After 40 years of freckles and fair skin I had my first encounter yesterday with a dermatologist. His advice? Wear a hat and use sunscreen. This after removing a recent sun related growth for a biopsy and freezing several other spots on my head and face. Talk about a brain freeze. That stuff is cold. You should get to eat ice-cream while that is happening. If you’re going to have a cold related headache you might as well have the calories to go with it.

My dad has these things frozen all the time. When I wanted to be like him it was in other ways. Well, at least I still have my hair (on my chest anyway).

I’m glad of course that nothing was serious. So I’ll pass along his advice to you. Wear a hat and use sunscreen.

Big time congratulations go out today to Dr. Paul Begin. Yesterday, Dr. Begin successfully defended his doctoral dissertation having completed his studies at the University of Virginia and received his PhD in Spanish.

It is a grueling process. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. So way to go Dr. Begin, I for one am proud of you and appreciate your accomplishment.

Dr. Paul and Brooke leave tomorrow driving to Malibu, California. Paul will be on faculty teaching Spanish at Pepperdine. Pray for them and their journey. Dr. Begin is my brother-in-law – for those of you who do not know. In between writing and defending his dissertation he reads this blog so leave him your well wishes.

We have many demands on our time. Many are the voices which clamor for our attention. The person on the phone wants you to purchase. The person at the door wants you to donate. So many demands so little energy.

Is there anyone who makes demands in your life? Anyone who demands something from you? Does anyone in your life have that kind of permission – to ask or call for with authority?

The Bible records on occasion where Satan makes an incredible demand. Incredible for two reasons. First, that he actually made the demand. Second, that he made a request with such authority.

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32 (NASB)

This text raises several questions in my mind, the least of which is “has Satan ever demanded permission to sift me like wheat?”

What I want you notice is that Satan demanded and God said “yes.” With the answer in the affirmative Jesus also gives Simon Peter a specific glimmer of hope. Jesus said “Satan demanded, he was given permission, I’ve prayed that your faith may not fail so, when you have turned again (or returned) strengthen your brothers.”

Two divergent thoughts. First, Jesus knew what would happen, even told Simon Peter what would happen, but that did not change what happened. The foreknowledge of God does not change the actual events.

Second, if Satan is so bold to make such demands of God and have his demands granted how much more will God hear us when, those He loves, cry out to him. Is there not a lesson here for us regarding boldness and prayer?

You can’t have much more excitement than thanksgiving with us. We had a nice dinner. We played a silly board game. We remarked at the force and velocity of the wind outside. When we heard the two thuds it gave rise to some concern. Nothing dramaticus like a car going through your house but the top half of a large oak tree blew over. Came right down and broke through our fence and the front side fence of our neighbors. The day before I had taken down the batting cage. Had I not, it would have been crushed. Had the tree fallen the other way it would have come through the house. Makes for a good remember when story. Hope your day has been less eventful.

The pies are made with only one phone call to my mom – that stupid pecan pie. I let a couple of you talk me into the pecan and it looks like we can turn it into a protein shake. Here’s the lineup:

1 – Apple pie (granny smith apples of course)
1 – Pumpkin pie
1 – Liquid pecan pie
4 – Personal size pumpkin pie
1 – Personal size apple

The house is filling up. Time to turn on a football game and vanish.

Have a good day today.

Yesterday’s experience as an official translator was unlike any other language experience I’ve ever had. I had to sign an affidavit of competence and was sworn in — the whole raise your right hand and solemnly swear. Wouldn’t it be funny if we had such practices right before the preacher begins speaking? OK, Greg, raise your right hand and repeat after me . . . .

Many of you will be traveling today. Our first wave of company has landed on the beach. I’m sure you are joining with me in praying for safety for all you travelers out there.

Our house will be full again tomorrow. A mixture of family and church friends. I’m in charge of pies this year and I’m probably just going to make apple and pumpkin. I’ve tried to make a pecan pie before without success. So, I’ll just stick to the basics.

