I got the following off my Rebecca’s Facebook postings. As I read it it was screaming at me, “Blog-me, Blog-me!” So here goes:


This past Saturday started out much like any other Saturday I have had while living at home through the school year. Doing chores, singing along to music and running errands. I was desperately looking for something to do that night since, really, what 19- year old sits around on a Saturday night?

I received a text from a girl friend of mine from H.S. who was unexpectedly home from school for fall break asking if I would like to join her at the movies. Naturally I jumped like a fish into water at the chance. She asked to go see the new comedy 'The Invention of Lying' starring Ricky Gervais (of the British Office), Jennifer Gardner and a star-studded cast including Tina Fey, Edward Norton, Jason Bateman, Patrick Stewart and even Oscar winner Philip Seymor-Hoffman. I hadn't heard much about the film and thought it sounded like a laugh out loud grand old affair.

Boy was I wrong!

If I was to ever walk out of a stupid overpriced movie that should have been it.
The whole story was a replica that MOCKED EVERY SINGLE FORM OF CHRISTIANITY!!!!

For those of you who have not seen the film the plot in a nutshell is; Everyone in the world is incapable of telling a lie. People are extremely honest and even sometimes brutally about how normal their lives are or someone else's looks. Until one day, the lead character Mark is sitting next to his mother while she is dying. His mother is laying in her hospital bed saying how scared she was to enter into an afterlife of nothingness and darkness. Mark cannot bare to see the most important woman in his life suffer, so he 'lies' to her. "You will be surrounded by people you love when you get there mum. You will see dad again and everyone has their own mansion. You will be young again, and you will dance. You always loved to dance."
The mother is comforted by this, since everyone only can tell the truth and dies at peace with a smile on her face. The Doctor and nurses in the room were also hanging on to every word that Mark had said, believing that it is all the truth. This causes an uproar. Masses of people flock outside of Mark's house begging for answers. Mark then sits down and writes ten rules about how people should live their lives. He claims that a 'man up in the sky' speaks to him. This ‘man’ told him all of these things and that he uses Mark as his messenger. The plot pretty much just goes from there proving that society is gullible enough to believe this man and everything he says.

I was appalled on so many levels at the arrogance of Hollywood filmmakers who think they have the right to blatantly tell those in society that do have faith in a greater power they are being lied to. Why? Why are we forced to be accepting of whacked out religions like Scientology and other controversial issues when they cannot tolerate our beliefs? When did Christians become the bad guys? I silently sat in the dark movie theater while people laughed and apologized to our Lord and Maker in my mind. He loves us so much that he was willing to SACRIFICE HIS ONLY CHILD so that we can share in His everlasting Light. He has giving us the gifts of wit, and humor, of writing and telling stories (if you know me at all you know how powerful I believe stories can be) and how have we repaid Him? By making a film that mocks His very existence?

I do not mean to give the impression that I am an overly zealous Catholic, when honestly I am a very mediocre Catholic. I have gone through my own phases of doubt and questioning what it all is worth. At the same time, I love my faith. There have been moments in my life where my relationship with God was the only thing that helped me to stay standing. I hate myself for spending money on a film that basically slapped me in the face for that relationship.

I guess what I am trying to say here is that I am ashamed that we as a society have reached this all time low. - Rebecca Ann Delp

Thanks Rebecca and Amen! - Dan

The Widows Story or God's Promises Revealed

The white haired widowed ran her knurled bent fingers over the number keys on her solar calculator that she received as a bonus for obtaining a long ago cut up credit card once again. Only this time she entered the numbers from the bottom of her column to the top somehow believing that if she keyed them from a different direction the total displayed by pray fully pressing the summation key the total would increase. The sigh that escaped from her inner being when she pressed that “equals” key combined with the telltale drooping chin and shoulders validated what she already knew. No matter how she added them the list of numbers said the same thing, “Projected income was not enough to cover known expenses!” for the coming year.

