Valley View Inn, New Bedford, Ohio

About six years ago, I became acquainted with a wonderful thing called Pastors Retreat Network. I was desperately desiring some rest and renewal. It was not a vacation that I needed or just a few days away from the demands of ministry. I was tired, but more than anything I wanted to spend time with God. Through a friend or two who had told me about PRN, I went to the website (www.pastorsretreatnetwork.org) and discovered what almost seemed too good to be true. They actually provide a five day retreat for full-time pastors....FREE! The accommodations, food and hospitality are top notch. The two that I have been to: Valley View Inn in Ohio and Cedarly in Wisconsin are surrounded with such natural beauty that spending time outdoors *even in the winter* is a must.

Here is a little bit of what the website says:

But one thing is more important still—maintaining a right relationship with God.

Our five-day retreats are designed to help you do just that.

The experience will profoundly affect your life and ministry—by changing your heart and helping you regain your perspective.

Imagine the renewal and refreshment you will gain as you:

Rest, without having to keep an eye on the clock
Spend time in prayer and Scripture reading
Take a walk and let God speak to you
Enjoy a meal with your hosts and fellow retreat guests
Read a good book
Nap, talk, play, meditate, or simply enjoy the view
Contemplate, journal or discuss the day’s experiences
Enjoy a “date” with your spouse
Grab a new friend and explore the community
Our retreats enable you to enjoy relaxation, solitude and contemplation. But we also appreciate God’s creativity and humor. Laughter abounds and often serves as the release necessary for a deeper experience with God and others.

Step away from the demands of your calling and step into a special place where you can more clearly feel God’s presence and respond to His call.

This time, Will was able to go with me. As you notice in the pictures, we were snowed in and had a wonderful time reconnecting with God and with one another. Now, I do plan on sharing a few more things from our time away here on my blog, so stay tuned.

However, if you are a pastor, go right now to the website and select a time in the next few months that you can devote to your first love and the reason you became a pastor.

Making History!

What a great speech! A few things that I have been thinking about: 1. regardless of whether you voted for Obama, he is now our president. 2. We should pray for him and all governing officials. 3. The time is ripe for change and change is what we got.

Quotes of interest to me: "The world has changed and we must change with it."

"patchwork heritage is our strength"

"entering a new era of responsibility, cease it gladly, not grudgingly"

"less than 60 years ago my father would not have been welcomed in resturants not far from here, and now I am standing here..."

Would love to dialogue with any and all.....

A bit from "Letter from Birmingam City Jail" by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Here are some words from King that have resonated with me for years, perhaps since I first felt a deep disappointment with the church. It has been 11 years. On the newly celebrated MLK holiday in 1998 I decided to pick up and read "A Testament of Hope" (the Essential writings and speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr.). I read it just about cover to cover and could not put it down. His courage to choose the way of Jesus and to preach love in the midst of being jailed, stabbed, threatened, and the like gave me great courage to do the same. This was one of the most difficult periods of my ministry. The church was causing me great disappointment and I found in King a friend on the journey.

"But despite these notable exceptions I must honestly reiterate that I have been disappointed with the church. I do not say that as one of the negative critics who can always find something wrong with the church. I say it as a minister of the gospel, who loves the church; who was nurtured in its bosom; who has been sustained by its spiritual blessings and who will remain true to it as long as the cord of life shall lengthen...So here we are moving toward the exit of the twentieth century with a religious community largely adjusted to the status quo, standing as a taillight behind other community agencies rather than a headlight leading men to higher level of justice...Yes, these questions are still in my mind. In deep disappointment, I have wept over the laxity of the church. But be assured that my tears have been tears of love. Yes, I love the church; I love her sacred walls. How could I do otherwise? I am in the rather unique position of being the son, and the grandson and the great grandson of preachers. Yes, I see the church as the body of Christ. But, OH! How we have blemished and scarred that body through social neglect and fear of being nonconformists. There was a time when the church was very powerful. It was during that period when the early Christians rejoiced when they were deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the churches were not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society...If the church of today does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authentic ring, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century."

