West Cocoa Chat

I failed to mention that Steven showed up when I was grilling hamburgers this past Wednesday. If you can spend some quality time grilling hamburgers and hotdogs, we did it. I showed him what secrets to the craft that I know; he listened, took over at times, and did a great job. Isn’t it amazing how just showing up and spending some time can be the best blessing of the day. I know he was to me.

I also failed to share what I thought was one of the best lines / jokes I’ve heard recently. One of our members, Carl, is in charge of the logistics for the Via de Cristo. I was in the process of loaning him my elevator key when one of his co-workers walked by us. Like Carl, he was a bit overweight and I know Carl wouldn’t mind me saying so. Its probably a male / southern thing. Any way, when his slightly overweight friend walked by us, Carl yelled out, “Hey, I see you beat anorexia too!”

Every guy in that hall way busted out laughing. I am convinced that we are at times, way to “PC” or too serious about ourselves. I’m glad we have a church that can kid and laugh.

I did my 3.2 mile run yesterday down “The River Road” which is just a half block from our church building. I wish I could convey the scenic beauty that I get to enjoy each time I run this route. I’m glad I don’t have the ability to convey the smell that sometimes emanates from some of the decaying sea weed that washes up along the shore of the Indian River Lagoon. Fortunately this time of year the air is crisp and the sea weed melodious.

One of the benefits of our recent renovation was the installation of a shower. I usually can take advantage of it to clean up before heading home or to WW. When I came out after my shower yesterday, the setting of being in the church parking lot and the cool temps reminded me of hanging out with Greg at Long Beach. I don’t know why but there is a particular night whose memory is very clear.

I was in Greg’s back yard which faced the Long Beach Church. The Office Building and the church towered over the wall that surrounded their back yard. We were visiting in the Summer time but the night air felt like now, late October / early November here in Florida. I was outside shooting the basketball and everyone else was inside Greg’s house. I can still hear Steven’s young, little boy laugh as he played with his “cousins,” Josh and Jessica. Greg, Jan, and Barb were inside no doubt enjoying each other’s company. I can remember stopping and having a “Rob Bell” moment where even though I missed my friend and his family who now lived a continent away, we were together and all was well. I think I’m smiling right now as I think of it.

Have a memorable and blessed weekend.

We had no shortage of activity at our church last night. The last Wednesday of each month is designated “Family Night.” Our “FN” last night consisted of:

1. Yours (aka “The Old Guy”) truly grilling hamburgers and hotdogs for over 100 folks.

2. The Via de Cristo (http://www.hofvdc.org/) folks setting up shop inside our building for their Fall Women’s session. This would include all that is needed for sleeping, eating, bathing, studying, and praying for both the candidates and the workers for Thursday through Sunday afternoon.

3. Our annual “Trunk or Treat.” “ToT” keeps getting bigger every year. This year’s version included a number of kids from a poorer / crime ridden area of Cocoa. They were brought over in our church bus courtesy of some outstanding “ministry on the ground” efforts by a number of our members that our being very missional in their walk for the Lord.

There were many times when it seemed that all 3 activities were running into each other. Chaos if you will but you know what? I’ll take Chaos for Jesus over dull, ordered, and dead any day of the week.

Happy Thursday.

For the first time in World Series history, a game was halted due to rain. The Rays and Phillies will continue Game 5 tonight with play resuming in the bottom of the 6th. The miracle Rays tied the game in the top of the 6th, 2 to 2 and effectively survived Philadelphia ace, Cole Hamels, arguably the best pitcher in baseball. However this amazing story didn’t end here.

The Rays had checked out of their Philadelphia hotel with the hopes of returning to St. Petersburg for Game 6 or at the worst, going home for the winter. When play was suspended, the obligatory search for a hotel began. Now you would think that after 100 years of MLB play, the advent of computers, and the fact that you’re playing in the (warning: sarcasm approaching) “City of Brotherly Love,” having a hotel arranged for the visiting American (sorry about that Steve) League Champions would be a foregone conclusion, yes? No!