Her story was all too familiar. Year after year there never seemed to be enough coming in to cover all that needed to go out. Income increased by “cents”. Expenses increased by “dollars”. Medical expenses increased as high summer thunderheads, creating the same havoc in her life that the storms wreaked on the farmers crops.

Auto expenses were up. Taxes kept threatening to steal from her the very home she had spent most of her married years working to obtain. Utility bills were riding on the up escalator. Income was waning. Happiness was sinking. Hope had become a dying ember.

She pushed the well worn balance sheet and judgmental calculator across the table and asked to anyone listening, “What do I do now? It just doesn’t add up.” As she pulled out twenty-plus identical budget sheets from her ragged cardboard folder she sighed again, “I don’t know how I’ve been able to make it all these years? Each year I seem to have the same problem. Will it ever go away? Will it ever be different?”

What a miracle was witnessed that day! The folder full of yellowed budget sheets, eraser chaff and broken dreams stood as a monument to God’s faithfulness. The glowing numbers on the calculator that just minutes before seemed to condemn her to another year of struggling now shown the light of God’s promise upon the very evidence being used to dishearten and destroy.

“Can’t you see how you’ve been able to make it?” “Can’t you understand the miracle here?”, I softly spoke. The first line item on each and every one of the budget sheets was the widow’s tithe. The ten-percent. That for which God asks was always number one in her budget. None had ever been erased or altered. The tithe stood at the top of the budget as a beacon, as a steering light to all of her financial decision for each of her years. That line item was the non-negotiable part of her spending plan. God honored that in the first year, in the second year, last year and ever year in between. God is the same today as He was yesterday and will be the same tomorrow. If He is that way, so are His promises.

God tell us in Leviticus 27:30 that “all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s; it is holy unto the Lord.” He continues defining the tithe in Leviticus 27:32 where He says, “And concerning the tithe of the herd or of the flock, even of whatsoever passes under the rod, a tenth shall be holy unto the Lord.” When you are faithful to God, in this case the widow was faithful with her finances and that which the Lord sees as holy; God honors that and blesses you. Do not misinterpret what was just said. I did not say that you should give in order to get. That is not why we give. God loves a cheerful giver, (2 Corinthians 9:7) one who gives freely of whatever resources for which they have been provided, not the one who gives grudgingly or out of compulsion.

So knowingly or unknowingly the widow was being obedient to God’s wishes. Her tithe came first and was never compromised. As promised, God blessed her by providing for her needs each and every day for over twenty years. Did He prosper her? It depends on what you consider prospering. She didn’t have diamonds and gold. She will never be found in the upper stratus of society. She did meet every bill. There was always money for the necessities and mysteriously there was always enough left for the extras.

We are never to test God and His promises (Matthew 4:7) however God challenges us to put Him to the test when it comes to giving. Malachi 3:10 says that we are to bring our tithes into the storehouse and put God to the test. If we do that, He will open the windows of heaven and pour out the blessings so much so that there will not be room enough to receive all of them. Is this prosperity giving? No this is the Word of God. The widow’s situation is a tangible example of this in action in our lives today. - Dan

Why I Love Prep Football Mr. Frisco

Rod Frisco of the Patriot-News asked his readers this week to let him know why they like high school football. This is my answer to Rod Frisco:

Dear Mr. Frisco,

My earliest experience with high school football was when as a child my dad wanted to take my brother and me to see John Harris HS play. Only thing was I had to come up with fifty cents for admission. I don't recall if that was the going rate or just my contribution. I refused to hand over the quarters and to this day rue the fact that I missed that game.

