In the Superman Comics that I read during the mid-sixties,
an annoying character from the 5th Dimension would pop up to harass and hinder the work of the Man of Steel.

The imp was named Mr. Mxyzptlk . . .



I'm no superman but I had been continually busy
with the work of real ministry for 25 years . . .
   when on the pages of my own story, a trouble-maker showed up to
   distract me from the very important work to which I have been called.

I responded to his demand immediately--sharing that I will follow
the leadership of the Spirit---not Dick Otterstad.

Instead of leaving me alone and going off to fight other more-important
matters,
his home church chose to target 'the Institutional, Ritual Church...'  

me?    c'mon, you guys...

Remember, I was busy about the Father's Business,
  when they started this nonsense--demanding that I waste my time
  following their chosen causes.

Meanwhile, a long-time friend was being attacked by a similar self-proclaimed
Watchtower agent of damnation. Members from a 'prophetic', underground house church (Westboro Church)
recently picketed his local church in Colorado Springs.

Dave said that they yelled at young, teen girls who were going into church--calling them "Whores."

My antagonist--having no response to his own letter
to a local newspaper--chose to take over the comment section 
for an article that I had written.

Therefore,

I suggested that this 'Prophet' at the Church of the Divide might just be

a "Shirley Phelps-Roper Wanna-Be"...

I tried my best to cope with their uninvited intrusion upon my life.
I tried to edit myself with discretion
and use harmless humor to react to their mean-spirited attacks upon me,
our church, and the other pastors in town.

In their recently-published video they quoted me as saying that they were 'Wanna-Be's'... 

Yup, I wrote most of the stuff they attributed to me . . .
    (I wasn't angry...just tryin' to cope with the buzz of a little pestilence...)

For some reason, Videographer Luke Otterstad didn't mention who I said
 that his Dad might be modeling himself after...

I wonder why?

After watching their other examples of Vid-intimidation,
I suspected that this 'underground' church would try to get
some more media attention by coming after me.

Sure enough, Dick and Luke Otterstad,
(and two others) from the Church of the Divide
decided to picket our church on Easter Morning.

Vulgar language is sometimes heard throughout the BBC broadcast.

I note definite similarities in the modus operandi of the two house churches.

If Dick, Luke, and the others are truly unaware
of Shirley Phelps-Roper and her house church,
they might wanna see why I wouldn't want to be associated
with them or the Westboro House Church.

Below is the Westboro Message passed on through their next generation:
   Luke, is your father's message the same as Rebekah's Message?


 
The referenced video has been removed from the Internet but

the BBC published an interview with journalist Louis Theroux:

"What we're trying to do in the documentary is look at an activity that is so antisocial,
so strange, so futile and at its worst, so cruel, and we're saying 'Why?
Why do that?', especially when you seem to be, for the most part, kind and sensitive people.

We're exploring what is cruelty, trying to explain how something that really
does very often just amount to cruelty could be perpetuated and
passed down in a family. Why would nice people do such horrible things?"

Friday, March 23, 2007

Mary and I drove back to Galt around 4:00 p.m. yesterday. While we driving a call came in from West Sacramento.

The Distributor and I worked out a deal on our much-needed Sound Absorption panels. Dan Clark is gonna handle receiving the order that is now scheduled for delivery to the BellRoad Campus today.


I was happy to see that the article
          in the Auburn Journal is online this morning.

  No photo?  I wonder if the hardcopy has a photo?

Hey, I'd like some people to try out the BetaComment at the end of the article. So, please read it and comment at their site:

Jesus and the Real World  by Pastor Rob (click here)


Christy writes: 

"This video is similar to your white shirt scenario."

      (click here for Christy's video)
   
   
   That's it for local news . . .


Let's go to Rodney Edwards in Tennesee:

Rob,

I feel like we are a thousand miles apart (come to think of it we are a thousand miles apart).

I am interested in how your new church is coming along.
It must be consuming your every moment right now.

I am concerned about finding funding for Pastor Wesley. We've budgeted some business development efforts for this year and I can certainly speak to the board about making Pastor Wesley one of the first to participate.

Let me know what you think of this idea.

Rodney Edwards
ServiceToServants.com

Rodney, I think we're about two thousand miles apart. Well, according to me & google...

      2,271 miles (about 1 day 9 hours)

Perhaps its time for you and Gayla
                to get "on the Road again..."

