Showing Off

9.22.09

It is time once again for Senior Softball! For the second year I have joined the over 50 community softball league.  Besides the fun og recreation and competition, I am looking for opportunities to be a witness, which could never happen unless I play with unbelievers.

Last Monday was our first game.  Because I am one of the few guys that can run I was put in the outfield.  Early in the game I made a nice catch on a fly ball.  A lot of guys said “nice catch”, and I was feeling pretty good.  My only regret was that my new bride, Jeanne, was not there to witness it.

I made sure she was at my next game so I could show off my skills.

I was playing deep when a fly ball was hit short.  I went running up thinking “I got this”, when the ball unexpectedly popped out of my glove.  You see, while the legs are still good, my eyes are terrible.  I was now humiliated.  Then I struck out at the plate.  Total embarrassment.  Jeanne was probably wondering, “why did I marry this loser.”

Later in the game another fly was hit to me.  This time, to make sure of the play, I went down on one knee - popping it our of joint.  Fortunately I made the catch.

The next day the x-ray showed no broken bones or torn ligaments, just acute quadricep trauma.  So the doctor said to take it easy for the next couple of weeks.  It hurt a lot the first couple of days, but now only hurts when you touch it.

Our team is pretty bad, and I’m sure not helping very much.  My illusions of grandeur have once again been dashed.  I’ll just look for opportunities to be a witness because the “softball star” idea is definitely out of the picture.

Proverbs 16:18

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Larry

September 22, 2009 | Filed Under Pastor's Thoughts

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My First Cruise!

9.15.09



What a fantastic week we have had! After our wedding on Friday, September 4th, we left on a Caribbean cruise for our honeymoon. This was a first for me, and number 12 for Larry. It was bigger and better than I could have imagined. We sailed out of Port Canaveral, Florida on the largest cruise ship on the seas - “The Freedom of the Seas”.

This ship held 3600 passengers plus staff and is over 1100 feet long.  Our first port was CoCo Cay, Bahamas - Royal Caribbeanʼs private island. This is where I had my first snorkeling experience. God bless Larry - he had to be quite patient with me. After encountering many jelly fish and cutting myself up on the coral, I finally got the hang of it. They provided a great bbq on the beach for lunch.

Our next port of call was St. Thomas where we visited three beaches. Magenʼs Bay was my favorite here. Absolutely beautiful and surrounded on three sides by hillsides and palm trees. This is rated in the top 10 beaches in the world. We did some snorkeling at Coki Beach and Bolongo Beach. We also spent some time in the old downtown shopping district and enjoying the historic sites there.

Our last port was St. Martin. We drove over to the French side of the island to a Baie Rouge where Larry had snorkeled before. There are fantastic rock formations and caves along the shore as well as great beaches. The snorkeling was great. The other beach we visited on St Martin was Orient Beach. This beach just seems to go on for ever with the softest, whitest sand.

The rest of our time was spent enjoying the great shows, sports activities, pools and all the great food available on the ship. Larry scaled the huge rock wall twice and braved the “Flowrider” on the boogie board and the surf board. But his proudest moment was winning the Volleyball championship and bringing home a gold medal! We felt totally spoiled and enjoyed every minute.

As hard as it was to end this wonderful honeymoon vacation, it was also good to pull into our driveway last night and know that we are home. We missed our kids and grandkids and we missed our Faith Assembly family. A big thank you to Chad and Pastor Craig for filling the pulpit in our absence.

I am so excited to get to know all of you better and thankful for the opportunity that God has given me to be a part of the Burgbacher family and part of Faith Assembly. I canʼt wait to see what God has in store for all of us!

Ephesians 3:20 & 21

20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Anticipating -

Jeanne

September 15, 2009 | Filed Under Jeanne's Thoughts

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A Wonderful Evening

9.7.09

Last week I had one of the most important days of my life. Yes, it was the night of our Fantasy Football Draft!!  Only kidding, although I did draft a pretty awesome football team.  I feel like a championship coming on.  But the real highlight occurred last Friday when I married a wonderful lady.

I am actually writing this from Coco Beach, Florida.  Tomorrow morning, Sunday, after attending a local church, we will be boarding the Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas.  We will do a seven day Eastern Caribbean cruise.  Snorkeling, activities and all the food you can eat.  A lot of fun!

I want to thank all the special friends who attended our wedding ceremony.  We had friends come from California, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Tennessee, just to name a few places.

The board and staff did a wonderful job of hospitality, logistics and cleaning up our mess.  Sharon Rikard did a great job of flowers and decorating.  Leana Gilly made some special food for the wedding party and punch for the reception.  I know Tammy Bevins pictures will turn out great.

I am indeed thankful to the Lord for bringing Jeanne into my life.  There seemed to be a real sweet presence of the Lord in the service.  Both Steve and Robbie did an incredible job officiating.  There are far too many people who helped make our wedding a wonderful evening to mention; but thanks to all who helped.

I’ll be cruising this week, but an also looking forward to getting back to the church and seeing what God is going to do.  Jeanne will not only be a blessing in my life, but to our church family as well.  Thank you for making her feel welcome.

Proverbs 18:22

He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord.

Larry

September 7, 2009 | Filed Under Pastor's Thoughts

10 Comments 

Crazy Times

8.31.09

For the last couple of weeks many have asked, “How does it feel to be getting married?”  And as are getting closer, comments like, “Are you getting excited?” and the always encouraging, “There is still time to back out.”  Not going to happen.  I have a peace about this decision.

If anything, things have been so crazy getting ready for the wedding, I haven’t had time to get nervous.  Tammy Bevins took our engagement pictures and as you will see, she does an incredible job.  Especially considering the male subject she had to work with.

Jeanne’s oldest daughter Kelli cam in last Tuesday and has been living in our apartment with her two adorable daughters, ages three and one.  They are getting to know their new “Papa”.  She is helping with last minute details and spending time with her mom.

Today (Monday), Kelli’s husband Benny is flying in at noon.  Tonight Chad and Amber and their four kids fly in as well.  Tuesday Jeanne’s son Tim flies in from Colorado, and Wednesday night Josh and Lindy fly in.  Thursday and Friday a whole host of friends and family are coming in so things are definitely a little crazy around the Burgbacher household.

Most of the wedding plans are finished, but entertaining family will be the challenge.  We are looking forward to seeing everyone.

Hard to believe I am less than five days away from the wedding.  Our intent was to keep everything simple, but that is hard when we may have 1,500 guests in attendance!

There is a certain level of stress because I am facing major changes in my life, and those naturally bring stress.  But the stress of the wedding, a new partner for life and growing family does not compare to the stress of last year and losing a spouse.  I am very thankful for the perfect peace God brings.  That is the Peace of God which guards our “hearts and minds”.

Philippians 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

In Anxious Anticipation,

Pastor Larry

September 2, 2009 | Filed Under Pastor's Thoughts

4 Comments