Cattle in a Field of Butchers

From time to time, while reading familiar Scripture, I see something new in a verse or passage that I have never seen before…and it excites me.  I become like a kid who finds a box of toys in the basement that they haven't seen in a long time and instantly begins playing with new vigor and imagination. 
That happened to me today while reading Matthew 10.  

Jesus is sending out his disciples for a training exercise. Until then they had seen Jesus do some amazing miracles and teach people about the Kingdom of God powerfully.  Now they are the ones being sent out to teach and heal. Classic Jesus discipleship. Starting in verse seven, the instructions go like this...

"As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,[e] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town."

There's a ton I could write here, but I'll stay on point. He is teaching them that apart from a divine (His) empowerment and provision, they would be left trying to work this thing out on their own with their own resources.  So Jesus strips them of extra earthly possessions and securities. They had to trust that the path they were being sent on was both purposeful and safe by something entirely different from their personal experience or what their logical world would tell them.  

It's the next statement that got to me, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves."

Now wait a second. If I were to be honest, I don't much like that statement.  If I were honest, I want nothing to do with wolves.  I prefer others of the ovis aries family.  At least send me among deer. If you really want me to be risky, send me to the baboons! 

I wish I could insulate myself from difficult people. Reality is that God sends us to people whom we would otherwise avoid. Jesus called it "sheep among wolves". The picture I saw in my mind was more like "cattle in a field of butchers".  Idea…better be smart or you will get yourself killed.  It takes faith.  It takes observation.  It takes courage.  It takes control.  And it takes the knowledge that there's a cowboy nearby for protection.  

What I realized today is that the resistance I feel toward the difficult people to whom God has sent me is the lack of faith I have in Jesus to work in and through me.  I live in fear. Fear of feeling ill-equipped, incompetent or unwilling to even like "those" people.  It will take supernatural faith, eyes, courage and control.  Though I know this instinctively, it went beyond that for me today….I NEED the power of Jesus in me and through me.  Time to surrender again.

Here's some craziness that grasped me just now…what if the sheep comes to the wolves and attracts them enough to get closer to the shepherd…not so the shepherd will destroy them, but to transform them?!

Happy Little Moments…and Donuts

This morning I sit at a little shop in Canal Fulton, Ohio called Peace, Love and Little Donuts. These little cake donuts of happiness topped with sugary goodness make my mouth curl upward in a most delightful manner. Most who know me understand that I have four key weaknesses in my life that are separate from my love of Jesus. My wife, my kids, wedding cake, and donuts. This place has a great hippie feel and the people who run it are great! It's also fun to people watch here. I just overheard a lady at the counter say that she is enjoying this last donut before starting a cleanse tomorrow. Obviously she has never had one of these little fried circles of addiction. She does not know it yet, but she is in denial. She will be back in the morning. This I believe nearly as much as the resurrection itself. (insert hour and a half break from writing this post) I just got done speaking with this woman and her boyfriend. It was church around the table all the way. We pulled up a chair and processed Jesus a bit. Heaven on earth. Though I still believe she is in denial about tomorrow, I was privileged to get to know their story and can see a journey toward life in Jesus sometime in the future. I may even get a wedding out of it. Places like this help unleash a bit of my creative side and my spirituality side. Thank you Peace, Love and Little Donuts.

The Other Side

In John 21, shortly after Jesus' resurrection, Peter and his friends take a step backward in life and decide to go back to their old occupation of life, fishing. AS the story goes, after fishing all night they caught nothing. Then, a stranger on the beach tells them to try throwing their nets on the other side of the boat. I think you know the rest of the story…the first fish fry at church. We also know the stranger was Jesus. And, at this point in the story Jesus gives Peter a new assignment…shepherd. Jesus tells Peter that if he loves him then he should feed and take care of his sheep. That's a big change and a big challenge. But one thing is clear…days of the old vocation was over. I get it. I finally get it. As I have tried over the last year to "fish" in familiar "waters" of the past, I have found little catch. No fault of the fish of course. Its about assignment. I surrender. I get it. Time to shepherd. Thank you Jesus for showing up on the beach of my life...