On-line friends and such

Today (Monday) should be my off day. I did not and have not been sleeping much at night. I am sure that my friend Joe would tell me that it is because I am not trusting God. Well, he may be right! I am praying-"casting," but haven't really left some matters securely in God's hands. He says that we sometimes think of casting like casting a reel in fishing. We cast and then draw it back and cast again. He says that THAT is what I do. I'm trying! I'm crying, doing all the things that have brought me a breakthrough in the past, but nothing for now.

Joe is a perfect example of one of these guys that is connected to everyone. He has been a confidant to me over the last couple years. I think he is to lots of people. I wonder if he has anyone to confide in?

He is in his 50's and is on the cusp of societal change. Even though I and others have encouraged him to join on-line social networks such as facebook, he has resisted as of yet. Perhaps he knows that as "facebook friends and social networking are not adequate substitutes for authentic friends" (L. Gregory Jones)

Can we have authentic friendships on-line? Can we find support and encouragement via wires and signals and images? Is on-line social networking creating a next generation who cannot build, sustain and deepen authentic friendships?

Here is a little bit more of an article by L. Gregory Jones (Dean of Duke Divinity School): "We long for relationships with people who know us so well that their lives impact and influence ours. Young people love the high-tech world of multi-tasking and interactive media, but like the rest of us, they long for personal intimacy...A sociological study found that between 1985 and 2004 the average American's number of close confidants declined from three to two, and that those reporting "no close confidants" jumped from 10 to 25 percent...Why does a lack of confidants matter? We are created for relationships, and we long for support and encouragement from those who know us well....confidants sometimes know us better than we know ourselves. They can and do check our propensity for self-deception. They challenge us, support us and encourage us to dream even when we have given up. Even when they call us to account, we are confident that they are doing so with our intersts at heart. Duke's Pulpit and Pew project uncovered a significant amount of self-reported loneliness and isolation among American clergy...This loneliness ought to sound alarms among those institutions and people charged to support and encourage congregations and clergy. If there is any place in American culture that ought to encourage deep and lasting friendships, it's the church, and our pastors ought to be catalysts who nurture others' friendships. Can churches be vehicles for both extending social networks and deepening friendships, for laity and clergy alike?"

Such great questions and such great observations. I'm going to post this and write more about this later. I'm getting tired. Maybe I will sleep?

Becoming a Psuedo-Localvour

Will and I have been avoiding Wal-Mart successfully for almost a month. It has been an interesting experience. One day during the first week, I had the impulse to go to Wal-Mart three times!! Our Super Wal-Mart is a magnet for anyone within 25 mile radius. It's one-stop-shop concept has made it most successful. Typically they say that shopping at Wal-Mart not only saves them money but time.

Today, I had at least 15 things on my list for which to shop. Here is what I did, where I went, whom I encountered, etc...Downtown Vandalia: Sunshine House Natural Foods (went there to buy the ever impossible to find "coconut oil") while there I had a great conversation with David, my new friend. He was having trouble getting my debit card to work cause they had just gotten a new credit card system. I told him that it was not a problem that I would simply go next door and use the ATM. So, I went next door and greeted Gayna who is a member at Parkview, used the ATM, and returned to get my oil. I then went to Given's meat market and bought 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts to cook for dinner. While at Given's, I spoke the owner about possibly putting together a meat and cheese tray for our Christmas Open House in a couple of weeks. It was funny cause I almost walked out without paying for the chicken. Also, I saw and briefly spoke to my friend Vera. I headed to the S.A.F.E. (Sexual Assault Family Emergency) office in order to buy pecans. The only person in that office (boooger I cannot remember her name) said that they didn't have any more but that she could call someone and ask if they had any. She called and told me to go visit Paulette at Barenfinger's (I thought that that was a joke also, you have to be from Vandalia to know about this). So I headed back downtown. It was necessary anyway since I had forgotten to by dog food. So, I went to Michel's feed store, talked with Michel, the owner, about dog food and gave him my ATM (debit) card. He informed me that he didn't accept cards. I had just enough cash to buy the dog food. Now that I spent all my cash, I had to go back to the ATM and get more cash. I stopped by Gloria's Christian Store. While there, I spent some time visiting with Gloria (obviously the owner of the store). It was very sad to me that she has recently had to install surveillance cameras because of theft. I told her that I hoped that they had been stealing Bibles and actually reading them. She said that a lot of accompaniment tapes were disappearing. So, I'm thinking "pastors, beware that person doing your special music has been stealing those tapes." Then I made my way to see Paulette and buy the pecans. She was very nice. I've been suffering from sinus congestion, so I stopped in at the Medicine Shoppe. Asked the cashier if she knew the difference between Zicam gel swabs and Zicam nasel spray. She asked Keri (the pharmasist, owner)about it and she said that they were basically the same thing. So, I purchased the Zicam, wished them a great Thanksgiving and left. Then one last stop: Rural King!!! The pinnacle of all shopping experiences. I went there looking for storage bags and lawn/leaf bags. I bought several other things such as turkey summer sausage stick, dog treats, a special something for Will's Christmas stocking, etc... While there I had a nice visit with Randy and Jesse. I had to go to IGA after I picked up Will from work, 'cause I accidentally forgot "oatmeal" for my oatmeal cookies.

