Pastor Dad

           What happens at the church on Halloween Eve? While other churches pull out all the stops for Christmas; here we are at RIO 180 on Halloween getting ready for one of, if not THE, biggest event of the year.             I know that people disagree and spend countless words and Facebook posts complaining about churches and church people “celebrating” Halloween and I don’t want anyone to think I am trying to pick a fight. I believe we can disagree without being disagreeable. I don’t know much but here is what I do in regards to our Candy Trail and Hell House.             This is a safe place for parents to bring their kids or send their teenagers. As the kiddos start the Candy Trail they will be walked through the life of Joseph complete with seeing the pit he was thrown into, Potiphar’s house (minus his seductive wife), and the prison where he interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams. Oh, and they will get candy at each place. Prison candy! Haha! Then, this is cool, then they will

            I have sat down to write many many times since I last published a blog. Either my mind was scattered or my calendar was. So, after I was interrupted by my schedule and my brain yesterday I made a decision that the first thing I would do today was write. So I did. And this is what came out…             Have you ever profiled someone? I’m sure you have or you wouldn’t really be human. I don’t mean that you’re a bad person but in a moment you may have looked at someone and in your mind said, “I’ll bet she is ___________.”             We are funny that way. Society tries to dictate to us what people are supposed to say or become simply because of a characteristic. For example, wealthy people are smart, poor people are dumb, white people are racist, black people are lazy, church people are hypocrites, young people are rebellious, old people are grumpy, pregnant teenagers are sluts, police officers are arrogant, preachers only care about money, and, well you get the pic

Are you gonna hurt me?             This was the question from my little niece, Annabeth, to the nurse at the surgical center this morning. No hidden agenda. No counter attack planned. No small talk. Just a simple question to gauge the other person’s agenda.              And you can’t blame her. Heck, as of earlier this week she was very upset that they were taking her tonsils out to begin with. She didn’t want them to cut open her throat. Can’t say that I blame her. So there she was in her hospital gown with her stuffed animals wondering what these strange people were gonna do. Were they as helpful and friendly as momma said they would be? Would they do what they said they would do? Basically, can I trust them, mommy?             When relationships are boiled down to the bare minimum, isn’t this the question we all want answers to? Are you gonna hurt me? I do more marriage counseling than I care to talk about and I promise you this is the question that never gets asked in

            What a week we just concluded. My week starts on Monday. Sunday is the grand finale of what is always an exciting eventful week. This past week has been one for the record books. I can never remember a week that was more overwhelming. I want to share a little with you.             On Sunday of last week, my mom was able to come home from the hospital. That was good because as soon as she got home she started looking more like mom. Tammy and I took her heart healthy KFC for dinner (calm down, we got the grilled version). We stayed for a while before heading home.             Monday, October 1 st , was the beginning of a wild ride. I did hospital visits first thing Monday. 2 people from the church were there, the reasons are none of any ones business. The first was an elderly lady that is always a hoot to talk to. I was there when she chose her meals for the following day and she even made that funny. The next was a man about my age. He was having a tough go of it b