CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY

"...We must say as clearly as we know how that underlying the pages which follow there is a profound conviction that the Christian Gospel is God's supreme act on man's behalf and that the history of Christianity is the history of what God has done for man through Christ and of man's response."

Latourette wrote over eighty books, many of them on church history and missions. In the above statement he describes his point of view in the writing of his classic work, "History of Christianity." Few modern historians give such unqualifying credit to the Christian Gospel in such terms, let alone the recognition that it has been significant in its effect on the history of mankind.
Today the common theme of historical commentators and analyzers is more likely that of synthesizing all major religions and their histories in such a way as to claim a blend that thus represents God and his desires upon our lives. An example is the best-selling author of the book, "Where God Was Born," Bruce Feiler. In an interview on Fox News “Special Report,” Feiler expresses the view that God throughout history and especially with Abraham as a common ancestor to three major religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, seems to be trying to establish a relationship with Himself that respects any faith-based approach. It is an appealing ideal, but is it valid or just another attempt to accept the “many ways to God” version of politically- correct religion? "The only force strong enough to take on religious extremism," he concludes, "is religious moderation."
But if we are to take Jesus at his word, surely he advocates no “moderation” in our religion, either believed or expressed. Yes, Christianity claims exclusionary rights and privileges. To “moderate” them would mean to lessen the intensity or extremeness of our view. Is that appropriate to faith? If moderation in behavior is all that is intended, then we agree to the extent that we should love our neighbors, treat them as we wish to be treated, respect them as persons and accept them as far as we can without moral conflict. There are limits to the expression of our faith as witnesses too. We are not called to brow beat or berate those who do not wish to hear the Gospel, assuming they know what it is. We are to exhibit the truth in love. But we should be careful not to accept the idea that it doesn’t matter what one believes.
Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. What we believe really matters. And the truth that God has revealed throughout Scripture and especially in the Gospels is for everyone, whether they know it or not. And though we may be uncomfortable and will certainly be challenged by many who think us wrong to make insistence, we have been called to the very purpose of proclaiming the exclusionary message of Jesus Christ. He is the only Savior. He is the only way. His is the only life that will live forever in the grace and forgiveness of an Almighty God who wants everyone to come to the truth and be saved.

See you in Church,

IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
– Galatians 4:4-5

“In the fullness of the time, when the fairest flowers of science and art had withered, and the world was on the verge of despair, the virgin’s Son was born to heal the infirmities of mankind. Christ entered a dying world as the author of a new and imperishable life."

Philip Schaff (1819-1893), the renowned German-American theologian and church historian, wrote the above words in his monumental History of the Christian Church, Volume I, Chapter 1 – Preparation For Christianity In The History Of The Jewish and Heathen World. As preface to his statement, Schaff examines the history and contribution of many cultural aspects and events leading to the fullness of time reported by the Apostle Paul. It was a time of spiritual darkness, but God’s Spirit was yet influencing the hearts and minds of many different peoples in readiness for the appearance of God’s Son as the world’s Savior Redeemer. Even in times of great despair, globally, culturally and personally, God is at work on behalf of his beloved creation to bring about the effects of his grace through Jesus Christ, born as a babe in Bethlehem, “that we might receive adoption” as his children.

Advent and Christmastide remind us again of God’s love for the world resulting in his Son coming to earth so that we might believe in Him and have everlasting life. Despite the attempts of many in our own culture to diminish this truth, to marginalize the purposes of our faith and to discredit our right to voice it in public display, God will still be heard. He will be heard through our constant refusal to stop wishing people a Merry Christmas wherever we are in the season. He will be heard through the ringing of church bells, the display of Christ centered symbols and decorations in our homes and lawns. And he will be heard through the singing of favorite Christmas Carols, choir cantatas, Sunday School programs retelling the Christmas story and in a full array of Christmas expression.

