tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27959700564010700662023-11-15T10:56:25.462-08:00Thanks AlwaysTwo Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-59456648730018539282015-04-01T07:15:00.001-07:002015-04-01T07:15:44.300-07:00Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-42111642099683248692015-03-13T18:08:00.000-07:002015-03-13T18:12:01.117-07:00DO YOU WADDLE?<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> The Alabama Baptist newspaper recently had a
lead article on obesity, more specific, obesity among pastors. The article
quoted a survey that revealed that 30 percent of active pastors are obese. This
is beyond “overweight” and is considered a medical problem. The article
suggested several ways an individual can cope with the problem. In the list was
increased exercise. It has been proven that exercise is the best medicine
available for all conditions. In concern for brothers and sisters who are at medical
risk because of their obesity, I was contemplating some ways to encourage them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>About
the same time that article came out I read in another publication about a zoo
which was facing the same problem… <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with
its penguins. After a few months of gorging on fish, the penguins at the
Asahiyama Zoo on the northern Japanese island of Hakkaido, were becoming obese.
The vets prescribed exercise. The zookeepers organized a 30 minute waddle
session twice a day. Patrons of the Zoo have flocked there to see the daily
penguin waddle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aha!
Maybe, instead of a penguin waddle, we can begin a pastor waddle. Twice a day,
rise from the desk or forsake one’s activity for a thirty minute walk. Dedicate
that time, one hour a day, for the sake of health and longevity. An added
benefit is more energy for routine tasks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> A waddle will do you good
also, whoever you are. I know all the excuses for not doing so. I have used
them. But I challenge you to begin your own waddle sessions. “I discipline my
body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I
myself should become disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:27)</span><span style="color: #363636; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Grace and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-83119053250052730912015-02-07T14:51:00.005-08:002015-02-07T14:51:35.077-08:00FRIENDSHIPS
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> At almost 80 years of age, I often flip back
through memories of good times and of hard times. Doing so brings into focus
some friends I haven’t heard from in many years. Alas, they haven’t heard from
me either. It has been so long that I wonder if they are still living or are
now on the other side with Christ. Those who are as old as me, or almost as
old, are in what a pastor friend calls “the check out zone.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The internet and Facebook
have been instrumental in reconnecting with some of them. But in addition, I
have decided, rather than wonder where they are or what they are doing; I will
systematically attempt to contact them and bring each of us up to date, and renew
our friendship.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
recognize that keeping a friendship alive is my responsibility. I can’t count
on someone else doing it. Why should I be the one? I am the one because I value
those friendships and thank God for them. And I am blessed by the memories of
them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
apostle Paul made mission trips all over the Mediterranean world. I imagine
that he made hundreds, if not thousands of friends during those trips. I don’t
know if he kept up with any of them (no regular postal service, no phone, no
email or Facebook). But he remembered them. To the Philippians he wrote, “I
thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” (Philippians 1:3)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #363636; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Grace and peace</span>Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-73291718076368954122015-01-27T09:44:00.000-08:002015-01-27T09:44:14.292-08:00ONCE TO DIE
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> The headline was a shocker. It boldly
proclaimed, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">T</span><b><span style="color: #363636; font-family: "prelo-slab","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">ommy Arthur, scheduled to die for sixth
time</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><span style="color: #363636; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: prelo-slab; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: prelo-slab;">…”</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #363636; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"> Cats are reputed to have nine lives and can,
therefore, die nine times. This myth is attributed to the natural suppleness
and swiftness cats exhibit to escape life-threatening situations. Also lending
credence to this myth is that falling cats often land on their feet because of
an inbuilt automatic twisting reaction and are able to twist their bodies
around to land feet first.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Do you know why cats have nine lives -- or did
you ever wonder why people say they do? This is the story. A very hungry cat
entered a house one day and found a plate of nine fish that were going to be
eaten for dinner by the nine starving children who lived there. The cat was
feeling a little selfish that day and ate up all of the fish in nine quick
bites. With no food on the table, the nine starving children died of hunger the
very next day, along with the cat who died from eating WAY too much. When the
cat went up to heaven and spoke with God, God was so angry with the cat that he
