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Monday, 06 April 2009

Change to "blogspot"

There is a new posting at http://secondfiddle-gary.blogspot.com/ --a new blog "second fiddle musings"

I don't expect to be using Xanga so hope you will subscribe to this new location!

Gary

Monday, 23 February 2009

Blog moved to http://secondfiddle-gary.blogspot.com/

Thursday, 08 January 2009

New Year's prayer

The following prayer is attributed to Samuel Johnson, the noted English 18th century writer:

Almighty God, by whose mercy my life has been yet prolonged to another year, grant that thy mercy may not be in vain.

Let not my years be multiplied to increase my guilt, but as age advances,
let me become more pure in my thoughts, more regular in my desires, and more obedient to thy laws.

Let not the cares of the world distract me, nor the evils of age overwhelm me. But continue and increase thy loving kindness towards me,
and when thou shalt call me hence, receive me to everlasting happiness,
for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Thursday, 18 December 2008

December update

The media gets it right!

Next month Ohio State's football team will be playing Texas in the Fiesta Bowl. One of the stars of the team is All-American linebacker James Laurinaitis, who has not been shy about his relationship with Jesus Christ.

Last Sunday (Dec 14) James was in California to receive an award and in its story, the Columbus Dispatch quoted him as follows:

"This is so surprising to me, but such a tremendous honor," Laurinaitis said. "I have to thank my Lord Jesus Christ for all the amazing blessings he has sent me, and this is such a blessing..."

Since we've been in Columbus we've often been encouraged by stories like these about the bold testimony of Ohio State players and coaches; we've also been thankful for a newspaper that generally "gets it right" in stories about Christian athletes.

Vulnerable

A few days ago I received an email from Sharon Hale (I know her husband Ned from international student work with InterVarsity) and was challenged by these words:

"We are daily reminded that profound vulnerability is the experience of so many in our world. I recently received news of a young man whom I got to know when I was last in Nigeria working with children and child care workers. At the time Shadrach was in a boarding school for children of Nigerian missionaries. Shadrach’s mother died when he was eight, leaving him and his brothers to be raised by his father (a missionary) and other family members.

"Bright and sweet- natured, Schadrach was carrying evidences of the deep wound of mother loss. When Shadrach graduated from high school, he wrote to me about his yearning to go to university. That desire was thwarted by a system that required a bribe. Then several weeks ago, he was caught in a terrible Muslim-Christian conflict in Jos (my childhood hometown). Fleeing for safety, he saw people dismembered and slaughtered. Shadrach’s life was spared but he is left with unspeakable memories. For our world we cry out to God: 'Lord have mercy; make haste to save us.' "

Day by Day--another challenge!

It is often easy to sing Christian songs without reflecting on the words. I grew up singing the old song "Day by Day" but I don't think I ever thought much about the following part of the first verse until recently:

He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best—
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Do I truly believe that when pain comes it is the best for that day, lovingly given from the God "whose heart is kind beyond all measure?"

Ohio State faculty gather to sing Christmas carols

From a gathering last week at the Faculty Club, in the heart of the OSU campus. The violinist is Professor of Music Dr. Bob Gillespie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30gQor1bNXw

Saturday, 11 October 2008

Walking in Boston and other travels...

"I have a lot more things to tell you...I hope to be there soon in person and have a heart-to-heart talk. That will be far more satisfying to both you and me." (2 John 12, The Message)

A few days ago I was needing encouragement from the Lord and this scripture spoke to me. I know it had a specific meaning 2000 years ago, but I took it as Jesus' word to me for now--yes, also for when he returns, but especially for right now! It is amazing that JESUS has a lot of things he wants to tell us, heart-to-heart!

Walk for Economic Empowerment-September 27

We drove to Boston for the 3rd annual PEER Servants walk to raise funds for our microfinance partners to use to make a difference in the lives of thousands of the materially poor in 12 countries

Some of the highlights:

Weather: Simply unbelievable. The forecast was for steady rain, and rain it did EXCEPT for about two hours when folks were ready to walk!

Participation: About 110 walkers– by far, the most yet!

Peggy registers with volunteer Bethany Pickard

Funds Raised: Funds as of the day of the Walk were a record and donations are still coming in. Lord willing, we will exceed last year's $50,000 and get close to the goal of $75,000. Please pray to that end.

God's glory: Our primary objective in hosting this Walk was for God to receive great glory – we believe that happened on the day of the Walk, and as the funds are used by our microfinance partners, may greater glory be yet to come!

getting ready to walk...

Panya Baba of Nigeria was Grand Marshall

Close to the end!

Visiting friends...

On our way home we were able to visit the Vrabies in Connecticut--Vanea is Moldovan and tutored Ethan and Andrew when we lived there in 1996-98. He and his wife Kristen have two delightful children, Anya and Israel.

Israel and Kristen

Vanea

Anya

We also were in eastern Pennsylvania for a visit with Cate Crosby and her fiance Stephen Thomas. We knew Cate as a graduate student at Ohio State; she got her PhD a year ago and is on the faculty of a university near Philadelphia.

Stephen and Cate

Visiting the Liberty Bell

THE PLACE for Philly Cheese Steak!!

Matthew's ankle surgery

October 3, the day after we returned from our Boston trip, Matthew had surgery to repair damaged ligaments in his ankle.

Second Fiddle Milestone!!

September 17 was the First Anniversary of being officially established as an Ohio nonprofit corporation. Look for updates on what is being accomplished in the next Gazette!