But God will be heard even more completely through our Spirit enlivened love that causes us to give. Our giving to community needs for those in poverty, giving to the Church and Christian organizations that spread the message of Christ, and, yes, our giving to one another within our families and congregations that reflect the love of Christ within our closest relationships—all speak of God’s love in the greatest Gift we have received. These all, along with our celebration in the public square, cry out above the sounds of commercial exploitation and critical opinion that there is One whom we worship and adore responsible for all that is good and who stands at the door to be received that we may enjoy all the privileges of our heavenly Father as his dear children. He came as the Son of the virgin to heal the infirmities of mankind and he died on a cross to save us from eternal death. The fullness of time extends to include each Christmas, including this one, as we proclaim the birth of Christ.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.

Merry Christmas!

Pastorpj

A Happy Thanksgiving in Alabama

This year being our second in Alabama was especially treated with most of our family able to come for Thanksgiving. This was Tim's second trip to visit us, coming the Saturday before and staying until the Friday after. He now works for Thrivent in Salt Lake City and has just finished his tests for licensing as an investment and insurance agent. Pat arrived the Monday before and stayed for nearly two weeks, leaving yesterday back to California where he lives with Mr. & Mrs. Bury and works for Chipotle Resturants. Sheri & the grandkids arrived Wednesday just in time for Thanksgiving Eve Service at our church and Sean joined us late Thursday night, having to work at his Cracker Barrel in Danville for Thanksgiving. They all stayed till after church on Sunday and left after treating us for lunch at the local CB resturant.

For Thanksgiving Dinner this year we did two turkeys. One the traditional Nelda way and the other I fried according to Southern preference. Both turned out great, but the fried turkey went the fastest! After being taught by the master, Chef Chuck Baldwin, and getting his recipe for injecting the marinade and borrowing his fryer I managed to get-r-done without burning down the house. Although I did have a little more oil than I needed, it was boiling near the top, no damage was done and the turkey was done just right.

All in all it was a great Thanksgiving week. Liz's boyfriend Dan got to meet her brothers and they all had some entertaining times together - after I was long in bed each night. Nelda and I enjoyed both boys and the family times we had with Sheri and hers as well. The only sad part was the absence of Jeri & Rachel, but hope they will be able to come see us soon. Now we are back to normal (almost) and looking forward to a less crowded but still with part of our family (Sheri & her brood) for Christmas. We were and still are thankful to our Lord Jesus Christ for all He has given us through our family and through our church and our many friends.

A Very Nice Little Trip to North Carolina

Last week Nelda and I got away again for a few days, this time with our friends from church, Butch and Mavis. They took us to a beautiful place they had visited many times, often taking their Miata to drive the winding roads in the mountains and hills of the Southeastern rim of the Great Smokeys. This time we road in their sedan and we stayed in a cottage at Phillips Motel in Robbinsville, leaving on Monday morning the last full week of October. We will have to go again. Might even take the trailer sometime as we saw a number of campgrounds along the way. What follows is Butch’s description of the trip, which turned out quite well:

Had a marvelous time even though the weather didn't cooperate. Rained all day Tuesday. Undaunted, we set out to drive the Cherohala Skyway Tuesday morning. Everything was fine till we got a little above 3000 feet and we began to drive in the clouds. A little above 4000 feet we ran into some snow on the road. At 4900 feet we really ran into some snow and had to turn around. We were thinking how lucky we were that there was no traffic on the road but us. As we started down, we did a bit of sliding but made it safely. Met a snowplow headed up the mountain, which confirmed our decision to get back down to the valley as quickly as we could. Went over to Cherokee and tromped around the stores for a bit and talked with some interesting people.

Left this morning around 8:15 for the trip home. All went well until we approached the Ocoee River area. Cars that met us were flashing their lights. We thought they were warning us of a cop. Then, some 8 or 10 miles into the curvy road area, we came to a line of stopped vehicles. We found out from some guy behind us in a delivery van that an 18-wheeler had turned over and spilled 40,000 lbs. of flour. They were expecting a wait of several hours. We turned around and headed back to find an alternate route home. Found an intersection and turned south and drove into GA to Blue Ridge. Found a Chamber of Commerce building and got a GA map. Came down across NW GA to Calhoun and Rome and finally got home. Strangely, it was a very nice drive. Might drive back up there sometimes by that route.

