A day in the life...TSA Officership

Christmas Origin?

2006-12-20T19:19:00.000-05:00

Well here's an interesting sign....

and all this time I thought it was a God thing... :o)

Phill Keaggy video

2006-10-29T11:24:00.000-05:00

Okay, I have another video I found on Youtube.com for ya! This guy can jam! It's a little long compared to the normal video on the site (8:34), but it is worth it to hear the whole thing.

The song is titled "Salvation Army Band"

Thrift Store Video

2006-10-25T22:30:00.000-04:00

LOL...I'm still laughing about this video! I found it just doing a random search of "salvation army" on youtube.com.

Maybe the ARC Command can use this as their next commercial. I think it would at least get peoples interest piqued! :o) Check it out.

change the script and crush the box

2006-10-23T09:35:00.000-04:00

In his most recent post our former Territorial Commander, Joe Noland (see link to the right), wrote about a need to "change the script". I have always enjoyed his writings and preaching while in SFOT. And on a personal note, he gave my wife and I permission get married during our summer assignment. We will always be apprecitive. That is just one of the ways he "changed the script" while he was TC.

I wanted to comment directly on his blog, but he doesn't allow it...he knows he'd get bombarded (both good and bad). So if you know him, ask him to read my blog! :o)

After one of our recent transfers (we've already had too many already) we had to attend a "new officers orientation" for the new division we moved to and while there, the DC gave a speech. One of his statements will stick with me forever. He said, and I quote (I wrote it down that day because I was so taken aback), "There has been a lot of talk in recent years about thinking and doing things outside the box. That's not what I want. I want you (while pantomiming a box with his hands) in the box!."

Anyway, what i would ask him is this: with some in leadership still "leading" in this way and having expectations like that, how are we supposed to be "change agents" (another of his phrases)? My wife and i already feel like we have completely isolated ourselves from leadership just because we had to focus on our family. We asked for a slight break because our children needed serious medical care...mostly due to the quarters we were living in at the time. Graciously, we were moved to where we are now, but I honestly think that many in leadership positions think we were whiny at best. We were doing as much as we could keeping the corps open while trying to keep our family together as well. We both went into depressions because of the lack of assistance we were receiving. Not until we asked for and got moving orders did any help come. I did not expect a perfect relationship with every DHQ officer for my whole career/ministry, but I don't want to be completely ostricized for the entirety either.

I love the concept of being outside the box and changing the script, but many times it seems like we are powerless to do so.

what are your thoughts?

Do, Love, Walk

2006-10-22T09:20:00.000-04:00

This is part of my sermon I preached today.

Micah 6:6-8

And what does God want of us?

The prophet Micah sums it up very well: do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God. Nothing else even comes close. He loves our worship, but only if we worship in spirit and in truth.

Do Justly

Love Mercy

Walk Humbly with your God

Do Justly: Those three things pretty much sum up the life of holiness. How are we promoting justice in our world. Obviously not all of us can do missions. Not all of us can bandage wounds in Darfur. And not all of us can live in the downtown eastside of Vancouver preaching the word. But we all have a little piece of the world that we live in that we are responsible for. What are you doing to promote justice and what does that mean? Do you use your right and privilege to vote? Do you speak out thoughtfully and logically (and with Grace) about injustice?

Love Mercy: Do you love mercy? We need to be completely loving. Jesus said love your neighbor and then explained that everyone is our neighbor (even those who we'd least expect). And then He also said to pray for our enemies, those who persecute us. He said turn the other cheek. He said there is no greater love than to give your life for a friend. And he also said forgive...is there someone you need to forgive? It is sin to hold that forgiveness back.

Walk Humbly: The first shall be last and the lsat shall be first. Only when we humble ourselves and go to God in the way He already sees us will He accept us. We need to be humble but this part of the three sayings also makes it clear that the life of holiness is not stagnant. It is an active life. We are to be constantly moving...walking with God.

Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God.

In His Grip,
Dave

dancing to Tom Jones

2006-10-21T14:07:00.000-04:00

Here is a classic cut from Fresh Prince of Bel Air. It was one of my favorite shows growing up. This is from the last episode and is Will and Carlton dancing to Tom Jones.

Kutless Video

2006-10-16T17:51:00.000-04:00

This is an incredible song! I love it! Check it out. It's not one of their hardest rock songs, but it's not exactly "Easy Listening" either. :o) Sometimes I just need a good rock-out! Like right now. I found out not too long ago that it is official. Both my mom and step-mom have different forms of cancer. They were both biopsied on Friday and the results for both came back today. I don't know much more than that...no prognosis for either of them. Please pray for our family. It has been a very tough week.