Through the years I've come to realize that I missed out on more that just the game that day. I missed out on spending time away from life with my dad. Through my elementary school years and into high school most Friday nights were spent with my dad at Landis Field watching either the Rams or later on my own C.D.E. Panthers. During high school it would have been 'more cool' to hang out with my friends at those events but if I would have I couldn't have watched the game. I miss the old Central Penn League, I miss the
smell of a freshly lit cigar wafting through the bleachers and I miss the sweetness of a cup of hot chocolate in a cardboard cup. High school football was the focal point for good times and good memories for me during those years. Watch the game on Friday night and star in it over and over until the next Friday night.

Then came college and marriage and kids. I never lost the love of the game though. I listened to every game on radio that I could. I would drive home the long way just to hear the end of a game, between two teams I did not follow hoping that I'd catch an out-of-town score in which I was interested, because I knew my radio reception was better in the car than in the house.

As soon as my sons were old enough I started taking them to Friday night games. I suddenly found out what my dad already knew. A father and son had the perfect hiding place from the world when they were at a high school football game.

Three of my six sons played football at Bishop McDevitt. None beyond their sophomore season and none ever made it to Friday night or Saturday morning. It did not matter. For six wonderful years it gave me a reason to go to football on Monday nights and Wednesday afternoons in addition to the weekend. I was living large.

There was a period of twelve to fourteen years that my wife, a McDevitt grad, and I didn't miss a McDevitt game for any reason. We were at all those games as a family. All nine of us. The allure of the game, the family of McD friends and the security found in the autumn ritual drew us each weekend with the same magic that draws the geese out of Canada.

My youngest four kids did not play football but thank the Lord they played instruments. Instruments in the band which just happen to play at half time of, you guessed it, McDevitt football game. I truly have lived a blessed life.

I never put on the pads and played but many times I scored the winning touchdown on the field of my dreams. I never coached football but many times I called the down and out to Raki or pitch right to Shady. I never officiated a game but many times I felt remorse for the things I felt in my heart for those that do.

High school football is magical not in what it does but in what it allows you to do. - Dan

More Thoughts on Nate and Jen's Wedding

All through scripture God uses stories to speak to us in a way that we will understand. One of the analogies I love the most is how He explains the relationship between God and His church by using the bride and groom.

Before their marriage Nate spent time readying a place for his bride, Jen. Likewise, Jesus left this earth to go and prepare a place for His bride, the Church (John 14:2). Nate then met Jen on their wedding day at God’s altar. He came back for her. Jesus promises that He too will come back for His bride (John 14:3).

The anticipation and preparation of Nate and Jen’s marriage generated much joy and happiness for all involved. Those that were directly involved with planning the festivities were taken to and kept at such an emotional high one must experience it to fully understand the plane on which one resides during that time. Even those who were somewhat involved in the preparations and planning were pulled along into the excitement. John talks to us about this in his Revelation (19:7) when he says, “Let us be glad and rejoice and give honor to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready."

This brings us to the symbolism of the bride and her gown. Jen wore white as a sign of purity as she stood before God and her bridegroom. God’s bride, the church, will also be adorned in this same white symbol, “And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.”

As much as I was excited and inspired by the marriage I was equally excited with the anticipation of seeing and being with family and friends at the receptions held for Nate and Jen. I would be seeing friends that I have see for a long time as well as those that I am with on a regular basis. This very aspect of the relationship between Christ and the Church is highlighted in scripture when John wrote what he was told, “Blessed are they that are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb." The word ‘Blessed’ here means happy. Then John follows this with the statement, “And he said unto me, ‘These are the true sayings of God.’” (Revelations 9:19)

The marriage supper of the Lamb will be held in Heaven, the very place that Jesus went to prepare for us. If I was excited to see and be with folks that are here in this life with me, I can only imagine what it will be like to once again greet, hug and be with those that have gone to be with Jesus before me. Let me change that statement, I can’t imagine it.

God has used and continues to use the simple things, the things that we can relate to, like a wedding, to reveal Himself to use. - Dan

Scattered Thoughts on Nate and Jen’s Wedding

As I sit looking out my window at the second day of rain, I realize how much of a blessing they received with the weather they had last weekend.