Notice a few things about my shopping experiences: I talked to the owner of most of the places where I shopped. I spent about the same amount of money I would have at Wal-Mart (perhaps a bit more on a few items). I spent 2 1/2 hours doing all of this. Yet, I interacted with so many people. I connected with some that I already know and I met some new friends. It was a slower and much more meaningful process. Will and I want to know folks in our community. We want local people to get our business. It is not "efficient!" In fact, as you might have assumed, I had a number of moments (especially the whole going to the ATM twice)when it was way inconvenient. I could have gotten impatient and given up. Perhaps on previous days when I set "saving time and money" as top priority in shopping, I would have rolled my eyes and whispered "it is no mystery that consumers have taken their business away from downtown and have decided to buy everything at Wal-Mart." It does require sacrifice to intentionally live in order to make a difference in your community. But, could it be that taking time and building relationships with people takes time and is often a long and painful process? In the end, though, it is so worth it!

Are we are taking one small step toward being localvours!? (not sure how you spell that...it is not in spellcheck either, I checked)

(updated 11/27/08, Thanksgiving Day due to mispelling "Michel" and forgetting my friends at the Medicine Shoppe altogether)

Blogging

There are a lot of possible purposes for blogs. Some of the best blogs are one's that address or pursuade people regarding some topic or issue. Some are informational. Some are written strictly for business or professional use. Some are just for fun. Some are like on-line journals or travel logs.

In the last few months I have not been very good at blogging. Part of my frustration lies in this question: what is the purpose of blogging....what is my reason for blogging?

There have been a few people who have used what I say on my blog in an attempt to discredit me. It seems mean spirited to me and has caused me to re-think what I blog about and since I am not sure what my reason is for blogging, I have chosen the path of least resistance and just refrained from blogging.

I would like to know who is reading my blog, perhaps this would give me some direction. I'm also kinda baffled by this new thing that let's you "become a follower" of someone's blog. It seems kind of presumpuous to think that I would have "followers."

The apostle Paul would have blogged to the church at Corinth. He talks a lot about being the least among the apostles and clearly humbly acknowledges his words have "become like the rubbish of the world, the dregs of all things." (1 Corinthians 4:13)

Because at the end of the day, I am merely a follower of Jesus....humble, faltering, at times faithless, at times faithful, but always striving to better follow. I want to keep my eyes on Jesus. I want to hear His voice, respond to His desires, and never let up. Could it be that I simply want to offer my life experience and my reflections for those who might want to also follow Jesus? Could I be so bold to invite others as Paul does to "follow me as I follow Christ Jesus?" (1 Corinthians 4)

So, I hope you will comment....especially if you are a regular reader of my blog.

Board of Bishops publish "A Kingdom Perspective in the Electoral Season"

A Kingdom Perspective in an Electoral Season

In the current political and social climate of the United States, we must appreciate the truly global church that we have become as Free Methodists. We are sensing the profound responsibility this places on us—located in the west, in one of the wealthiest and most resourceful nations on earth. We recall that we are kingdom people, that God calls all people everywhere to be His, that our citizenship is in heaven first. In fact, we are bound to and have more in common with brothers and sisters in Christ around the world than we do even our fellow Americans who are unbelievers. We affirm that God does not need us or our nation to carry out His kingdom agenda. The gospel of the kingdom does not depend on the current or any anticipated political, social, cultural status quo.