New Year - Same Vision

As 2014 is now upon us, I have done what many do; look at the big picture of life, break it down into segments, and set goals. Early last year God gave me the vision of Church Around the Table. Looking at the big picture of my life, I wondered if I should put CATT on the shelf for the next year and focus on some specific needs of the family. My circumstances said it would be a good idea but my spirit said, "No way!" A vision from God is a sacred thing. I cannot treat it with contempt. It may be slowed down, but it cannot stop unless God speaks something different. Think about it from a Biblical perspective. Whenever a vision or a task was given by God it was usually met with circumstantial obstacles. Abraham had Pharoah's interest in his wife to contend with, Moses a desert, Elijah a wicked queen, Nehemiah had leaders of surrounding countries threatening his work, Jesus had the cross, and Paul shipwrecks. In times when things don't go the way you believe they could or should, it doesn't change the assignment. The one thing we do see change is the leader. That is faith development. I press on because certain facts remain. Fact: people need to have conversations about faith. Fact: many need to have them with people they trust through friendship. Fact: most followers of Jesus I know don't know how to do that with people in their lives even though they want to. So I have set a goal. Be it by serving in a church setting, continuing to flip cars and sell Juice Plus, or any other pathway, I will (and my family will) continue to develop Church Around the Table as way to get the gospel of Jesus Christ processing in the lives of every person whom God chooses to use in this model. We ask for your prayers in 2014 as we walk forward in faith to do what is God's work for our family.

In a Nutshell

Over the last eight months our family has been on a journey. Some of it has been good and a bunch has been a time to learn and grow. Here's the nutty journey in a nut shell… In February of 2013 I received from God a picture of "church" from a different angle. I never saw it as any better than other methods, just different and easily transferrable to any culture on Earth. My wife and I came to call this picture "Church Around the Table." The idea is simple…look at the different worlds God has put you in (home, neighborhood, workplace, school, etc…)and invest all your resources into those worlds. Since your time is already invested there, also invest your heart, intellect, spirituality, and finances into the people in those worlds. Allowing your faith and life to line up in those worlds makes you a powerful disciple of Jesus. The common entity in each of those worlds is the concept of the meal table. If not around an actual table, we consistently share life with others. When when we are trained to process our faith with those we are sharing life with, we are fulfilling the commands of Jesus to love God and our neighbor as ourselves. Shortly after receiving this picture my service as Sr. Pastor at a church ended. Seeing this as an opportunity to develop the vision, we began to make choices we believed would allow us to fulfill the vision more quickly. After six months it became clear that our path was not working out. Perhaps that was the case…or we were allowed to follow that path to discover new things about ourselves which will prepare us to better serve others. Time will tell. We now stand with hands and hearts wide open to follow Jesus wherever He may lead. The vision will continue to develop, be it here in Ohio or somewhere else. Perhaps it will happen through a traditional church that is ready and asking to do some things differently or it will happen in our lives as I sell cars. We are happy no matter what the outcome because the point is not to be successful. The point is to love God and love others as ourselves. For more infö on "Church Around the Table" go to our website, www.churcharoundthetable.com.

From Asher McCune

Written 8/10
 
While riding the bus to our job site one morning this week I overheard a pastor from Atlanta and a youth from Poland discussing their families.
 
Youth: So where is your mother?
Pastor: Well she’s not here she’s in heaven.
Youth: Where in America is that?
Pastor: (Gesturing Upward) Not here, higher, higher.
Youth: Oh, Ohio!
 
If only heaven were a place in America called Ohio we would all be much better off. Even Arizona could relax because everyone would just be passing through on their way northeast.
 
Reflecting on some of the differences between Ohio and Poland has lead me to compile the following list of five reasons why Poland is better than Ohio
 
1) In Poland sales tax is built into the prices which means you actually know how much cash to pull from your wallet before you get to the checkout.
2) Poland has castles. Big ones! Sorry Alliance.
3) In Poland the customary tip at restaurants is 10% rather than 15%
4) In Poland houses last longer than mortgages. Houses here appear to be built to last several hundred years rather than just 25 years like the ones back home.
5) In Poland you don’t have to mow your lawn because nobody else does.
 
