Seeing through the smoke

I just got a call from an old friend wondering how we were doing out here and it gave the me kick in the pants to post and say that we're ok here - Laguna Niguel has sat safely in the middle of the doughnut - fires all around but none that have reached here. Some of Faith's members are closer and I'm trying to keep tabs on them. The air quality is as bad as you might expect - it hurts your lungs even when you're inside. Max the church dog can't understand why he can't be outside as usual.
There will be lots of talk when these fires are finally out - the Orange County fire has been called arson - something too monstrous to consider. Resources are stretched to keep up. The National Guard has pointed out that a lot of their equipment is in Iraq, fire departments are underfunded despite plans to change that after the 2003 fires. Water is a serious issue and only going to get worse. Development continues despite concerns about how many people Southern California can accomodate. For right now, I'm contemplating how we can express our thanks and support for the Fire Departments. Please pray and thank you for your concern.

Returning to normal

What can I say about jet-lag? The 9 hour time difference between Europe and California will leave you a little puny. Regardless, it was wonderful to get home, although we got back to find several people in the hospital so there was some pastoral care to catch up on. We also learned that Faith had lost its most senior member, Doris Martin. As per her wishes, we held no special service but celebrated her life in the context of our regular worship - which is really a good way to say good-bye. Click on her name to read the sermon about our quiet oak of righteousness and how she was an example to all of us to stand still and strong in the midst of great change.

Rest in peace, Doris.