My Randomness

Changes

2010-06-09T17:38:00.002-04:00

My life has changed - and so it is time to discontinue this blog. Any updates that I put out will be on my facebook account. Just log on to facebook and search my email address.

Se ya there.

Drink More Water

2010-05-23T08:24:00.001-04:00

Experts say that we should drink 8 glasses of water per day.

Coffee is 98 percent water.

Sweet!

Whole Hog

2010-05-23T08:20:00.001-04:00

At our church weekend retreat.

Hanging Out

2010-05-20T21:16:00.001-04:00

Planes Landing in St. Maarten, Caribbean

2010-05-14T08:21:00.000-04:00

EMBED-St. Maarten Plane Landings - Watch more free videos

Heart Disease - Frequent Coffee Consumption May Reduce Likelihood of Developing Heart Disease, Diabetes

2010-05-06T20:54:00.000-04:00

Heart Disease - Frequent Coffee Consumption May Reduce Likelihood of Developing Heart Disease, Diabetes

Welcome Home

2010-05-05T10:21:00.002-04:00

It was an exciting game last night in Philadelphia against the St. Louis Cardinals. It was a 1-1 tie at the bottom of the 10th. Carlos Ruiz's first hit went just left of the foul pole in left field. Two pitches later he pounded one into the seats for his first homerun of the year. Go Phillies!

Does God Have A Specific Plan for Your Life?

2010-04-29T08:48:00.001-04:00

I've been working through some possible major changes in my life and have been wondering what God would want me to do? Does he have a plan that he has all figured out for me to follow perfectly or I'll miss a blessing, or does he just let some stuff up to us to figure out. And then the following blog popped up in my RSS feed. I thought it was helpful.

Does God Have a Specific Plan for Your Life? Probably Not.

Grandkids

2010-04-22T12:06:00.000-04:00

Worried?

2010-04-18T08:31:00.001-04:00

Guard Dogs & Bird Dogs

2010-04-15T13:14:00.001-04:00

"Tonight Doug talked to me about the difference between guard dogs and bird dogs, relating them to theologically minded folks within the community of faith. Guard dogs are focused on what they can keep ‘out’, while bird dogs are running around ‘out there’ dragging in all kinds of stuff, which doesn’t exactly make the guard dogs happy. As you can probably figure out, he considers me a bird dog."

— This is a paragraph from William P. Young’s email newsletter. He wrote ‘The Shack’. You can find him at windrumors.com

Randy & I Went to See The Orioles Today

2010-04-11T22:00:00.003-04:00

Randy bought himself a foam finger.

Watching the game.

It was a perfect day for baseball!

My Buddy

2010-04-09T12:16:00.001-04:00

Changing My Lifestyle

2010-04-01T09:15:00.003-04:00

Recently Ella Mae and I had our blood tested for cholesterol and other stuff. Her numbers came back good, but I have some serious issues. Here are my results:

Total Cholesterol - 220
HDL - 28
LDL - 162
Triglycerides - 157
CHOL/HDLC Ratio - 7.9
ALL BAD!!

I have been wanting to do something about my weight, but just haven't got motivated enough to do it. So now I have motivation. I want to try to improve these numbers without medication, so here is where I plan to start:

Walk 30 minutes per day
Cut out french fries, chips, fast food and related junk
Increase intake of vegetables, fruits, raw nuts, etc.
Vitamin Supplements
And a few other things!

So there will be no more posts about cheeseburgers, food, etc. Sorry. But if I find out any cools stuff about lowering cholesterol, I might let you know about that.

Playing Together

2010-03-30T12:09:00.001-04:00

Presence of the Lord

2010-03-30T08:56:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday Eric Clapton. He's 65.

Rails to Trails

2010-03-21T18:22:00.003-04:00

This summer, Ella Mae and I want to hike on the some the Rails to Trails paths in Pennsylvania. This one is located North of Hamburg, across Rt 61 from Cabellas. You can see if there are any trails near you at www.railstotrails.org

The Grandkids

2010-03-21T18:19:00.002-04:00

Jam Session

2010-03-21T18:14:00.002-04:00

Last evening, the folks who are involved in the worship team at church got together to jam for awhile. Next Sunday I get to play drums at church for the first time. Should be fun!