All that being said Ohio is currently the closest thing to heaven that my mind can conceive of. So I have compiled a list of four reasons why Ohio is better than Poland.
 
1) Hilary (my wife)
2) Joy (my five year old daughter)
3) Ada (my four year old daughter)
4) Naomi (my two year old daughter)
 
I miss you ladies and can’t wait to see you again!

The Sacredness of Toilet Paper (contributed by Kate Medina)

Back home, there are many daily used items that I give little or no thought to in terms of availability and convenience. Toilet paper being one of those items. When the need arises, I can be quite confident that upon entering a restroom (or water closet as they call it here in Poland), that a soft, 2-ply roll of the white stuff will be conveniently awaiting my use. So, you can imagine my confusion when upon entering my dormitory in Lodz, a roll of toilet paper, among a few other necessities was issued to me. I must admit, I gave it little thought until that evening when I crept out of my room to the restroom only to realize that I had forgotten my precious toilet paper behind. I will spare the details of how I managed that situation...suffice it to say that resourcefulness should be seriously considered among the fruits of the spirit! After that it was every woman for herself, and the toilet paper in the dorm soon became cotton gold!

Funny how that first evening I complained (within my inner dialogue of course) about the lack of such a “necessity”. I may have even verged on a small pity party. Until the next day.

We were divided up into teams and sent out to serve those in need. Upon meeting some of those people, hearing their stories and witnessing the extreme poverty in which they lived, I quickly reaccessed all that is truly sacred in life. These “people in need” included orphans, widows, alcoholics, the mentally challenged, the physically impaired, and various others that have experienced more unfortunate circumstances than one can comprehend. Their living situations were seemingly hopeless... and yet the scripture that my mind recalled over and over was “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” It was like walking inside a house on a bright sunny day...at first the darkness is overwhelming and you cannot see through it. But as your eyes adjust, you see things more clearly and can proceed forward. These people have been merely surviving in the darkness, and what I witnessed over the week the most penetrating light through acts of sincere love that I have ever had the privilege of seeing. Hope came in a tangible way to these precious people. Seeds have been planted, kindness was extended, and love in Jesus has been shown. My hope is that these people grasp onto the light and hope of Christ. Because I know with certainty that once they do, they too will shine in the darkest corners of the earth.

Back to my issue with the toilet paper (which I have since learned is NOT a necessity)...next time someone asks if I can “spare a square”... I will gladly do so , knowing that I MUST share all that is sacred within me.... my faith, God's love, and yes...sometimes a roll of the fluffy white stuff!

Kate Medina

The Shining Son

Lodz, Poland is one of the most depressing places I have ever seen. There is a personality to it that is like no other. I know that it can't compare to places where earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes have hit and destroyed lives. But Lodz has as darkness. Perhaps it's from the loss of industry or from the unspeakable things that happened to the Jews by the Nazi's. Maybe it's because many here have been depressed so long they don't know it anymore. There is simply a need for the light and love of Jesus to penetrate this personality and transform it. That's why we came in Jesus' name.

Light and love often come at unexpected times through unexpected actions by unexpected people. All week I have been separated from working with my son, Max. Throughout the week I have had person after person come up and tell me what a great worker and person my son has been. He has been working with a team of 21 in a shelter for women wanting to leave domestic violence situations. I think every person on that team and about 50 others have told me about my amazing son. I guess I see his ways every day and he is just normal "Max" to me. God showed me tonight that he is anything but normal...Jesus shown especially bright through him tonight.

We were at the end of the week celebration. It was a concert held in the city that was put on by the organization with whom we partnered. There was a gospel choir singing (wait till you hear the story about this in my message on Aug 22). I went people watching for a few minutes and when I returned I witnessed my son doing something that impressed me so deeply that I could not control my tears. I'm still tearing up. I saw my son at the front of the crowd...in a line of people holding hands...swaying. But he wasn't holding the hand of a person from the group or from a person his age. In fact, nobody around him was from our group or was his age. He was holding the hand of a developmentally disabled person whom he had never met. She was in a happy place holding his hand and swaying to a song. He looked to me like an angel of the living God.

