In John's Gospel Jesus meets a woman at the well and speaks to her about the water that springs eternal within her, that being the loving grace of God through faith in Christ. The picture I've included in this entry is the fountain found at the cancer center where my dad is receiving his chemo treatments. He goes every three weeks, gets a host of powerful drugs and hopefully it will put his cancer into remission again. As we walked into the new center there was great light and a feeling of openness. As we moved into the area where he would receive treatment I saw folks who looked like they were just starting their treatments as well as folks who looked quite worn out by the treatments and having to live each day with cancer. Dad and I talked about a variety of things going on in the world...no we didn't solve any of the world's problems but did each weigh in on the Kevin Garnett trade to the Boston Celtics. The nurse who took care of dad was very friendly and caring. As I reflected on her vocation I realized just how much of a call it has to be to work with folks living with cancer. You pray that there will be great success against the disease but they also know that a certain number of folks are not going to win the battle against the cancer. The amazing gifts that God has given each of these folks! Thank you so much!

After the treatment, dad and I went to the cafeteria, they only serve healthy food, go figure! We ordered our food and went out outside and sat at a table to enjoy the beauty of a Maine day. I saw the fountain, heard the water as it raced in and out of the pond through the power of a pump, and realized that each falling drop brought oxygen into the pond (I think I've got my science right...). It then hit me...the water that Jesus offers to each of us brings life, movement, and beauty to all around us. It doesn't mean that we'll always be in places of great joy and happiness but that doesn't mean that we can't bring hope and enjoyment into such situations as we bring new life into what could otherwise be stagnant situations.

The rest of the day was spent still adjusting to not thinking about church but with a new awareness of the heroes in our world who battle diseases with hope and determination and those who care for these folks. I guess the reality is that we are all invited to be members of the priesthood of all believers by drinking from the water the springs eternal within us and heroes by living out God's call in our lives as we strive to bring the kingdom of God near for any all through our words, actions, attitudes, and thoughts.

Temple Ruins in Tikal, Guatemala

A little different perspective of Tikal. Thanks to Jeremy for showing us how to climb down the stairs!

Tikal Guatemala (MM-1)

Though the text and verbal are in French, there are some great images of Tikal - Mayan ruins we'll visit during our time in Belize.

My renewal leave begins!

It's Monday morning and I am in the first day of my renewal leave that will last through November 3, 2007. The renewal leave is a result of a Lilly Foundation Grant (http://www.lillyendowment.org/religion_ncr.html) that I received in 2006. Working with the Belfast UMC, we applied for the grant that will allow me to follow a couple of dreams and allow the church to grow through Bible Study and lay leadership before, during, and after the three months that I am away. When I awoke yesterday morning, I couldn't believe that the day had finally arrived after more than 14 months of waiting. I was very excited as a young family had asked to be baptized at the 8am service. It was a truly powerful experience as first the parents and me laid hands on each of the three girls for prayer after they were baptized. It was even more amazing when the parents knelt to be baptized and the three girls said, "come on, we've got to lay hands on mom and dad."

The second service was filled with folks and the energy was in that place. It was a different sermon from the first service as we talked about the priesthood of all believers. As I looked out at the many folks with whom God has blessed my life, I was very thankful and in awe. There were even some good friends from NJ and LA who were on their vacations and it had timed with the last Sunday before the renewal leave. Lisa and me helped to serve Communion and then in a very special moment we served each other which for me was a great symbol of the love God has for us and that we have for each other. It was one of the highlights of the day for me!

The meal afterward was great (really liked the cole slaw!) and then we moved into the sanctuary for a sending off service. I was reminded of who the Davidettes (from the church office - Evelyn, Betty, and Val) were and how talented they were in writing new words to "Don't worry, be happy" and then leading everyone in singing the words. I'll never sing the chorus with the "do, do, do...." again without smiling. When wearing the hat and sunglasses that we received as "parting" gifts, I was told that we looked like elfs...I wonder if there is a place for us at the North Pole???

As I look back on the day, emotionally God gave me the strength to not break down too much but rather to enjoy fully the love that was shared with our family. Physically, my voice did great and I was able to belt out the songs I so love. Mentally, I am already wondering what I'm going to do when I can't think "church" for three months. Spiritually, I know that God loves me and that God's hand was at work in this leave and in the ending of my wife's work at the same time so that we have three full months together so I pray that I can live these next few months to the fullest for God's glory!

That's it for now. As I write this I can't help it as I am feeling like I should be going to work, saying hello to the crew, thanking them for the great memories of the day, and then planning for worship next week. But I do not and it's time to reestablish those boundaries of sabbath and renewal that God has given to each of us. May God bless your day and I'll write more as time goes by. It may be daily, hourly, but I will write. I may even include pictures as well...