Ablazing Grace & Panama City Beach

Our next big outing included camping at the beach with Laura our DCE and three "Yutes" from our church. Left Sunday after church and with trailer in tow and Laura driving a rented KIA van we got to Campers Inn about 7:30 p.m. Got dark before we got both trailer and five-man tent set up, but all in good spirits staying up rather late before hitting the sack.

Unfortunately we didn't get the rain cover put on top of the tent properly so with the early morning rains guess who got wet. You got it, one trouper DCE and three "Yutes." Also the door to the trailer apparently got accidently locked (guess who!) so they couldn't get in out of the wet tent, but two of the "Yutes" managed to sleep in the van.

By the time all were up the rain had stopped and after fixing them breakfast we managed to get ourselves together and make it over to the Bay Point Marriott where the Southern District of our synod was holding an Intergenerational Gathering under the name Ablazing Grace. Laura was teaching a seminar session and the kids enjoyed the game room set up for the conference. For lunch we stopped at a Wendy's on our way back to camp and Laura and her troop spent the afternoon at the beach. I bbq'd some hotdogs for supper and we headed back to the hotel for the evening program.

The A_G_ program, "Circles of Grace Celebration Eventwith Happy Fun Time, Peder Eide, Jeff Burkart," was very entertaining and fun. Peder led the singing with songs of his own, Jeff told of his spiritual encounter with a taxi driver named Harold and a college group did some very funny improvisational skits.

Monday night went much better than our first night. I had fixed the rain cover, which worked pretty well, and it didn't rain until late morning. Tuesday morning we went back to the hotel and Nelda joined the choir rehearsal while Laura and I attended an Interest session on "Fanning the Ignition in Your Church with Greg Finke." The kids hung out in the game room. For lunch we stopped at Captain Hook's restuarant, shaped like an 18th century pirate ship, then back to the campsite. Even though it rained lightly all afternoon the kids with Laura hit the beach while I worked on my laptop and used the dial-up at the campground to check and send email.

Tuesday evening, having had a large lunch we postponed supper and returned to the hotel for "Places of Grace Celebration Eventwith Happy Fun Time, Peder Eide, Jeff Burkart," similar to the night before but with a grand finalle led by Peder and using lots of glow in the dark glasses and sticks as necklaces and bracelets. The kids had a great time with that, as did most of those present. Of course they were hungry when we got back to the campsite so we bbq'd some hamburgers before they began their card game. I managed to get to bed by 10 and don't know when the rest of them called it quits.

After another dry night and a quick breakfast we began Wednesday morning taking down the tent and trailer before going to the "Ablazing Grace Festival Worship Celebration" that ended the gathering. Then back to the campsite to finish packing, off to Zachby's for lunch and then the highway home. Got home about 7:30 p.m. safely and with some tired but I think happy campers. We all had a good time together and though we did it "our way" we were glad we attended the district gathering at Panama City Beach. Maybe in three years we'll be ready to go again!

We're Home!

Wow, we made it. Our first real vacation since moving to Alabama and our first camping trip through the southeastern United States. It was a great joy to visit some historic sites and then to end our trip with visiting our daughter Sheri and family in Kentucky. We had almost perfect weather the whole time we were on the road. Didn't get hot until Friday when we arrived at Sheri's and no rain to speak of until the last night when we stopped at a KOA south of Knoxville, TN, before coming home. Had a lot of pitter-patter on our aluminum roof in the trailer as we slept. You get used to it though and next day was a short trip to Gadsden with clear skies.

We're glad to be home and have some things to do. Glad to be back at the church and getting ready for Sunday. Glad we've so many good friends, both here and those left behind. Glad that the Lord Jesus Christ loves us all and that he forgives us all our sins and strengthens our faith. Glad to be able to worship with the Herndon's at Our Savior Lutheran (LCMS). And glad we can now refreshed serve the Lord and his Church and his people at Trinity.