First Sonic Run of 2010

2010-03-18T16:11:00.000-04:00

It was 70 degrees today!!!!!!

Jamaican Bobsled Team

2010-03-11T12:54:00.003-05:00

You have probably seen the movie Cool Runnings about the Jamaican Bobsled Team that competed at the Olympics some years ago. We had lunch at this Bobsled themed restaurant in Jamaica. They didn't have a team this year but they do have a dogsled team in the Iditarod race. http://www.jamaicadogsled.com/ Why can't they just be satisfied with the warm weather?

Their coconut chicken was very tasty.

A New Look at Song of Solomon

2010-03-02T11:53:00.001-05:00

A Paradox

2010-03-02T11:36:00.002-05:00

Since I'm involved with addictions treatment, this place in Jamaica caught my eye. For me, it would be like being on a diet and hanging out at the Krispy Kreme donut shop.

Flowing Love

2010-03-02T11:32:00.002-05:00

Yesterday an inmate gave me an awesome picture of how we are to love. I don't know about you, but I can't love on my own. I need help to love. His word picture was that we are pipes that allow God's love to flow through us into a thirsty world.

Dave Hain - Heading for South Africa

2010-02-23T12:36:00.004-05:00

My friend and colleague, Dave Hain, is heading out to minister in the notorious Poolsmoor Prison in South Africa. Here is his latest blog entry.

WOW!!! God continues to do amazing things as HE opens doors for our ministry in South Africa. On Feb.27th I'll be flying to Johannesburg and meeting up with my dear friend Rod Shiers. The two of us will then drive down to Capetown and introduce the From Addict to Disciple curriculum in Pollsmoor Prison. This prison is well known for having the toughest gangs around. We'll be ministering every day the first week of March.

Then we will fly back to Johannesburg to continue the ministry that has been ongoing for a year in Krugersdorp and Leeukop Prisons. The fruit there has been amazing!! Rod will be baptizing somewhere between 25 and 50 inmates this coming Sunday! PRAISE THE LORD for His faithfulness and His heart and life changing interventions into our lives!!! I will fly back to the US on March 19th landing at 6AM on the 20th.

I ask for your prayers for God's move in the prisons. Also keep Shawn, Jordan and Isaac in prayer while I am gone. Thank you for your faithful support of our ministry and our family.

Bankruptcy

2010-02-23T10:41:00.002-05:00

No matter
what I say,
what I believe,
and what I do,
I'm bankrupt without love.
1 Corinthians 13:3b - The Message

Randy's Truck

2010-02-21T21:54:00.001-05:00

Before
After

More Jamaica Pics

2010-02-17T16:00:00.001-05:00

Great View

Lobster for Dinner

View From the Porch

View From the Pool

Jamaica Pics

2010-02-17T15:50:00.003-05:00

Nice!

Sunset

Morning Coffee

Jerk Shrimp Tacos - Yum

Island Drinks

Here Is What We Came Home To

2010-02-17T11:05:00.000-05:00

Headin' Out

2010-02-04T10:05:00.000-05:00

We are leaving for Jamaica tomorrow. See ya when we get back.

This Is So Cool

2010-01-30T14:41:00.001-05:00

I think that Clarence Fountain (the guy with the sunglasses) is one of the coolest singers ever.

Happy Music

2010-01-29T18:37:00.002-05:00

From Musts to Trust

2010-01-26T12:00:00.002-05:00

I love this article from http://gracewalkministries.blogspot.com/

Aspects of Spirit filled living which flow naturally from the lifestyle of one walking in grace become a millstone around the neck of one ensnared by legalism. I have often used Bible study and prayer as examples because they tend to be primary targets of legalism. It takes what God intended to bring us real pleasure and turns it into nothing more than a religious performance.