Here's help for your RoadTrip (click here)


Yes, I think that Pastor Wesley ought to be one of the first to participate....definitely.

Speak to the Board, dear Rodney!


Now...let's see what Joe is doing . . .

     .....at the Karen Refugee Camp in Burma today:

Me:  Hey, have you uploaded the photos from that
         scrapbook your Auntie Bev made for you?

Joe: The one about our progress in Liberia
           .... with Pastor Wesley?

Me:  Yeah.

Joe: Found it. Here it is.

         Click here and then select Slideshow. I've sent the
         actual scrapbook back to you. It will probably take a
         couple months to get there.

Me:  Thanks. Hey, I like that slideshow! So retro.

Joe: I learned my numbers in karen
          duh...that means one.

Me:   duh

Joe: ki ... key  is two, theh is three

Me:   duh, key, theh...

Joe: lui is four, hoo ... (who)  4, 5

Me:   duh, key, theh, lui, hoo...

Joe: duckey ....1,2   (ducky)  1, 2

          but I can also write them in international phonetics
          because the English letters can confuse me

          the looks like "the"

          but the sound of the word is really theta epsilon... 

          the eh   th eh     theh

Me:   greek?    theta, epsilon?

Joe: sounds...

Me:   hmm...

Joe: We try to use one symbol to make one sound

          and different symbols for different vowel sounds

          English could be confusing

For instance,

       circumstance

the "c" doesnt make the same sound in each place
so if we wrote a word we did not know then we could mispronounce it later if we read it to ourselves

and say kirkumkstankes

        or sirsumstanses

Me:   sertenlee sownds kunfyooseeng

Joe: Saliwa is listening to think on these things now
          and I will put up a little conversation with him later

Me:   good

Joe:  He is 11

Me:   oh

Joe: ...and is my best young friend

Me:   Fun to have a kid around, huh?

Joe: Yeah. We teach each other
          He doesn't speak much English and
              I speak less Karen...

Here's a page with photos about Karen (click here)

Well, that's enough for today. Remember, please check the Auburn Journal article and try to make a comment:

Jesus and the Real World  by Pastor Rob (click here)

I just read this notice:

Notice: During this beta stage comments are not posted immediately but first reviewed for content. This process can take up to one business day.

Daniel Teale (Australia) and I just chatted. It's 1:00 a.m. on Saturday morning there. He just finished up at a youth event.

He's gotta go to bed but he's gonna comment on the Auburn Journal story in the morning. Remember, I'm continually trying to get Daniel to make the AirTrip to Auburn. (meet Daniel: click here)

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Stephanie, our MissionsTeam Leader is about to create a webpage that our church page will link to. This way, our secretary (dear Emma) won't have to be called to update the website in the area of Missions. This team approach to a church website was one aspect of my doctoral project (which was never fully realized).

I have provided Stephanie with this link to empower her with all of Google's tools. This could lead to an interesting, interactive missional website.

(click here to see for yourself)

If you clicked there, you saw that it was about a blog. Many of you know that I have invested a few years learning how to weave cyber-fibers into 'the atypical church website'
(including YouTube, Myspace, Google Video, BibleGateway, BlueLetterBible, Slide, Picasa, and RockYou).

Some sites are problematic for church folks. Some are much less. The link above will allow Stephanie the opportunity to create something free of pop-ups and annoying, seductive advertisement.

Would you like to start a page that promotes some aspect of your investment in the Kingdom of God? With some careful study of avoiding problem areas on the Internet, this site can definitely work for your ministry.

I created a site there back in 2004 (at the same time that I started one on myspace). I haven't used it much but it allows me to 'comment' on other e-blogger sites.

Possible problems aside, go ahead and try (click here).

Here is a page that Mike Elkins created to document Stonegate Fellowship's trip to Liberia (click here).

At my request, Jennifer at fbcgalt once created a site for the videos on the Liberian Ministries DVD. I'm happy that we were able to take their DVD and bring to a venue where it would be available 24/7. (click here)

I just now found a similar video on another site GodTube (maybe it was downloaded from our Google Video upload: click here).

Joe used this venue to help Howard Gabriel publish his children's stories on the Internet. This was important because the Lord had made an appointment to take Howard home. Now, his work is preserved for children and grandchildren (for as long as google is around...which should be a good, long while).