In fact, the Rays Manager contacted no less than 11 area Philadelphia hotels only to be told, “No room at the Inn for your silly old Rays.” Lets see, we’re in an economic turn down and its October 28, well, there you go. No wonder ALL the rooms in Philadelphia were booked up solid on a Monday night.

What would you have done at this point? Look up a K.O.A. Campground? No, Ray’s Manager, Joe Madden, broke out the old laptop and goggled “Philadelphia Hotels.” They finally found one in Delaware! Seems the folks in Delaware are not willing to spread the wealth with Philadelphia so they gladly accepted the Rays.

If you combine this lack of brotherly love and the seriously crazy strike zone last night, I think the Rays might be playing tonight with a bit of a chip / rain drop / snow flake on their shoulders. That is, if they get to play.

My next post: Angel Food at our church.

I know recently I wrote about “labels.” “Labels or “nick-names,” we all have them and we’ve used them. I think they’re easier to use and than be use upon. Yes? I had a new one laid on me yesterday.

We went over to our friend’s home who has been hosting since the summer, an afternoon of fellowship, volleyball, and food. Since losing my weight and getting in to some semblance of “shape,” I’ve enjoyed these get-togethers. In between one of the matches, Steven’s friend, Zack, told me one of his friends saw us running together this past Monday. I remembered someone honking at us and I jokingly said that it must have been someone checking me out.

Well, as it turned out it was. It was one of his friends who when he later saw Zack asked, “Who was that old guy you were running with?” Now as I’ve said in the past, when Steven calls me “Pops,” I kind of like it but “old guy!” How about “mature balding dude” or “really ripped wise one?” What do you think bloggers? Should the “old guy” moniker stick?

BTW – the highlight of the day was Steven coming by after his doubleheader. He went 1 for 3 and 2 for 4 in both games. He said he also hit one out that just went foul. He also told us there is going to be one more cut after Tuesday’s final game. Keep the boy in your prayers.

Have a blessed day.

I’m heading off to vote early today courtesy of having my planning period rotate to the last hour. It goes without saying that we are living in extraordinary times. Just some things off the top of my head include:
1. The War on Terror.
2. The possible collapse of our economy. For the first time in recent memory, words such as recession and even depression being used.
3. I guess this goes with #2 but I would include the housing market.

Interesting enough, I’ve been listening to a local A.M. radio station that carries “Catholic Radio.” I’ve found it interesting in the last few days as Bishop after Bishop, and Priest after Priest are urging their Catholic members to place abortion and the repeal of Roe vs. Wade at the top of their “list” when casting their ballots. No, I’ll take back the word “interesting” and replaced it with the word “admirable.” You have to admire a group of church leaders that will not only take a stand on the killing of unborn children, but also go public with their stance and influence.

I know the subject of politics and Christians is a touchy subject. I don’t pretend to have all the answers and could very well be wrong in how I would “discuss” my method for assessing and voting for a particular candidate. I guess I’ll leave with a question:

What issue or issues drive your selections? This can be a rhetorical blog but if you choose to leave an answer, feel free.

BTW – in the past, mine have been “National defense” and “Education.”

Have a good weekend.

What are some signs that you might live among (and I say this as a term of endearment) “Rednecks?” I might say that where I live, every other vehicle is a “pick-em-up-truck” or our favorite pastime is “Gator Hunting.” Today, I can add a new one.

As I drove past our local Humane Society’s marquee it read:

2nd Annual Pit Bull Awareness Seminar Nov. 1

Do you have any similar “signs?”

Rob Bell in his book, “The Velvet Elvis,” talks about sharing “Holy Ground.” He relates one day where his kids are “dry” sledding down a hill next to their home. He said he can remember like he was in the moment, people slowing down as they drove by to watch his kids on the hill, his neighbor relating one of his various stories to him, his wife yelling at him to make sure the kids were safe, and the beautiful weather that particular day.