threw him out of heaven and made him fall for nine days all the way back to
earth. To this day, the cat still holds the nine lives of the starving children
in his belly, which is why he must die nine different times before he will stay
dead.)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Of course, cats do not have
nine lives. And no man can die six times. Closer examination of the headline
and article puts it in context. Arthur has been <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">scheduled</b> for the sixth time to die. But his execution has not
happened. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Men die
physically only once. As we are told in the book of Hebrews, “it is appointed
for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can be ready for the judgment by spiritually
dying to self and allowing Christ to live in us. As Paul says, “I am crucified
with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians
2:20)</span><span style="color: #363636; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Grace and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-14381101206564201192015-01-20T13:50:00.001-08:002015-01-20T13:58:00.840-08:00SELMA<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I
saw the movie “Selma” last Sunday evening. From things I saw on T.V. news and
read in the newspaper during those times, I cannot fault the historical
accuracy of the movie. I was not there. I moved to Selma eleven years later in
1978. But make no mistake, the events depicted in the movie multiplied and
hardened racial bias in the city. I had told the Lord that I didn’t any longer
wish to serve a church which was not open to blacks. Therefore, when a pulpit
committee from Selma came to invite me to come to their church, I refused their
offer. Six months later they came back and the Lord put it on my heart to go
check out the situation. While visiting the church and city I sat with the
twelve person Pulpit Committee and each one of them in turn assured me their
church was open to black members, even though they had none at that time. So I
felt free to accept their call to be pastor. There were two all white academies
in Selma, but we enrolled our girls in the public schools. This was a real
challenge to older daughter Julie whose junior high and high schools were
primarily black. She had to face a lot of black prejudice and bullying. Liz
taught in a public grade school. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A year after I moved to Selma, the “open door”
of the church was challenged. A widow with school aged children moved back to
Selma, her childhood home. She had met her husband at the local Air Force base.
He, as training instructor elsewhere, had been killed in a crash. Her children
had attended Southern Baptist Churches at the bases where their father had been
assigned. So the family began to participate fully in our church, especially
music, R.A.s and G.A.s. Immediately some within the church wanted to hold a
special business meeting to bar them from attendance. A special business
meeting was called on a Wednesday evening. Some of our members wanted open
membership, some did not but felt God wanted us to have it, and some were
radically opposed to it. On the night of the vote the attendance was double the
Sunday morning attendance. People who had membership in the church but hadn’t
attended in years materialized. The resulting vote was to ask the family to not
return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I vividly remember a precious
pre-school boy crying loudly when the vote was announced.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I needed to decide, do I
stay with the church or seek another? God led me to stay another four years as
an advocate for open membership. This I did. I was not confrontational, for
that in itself would have lost me the opportunity to change minds. But
preaching and teaching the Bible, I left no doubt that we, as a church, were
out of God’s will. I was able to counsel one on one with individual members.
Some came to understand despite their personal feelings, God is “no respecter
of persons.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At
one point some of the deacons held a secret meeting, the purpose of which was
to get rid of me. They invited one young deacon who had formerly sided with
them, but with whom I had spent some time. I understand that when he arrived at
the meeting and discovered its purpose, he soundly rebuffed the other deacons
present and put some of them to shame. That ended their plan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Liz and I spent those four years in perfect
peace, the peace that Jesus gave us. Actually it was a sense of spiritual euphoria. This was in spite of the
opposition we faced from some in the church and many in the area. We would sit
in the swing and. because of our spiritual euphoria, giggle at the situation.
We look back and agree that our five years in Selma were some of the happiest
of our lives. I sense that both girls think positively about them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After five years I accepted
a call to a church in Pensacola. Our Selma church still did not have any black
members. I was told by one of the deacons that before they started looking for
another preacher the deacons had a meeting that lasted all night. They debated
the race issue back and forth. They came away from that meeting agreed that the
church would be open to black membership. We did not get the victory while we
were there, but we did ultimately get the victory.</span><span style="color: #363636; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Grace and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-25659259046833645462015-01-15T07:21:00.000-08:002015-01-15T07:21:42.083-08:00TODAY
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> January First is the beginning of a new year.