Like 'America', the word 'google' isn't mentioned in the Bible. Of course, most of the New Testament-era RomanRoads are now gone completely, others can be seen in remnant and even walked upon.

Tomorrow, good ol' pastorob will be featured in the Arts and Entertainment section of the Auburn Journal. I mention our upcoming season as a winning team.

In preparation for Easter, Lou Robohm, Mike Hodges, and I prayed in the parking lot (dreaming dreams and seeing visions). We have finalized the time for our Easter Sunrise Service to begin:   April 8th  6:30 a.m.

I checked this site to see if we planned well: click here

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Yesterday was packed with meetings. My final hour of church-stuff was sitting face-to-face with Brandon from 8:00-8:40. We each had a guitar in our hands and we jammed. We sang four songs for forty minutes. What fun.

Brandon demonstrated a strong voice and such a sweet spirit.

Mary and I stayed over at the Reeves' home last night. Bob hooked up wireless internet so I was able to connect with some of my family. Cathy was in Galt. She had just been chatting with Joe. So, she sent me a copy of their chat.

Yes, there's bad stuff on the Internet but here's how we've made the Internet family-friendly for us.

Joe: what's up?  I am at the refugee camp now
         Surprise!

No toilet seats, but WIRELESS INTERNET FOR FREE :)

    God knows what I need.

Cathy: Isn't that interesting?

Joe: it's more difficult to transport a toilet and pipe water than move a signal and a little electricity :)

Cathy: funny hu
so what are you going to be doing there?

Joe: DVBS    Children's Ministry

Cathy: Cute. What is the D for

Joe: Daily :)

Cathy: oh. Dad and Mary are at Auburn. I'm home alone watching American Idol

Joe: I woke up in Singapore yesterday morning, flew to Bangkok and then took busses to Mae Sot and now am in Karen camp border between Thailand and Myanmar

Cathy: what is Myanmar?  What do they speak

Joe: It's a country. You can google it
         Go to google.com    type in Myanmar

Cathy: ok. so like China

Joe:Burma

Cathy: Good. So what did you do today?

Joe: Tuesday morning I woke up in singapore
then I flew to Bangkok...then we drove to Mae Sot.
then we drove here to Karen Camp.

 The upload connection is very, very slow here...

Cathy: oh. What are you working on?

Joe: Internet Radio

Cathy: oh, I listened to your reading of the bible and comments. I loved it. It was just what I needed...

Joe:  http://boomp3.com/m/c549559bda78

Cathy: That was very nice of you. You made me cry.
              ... because you sent me your voice.

Joe: Send me an email telling me what you are doing.
          Put up some pictures somewhere...

10:36 PM (california time)

Cathy: so you're still on?

Joe: Yeah Just got off for lunch.

Cathy: How was lunch?

Joe: Great, why not? Everything is delicious to your son
           I don't even have to cook   :)

        I love Life, mama.  (click here)

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

I'm so pleased to have heard back from the Installation Department at our Satellite High-Speed Provider. We are supposed to get wired toward becoming wireless at the BellRoad Campus (one week from today between 8:00 and Noon).

Our Music Director, Curt Harjo and I have scheduled the same time-slot for planning a sweeping reformation of the Sunday Morning Worship Line-up. So, we'll definitely be around when The Installer gets here.

It will be past noon before I'm able to get to the Library to upload today's entry. I've been in face-to-face meetings with church members since 6:30 this morning. I'm picking Mary up from Phys.Ed (Courthouse Athletic Club) and taking her to the Library for Driver's Ed (online). I'll upload this entry right before I rush back to the Campus for a one o'clock with another local church member.

Calling all worshippers who attended Bell Road two days ago:

Emergency Request: Please send me a copy of your sermon notes from March 18th. Due to circumstances beyond my control, my 7th pastoral message was not recorded (digitally or on tape). As advertised, this message "NO Running in Church: Hangin' on Love" was the companion piece to the 6th Message.

It was supposed to be edited along with all other Pre-Easter Messages for a CD to give to visitors on Easter Sunday.

"Sorry, Coach..."  (I'm reminded of the scene in Invincible).

Of course, I have my sermon notes and am well aware of the passages used to convey this pivotal message. However several of the illustrations offered were only fully captured by those with ears to hear and eyes to see.

If you are one of those attentive disciples, please commit your notes and memories to paper or email and get them to me as soon as possible.