I enjoyed watching the building excitement displayed by all the people involved.

Coming home and finding the wedding party creating flowers in my kitchens was neat.

One-hundred plus cupcakes! Wow!

It was neat to watch the bonds growing between two people as they prepared a place to live and bought a vehicle.

To see Nate and Jen take charge and do it ‘their way’ was nice.

The family that gathered to help celebrate the event was exceptional. It is always a blessing to get everyone together and share our lives. We got to see some that we don’t see too often and we got to just sit and talk with those we do. Many new friends were made and new friendships have germinated.

I am glad that I got to read the Scripture from Solomon during the mass. It was scripture that I wasn’t too familiar with and this got me to look it up and spend time with it. I was also honored and blessed with sharing that duty with Don. What a thrill and blessing that was. It was nice that Nate had his father and God-father participate in his wedding.

Ann and I were able to reminisce about our own wedding held also at St. Margaret Mary Church thirty-four years ago. The memories of my own bride still fills me with joy as our love has only grown many time over through the years.

We got a picture of all our kids and their wives, ten people, all because two people fell in love.

Music at a wedding reception, from an iPod, priceless.

The look of their eyes. The look in their eyes. - Dan

Adding by Subtracting - A Different at Look at Math Fact Families

After the Christmas holiday in 2008 our fourth son Nathan and love, Jennifer, told us they were planning to become engaged to be married. They also said they did not want to wait or have a long engagement. That’s how Ann and I did it. We became engaged in June after I graduated from PSU and were married in November of the same year. Nate and Jen set a date of September 4th for their wedding.

This having kids grow up and get married stuff is advertised as making your family smaller but don't believe it. We did not lose Nate we gained Jen. We did not lose a son. We gained a daughter. It is great adding kids to your family as they are about to graduate from college. It's really great benefitting from someone else’s hard work. Previously we added Sydney and Corinne to our family. These are three of the finest young ladies for which a father and mother could hope. We've grown from 7 to 10.

So many folks have commented about us “losing another one”, or having another “leave the nest”. In that case we have. They are gone from our everyday routine. They are gone from the breakfast table. They are out of the shower line. However, they are not gone from our family. They are not gone from our hearts. They are not gone from our prayers. - Dan

The Groom’s Mother’s Dress or “Living an Off-the-Rack Life in a Tailor Made World”

Due to the many, many times that I have been able to ascertain material items well below the customarily going price and due to my penchant for sharing such escapades with my cohorts in a less that innocent way, I have become to be known as ‘Delpstein’ or ‘Delpberg’ in certain circles in which I run. This past Saturday evening I added yet another chapter to this ever growing, ever expanding legacy.

Since it was Saturday night, Rebecca was out and about with friends, many of which were having their last weekend at home before dispersing throughout the east to the out posts of higher education. Micah and Seth were both invited to spend the next to last weekend of summer at a local community swimming hole for a late summer pool party.

Five minus three equals two. Those two were Ann and yours truly. My first thought was, “The kids are out of the house for the evening let’s spend the evening … on the town.” Shame on you for what you were thinking! We dropped our charges off and hit the road. Only trouble is where do two people go by themselves when they aren’t accustomed to being alone? And I do mean alone. Since the end of November 1975 I have only been able to go to the bathroom once by myself. There was a fire drill at work during the 1990’s and instead of lining up across the street to await the building recall, I stole away into the men’s room to take advantage of ten minutes of uninterrupted silence. I usually share this most private of spaces with one or more members of my family. I have occasionally even shared it with the blushing red-faced acquaintance s of my children. We did decide to get something to eat but could not decide where to eat it. Suddenly we both realized that our vehicle was heading south on route 283. Could it think we were going to YFC. It couldn’t. We had no one with us. We were alone. Turns out the destination was preordained by a Power greater than you or me. We were headed to Chilly’s! Romantically we ordered the “Two for $20” deal from the menu (one appetizer, two entrees, one dessert). The last time we ate out alone together we got two full course meals and two movie tickets in Gimble’s restaurant for $8.00.

