E-Flash From Dan, Summer 2011

Dear E-Flash Friends;

Jesus had this compelling way of putting an interesting and surprising twist on a story.  In one of Jesus’ parables, a religious leader who keeps the law with great discipline and devotion does not wind up being the hero. 

You say, “Huh…?”

And in the same story (from Luke chapter 18) the no-good tax collector—rotten scoundrel that he is—does not wind up being the bad guy. 

You say, “Hold on!  What is the point of this tale?”

Well, the story offers us some helpful and important insights into pride, humility and forgiveness.  And if you want to find out more—I hope you do because it’s cool—then plan on being here this Sunday!  (By the way, there are extra credit points with God when you go to church in July before going to the beach.  You knew about that, right?)

I’m excited to be back from my break.  I had a wonderful opportunity to study and read and do some writing.  And I also had time to swim, pet a manatee, do some snorkeling, and make underwater videos!

(I tried to combine some of the activities that I mentioned in the paragraph above, but I found out that manatees really aren’t interested in hearing me read to them.  ….And the pages of the book get really wet when you try.)

But I’m ready to be back and I’m privileged to be able to teach from this great passage in Luke chapter 18, as well as lead us in Communion, this Sunday, July 17^th (let’s remember to prepare our hearts for the Lord’s table).  I’m looking forward to seeing you all and worshipping with the church I love!

Hope to see you this Sunday!!!

Love and blessings,

Dan

P.S.  As always, MANY, MANY, MANY, MANY, MANY, MANY thanks to Chris Donnelly for preaching while I was gone.  …Did I mention A LOT of thanks to Chris?  Okay, I just want to be sure.  What a blessing it is to have such a wonderfully gifted, passionate and willing teacher in our church.  Praise God!

E-Flash From Dan, June 25, 2011

Dear E-Flash Friends;

Before I left for my break, people said, “Dan, be sure to keep us updated on your adventures!”

Alright, I will.

Click on the link below to see our recent manatee encounter…

       Click for video:    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NedAp6k9Pv8

Also, remember that tomorrow, Sun. June 26^th, Chris will continue with our series, “Lessons From The Stories Jesus Told” with a message titled:  “What Happens When The Seed Is Scattered?”

You say, “Dan, will it be terrific, as usual?”

Yes, it will!  Hope you’re planning to be there.  It’s always a wonderful blessing to worship and honor God.  And that’s what will be happening.

God is good!   (You knew that already, right?)

Blessings,

Dan

E-Flash From Dan, Attracting Barracudas Edition

Dear E-Flash Friends;

I was swimming in the ocean with the manatees, yesterday, near a jetty from which a number of people were fishing.  No kidding!  On five different occasions I was petting the manatees as they swam around near me.  It was very cool!  I was preaching one of my sermons while I was swimming so that must have been what was attracting them.  Manatees love a lively lecture.

(Hey, stop laughing, it could happen….in some kind of strange alternate universe.)

At one point, a mom who was standing on the jetty called out to her teenaged daughter, who was in the same area as me, and said, “Erica, are you wearing any jewelry?”

Erica responded, “Yes, I’m wearing a necklace.”

The mom called out, “Take it off, these fishermen tell me that there are barracudas in the water around there and it will attract them.”

                          ,

As you probably know, barracudas are vicious and aggressive creatures.  They move with lightning speed and have razor sharp teeth that can quickly tear the flesh…and…oh… wait a minute…hold on… you know what?  I’m sorry that’s not a description of barracudas, I got a little confused for a moment.  That’s a description of a pet hamster I had, many years ago.

Anyhow….Erica said to her mom, “It’s not a shiny metal necklace, it’s plastic.”

The mom said, “Okay!”

I looked at my wedding ring on my left hand and thought, “Hmm, it might be a good idea to keep my hand out of the water.”  (My powers of reasoning are really astonishing, huh?)

I was swimming in waters that were over my head because that’s where the manatees were.  I had a device called a “noodle” that helps with floatation but it’s still inconvenient to swim in deeper waters with one hand constantly raised out of the water.

There were no pockets on my swim trunks that would safely hold the ring, so, it occurred to me to take the ring off and hold it in my mouth.  But you and I know what would have happened then, right?  Oh yeah, I can just imagine the laughter and ridicule when I have to tell people that I swallowed my wedding ring.  (That would be similar to the time that I accidentally ate our marriage license.  Phew!  Did I ever take some ribbing for that!)

Well, thankfully, I made it back to shore safely and plopped into my beach chair.  But just then several land sharks* came out of the tall grass and chased me to the car.

Lessons?  1) Always take off your jewelry before swimming in the ocean; 2) Don’t keep a wedding ring in your mouth; 3) Watch for any strange movements in the tall grass; and 4) Never forget that we’re back to our regular schedule this Sunday, July 11^th.  The services will begin at 9 am and 11 am, but, hopefully, your heart of worship will begin way before that.

Love and Blessings,

Dan

*NOTE:  Land sharks are not real creatures.  I’m just kidding about that part of the story.

**NOTE:  Hamsters are real creatures but they don’t’ normally tend to be quite as ornery as the one I described in the story.

[ If you would like to have the E-Flash From Dan sent directly to your e-mail, send an e-mail message to: cog111st@aol.com and write "Please send me the E-Flash" in the "subject" field. ]