Fiasco

Recreational vehicles, or RV's, are popular in the US. RV parks, both in live in or to use,while traveling are common, especially in warmer areas. I owned one for 4 years. Unless you have money to literally burn, or plan to keep it for the rest of your life, never buy one. Why? They are not well constructed. They are costly to purchase and repair. Two different repairmen worked on mine.Both charged a high fee just to arrive with a minimum of another hour at the same fee. If you attempt to sell it retail, you will find that you resided in the unit, people aren't interested.If you attempt to wholesale, I found that dealerships have a great business model, for them. They want to make a used vehicle into a new vehicle by someone else paying for the repairs- insurance, warranty, owner. While this process is ongoing, the price they are willing to give goes down steadily. It's a no win situation. I would rather be homeless than buy an RV.

Endurance Contest.

Sadly travel is increasingly dysfunctional in the US. Just completed a 1,750 mile (2,800 kilometer) journey by car. Outside of cities about 50% of vehicles are huge trucks which take up a lot of room, and have difficulty passing one another. The highways are 2 lanes in either direction. When there are 3 lanes, it makes a significant difference. Between crowded roadways, construction, weather issues and crazy drivers, God's help, protection and angels are very needed. Arrived safely at my destination which makes it worthwhile. Tonight I am with my friend Bill out in the country. He runs cattle for his son.

One more week

This morning I have one more week (barring snowstorms) here at the camp before I head west to Texas. As before when I lived and worked here, it has been a good experience even though things don't stay the same. Didn't achieve my goal of 20 hours of work a week, more like fifteen, in part because my skills are limited. Blessed with facilitating 1 and 2 Peter Bible studies, and initiating a time of prayer before the church service. Also had one on one time with Nate, the shepherd of the church and with my brother Kevin. Also appreciate the relative tranquility of this 98 acre property. Was able to visit friends in the region and participate in an annual discipleship weekend.

Consequences

"Elections have consequences." Yesterday 's elections in NY City and for governors in New Jersey and Virginia reflect God's ongoing judgment on this country. Although all three are Democratic party strongholds, the reality that someone like the mayor elect of the nation's largest city is an avowed Communist show how far we have fallen. It was only 24 years ago that Islamic terrorists flew planes into the,World Trade Center in New York. Now a Moslem will become the mayor. A brother of my acquaintance has written a book titled "Wars and Rumors of Wars" based on Matthew 24:6 in which he sets forth a case that the US is the Babylon of Revelation 19. He believes that the US will be destroyed by nuclear war. If God is just, as the Bible proclaims, it gets easier to believe this with each succeeding event. May our hope be placed in Jesus alone.

Writing Fiction

Enjoying writing what should be my sixth novel. I have a new freedom in that I am no longer writing with the hope that anyone will read what I write. Now it is solely to release the creativity that we, made in God's image, have that reflects Him as the Creator of the Universe. I am well along in the first draft of my current work so the characters are established. I started a new chapter today. All I knew was that it centered around one of the leaders characters. I had no idea what would happen. That's one of the blessings of the first draft, just letting the words flow, knowing I can go back and revise whatever needs it. I'd like to finish this post by thanking my mother, long gone, who gave me a love of reading and, encouraged .y writing. Thanks, Mom

Too Radical

Once again I am confronted by reality, this time as in many previous times, that I am too radical for the Church in America. It's not that I want to be a voice in the wilderness; it just works out that way. This time it was a modest proposal that a discipleship weekend that I have been involved in for the past decade, extend It's time frame to begin Friday mid morning rather than Friday evening. My original thought was to begin Thursday evening so I had already compromised. My modified proposal was rejected. Other examples include my appeal for the value of memorizing Scripture, prayer times before church services and the importance of personal, intentional accountable discipleship. Perhaps this is why over 90% of my page views are read in Singapore and Hong Kong where I know no one in contrast to a handful of page views in the US where I know many people.

Discipleship weekend

Just returned from the 10th annual New England Discipleship Network discipleship weekend. As always a privilege and a pleasure to participate in, this year with almost forty other brothers. These weekends focus on small group interactive encounters, either with a same group or in a choice of workshops. The theme this year was a transformed heart, whether for God, for the brethren or for the lost. We had,three small group sessions and a choice of two of four workshops. Saturday evening we experienced a powerful time of worship facilitated by,a gifted brother. As usual, the camp hosting us did a splendid job. My only regret was it lasted such a short time, starting on Friday night anx ending Sunday at noon.