Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Funny, Isn't it?
Funny how a $100 "looks" so big when you take it to church, but so small when you take it to the mall.
Funny how long it takes to serve God for an hour, but how quickly a team plays 60 minutes of basketball.
Funny how long a couple of hours spent at church are, but how short they are when watching a movie.
Funny how we can't think of anything to say when we pray, but don't have difficulty thinking of things to talk about to a friend.
Funny how we get thrilled when a baseball game goes into extra innings, but we complain when a sermon is longer than the regular time.
Funny how hard it is to read a chapter in the Bible, but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a best selling novel.
Funny how people want to get a front seat at any game or concert, but scramble to get a back seat at church services.
Funny how we need 2 or 3 weeks advance notice to fit a church event into our schedule, but can adjust our schedule for other events at the last moment.
Funny how hard it is for people to learn a simple gospel well enough to tell others, but how simple it is for the same people to understand and repeat gossip.
Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.
Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided they do not have to believe, or think, or say, or do anything.
Funny how you can send a thousand 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.
FUNNY, ISN'T IT?
Are you laughing?..........
Are you thinking?..........
Spread the Word and give thanks to the Lord for He is good!
Borrowed from "Food for Thought" a Christian web site
Shalom Y'all
Funny how a $100 "looks" so big when you take it to church, but so small when you take it to the mall.
Funny how long it takes to serve God for an hour, but how quickly a team plays 60 minutes of basketball.
Funny how long a couple of hours spent at church are, but how short they are when watching a movie.
Funny how we can't think of anything to say when we pray, but don't have difficulty thinking of things to talk about to a friend.
Funny how we get thrilled when a baseball game goes into extra innings, but we complain when a sermon is longer than the regular time.
Funny how hard it is to read a chapter in the Bible, but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a best selling novel.
Funny how people want to get a front seat at any game or concert, but scramble to get a back seat at church services.
Funny how we need 2 or 3 weeks advance notice to fit a church event into our schedule, but can adjust our schedule for other events at the last moment.
Funny how hard it is for people to learn a simple gospel well enough to tell others, but how simple it is for the same people to understand and repeat gossip.
Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.
Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided they do not have to believe, or think, or say, or do anything.
Funny how you can send a thousand 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.
FUNNY, ISN'T IT?
Are you laughing?..........
Are you thinking?..........
Spread the Word and give thanks to the Lord for He is good!
Borrowed from "Food for Thought" a Christian web site
Shalom Y'all
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and all His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33
What is your first priority?
I'm often not sure what mine is.
Shalom Y'all
What is your first priority?
I'm often not sure what mine is.
Shalom Y'all
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Several years ago I was a guest of the United States Justice Department at a "Weed and Seed" function.
While there I attended a symposium on "diversity."
Since I am a white man I knew if I said much of anything I would not be well recieved.
A young black woman announced her mother was a servant, she would never be anyone's servant! Someday, she said, she will be president of the U. S.
She recieved much applause.
No one would listen when I tried to explain we are all servants, even the President.
How sad! The legacy of the "Great Society" was alive and well in that room.
I wonder where she is today.
I hope she has overcome the prejudices she held then and has accomplished much.
"And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all."
Mark 10:44
Shalom Y'all
While there I attended a symposium on "diversity."
Since I am a white man I knew if I said much of anything I would not be well recieved.
A young black woman announced her mother was a servant, she would never be anyone's servant! Someday, she said, she will be president of the U. S.
She recieved much applause.
No one would listen when I tried to explain we are all servants, even the President.
How sad! The legacy of the "Great Society" was alive and well in that room.
I wonder where she is today.
I hope she has overcome the prejudices she held then and has accomplished much.
"And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all."
Mark 10:44
Shalom Y'all
Saturday Sunset
The results of these photos are the best I can do considering the limits of my little finePix digital camera.
with it I can do little more than point and shoot. The software does allow me to make some improvments after the fact.
Charlie
WEEKEND ESCAPE
Friday night Memaw and I escaped to the beach for the weekend.
Looking out from our balcony at the pier, a soft gentle rain fell. It was like peering through a veil as we watched the people scamper to shelter while the children, oblivious to it all, played at the edge of the water.
The sunset, usually so beautiful, was obscured.
Saturday morning sunrise was spectacular even though it did rise from behind a bridge. The sky was a deep, deep blue, punctuated by cotton candy clouds which formed a semi circle to the South, East and North.