We celebrated it as such when we watched the ball drop, or the Moon Pie
(Mobile) or whatever else was dropped to count off the remaining seconds of the
old year. Back in the 1950’s Charles Dederich, a recovering alcoholic who
founded the Synanon organization for alcoholics and drug addicts, coined the
saying “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” The truth of that
sentiment is obvious. Therefore each day is a “new year.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No
matter what has come before, good or bad, today you have a new beginning. If
there is anything you want to change about your life, your habits, your
spirituality, etc. there is no better time to begin than today, because today
is the first day of the rest of your life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Not
only is today the first day of the rest of your life, it is also a good day. We
agree with the Psalmist, “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice
and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) Now you may have troubles or challenges in this
day, but it is still the day the Lord has made and He can make it a good day.
In Him we have the victory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Thanks
be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1
Corinthians 15:57)</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Grace and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-80925807986610852012014-12-28T17:54:00.000-08:002014-12-28T17:55:28.200-08:00AMBROSIA<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Families
have different traditions associated with the celebration of Christmas. Certain
foods are always on the menu for Christmas. Like at Thanksgiving, many families
also cook a turkey for the Christmas season. In Liz’s family their traditional
dish was boiled custard. In our family the traditional dish is ambrosia.
Ambrosia, in Greek mythology, is the food of the gods and Nectar is the drink
of the gods. Their food and drink was believed to give the Gods immortality.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our dish called ambrosia is so named because
it is so delicious it is worthy of the name. There are dozens of dishes called
ambrosia, but for our family there is only one ambrosia. When I was a child and
a youth the ambrosia was made each year by my bachelor uncle, Roy Tom. When Roy
got to the place he could no longer get it together, I took up the mantle of
ambrosia maker using the same ingredients my uncle used: sectioned oranges,
crushed pineapple, maraschino cherries and coconut, sweetened to taste. So each
Christmas season I find myself at the kitchen sink peeling dozens of oranges
and mixing them with the other ingredients. I then take a portion of ambrosia
to each family </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">gathering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I don’t claim my ambrosia confers
immortality no matter how good it is. There is food, however, which does give
you immortality. Jesus said, “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for
the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give
you,…” (John 6:27)</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Grace
and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-53868019118807268952014-12-18T08:42:00.000-08:002014-12-18T08:42:27.289-08:00MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Thank
each of you for the cards and other communications wishing me and my family a
Merry Christmas. We stopped sending Christmas Cards some years ago. Serving
several churches with many members, it became impossible to include everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Author Richard Armour wrote, “You
cannot reach perfection though you try however hard to, there’s always one more
friend or so you should have sent a card to.” Over 150 years ago Sir Henry
Cole, founder of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, had so many
Christmas greetings to send that hand writing them was impossible. So in 1843
he commissioned a painter to paint a card wishing a Merry Christmas and Happy
New Year. He could then send copies of the card to all he needed to contact. So
the first Christmas card was born in England. For more than 30 years Americans
had to import Christmas Cards from there. Today, in our country, Christmas cards
have grown into a six billion annual business.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christmas cards have thus far
resisted the paperless revolution of email. An email or text message doesn’t
seem to have the same significance as a hard copy card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But please allow me to use this blog to wish each of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. And this
greeting is quite sincere as I think of you individually. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I thank my God upon every remembrance of
you.” (Philippians 1:3)</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Grace
and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-22503982261100212352014-11-30T16:21:00.002-08:002014-11-30T16:21:52.029-08:00REMEMBER ME
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I
don’t have Alzheimer’s disease. Nor do I have dementia. I probably share some
signs of senior memory loss by not severe. My greatest memory challenge is with
the computer. I wrote last about a computer virus. This memory challenge has to
do with “user name” and “password.” I can’t remember them. I use less than a
half dozen of each. But I have a hard time remembering which goes with which
account. I handle the problem by keeping a little book in my desk with all my
accounts and their user name and password. If my first or second try to log
into an account fails, I look it up in the book. A few I log into often I do
remember. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I find it is true with other things
also. If I don’t write down a name after being introduced, I won’t remember it.