We aren’t doing God any favors by reading the Bible, praying, or anything else we may do in an effort to please Him. It goes without saying that each are an integral part of authentic faith, but once these grace gifts have been baptized into the stagnant waters of dead religion, they lose all life. They no longer have legitimate meaning, neither to the believer nor God.

Bible study no longer is a joy, it’s a job. Prayer is no longer a romantic conversation. It becomes a “quiet time” which we must observe like the misbehaving child who is sent to his room for a “time out.”

Driven religious fervor becomes a one night stand repeated over and over and over again. There may be a shallow gratification in one night stands, but nobody would ever mistake it for genuine intimacy. God offers us much more than that. He wants us to experience Him and all of His gifts as a natural part of the soothing rhythms of grace. However, to know that kind of intimacy, we must stop our religious hyperventilating, calm down, stop and smell the roses. God doesn’t need for you to break the three minute mile for Him. He just wants you to enjoy Him, knowing that everything else in your life will flow out of that.

Jesus didn’t come to help us be religious superstars. Far from it, He came to deliver us from empty religion, even orthodox, time honored religion. Jesus came to bring us into intimacy with God through Himself. In His earthly days, as in our day, those most offended by Him have been the religionists who have built their reputation around keeping their golden idols polished to a brighter shine than anybody else in town.

The idols are their own particular rules of the road that must be observed as we speed down the highway they call “Christian living.” Their display case is filled with the specific idols which most easily fit their own personality and temperament and they judge everybody else by whether or not they live up to their own personal standards. People are incidental. What matters is how you are behaving.

Even Jesus wasn’t a good churchman by the standards of the religionists of His day. He didn’t live up to what they thought He ought to be. To them, He had no convictions. He appeared to compromise the purity and integrity of their values by doing things like healing people on the Sabbath, by eating with the crooks (Publicans) and party-animals (sinners) of His day. He was a friend of the hookers and homeless. He didn’t separate Himself far enough from the riffraff, as every good churchman knew one should do. Consequently, He lost His testimony with the Pharisees, an incidental matter which didn’t seem to bother him at all. Jesus cared more about relationships than reputation. He still does.

A legitimate Christian lifestyle gently flows like water along a riverbank, refreshing all who happen to stumble upon our banks. It isn’t a flash flood of activity that honors God. He doesn’t lead us that way, but instead He has chosen to make “[us] lie down in green pastures. He leads [us] beside the still waters [where] He restores [our] soul” (Psalm 23).

God loves you so much that He wants to deliver you from the misery of the musts into the triumph of trust. You have nothing to prove by a frantic pace. It isn’t possible to hear the still, small voice whisper when you are running at breakneck speed. God invites you to stop and rest.

(This article is an excerpt from my book, A Divine Invitation

New Group

2010-01-21T08:44:00.003-05:00

We just started a new Addict to Disciple Group in downtown Lancaster on Wednesday afternoons at 3:15pm. It is being held a City Gate Lancaster on 218 N. Duke St. The first week five guys came, the second week ten guys and yesterday there were 13 guys. Its a blessing to hang out with men who are honestly struggling with issues in their life. Please keep us in your prayers.

http://citygatelancaster.com/
http://www.etsahministries.org/

2010-01-12T12:04:00.002-05:00

The above picture on the right graphically illustrates the poem in my previous post. Thanks Norm for pointing out this picture. You can check out the website at http://www.gazatoday.blogspot.com/

Not Everyone HAs A Happy New Year to Look Forward To

2010-01-11T09:58:00.003-05:00

Poem written by Samah Sabawai. She is a writer, playwright and poet from Gaza. I hope you are moved by it and feel compelled to pray for peace in Gaza and around the globe.
Blessings…