After a walk on the beach and a period of rest in the shade looking out at the almost slick calm gulf, Memaw obeyed the “call” and we went shopping. It was my intention to find a really nice top cover up to match the bottom wrap around one I had gotten for her a year ago. Two pairs of shoes for her, two new belts for me and we had visited every store in the outlet mall and still had not accomplished our original goal. After visiting two more stores it was time to pause and refresh.
Dinner for two at Plaka II Greek restaurant. Greek salad, lots of iced tea, relax and be served, and then, time to renew our quest. It was a time of desperation which necessitated a change in strategy! Off to the nearest Goodwill store we went.
We emerged with a 100% silk shirt from Chico’s that matches perfectly! Price? $4.95.
Now what am I going to do?
It was to be her birthday gift.
After all that it was time for a swim and prepare for dinner at our favorite Tai restaurant for our favorite Tai specialty.
The water was warm and it was really nice to just “chill.”
The color of the sky became less intense and soon cumulus clouds were rising, announcing the afternoon rain. The rain didn’t happen. Dinner didn’t happen either.
It was so relaxing to just sit and watch the people, especially the old man who was teaching any little boy who came along to make artifacts out of aluminum cans and plastic bottles.
We never figured out if he was a patron at the hotel or someone who “crashed the party.” Most of the time his car was parked in the public lot next to the hotel. Late in the afternoon he got up from a nap on the chaise, walked to the “protected” area, urinated on the seagrape bushes, then moved his car to the hotel lot. (One can see a lot from a second floor balcony.)
Cheese, crackers, and fruit were our dinner, no need to change into “street” clothes, and then it was time to go out and watch the setting sun.
A band of low hanging clouds mostly obscured the view. It began above them, tried to hide as it descended behind them, then emerged, painted the sea orange, and disappeared into a watery grave, only to grace us with it’s beauty again as it rose from behind the bridge this morning.
Bagels, blueberries, coffee. Breakfast fit for a king.
Walk on the beach, do a little people watching, load the car, and leave this little corner of paradise.
We are home now ready to face the working world Monday. I hope!
Ain’t God good?
Shalom Y’all
Charlie
Friday night Memaw and I escaped to the beach for the weekend.
Looking out from our balcony at the pier, a soft gentle rain fell. It was like peering through a veil as we watched the people scamper to shelter while the children, oblivious to it all, played at the edge of the water.
The sunset, usually so beautiful, was obscured.
Saturday morning sunrise was spectacular even though it did rise from behind a bridge. The sky was a deep, deep blue, punctuated by cotton candy clouds which formed a semi circle to the South, East and North.
After a walk on the beach and a period of rest in the shade looking out at the almost slick calm gulf, Memaw obeyed the “call” and we went shopping. It was my intention to find a really nice top cover up to match the bottom wrap around one I had gotten for her a year ago. Two pairs of shoes for her, two new belts for me and we had visited every store in the outlet mall and still had not accomplished our original goal. After visiting two more stores it was time to pause and refresh.
Dinner for two at Plaka II Greek restaurant. Greek salad, lots of iced tea, relax and be served, and then, time to renew our quest. It was a time of desperation which necessitated a change in strategy! Off to the nearest Goodwill store we went.
We emerged with a 100% silk shirt from Chico’s that matches perfectly! Price? $4.95.
Now what am I going to do?
It was to be her birthday gift.
After all that it was time for a swim and prepare for dinner at our favorite Tai restaurant for our favorite Tai specialty.
The water was warm and it was really nice to just “chill.”
The color of the sky became less intense and soon cumulus clouds were rising, announcing the afternoon rain. The rain didn’t happen. Dinner didn’t happen either.
It was so relaxing to just sit and watch the people, especially the old man who was teaching any little boy who came along to make artifacts out of aluminum cans and plastic bottles.
We never figured out if he was a patron at the hotel or someone who “crashed the party.” Most of the time his car was parked in the public lot next to the hotel. Late in the afternoon he got up from a nap on the chaise, walked to the “protected” area, urinated on the seagrape bushes, then moved his car to the hotel lot. (One can see a lot from a second floor balcony.)
Cheese, crackers, and fruit were our dinner, no need to change into “street” clothes, and then it was time to go out and watch the setting sun.
A band of low hanging clouds mostly obscured the view. It began above them, tried to hide as it descended behind them, then emerged, painted the sea orange, and disappeared into a watery grave, only to grace us with it’s beauty again as it rose from behind the bridge this morning.
Bagels, blueberries, coffee. Breakfast fit for a king.
Walk on the beach, do a little people watching, load the car, and leave this little corner of paradise.
We are home now ready to face the working world Monday. I hope!
Ain’t God good?