In His Grip,
Dave

P.S. ENJOY!

Sometimes we just need...

2006-10-16T00:54:00.000-04:00

Sometimes we just need some stress relief. Sometimes we just need to pop some bubble wrap! Well, here ya go!

I found this in my wanderings online tonight: Virtual Bubble Wrap

Enjoy!!

Blood and Fire Supply Co.

2006-10-16T00:33:00.000-04:00

If you are reading this blog you may have noticed some additions to the links section. One of the additions will lead you to a website based in Australia. The concept of the Blood and Fire Supply Company is one of the reasons I love The Salvation Army. Sometimes, despite ourselves, we are still making a difference in this world. There are still people, in our Movement that can think and come up with life-changing and eternity-changing ideas. Obviously, "Fair Trade" is not a new concept, but this is the first time I have heard about from a Christian orginization...and to have it be The Army, all the better! I put in an order for a tee shirt and I hope you do as well. We need to support the Turbine program as much as possible. I'm looking forward to what they will be selling next.

Please support the ministry and pray for it as well. Pray for the workers in China and their families and the families of every person touched in the trade stream. I also pray for new ideas like this, new ways to reach the lost and reach the world's poorest. Give us wisdom, Lord.

In His Grip,
Dave

Under Attack

2006-10-15T01:23:00.000-04:00

Well, it seems that our family is under attack this week.

Within the past week my mother had to go into the hospital for a biopsy for a lump on her neck (no results yet) and my step-mom had a biopsy done on a mass found in her lungs (she has lung cancer).

Then today I woke up with a very bad feeling. I told Trista I thought something bad had happened to my sister Erin and I was going to check the online newspaper for the town she's in now. I then called my other sister Carla and wished her a Happy Birthday. I didn't mention the feeling I was having, because I didn't want to ruin her day with my "craziness".

After the birthday wishes, Trista and I took the kids to the Central Firehouse so we could tour the building and the kids could "see the fire twucks". We all had a blast...sirens, lights, and kid size fire helmets. As we were loading up the kids in the car my cell phone rang. I looked at the caller ID and it was Carla. I figured it must be pretty important since we had only talked a couple hours before. One of her dogs had been hit by a vehicle...that didn't stop. She heard the yelp, but by the time she made it up to the road, the driver was gone. We drove up and met her and my brother-in-law Jason at the animal hospital. Jade, the dog, was in very bad shape. They ended up having to put her to sleep. Carla and Jason live in a pretty rural area. There are only about 15 houses on her entire road and the only people who use the road are her neighbors.

Now, I'm not sure what is going to happen next, but I'm praying. I'm praying for peace and for that quiet calm in the storm. So far it's worked, but it definitely took some deep breaths today. The big brother in me wanted to drive up to her town and knock on everyone of her neighbors' doors asking for information. I am still very angry about it. There is just way too much irresponsibility in the world, way too much SIN and sins which all leads to way too much hurt in the world.

Please pray.

God, give me the words to say to minister...give me the people to minister to...and help me keep the LOVE of Christ in my heart.

New Layout

2006-10-06T00:30:00.000-04:00

Well, as you can see I have changed my layout. I'm still trying to figure out how to add my other items back into it. Anyone have any suggestions?

crazzzy daddy

2006-10-04T18:37:00.000-04:00

Well, my wife has been at a book-keeping and finance class the past 2 days so i've had the kids. We started to run out of the essentials so I had to make a run to the grocery store. Yes, I took all 3 of them!! Here is the picture I snapped just before checkout. Kayla was ready to jump out because Tyler was trying to beat her with the drinkable yogurts.

Fun was definitely had by all!

Helllo?

2006-09-27T10:28:00.000-04:00

I know I don't post that often...but an occassional comment would be nice. :o)

*tap tap* Is this thing on?

