I have been spending the last several days at Indianapolis, IN at the International Council of Community Churches' annual conference. As a member of this year's annual conference planning committee this has not been a vacation. Unfortunately they put that I am a member of the planning committee on the name tag I have to wear. So you can imagine I have had my teeth handed to me several times for people who are not pleased with something.
That being said, coming to the conference reminds me why Speed Memorial Church "fits" the ICCC. The group was founded on inclusiveness and acceptance of other religious traditions, the heart and soul of Speed Memorial Church. It is also great to see people who I have become friends over the 16 years I have been a part of the ICCC.
The exciting part of this year's conference is that there is a renewed enthusiasm and for the first time in several years I feel the council is starting to live what we preach. Thursday will be a big day since I am the chairperson for the "AGAPE" team. This a group that was formed about 10 years ago to help churches with acceptance and diversity. My acronym for AGAPE is "allowing God's anointing presence everywhere!" I have been empowered by the ICCC's current president, Saundra Nelson, to resurrect this group. So my presentation tomorrow will be to explain to folks what the AGAPE team is all about and ask them to be a part of this group.
I will try to write my thoughts tomorrow, but I have not had the ability to go online, since I discovered (after calling tech support to get internet in my room) that this hotel charges $10.00 a day to use that internet service. Thus, I am setting in the lobby of the hotel using the "one" computer that is open to all guests.
May this writing find you well and may the grace of God touch your hearts.
Pastor Mike
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
"A Father's Pride!"
It is hard to believe, but soon Kari and I will be empty nesters! Mitchell will graduate from Silver Creek High School on Thursday, June 3rd and will be looking forward to starting the next stage of his life at the University of Louisville.
I have been proud of all of my children, but Mitchell is very special. He demonstrates a caring for people that is rarely seen in other persons his age. He also has a maturity that is far past his years. He is not one who gets caught up with the pettiness of some young people and he refuses to take sides when the pettiness starts. In fact his nickname is "Switzerland," because he won't take sides.
Mitchell, like his siblings is very focused on what he wants to do in life. He wants to be a music teacher (band or a drama teacher) and wants to share his love for music with high school students. I have been so amazed in his musical ability and have witnessed him growing in that talent over the years.
Kari and I are recipients of his musical talents everyday when he goes to his room, takes out his guitar and begins singing. His voice gets stronger everyday and I want to thank Mr. Robert Lee for being one of the reasons for that improvement.
I am proud of Mitchell, because he gave me a chance this past school year to perform on stage with him as a member of the quartet (with him) in the Silver Creek production of "Music Man." I don't know very many young people who would want their father in their high school production. But Mitchell and I did something before every performance that will stay in my heart forever. We would embrace each other and tell each other we love each other. I don't think you can realize how much that moved me. And what moved me even more is Mitchell did that in front of the rest of the cast members. He wasn't ashamed, but rather pleased that we could do that in front of others.
Mitchell begins a new phase in his life. He starts out his time at the University of Louisville by attending band camp, since he has been accepted into the U. of L. marching band. I pray that his time at U. of L. will be one of the greatest experiences in his life.
So Mitchell, my son, you have made me proud to be able to say I am your father! I know that you will continually make me proud and I am looking forward to your next phase. I love you son and yes I will miss our daily "concerts" and the house is going to seem empty, but my heart is filled with joy knowing that you are going to live your dream!
I have been proud of all of my children, but Mitchell is very special. He demonstrates a caring for people that is rarely seen in other persons his age. He also has a maturity that is far past his years. He is not one who gets caught up with the pettiness of some young people and he refuses to take sides when the pettiness starts. In fact his nickname is "Switzerland," because he won't take sides.
Mitchell, like his siblings is very focused on what he wants to do in life. He wants to be a music teacher (band or a drama teacher) and wants to share his love for music with high school students. I have been so amazed in his musical ability and have witnessed him growing in that talent over the years.
Kari and I are recipients of his musical talents everyday when he goes to his room, takes out his guitar and begins singing. His voice gets stronger everyday and I want to thank Mr. Robert Lee for being one of the reasons for that improvement.
I am proud of Mitchell, because he gave me a chance this past school year to perform on stage with him as a member of the quartet (with him) in the Silver Creek production of "Music Man." I don't know very many young people who would want their father in their high school production. But Mitchell and I did something before every performance that will stay in my heart forever. We would embrace each other and tell each other we love each other. I don't think you can realize how much that moved me. And what moved me even more is Mitchell did that in front of the rest of the cast members. He wasn't ashamed, but rather pleased that we could do that in front of others.
Mitchell begins a new phase in his life. He starts out his time at the University of Louisville by attending band camp, since he has been accepted into the U. of L. marching band. I pray that his time at U. of L. will be one of the greatest experiences in his life.
So Mitchell, my son, you have made me proud to be able to say I am your father! I know that you will continually make me proud and I am looking forward to your next phase. I love you son and yes I will miss our daily "concerts" and the house is going to seem empty, but my heart is filled with joy knowing that you are going to live your dream!
