While we are slowly unpacking all of our belongings from our recent move, I was at the breakfast table complaining to Monica about being still unable to find some of my books.

Me: “My Slide:ology book is somewhere in the attic.”

Monica: “Oh, is it?”

Me: “Yes, it is with my Sermon Book.”

My daughter, MC: “Daddy, your sermon book is your Bible!”

I pray that I will be constantly reminded that no matter what tools I use to improve my preaching—the sermon book truly remains to be my Bible.

On my desk sits an old Army Jeep replica.

Monica gave it to me as a part of our first Valentine’s Day together when we were dating. The little jeep has sat on my desk year after year place after place.

It always reminds me of her and her support for me and my calling. This support is monumental in my work. It is what gives me piece when I get on another plane to go to another place—with or without her. Her encouragement gets me out of bed sometimes and keeps me moving forward.

And it all started while we were dating…

…with a little jeep to go on my desk.

I have a confession to make.

I missed a Dental Appointment.

Now for those of you who aren’t in the military—this isn’t a very big deal. In the Army however, missing an appointment means a trail of people scolding you for your misdemeanor all the way to the Battalion Commander’s desk—and possibly having your name appear on a Command and Staff slide while you are publicly humiliated before all of the Battalions Senior NCOs and Officers.

It is the very definition of BAD—and it all can be avoided if you simply go to your appointment.

Yes, I missed mine on Monday.

But! Wait! I have an excuse! No…a really good REASON for missing my appointment.

I forgot.

It was on the computer calendar before I switched to my new paper calendar and I thought the appointment was next week and not this week. I simply forgot to check and make sure, until 1900 that night.

I check my old calendar that night to see if it was the next week. I hung my head in shame and waited all of the next day for the hammer to fall.

Then Tuesday evening I checked my Army email address and discovered that there was an email from the dental appointment sent at 1300 on Monday canceling my 1500 appointment.

And the umpire says; “SAFE”.

There I stood proud of how it all worked out in my favor. I was safe from the public ridicule and disgrace. I was safe.

All I must do at the point is to make another appointment—and then show-up.

As we have just experienced a weekend with 12 inches of snow fall and more on the way, here in Virginia, we have been slowly digging out.

I am always amazed at the drivers who insist on driving fast.

In some regard, I understand the Northerner that is an “expert” in driving in the snow. I also tolerate their thumbing their nose at us Southerners for not knowing how to drive in the snow.

But who is more correct? The safer approach to any driving situation is to drive slower. I have heard argument after argument—but the fact remains that when in doubt—drive slower. Therefore the Southern drive simply slows down. It makes sense to me.

In addition to the safer speed, the Northern states are much more prepared for their higher snowfall rates. This means that they have snowplows and other resources to pull out of hide when the weather gets rough. But, does that necessarily mean that since you are from a place which has better snow removal equipment—you still drive fast when you are in a place that doesn’t have the same equipment? No! You should know better.

Then there is the Redneck in the Four Wheel Drive Truck.

Remember; the four wheel drive won’t keep you out of the ditch, it will just help you get out of the ditch you go into.

Over the last month, I’ve been getting settled here in Virginia. There is so much to do! There are boxes to unpack, malls to visit, miles to run, comic book stores to see, and furniture to buy.

Oh! And I am starting a new job as the Chaplain of an Advance Individual Training Battalion here at Fort Lee.

There has been much to learn and experience. I look forward to writing more and soon bringing my photography into the mix.

New beginnings are always an adventure—this has been no exception—that’s why I joined the Army (not the only reason, but it does make it interesting.)

We are traveling through South Carolina this week as a family. We will arrive at our new home in Virginia next week. It is an exciting time for us—I can’t wait to see my comic books again!

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SportsCenter on ESPN reported last night about Tiger Woods’ withdrawal indefinitely from Professional Golf. There is an example of repentance here. I’m impressed that he took his “transgressions” seriously.

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Yes, it took me 15 minutes to find the M&M’s in the local Bi-Lo today—but I was committed.

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Pew Research has described the fluid atmosphere of theology today. To me, it describes the problem that the Church is facing regarding values and beliefs—and a warning to the churches to teach sound doctrine rather than spend so much of their time with self-help sermons.

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We had a visit from my brother and sister-in-law today. It was nice seeing them after two years. My sister –in-law is doing great with her home-made soap business—I hope to see one of their shows one day.

