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This is not about: Chip, Robbie or Mike. It isn't that nice of a dysfunctional family. But how about these names: “See, a son”, “One who hears”, “Attached” and “Praise”. Oh wait, that is four names. Again I return to the strange family chosen to birth the nation of Israel. Theirs is a sad story. Jacob is fooled into “marrying” Leah, the older, uglier daughter of uncle Laban. He was such a nice uncle. He always looked out for... number one. You know the story, right? Jacob fell in love at first sight with Rachel. He decided to accept Laban’s offer of working for seven little years to earn her as his wife. Those years passed SO fast that he almost didn't notice them. Then came the big wedding night. Finally it was payday. But early the next morning, there was Leah! Can you imagine his surprise as he sees his beauty for the first time with her veil removed. Her crossed eyes looking in two different directions. It was jaw dropping fun. I am sure that there was shock, sadness and th...

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.   (Ephesians 2:19) Have you ever felt like an Alien? I’m not talking Marvin the Martian or even “My Favorite Martin” for those of you who go back that far. I’m talking about a complete stranger? I think that one of the weirdest situations for me came in the good old U.S. of A. as I walked down Broadway Ave. in downtown Manhattan in a  pair of worn jeans, a hoodie and a Winnie the Pooh backpack as I headed toward Ground Zero. It was a miserable February in 2004 and I had come to aid my sister and brother-in-law with my ailing mother. That was “ailing” and NOT “alien” mother. I know what you are thinking. Anyway, there I was trudging from Penn Station near Madison Square Garden toward Ground Zero which is about a thousand city blocks away. Or at least it seemed like it was. I had landed at LaGuardia Airport and wanted to see the Twin Towers sight before hea...

Yesterday, Tuesday, we had our first Bible study with Marcia (left to right: Dawn, Jonatas, Marcia and Joelma, our coworker). She had informed me earlier that it was her birthday and so Dawn made a birthday cake. She celebrated her ___ years with the FIRST (yes first!) birthday cake she has ever had! Man that is hard for me to believe. I’ve been spoiled with about 56 in my lifetime! During the study she related time and again how confusing her religious past has been. At one point she said, “ I have been in church since childhood and NONE of my pastors have ever told me how I could have the Holy Spirit’s peace until you all shared it with me just two weeks ago !” She also had many good questions about spiritual things. Marcia has four sons. It was her teen son João that got baptized just three weeks ago and we are seeing God begin to move in this family. The oldest, Josué (Joshua), is a big 250 lbs teddy bear and is in my juniors Sunday school class. He just LOVES his teacher and...

We had a wonderful week! It's great to be able to spend this special time of the year with good friends.  Wednesday we visited João’s mother Marcia. João was baptized last week and his mother was touched by the message. During the visit our coworker Joelma shared her testimony and Marcia made a profession of faith! That was a VERY great start to the Easter weekend. Friday we showed the film Thief in the Night . Do you remember that movie? It was hard for me to get over the goofy clothing and old cars. Did we really look like that back in the 60s? Our group, however,  thought that it was a very interesting film and they had questions about Christ’s return. It was a rainy night but we still had ten that watched and ate popcorn. Saturday at Club we had about 38 kids and teens on another rainy day. Bible  Club is in a bit of a transition. We now have three teams in what is called the Alpha Sector ! The teams will compete for rewards, special outings and a promotion t...

I was watching my one year old grandson, Brandon, today. He had on some baggy little shorts, weird flip-flops over his socks, and he was tottering. It made me think about how I often feel these days. Funny how that when we are little and "innocent" and tottering in our baggy pants, with our little potbelly sticking out from under our t-shirt we look precious. When we are older and tottering in our low slung trousers and the same potbelly, we looks pathetic! I guess that the two drastically opposite points of view are based on the viewer's chronological perspective. Brandon is growing and I'm dying. He is cute because the little guy has a lot to learn and we love to see him progress. The old guy has already had his chance at learning and what he is progressing toward is not quite so much fun to ponder. When I have these weird thoughts I praise my God because He never lets go of my hand whether a tottering little guy or an old one. And I found this verse to prove my poi...