It's been a long time since I have updated my blog so I thought I would take a few minutes to update where I have been and what I have been doing for the last month (more like 6 weeks).

Finished the "Wild at Heart" men's Bible study on Friday mornings. I think I managed to make it to about 4 or 5 out of 8 weeks. I also finished reading the book on one of my trips after the study had ended. I think one of the best weeks was the last week where he talked about building bonds with a small group of men. Good idea but it takes a long time to do this. Some of the men he had this relationship with he has known for a lot of years and he is only now building that close relationship. The study was heavy on video clips and light on good Biblical references. As a tool to get men involved in looking at their own life, I think this video series was good. For in depth Bible study this isn't the video (And it didn't claim to be that).

Now we are back to the "Man in the Mirror" series. This is what the original men's Bible study was organize around. Click here to view some info: www.maninthemirror.org
Thad, this may be an idea for your small group. It has discussion questions and everything. We meet once a week at 7:00 AM or on Wed nights at 7:00PM for an hour.

Other news - I have been asked to be a yoke fellow - precursor to being a deacon. As part of this process, you are ordained to be a deacon. I think what this means is once a deacon always a deacon. If you move from one church to another, you are qualified to serve in another church. I guess I'll have to hit the theology books before my ordination :) I may even check out the Bible - there may be some useful stuff in there.

Traveling news - I've been to Atlanta and Tulsa, OK since my last posting. This was my first trip to Oklahoma. I didn't manage to see Oral Roberts University while I was there (not that I was trying) but there is definitely a strong "Christian" influence in that area. Going to San Antonio, TX and Kansas City, MO at the end of April. Mom is going with me to San Antonio for a few days. We are staying on riverwalk so that should be an enjoyable time. I just worked out the schedule for the installation of our new servers. In the next 24 weeks, I'm going to be home 9 weeks. So I'll be a traveling man for the summer. Holidays off and that's about it.

Visitors - Mike, Sue and family visited for a few days. Had a nice time for us all. Aunt Connie came down for Grandma Paris' birthday (85 years old) and we went to a ballgame with her for her birthday. Mom had a visit with Ralph and Fern Henderson (friends from Ross Corners Church) and Marilyn and Roland Horton (Marilyn was Marilyn Lilea from Ross Corners and Roland is from Bradford Baptist) Both mates died and they got married after meeting on a bus trip through Empire State Baptists.

Mom news - Mom just went to Diabetes school. One of her Dr. appointments within the last month, the Dr. told her that she definitely has diabetes. Controlled with diet and pills now. She is also getting a sleep machine next week for sleep apnea. Mom is also coming to NY for a couple of weeks. I think the dates are May 10th - May 24th. Not sure she is not here right now.

Weather - sunny and high 80's. Great convertible weather.