Needless to say that I am the proudest father that has ever existed...my son shone to the glory of his earthly and heavenly fathers. I love you Max! I want to grow up and be like you one day.

Wow!

There are few moments in life when a "worship service" plays in both the personal and corporate level. Tonight I was a part of one of those times. The only thing missing was my wife and the kids back home. That would have been perfect. It wasn't so much the songs or the message, though both were compelling in their own right. We were compelled to cry out, to declare our allegiance, to serve...and even to shed a tear in gratitude. This was more about actual worship...giving God the credit He alone is due. My prayer tonight is that every person that reads this has an experience like this both personally and with the Body of Jesus on earth.

Staring in the Eyes of Jesus

While we wake up for the day, many of have been or are just getting ready to go to sleep. It's 12:20 AM in the States and 6:20 AM in Poland. Today we get to go see Jesus...again.

For some he will be seen in the eyes of orphans whom eagerly await our return today. For some he will be seen in women being protected from domestic violence. I will see him today in a disabled man who has spend the good part of 20 years in bed and can't get into his wheelchair for the bedsores that cover his body are too numerous and painful. He spends his days eating, smoking, drinking various kinds of liquids (alcohol partly). But he always lights up when we have come into the room to work on his tiny flat.

The flat is drab and full of furniture. It's on the bottom floor of a 4 story building that is very much WWII era, full of graffiti as most building in Lodz. The living conditions are poor and dangerous but you never hear a complaint...only gratefulness for a few people in his life that check on him daily.

Yesterday I wanted to get to know him. I am the only English speaking person on the small team I am on and I let the interpreter know that I wanted to talk with him about his life and hopefully about God. Instead, the interpreter got sick and I was left to lead a team with hand gestures and smiles. Disappointed I went to work. While scrubbing a wall so filthy and smelly from all kinds of accidents and incidents, I was spoken to by God, "As you do to the least of these, you have done to me." This was Scripture that I have read before but never truly experienced. It was perhaps a few seconds after I heard the voice that I looked over at the man...and stared into the eyes of Jesus.

I'm not sure if I'll ever be the same. I hope not. I only know that I want to see Jesus more and I may have discovered one way to spend that time with Him. So, if you want the same thing as I do...being with Jesus...then find a nursing home, a child, a friend that cannot help themselves right now, or an organization that works with the "least of these" and serve them.

I don't know what today will hold at the tiny flat...but one thing is for sure, I will spend the day with some new friends from Poland...and of course, I'll be looking at Jesus.

When Toto Discovered He Wasn't in Kansas

Hopefully by now you know that I am in Poland and not in Canton. I'm already missing home and it made me think of the Wizard of Oz. Don't ask me why but it did. And it got me thinking...You know everyone gives Dorothy credit for being gone from Kansas but we seem to forget about Toto. Toto was out of his element too. No home conveniences. And, as a dog, how did he really feel about the scarecrow? Poor Toto. I wonder what top few things got Toto's attention about Emerald City and the surrounding area...

Anyhow, here are a few things that got my attention this week and reminded me I am definitely NOT home...

1. When a local who speaks both Polish and English tells you that you can learn the language easily if you say things as they are spelled and it reads how it sounds...and when you try it you end up calling someone something, ummmm, embarrassing....Toto ain't home.

2. When you are working in an apartment with 4 other people (of which 3 are women) and one guy (not me) decides to change clothes down to his speedo skivvies...and no one says ANYTHING...Toto ain't home.

3. When you witness the Kingdom of God come to earth with compassion and power...and realize that what you see is just a glimmer of what is to come...Toto wants to experience home.

Poland Day 1

We landed in Poland on Aug 1 at 1:30 in the afternoon Poland time. Of course the sun is just coming up in the States. I came along with 10 others from the church I serve, one of which is my son, Max. We are looking forward to working alongside internationals in a city called Lodz. More to come...gotta catch some sights of this country.

I'm Allergic to That

We recently went to dinner at the home of some new friends at church. Watching kids play and interact is always one of my favorite things to do. I have special fun watching the 3-5 year old playtime. They have a unique way of communicating the things they don't yet understand. Kind of like that person who tries to sing along with just about any Led Zeppelin song without the album lyrics on hand. They just kind of make words up. That makes me laugh.