Across the Cumberland Gap

We made it to Sheri's, traveling from Bristol through the Cumberland Gap then up to Danville in Kentucky. US25E is an interesting drive, including a mile long tunnel into Kentucky from Tennessee. Got here about 1:30 p.m. and set up camp in the driveway. We like their new house. I'll get some pictures tomorrow and post them on my family album at www.pastorpj.com. Had dinner at Cracker Barrel and saw my son-in-law hard at work while we enjoyed his employee discount in the dining room. Also got some things at Lowe's to help with the old house/new house transition. They had pretty much got everything moved in so won't have too much to do. Need to get their dryer hose hooked up so Nelda can do our laundry. We've both run out of unmentionables. Plan to go to church at Our Savior Lutheran in Danville, our daughter and familie's church on Sunday. Then may come home Tuesday or Wednesday. Will see how it goes. It's been a great vacation, but I'm ready to come home and get back to work (believe it or not). Nelda would likely keep on going if I were a mind to. Looking forward to seeing everyone at Trinity. I know Laura has done a fantastic job taking care of everything while we've been gone and all the help she has gotten from the good people there. God bless and Hasta laVista!

Looking forward to El Tapitio with the gang as well! See you Friday,

Traveling through Virginia

Left the Lynchburg TT campground about 8:30 this morning, Thursday, taking US24 to Roanoke, a more scenic route through the hills and towns, woods and farmlands of central Virginia. Then took I581 north to the I81 taking us to Bristol near the Tennessee border. Tomorrow we will take US25E from I81 and go to Sheri’s, picking up I75 in Kentucky to US150 and Danville, their new home.

Again we avoided a commercial campground at Bristol. We were looking for Exit 7 that went to a campground I had identified from the Internet before leaving home, but found signs taking us to Sugar Hollow Park, with a city owned campground near the freeway but in the woods and isolated from the mainstream. We almost have it to ourselves, a perfect spot for our last camping night of our vacation. It is a dry campsite but with power and well graded, also near a clean comfort station with hot showers. Guess that’s it ‘till we get home. Hopefully I can post this and our Lynchburg report when we get to the Herndon’s.

What's to do in Lynchburg VA

Arrived at the Lynchburg Thousand Trails campground yesterday (6/21) about 1 p.m. having traveled from Chesapeake Bay through Richmond to get here. Getting through Richmond from I64 to US360 was a challenge but we made it without much trouble. Rand McNally sent us on several parkways with tolls. They not only toll you to get on but also at the off-ramps. Will say nice roads though. Cost me $3.20 to make the transition. The rest of the drive was through very nice green rolling countryside. Set up in the campground went well. First time I had to back into a campsite. We had hand held walkie-talkies so Nelda could guide me in. She did fairly well; I only had to get out twice to see what she was talking about. After checking out the campground we decided to try the pool and the spa, but the water in the pool was cold and the spa was out of commission so we just hung out at the campsite, had tilapia and rice with a salad for dinner and retired early. This is probably the smallest of the TT campgrounds we have ever visited (out of 12 or more in 22 years). Very quiet in middle of week with no activity except kids in the pool (cold water doesn’t stop them.)
Today, after fixing us a pancake and bacon breakfast, we headed into Lynchburg about 20 miles NW of the campground. Went to the visitor center to find out what the major attractions might be. Not much. We took a look at historic downtown Lynchburg, which was similar to downtown Gadsden only bigger and hilly. Had coffee at the Commerce Center where booths are set up like an indoor flea market, drove through the cemetery and then headed out of town for Walmart to get some supplies. Here we are back at the campsite, Nelda working on her pictures which she got 1 hour development at Walmart and me writing this blog for uploading whenever I can get to an Internet access point. I am also preparing some more digital photos for my website. Did check email this morning. Had to go to Ranger Office to use their dial up, but they are only available from 9 to 10 a.m. and we will be gone by then tomorrow. Our cell phone has no signal in the campgrounds, so we can only call when on the road or in town. Understand that the Herndon’s are in their new house so we go there on Friday after stopping tomorrow night in Bristol, VA, near the Tennessee border. So much for now, more later, I’m sure.