Gaza, Where Time Stood Still
By Samah Sabawi

Don’t tell us a year has passed…
We don’t measure our lives by this calendar
Time has stood still for us so long ago
Punctuated only by loss and grief
And the in between moments of quite reprieve
We don’t count on Christmas, nor Eid for cheer
We don’t fool ourselves with “happy new year”
No occasion is ever taken for granted,
When it comes to tomorrow, there are no certainties
Our yesterday is our today
Time is frozen here
And one calendar year
Will never contain our lives,
Our collective misery,
Our yearning for humanity
Don’t tell us a year has passed
Our clock stopped ticking when justice collapsed
Eclipsed by decades of repression
Hush… don’t speak of time
We have endured the absence of time
We don’t measure our lives by days like you
We measure our lives by the number of embraces
Our worth by a lover’s heartbeat
Our existence by our persistence
So, don’t tell us a year has passed….

I found this poem so heart rending. I find it so easy to be caught up with things in my life that seem difficult and start complaining. But I had a great Christmas, with family and good cheer and promise of a Happy New Year. I am so blessed!

God is Cool With Me

2010-01-11T09:28:00.003-05:00

Jesus is saying to us:

I am rejoicing over you with joy; I am resting in silent satisfaction and in My love I am silent and will make no mention of your sins, or even recall them; I am exulting over you with singing.

Zepaniah 3:17b, The Amplified Bible, Personalized

FOXNews.com - When Was the Bible Really Written?

2010-01-10T08:24:00.002-05:00

FOXNews.com - When Was the Bible Really Written?

Posted using ShareThis

Jesus & The Kingdom

2010-01-09T09:23:00.001-05:00

This Is Who You Are

2010-01-09T09:14:00.000-05:00

I love the words to this song!

Changing Priorities

2010-01-07T16:47:00.003-05:00

During a recent group meeting, we were discussing how surrendering our will to God can make a dramatic change in how we live our lives. I got to sharing about how God has changed some of my priorities, including the desire I use to have for a Jaguier Convertible. My friend Norm sent me the following picture. I guess he was checking to see how I would respond to such stimulus. It is a very sharp looking car, I must say.

Well, I didn't get the Jag, but I was blessed with a Sebring.
Ella Mae and I have had just as much fun at about 1/20th of the cost.

Treasures

2010-01-06T20:39:00.003-05:00

I was recently introduced to the poetry of Martha Snell Nicholson by my friend Norm. Very powerful stuff. You can check out more of it at http://www.mercydrops.com/Snell.htm

Treasures

One by one He took them from me,
All the things I valued most,
Until I was empty-handed;
Every glittering toy was lost.

And I walked earth's highways, grieving.
In my rags and poverty.
Till I heard His voice inviting,
"Lift your empty hands to Me!"

So I held my hands toward heaven,
And He filled them with a store
Of His own transcendent riches,
Till they could contain no more.

And at last I comprehended
With my stupid mind and dull,
That God COULD not pour His riches
Into hands already full!
-Martha Snell Nicholson

My Theme Song For 2010

2010-01-01T09:59:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year. I have chosen this song as my theme for 2010. Our worries obviously do not just magically disappear, but Jesus asks us to give him our worries and let him handle it. Look at Matthew 11:28-30 from The Message:

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

I really like the part about learning the unforced rhythms of grace. I can picture Jesus and the desciples dancing with this song along the Sea of Galilee, their hearts fill of love and trust.

Dance with grace in 2010.

Christmas Eve

2009-12-25T08:40:00.004-05:00

Our traditional Christmas Eve Fondue Dinner

Dylan is really starting to like truck, tractors and such.

Mia sporting her new apron.

Alexia checking out her new slippers.

Having Fun

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T13:13:00.000-05:00

Alexia

2009-12-19T14:49:00.002-05:00

Making a Christmas Card for her teacher.

It's Snowing

2009-12-19T14:39:00.003-05:00

One Love

2009-12-19T13:22:00.005-05:00

The song One Love is an old Bob Marley Song. Marley was a Rastafarian from Jamaica whose music came from the feelings of oppression that the Blacks experienced. I know this isn't a Christian song, and some of the lyrics may not be the best, but there is a message here of unity, that if we as believers could put aside our doctrinal differences and be interested in what God is interested in, we could have a huge impact on the world. Too long we have allowed satan to limit our effectiveness with our Paul/Apollos/Cephas attitudes. God have mercy on us!

