i had the privilege of going to a faith based partnership meeting today where we learned a lot about how to properly respond to disasters.  for the most part it was very good.  they had a good mix of people that supervise volunteers and do the planning, as well as speakers that were involved as a volunteer after the joplin tornado of last may 22, 2012.  a point that came out over and over was that we needed to make plans and be organized, but at the same time be flexible because the plan will change from day to day while you are in the field.  easy to understand.  but, in the midst of it all i couldn't help but think how wonderful it is that God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  we definitely need His leadership during times of disaster.

garage sales

on this bright day three of my neighbors are having a garage sale. i still remember the first one i went to. actually, i went with a friend. while he was looking at stuff i just wandered around. a bowling ball caught my eye - why, i don't know. anyway, i went over and picked it up. emblazoned on the ball just above the finger holes was my first name. i then put my right hand into the holes and it was a perfect fit. now, if you saw my hand - being somewhat small with subby fingers, you might consider that a miracle. maybe it was. maybe it wasn't. but it already had my name on it. so i bought it. kind of like Jesus having my name and buying me on the cross.

hospitals

hospitals are an amazing thing. they really are. and they have changed so much. i have been in many of them over the years - both as a patient and as a visitor. they use to be gloomy, places where two very sick people were stuffed into the same room (and sometimes many more in the same slightly larger room). now they are decorated with a modern flare and not at all gloomy - with the rooms often being single occupancy. (thank you hipaa!) even the people have changed. i just experienced one, and everyone i came in contact with was both very kind and very helpful. they all seemed to be happy to serve. kind of reminded me of Jesus, especially during this season which celebrates the greatest service ever shown to man kind.