Shalom Y’all
Charlie
Thursday, June 23, 2005
The Lord does not see as man sees;
for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7
This becomes so apparent when there is an attractive teen age girl in our midst.
So much seems to center around; "he's cute," "she's pretty"....................
My favorite 17 year old will return to her home today.
The house will be put back into order, my computer will become available to me.
I will miss her so!
Thank you Lord for this beautiful child that you have made.
Shalom Y'all
for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7
This becomes so apparent when there is an attractive teen age girl in our midst.
So much seems to center around; "he's cute," "she's pretty"....................
My favorite 17 year old will return to her home today.
The house will be put back into order, my computer will become available to me.
I will miss her so!
Thank you Lord for this beautiful child that you have made.
Shalom Y'all
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Anonymous says:
The world measures success by the size of your bank account
God measures success by the size of your heart.
Dr Luke writes:
One's life does does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.
Luke 12:15
Shalom Y'all
Charlie
The world measures success by the size of your bank account
God measures success by the size of your heart.
Dr Luke writes:
One's life does does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.
Luke 12:15
Shalom Y'all
Charlie
I just checked in on Bellas Page.
Her Mom and Dad were listening to music during the proceedure.
When the doctor came out to tell them what he had found, the song they were listening to was "Glorious Day"
It was some kinda hernia!
NO CANCER!
It is indeed, a glorious day!
There is a link to Bella's Page on the left.
Ain't God Good?
Shalom Y'all
Charlie
Her Mom and Dad were listening to music during the proceedure.
When the doctor came out to tell them what he had found, the song they were listening to was "Glorious Day"
It was some kinda hernia!
NO CANCER!
It is indeed, a glorious day!
There is a link to Bella's Page on the left.
Ain't God Good?
Shalom Y'all
Charlie
Monday, June 20, 2005
Fathers Day
Fathers day began at 5:15 AM when the alarm rang.
Church at 6:00 to begin preparing breakfast for a hundred or so of our closest friends.
This was to be a pancake breakfast.
Why?
Because Doug wanted to, I guess. Eight or ten of us and one wife did it.
menu:
Eggs
Biscuits and gravy
Baked ham
Grits
Pancakes
Coffee: LOTS of Coffee
Orange juice
grapes
Blueberries
Strawberries
It was a lot of work and a lot of fun.
Combined service with first Pres.
It seems strange to me that when we combine, one of our "guys" delivers the message.
There is much similarity in the over all theology, almost none in how services are conducted.
Ain't God good? (I don't think he is particularly interested in labels.)
Rest for a while at home, do my little "side" Job because Saturday was devoted to my favorite 17 year old. (At my age, four games of bowling are three too many, but that is another story.)
Go to house of favorite son and chill out with the girls since the boys were at the boat.
Good dinner, INCREDIBLE salad, good dessert, neat fathers day cards, and home to bed at 10:30.
Shalom Y'all
Charlie
Fathers day began at 5:15 AM when the alarm rang.
Church at 6:00 to begin preparing breakfast for a hundred or so of our closest friends.
This was to be a pancake breakfast.
Why?
Because Doug wanted to, I guess. Eight or ten of us and one wife did it.
menu:
Eggs
Biscuits and gravy
Baked ham
Grits
Pancakes
Coffee: LOTS of Coffee
Orange juice
grapes
Blueberries
Strawberries
It was a lot of work and a lot of fun.
Combined service with first Pres.
It seems strange to me that when we combine, one of our "guys" delivers the message.
There is much similarity in the over all theology, almost none in how services are conducted.
Ain't God good? (I don't think he is particularly interested in labels.)
Rest for a while at home, do my little "side" Job because Saturday was devoted to my favorite 17 year old. (At my age, four games of bowling are three too many, but that is another story.)
Go to house of favorite son and chill out with the girls since the boys were at the boat.
Good dinner, INCREDIBLE salad, good dessert, neat fathers day cards, and home to bed at 10:30.
Shalom Y'all
Charlie
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Bella
Bella is five years old.
She was diagnosed with melanoma two years ago, had treatments for a year, and now gets check ups.
She went to St Judes a little over a week ago for a check up.
She needs more surgery.
Please pray for Bella, her Mom, Dad, and brothers.
Shalom Y'all
Charlie
Thursday, June 16, 2005
My Favorite 17 Year Old, Aren
Her room is a mess, her bed is rumpled, she sleeps too late.
Ain't it great?
She has decided to extend her stay so she can help more at the office and get paid.
She really is a help!
Her work is good!
Saturday we will go shopping, take in a movie and.............
