Holy Cross Lutheran Ministries- Lake Mary, Florida

HCLM BLOG

A blog dedicated to starting conversations.

Reunion or Reunited?

Ben Hoyer - Monday, July 06, 2009

Soo what do you think? I recently made it back to my High School Reunion. That's 10 year for those that are keeping track. It was an interesting experience; but not overwhelming in either a good or bad way. I have not really kept in touch with anyone from my class (over 500 from Lake Mary my year); though I suppose in the age of online social networks that means something different than it used to. Nevertheless it was fun to see those old friends; but also a little weird. People clumping as they did in high school. I found myself giving the same sort of awkward smile and head nod I gave to the same people I used to pass in the hall 10 years ago .

Once we left Megan mentioned: isn't it sort of weird. Talking with these people as if you know each other: when a lot about you has changed in 10 years.

I thought about that for awhile and wanted to agree 100% Because I know I've changed. But even so there was something comfortable about it. I can remember telling my parents that relationships were more important that grades in high school (ahh the melo-dramitic trials of a high-school student). I guess some things don't change. I may even manage to be friends again with some of those old high school folk. Maybe they've changed too.

What's in a name

Ben Hoyer - Thursday, July 02, 2009
Megan and I are expecting child number two in several weeks (it gets a little closer every day). We are still working on the perfect name for what will surely be the cutest little girl you've ever seen. Anyway that has me thinking about names lately.

Remember this famous line, "a rose by any other name is still a rose?" So at one level what does a name really matter. But then I think about how names often work in the Bible. People are often given names because of what they mean. Look up the story of Ichoabod. Besides that God is renaming people all through the story of scripture: Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel, Simon to Peter, Saul to Paul etc. I always seems like he does it cause he wants the meaning of the name to match the calling of the person. Peter=rock, and Jesus said on the rock of Peter's confession he would build the church. Israel=wrestle with God (or let God rule) either way it lines up with the nation that would come from Jacob's boys. 

On top of that sometimes I feel like I know people whose name match them. My dads name is Paul, never met a person with a stronger evangelist gift; just like that first Paul. My little brother Jacob kind of matches up with the smart and cunning Jacob of the Old Testament. Probably just a coincidence. Even so it makes me think before I name the world's cutest little girl.

From Sea to Shining Sea

Paul Hoyer - Thursday, July 02, 2009
It has been three weeks since I posted a blog. The reason is that I have been all over the country since then.
Betty and I got a full week's vacation and we went to Northern California, Napa, Montery, and San Fransisco. This is our third trip to Napa and we truly enjoyed our time there. We got to sit and talk with two different Wine Makers and hear the stories of their families. Then we left there and went to Muir Woods and a Mt. overlooking the Bay! We saw the beauty of the ocean and the sea lions and otters. God's creation was at its best.
Then we came home and I immediately went up to Detroit for the SELC Church Convention. This would probably be the opposite of God's Creation. Factories and buildings, all the best that Man has to offer.
Then back to Florida and a day at Daytona Beach the opposite ocean! Also truly beautiful.
Now we prepare to celebrate our country's birthday and I am struck with what a great place we live. Not just the beauty of God's creation (although that is pretty unbelievable) but the fact that we live in a country where we are free to go wherever we like with no restrictions. The news gets worse and worse from Iran. But also we are free to earn a living that allows us to be able to travel in this way. What a great Country!!!
I spoke with someone last night who was talking about our ability to respond to an Iran or North Korea and his comment was that he did not think that we had the same country that we had in WWII when everyone would sacrifice for the good of our country. I wonder just where we would be? We all are whining about our retirement shrinking away, but we live in a country where we expect to RETIRE! In many countries of the world no one retires they plan on working until they die.
On this holiday weekend we need to pause and thank our God that he has given us the opportunity to live at this time in this country!!! God is Good, All the Time!
In Christ,
Paul Hoyer

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