I had one of those “Holy Ground” experiences yesterday at church. Yes, at church! There was a sequence of 2 songs which for the life of me, I can’t remember what they were, but I do remember what I felt and saw. There was unabashed and unrestricted joy! Some were clapping, some were lifting their hands, some were moving, many were smiling, and the reactions were not bound up by age. These were all things that I’ve always expected at the Pepperdine Lectures or at Zoë Conferences but at church? Wow! I was almost overcome by the emotion of seeing people express their adoration of God.

I guess I must confess that the teens and the college age kids really got to me. I think it was due to the old paradigm of going away to a youth rally or event, seeing how they worshiped at these events, and then coming back home to church and having to dial it down because someone might accuse them of actually having passion for living for Jesus.

Yes, yesterday was a “holy ground” experience for me and praise God, it happened at church. May God give you a “holy ground” experience this week, even at church.

As I was driving on I-95 (which is being widened to 3 lanes) on the way to school today, I was listening to Simon and Garfunkel’s hit song, “Homeward Bound.” As I exited I saw a sight I’ve never seen before today. A group of about 8 Road Construction workers had formed a circle around one of their co-workers. He was leading them in stretching exercises. It was strange to see a bunch of hard charging and hard working guys doing an imitation of “above ground synchronized swimming” in an effort to get ready for the day.

The circle as well as the song (Homeward Bound) also reminded me of many memories, from the time Steven was 4 through High School when his various baseball teams would “circle up and stretch.” In this time of political debates, Joe the Plumber, Stock Market meltdowns as well as Tampa (watched it to the bitten end with son) Bay Rays meltdowns, the circle had me going homeward bound in my mind. There is nothing as pure, innocent, and hopeful as a baseball team circling up and stretching before a game.

A good friend of mind lost his Dad this past week. His Dad was the model of being a shepherd for both his sons and the various brothers and sisters in Christ that he came into contact with. My friend is one who as Max Lucado wrote, speaks with a “gentle thunder.” Where are church is today is largely due to him, his faith in God, his Shepherd’s heart, and the father that we will memorialize tomorrow. This man of God is homeward bound.

I hope all of you have a blessed weekend and can one way or another, experience being homeward bound again.

BTW – My Noles beat N.C. State last night and the Red Sox hitter who had the walk-off hit, J.D. Drew, was a Seminole.

Most of my memories from the Bible Camp that we used to go to are good. There are some however that are not. One came to mind as I was re-reading Rob Bell’s book, “The Velvet Elvis.” There was an incident in which someone I baptized apparently didn’t go all the way under. Now, in my mind there was no “incident” especially in light of 1 Peter 3:18 – 22.

18For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19through whom[d] also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge[e] of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Although our intention is always to immerse in light of Romans 6, there are times when the “baptizer” is going to mess up the mechanics of the baptism such as getting one of those (sarcasm coming) pesky air bubbles in the baptismal robe. In light of 1 Peter 3, the power of baptism doesn’t come from how “perfect” the baptism is done but rather in what Christ did at the Cross.

As luck would have it, there were 2 people, an older teen and a preacher who question the very salvation of the person I baptized into Christ. The young man was emphatic that this person be re-baptized in light of how he had been taught. I made the above point and said I felt the teaching that brought him to the conclusion that if any part of a person's body/robe/hair/ect wasn't fully immersed, was wrong. I’ll never forget the look on his face when upon hearing that something he had taught could be wrong. He answered, “But how could that be wrong? Aren’t we the ones who have everything right?”

Rob Bell gleams some interesting thoughts about the possibility of being wrong from Acts 15:28 - 29

28It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from=2 0sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.

The word “seemed” communicates a couple of interesting points that I think speaks to church leaders and church members.

1. There is a need to make a decision regarding the Gentiles. These guys step up and make a decision which they believe is Holy Spirit inspired. How many elderships have you known that their Leadership Paradigm was, “If we ignore the problem / issue long enough it will go away. Churches will not grow / move if they allow the fear of getting it wrong from keeping them to make decisions that they feel are right for the church.

