Tucker? - 28 August 2021 - Plague Journal Day 534

Micah 6:8
James 5:13-16
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Today is National Bow Tie Day! How appropriate to celebrate this sartorial splendor the day after we celebrated Pee-Wee Herman's birthday, eh? I plan to tie both of my shoes' laces in bows to commemorate this important holiday.

No real update on my Dad. He's still in hospital, still in hospice, and still living in the Grace of God. Prayers are always welcome, requested, coveted, and appreciated.

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

In the Basement - 27 August 2021 - Plague Journal Day 533

Micah 6:8
Luke 11:33
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Today is the birthday of my famed flavour consultant, Christian. Yep. He got married, then two weeks later celebrates his birthday. August is a pretty nice month for him, eh?


To further enhance the celebration, on 27 August 1952 Paul Reubens was born. Perhaps best known for his portrayal of The Spleen in the fabulous film, Mystery Men, Mr. Reubens also played one Pee-Wee Herman on stage, on television, and in films. Christian grew up on Pee-Wee's Playhouse, so I'm amazed I'm only now discovering this conjunction.

Like, we're dancing, man!



Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

It Still Stings a Bit, Though - 26 August 2021 - Plague Journal Day 532

Micah 6:8
1 Corinthians 15:50-56
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Well, Dad's entering hospice care today or tomorrow. We all knew something like this would happen someday, but no day is the day you expect it.

I thought I'd pull an old writing out and share it here. This is from the 2004 book of Lenten Devotions from GPUMC: (you can find them all here)

Wrestling with My Mortality

Read: John 6:47-58

And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. - Mark 15:37 ESV

And He died.
He died.
Even Jesus died.

I've been thinking about dying
quite a bit lately, wrestling with my mortality. After all, there have certainly been enough reminders of just how temporary this life is these past months.
Maybe it's only natural to think this way; to look at the calendar pages turning more and more quickly, and to think about endings. Sure, it's only natural.

But as a Child of God, born of water and the Spirit, I'm not only natural; when I really get down to it, my mortality isn't worth worrying about. I don't have to look at things that way any more. Think about it. Jesus says that whoever believes in Him has eternal life. He doesn't say that now I have a chance to live forever. He doesn't say that if I do enough stuff, then He'll give it to me. He says that, as a believer, I already have it.

I already have it.

Wow. Amen.

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Summer Slush - 25 August 2021 - Plague Journal Day 531

Micah 6:8
Psalm 147:16-18
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Today is National Whiskey Sour Day. My Aunt Peggy used to make frozen whiskey sours, or whiskey sour slush, as many might call it. She filled her blender with ice cubes and dropped in one of those tubes of frozen lemonade concentrate. Then she filled that tube with whiskey and added it to the blender. All that remained was to blend it all till slushy and enjoy. I think that is still my favorite whiskey sour of all time. Simple, cheap, tasty, and refreshing.

She had a lot of fun stuff like that - like what she called Dinner on a Breadstick. Basically it was loose, browned hamburger (like meat from a coney hamburger if you're familiar with those) with cheese and onion on half a hot dog bun toasted under the broiler. She also made really good scalloped corn. She's the one to whose house I was going when Mom (her sister) took us around 5 of the four leaves of the cloverleaf at I-94 and I-69 near Marshall, MI.

I'm pretty sure she was the cool Mom in Clint and Christy's circles of friends.

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Follow the Science Indeed! - 24 August 2021 - Plague Journal Day 530

Micah 6:8
Genesis 1:14-19
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nothing.

Thanks to a "scientific" ruling back in 2006, that's what our kids are doomed to memorise as a mnemonic for the order of the planets of our solar system. 

When I was a kid, my mother served us Nine Pizzas. Was she simply that much more very excellent than mothers of today? Well, perhaps, but there's no reason to drill a demeaning mnemonic into those impressionable minds in our science classes, is there?

Good grief, astronomers, bring back Pluto! Look how Pluto loves you!
Won't someone think of the children?

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Gotta Dance - 23 August 2021 - Plague Journal Day 529

Micah 6:8
Psalm 41
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Gene Kelly was born on this date in 1912. He stars in what I generally consider my favorite movie - An American in Paris. I have always assumed that the extended dance sequence in that film inspired Danny Kaye's satirical "choreography" bit in White Christmas, so since I like that bit too, it's a bonus for me! Happy Birthday, Gene.

On a personal note, my Dad is in hospital right now, getting some circulation issues checked and (we hope) ameliorated. Prayers are always welcome and appreciated.

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Worship - 22 August 2021 - Plague Journal Day 528

Micah 6:8
John 6:56-61
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one? 

 

For our 9:30 worship service we have a piano solo from a first-time soloist at offertory time and three(!) hymns for congregational singing. (Yes - we're back to congregational singing. We're Methodists again!) There is also a baptism scheduled.- I'm pretty sure it's not at distance with a Super Soaker.
Remember, we'll be streaming for all those who can't join us in person, and intend to continue that practice indefinitely. Still, know that we miss seeing you in person - please come join in corporate prayer, praise, and worship as soon as you feel ready.

As usual, today's stream should just appear as the latest entry on our YouTube channel, here.
You'll find all our previous worship videos right there at that same place, and today's stream will stay there as a recording as well.

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264