I walked a mile with pleasure, she chatted all the way; but left me none the wiser, for all she had to say.

I walked a mile with sorrow, and never a word said she; but, oh, the things I learned from her, when sorrow walked with me.

I never knew Kyle Lake, but I feel like I do.  I feel a sense of kinship with this pastor who loved Jesus and was willing to challenge the religious status quo in order to help more people come to know his Lord.  He was never satisfied with just being a care taker pastor and neither am I. 

Kyle was electrocuted while preparing to baptize someone in front of a congregation 800 people.  He left a wife and two children, one 5 and the other 3.  He died doing what he loved….serving Jesus and his people.  I can only hope and pray for the same fate, to give my life in serving Jesus. 

Was it just a co-incidence that the weekend this happened was homecoming weekend at Baylor?  Sooner or later is irrelevant….all Christians should look forward, with joyful anticipation, to their final homecoming.  Kyle had a good outlook on life as well.  Here is an excerpt from Kyle’s last sermon that was read at his funeral:

Live. And Live Well. BREATHE. Breathe in and Breathe deeply. Be PRESENT. Do not be past. Do not be future. Be now. On a crystal clear, breezy 70 degree day, roll down the windows and FEEL the wind against your skin. Feel the warmth of the sun.

If you run, then allow those first few breaths on a cool Autumn day to FREEZE your lungs and do not just be alarmed, be ALIVE. Get knee-deep in a novel and LOSE track of time.
If you bike, pedal HARD… and if you crash then crash well.

Feel the SATISFACTION of a job well done—a paper well-written, a project thoroughly completed, a play well-performed. If you must wipe the snot from your 3-year old’s nose, don’t be disgusted if the Kleenex didn’t catch it all… because soon he’ll be wiping his own.

If you’ve recently experienced loss, then GRIEVE. And Grieve well. At the table with friends and family, LAUGH. If you’re eating and laughing at the same time, then might as well laugh until you puke. And if you eat, then SMELL. The aromas are not impediments to your day. Steak on the grill, coffee beans freshly ground, cookies in the oven.

And TASTE. Taste every ounce of flavor. Taste every ounce of friendship. Taste every ounce of Life. Because-it-is-most-definitely-a-Gift.”

The 4th Annual Semper Fi Men’s Retreat - November 3-4, 2006

In the past each Men’s Retreat has concluded with an activity for men to share together.  In the past we’ve made trips to Cabela’s, gone golfing, went to a Michigan football game, etc.  This year we are including a pheasant hunt. 

The hunt will take place approximately 4.5 miles north of Cabela’s.  We will register men in groups of 5.  You must bring your own weapon and ammo.  You need to have a current Michigan small game license.  Each group of 5 will have a trained dog and a guide.  The cost will be $40 per person.  The cost is less if you decide to shoot quail or other game birds instead of pheasant.  If you want someone to clean your birds, the charge is $2 per bird.  Registration and money must be in no later than October 15th.

 Sushi with Sashimi

Contrary to popular belief, eating sushi does not necessarily mean eating raw fish.  Sushi literally means: vinegared rice.  There are many ways to eat sushi without any kind of fish.  Sushi with just vegies is equally delicious.  Then there is eating sushi with sashimi (the raw fish).  If you’ve not tried it before - you may want to give it a chance.  No doubt it is not for everyone.  The eastern palate is definitely different that our western tastes.  It is something you need to give more than one chance.  If you vehemently dislike fish, you will probably never like sushi or anything associated with eastern cuisine.  For those wishing to expand their culinary horizons….this is definitely something different…give it a whirl!

Sahsimi with Ponzu Sauce

God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?

Some minds are like concrete thoroughly mixed up and permanently set. Peace starts with a smile.

Don’t let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case.

Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews. Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors.

November 3-4, 2006

This year’s Semper Fi Men’s retreat will be held at the Island Resort at the Legacy.  Everyone had a super time last year…so why change a good thing?

This year’s outing will be pretty much the same as last year with some minor changes.  Weather permitting, we may shoot a round of golf.

The retreat will kick off again with a delicious meal at the Legacy on Friday night. 

The cost will be $25 per person (not including the Friday night dinner)

A more detailed schedule will come in future blogs.