Time to Kick Back

The trip to Jamestown and Williamsburg wore us out on Saturday, so today and tomorrow we'll just kick back and do as little as possible. Did attend the service in the campground. It was pretty good singing with the folks. Got a message on the Prodigal Son about fatherhood. Mostly law but a little gospel too. Enjoyed it. Had to go to town for a few supplies this afternoon, but that's it except for some swimming, eating, reading and relaxing. Tuesday we'll head west to the next Thousand Trails campground near Lynchburg, then Friday we'll get to Kentucky to see Sheri & Sean's new house. Hope they've got it all unpacked by then! Bye now till probably Wednesday.

Where America Began, Jamestown

After the National Park Service memorial to Yorktown, we were anxious to visit two more Colonial sites today: Jamestown and Williamsburg. We got an early start, arriving at the Jamestown Historical National Park at 9 a.m. using the Colonial Parkway from Yorktown about 20 miles away. It was a nice drive, lots of trees and views of the York and James Rivers. Reminded us of the drive in Point Defiance Park in Tacoma, Washington, but much more developed and longer. The first point of interest is the excavated site called the Glass House, unearthed remains of the glass making kilns used by the early Jamestown pioneers trying to develop products and resources for the Virginia Company. There was also a replica where glass making is demonstrated using 17the Century techniques. Bought a couple examples, including a vase for Nelda and a shot glass for Liz (She has a collection).

Then visited the Jamestown site, including the remains of the original fort still under excavation by archeologists. A period costumed interpreter representing one of the wives gave a very interesting description of life in the colony. Then we walked through the remains of the original town site and the memorials and statues including Captain John Smith and Pocahontas. The rebuilt town church was also very interesting. The Anglican Episcopals were about to hold a church service and we went inside to listen to the choir and observe the preparations before continuing our walking tour.

Leaving the park we noticed the masts of the ship replicas at the nearby Jamestown Settlement, a large commercial memorial having a full size replica of the fort and an Indian village from the period. Though the National Park exhibit was more interesting we did enjoy the Settlement too (but not the $21 entrance fee). The NPS tours were without admission because of the Golden Age Pass. Oh well, they had a nice café too and it was 1 pm and time to eat.

Next we took the Colonial Parkway back to the Williamsburg exit to see what we could see there. Being cheap skates we bypassed the admission tickets required to visit the museums and enter the buildings situated in historic Colonial Williamsburg, but we did walk the streets and caught the flavor of a town in the pre-revolutionary war era. Anyway we were getting pretty tired and ready to get back to the campground.
After a swim and some time to relax it was time to BBQ some steaks that we had bought in Lexington, so with that we are ending our day. Tomorrow we plan to attend the church service here at the campground. We will sing with the Baptists and thank the Lord for giving us a great vacation. There is an ELCA church in Gloucester, and we would try it but it will be fine to just enjoy the people around us. God bless you ‘all out there and hope you found time to praise the Lord wherever you are!

Our visit to Yorktown, Virginia

Another very interesting day on vacation near the Chesapeake Bay. Started out with Nelda doing laundry at the campground and me posting pictures on my website and checking email. Then left for Gloucester, a short trip from here and to check out some of their historical sites including the Colonial Courthouse, Debtor’s Prison, Jail and other buildings dating back to the Revolutionary War. Then we headed further south on US17 for Gloucester Point to look at Rev. and Civil War trails and campsites in Tyndall Point Park. Stopped for lunch at Oceans 17, a seafood café, and then couldn’t find the park. Signs were missing and it seemed closed so headed on across the York River to the Colonial National Historical Park at Yorktown. Wow! Now that’s an interesting place to come, seeing the battlefield where Cornwallis surrendered to the Americans (with help from the French) and was the last major battle in the War for Independence. We did the whole thing, watched the 15-minute movie in the Visitor Center, and walked to the battlements and down to the town. Saw the Victory Monument and the Nelson House, then drove the auto tours of the battlefield, encampments and the Moore House where terms of surrender were made between Washington and Cornwallis’s 2nd in command (Cornwallis got sick and couldn’t make it himself). We really enjoyed our day and look forward to going to Jamestown and Williamsburg tomorrow. Oh yeah, my Golden Age Passport that I got when Liz worked at Crater Lake got us in free again. That was 10 dollars well spent. Check out our new pictures added to our vacation album at www.pastorpj.com.