Anyhow, the kids are playing together nicely when all of a sudden our 4 year old daughter comes into the room. She sighs deeply, sheepishly looks at the assembled parental units and states, "(boy's name withheld) told me that he wants to marry me...and I'm allergic to that!" Then she prances away as we sat in half disbelief and half hysterics over what we just heard. We know the odds of that coming true are very slim (especially since there are 2 other girls for whom this youngling has affections). But it was just plain funny to hear. It's making me smile now.

I think maybe God has that same kind of fun listening to us as we try to articulate the things happening to us in life we don't understand in language we can best come up with. Sometimes we're talking to him about work or our marriage or our lack of marriage or our need for a new something or other...you get the picture. We are just talking and talking and talking trying to put words to our experiences and needs. "God, the boss just said I need to move to Nebraska...I'm allergic to that!" "God, my laundry needs done...I'm allergic to that!" (this would be my personal issue).

No wonder the Bible says that, "...the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." God has this perfect way of knowing what we mean when we gibber jabber our way around life and the Spirit knows just how to take what we need and converse with the Father over what's best for the plans created for us. Maybe the "groans" are laughter pains. Who knows. It's simply good to know that God is concerned and conversing about the life of his children whom he loves and enjoys.

Freedom Prayer

Our family was recently invited to a friend’s home for dinner. That doesn’t happen too much. Most people are very afraid of our numbers. When we are invited over, its fun to see the amount of food made in preparation for our arrival. However, this family had it down. Not too little, not too much.

While there visiting, I did what I normally do…I check out the photos on the walls. There were pictures of family from both sides of the family, kids, and animals. Then one picture caught my attention that was sobering. It was a picture of a tombstone of a young man who had died in 2005 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Behind the tombstone was a little boy whom I found out was the son of our friends. Interestingly enough, the boy was born slightly before the young soldier (his cousin) died in war. It was a moving memorial to me.

After a time of reflection, I found myself focused on what that picture represented. It represented to me a sacrifice…and a future. One who had all of life ahead of him giving up his life in thoughts of someone yet born. It makes me more grateful. It drives me to make decisions that help create a future for the generations behind us should Jesus tarry. It helps me remember our national family members who stand in my stead to protect what I often abuse…freedom.

Mostly, it makes me more driven to pray. To pray for those who are fighting for freedom. For their safety. To pray for our enemies that they might be ever changed by love. To pray for those who are caught between. To pray for freedom fighters in the Kingdom of God. For the ones who are in need of freedom from addiction, frustration, guilt, shame, sin, brokenness and loneliness. What a time to be called to prayer.

Father, I thank you for where you have placed me in the scheme of eternity to be a blessing to the world. In some places I just cannot physically go without your calling so I pray in your name to bless the world. Thank you for my freedom...for my responsibility to join you in fighting for all kinds of freedom. Show me my way that I may bring you glory on this earth and in your Kingdom. Amen!

New Office

I have a problem. I know, I know...you already knew that fact. This problem has to do with my new office. It's not just that I have a new office, it's that this is my 4th office in 2 1/2 years on staff at First Christian Church. Sad part is that I have not fully unpacked in any office. I just don't know what to do with the stuff to make it look good. I'd just assume show up to Starbucks and let their decor become mine. I actually painted 1 of those offices 3 times because I didn't know how to choose the right colors to go together. Thankfully I had an assistant with some abilities (thank you Reena).

Well, here I am at my new office (for 2 months) and it still looks pathetic. Oh well...I'll look at it from the bright side...maybe I make this office look good. In my mind, problem solved.

If You've Got it All Figured Out

An ode to the ones who have it all figured out...by Scott A. Rosen

Good luck with that.

The end.

Some Things You Just Can't Make Up

There's a true story I just have to tell.

Last week my wife went on a 5 day trip to be refreshed before this next baby comes. I was so excited to give her time she needed. The first two days she was gone, I had to split my time with the kids at home and at the office in some meetings.