Bible Mnemonic Helps: I started with a short recap of Matthew 22, then paraphrased the Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5), then took the Bible-Handlers to   Matthew 22, Mark 12,  Luke 10 to Peter, John, and the Walking/Jumping/Praising man formerly known as the Cripple (in Acts) onward to Peter and Malchus (on the night that Jesus was betrayed)...

     and then to The Shema before
                         lighting Les Andrews' Candle.

Click on the verses above to jar your memory. I need help with that which was spontaneous.Thank you for your thoughtful assistance in recapturing the lost history of
the BellRoad pre-BigGameSeason (message 7).

Monday, March 19, 2007

Some friends from Galt came to visit the BellRoad Campus yesterday. Aimee is home for Spring Break from CBU, so she wanted Mom and Dad to drive with her all the way from Galt to the foothills of Auburn.

My special sweetheart, Charlotte, also came along and (as is her custom) found a seat on the edge of the third row. Charlotte had faced great tragedy in her life before our paths crossed. Somehow, God has used me (and several others) to help fill the void left by the deaths of her adult sons.

I'd like to hear yesterday's sermon (and hope to later today). I watched the time because I'm trying to cross some cultural differences. Interestingly, John Walker, who made a move to the front row wasn't carrying a time-piece. Last week, John informed me that he and Patti were planning to try out the front row. They had been displaced by my 'new methods' (taking out the last row).

After church yesterday, Cathy and I hung out with Mike, Nancy, Gary, Janet, Dave, and Rita. This was a most-interesting opportunity for me to 'listen' and 'learn' their culture. They look like us...but they're all kinda 'different' (if you know what I mean).

After that time of fellowship, we went to the Rosenau Home for a Nancy Dane Birthday Party. We stayed until 8:30 p.m. (so it was another great opportunity to observe and take notes on this foothill subculture).

-- a most interesting study indeed!

Mary will be with me for home-school this week. Lord willing, she and I will head back to Auburn this afternoon and stay until Wednesday or Thursday. Our monthly Leadership Council takes place tonight. I have a few calls to make in order to be adequately prepared for some important matters.

We've been invited to stay in a 5th wheel next to Bob and Ann's home. Others have graciously opened their homes to us as well. However, the situation at the Reeve's will be the least intrusive, me thinks.

Meanwhile, Cathy is exhibiting more signs reminicent of 'the nesting syndrome'. So she's either pregnant or just getting ready to make the move.

10:08 p.m  Sunday night Chat with Joe

me: So, are you leaving from Thailand straight to
         Hong Kong...to meet up with NSA

...or do you still have possibility of going to Krygystan?

joe: still a possibility to go to Kyrgyzstan
pray for me that it will not be blocked if it is ok

me: if you don't what will you do?

I will go to Thailand and then to refugee camp
probably about one week

I want to go to Kyrgyzstan

me: then?

joe: and then I would like to meet NAS in Hong Kong
at the end of June/beginning July

me: are you free to stay at refugee camp until then...

joe: and THEN evaluate my relationships, needs, skills and decide either return to Kyrgyzstan, back to Baguio, Auburn, wherever...

me: if Kyrgyzstan doesn't work out..

joe: I think I could stay there maybe longer
        maybe China
        or a personal adventure to Pakistan  :)

me: I'll send you Pastor Shamas' word about safety   
        there... sounds kinda like Pastor Wesley
        in the early days...

Respectable Brother Pastor Rob,

Greetings to you in Lord.

Brother, you do that you want, Pakistan is Islamic country But Thanks Lord Now our President Pervaiz Musharif is Great Blessings for Christianity. He is with President Bush.

Thanks Lord we are safe now.
Brother you will safe here in Visit. Also, my area is the Largest one Christian area in Pakistan.

Thanks Lord here now any bad happen with any other country Guests. Sister Marilyn Hickey visit here many time for Crusade in different Cities in Pakistan and many many thousands people attend her Crusade.

God Bless You
Your Brother in Lord
Pastor Shamas

joe: I dont know if it would be safe or possible, but if Kyrgyzstan really isn't possible, it is good to know there are other options

me: and this...

Respectable Brother Pastor Rob
  Your Visit will safe here.
  God is with us because we are His servant.

