It's Time , , , To Be About Our Father's Business

I just returned from my first ASI Fall Retreat. Eleven of us gathered at Denzil and Donna McNeilus' home to do business. For some of the meals, George and Shari McNeilus, Garwin and Merrilee and Pat McNeilus joined us. Also a young couple that lives nearby. It was a very relaxing weekend (On one level.)

On another level, I was a bitstressful. I was told that I needed to take charge. (That is totally against my temper-mental makeup.) But, I chose to take charge and do it. I pretty well made up my mind to be myself and to participate fully in the program.

For recreation, we visited Pat McNeilus' steel operation and Garwin's One Day Church factory. Very impressive. More impressive, maybe I should say as impressive is Merrilee's shell collection. All that aside, we actually got a lot of work accomplished.

The most exciting piece of work was the theme for the next two years: "It is Time . . . To be about Our Father's Business." I delivered all the devotional meetings and in them I explained my vision for ASI. It was well rec'd and with that we formulated the title. My task now is to write an article, and sent it to the ASI magazine and the Review and whoever else might print it. When we choose our speakers for the next convention, we will expect the speakers to align themselves with the theme, but they will have the freedom to determine what is our Father's business in this late day and speak to the issue. I think it is genius. (No, I didn't come up with the concept, but since I am in charge, maybe I should take the credit. Not!) The Lord guided us through.

I'm getting excited. Imagine. I sincerely believe God will do something special with ASI in the coming days. Why else would He choose less than the least of all saints to be President?

So prays the Preacher for his Tribe.

Marilee McNeilus is an expert collector of sea shells.

She has amazing things in her collection

We visited Garwin McNeilus' One Day Church factory

Pat McNeilus' steel processing plant.

Steel comes in rolls.

From West to East

Today I've got to pack. I leave for Minnesota tomorrow early. The ASI Executive Committee is meeting for our annual fall retreat. Being the new president, I am expected to lead the pack into new territory, i.e. the new theme for the next two years and the wherewithal to implement the new theme. I am also expected to lead out in morning and evening devotions plus speak at the 11 o'clock service on Sabbath morning. And with that I will chair the board and act presidential. So far, no one's asked me to make lunch and sing special music. If they did, I would make rolled oats and sing "When the Moon Hits your Eyes Like a Big Pizza Pie, That's amore." So would go the rest of the meetings.

Actually, I expect the Lord to lead and to give us a blessing. (You may pray for yours truly anyway.)

Last weekend, five of us from EVI boarded a plane and flew to Las Vegas (Sin City.) Our mission was to train church members from various churches to do health work in preparation for the big evangelistic effort scheduled for next spring. The big effort was called "Babylon Rising." I say "was" because somebody--John Bradshaw--decided to rename it. The new name is so tame that I can't remember it. Anyway, we did our thing (rallying sermons, health talks, health expo, and cooking classes) and the Lord blessed abundantly.

During the same weekend, Las Vegas hosted the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding contests. There was muscle every where. These self-centered gorillas are driven to show as much skin as possible. Why else take steroids, and look like a cartoon character? The problem, however, is that bodybuilding has grown to include woman, if that is what you'd call those creatures. They look like tall midgets--everything exaggerated.

Through it all, the Lord keeps supplying my poor brain with something to say for Him. I'm impressed and truly thankful. His biddings are enablings.

Love to all.

ASI is God's Problem

Sorry it's been so long. Lots to do and nothing happening. Well, I suppose anything can be interesting if it is written well. (Now we need to look for someone who writes well.)

Hey, did you all read Jason's blog of Sept. 3. Wow! The driving scene is like an action movie and the star of the movie saved the day. Things like that should happen to liven up things in my dotage.

Restoration Intl' just shared their third annual family camp meeting at EVI. The attendance was down a little. Labor day weekend is a factor; school started for some, is another. The economy isn't helping anyone, etc. Whatever. Everyone appeared to have a great time.

Many of our staff went up to the meadow for a corn roast last week. The corn was awesome, the fellowship, even better. We have a great family here at EVI.

I've been going up the mountain to pray quite often, lately. This ASI presidency weighs heavy on me. Not because of the extra work. It hasn't been anything to speak of yet, but I truly feel incapable of meeting my leadership responsibilities. For example: I am to lead the way. I am to come up with a vision that will inspire the ASI members into action. Well, I am the most un-visionary character you ever met. However, I am in position, therefore, God has to be my vision. Period. If God doesn't come through, then forget me.

Also, I need to speak three times in Las Vegas on the 16th of Sept through to the 18th, on health evangelism. Not exactly my forte, but praise God. I prepared one sermon today. Truth is, I'm going to pray my way through this. I'll let you know as God works.

An elk in our neighbors yard. We have elks in our field every day.

This is our own EVI Michelle. Meechee and I are great friends,

My wife in the mountains. I put her on an airplane yesterday. As I write, she is about four hours from landing in Dar Es Salaam. I'll miss her. She comes home in Dec and I intend to visit her in Nov.

This is the headstone for the young fella who died at EVI August 16. May we all die the death of the righteous.