Friday, May 28, 2010
"A Wonderful Challenge!"
A week after Easter this year, the Donahues endured one of the toughest things to go through, the death of a beloved pet, Dante our Old English Sheepdog. Dante was rescued by us when he was nine months old and he was a integral part of our family for 11 years. He will be remembered fondly, but now a new era has begun...the arrival of 9 week old (was that age when we got him) labradoodle puppy which we have named "Wrigley." Now 11 weeks old he has proved to be cute, lovable and frustrating all at the same time.
Of course being a puppy he wants to chew on everything, but his favorite thing to chew has us all amused. Wrigley loves to chew plastic clothes hangers...yes I said hangers. Kari has a clothes basket with a lot of plastic hangers in it. Wrigley goes over pulls out three to five hangers and chews on one of them. When he is tired of that one he goes back and gets some more. By the time he is done our living room looks like we tried to have a floor made of hangers.
One of the things we are trying to get used to is his tail. Now I know how weird that sounds, but remember we had a dog that had no tail, Dante's was docked when he was born. So we get a chuckle watching his tail wag back and forth when he gets excited. We are also prepared for Wrigley to be a large dog, since the breeder said expect him to weigh around 75 lbs. That will not be a problem since Dante was 95 lbs.
So the next time you come to my office don't be surprised to see this very adorable addition to our family asleep under my desk. I bring him over every day, for a couple of hours, so that he will become used to the office.
Yes it is a new experience in our home, but as each day passes it is obvious that this will be a "wonderful challenge."
Of course being a puppy he wants to chew on everything, but his favorite thing to chew has us all amused. Wrigley loves to chew plastic clothes hangers...yes I said hangers. Kari has a clothes basket with a lot of plastic hangers in it. Wrigley goes over pulls out three to five hangers and chews on one of them. When he is tired of that one he goes back and gets some more. By the time he is done our living room looks like we tried to have a floor made of hangers.
One of the things we are trying to get used to is his tail. Now I know how weird that sounds, but remember we had a dog that had no tail, Dante's was docked when he was born. So we get a chuckle watching his tail wag back and forth when he gets excited. We are also prepared for Wrigley to be a large dog, since the breeder said expect him to weigh around 75 lbs. That will not be a problem since Dante was 95 lbs.
So the next time you come to my office don't be surprised to see this very adorable addition to our family asleep under my desk. I bring him over every day, for a couple of hours, so that he will become used to the office.
Yes it is a new experience in our home, but as each day passes it is obvious that this will be a "wonderful challenge."
Friday, May 7, 2010
"It's Time!"
It has been a long time since I have made an entry into my blog. I am a firm believer that in our spirituality we have different seasons. For the past several months it has not been my season to write. Fortunately I now feel like it is my season to make entries into this blog. So I apologize for it taking so long, but I hope you will now start visiting the blog on a regular basis.
A lot of things have taken place since I last blogged. In February, the West Clark School Board named me Silver Creek High School's head varsity football coach; the church is in a major renovation project; and our youngest son had one of his biggest leads in a Silver Creek High School musical. He played the "beast" in the musical "Beauty and the Beast."
We are also beginning a phase in our lives, that we knew was coming but I don't think you are ever ready for. Mitchell will be graduating from Silver Creek High School in June and in August we will officially become empty nesters. I think as parents we look forward to the day our children go out into the world, but I (for one) will miss having Mitchell's jokes, singing and just being down right crazy in the home.
One thing that makes this empty nester thing more difficult than we were ready for is that our Old English Sheepdog, Dante, was overcome by cancer and now the house will be really quiet. Dante was with us for 11 years and for up to a week before he died, was just the crazy clown he had always been. So the search now begins to find another Old English Sheepdog...I think this time it will be a female...since our last two Old English Sheepdogs were male.
I invite you to check back once a week as I will try and give you some of my thoughts and reports on my faith journey.
A lot of things have taken place since I last blogged. In February, the West Clark School Board named me Silver Creek High School's head varsity football coach; the church is in a major renovation project; and our youngest son had one of his biggest leads in a Silver Creek High School musical. He played the "beast" in the musical "Beauty and the Beast."
We are also beginning a phase in our lives, that we knew was coming but I don't think you are ever ready for. Mitchell will be graduating from Silver Creek High School in June and in August we will officially become empty nesters. I think as parents we look forward to the day our children go out into the world, but I (for one) will miss having Mitchell's jokes, singing and just being down right crazy in the home.
One thing that makes this empty nester thing more difficult than we were ready for is that our Old English Sheepdog, Dante, was overcome by cancer and now the house will be really quiet. Dante was with us for 11 years and for up to a week before he died, was just the crazy clown he had always been. So the search now begins to find another Old English Sheepdog...I think this time it will be a female...since our last two Old English Sheepdogs were male.
I invite you to check back once a week as I will try and give you some of my thoughts and reports on my faith journey.
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