Being the suave debonair man about town that I am, I suggested that we not end the evening here but continue on with new found freedom. Ann suggested a shopping trip to the French retailer, J C Pe-nay’s to see if the ‘Mother of the Groom’s Dress’ that has been eluding her since January was maybe hiding there. I dutifully agreed in the same breath that I admitted that I had eaten too much. Ann agreed and said that the next time we find ourselves in this position we will split the entrée.

We enter the hunting grounds at Penny’s and immediately cut to the chase. We move from the entrance to the discount rack in the women’s department as quickly as two overfed, stuffed lovers can move. “No, no, definitely NO, too low-cut, too long, too short, not the right color.” These were the words I heard coming from my wife. With each and every utterance I know I was one step closer to going somewhere else.

And then in the matter of time that it takes the nictitating membrane of a bird’s eye to close and open, I felt the joy of victory and the agony of my feet. “This is the one!”, Ann said with, I hope, the same enthusiasm that she had as when she first laid eyes on me. That was the joy. The agony came when we turned the price tag over and discovered that it wasn’t reduced but was full price, $80.00! I think that for $80 bucks one should get two pair of interchangeable pants, one jacket, a nice top (sleeveless of course), shoes and a handbag. I was told that is a guy thing. Well, I’m still a guy. Being the loving caring dotting husband that I am, I stepped into the aisle to look for one of those self-scanner thingys. I hoped I wasn’t playing into the hands of some wicked, warped individual who enjoys wrecking people’s dates by leaving full price clothing on discount racks on Saturday nights. I hoped beyond hope that some employee missed marking this dress, the dress of my dreams, the dress of my dream boat. Red squiggly lines dancing across a barcode proceeded the audible beep that cause the screen to silently say, “SALE PRICE $19.99”. Halleluiah! Halleluiah! Halleluiah! Halleluiah! Hal-laaaa-luuuu-iah! Handel lives! All is well! I never did drugs but the rush from them cannot be any better than this. I calmly look up to see my own beautiful bride of 34 years come down the aisle. The “groom’s mother”. Wonderingly she asks, “Well?” I deadpan “$19.99.”

Expecting the type of greeting that a weary soldier would receive from his love upon returning from war. I brace myself for the run and leap into my arms. What I got was, “If that doesn’t fit, it’s your fault. You didn’t have to take me out to eat. I probably just gained 10 pounds.” Crash and burn. Hindenburg look-a- like. I am defeated. Next stop is the fitting room man-waiting alcove. Three stuffed chairs, end table, soft light from a lamp. My quit prayer time there was only disturbed by some talking head from CNN. I don’t listen as I calmly ask God to let the dress fit.

It does! Reprise! Halleluiah! Halleluiah! Halleluiah! Hal-laaaa-luuuu-iah! What a deal. We are livin’ large. All is well. How could life be better?

It can be. Today Ann is going through some papers in our bedroom. But what to her wandering eyes should appear, but a coupon that is worth $10 off any purchase at J C Penny’s. Bad news. The coupon has an expiration date of last Saturday. Good news. We bought something there then. Bad news. That was five days ago. Good news. Ann is filled with holy boldness, so, back to J C Penny’s she goes with the coupon. After three minutes and with more sweetness than Hershey creates in a year, Ann is holding about 3-yards of register tape that says her dress only cost us $9.99. Surprise, reprise! Halleluiah! Halleluiah! Halleluiah! Hal-laaaa-luuuu-iah!

After I look at all the evidence and became a believer that the “Groom’s Mother’s” dress only cost $9.99, Mr. Delpstein is told once again that he is not to take Mrs. Delpstein out to eat until after the wedding. But come September 6th, look out. Anyone know of any early autumn pool parties? - Dan