12 Places I've Preached

Somehow, over the years, I've preached more than 1,000 sermons in more than 100 churches, chapels, camps, etc. In addition to having spoken hundreds of times for Cobblestone Community Church both at Talawanda Middle School (2000-2008) and The Loft (2008-present), here are twelve of the other places I've preached, chosen more or less at random, and offered roughly in order (from least to most recent):

The Salvation Army School for Officers' Training, Suffern, New York

The Salvation Army's Time Square (NY) Corps, where I spoke as a cadet

Our first Salvation Army church, Lancaster, Ohio

Chamberlain Hall, at The Salvation Army's Camp Swoneky, near Lebanon, Ohio

The Salvation Army, Cincinnati Temple (now Center Hill) Corps

Historic Trinity Episcopal Church, Covington, Kentucky

The Salvation Army Montclair (NJ) Citadel, where I spoke occasionally when the lovely Robin and I were stationed at NHQ (though it didn't look like this back then, as they've recently dedicated a beautiful new corps building)

The Salvation Army, Clearwater, Florida, where I spoke the day the Bengals lost the Super Bowl in January 1989

The Salvation Army Youngstown Citadel, where the lovely Robin and I served in 1991 and 1992

Eaton, Ohio, Church of the Brethren; spoke there in July 2000

The Salvation Army's Torrance (CA) Corps, where I preached in 2006

Restoracion Church in Arequippa, Peru, where I was blessed to preach (with the translating expertise of my friend Don Latta) in May 2009.

There are many more, of course, from Portland to Providence to Brooklyn to Philadelphia to Cleveland to Royal Oak to Independence to Kansas City to Malibu. Each one a privilege, though I didn't always know it at the time, and a blessing to look back on.

Two-Year-Old Prayer Warrior

We had a wonderful, wonderful family night with our kids and grandkids last night! We are so blessed by our family, and the more so when we enjoy moments like this, as we sat down to eat and our grandson Miles joined in the prayer:

In case you're wondering, the photo was snapped by our son-in-law Kevin on his iPhone. Kevin should have been praying, of course, instead of taking pictures. But we shall grant him absolution in this one instance, since his transgression resulted in this adorable moment.

October Fog

Yesterday morning, on the way into Oxford, the landscape was painted with a wash of fog, producing one of those beautiful, striking scenes. I snapped this on my iPhone, not the best representation, but the only place on Hogue Road where I could feel reasonably safe stopping:

I especially like the non-symmetrical tree on the left of the scene, even though it's probably the result of the mangling performed by road crews who make room for roads and wires by mercilessly hacking the poor things.

Some Meetings Are Prettier Than Others

Today was such a beautiful day in Oxford, we decided to have our staff meeting out on the deck of The Loft. The fall colors were beautiful.

Though Pastor of Worship Sharla Racioppa doesn't like having her picture taken, she couldn't move fast enough.

Late in the afternoon, a little doe graced us with her company for a few moments. I didn't get her picture, though, so these will have to suffice.

More Fun with Miles

Today was another of those magical, wonderful Tuesdays when I got to take my grandson Miles to lunch! We had a blast at McDonalds, and sat where we could see BOTH the fireplace AND the trucks that roared by on the street. On the way out, we even got to see a man and woman climb onto a real motorcycle and start it and drive off. Oh, the pulse-pounding excitement of it all!

After lunch we went to a playground in town and, oh, what fun we had. Miles climbed and slid and swung and then did it all "AGAIN!"

After the playground, we drove back to his house, where he showed me his bicycle. He is very, very skilled at pushing it around the garage. He's not yet real sure it's safe to sit on and pedal, though. But it sure is pretty!

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning

Yesterday (Sunday) morning, walking from my car in the corner of The Loft parking lot into the building, I marveled at the frost-cover on the ground and the mist on the pond in front of The Loft. It was a beautiful sight. So I snapped this pic, which doesn't really capture the beauty of the moment.

Tuesdays with Miles

It was another fun lunch excursion to Mickey D's with my man Miles! On the way to McDonald's, we sang together (or, rather, he listened to me sing, and said repeatedly, "Again," which is his way of requesting an encore). He had nuggets, apple slices, and milk, and stole a couple of my French fries. Afterward, we stopped in the Kroger parking lot, where a new gas station is being installed. We watched the lift go up and down about a half dozen times, and EVERY time was just as exciting as the first!

Like nearly every field trip Miles and I take, this one was filled with wonder, excitement, and joy.

Here's a tip: if the wonder, excitement, and joy have drained out of your life--if you no longer look at construction equipment with a sense of awe, and no longer hear the beep-beep of large machinery with something approaching ecstacy--have a grandchild. That's the cure.