Check out more of their very cool videos at http://www.playingforchange.com/

A Whole New Level of Old

2009-12-16T07:38:00.003-05:00

Last evening we went to Alexia's Christmas program at her school. She is the little one, just left of the cross. It kind of made me feel like an old pappy - going to my granddaughters school program. It is like it is a whole new level of old. Next thing you know, we will be going to her high school graduation.

I Love This Quote

2009-12-08T08:41:00.005-05:00

As you may know, I'm somewhat of a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. They are not doing so well, and Mike Tomlin, their coach, has a unique way of explaining the issues. I especially love the following:

"It's appropriate at this point to acknowledge we have an undesirable pattern of behavior, which produces a series of outcomes that are not what we're looking for," Tomlin said a day after his Super Bowl champs lost their fourth consecutive game to slip to 6-6.

Thanksgiving

2009-11-27T10:20:00.004-05:00

This year our Thanksgiving was a little different. Michelle and Gwen were spending the day with their in laws. Randy was in Calgary Alberta delivering a truck. So we shared Thanksgiving dinner with some of the folks from the Tuesday night Addicts to Disciples group.
They played Cranium which is just not my type of game - too much thinking involved. But we had a great time.

Later in the evening I went to Philadelphia to pick up Randy at the airport. Our family is getting together Saturday evening to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Its hard to believe, but...

2009-11-15T16:06:00.002-05:00

...it was almost 70 degrees here today. After church we drove down to Sonic for lunch and then drove around awhile with the top down.
It isn't as cold as it looks.

Its Fall in PA

2009-11-03T16:51:00.002-05:00

Lately I've been walking the Appalachian Trail a few times a week. Here is today's view. The leaves are about all gone. It's kinda depressing actually.

Throne Room

2009-11-03T16:45:00.001-05:00

Recently saw this poster in the men's restroom stall at a church that shall remain namesless.

Cheeseburger at Peachy's

2009-10-22T23:33:00.001-04:00

I had this great cheeseburger and fries at Peachy's Restaurant in Bellville, PA.

Looking Foilage

2009-10-22T23:19:00.002-04:00

It was a beautiful day in Pennsylvania, so we decided to go for a ride.
I guess they ran out of space in the barn.

Corn Shocks in the Bellville Valley.

It was in the 70's so we put the top down.

We saw some gorgeous trees

Baptism

2009-09-27T18:47:00.000-04:00

Today we had a baptism for two guys at church. We were also taken in as members at Lebanon Christian Fellowship.

Toolbox Wisdom

2009-09-26T13:36:00.001-04:00

You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.

Learning About God's Love For Us

2009-09-26T10:34:00.002-04:00

There are a whole series of these Religion Lies on Youtube. This particular lie/truth is so important as we relate with God out of our broken lives. It is only as we begin to understand the truth of God's love for us will real life transformation happen.

Grandkids Pictures

2009-09-25T14:57:00.002-04:00

Last Sunday's Day Trip

2009-09-25T14:51:00.002-04:00

The Susquehanna River
York County Country Side

A Vega. I used to drive one of these 30 years ago. It was a real piece of junk. This one looks like it is in pretty good shape.

I'm a Published Author

2009-09-19T19:02:00.001-04:00

No, it's not Christiantity Today or another famous magazine. It's in the newsletter that the prison ministry I work with publishes. The article describes some of the ministry that I an involved in.

You can check it out online: http://supportforprisonministries.org/newsletters/newsletter_2009_fall.pdf

Wedding

2009-09-19T14:32:00.000-04:00

I am at a wedding of a friend I met in prison.

Going Retro

2009-09-19T10:48:00.000-04:00

Dylan is wearing an outfit that I wore as a young child.

