Ukraine trip

My wife and I are recovering from our 11 day trip to Ukraine. I was part of a 23 member PCA choir - from 6 states - that sang concerts in Kiev, Odessa and several other cities. We also participated in the dedication of the new building for the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Belgorod-Dnestrovsky. It was a wonderful, exhilarating and tiring trip. I hope to be able to go again. I'll post some pictures and other links when I get them prepared. Thanks to those who prayed for us in the trip. Pray for our Ukrainian brothers and sisters.

The power of storms

We drove here to Lake George. Part of our trip took us through Missouri, Illinois and Indiana during the severe storms last Friday and Saturday. We were detoured by two closures on I-70 and remarked to each other about the power of the storms and the duration - 30+ hours. We even heard the tornado warning sirens go off as we passed through Rolla, Missouri. God in his grace brought us through. Some in Indiana were not so fortunate. In those storms I am always reminded of Psalm 29 as it speaks of "The voice of the Lord." I remember reading that the Israelites used to Psalm to calm their children during the thunderstorm. Thanks Lord for your sustaining grace.

A Brief Respite

I'm sitting on the shore of Silver Bay on Lake George (NY) enjoying the breeze and the view. We are trying to open the cabin and get ready to go to Ukraine as part of a PCA choir. I've been transcribing director notes to the music and practicing the various pieces of music. I'll not be blogging from Ukraine - too busy - but will post on my return.

New Link

One of my favorite cartoons is Bruce Tinsley's Mallard Fillmore. It is well drawn and skewers all the right people.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day began after the Civil War to honor Union dead and after World War I it was expanded to honor all those who died in war or other military actions. Growing up, my mother referred to it as “Decoration Day,” reflecting the tradition of decorating the graves of our military dead. It was a time for speeches, parades and personal reflection. For many the day marks the end of the school year, the unofficial start of summer or the start of the business and tourist season that ends on Labor Day. In the midst of a very contentious and perhaps momentous election, persons of faith need not despair. No, I’m not pulling out the “Christian America” theme. What I am pulling out is the belief that God will still be God on Wednesday, November 5, 2008. Christians need to trust God, not the government. Read Psalm 46, pray for men and women of righteousness to be elected to office and then vote for such people.

Missing in Action

Sorry for the lack of postings. I've been busy trying to get ready for a choir trip to the Ukraine in June. That will be the subject of a later post before I depart.

Cross Words, part 2

I cannot say enough about Paul Wells' book mentioned in a previous post. It is a clear, cogent defense of the atonement in a classic sense and speaks against modern ideas seeking to reduce the cross and the atonement to mere symbols of human suffering. The chapters are short, the evidence overwhelming and the style lucid and engaging. Read it!