2. “Seemed” also communicates that they are not blind to the fact that they could be wrong. Church members and leaders should keep this reality close to our hearts. I think it is important that we continue to communicate this to the church that we try to be right but in some matters, only time will tell if the right call was made. Oh and here’s the “freedom aspect.” Its O.K. to be wrong! If the Apostle Paul who in Romans 7 basically states there are times when I’m wrong by what I’m doing or not doing, then we’re in good company.

I hope that inspires all of us today to pray, study, consult, and make decisions for if we’re wrong or right guess what? Jesus is Lord!

Although I know Greg will disagree with me with their very existence, there are some benefits to running. For me it gives me time to think and to pray. I know, some of you might think that I’m praying for my survival as I run and you might be right. Yesterday’s run/survival/ prayer included requests to stop the monsoon rain along with a “Caddy Shack / Catholic Priest playing golf in a T-storm” howling wind. When I had clarity of thought (and the weather) I was struck (not by lightening) by the irony of my Monday runs.

When I was in College, a group of us had a habit of running to get in shape. Ironically for some reason, one of us came up with a route that led directly to a Dairy Queen. We would run a couple of miles to DQ, consume in mass quantities (my favorite, the good old chocolate shake) some kind of desert, and then attempt to run back home with our bellies full. Of course, running 2 miles on an empty stomach is one thing. To attempt to run 2 miles on a Tyrannosaurus Rex like engorged stomach full of liquid food of the gods, that’s another. Ah to be young and yes, dumb again.

Now, without naming names, I’m sure some of you are thinking this 50 year old geezer is no longer “young and dumb.” No, we’ve now progressed to the higher celestial plane of “Old and delirious.” I was going to say “Old and stupid” but I felt that was a bit harsh and after all, it is my blog. Nevertheless, there has been a progression.

My runs have increased to 5 miles and I no longer jog to a Dairy Queen. Now my Monday runs consist of jogging to our Weight Watchers meetings at our church on Mondays. I no longer run as a 20 year old but as a 50 year old with my 18 year old son and his 18 year old friend. Life can certainly be ironic.

Have an ironic day.

I’m sure you’ve asked yourself from time to time, “What did we ever do without Cell Phones?” My take would be our lives were probably less stressful than they are now although they can be great in an emergency.

I have an additional answer today. Before the arrival of Cellular Technology, I’m sure I received less visits by Law Enforcement Officers to my classroom during class. Now, why would a L.E.O. want to visit one of my classes other than arrest me for unlawfully solving a system of linear equations, you ask? Seems we had a “situation” with cellular technology.

Our SRO (School Resource Officer) came to my room in the middle of one of my Algebra classes today. He asked all of my students to pull out their cell phones, make sure they were turned off, or at least lock the keys. When I asked him the purpose of his visit he had to tell me to wait a moment as he was talking with the Police Dispatcher.

Apparently a student was sitting in a “male teacher’s class” at our school and somehow was repeatedly dialing 9-1-1. The way the Dispatcher knew it was a “male teacher” was he could hear the male teacher yelling at his class for not doing their homework. Fortunately I was on my game today and had only resorted to chastising students for being “irrational about Pi.” Anybody (besides Steve) get that?

Yes, I miss the good old days of teaching when a teacher was respected as a professional and could get away with yelling at the kiddies for not doing their work without Law Enforcement becoming involved.

Remember, watch those cell phones.

I have always been a proponent of being open and honest as a church, as a movement in the United States, Florida, and in Central Florida when it comes to our “history.” When someone who isn’t familiar with any of the aforementioned, asks me “who we are,” I quickly affirm the positives and negatives of that answer as I’ve come to learn it and, or experience it. I’m sure all of us could write multiple posts on the positives and negatives of Churches of Christ. I’d like to add a new positive.

