Pumpkin Pie for Dessert, originally uploaded by pastor_steve_p.

We celebrated Denise’s birthday with a lunch in the old parsonage. Kathy made the pie, I made the chicken almond casserole and Pat made some green bean casserole.

We always have fun when someone in the office has a birthday. Especially nice when it is near a holiday!

Zion is a fun place to serve the Lord but the hazard’s of the job are caloric intake!

“STRING THEORY AND HEAVEN” Author Dinesh D’Souza says new scientific thinking bolsters the case for life after death.
Interview by Mark Galli

Design just randomly happened?  That takes more Faith!  Click here to watch “the Inner Life of the Cell”. Created by the BioVisions group at Harvard University, this 8-minute movie presents a tour of a white blood cell that is visually spectacular and incredible in terms of CGI graphics.  The Human system, so complex, just evolved???

Meeting Darwin’s Wager: The story on Michael Behe and his controversial “Darwin’s Black Box,” tells the story behind the book. It captures the tale of Behe’s own evolution from a believer in evolution to a feisty skeptic of Darwin.

The “Does God Exist” debate took place in front of a sold out crowd at Biola University on April 4, 2009. Over 4,200 people saw it live on-campus and and additional 11,000 viewed it from around the globe through a special webcast. Don’t miss this debate between one of the finest Christian philosophers alive today, Dr. William Lane Craig, and Christopher Hitchens, who is one of the most outspoken atheists in a century. Watch a clip here.

The Apologist’s First Question…

In Frosty the Snowman, who brought Frosty back to life?

In How the Grinch Stole Christmas, what biological shortcoming made the Grinch so mean?

What is the biggest selling Christmas single of all time?

What was Scrooge’s first name?

Where was I when I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus?

What was the name of Rudolph’s dogsled driving friend?

Who said “God Bless Us, Every One!”?

What carol contains the line “O tidings of comfort and joy”?

In The Night Before Christmas I sprang from my bed to see what?

Name the three reindeer whose names begin with a “D”?

In the song “Grandma Got Run over by a Reindeer” what did Grandma go to get?

What was the first gift my true love sent on the sixth day of Christmas?

In what city did Miracle on 34th Street take place?

In It’s a Wonderful Life, how did Clarence cleverly save George’s life?

Who kept time with the Little Drummer Boy?

In The Night Before Christmas, where were the stockings hung?

What is the name of the little girl in most versions of The Nutcracker?

What is the last ghost called in A Christmas Carol?

Woke up today to a bright sunny sunrise.  After a light breakfast of yogurt and granola and fruit I headed down to the YMCA for my regular workout – 30 minutes on the treadmill and 20 minutes on the bike.  Mostly old guys working out and watching ESPN on the TVs.

Then I went over to church to unlock the doors for the funeral today.  In a couple hours I will change clothes and return for “Bud’s” memorial service.  He was 92.  It was supposed to be at the funeral home but a large Hmong funeral was already scheduled.

Then tonight we go to Milwaukee for supper and then the Milwaukee Buck’s game.  I used my “Rewards Card” from Pick ‘N Save and got 80 cents off each gallon of gas up to 20 gallons.  Good deal.

I have to wrap some gifts to send off to my great nephew and niece in Colorado for Christmas.  They are probably skiing today in the mountains.  I’ll get to see them next month when I fly to Denver with Andy H. for the Covenant’s Midwinter Conference for pastors.

God is good!

When our schedule is thrown off by a snow storm what can we do? Goofy stuff here at church this morning. But the phone keeps ringing and our Bibles keep whispering for us to get in the Word and get the sermon done. Well, this is a first…watch the video.

IMG_1798, originally uploaded by pastor_steve_p.

What are these people doing? Primping the branches of the Sanctuary Christmas Tree.

We all had fun eating chili and decorating the church on Wednesday night. Click on the photo and go see all the pictures!

Outright, unapologetic  Christian songs, carols, and anthems were enjoyed last night.  Where?  No, sorry not in a church.  Not in the privacy of my iPod.  And of course, it would never be tolerated or politically correct in local grade school.  It was at the University of Wisconsin Sheboygan where the Lord’s name and Christ were lifted up in song!

I attended the concert of choirs from UW-Sheboygan and Manitowoc last night.  Kathy accompanied solos, ensembles and the choirs.  It was delightful.  It wasn’t top of the line but pretty good for a local college group of students who like music and love to sing.

Seasonal numbers also included a Ray Charles version of “Jingle Bells” and the hand clapping, swaying, toe tapping ending with a Spiritual, “Go Tell It On The Mountain.”

God is not dead.  He was scene roaming the halls of UW-Sheboygan, singing.

There it sits, the Wishbone,
drying out above the sink;
Why it sits there waiting
has really made me think
About the wishbones of my past
long gone in a quick blink.

Whoever carved the turkey
made sure to save that bone
And let it dry above the sink
all by itself, alone.
The next day Mother held it
with the child who wasn’t grown.

“Make a wish,”  she said smiling,
as one side she did hold
And held it out unto the child
who’s dreams would yet unfold.
Ready, set, pull and snap -
“May your wishes be ever bold.”

The children are all grown up now
and working out their wishes;
Little dreams came easy
but bold ones are like big fishes.
Most of my dreams have come true
as I think, doing dishes.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Poem by Steve J. Pedersen, For Thanksgiving week 2009

“Things great have small beginnings.
Every downpour is just a raindrop;
every fire is just a spark;
every harvest is just a seed;
every journey is just a step because without that step there will be no journey;
without that raindrop there can be no shower;
without that seed there can be no harvest.”
- William Wilberforce

The sky tried to cry but couldn’t as the drops stopped on the windshield of the hearse.  We drove under gray skies through town. Stopped at the red light by the Pizza Hut.  I could smell the grease from the pizza ovens. I was not hungry.  The light turned green.

We slowly restarted the procession only blocks from the bone yard.  Late Autumn in the graveyard adds to the sense of loss.  Barren trees, brown grass, chilly wind and nothing growing except the lumps in the throats of those who know this is the final goodbye.  I hope I die in Spring but not when it is muddy.

The family and friends came along side the graveside looking at the blue metallic casket placed above the grave by the pall bearers.  All in place, I said the liturgy for the Committal.  And the sun came out for 20 seconds and then was covered by a cloud.  The Funeral Director invited the group to come forward one by one and place a flower or petal of a rose on the casket or into the grave.  I took my place in line and was handed a white petal from a rose.  It fell like a feather into the grave.  I placed my hand upon the casket and shed a tear.  The last kiss was from the son on the head of the casket.  Real men cry.  Hugs were exchanged and we returned to our cars.  The backhoe started up its motor.

Another farewell for a another senior saint. A dear, fine woman of God.  See you in heaven, “Sheffie.”