Here's where the story get's interesting. My meetings on day one took more time than I anticipated and my 5 year old was missing me :). He decided to get the phone and call my cell phone which he was sure would be the same number as our address. The first two numbers are 9-1. He dialed the 9 and the 1 and proceeded to hit the #1 again. When he did not get the response on the other side he anticipated he left the phone on and dropped it on the couch while he and the others kids played and screamed. You think you know where this is going don't you.

Shortly after, a knock came at the door. And, yes it was a man dressed in fine official gear asking if someone called 911. When my oldest found the phone and showed it to the officer he politely saw it was an innocent situation and asked a simple question. "Where are your parents?" Quick with her wits, she told him that "Mom is not here and my dad is on his way home from work." This reply satisfied the officer and he left. I quickly got a phone call and thankfully was on my way home.

I decided that this was a story that just had to be shared in my sermon on Sunday morning. I told the story and people just howled in laughter. If this was the end of the story it would have been great...but it's not! After the 3rd service ended and the kids were herded, we proceeded out to the parking lot with the other 3 families left in the building. The 5 year old decided to try and outdo himself and go #1 in an outside drain. I was able to stop him and take him inside to finish business while the others got settled in the van.

When I returned with the boy, I found my kids laughing with a family I did not know (always makes me suspicious) and since I wasn't in a hurry, I decided to be friendly and join the conversation. Once everyone got settled down from the laughing my oldest gave me a sheepish look with a smile and proclaimed, "Daddy, this is the officer that showed up at our door!"

Seriously, you cannot make this stuff up! The officer and his family only come to church as often as he does not work on Sundays and this was one of them. Funny thing is that he was taking a phone call in the lobby while I was telling the story and didn't know what had happened until his wife shared the story and he saw my oldest at the car. Amazing. Simply amazing!

Humilty Matters

I spent time today (well spent time I might add) at a friend's house. The circumstances were a birthday party with 4 girls, the dad and myself. Dad and myself hung out in another room. We would have ruined the whole thing anyhow.

We talked about normal guy stuff until he mentioned his side business he does with stock trading. Now, you have to understand of whom I speak. He is a theology chair of a local university, a Princeton grad, Oxford graduate and doctorate acheiver, and has spent time all over the world. His dad was even led to Christ by Bill Bright of Campus Crusade. This guy has all kinds of credentials by this culture's standards. But you would never know it from spending time with him. He is a kind and quiet person that is genuinely interested in your life.

Anyhow, after digging a little bit about the side business he goes to his office and comes back with a book. A book written by him. A book written by him published by a not so obscure publisher. I was shocked. This guy never ceases to amaze me...mostly because he doesn't try.

It's made me think again about the role of humility in a follower of Jesus Christ. What way to live. No wonder Jesus was so liked. Humility shapes you to love others for their sake and not your own. I'd like a drink of that cup please. Right now, it really matters.

Together is Better

At home, we have established a new method of getting things done...teamwork. I know the concept has been around for a long time...call us late bloomers.

We have begun doing what is called "The Walkthru" Basically we take two times a day (and as needed) to gather the troops to start in a corner of the main floor and like a locamotive, we get the cleaning job done fast and well. We have found it brings us closer together as a family. In the past we have done some chores individually but that has led to a lot of comparing of who does what and it takes longer. Not to mention the tons of management.

As I have reflected on this little change that has brought great harmony, I have wondered what else at home, in ministry, friendships, and life could we engage to bring teamwork and harmony.

Any ideas?

New Life Lessons

I was on my way home tonight from work. The wifey was at a woman's gathering and the kids were building forts in the living room. Everyone was content...until kid #4 forgot to flush his #2 and kid #6 wandered away from #'s 1,2,3, and 5. What happened next is not unfamiliar to the most rugged of parents but it did teach us a few lessons. You know what happened don't you? No need to bring details. I'll just let your imagination finish the story.

What were the lessons?

Lesson #1 - Always flush.
Lesson #2 - Always know where #6 is at.
Lesson #3 - When lessons # 1 and 2 are not followed turn your head and laugh hysterically.
Lesson #4 - Love covers a multitude of...sin.

Good lessons...good family...good times.