The church’s mission, no less in an electoral season, in cooperation with God’s Spirit in manifesting kingdom reality, challenges every this-worldly platform and ideology. No party will champion the cause of the kingdom in its entirety. We acknowledge that Christians in the U.S. have often been seduced by reductionist views of the gospel and morality and have thus given uncritical allegiance to partisan agenda that fall short of the Christian hope.

Therefore, we urge our members and adherents to weigh carefully and pray fervently over candidates, ballot referenda, and all political issues before us, and then seek to vote in ways that reflect as fully as possible the heart of Jesus Christ for the whole world. In so doing, we remind our people that the way of Jesus is the way of cross-bearing, of self sacrificing love, of costly obedience, and of giving all for the sake of others, especially for those on the margins. Indeed, this way of Jesus often directly counters the ideologies of this world.

Board of Bishops
Free Methodist Church

Matthew Thomas
David Roller
David Kendall

What kind of legacy?

This picutre is of us, Will's two brothers, their wives and kids, and Joyce (Will's mom). The picture is from Memorial Day, 2005, so Kaiden who was an infant is now pushing 3 and Jordan who was 9 is 12 now (I'm not even really sure my math is right here, but it's a best guess type thing....if I were a good aunt I would remember all their birthdays and send them cards, but ohhh well). Brendan and Deanna now have another baby girl named Emma Ruth.

Perhaps part of the reason people have children is pass on their legacy. We do leave footprints and thumbprints on everyone around us even when we are unaware and this is not limited to our biological families. In recent days, I have thought of the wonderful legacy that Will's grandma Jesse left. I have thought of the great many hours and days that mentors of mine spent with me. What amazing living witnesses these people have been to me! I'm so grateful.

I have been graced with so much. Will I pass on something to those that I meet: at the bowling alley, in the high school gym, at the convenience store, Harmon's IGA, Rural King, Los Amigos, city offices where I pay my water bill, the library, Sonic Drive In, Wal Mart, Fayette County Hospital, the Zone, the city park? What legacy am I leaving?

Becoming the Same Person All the Time

God does the work of transforming us from the inside out.
Psalm 16:7-9 (NRSV) "I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body rests secure" Something that has been working on me recently (from Renovation of the Heart in Daily Practice) "The ideal is for the whole person to do only what the heart directs. Spiritual formation in Christ is the process leading to that ideal, and its result is love of God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, and love of neighbor as oneself. Each aspect or dimension of the person will be a source of weakness or strength to the whole person depending on the condition it is in. The condition it is in will depend on the heart. A person who is prepared and capable of responding to the situations of life in ways that are good and right is a person whose soul is in order, under the direction of a well-kept heart, in turn under the direction of God"

Servant Leader Award

Last Thursday, Will and I drove all the way to McPherson, KS. The campus of Central Christian College and the town of McPherson holds very dear memories for both of us. We met one another in bowling class during the inter-term of 1992. The drive seemed so long (with stops, it was 9 hours). On Friday morning, we went to Academic Convocation there. This year 2008-09 Central honored Will's (and mine!) grandfather as Servant Leader. It was an amazing time with a dozen or so members of the family that were able to come. Lawrence certainly deserves this award. He has followed Jesus for almost 80 years and he is a great example: humble, soft-spoken, unassuming, never seeking the applause of others, taking care of Phyllis since her stroke over ten years ago, and for surrogate fathering my husband for many years as his father was gone (teaching him how to use power tools, coaching his little league teams, loving him in a million other small everyday ways!!)

Here's to you grandpa!!! CHEERS!!!

A Quote from Thomas a Kempis

In the classic, The Imitation of Christ, he writes: "The person who wants to arrive at interiority and spirituality has to leave the crowd behind and spend some time with Jesus. Nobody's comfortable in public unless he's spent a good deal of time in the quiet of his home."

