Serve by Design

Our summer vacation was not so much fun for an important member of the family this year! I could call this report, “The “Kidney Stone Saga” as it would likely have some of you tremoring and wincing in pain over your own memories. Over years of pastoring, I have heard some graphic “war stories” that a few of you have reluctantly shared on this subject! It's smaller than a baby aspirin, but prickly as a cocklebur! 😠 This story started the day we arrived in Georgetown for our extended family visit. Monique felt some discomfort and thought she was dealing with another bladder infection (UTI), so we dropped into the local Urgent Care to get an assessment. Meds were prescribed and we were on the way with the usual advice to push the liquids. A week to the day later, we were back at the same place. This time it was advised that we visit a nearby emergency room that could offer more extensive testing services. After a C-Scan with contrast, the emergency room doctor offered what I felt w...

I am out of my skill set when it comes to anything electrical! I feel a lot more comfortable with tools like wrenches, ratchets, and pliers. Those are the instruments of automobile mechanics like my dad and brother that are used every day in their shop. I have shied away from wiring, outlets, breakers, and the like. One reason is that it’s no fun getting accidentally shocked, and I have had that unpleasant experience! However, occasionally, I will venture out of my comfort zone and engage in a “Do It Yourself” small electrical project. Yesterday was one of those occasions! I have changed out duplex outlets a few times in the two houses we have owned over the last 36 years. That morning, I had told the local hardware store salesman who sold me the outlet and a lamp socket too, (for another project), “I am not comfortable with this kind of stuff, but I can follow my nose!” In other words, I can see what the old one looked like and then replicate what I see to reconnect the new one. As a ...