Buffy the GPS

My Uncle Doug's compass from his Boy Scout Set circa 1930s


















A few years back, a colleague and I rented a car while on a business trip. The car came with a Global Positioning System (GPS). The GPS had several different voices used to give you directions. We cycled through the voices and settled on a calm soothing female voice, which I named Buffy. We programmed the coordinates of our corporate headquarters (the only address we could remember) into our 21st Century compass to see how well she would be able to direct us. We knew that we would be driving passed our headquarters on the way to our hotel, and decided mess with Buffy’s head. As we approached the intersection where the street we were on intersected with the street our company headquarters is located on, Buffy said in her soothing voice, “Change into the right hand lane and turn right at the next intersection, in .25 miles.” As we approached the intersection Buffy stated, “Prepare to turn right now!” in a very anxious voice. As we blew through the intersection, without turning right, Buffy returned to her soothing voice and said,”Resetting coordinates” and began talking us through how we can get back on track by taking the next right and then another right – basically walking us around the block and back to our headquarters. Again we ignored her soothing and sometimes anxious advice, her prompting to get back on track and to the ultimate destination that we’ve told her we wanted to go. Again and again we ignored her, wondering how she could get us back on track, and time and time again Buffy would calmly reset our coordinates. While this might seem like a story of a couple of rubes in the big city, who are more tired than they’re willing to admit, and really should get a life, it’s also an example of God’s compass in our life, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, in a quite still voice, prompting us along life’s path, trying to direct us to the destiny God has planned for us. As I reflect on my life, I can’t help but wonder, have I followed the Holy Spirit’s prompting? Should I have explored music as my life’s work, or possibly teaching?
Am I on track or have I missed his quite prompting, & resetting coordinates to get me back on track? It might be that I won’t know the answer to this question until the time where I’m with him in heaven. My prayer is that I will hear his voice, coaching me towards the destiny that God had laid out for me.

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:25-27 NIV

Happy St. Paddy's Day

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day – We have a lot we can learn from Saint Patrick. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland was born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland, around 387 AD. His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britain and were in charge of the colonies.

Irish raiders kidnapped Patrick when he was just 14 years of age. His captors were Druids and pagans. He was made a slave, and forced to herd sheep. Herding sheep took him to mountain pastures & forests. Patrick sensing God began praying to God seeking him out and building his relationship with God.
OK, let’s stop the story for a moment and take a side track. When I‘ve spoken to some of my friends about Christ love and salvation, many times I get the question, “What about the person in the third world country who lives in the bush and has never spoken to anyone about Christ. What’s the plan for them?” Patrick exemplifies God’s desire to reach out everyone and how he can build a relationship one on one. This is described further in Bible verse, Hebrews 11:6. So back to Patrick’s story: God speaks to Patrick in a dream and tells him how he can escape Ireland and return back to his homeland. Patrick follows God’s prompting and is able to return to his family. Patrick doesn’t leave it there. He continues to seek God, studying and gaining priesthood. In another dream God encourages Patrick to return to Ireland and tell the people there about Christ’s love and salvation. By doing this, Patrick provides us with another lesson learned. This lesson is one of forgiveness as pictured by Patrick’s return to and evangelization of Ireland. Saint Patrick died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, March 17th, 461. You can learn more about Saint Patrick by clicking here.

Dance, Dance Fever

Youth Bosnian Dance Troop



Guest dancers, Philippine - American Dance Troop



We attended the International Women's Day Celebration and Bosnian Folk Dance Festival this last weekend. Bosnian dance troops of various ages (youth & adult) from Idaho, Iowa, Utah and California participated in the festival demonstrating various dances, all in celebration of their traditions that go back for centuries. Our daughter-in-law is a part of the Idaho Bosnian Dance troop and it was fun to watch her gliding across the stage performing the various steps. In contrast, it reminded me of how little I celebrate God’s grace and gift of salvation through worship, whether it be singing, piano, or dance. 2 Samuel 6:13-15 speaks of David wearing a linen ephod and dancing with all of his might in celebration of returning the ark to Jerusalem. While I probably wouldn’t be able to find a linen ephod at the local Banana Republic [ although I wouldn’t be surprised if they were at Abercrombie and Fitch J :-) ], and dancing with all my might could cause passersby to call the paramedics, I can seek other ways to celebrate God’s grace through prayer, music, and praise. I would encourage you not let anyone stand in the way of your celebration. It is also recorded in 2 Samuel 6:16-21 That Michal, daughter of Saul (and wife betrothed to David I might add) saw David dancing about and despised him in her heart. When she reproaches him for the dance, he replies “I will celebrate before the LORD”. Join me in celebrating God, author of our salvation and celebrating his glorious Son who died & rose again that we might live eternally, joining him in heaven.