I wonder what it would cost for you to go to Pakistan..?

joe: its cheap to travel by land in Asia

me: that would be very cool...

joe: food is cheap too

me: yeah...

joe: housing is easy for me

me: Aimee came to Auburn today with Charlotte with
        Joyce and David.

        anyway, Aimee LOVES CBU still...

Good example of how we're all wired a bit differently.

joe: yeah.   It is a great place.

me: She probably wouldn't do too well in Liberia.

joe: I just had to go to Liberia.

        People who love CBU can't be in Liberia at the same
        time and people who have an easy life don't need
        God to rescue them.

        Liberia was the turning point in my life.

        I was Crucified with Christ.

me: so what do you think it would cost to go from
        Asia to Pakistan?

joe: maybe less than $1,000

me: Well, I'm proud of you, young man.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

A recent devotional reading that led to this morning's Message:

"NO Running in the Church"
       Hanging on Love    (Matthew 22)

The Shema    Matthew 22   Mark 12    Luke 10

  Audio of the Message to be uploaded soon. 

This message is intended as a companion piece to last Sunday's Message:

"Running in the Church"
       Hammering on Legalism    (Matthew 23)

Thanks to a website created years ago by guy in Auburn named Fred, I located some helps for a Sunday drive and walk: Foresthill Bridge

Just a couple exits from ours on I-80, this bridge offers a walk-across experience that is worth the time invested.

a couple dated photos: here   and    here

In honor of Alicia Rosenau's current status:

LM 499  Mexico Mission Trip (by appointment)

Saturday, March 17, 2007

I'm in Galt and am now setting apart some time to work on my message for tomorrow. Cathy and I drove to Auburn last night and enjoyed watching Tom, Renee, Jon, Tim, Micah, Brandon, and Wil blend their instruments and present a concert (P.A.I.D.).

Today, Cathy is going to look at the available housing in Auburn. We will soon begin to seriously pursue a home there.

If you would like to help us look over the market,
      here you go: Houses for Sale

Eva wrote from Michigan that we could build two houses there for the cost of buying one of these houses. I think she understands though, that God didn't call us back to Michigan. We were called to come to Auburn and invest ourselves wisely.

I've been tired-out the last two days but was refreshed by going back to the Garden last night. We were able to see Lukas our church's new born baby.

Yesterday's Chat with Liberia's Pastor Richard Wesley:

Richard: hello pastor

me: are you back online at your home?
  or internet cafe?

Richard: Yes, I am back praise God

me: good

Richard: I am using one computer. No cafe'

Richard:  I have been trying to get to you few days ago but it was hard. How are things? I mean church, family and the rest?

me: Everything is going well, my brother.

Richard: Praise God!

me: How about for you?

Richard: I must give God the praise for all for the Bible says " In everything give thanks..."

me: Amen. Mary needs to use my computer so I'd better get going. Bye

Richard: Are you praying about plans to come to Liberia any time this year or 2008.

me: Well, I will definitely start...

Richard: Bye

me: "I will definitely start..."

So, here's the start. Lord willing, we will offer an advanced course offered through BellRoad University entitled

   LM 499  Liberia Mission Trip (by appointment)
 

Another matter that impinges upon my consciousness is the ongoing correspondence with Pastor Shamas Pervaiz in Pakistan.
 

Friday, March 16, 2007

P.A.I.D. is playing tonight at Bell Road Baptist Church. Cathy and I are planning to attend.

Mary began driver's training yesterday--online.

Click here to see.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

I came home last night (after sitting in with the choir for awhile). I had been in Auburn since Monday and was ready to sleep in my own bed. I also have an appointment at 9:00 a.m. with a dear friend from the church I last pastored.

Mary is reading an assignment I've given her. I have an hour before my meeting so I figure I'll update this journal. I have missed having my son, Joe, around. He usually partners with me in any endeavor. His semester ended last week and he is traveling around the Philippines for a few days (before leaving on another mission trip).

He popped up in a chat box last night so we had a good conversation. He had previously sent out this letter to a few people he knows. I've withheld the name of a certain country because others have counseled Joe not to post details on the internet.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

I had a chance meeting with a guy named Skip at the Flour Garden. He told me that his wife goes to a small church that meets in a restaurant down the road from Colfax (chicago-something). He challenged me about one issue in particular. I'll pray about his input when I leave this Flour Garden.