Funny Story, Family Update, and Salvation Army Distress

2006-09-26T14:13:00.000-04:00

Funny Story: I guess I'll start with the funny story since, well, everyone needs to laugh. This is just another "day in the life". There is a definite reason why I used that title for this blog. There are so many stories we have to tell...about interactions with people, visitations, etc. This story is a nursing home visit story. A retired officer in our division heard that an oldtime soldier from one of his corps appointment was just moved into a nursing home in our city. He asked if one of us could go visit her, because of her failing health. It ended up being passed off to me because of vacations and other meetings. I put it off all week (about 3 weeks ago) until late on Friday afternoon. I arrived at the nursing home around 3 p.m. She was asleep when I got there. I sat and prayed for a bit and then started chatting with her roommate and her son. I prayed with them and left after about 45 minutes. This past weekend I saw the retired officer and mentioned to him that I made the visit. He thanked me and informed me that the soldier was promoted to glory 3 weeks ago. I cringed and asked him what day it was. He said, "sometime in the P.M. on friday of that week". Yes, that same day I was there...so, yeah, I'm not sure if I was praying over a dead woman or not or if I prayed her into Glory! This experiance doesn't exactly lessen my dislike for nursing home visits.

Distress: No, I'm not in complete distress, spiritually or physically. I guess I'll start just by saying that a well known, and highly regarded Divisional Commander has tendered his resignation effective Oct. 1st. He is currently a DC in the UK, but has had positions in the U.S. as well. He has written books on Holiness and taught many Bible Studies and classes as well. Okay, so if you don't know yet, it's Chick Yuill. He is resigning due to "a conflict of consceince". Along with reading his books and studies, I did have the pleasure of meeting he and his wife. We talked for a couple hours about The Salvation Army and it's mission and their calling. My wife and I were cadets at the time and just recently married, so it was a great conversation. I still treasure the insight. In an e-mail he sent out, he very blatantly asked for prayer, so please pray for he and his wife.

Family Update: Well, Kayla is talking up a storm now!!! We had her down at Boston Children's Hospital for a new evaluation at the beginning of August. The doctors that performed the eval. confirmed what we had suspected and prayed about. Kayla does not have autism. She was given a diagnosis of Selective Mutism with high anxiety, and Oromotor apraxia. And basically she has the first because of the second. She was prescribed a small dose of a medicine the doctor thought would help and starting saying words to us by the end of the first day on the medicine!!! She has even started talking in school to a couple of the teachers she is most comfortable with. Watching her transition from a non-verbal "autistic" child to a happy,playful little girl has been beyond words! God is trully amazing!! It makes me wonder though. The current statistics say that in the U.S. 1 in 166 children have some form of autism. But Kayla would be in those stats. With a re-evaluation with doctors who knew what they were doing a change was made and she no longer is diagnosed with autism. How many children are suffering with severe anxiety, or something else, and been classified with autism...when a little medicine could literally change their and their families lives???

2006-09-25T18:38:00.000-04:00

Get this video and more at MySpace.com

Here's an incredible video...a combo of the song "Grace Like Rain" by Todd Agnew and clips from "Passion of the Christ". Indescribable!

The Visitation

2006-09-03T12:06:00.000-04:00

Well I just finished reading the novel, The Visitation, by Frank Peretti for the second time. I read it initially back when it first came out. It's an incredible book.

After buying it the other day I saw the movie version in Cicuit City next to some other popular movies. I plan on renting it to see how it came out compared to the book. Here is the trailer for the movie.

Get this video and more at MySpace.com

More on Geocaching

2006-08-15T19:53:00.000-04:00

Check out this movie on Geocaching...

Developmental Evaluation

2006-08-02T06:00:00.000-04:00

In a few minutes we'll be leaving with Kayla to go to Boston Children's Hospital. Kayla will be getting an updated and more complete evaluation than she's ever had. We first asked to be put on this waiting list well over a year ago...even before we got the official moving orders to come back to New England. Part of it was faith, the other part stubbornness.

We're both somewhat nervous about the appointment. Yesterday I spent about 45 minutes in the 24-7 Prayer Room. Almost the whole time was devoted to praying for Kayla. I ask you to do the same...even after the appointment. She seems to be making "leaps and bounds" improvements, but still isn't talking.

Well, enough for now.

In His Grip,
Dave

work work work and geocaching

2006-07-31T20:40:00.000-04:00

Yeah, it's been awhile. I've been working a lot more since we moved to the Manchester Corps. It's definitely a good thing...to feel like we're doing ministry again. I preached yesterday and actually had people come to the altar to pray. Very good feeling.

I've also been Geocaching more. I attached my "geo stat bar" to the top of the blog. You can click it and check out the Geocaching website. I like it a lot. I've even taken Tyler out a few times. He loves the "treasure hunts" with daddy. My GPS reciever is the map and we are pirates.

8th Grade Math....Oy!

2006-06-25T23:05:00.000-04:00

You Passed 8th Grade Math

Congratulations, you got 9/10 correct!