Shalom Y'all
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
5:30 AM.
I checked in on Bella's page this morning.
Bella is four years old and is at StJudes's getting a cancer check up.
She, her Mom, Dad and two brothers have needed to stay over because something didn't seem right in some sort of scan.
Pray for them. This is a wonderful young family who love the Lord.
caringbridge.org-bella is her web address.
Yesterday was the first day of a visit from our favorite 17 year old, Aren.
She slept 'til nearly noon, then went to the office and was very good help. She corrected some of Memaw's mistakes on some record keeping.
Later, after the "girls" did some shopping and I finished my board meeting we met for dinner. The young waiters gave us a LOT of attention.
I wonder why?
Could it be because she is tall, slim and pretty?
Later still, when all I wanted to do is go to sleep, Aren crawled into our bed with a book and asked me to read to her.
I did. One chapter, then she went to her own bed and I went to sleep.
Ain't God good?
Shalom Y'all
Charlie
I checked in on Bella's page this morning.
Bella is four years old and is at StJudes's getting a cancer check up.
She, her Mom, Dad and two brothers have needed to stay over because something didn't seem right in some sort of scan.
Pray for them. This is a wonderful young family who love the Lord.
caringbridge.org-bella is her web address.
Yesterday was the first day of a visit from our favorite 17 year old, Aren.
She slept 'til nearly noon, then went to the office and was very good help. She corrected some of Memaw's mistakes on some record keeping.
Later, after the "girls" did some shopping and I finished my board meeting we met for dinner. The young waiters gave us a LOT of attention.
I wonder why?
Could it be because she is tall, slim and pretty?
Later still, when all I wanted to do is go to sleep, Aren crawled into our bed with a book and asked me to read to her.
I did. One chapter, then she went to her own bed and I went to sleep.
Ain't God good?
Shalom Y'all
Charlie
Sunday, June 12, 2005
My favorite 11 year old @ VBS
Last week Vacation Bible School hosted a LOT of children.
It was a great time. One of the helpers was my favorite 11 year old, Madisen.
Ain't God Good?
Shalom Y'all
Charlie
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
FAVORITE SEVEN YEAR OLD
Sunday it was my job to amuse my favorite 7 year old while Mom, siblings and Memaw decorated for vacation bible school.
WE did lunch at Burger King and went to my house.
He wanted dessert. I suggested strawberries. "That's not dessert, that's fruit."
We each ate a chocolate bar instead.
He planted his very own sunflower plant, caught tadpoles, (which he forgot to take home for fish food,) went to the park, walked out on the pier, and discovered two old banjo ukeleles in my closet which need repair.
They are about eighty years old, a gift from my late mother.
I got one nearly finished before his Mom came to get him and he was so excited to play it, but didn't get to.
I will probably give one of them to him after I have taught him a few chords.
Actually, I only remember a few chords. After all, it's been more than forty years since I played one.
I love him so much I could just hug him to pieces, but since he is a little boy and "only girls get hugs," I guess I'll settle for the high fives.
Shalom Y'all
Poppy
Sunday it was my job to amuse my favorite 7 year old while Mom, siblings and Memaw decorated for vacation bible school.
WE did lunch at Burger King and went to my house.
He wanted dessert. I suggested strawberries. "That's not dessert, that's fruit."
We each ate a chocolate bar instead.
He planted his very own sunflower plant, caught tadpoles, (which he forgot to take home for fish food,) went to the park, walked out on the pier, and discovered two old banjo ukeleles in my closet which need repair.
They are about eighty years old, a gift from my late mother.
I got one nearly finished before his Mom came to get him and he was so excited to play it, but didn't get to.
I will probably give one of them to him after I have taught him a few chords.
Actually, I only remember a few chords. After all, it's been more than forty years since I played one.
I love him so much I could just hug him to pieces, but since he is a little boy and "only girls get hugs," I guess I'll settle for the high fives.
Shalom Y'all
Poppy
Friday, June 03, 2005
The Morning comes too soon
I must be getting old!
The alarm rang too early.
Did I take my pills last night?
It will be a good day today anyway.
Thank you Lord for the successful day I am about to have.
The air conditioner will finally be repaired, Work on the job will go well and the almost incessant rains will finally dissipate.
You are a good God.
shalom Y'all
Charlie
I must be getting old!
The alarm rang too early.
Did I take my pills last night?
It will be a good day today anyway.
Thank you Lord for the successful day I am about to have.
The air conditioner will finally be repaired, Work on the job will go well and the almost incessant rains will finally dissipate.
You are a good God.
shalom Y'all
Charlie
