Great Qualities

Two of the greatest qualities in life are:

1. Patience

2. Wisdom

On the Other Side

A terminally ill man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side."

The doctor humbly and quietly said, "I don't know."

"You don't know? You're a Christian man and don't know what's on the other side?"

The doctor was holding the handle of the door. On the other side was scratching and whining. As the doctor opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him, clearly delighted to see him.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. All he knew was his master was here. When the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death. But I do know one thing. I know my Master is there and that is enough."

Tuesday a.m.

Captains

Good morning! How are you on this cool morning? Listening to some you would have thought that would be snowed in this morning, but, alas, it didn't happen. Life continues. It is going to be on the chilly side today, but that's fine. I will get my old bike on the trainer this evening and start using it.

Yesterday was a good day. The dentist appointment went well. It was the best repair I have ever had. I hardly felt anything. That's a good thing. The eye appointment went well too. My vision has slipped some--I knew that--but it had not slipped much.

I spent some good time with my good friend Pat yesterday. We are going to collaborate on a few sermons during the season of Advent. That's always a fun thing to do. I am looking forward to it.

Last night was the football awards banquet. Ben did well, winning a few things. The biggest honor was being named PLAC All Conference again. The coaches from all the teams in the conference vote on that, so it's a nice honor for him. He's a good young man.

Today I have a meeting or two and lots of things to work on. It should be an enjoyable day.  I hope your day goes well as well!

Monday

Good morning! It's Monday and will be all day long, but I hope it's not a long day for you. It's Makeover Monday for me. I have dentist appointment to deal with a broken tooth that I have been dealing with for a couple of months. Then I have an appointment with the eye doctor to deal with my declining vision. Then I'll top it all off with a haircut. How can you top all that excitement?

Hmm, it just hit me --- all this activity is north of my neck. Maybe I should get a psych eval as well. Nah. I'd probably fail and that would be discouraging.

Lester and Ben went to the Alabama/LSU game in Tuscaloosa on Saturday. They had a great time! On the way down they stopped in Nashville for lunch and were able to connect with Luke and Rebecca. They got someone to take the photo above. It was neat to see all four of them together. Of course to the original four we have added Maddie. Next we will add baby Cora Jane, and then Lydia will come in on June 8.

The addition of 3 females will shift the balance of power in the family. I told Maddie the next baby has to be a boy. This would restore the proper order of things. Oh, just save your critical comments, I'm just kidding. We could not be happier to have Maddie, Cora Jane, and Lydia. The boys managed to marry UP.

It was a busy but good weekend. I did manage to take Friday afternoon off. I rode 35 miles on my bike. It was cool but nice. The best part was riding with Troy. Right as I was getting ready to roll, he sent me a text saying it would be a good afternoon for a ride. I called him, and we arranged to meet in Orleans 45 minutes later.

We rolled through Orange County and had a nice time. He continued on and racked up 70 miles. He is an animal on the bike. It was good to have the company. I got out again yesterday for a short 21 miler, along with Scott and Bill. It was on the windy side, but it was good to ride. The company was great and entertaining, as usual.

Saturday was a busy day. I got an early and short run in, and then it was off to spend the day at church for the ReGeneration Christmas Decoration sale. That went well, but it was tiring. The clean-up is the hard part, but it went well. I think I was home by 5.

Yesterday was good. Sunday is always busy. Hey, it's the only day of the week I work. We all know this. Squeezing in a bike ride meant not watching football, which seemed to be a really good thing, since the Colts forgot to play yesterday.

This week is going to be a little different, due to a different format for Sunday. Hopefully it will give me an opportunity to catch up on some things and to get the Give Thanks 4 race a little better organized.

I hope you have a great day and week! Thanks for stopping by.

Hello My Name Is

Hello, my name is regret
I'm pretty sure we have met
Every single day of your life
I'm the whisper inside
That won't let you forget

Hello, my name is defeat
I know you recognize me
Just when you think you can win
I'll drag you right back down again
‘Til you've lost all belief

These are the voices, these are the lies
And I have believed them, for the very last time

Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I've been saved, I've been changed,
And I have been set free
"Amazing Grace" is the song I sing

Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I am no longer defined
By all the wreckage behind
The one who makes all things new

Has proven it's true
Just take a look at my life
What love the Father has lavished upon us
That we should be called His children
I am a child of the one true King
                                    –Matthew West

Friday

Good morning! It's Friday! A nice cool start to a nice cool day. I didn't get my work done yesterday, so I have a very busy morning. I am hoping to carve out a bike ride this afternoon. We'll see. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day, so this afternoon is it.

I was surprised to see Ben's picture on the sport's page last night (above). The article was about Paoli, but I liked seeing 33. Tonight is the first Friday night at home for me since football ended. Last week I was in Florida. Kedra and I are going out to hit dance clubs, I think. Some of this paragraph is true.

Ben and Lester have a big weekend planned. They are heading to Alabama for the huge Alabama and LSU game. ESPN's Game Day is going to be there. It will be college football at its finest. I'm glad they get to experience it.

I need to get after it, so. . .

Thanks for stopping by.

Be Real

Bill grew up in a small town and moved away to attend college and law school. He decided to come back to the small town, thinking he would be honored for doing well. He really wanted to impress everyone, hoping to find significance from the praise of others.

He opened his new law office, but business was very slow. One day, he saw a man coming up the sidewalk. He decided to make a big impression on this new client. As the man came to the door, Bill picked up the phone, motioning the man in. Bill began talking.

"No. Absolutely not! You tell those jokers in New York that I won't settle this case for less than one million."

"Yes. The Appeals Court has agreed to hear that case next week. I'll be handling the primary argument and the other members of my team will provide support."

Bill continued in similar fashion for about five minutes. The man sat patiently through it all. Finally, Bill put down the phone and turned to the man. "I'm sorry for the delay, but as you can see, I'm very busy. What can I do for you?"

The man replied, "I'm from the phone company. I came to hook up your phone."

Some spend a fair amount of time trying to find significance and validation by impressing others. If we belong to Christ, then our significance and validation are found in being his brother and being a beloved son or daughter of our Heavenly Father.

Galatians 3:26,27 — So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Thursday

Lydia & Luke

Good morning! How are you on this new day? Looks like the rain brought in some cooler temps. And what is this I'm hearing about some winter weather next week? I guess it's getting to be that time of the year. It's all good. The seasons pass so quickly, so I try to enjoy it all.

I failed to tell you that Luke and Lydia set a date for their marriage. It is Sunday, June 8, 2014. Evidently Sunday weddings are becoming a bit of a trend in Nashville, and that's where they are getting married. It will mark the beginning of an exciting summer. Their wedding will be 2-3 weeks after Ben graduates from high school.

Today is prep for Sunday day, and I'm praying for a good day of concentration and clarity. I have a lot going on, so it would be helpful to get Sunday's things done. But if it doesn't happen, then I'll get it later on. OK, I think I'll get going! Thanks for stopping by.