Psalm 105:1-5 (NCV) Give thanks to the LORD and pray to him. Tell the nations what he has done. Sing to him; sing praises to him. Tell about all his miracles. Be glad that you are his; let those who seek the LORD be happy. Depend on the LORD and his strength; always go to him for help. Remember the miracles he has done; remember his wonders and his decisions.

Today I’m serving as a language translator for one of our Spanish speaking members who is trying to legalize her immigration status. The last time I did such a task required standing in line (outside) for 4 hours – waiting to get inside to stand in line for another couple of hours for about 15 minutes of translation services. And I thought the DMV was bad. It’s cold, rainy and windy today. Should make standing in line even more exciting.

I hear all the time about people who camp out to get tickets for this that and the other. I am not the kind of person who feels compelled to undertake such measures for a ticket. In fact, If I am standing in such line for such tickets you can bet it is under duress.

Have you ever camped out in a line waiting for tickets for that once-in-a-lifetime event? What was the event and why one earth did you do it?

It’s true, I forget things. I’m certain we all do. I have an excuse. I’m getting old. Yes, most males have selective memory loss. We can tell you the stats of our favorite ball player from elementary school on up but can’t remember that anniversary date.

Sometime memory loss is a good thing. There are things which happen (including things we do) which are best forgotten.

The Apostle Peter reminds us of one thing we should remember. One thing we should not forget.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: To the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day. The Lord is not slow in doing what he promised–the way some people understand slowness. But God is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to be lost, but he wants all people to change their hearts and lives. (2 Peter 3:8-9 NCV)

Keeping this fact in the front of our mind might help us along the way with our decisions. It may help shape our attitudes and actions. Far better to be shaped with this thought in the front of our mind than to forget.

I know, I know you woke up today worked all day with nothing to read. A thousand apologies. I couldn’t get to a computer until now. So here’s what you missed.

Madison called me from school and asked if she and a couple of friends could stay after school to watch a basketball game. I said “sure” and “I’ll meet you there.” I thought it might be fun to watch a middle school basketball game. Though fun was not exactly the right word. Painful is a closer descriptive.

The home team, by the end of the 3rd period managed to make it to seven points. The visitors were well on their way to 20 points. Greg, you will appreciate this. In the first two minutes I wondered why the refs where just running up and down the court pulling up their pants. They were not calling anything. Then I realized, if they started calling anything the game would go on all night. I’ve seen less contact at hockey games.

The time was not wasted. After watching the cheerleaders do that vodoo that they do all three girls decided they were not going to be cheerleaders. Words like that just make me beam with pride. Another parenting success story.

Everything was going well until she decided to come home. What peer-pressure, intimidation, guilt and coercion could not accomplish was accomplished in one phone call with these words: “Change of plans I’m coming home.”

Christmas with the Cranks. There is a film version and a book version. One wonders how long before the musical version? I thought the film was entertaining. It brought a few thoughts to mind.

Don’t lose control this holiday season. The Cranks tried but ultimately failed. Christmas is not about meeting the expectations of your neighbors, your co-workers, your families, or even yourself.

We receive all these messages to spend, spend, spend Рbuy, buy, buy – that nothing shows your love like huge amounts of credit card debt for a one day forced feeling of happiness.

I am no against the celebration of Christmas. I’m becoming more and more aware of the celebration of excess. Retail industries push the holiday season upon us earlier and earlier each year. When did your retail stores start displaying Christmas stuff?

Marketing campaigns feed our addiction for validation through our purchasing power which enables us to lavishly spend money we can‚Äôt afford. Neither am I immune to the seductive power of buy now pay later. I’ve purchased my share (and probably yours) of musical things.

I‚Äôm not saying it is a sin to purchase Christmas presents for others. I‚Äôm saying it’s sinful to have so much, to add even more, when others have nothing.

Could we not think of some way to help someone else this year for Christmas? Could we not think of some way to show your love for someone without mortgaging our future?