This past weekend we were host to a (http://www.hofvdc.org/) “Via de Cristo.” A Via de Cristo is an interdenominational group that holds 4 “Retreats” a year, two in the Fall for men and then women and then 2 in the Spring, again one for men and one for women. This past week was the Fall Retreat for the men. The “candidates” as they are referred to, met at a local Methodist Church, were prayed over and then bussed to our building on that Thursday. They then spent Thursday evening, all day Friday and Saturday, and then “graduate” on Sunday afternoon.

The purpose of the retreat is to draw these men closer to God to be better husbands, dads, and church members. In fact, one of the last assignments they’re given is to go back to their local church and ask their Preacher what they can do for them to help them minister to their church.

Don relayed to me how one of the “graduated candidates” came by our building during his lunch break the other day. He asked Don if he could come inside and spend some time in prayer. He told Don that when he drives by our building, it reminds him of his “Via de Cristo” weekend and how he is now trying to walk closer to God.

I was encouraged when Don relayed this story to me. I found it a nice contrast to some other things that Don told me concerning our visitors. Don said many of them were “surprised” that a Church of Christ would allow them to use their facility. Seems “we” have this reputation as being at the very least, unfriendly when it comes to other Christians from other denominations and at the very worst, down right convinced that “we” are the only ones walking with the Lord.

As I said in an earlier post, between the workers (one from our church) and the candidates (one from our church), 45 different churches were represented. At the Graduation Ceremony, one of the speakers pointed out Don who was running the sound for them, as being the Pastor of “this” church. Don said everyone (over 200) stood and gave him a standing ovation. I wish I had been in our auditorium to hear that ovation.

I guess I do hear it everytime I think about the men who drive by our building now and look at it as a reminder of their re-newed commitment to Jesus.

Have a good weekend family

The last time I watched Jeff Foxworthy when he was doing his “You know you’re a redneck if you _______,” he said that a member of one of his audiences had given him one to add to his repertoire. It went like this:

“You know you’re a redneck if you’ve ever had a beaver bite off your nipple.”

The story that generated this saying was a guy and some of his buddies came up on what appeared to be a dead beaver. One of them went up to the “dead” beaver, picked it up, and said, “Hey, look at this.” According to the gentleman, apparently the words, “Hey, look at this,” are the words needed to bring a dead beaver back to life because the “dead” beaver suddenly wheeled around and bit off the nipple of the man holding it!”

Now, why might I relay such a piece of Americana to you? Today on my way to work I had the pleasure of seeing not one, but two otters (I know, they’re not beavers) cross in front of me on my way to work. Where else but in beautiful downtown West Cocoa, Florida can one witness such an event?

Speaking of a beautiful event I had a “beautiful” phone call from my son yesterday. Since we’re on a “sense of humor” kick these last days lets talk about God’s sense of humor. I am a 28 year veteran of teaching math. What does God do to try and mess with me; he gives me a son who struggles in Math. Math is the one subject Steven must put extra hours in to be successful. Tuesday night he and his “New Orleans buddy, Zack, stayed up into the wee hours of the night cramming for a couple of tests including Steven’s College Algebra Test. The results: He called me during lunch yesterday to say he made an A on the test!!

Keeping on the roll of good news Steven was told by the BCC Coach that he made the team. In fact, he asked him if he could pitch. Steven told him he’d rather play middle infield and the coach acknowledge that but told him that he liked his arm and he might see some time on the mound.

That’s it from “2 Otter Land.” Tomorrow’s post: Some words about the Via de Cristo that was held at our church last weekend.

I know some of you will find this (except the ones who have spent any time with me beyond “blog space”) hard to believe but I can be aggravating at times. Yes, it is true and I readily confess it. My lovely wife of 27 years knew I had the gift of aggravation when she found out that I knew all the verses to “American Pie.” Oh, she doesn’t like that song and much to her consternation, I do. In fact, I periodically “attempt” to sing that song while I’m in the (sorry for the visual) shower.