So, I don't forget about a couple high-speed options:

Hughes: pricey but currently available

ATT Wild Blue sold-out maybe available later

I met with a representative of the Boy Scouts yesterday. He gave information about the organization and options available to our church for outreach to young people.

Pastor Plair used to teach us that we should look at life on two levels (first naturally; then, spiritually). Waking up a bit confused about how best to proceed. This indecision was best remedied by a fresh start on a new day. I called Cathy and we prayed for each other.

I'm heading to the Gym to work out, read the Word, to pray, to think, and to prepare for the day ahead. There is much to be done and I need wisdom to proceed. May we each take our seats at the Table the Lord has prepared for us today.

Well, before I left for the Gym I had a tricky myspace situation to take care of. A teenager (so-called) had submitted a friends-request yesterday. Looking over her profile, I went ahead and added her but this morning there was a comment that was most likely random-generated. There were two links on the comment. The first led to an innocent enough e-blogger site with several comments from legitimate bloggers (decent people of all ages).

Checking further at the bottom of her myspace comment was an invitation to video blog with her....and THAT was the hook toward porn. I just went ahead and deleted that 'so-called' friend. Usually, I try to also send Customer Care a heads-up about a bad page...but not today. Not enough time to mess around with it.

I was talking to another local pastor yesterday about my meager efforts to eradicate pages of porn as they try to pop their way in--just a drop in the ocean of prevention. I have safeguards for my Internet involvement. Cathy and Joe have complete access to all my avenues of involvement with Internet.

What a call to a personal, daily devotional life!

I so desire to be an effective witness for Christ today. I want to be of practical help to all of my brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ. Again, I pray for Wisdom.

I'm approaching the 50th Birthday this July. I would like to quadruple my investment in the Kingdom of God during the next 25 years (if God gives me that long here in this world).

Hey, I received a note back from Ronda Faull--a friend who had helped me at FBC Galt several years back. She, John, and the kids move to Tennessee a couple years ago. Here's her note:

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

This morning I went to the Sierra Grille for the Men's Breakfast (6:00 a.m.)

Afterwards, I looked at a mural being painted by a local artist (Renee's Mom, Kathleen). I also looked over her extensive portfolio. Kathleen visited our church Sunday and is offering her help in our Extreme Makeover.

Some of the songs recorded from Sunday's Service have been made available to me but I don't think that I will post them at this time.

I preached a 'mini-message' before the first song. I think I may edit it into a 'keeper' sometime soon. This is the message that Kathleen and others heard on Sunday.



Yesterday I visited a courtroom and was later ordered by the Judge to come back to the Placer County Courthouse this morning. I was to provide foundation testimony for a dispute involving some people I've met since coming to this community. I was there at 9:00 a.m., but since the plaintiff didn't show up on time, the case was dismissed at 9:13.

I came to Auburn yesterday, and consulted with Dave Swearingen from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m. I sat in on another court case mid-afternoon (waiting before the Judge who postponed the hearing until today).

Hey, if anyone wants to design some promo business cards or post card size invitations to our church,
   simply use this intertactive FLASH designer.

The templates are provided. If you get a good idea you want me to peruse, simply push CTRL and PrtSc, save as a JPEG and send it to me, OK?

Monday, March 12, 2007

I called my sister, Nancy, in Michigan. She's been a Homeschooler-Mom for many years. I told her about EducationPlus (and she gave me some ideas).

just in from Australia:

Hey Rob,

I listened to your latest sermon on Friendly Competition. I enjoyed it.. just thought I'd let you know that! God bless, have an awesome day and I'll catch up with you soon :)

Dan (click here for Intro to Daniel Teale)

An early start on this entry today. It is 1:58 a.m.

Having dropped (exhaustion) at around 10:15 p.m., I just woke up--wide awake.

My INBOX showed that Joe was trying to rouse me with a chat box at 10:16.... so after writing him back and reading other notes, I figured that I'd update this journal.

After church yesterday, Cathy and I drove out to the home of Les and Bobbi Andrews. Wow. We had heard that they were Model A Enthusiasts (but I wasn't prepared for what I experienced out there).

Fortunately, I don't have to explain the experience because they told me to go ahead and invite everybody over to their place for a party!    Alrightee.

All of you out there in Internet-Land are invited. We'll settle on a time and date and let you know. Stay tuned.