Some Serious Trouble in River City

"There's bound to come some trouble to your life, that ain't nothing to be afraid of...that ain't no reason to fear...reach out to Jesus, hold on tight. He's been there before and He knows what it's like. You'll find He's there. There's bound to come some tears up in your eyes and that ain't nothing to be ashamed of...that ain't nothing to be afraid of. People say "maybe things will get better, maybe it won't be long, maybe you'll wake up tomorrow and it will all be gone" But "maybe" just ain't enough when you need something to hold on to. Reach out to Jesus, hold on tight!" Rich Mullins

I'm looking around at all the various troubles: mass exodus of people from Parkview, many people tired and discouraged, so many complaints ranging from small to large. I am not even sure how to view all of this trouble. Is it my fault? It is Satan's fault? Is it God at work....ripping through us like a wild fire, consuming, in order to create once more?

Eugene Peterson says that the Hebrew word for "create" is never used with humans, only with God. "Create is a word that is used in the Bible exclusively with God as the subject. men and women don't create. But God does. When nothing we can do makes any difference and we are left standing around empty-handed and clueless, we are ready for God to create. When the conditons in which we live seem totally alien to life and salvation, we are reduced to waiting for God to do what only God can do, create." (p. 64, Christ Plays...)

Can God, when will God, does God, bring something new out of this turbulent water of chaos? What else besides Jesus can we hold onto when the waters have risen up to my neck. "Save me, O God, now as the waters have risen up to my neck" (Psalm 69:1)

Some Serious Summer Reading

At the beginning of the summer, I set a goal of reading 10 books. (A self-impossed summer reading program) Here are the books I read and for those of you are purists, please forgive me for include audiobooks as reading (and most of these can be found on my library thing): Renovation of the Heart, by Dallas Willard; Assimilating New Members by Lyle E. Schaller; Talking the Walk by Marva Dawn; The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini; Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster; The Choice by Nicholas Sparks; The Substance of Faith: And Other Cotton Patch Sermons by Clarance Jordan; The Shack by William Young; Lady Killer by Lisa Scotilline and the Good Guy by Dean Koontz. Now, I am working on Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places by Eugene Peterson. Three Cups of Tea is also on the "to read soon" list. Many of these have been over the top good. (Not sure I even want to pick favorites, but, if forced to do so: Renovation of the Heart and Kite Runner and The Shack)

If I didn't have so many new ones on my "to be read soon" shelf, I would take a season and read back through some books that really changed my thinking, 'cause that might be a tangible way of reminding myself who I am. It might sound kinda strange but maybe returning to those familiar pages might remind me how I got to this particular place in my life and give me some resources for pressing on.

Some Serious Summer Activity

Will and I are celebrating one year of being in Vandalia. Reflecting over the last few months, I realize that July was actually the first time since I moved here that I felt seriously busy. Now, there are a few pastors that I know who wear "busy-ness" as a badge of honor, or as a sign that the world just cannot live without them. Admitadly, I am a pastor who likes activity almost to a fault. Through the years I have had to learn the "unforced rythms of grace" as Eugene Peterson puts it. My identity as a person and as a pastor must be rooted in my being claimed by God as His beloved child. For me, this means that I do not have to prove to myself or anyone else that I am important, running around like a chicken with my head cut off. The world could really live without me! Hallelujah!!! I am not in charge....even of my congregation....God is and I am trusting at this very moment that He reigns supreme. Resting and retreating into the quietness this past week restored my soul and allowed me an opportunity to re-adjust my compass, making sure that Jesus was still at the center.

An added thought: I have been a bad blogger! I must appologize to my 3 faithful readers! Please do not give up on me. Summer buzy-ness is pretty well over and I am at home now and loving it. So, I will fill in some details that have been missing: What have I been so busy with? How was camp? How was VBS? What have I been reading and did I actually complete my goal of reading 10 books this summer? Stay tunned....I will post more later. I may even have more pictures of flowers!

Some of My Beauties

Basil Sun Bathing

Basil has been lovin' the last few days. One of her favorite people in world, my sister Becky, visited for about a week. Basil and Becky went for long walks everday and Becky even let her play in the water. After the long walks, Basil would sprawls out and her toung flops onto the tile floor.

Then as Becky took her flight home on Friday. Another one of her favorite people, Robert Nowlin (www.singertenor.net)visited. She gets some quality lovin' from him also. He took several wonderful pictures of her.

