The more things change, the more ... yeah, yeah, yeah ... what a cliche'. Our recent heat wave has reminded me of how much I value weather that exists mainly in the minority, that in-between time, when you can open the windows and not sweat. Spring is here, and I expected to be very happy about that, but it seems to have done a drive by, though today's rain is a reminder of the difference between climate and weather, of expectation and reality. Here I am in spring, and I'm not satisfied.

At the same time I have moved from one season of life to another, from pastor to Bishop, as it were. Not that I had expectations that being ordained a bishop would somehow change me, I've been around the block enough to know that kind of expectation is a myth, but, sure enough, in spite of the expectations of others, things are more the same than different. I am still a pastor. New Jersey has the same spiritual and cultural climate as last week. The same challenges to change that climate are hanging out there trying to be figured out.

I believe heaven may be the in-between time. It may be the time between the challenges and the expectations. It may be that sense of ultimate fulfillment. That, at least, is a block I haven't been around, and so, imagination may rule.