Yesterday, I finally looked at my cellphone-clock (it was sitting on Sparky's armrest) and noticed that my 'preaching time' was already well-spent. I had gone past my own self-imposed time limit.

Nevertheless, it was good to see that there were at least a few (three) reviews in the mailbag this morning:

Today, Dave Swearingen is gonna come all the way from Mindon, Nevada to check out the BellRoad Campus. I told him that it is an easy road trip. If he leaves at 9:00 a.m., he should be there around 11:07. Click here and see for yourself.

If you wanna map out your own trip to
         Bell Road Baptist Church, click here.

Dave is an Acoustical Consultant. He will bring his Pink Noise Generator and sample different areas in the room. Then we will know how best to fix our situation with proper placement of special materials. Wanna see what kinda materials I'm talking about? (click here)

g2g  it's now 2:27 a.m. I think I'll try to get some more sleep before I have to face other people. Gotta get some 'beauty rest'.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Hey everyone: Go to this new website. It was started by a man in Latvia. I found it through a google search while looking for some site that would allow me to upload mp3s for free. I think this could work well for Pastor Wesley's radio programs too.

So, click here:

www.boomp3.com

and Notice which sermon is near the top of the list:
of POPULAR MP3s. (It was No. 1 on Saturday)

"Is God Really Pro-Choice?"

Well, it had over 400 hits as of yesterday. That's pretty good for a small-town pastor in a small church. lol

I was waiting for a report from our short-term missionaries to Mexico. This note came in on Saturday night:

One guy with TWO women ...tryin' to get to church on time.
Cathy reminded me that 'she' was ready!

Yes, I know: "tribulation worketh patience...",
   so I did the best I could (though we were 'running late...').

Anyway, I kinda like driving by myself on the way to church. There's never any 'drama' when its just me. ha ha

The wonderful side-effect of a long-drive to church is the opportunity to yield the flesh to the sweet-control of the Spirit. We wound up experiencing God in wonderful ways yesterday.

Mary and Cathy accompanied me to the Courthouse Athletic Club for an after-lunch workout. We returned to BellRoad in time for our first membership class.

Our new friend, Bonita, had a birthday party last night. A number of us drove many miles farther on down the road in order to hang together last night.

Below is a link to yesterday's sermon from Matthew 24,
      2 Corinthians 9, and 1 Corinthians 16:15

The message is preceded with a testimony and song by DeLynn Rosenau (accompanied by her daughter Patrice).

CLICK HERE for 'Friendly Competition'

for other BellRoad Radio messages (click here)

Sunday, March 4, 2007

I chatted with Joe online before going to bed last night. My waking moments this morning were filled with Scripture references that I may share during the Message this morning.

Hidden in here
   (and that led me here)
      but I had been thinking about looking here again...

...and the rest slips my mind. I thought on the passages for about fifteen minutes during that awakening so those very verses will probably impinge upon me again later.

My Web Server sent me a weekly report on this new website. Having started all over again with a new name, these pages dropped in daily hits from thousands to less than a hundred. Still, when one is publishing daily, the 'web-crawlers' apparently take note.

This morning I learned that someone was had visited from Canada (www.google.ca) and another visitor had dropped by from France (www.msn.fr)

and this one I can only guess... (click here)

I said "Good Morning" to Daniel in Australia. He had just returned from Evening Services at church. It is, indeed, fun to have friends on the other side of the International Dateline.

Time to get ready for Sunday morning in Auburn.

Saturday, March 3, 2007

Cathy and I are about to leave for Auburn. This morning I received an email from my friend Greg Brayton (the producer/guitarist that I've worked with for so many years).

Excerpts from Greg's letter are printed in blue:

Yesterday I got a little surprise. The tumor on my neck is a low-grade sarcoma, or cancer. They want to take it off, but this involves like major surgery.

Greg is scheduled for an MRI on his liver in one week. So, that will determine what his most immediate surgery will be.

I am so thankful that God has helped me and Sally to keep our laughter going through this whole business, which started you, may remember, bout 4 years ago. It occurs to me, that no matter what happens, the road ahead might be a bit bumpy, so I would really ask, that you pray especially for Sally, and the rest of my family of course, that they might be able to find even some joy in the struggle.

Any of the songs in the far right column feature Greg. For those who don't know, he has been blind since he was eight months old.