Could You Pass 8th Grade Math?

Arrests may follow...

2006-06-14T08:35:00.001-04:00

Ok, so I have a lot to say today...

Anyway, as a followup to my bat/moth story...A few days ago a high-rise window washer in Boston was arrested and arraigned on charges of animal cruelty. He was up working on the side of a building when a seagull started to dive bomb him. He swatted at it a couple times and must have knocked it out and it fell to the ground and died. He was actually arrested later that day and was arraigned yesterday....BECAUSE OF A SEAGULL!!!

I just don't understand the logic of the world we live in today. Child abuse and neglect...hunger...homelessness...murder...rape...terrorism...

And then a man gets arrested for protecting himself from a psycho bird.

I just don't get it...

Flag Day

2006-06-14T08:29:00.000-04:00

Happy Flag Day!

Today is the day set aside to pay tribute to our country's flag. I love our flag and what it stands for, but I love the Army flag even more!

Blood and Fire! Wave it high! Spread the Message! Blood and Fire!

Happy Flag Day!

Commissioning Weekend

2006-06-14T08:16:00.000-04:00

it's taken me a few days to unwind and collect my thoughts. The drive home from NJ was horrible. Normally a 15-20 minute drive, it took over 2 hours to go from the Meadowlands to the George Washington Bridge...and that was at the beginning of the trip. Altogether we were driving for about 10 hours when it normally only takes about 6.

Aside from the drive home, the weekend was decent. We got to see friends and even meet some new people we hadn't been introduced to before. :o) My wife says I shmooze (i think that's a yiddish word). I call it networking!

Commissioning itself was ok. Yes, just ok. We drove down there because some good friends of ours were being Commissioned. These are friends who I got in trouble with at Youth Councils and camp "back in the day". It was great to see them start this crazy journey that is officership. The meetings themselves, Ordination in the morning and Appointment in the afternoon, were very drawn out. The morning meeting is usually a long one, but it had never seemed like it in the past. And the appointment service is hardly ever more than 2 hours...this year it was 3! That is supposed to be the upbeat and exciting meeting, people cheering and praising God for the new ministers that are being sent out...just kinda fell flat. Maybe it was just me, but I don't know. Anyone have any comments?

In His Grip,
Dave

Look Mommie a Birdie

2006-06-01T09:33:00.000-04:00

here's a funny story for you...about 1:00 this morning trista screamesd and woke up out of a dead sleep. "There's a moth in the boy's room! A really BIG moth!" I said, "ok, ok...I'm up".

She had already taken Tyler out to go to the bathroom, but Bradley was still sleeping in his crib. I peeked in the door and said to myself, "Self, that is NO moth...". It was a bat! Trista couldn't tell the difference because up to that point it had not made any sound. And what did I do, you ask? I did what any self-respecting man would do...I grabbed my handy dandy phone book, stood in the doorway with the door mostly shut and tried swatting it out of the air (without swatting it into Bradley's crib of course!)

Here's the conversation that followed, with Trista still thinking it's a moth and not a bat:

Trista: Get in there!

Dave: No.

Trista: Why not? You have to get it.

Dave: I'm getting it... *as I clip the bat with the phone* *bat squeaks*

Trista: What was that?

Dave: Trista, it's a bat, ok...not a moth.

Trista: *muffled scream* Get in there!

Dave: No!

Trista: Are you afraid?

Dave: Yeah, kinda!

I clipped it again in mid-air and it flew over to the curtains and hung there looking at my neck like the blood-sucking rodent he was. I went into the room with a towel and my trusty phone book. He attaked! Alright, so it probably wasn't attacking, but it was the middle of the night, my wife was screaming, and I was a little out of it from just waking up...

I was finally able to knick it a couple times with the phone that it fell to the floor and stopped flying...tried to crawl to who knows where. I dropped the phone book on it a couple times but it kept squeaking. At this point, Bradley looked up at me with a look that said, "Daddy, WHAT are you doing? I'm trying to sleep."

Well, the bat was finally disposed of and the boys were put back to bed, but I couldn't fall back asleep. It took me almost an hour to "wind down".

Just another day in the life...

Blessings,
Dave

Just call me Noah

2006-05-14T09:36:00.000-04:00

It has now rained for 3 days and it's starting to add up...I wouldn't be worried except that it's supposed to rian heavily for another 3 or 4 more days.

The picture on the left is one of many leaks in our basement wall. The left picture is our front yard and the pictures below are the back yard.