Barb at one time was a teacher of “Emotionally Handicapped Children” (EH) which made her a prime candidate for marrying and “handling me.” She told me one of my most annoying habits (I know, its hard to believe that I have more than one) is the act of perseverating. Anyone know what “perseverating” means? Anyone know what “perseverating” means?

Know, that wasn’t a typo. I just gave you a cyberspace example. It is the act of repeating a word or phrase over and over again. With respect to me I have this particular gift, I mean habit of becoming amused by a commercial, comedy skit, joke, some incident of life, or a word that I will then precede to “perseverate” over, much to the aggravation of my lovely wife. My latest incident comes from a video at http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1195256/frank_tv_charles_barkley/

This is a video of Frank Caliendo imitating Charles Barkley, former Auburn Tiger, Philadelphia 76er, Phoenix Sun, and member of the 1992 Olympic Dream Team basketball player. Charles is a regular on the NBA Show on TNT as a commentator. In the video, Ernie Johnson asks Barkley what he thought of the Denver Nuggets defensive performance against the Los Angeles Lakers. “Barkley” answers back by saying in so many words, “Ernie, they were (pronounced “terr-ible”) terrible, terrible. It was so terrible they offended me. They’re crazy. They need to be all over Kobe Bryant just like we need to be all over Kim Jong-Il. Kim Jong-Il is nuts. He’s going to blow up the world. (my favorite part) Kim Jong-Il is a knucklehead!”

Now you can probably guess which part I’m perseverating. Oh, I must also admit that I’ve dragged my son into my perseverating but hey, he wouldn’t be my boy if he didn’t possess this ability to latch on to something that most folks don’t find funny and repeat it over and over again.

My latest episode involved taking out the trash this morning. Barb said, “Don’t forget today is trash day.” My answer:

“Trash Day? I need to be all over the trash just like we need to be all over Kim Jong-Il! Kim Jong-Il is crazy. He’ll blow up all of our garbage trucks. Terrible, terrible, he’s a knucklehead.”

Now, as my relatives from Kentucky might say about me with respect to Kim Jong-Il being a knucklehead:

I Are One Too.

So how was your weekend? For us FSU Fans, it was a great but almost “un-great” weekend. At one point the “resurging” Seminoles had the Canes down 24 to 7 only to see that lead evaporate until a final conclusion of a score of:
FSU: 41
Miami: 39

Although the offense self-destructed in the second half, to see the once “Jeff Bowden “Pointless” offense” now scoring points is a welcome (no pun intended) return. I will say that there was a time when the “majority” of my mood on Monday would be dominated by the results of the weekend sporting world. At age 50 they’ve now become either a nice serendipity or slight irritant. My Monday barometer has now become for the most part, our worship on Sunday and in some ways, there is some wrong with that attitude as well.

It seems the eternal struggle of the discussion of “worship” is whether it is the impetus to a life of worship or is a “life of worship” the engine of the Sunday morning worship. I’ll come down on the side of “yes.” I know for me I continue to be inspired by how the Holy Spirit is working not only through those that “facilitate” our worship, but also how He is carrying out different types of ministry in our community in the name of Jesus. Have a good Monday.

I’m headed off on my “Run Forrest, Run” jog of almost 5 miles before I weigh in for the month at Weight Watchers.

Yesterday was a unique day for me. The activity that Barb and I went on including hanging out with good friends, being on a part of the Kennedy Space Center I had never been on, shelling, and fishing. A good friend of ours at church, Chuck, works on the “Air Force side” of the Space Center. Although his job involves working on the solid rocket boosters of the Space Shuttle and the upcoming Orion Program that has been called “Apollo on Steroids,” he works on the Air Force side of KSC where most of the un-manned launches take place such as the Delta Program.

This part of KSC borders the Canaveral Inlet where Cruise Ships and Trident Subs call home. It also has some of the most pristine beaches in the United States since very few people can get to them unless you’re an employee of the Space Center. We met Chuck in front of the Security Gate on the Air Force Side. Chuck took our licenses and helped us get a Visitor’s Pass to the restricted beach.