Alexia & Mia Painting

2009-09-19T10:44:00.000-04:00

The grandkids were here for awhile this morning.

Cool Story

2009-09-16T22:11:00.001-04:00

Dylan

2009-09-16T09:14:00.000-04:00

$9 0n 09/09/09

2009-09-07T10:08:00.002-04:00

Bank robber wanted time away from wife

2009-09-01T10:55:00.001-04:00

only in Lancaster...

A bank robber offered an unusual explanation Monday for why he held up an Ephrata bank in 2007.

He did it to get away from his abusive wife, he told a judge during his sentencing in Lancaster County Court.

In fact, Anthony Miller, 39, wanted so badly to escape his wife — even if it meant going to jail — that he repeatedly asked tellers during the robbery, "Did you call the police yet?"

"She was very abusive to me," Miller told Judge Louis Farina. "I was scared. She threatened to commit suicide if I ever left her."

Miller's defense attorney, Robert Beyer, said that when the woman, now Miller's ex-wife, came to pick up his car after he was taken into custody, she met with the arresting officer.
After 20 minutes with her, the officer said, "I was ready for jail, too," Beyer dryly noted.
Farina sentenced Miller to 3 to 6 years in prison, a little longer than Miller had wanted. Beyer asked the judge to give Miller, who has already spent 31 months in prison, a sentence of time served.

The judge, however, said Miller committed a serious crime and used a BB gun that looked like a real gun during the robbery, even though it wasn't loaded and he never threatened anyone with it.

Farina said, "I accept he may not have wanted to hurt anyone. He made a very bad decision under a period of stress."

Turning to Miller, the judge said, "We have to make sure you don't do that again."

Miller pleaded guilty in June to the robbery of the Ephrata National Bank on Martin Avenue in February 2007.

The day of the bank robbery, Miller purchased a BB gun at Wal-Mart, took it out of the box and went to the bank, Beyer said.

Miller stayed at the bank for four minutes, as tellers collected money. A witness said, "He wanted someone to call the police."

An employee did trigger an alarm and police, who were nearby, arrested Miller as he left the bank.

When he walked out of the door, Miller hesitated for a moment, Beyer said, thinking that he might want police to kill him and "have this be over with," but then changed his mind.
Miller, who has no criminal record, decided to rob the bank after a series of problems — marital, financial and emotional, Beyer said.

Miller met his wife through a Christian dating Web site. She moved to the county from Washington state and the couple was married in 2004.

The pair soon had problems and Miller wanted to end the marriage, but his wife threatened to overdose on pills, he said.

During this time, Miller also struggled with depression. A welder, he had a job that did not offer health insurance and he said could not afford the medications he needed for his condition.
Feeling desperate, he saw the bank robbery as a way to get away from his wife.

Farina listened and then noted a very curious thing: When Miller was arrested, he asked police if he could call his wife.

Beyer said, "He didn't say what he was going to say."

"Goodbye? It's your fault?" Farina asked, his eyebrows raised. "So it's her fault?"

Beyer responded that Miller doesn't blame anyone but himself.

"His wife's actions drove him to it?" Farina asked. "He saw this as his way out?"
"Absolutely," Beyer said.

Miller weighed in, saying, "I certainly wasn't thinking straight. That's not the way I normally act. I believe I had a nervous breakdown that day."

Farina told Miller that he traumatized people in the bank with the gun.

The judge said he wanted to give Miller more than just the time he had already served in prison so he could get evaluated and counseled.

"You need enough time and supervision so we can identify what are your problems," he said.

Ain't She A Cutie?

2009-08-30T08:39:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, Mia was a flower girl in my niece's (Lori) wedding

Western PA Trip - Day 3

2009-08-28T17:16:00.002-04:00

The view from our hotel window.
We criss-crossed the Allegeny River numerous times in our attempt to get out of Pittsburgh.

Friday was cloudy, sometimes foggy and in the mid 60's. Not a great day for riding in the convertible. So we just went home.