Left North Carolina for Virginia

We left Forest Lake Campground on Thursday, a day earlier than scheduled, a drove to the Chesapeak Bay TT Campground near Gloucester, VA on the Planatank River. Its a beautiful campground with a couple lakes and a boat ramp and fishing docks on the river. Lots of trees and our campsite is overlooking one of the lakes. The drive yesterday was about 300 miles, that's long enough through Greensboro, NC, and Petersburg and Richmond, VA. Took I85 to I95 then East on I64. Exitedon VA33 to Glenns and took VA198 to campground. We're getting the trailer setup and takedown pretty well. More trouble than the motorhome, but still like advantages of travel trailer and Jeep. Enjoy being able to sightsee with the vehicle and towing the collapsed trailer is no problem. Expanding it gives us plenty of room and good facilities.

Got here about 3 p.m. yesterday and was in the pool after setting up camp by 3:45. We did stop at Petersburg yesterday for lunch. Tried to find a Cracker Barrel from signs on the interstate, but couldn't locate it when we got off. Didn't want to keep driving around with the trailer in tow so gave up and tried the All American Buffet. It was ok, but nothing special.

Its about 8:30 a.m. EDT and Nelda's doing laundry while I'm in Adult Lounge using the dialup service that is provided to members. Plan to go into Gloucester and look around and have lunch. Tomorrow we will go to Williamsburg and Jamestown. There is a Lutheran church in Gloucester that we'll check out and see if we want to go there on Sunday or worship here at the non-denominational service at the campground. Thousand Trails is very Christian friendly. At Forest Lake they were planning a VBS for both campers and the community.

Check out the pictures we took on the way here.

Our Day in Lexington, NC

Today is our first full day on vacation without traveling. We are at the Forest Lake Thousand Trails campground near Lexington. After fixing pancakes and eggs for Nelda and I we left to see the sights of Lexington. Its a nice little city not unlike Gadsden in many ways. Found a CVS to get Nelda's Fosomex refilled then went downtown to the Candy Factory, a store filled with candy of all kinds and sorts, and antique collectibles. Bought a box of sugar free chocalate assortments, then went to the Black Chicken Coffee Shop for a Mocha Coffee Frappe. About 10 a.m. and temp was up to 88 so a cold drink tasted real good. Then we went out to the Bob Timberlake Gallery, a local artist with national reputation. His paintings are beautiful colorful realist pictures of the simple life in North Carolina in scenes of all kinds. Reminds me of Thomas Kincaid but a different style and less impressionistic. Anyway, too expensive for us to buy, but enjoyed a fantastic array of his art and many other things. Definitely recommended as a place to see. Well, about noon local time and getting hungery, it was time to find a good North Carolina BBQ place for lunch. There are 21 BBQ resturants identified on the visitors map, but with local recommendations went with Lexington BBQ. The place was overflowing and the parking lot was packed, but the line moved quickly and we were soon eating the best BBQ, cole slaw and hush pupppies I've tasted since coming to the South. Butch was right! Lexington is known for its Annual Barbecue Festivalin October. They say the streets are filled and I believe it. Everywhere you go downtown are statues of pigs (fiberglass replicas) on the sidewalks in front of the businesses. They auction them off every year at the festival. Well, full of pork we next stopped at Childress Vineyards for a tour and some wine tasing. The vineyard is fairly new and features an impressive list of wines. Its owned by Richard Childress of NASCAR fame who also has Racing Museum nearby. We didn't make it to the museum, but headed back to our campsite to get ready for an afternoon swim. More later, maybe.

