What a pennant race!

I love baseball and this year's pennant race in the American League is one for the ages.  With three games left in the season, the winner in each of the three divisions is up for grabs.  The next three days will be exciting for fans of the Orioles, Yankees, Rangers, Athletics, and Tigers.  

Tammie and I are on a quest to visit each of the major league baseball venues.  This year we ticked off the list Padres, Angels, and Cardinals.  We are up to 22 out of 30.  Nothing better than a day game in the summer with the smells of hot dogs and the sounds of fans exploding with emotion at the crack of the bat.

What a pennant race!

I love baseball and this year's pennant race in the American League is one for the ages.  With three games left in the season, the winner in each of the three divisions is up for grabs.  The next three days will be exciting for fans of the Orioles, Yankees, Rangers, Athletics, and Tigers.  

Tammie and I are on a quest to visit each of the major league baseball venues.  This year we ticked off the list Padres, Angels, and Cardinals.  We are up to 22 out of 30.  Nothing better than a day game in the summer with the smells of hot dogs and the sounds of fans exploding with emotion at the crack of the bat.

My New Website

Last week I discovered that a website that I managed, www.yourchurchcangrow.org was no looking working.  I decided to create a whole new website that would focus on my writing and contain supporting information that was in the old website.  Other elements from the old website will be posted on the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference website.  So, today I launch www.dougruffle.com.  The website contains a list of books and articles written over the years.  It also contains a free download of the study guide to my book, Roadmap to Renewal:  Rediscovering the Church's Mission.  I would love your feedback on it.

My New Website

Last week I discovered that a website that I managed, www.yourchurchcangrow.org was no looking working.  I decided to create a whole new website that would focus on my writing and contain supporting information that was in the old website.  Other elements from the old website will be posted on the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference website.  So, today I launch www.dougruffle.com.  The website contains a list of books and articles written over the years.  It also contains a free download of the study guide to my book, Roadmap to Renewal:  Rediscovering the Church's Mission.  I would love your feedback on it.

For a co-worker about to move away

For Veronika

When we’ve worked together for more than several years

We form a community and we may not even be aware

Of how much we’ve become a part of something

until the day comes when one or the other moves on

and then what we feel is the beginning of the absence of the other

And there is a sadness

For while we know we must move on

And we know that moving on brings all kinds of good things

We know also that there will be something missing

That can never be replaced because there is a uniqueness

To it all

And that is the gift

The gift we cherish

The gift for which we are grateful

The gift we will long remember

Doug

For a co-worker about to move away

For Veronika

When we’ve worked together for more than several years

We form a community and we may not even be aware

Of how much we’ve become a part of something

until the day comes when one or the other moves on

and then what we feel is the beginning of the absence of the other

And there is a sadness

For while we know we must move on

And we know that moving on brings all kinds of good things

We know also that there will be something missing

That can never be replaced because there is a uniqueness

To it all

And that is the gift

The gift we cherish

The gift for which we are grateful

The gift we will long remember

Doug