Western PA Trip - Day 2 - Part 2

2009-08-28T17:03:00.004-04:00

When in Pittsburgh, they say you have to eat a sandwich from Primanti Brothers. The sandwich includes the meat, slaw and french fries. We weren't very impressed. I don't like potatoes in my sandwiches.
Now, the carne asada taco I bought from a street vendor was excellent!

We went in this little italian grocery store that had some great looking bread.

We watched the Phillies play the Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

The Phillies lost!

Western PA Trip - Day 2 - Part 1

2009-08-28T16:55:00.002-04:00

Thursday we drove from Chester WV to Wheeling along the Ohio River
Cool looking on service station

There is a lot of industry along the river. A lot of it is shut down.

The towns were old and somewhat dingy looking.

Then back over to Pittsburgh.

Western PA Trip - Day 1 - Part 2

2009-08-26T19:28:00.004-04:00

While trying to follow the original Rt. 30 route through Pittsburgh we passed some stately older houses. We also got lost!
The Pittsburgh skyline.

We ended up in Chester, WV.

The Ohio River.

This guy must be a Parrothead.

Western PA Trip - Day 1 - Part 1

2009-08-26T16:53:00.002-04:00

We are going to finish Rt. 30 in PA this week. We take up where we left off a few months ago, just North of Somerset.
This part of the highway was very straight.

The "L" Sign sometimes indicates where the original route went.

Greensburg, PA

I love the burgers, fries and chocolate shakes at Steak and Shake.

Please open a location in Reading!!!!

Tuesday Evening Group

2009-08-25T20:48:00.004-04:00

I've been helping out with the From Addict to Disciple Group in Leola on Tuesday evenings.

Nick is sharing what is happening in his life
Visiting after group.

The drive home.

Beams of Love

2009-08-25T13:36:00.003-04:00

And we are put on earth a little space

That we might learn to bear the beams of love.

William Blake

Covered Bridge

2009-08-23T20:46:00.000-04:00

What A Play!!!!

2009-08-23T20:35:00.003-04:00

What's Wrong With This Picture?

2009-08-13T15:23:00.002-04:00

In my opinion, this is just wrong - turning an old-style diner into a Chinese Restaurant. They even put the fake China-looking roof on it. I like Chinese food, but they should be serving hamburgers and open-faced turkey sandwiches here, not egg rolls

RT 30 - Philly to Lancaster

2009-08-09T12:38:00.003-04:00

Last Friday Ella Mae and I drove the Rt 30 stretch from Philadelphia to Lancaster. This is the current route which starts in Atlantic City, NJ. Originally the Lincoln Highway (Rt. 30) started in New York City, went through Trenton, NJ then crossed the Delaware River into Pennsylvania. We'll have to do that route some other time.
Rt. 30 enters Pennsylvania via the Ben Franklin Bridge

One of the big arguments in Philadelphia is who makes the best Philly Cheese Steak - Pat's or Geno's

We tried and split a sandwich from both places. I liked them both

Raising corn in Philly

They still run the electric streets cars in parts of Philadelphia.

In a few weeks we plan to drive Rt. 30 from north of Somerset to Ohio which will complete our Lincoln Highway tour for the summer. Stay tuned.

A Living Prayer

2009-08-07T08:01:00.002-04:00

A Living Prayer
Songwriter: Ronald Franklin Block
Publisher: MOONLIGHT CANYON PUBLISHING

In this world I walk alone
With no place to call my home
But there’s one who holds my hand
The rugged road through barren lands
The way is dark, the road is steep
But He’s become my eyes to see
The strength to climb, my griefs to bear
The Savior lives inside me there

In Your love I find release
A haven from my unbelief
Take my life and let me be
A living prayer, my God to Thee

In these trials of life I find
Another voice inside my mind
He comforts me and bids me live
Inside the love the Father gives

In Your love I find release
A haven from my unbelief
Take my life and let me be
A living prayer, my God to Thee

Take my life and let me be
A living prayer, my God to Thee

Barn Fire

2009-08-06T16:28:00.003-04:00

Last evening about 20 fire trucks went by our house. They say that it was fully engulfed when the first truck arrived. I guess today is cleanup day.