Happy Dog Days of Summer!

Off Day Activities

Today was my off day and I did some gardening, some grocery shopping, and lots of lounging which was great. This rose is bloomed out so beautifully right in front of the church. Most of the church's landscape was re-done last year and it is thriving. The meteorologists are predicting rain for most of the week and the fields are still so wet that most farmers have not planted corn.

I replanted new guinea impatiens, geraniums, vinca, and caladium bulbs. I still have to find a perfect home for these beautiful hydrangeas.

Another bright spot was my conversation with a friend that I know from bowling. Like they say that if you want to find someone in Vandalia, just go to Wal-Mart, well, that is exactly where I found this friend. Her family lives out toward Augsburg and her nefew takes care of THAT cemetary! WOW! She was also taking petunias home so that her grandson could plant them.

Augsburg

In my previous post, I inserted a picture of the top and steeple of the Augsburg church. (It looks nothing like Bethel, but I couldn't find a picture of Bethel, so I will have to take a picture when I am there and post it)

This memorial marker (technically it is not a grave because it is very new looking) can be found in the Augsburg cemetary which sits directly behind the church. I am so very fascinated with this place. It is only 7 minute drive from town and scenery is captivating....wheat fields, farm houses, barns, and beautiful trees. This marker is for Peter (1799-1890) and Henrietta (1800-1890) Schukar. UNBELIEVABLE!!! Peter was born in 1799! That was only thirty years after independence.

I wonder if the Schukar family is still around Augsburg. I wonder if they were first generation immagrants from Germany? I may have to do some research.

Beings that one of my new hobbies is exploring old country churches and cemetaries, this might become like a travel blog of death;)

Bethel UMC Celebrate 100 years of ministry

Here is an article I wrote for the centenial celebrate of the church of my childhood. I will try to find a picture of the building or the people of Bethel and post it here soon....



The rich heritage of Bethel continues to bear fruit in my life and ministry. There are so many ways that this is true that it is hard to choose merely one to write about.

I was baptized as an infant and entered confirmation class when I was in the 5th grade. Bethel was at that time in the planning and building phase of the current facility. I have vivid memories of that old building. I even remember having worship services in that old chapel. Rev. Brooks Ambose was the pastor at the time and taught confirmation class. I remember that the class met every week throughout Lent. Rev. Ambose insisted that our class learn and understand the meaning behind the seasons of the Christian year. He emphasized observing Lent with serious spiritual disciplines: fasting, confessing, and praying. It may seem a little ridiculous to emphasize these things with 5th graders who are going through the most narcissistic phase of life. At the time, I remember having a myriad of feelings about it. On one hand, I’m certain that I rolled my eyes and said something like: “why do we have to learn this?” Yet, on the other hand, the different symbols and colors and even the Latin words that were hard to pronounce and a bit silly fascinated me. In order to be confirmed in the church, as a final rite of passage into church membership, our whole class observed a 12 hour fast. The evening after Good Friday service our class had a lock in and it was clear that it would not be a “party” but an evening of scripture reading and silence. It was a modified fast and we were allowed to eat a few simple things, a couple crackers and a few grapes. We drank water. It was a powerful time for me. In those hours, I really did contemplate Jesus death on the cross and the great love that it displays.

There are two ways that this experience shaped who I am. First, it planted in me a hunger for God. The rich symbols and traditions of the church invite us into a larger reality than we can contain in our individual lives. They remind us that we are invited into God’s kingdom and that that kingdom transcends our small worlds. Celebrating the differing seasons of the Christian year reminds us that God is in charge. The rhythms of these different seasons reflect God’s greater work. They give us markers along the way in our effort to follow Jesus.

I am so grateful for that seed that was planted. Yet, I am even more grateful that in and through this confirmation class, I learned that tradition is important but it is not really the main thing. All of these “traditions” are not the main thing; they simply point us to the main thing. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Kite Runner

This book blew me away. It is a powerful story. The action is narrated through the main character Imir Jan. The invitation that he hears over the phone immediately drew me in: "there is a way to be good again." What an awesome journey it recounts! Isn't there a common desire running through all human life...goodness, beauty, and hope?

You absolutely MUST read this!