Memorial Day

Memorial day

What is memorial day to me?
For me, its a day off from work to take time to pay honor and respect to all those men, women, families that have given part of their lives for the freedoms I enjoy. Without those thousands of people who went before, my world would not be. Al Gore's internet may not exist.

For those families who sacrificed a loved one, memorial day comes every day.

Memorial day is wondering if my contributions are enough. For the past 5 years, I've spent Memorial day with my local American Legion. Using my talent for trumpet by playing taps at several small memorial services. My small contribution.

Memorial day is watching some of the services at our capital on pbs tv. Looking at the faces of people who have lost loved ones. Listening to their stories of hurt, sorrow and love. Watching them share a personal sorrow, and marveling at their courage. Thanking them for having the courage to help us all remember that freedom is costly.

Memorial day for my children is sleeping in and a family barbecue. How can I help them realize what's been done?

Memorial day is tears of sadness, tears of joy all rolled up in one day. Tears of joy at the knowledge of faith that every one of those warriors put their life on the line.

May God bless the USA.

Minnesota District

In a few weeks I'll be attending a district conference. The conference is made up of Pastors, teachers and delegates from Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and Canada. For almost 3 days we will share God's word, food and discussions on the resources God has given us to use.

I've never been to a Minnesota district meeting. But have attended various workshops for educating church council members.

Will I be bored to tears? Will I be unable to sleep in the heat? Will the food be ok? What do the members of Salem church expect from me when I get back? Will I know any one there?

I'm attending as a lay delegate, representing my church council. I took 3 days vacation to be able to make the trip to MLC. Part of me is looking forward to the time away. Part of me wonders how I'll get all of the reading done.

Jesus words will bring us together. Men from varied walks of life, backgrounds, expectations. A common purpose brings us together. Go out and teach the wonderful gospel message to all. The business of a church is not unlike other businesses. Our product, is to some, an unsought product. Our product carries no price tag, but the benefits definitely out weigh its cost.

Joey

We the government

I was rummaging through my bookshelves this morning. And ran across a book by Deborah Tannen, "Talking 9 to 5". I recall reading with joy many of her insites into the way we speak to each other. Men and women of course but also men and men, women and women.

Google showed me that Ms. Tannen now has her own website. And that she is a professor of linguistics at Georgetown. She also wrote an excellent essay on the words that our leaders choose to tell us their stance.

I find that her words ring true for me. As a voter its easy to get into a mind set of its the me against the government. I look at my paycheck each week and see the price government has set. As I sit in traffic waiting to get to work I get angry at all the time wasted just sitting on the freeway.

Government made that freeway possible. The freeway has done so well that many thousands of people rely on it to make their daily living. And now the freeway is overloaded. Government will eventually make the freeway wider. And my commuter life will once again be easier. But I must wait.

This week a hurricane went through Haiti. It killed more than a thousand. When I read the descriptions of the situation it seems like many more will die because of disease and lack of food. The citizens of Haiti lack so many of the things we Americans have come to expect. We expect them because we have grown used to what our government makes possible.

Thank you Ms. Tannen for pointing out how our speech reflects our state of mind. Our political leaders need to tell us, and show us that the political system they lead is not 'on our backs'. But is an extension of our own efforts to make a living.


Here's a link in case you want to pursue it:
http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=8144

Labor Day

Some how I ended up with a MSN account.

As I logged in this morning, MSN in all its wisdom asked me "Labor day, what are we celebrating?"

For a lot people in Minnesota, labor day means the last days of summer. If you've been through a Minnesota winter you would understand why we celebrate. It also means the last few days at your cabin by the lake. In 2 months or so the lake will be frozen over.

Since I don't have a cabin, I'm not at the lake this weekend.

Instead, I'm working on my first speech for the college course I'm taking. At 45, I decided I'd like to finish a bachelor's degree. I'm 2 years into the adventure. With what looks like at least 2 more years to go. Well, it might be 5 too. Its hard to say.

This weeks chapter is John 7. Yes, the New Testament book of John. Read along with me if you like.

Joe

Sept 4,2004

A blog ? Who would want to read the trail of words that comes from my hands?

A start on a new adventure. A place to try out some things. Who knows what may come of this trail?