2005 Vacation

Nelda and I are finallyon our first real vacation since moving to Alabama a year ago last February. With our new rig (Jeep Liberty + TrailManor trailer) we left home at 8:10 a.m. on Monday the 13th of June and traveled to Greenville, S.C. in beautiful dry weather. Arlene was well past and it was a great day for driving in an air conditioned car. Went through Atlanta and made transition from I20 to I85 with no problems. Stopped at first S.C. rest stop and got maps and stuff then asked about campgrounds near Greenville. Very helpful staff gave us directions to Paris Mountain State Park where we spent the evening and night, leaving this a.m. for Forset Lake Thousand Trails campgroung about 8 miles north of Lexington N. C. on the Yangst (sp?) River. Will stay here 3 nites before heading to Chesapeak Bay, VA. This is a beautiful campground with adult pool, jacuzzi and lodge and all the facilities TT has to offer. Went swimming and now will go back and have a happy hour before bbqing some chicken and corn on the cob. Well so much for now. God bless y'all now, y'hear!

First Trip with New Trailer

A successful shakedown cruise with the new trailer. Went to Lake Guntersville State Park where we went last August in our last camping trip with the motorhome. All went well. No problem getting trailer up the driveway and on the road. The campground is only about an hour from our home so it makes a good short term getaway. Did have help with Liz's friend Dan hooking up before leaving home, but Nelda and I got it all set up on our campsite in under 30 minutes. Not bad, though more involved than was the motorhome. But pulling the trailer with the Jeep was not bad at all. Noticed a little sway because didn't snug up the sway bars enough. Did better on the way home.

We left home Sunday afternoon about 4 p.m. after visit with Jamie, Wendy and two daughters. They came over from Atlanta for church and stayed with us for lunch to catch up on things. We enjoyed our day Monday. Went into Guntersville the the morning and did some shopping, then just kicked back with new book, several walks and fire ring. Liz and Dan came to the campground after work on Monday. Got there about 9 p.m. This morning we packed it up and left about 11 a.m. Got home no problem. Took a bit to get it down the driveway but went better than first time. Nelda and I did it ourselves and trailer now conveniently parked on driveway pad. Good trip, good time, looking forward to going again soon.

Getting Re-rigged for Camping

Well, we finally got a new rig for Nelda and I to go camping. Our 1992 22' Flair Class A Motorhome served us well for 12 years through many memorable camping trips with family, friends, church groups and just the two of us. It also got us to Alabama and to our new church and home. But it was time to make a change, and after a year of unsuccessful attempts to sell it decided to trade it in on a trailer.

So first we traded our 1999 Mustang in on a 2005 Jeep Liberty. That was an experience in itself, getting the one we wanted with the equipment needed to tow a trailer. Picked the Liberty because we had already decided what trailer we wanted and needed adequate tow rating. The Jeep has 5000 lb rating and the trailer is about 3000 lb. Had to make several trips to Pell City to get the Tow Package installed and fix a couple things, but meanwhile begain negotiating on the trailer.

That too was an experience, requiring several trips to Huntsville and having to rerig the Jeep for the brake controller for trailer towing. But yesterday we picked it up and pulled it home. One delay was due to the Jeep spare requiring an extended ball extension on the weight distributing hitch to allow enough clearance with the tire. That caused the saftey cables to be too short, so stopped at Lowes in Albertsville and picked up two short pieces of 7/16 chain and removable links to give enough slack. That worked fine.

Then my biggest worry was backing the trailer down my 12 degree sloped driveway onto the pad in front of my garage. I had planned for it extensively with scale drawings and preparing two 2x12 8' ramps to soften the bottom angle. That worked ok, but still scraped the skids at the back of the trailer on the concrete pad. No damage though, so we made it, unhitched and pushed the trailer into its storage location next to the garage.

Now we get to open it up and get it prepped for camping. More later. Boy that hitch is heavy!