Driving onto this part of KSC is taking at trip through history. Chuck took us to the now deserted and mostly dismantled Apollo 1 Launch Complex. The tragic fire and death of the 3 Apollo 1 astronauts was especially personal to me. My Dad was working for KSC when I was in third grade when the accident occurred. With the delay of the Apollo Program following the accident, many workers lost their jobs including my Dad. This was the on-ramp for him to rejoin the military after a career in the Army. He went into the National Guard full time following his lay-off.

We also drove past the site of the Mercury launches which is even closer to the beach than the Apollo 1 site. If you’ve never been to the Space Center before, it is amazing how “wild” it is. Even when you take the Tour Bus or drive to the Visitor Center, you are more than likely to see your fair share of animal life in the form of gators, eagles, and the like. We actually saw a deer cross in front of us as we left the Beach.

Our main goal was to get some sea shells for Barb. She is a Kindergarten (God bless her) Teacher and it seems the little kiddies like sea shells. The first beach we went to was deserted except for the 3 of us. There were plenty of shells to find. We then drove to another beach on KSC that had a couple of folks fishing on it. This beach was in sight of the Lighthouse. We also met our good friend Monty who works just a few miles away from the beach.

Chuck used his cast net to catch mullet for bait. He set up a couple of fishing poles and it wasn’t too long before one of them was bending in it’s holder. Chuck gave me the honor of pulling in the first fish which was a blue. Another blue and a couple of jacks later, I had hooked into a red fish or snook. I had this delicacy of Cocoa Beach fishermen within sight when the worst feeling fishermen can feel hit my sensory system. Yes, the line went slack. Not only did the line go slack but I could see the little sucker roll in the water and then disappear into a wave. Chuck was fairly kind although he did say something about me losing a potentially really good dinner.

We ended our evening at Port Canaveral at a restaurant called Grills. Chuck’s wife Diane joined us. It was one of the best Thursdays I’ve ever had. Have a good weekend family.

Wednesday nights are busy at our church. My wife prepares an early (6pm) dinner meal for what we call “Dinner and a Devo.” We come together to eat and then enjoy a devotional message from our Preacher Don. We (elders) usually meet that night and our A-Capella Praise Team Praise Team practices as well.

Last night was especially busy as it was the first pickup night for our “Angel Food Ministry.” This is a nationwide ministry that provides inexpensive quality food for a family. I met one of our first “customers” just after finishing my “every other day 5K run.” I saw them (an elderly couple) pull up in our parking lot and they had that “where do you go to get this stuff look” on their faces. I introduced my (if you don’t like the upcoming image in your mind, recite the phrase “dead puppies” 3 times) dripping sweat self and asked them if they needed help. They told me they were here to pick up their “Angel Food purchase.” The elderly gentleman relayed his appreciation for this ministry and how hard it was for folks on a fixed income to make ends meet.

Then the “Via de Cristo” (http://www.hofvdc.org/) descended on our building. This is an interdenominational group that sponsors weekend getaways for men and women. The purpose of the weekend is to get a group of men or women away from distractions and to challenge and build them up spiritually. They use different church facilities for their weekends which begin on Thursday evenings and end Sunday afternoon. One of our members (Carl) is an active member of “Via de Cristo” handling most of their logistics for setting up in a church. They bring their own portable showers, banners, kitchen equipment, and the leadership that will teach classes and facilitate the weekend.

Carl told me that between the sponsors and the men attending the weekend, 45 different denominations would be represented. The fact that they are all coming together in our building when “we” as in Churches of Christ have been known for our sectarian spirit in the past, gives me hope for the future.

Barb and I are headed out to the Space Center this afternoon. One of our members works out there and is allowed to take 2 guests to a beach that lies on the Space Center Property. This beach is as close to what all beaches in Florida used to look like including a light house. We’re looking forward to gathering some sea shells for Barb’s Kindergarten Class. Have a good Thursday.