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Thursday, June 5, 2008

A Rainy Day

Rain and hail were falling this morning when I let the dogs out. This weather phenomenon caught their attention. Rosie, our toy poodle, hesitated briefly before venturing out. Sadie, our coton, went out tongue first. Like a little kid trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue, Sadie tried to catch raindrops. Molly, our Maltese, refused to go out until I put on a coat and hat and led the way. The weather prognosticators are predicting rain for the rest of the day. I can’t remember our having a full day of rain in recent years. The moisture will help to revive brown lawns throughout the city.

I played golf yesterday for the first time in a month, but I didn’t play well. My timing was off, and my putting was inconsistent. Nevertheless, the four hours spent on the course were enjoyable. I played with my real estate friend, his brother-in-law who just returned from another trip to Jordan, and my neighbor across the street. The course is situated on Fort Carson, an Army post, which may explain why so many golfers play left, right, left, right, left.

Shortly after arriving home, I received a phone call from David in Ontario, Canada. I hadn’t heard from him in more than 50 years. We attended the same church when we were teenagers, and every New Year’s Eve after a watch night service all of us youth group members would gather in David’s parents’ home for games and good food. The parents had a Mennonite background and knew how to prepare Neujahrskuchen and other delectables. David served for many years as a prison chaplain and later headed up Ontario’s chaplaincy program. Retired now, he enjoys sailing near Toronto on Lake Ontario.

Gloria’s sister Dawn is flying here today from D.C. so she can attend our 50th wedding anniversary Saturday. She wasn’t around for our wedding, because she is younger than our daughter Sherrie. I predict lively conversation will fill the Dyet home during the next few days.

As the rain continues to fall in Colorado today, may you enjoy showers of blessing in your life!

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

The Stanley Cup Finals

I stayed up late last night to watch the Detroit Red Wings/Pittsburgh Penguins Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The Red Wings led the series 3 games to 1.

Late in the third period, with the Red Wings ahead by a goal, the cameras showed the white-gloved custodian of the Stanley Cup remove the coveted prize from its case. Apparently, nearly everyone thought the cup would be presented to the Red Wings several minutes later. They led 3 to 2. But the unexpected happened. With only 34 seconds left in the game, Maxime Talbot scored the tying goal for Pittsburgh. The stunned Detroit fans slumped down into their seats.

The game went into a sudden death overtime, and into a second sudden death overtime, and into a third sudden death overtime. And then half way through the third overtime Peter Sykora scored the winning goal for the Penguins. It was a solemn night—by this time morning—in Detroit, but a hilariously happy time in the steel city. The Stanley Cup went back in its case, and the Red Wings must strap on their skates in Pittsburgh Wednesday night.

Hockey ranks high as one of my favorite sports. Although I was born in Scotland, I grew up in St. Catharines, Ontario, the hometown of some NHL greats. I played hockey in St. Catharines and hardly ever missed a Junior OHL hockey game at the Garden City Arena. I still have my hockey skates, but they are hanging in the garage. Like me, they too, are rusting with age.

NHL finals explode with fierce competition as players expend every ounce of energy, dedication, strength, and skill in pursuit of the Stanley Cup. It seems to me we Christians can learn from their efforts and press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of us (Phil. 3:12).

Everybody, off the bench!