At Shepherd of the Hills

Last weekend my dear, sweet wife and I celebrated our wedding anniversary with a trip to the Grand Canyon.  The Canyon never fails to take my breath away.  Sherri worked there following high school graduation; I came and visited her a couple of times and it was there that our feelings for each other began to blossom.  So the Canyon has special meaning for us.

We spent Saturday evening with her folks in Prescott and the next morning we worshipped at Shepherd of the Hills, our LCMS congregation.  We attended the 11 am service which they call their contemporary service.  There were two singers, a keyboard player, guitarist and drummer.  Although it was called contemporary, the service consisted of the liturgy and newer songs sung in place of hymns.

A special feature of the service was a presentation by Teen Challenge.  One young man spoke of a life of abuse, alcohol and drug addiction and of a longing for a life filled with meaning and purpose.  He found what he was looking for when the Lord called him to a life of repentance and faith.  The leader of the local Teen Challenge group sang a couple of songs and had an awesome voice.

I'll be taking a break from blogging for a few weeks.  But, like the great general, "I'll be back!"  The Lord bless and be with you readers.

Summer is For Reading!

One of the blessings of this renewal is that it has given me the opportunity to do something I really love to do - read! So far, here's what I've accomplished:
     Read short autobiographies of Bach, Beethoven and Mozart
     "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch
     "A Seperate Peace" by John Knowles
     "Predestination - Chosen in Christ" by John A. Moldstad Jr.

     Presently reading:
     "Truman" by David McCullough
     "For the Life of the World" by Alexander Schmemann (this is the book we'll discuss during the pastor's retreat at Cambridge).
     "The Calling-Living a Life of Significance" by Kurt Senske

If you're planning some travel this summer, take a good book with you to read (or read on your Kindle or Nook, if you are so inclined),

Wake Up With the Word!

OK, here's a bit of shameless self-promotion...my little radio program is still on the air while I am on renewal.  "Wake Up With the Word" can be heard every Monday morning at 8:25 am on 1280 am on the radio dial.  Given my 17 years of prior broadcasting experience, it gives me joy to keep my toe in the water, so to speak, by writing and recording these short devotional broadcasts.  So, it you've never tuned in, check it out! The Sunday bulletin includes the title of each Monday's program.  Thanks for listening!