Surely there’s more going on in the world than what’s in my tiny sphere, but 12-hour work days have kept my focus tight. I’m coming up for air, though, and hoping the long hours are over. Ha! New directives/programs came down this week that ensure more of the hectic schedule.

I probably didn’t miss much. The cursory glances I gave to headlines showed the Dow on its usual rollercoaster, politics as usual inside & outside the Beltway, mudslinging as usual in federal/state/local elections, the usual cultural tensions agitated by outsiders who need a life (and to stay out of my community, thank you very much!).

There are unusually bright spots, though: sweet (but too short) visits with family, dinner with friends, church. Oh! Sunday night a ladies’ ensemble (Laurie included) sang an A cappella version of Gentle Healer. It blew us away; the entire congregation was stunned into silence for an instant, then erupted into applause.

To digress for a moment…applause in worship services bothers some folks while others feel it’s appropriate. Surely there’s not a “right” or “wrong” feeling about this issue unless the applause is strictly performance appreciation. At Belden amens are heard throughout the service and on a few occasions applause has punctuated some much-agreed-with points in Bro. Jim’s sermons. Both amens & applause follow some music – it’s not performance appreciation. It’s a recognition that God has blessed BBC with some extremely talented people who use that talent for His glory. Sometimes the heart, soul and spirit are so moved by a display of God’s glory that only an outward manifestation of praise will suffice. So if you don’t “amen”, applaud or raise your hands in worship, please don’t criticize those who do. And if you do all those things, please don’t criticize those who don’t. End of digression.