Rain!

Rain today......booms of thunder
Grey skies......weeping
Yellowed grass.....transformed to green

Sound of raindrops upon the roof
makes me want to take a nap
read a book.....or
simply sit
thinking

Scripture says
the rain's a gift
bestowed on all
no exceptions

"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? (Matthew 5:43-47 The Message)

August Update

Wow! August flew by following Sarah and Todd's wedding. Here's a summary.




- a trip to Giants training camp.


-a night of dirt track racing at Albany-Saratoga Speedway


-a relaxing week at a friends' camp on a small Adirondack Lake


-Mary and I took a bus trip to Shea Stadium for a Mets game


-John and I camping on the shores of Lake George


-a week with extended family at Diamond Point in Lake George where I served as preacher at Diamond Point Community Church

August is the best month of the year

we reflect on what's happened since we last stood here

salt in our hair and our feet in the sand

I wouldn't expect anyone else to understand

August is the worst month of the year

with autumn ahead, I feel so much fear

nothing that summertime offers can last

when September arrives,

you'll be a piece of my past

(from the poem, August, by Jade Leven)