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On Monday, the family and I were traveling through South Carolina visiting the extended family when we took a break in Columbia. Not having seen a mall in over two years, we thought it would be fun to stop in at the Columbiana Mall where we ate at their food court.

During lunch, I wanted “Mall Chinese”—I had forgotten how I hated getting harassed by the peddlers shoving “free samples” in my face…oh well, the Chinese was good.

Monica and the kids went to Chick-Fil-A.

I didn’t think about it, but it probably was an armful carrying all of the kid’s meals to the table. I didn’t think too much of it—until I saw the manager carrying her tray as she took care of the kids. I was impressed. This little act improved my already high appreciation for the Chick-Fil-A brand. He was just helping out—and what a wonderful message that sent to me.

I thought about how Monica could’ve used Managers like this in Germany while I was in Iraq—someone to simply take her tray to her seat so she could feed her family. I was so thankful that in Columbia, she was able to find someone willing to help—even if were just a short time.

That is service—that is one restaurant on the top of my favorites list.

The (Charleston, SC) Post and Courier newspaper ran a headline in its Friday 4DEC09 paper announcing that “28 of (S.C. Governor) Sanford’s charges dropped.” The paper reported that;

Legislators tossed aside 28 charges Thursday against Gov. Mark Sanford they deemed too inconsequential to justify impeachment and now stand ready to take up the most serious issues.

The paper explained that of these 28 charges, 18 counts of Sanford flying at First or Business class were inconsequential—and I would agree that a State Governor would merit a First or Business Class seat. However, 10 of the other “inconsequential” charges were each regarding Sanford’s alleged improper reimbursement of less than $3000.

I’m sure that to an affluent politician $3000 is a drop in the bucket—it is not to me. It is serious and, furthermore, doing this ten times constitutes to a pattern of misconduct. Somehow, to the legislature of South Carolina, this is inconsequential.

Is this how it is in our personal lives?

We seem to believe; “Hundreds of white lies are never as a bad as one big one”, but this is not what the Bible teaches.

James 2:10 says;

10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. (James 2:10, ESV)

This means that no sin is inconsequential and that all of us are sinners in need of a savior. No matter how big, no matter how small…no matter how often.

We are not to be those who pass judgment on others—that is God’s business and those he appoints to these posts. But, we are to examine ourselves.

Search your heart. Are you taking your inconsequential sins lightly? Are you satisfied that you are not committing the more serious offences?

We have a loving God who sent Jesus to die on the cross for the littlest of sin. None is inconsequential. And yet, one is unforgivable through the bloodshed by Christ.

I’m living in America now. The experience is a bit overwhelming—some things haven’t changed—some things are bigger and better.

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On the plane, my luggage was heavier than my wife’s. Of course, I had two Army Uniforms, a PT Uniform, and a Blue Blazer—in addition to just regular clothes and three different pairs of shoes. Good grief—I got too many different outfits!

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NBC.com has Emergency Episodes online. Who knew? KMG365.

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McDonald’s has had a face lift since I’ve been gone—pretty nice!

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Forecast for Baumholder, Germany on Saturday is “Cloudy with a couple of rain or snow showers” with 41 degrees. Forecast for Chester, Virginia…”Breezy and colder with rain mixing with snow, accumulating an inch or two” and, yes, 41 degrees. No kidding…

Over the past several months, I have been hearing more and more orchestras performing the symphonies composed by Gustav Mahler. The most notable recent performance was by The Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.

I’ve listened to some of the symphonies played by a variety of orchestras, but I’m not a fan.

His music stresses me out.

I know that music should express many different emotions and with his background of hardship, it should not be surprising.

ClassicNet explains his music briefly with this introduction.

Having lived a divided life of triumph and heartbreak, of optimism and hopelessness, it is only fitting that the music of Gustav Mahler portrays such conflict and arouses varying reactions in listeners, from fierce adoration to outright dislike.

Unfortunately, I am on the “outright dislike” side.

Mahler lived from 1860-1911 in Europe and the United States. Dying at the age of 50, his tenth symphony was unfinished.

His lasting legacy is as a composer of 9 monumental symphonies, now considered to be the culminating symphonies of the romantic era. 

I like music to relax and to reflect—not to make me angry, stressed, and agitated. This is what Mahler’s music does with its rhythms and harmonization everything makes my stomach turn into a ball of knots.

Am I an expert—by all means…No. But, I know what I like and dislike. I’m not sure why Mahler is so popular now—but I’m ready for the trend to pass.