

• To raise funds for our England trip in October, Sheryl and I sent out 80 letters asking for donations to help us. To date, the response has been insanely wonderful. People have blessed us with their money in a way that is really humbling. We’re not quite there yet, but it doesn’t look like that side of finances will be an issue. We definitely are thankful for that and for those people opening their wallets and hearts.
• I think I’m starting to believe in original sin again. Why else would a four-year-old out and out lie about something she did? I mean I know it’s to not get in trouble, but something would have to be inherent for her to do that, right?

The next two weeks are going to be crazy, but crazy in a good way.

• Next Saturday, the England team is having a dodgeball tournament to raise money for the trip. It’s going to be fun, but it’s a lot of work and I still have things I need to get done. However, if you want to play, leave me a comment before Sunday and I'll get with you.
  
• The next weekend, Sheryl and I are going on a retreat. Some of the people who plan the Wednesday night contemplative service at Otter Creek Church of Christ are going down to St. Bernard’s, a Benedictine monastery, in Cullman, Alabama. We’re going to commune together and think about direction for the service this year. Most people are coming up Friday, staying the night and leaving Saturday. Sheryl and I have arranged for Kinsey to be with her parents that weekend and we’re going to stay Saturday night and into Sunday as well. We’re really looking forward to it and relaxing on a weekend when we don’t have to worry about the sound and PowerPoint on Sunday.
• On that Monday, August 22, Donald Miller author of Blue Like Jazz will be speaking at Otter Creek. I’m really looking forward to it and I hope that some of his ideas about mission can seep into the fabric of our congregation. If any of my four readers are interested, call the church at 373-1782. Admission is free, but you have to have a ticket to get in and they’re going fast.
• Two days after that, on Wednesday the 24th, Phil Keaggy is doing his annual concert at Otter Creek. I always look forward to them, even though I’ve seen Keaggy more times than I can remember and he’ll probably do many of the same songs that he’s been doing at Otter Creek for the last five or six years. Something about watching him do his loops and harmonizing into the mouth of his guitar always blows me away. As a buddy of mine said one year, “Most guitar players make we want to go home and try what they do. Keaggy makes me want to go home and smash my guitar." It’ll be good.
  

Well, that’s what’s going on right now. I’d ask your prayers about the fundraising and if I’ve never said it before, thanks for reading. It’s an honor knowing that people out there are considering the things that I write about.