No Condemnation

2009-08-06T11:14:00.002-04:00

There was another very good article over at Grace Walk. Here is an excerpt:

The Spirit of Christ doesn’t put you under guilt and condemnation about something Jesus Christ has already absorbed into Himself at the cross, defeated and put away. Remember that Jesus dealt with sin and then sat down by the right hand of God because there was nothing left to do regarding sin. Your sins have been defeated and put away. So at every moment, “There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”

When the Christian sins, the Holy Spirit causes us to realize, “This isn’t who I am. I don’t want to live like this.” That realization is a call to recognize our righteousness and act like who we are. If you sense feelings of worthlessness and shame; if you think you are a horrible person when you sin, that isn’t the Holy Spirit speaking to you. It may be your church or family history rising up to condemn you, but it isn’t God’s Spirit. He doesn’t do that. Ever.

Read the whole thing at http://gracewalkministries.blogspot.com/2009/08/conviction-of-sin.html

More Grandkids Pictures

2009-08-06T11:10:00.002-04:00

Dylan after his first haircut.

Joy in Heaven

2009-08-04T10:52:00.001-04:00

Do You Worship Your Sins?

2009-08-03T09:15:00.002-04:00

This is the last part of a very will written article over at Grace Walk: http://gracewalkministries.blogspot.com/2009/08/gods-grace-is-bigger-than-your-sin.html

Jesus came to put away your sin and He fully succeeded at that. (See Hebrews 9:26) We need to stop worshipping our sins by focusing on them and glory in the finished work of the cross. God’s grace is bigger than our sins and He will use our lives for His glory. Let’s just trust Him to do it!

The Graduates

2009-08-02T20:46:00.002-04:00

Shawn - the director, Brian, Keith, Tim & Chuck

Keith & Keith

2009-08-02T20:44:00.001-04:00

Potter's House Graduation

2009-08-02T20:42:00.000-04:00

This evening I had the opportunity to attend the graduation of four guys from the Potter's House, a Christian halfway house.

More Rt. 32 Road Trip Pictures

2009-08-02T13:46:00.002-04:00

PA Rt. 32 Road Trip

2009-08-02T13:25:00.003-04:00

Yesterday we drove down Pennsylvania Rt. 32 which follows the Delaware River between Allentown and Philadelphia.

It was a fun road to drive. River views, curves, woods and old houses made for an interesting ride.

We stopped for a late lunch at the famous Dillys Drive-In.

The burger and onion rings were very tasty.

Washington Crossing where George Washington surprised the British.

Neato Burrito

2009-08-01T09:38:00.002-04:00

Last evening we went to this burrito place in Harrisburg. It is kind of set up like Subway - you choose your tortilla, meat, rice and other fillings. The end result is a burrito the size of my two fists put together. Very tasty.

BLT

2009-07-27T11:10:00.000-04:00

I love summer. The sun, grilling, roadtrips in the convertible, t-shirts, long days, and of course, food. It starts with strawberries. I eat strawberry pies, shortcakes, etc. nonstop for a few weeks. Then its blueberries. I love fresh blueberry pie. Now its tomatoes. We have one Beefsteak tomato stalk. These are the big, ugly, juicy and very tasty ones. Now I'm living on BLT's. Summer is grand!

Ball & Chain Part 2

2009-07-22T22:28:00.002-04:00

This is so true also.

http://www.nakedpastor.com/

So true!

2009-07-21T12:18:00.002-04:00

From: http://www.nakedpastor.com/

An Interesting Commentary

2009-07-20T10:32:00.001-04:00

I like to check up on various road-trip travel blogs and ran on to this.

http://www.route66bible.com/

Randomn Grandkids Pictures

2009-07-17T15:57:00.000-04:00

Another Eastern Shore Pic

2009-07-17T15:56:00.000-04:00