I've been running at least a mile every day since Lent,
I preferred taking something on as opposed to giving up anything else ha ha. Lost 12 pounds since January first, on purpose, and still working at that.

I wrote back and told Greg that I've been going to a gym up in Auburn. That has been good for me as I have been combining the physical stretch and strengthening with devotional time in the Word.

Greg invites you to his website: www.gbrayton.com

Last night I started collecting some of the materials that I would like to have available for Mary when she studies online:  EducationPlus

Friday, March 2, 2007

Good Morning!

I'm at home (in Galt) for the day and am spending time at my 'wireless' bedside where I feel most comfortable. My hot coffee is in a glass cup we bought in Tallin, Estonia back in November, 2003.

I enjoy being home! Last night, Mary and Jerry went jogging together as they like to do. Around 11:20, they called (with heightened pitch and pace) to tell me that three police vehicles had surrounded them. Jerry was carrying a baseball bat. They confiscated the bat and informed them that Mary was out after curfew. So, my kids came home. I reminded them that the officers were just doing their job.

I called the Dispatcher and talked over the situation.

Why the dramatic scene with three vehicles? They were responding to a call one block away and the officers were worked up over that simultaneously.

So, as Head-of-this-Household, I will be addressing our family's jogging habits. Curfew for a minor on the streets is 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. (and carrying any 'weapon' is illegal). So, we're gonna have to go down to the PD and come up with a workable plan for street-running.

Just yesterday, I had been reminded by Mary about the summer afternoon when a group of guys came up to Daniel's car parked at the ball diamonds.

The guys (from a different people group) had this message for my son and daughter:

   "Break your pockets..."

Daniel was wearing shorts and said,

"I don't have any money."

The guy at Mary's window said,

"What do you got?"

"Nothing...just my cellphone."

(It was in pretty bad shape. Mary had recently been  
 complaining about the missing backplate, etc).

The guy tossed it back to her and said,

     "I don't want that."

Then one of the guys apparently recognized Daniel as a wrestler at school and said,

      "He's alright..."   Then the group of guys walked off.

Beaners. That's what they're called by white kids like mine. Is it insensitive to use that word in my journal entry?

Maybe I should say 'the B-word'.

You see, we've tried to raise our kids to not judge whole people groups by the actions of a few.

However, we know that we have only influence (not control) over our children's freewill and free-thought. Cathy and I have come to realize that prejudice is a fact-of-life (even in this quiet little town . . . even in our own home).

Why do the people I see out at night sometimes carry a club?

Cathy used to walk with a lady who carried a stick...as protection against pit bulls or other crazy dogs.

  "I don't carry a gun or a club...
        The name's Rob. . . pastorob."

I had never seen the movie "The Color Purple" so I checked it out from the Placer County Library and watched it in my office before going to sleep night-before-last. I thought that I would have Mary watch it and write a paper covering three issues addressed by the filmmaker.

Maybe it will help us also address the local situation with this question:

    "What is a Beaner?"

Remember, my entry from July 1, 2006?

   You don't?

Well, click here and scroll down until you see Andy Deck's exposition of the Great Commission and the need to know

    'What is a Samaritan?"

Cathy is teaching in a first-grade classroom for the morning. Since my time in Galt is very limited these days, I'm sure she's gonna want to spend the afternoon and evening with me.

Tomorrow, Cathy is heading back to Auburn with me. I want to attend the monthly Men's Breakfast. Cathy and I will then attend a Sunday School Training session. At noon, there is a funeral service Nancy Downes. We shared table fellowship with her widower last Sunday (Joe). He's about my age.

Final tppic for today: My last Sunday Sermon on Matthew 25 (and a follow-up discussion on Wednesday night) addressed the preaching of "Hell".

Coincidentally, my friend from Kentucky, Aimee, has been having an ongoing discussion with a friend who teaches Universal Salvation.

Since she asked for my input, I've written to her a few times. This is a friendly reminder to share some of those thoughts publicly sometime.

Daniel Teale, (the University student from Australia) popped up on my laptop.

Oh, and I think these answers to a direct question are quite revealing:

Q.  Is Peyton Manning a Christian?  (click here)
      Interesting responses, I think.


 

 




If anyone would like to visit our church this morning,

        click exit 123 for a map from where you are.

 

It is actually possible for anyone in the world to make it to Auburn, California   
            from anywhere in the world.

Hope to see you one of these Sunday mornings!