Check out my pictures:

http://www.pastorpj.com/Camping/New%20Jeep.htm
http://www.pastorpj.com/Camping/New%20Trailer.htm

New Website for Trinity Gadsden

After a year I finally got started on a new website for my new church. Its still in a preliminary state and updates should be available soon with input from others. But its a beginning under our new domain name: www.tlcgadsden.com. let me know what you think.

Riverdance

Today has been very full with much to do and much to enjoy. First went to Talladega to conduct the worship service at Our Redeemer, our mission congregation. Then back to Gadsden as usual to worship at Trinity. We have a new Organ just installed several weeks ago and it sounds great. Its an Allen Renaissance 230e but similar to the Rodgers we installed at Anaheim when we built the new sanctuary there. We have also upgraded the sound system and improved it a lot over what we had before. New speakers, a new mixer console, new mics for the choir and in the chancel. Our church is very supportive and we really appreciate the people here.

Then, today, after service we went with some friends from church to see Riverdance at the Birmingham Jefferson Concert Hall. It was a facsinating show and we really enjoyed it. After the show we had dinner at Jim 'N Nick's BBQ in Trussville on our way back from Birmingham. Great meal and good fun. Butch and Mavis, Chuck and Mary, and Paul and Diane are great people to enjoy their company.

Got home and Nelda talked with Sheri to tell her all about our day and find out about hers. Check out Sheri's Blog at http://sherndon.blogspot.com/ to get an update on her condition.

Today is also an historic day with the elections in Iraq. Our prayers are for our men and women serving over there, there families and the Iraquies themseleves. May God use their sacrifices to bring peace to the world in order that the Gospel may have free access and Christians in the Middle East may freely worship the Lord and serve him openly.

Safely Home - Full Week Ahead

Made it home with Nelda today despite warnings of freezing rain on the return trip. We got rain all the way, but missed the icing that dumped itself on Georgia rather than ourselves. Was kinda foggy and cold through the Smokies in Tennessee but most of the trip was made in good time.

Sheri begins her chemo next week and will follow with radiation and other therapy, but we pray that by August she will have it behind her, including any traces of cancer. Pray with us that the Lord will give her the healing and help she needs and that her family will enjoy having her with them for many years to come.

Bad news on return regarding Jim Elmore's dad's passing this morning. Know he is with the LORD in heaven and will greet us all one day. He was a really good man, loved the Lord and faithful. He will be missed by his family. Glad Jim and his family could be with him at the end.

Lots to do this week, getting ready for Lenten services and planning for the new year. Want to involve the leadership and the congregation in helping all our members become regular in their worship and more active in fellowship in the Word and in fellowship. We have a great congregation and with our energy and faith I'm confident that Trinity will meet the challenge to faithfulness.

Meanwhile I'm glad to have Nelda home again. We (Liz, Nina and I) really missed her.

Nelda Coming Home

Yea! After 3 weeks absence Nelda will come home from staying with our daughter during her recovery from surgery. Tomorrow a.m. I will drive up to Kentucky and on Saturday we will return to Gadsden. Weather could be a problem as an ice storm is forecast over the weekend that could extend all the way back, however I should miss most of it on the way up. We are grateful for all the prayers for Sheri and Nelda and for my trip to bring my wife home. Nina will be glad to see her!

A New Year Update

My New Year's Resolution: Update this blog more often (among other things!).

A lot has happened since last Fall. Of course a great season of Thanksgiving to our Lord, a beautiful celebration of our Savior's birth and a lot of responses from our many friends to our Christmas greeting and letter. We have reported to many about our daughter Sheri's diagnosis of cancer and her subsequent surgery. We were glad to have her and her family visit with us for Christmas and worship with us before having the surgery. Nelda is still with them in Kentucky but will be returning home soon. We are encouraged and hopeful that Sheri's treatment will be 100% successful in eradicating any traces of cancer from her body and we praise and thank God for his strength and healing power.

May God bless all our friends and family in this new year of 2005.