The Three Minute Grandparent

Jesus fed 5,000 people without the issue of food prep nor delivery problems.  He just fed them in His own way, then he asked to disciples to get into their boat and move to the other side of the lake while He stayed by Himself to pray.  This was fairly usual for their friend to want some alone time with His Father.  The disciples expected Jesus to join them, soon, using another mode of transportation.  Perhaps Jesus could catch a ride on the next boat going across the lake.  He could also walk around the lake, or at the extreme, swim across the lake. Jesus chose an unusual method of transport across the lake; He walked on the water. After a short and excited business meeting, the disciples voted….that walking on the water was unusual and unacceptable.  Matthew probably reasoned that this was not a tried and proven method of travel.  James could have commented that the disciples had never done it that way before. Peter said, “Lord, may I join yo...

“Sometimes, when people get what they want, they realize how limited their goals were.” While flying, I read this in the Delta SKY Magazine and have been mulling it over in my mind ever since. Have I settled for second best when the VERY BEST was available with a little more effort? Have I settled for what floats down the river with no thought of paddling upstream? Am I willing to settle for a rocking chair, when a “James Bond Jetpack” is available? By this time you are probably wondering, “What has gotten into Ken?” And yes, you probably should wonder. My 60th birthday is Sunday, August 1 and I wonder, have I settled for second best? One of the characters in the original series, Star Trek, said, “After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing, after all, as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true.” – Spock in Amok Time. Wanting and Having – A circle that we all find ourselves traveling. I see it and I want it. Because I want it, I must have it. In his inter...

E3 and Me took on new meaning as I taught the second seminar series within Convergence ministries.   Rich Ratts had asked me to prepare the Discovering Maturity Seminar to be taken by E3 members after completing the E3 and Me Seminar .   Sounds complicated…actually…. prospective members take the first, E3 and Me , followed by Discovering Maturity seminar.   Rich has worked long in preparing the training outlines for our church and asking me to flesh it out was both an honor and quite fun. Rich and co-Pastor Bill Center taught E3 and Me while I co-taught Discovering Maturity with Rich – he floated between both sessions.   The material was exciting and meaningful, even though I had already studied and worked in expanding the information.   As with all good information, the teacher grows with each teaching session. As I have seem many times previously, Rich is an amazing teacher.   He is able to take any information, written or verbal, process i...

Singing with the Missoula Summer Band is always fun and quite a trip.   As a trained vocalist, I enjoy solo work with my wife,Rhonda as my accompanist.  We have worked together for many years...she knows me, my singing style and is not only my accompanist but my vocal coach.  She loves me and tells the truth as I prepare for many programs. Singing with the Summer Band is a different style of fun.  Gary Gillet, Band Director at Sentinel High School serves as the Summer Band Director.  He is director, coach, encourager and Sergeant at Arms for over 50 instrumentalists.  He is also an accomplished Trombone player and musician.  I have been privileged to sing with the band on numerous occasions including 4th of July at Southgate Mall and Wednesday evenings at Bonner Park.  Tonight was a special time as I sang for the 15th time at the 4th of July Celebration. Thank you Gary and instrumentalists in the Summer Band.  You are so gracious in allowing ...

Be Like Jesus?  Why, of course, I want to be like Jesus, so, I will go to church, read my Bible and try to live the best that I know how.  Is that good enough?  Actually, no! Paul said, "I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him (Jesus) from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!"  Phil 3:10-11 NLT. Paul wanted more than anything to be like Jesus, and he gave up everything not only to follow Jesus but to become just like Him.  Paul was a rising star in his world, educated in the finest schools, apprenticed to an outstanding scholar/teacher, and busy in his community doing God's work.  On the day of his salvation while traveling to Damascus, Paul came face to face with the risen Jesus, recognized His authority and power and made a decision to be just like Jesus.  This led Paul to a life of suffering and eventually d...

Following the progress of someone is one way to ensure the right path and the correct outcome is achieved.  It is also an excellent way to follow the flight path of a loved one who is traveling to faraway places on a jet.  At least, I can track the loved one as they move from continent to continent and see the progress in terms of miles downrange and time to go. This past week, a son and daughter traveled to opposite points on the globe and I could not accompany them to protect as a Dad always desires.  Son traveled to Senegal and Daughter to China....and my heart went both ways.  As each left, I had obtained their airline and flight number and was able to track them on FlightAware , an internet based program that allows me to peek in on Air Traffic Controllers just a little bit.  It does not allow me to make changes to any part of the plan or flight....I am only allowed to "track" the flights of loved ones. Daughter's words to me as we hung up from cell ph...

Review of DAD’S BIBLE, The Father’s Plan, with notes by Robert Wolgemuth, published by Thomas Nelson, New Century Version Bible. Dad’s Bible is an exciting concept for Fathers with added helps, notes and ideas for effective child nurturing; the NCV Bible is extremely clear and readable. The layout of Scripture and related helps makes reading a joy. Reading the Bible should be a joy and this version is right on track with a clear and modern translation that will “communicate the same meaning to today’s reader that would have been understood by the original reader.” The helps are arranged such that each section of the Bible communicates “Godly Character,” or information on “Dad’s in The Bible.” Other helps include: Walking in Authority, Passing it On, Building your children, and others. For example, David the King wanted to build a Temple for God in 2 Samuel 7, and received an answer from God through Nathan the Prophet. The Biblical account is very clear reading, and the helps include...