Anything I want to remember, I know I need to write it down. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> God, of course, can remember
everything, except He has or will forget our sins. “For I will forgive their
iniquity and their sin I will remember no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34) God will not
forget us, but I am so glad that the Lord’s has me written in the “lamb’s book
of life.” In his vision of heaven the Apostle John says he saw no one who was
not written there. “But there shall by no means enter (heaven)…only those who
are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” (Revelation 21:27)</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Grace
and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-76080124083916124942014-11-20T17:19:00.005-08:002014-11-20T17:22:37.072-08:00FORGIVING HACKERS<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m sure it has happened to millions
of others but you do not pay attention until it happens to you. One afternoon a
few weeks ago a virus invaded my computer. I have no idea how it gained access,(I have Norton security and Webroot)but it succeeded in encrypting every one of my saved documents. There was a
link which supposedly would allow you to reverse the encryption. I was unable
to get the link to work. I have a contract with the Geek Squad, so I took the
computer in to the local Best Buy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
were able to remove the virus and a couple of more but were unable to reverse
the encryptions. As a result I lost all my document files. To make it worse the
thumb drive I was using for a backup was plugged in at the time and I lost my
backup files also. So I lost all my documents. Gratefully my email accounts
were OK.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Thus far the breech in the computer
has not been used to gain access into any of our financial accounts. I‘ve kept
a close eye on them. It seems the virus is just a malicious plaything for some
deranged hacker. Of course I do not know this hacker, or his/her motive. But I
am obliged to forgive him his trespass. In teaching his disciples how to pray,
Jesus gave them a model prayer. In that prayer He petitions “forgive us our
debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12) Most interpret this to mean that
we be forgiven in the same way or to the same extent that we forgive others.
This is sufficient motivation for us to forgive others. So I forgive the
hacker. Please don’t do it again.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Grace
and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-80519220454579818422014-11-13T17:50:00.003-08:002014-11-13T17:56:24.983-08:00ELECTION OVER<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Hurray!
The election is over for now. I grew so weary of the political ads. It seemed
that ninety five percent of them were negative and personally attacked an
opponent. We are told by political analysts that negative ads are more successful
than positive ads. I wish it were not so. Positive or negative I grew so tired
of these ads that on Wednesday week ago I felt I was released from prison. If you wanted
to watch any television offerings in the weeks leading up to Election Day, you
were compelled to also watch the ads. I am so glad the election is over for
this cycle. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I trust you exercised your right to
vote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some say that if you didn’t bother
to vote you don’t have the right to complain. The truth is it doesn’t do any
good to complain. No matter what you think of the election’s results, those
elected are now in charge of our government and deserve our support and
prayers. Surveys indicate most citizens are frustrated with the government. The
best thing we can do is pray for our leaders, collectively and individually.
They need the Holy Spirit to direct them in their decisions. We need the Spirit
to protect us from unwise actions of those in power. And prayer is not a wasted
effort. We are told in James 5:16 “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous
man avails much.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that! As I
pray I know I have real input into the political process.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Grace
and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-81800314279366388022014-10-10T17:31:00.004-07:002014-10-10T17:36:13.094-07:00I AM MALALA<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> I just read a new book
by the name “I Am Malala.” It is written by a Pakistani teenager, Malala
Yousafzai, who was shot on her school bus by a member of the Taliban. Then just
this week Malala received the Nobel Peace Prize, who at seventeen years of age,
is the youngest person to ever receive a Nobel Prize. She was targeted for
death by the Taliban because as a twelve, thirteen and fourteen year old she
had become a widely known advocate and speaker for girls to go to school. The
Taliban doesn’t think girls should be educated, or work outside the home. They
are to stay in the house and when they do go outside they are to wear a burka
(a full body covering with a slit for the eyes) and be accompanied by a male
family member.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
book is an inspiring story of this young girl and her courage. But I also
recommend you read the book for a close look at the Taliban and the society
they wish to create. Some of what they believe does have roots in Muslim
teaching. But, like Christians, there are those who are moderates, liberals,
conservatives and radical conservatives. But it isn’t the radical teaching of
the Taliban which causes concern, it is their intent to kill anyone who does
not agree with them, such as the girl Malala. Also, where they have power they
kill anyone who will not convert to the Moslem faith. In this book one can
glimpse the stupidity of their beliefs and their utter cruelty. My prayer is
that God will save the Pakistanis and all other peoples from such a group as
this.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Knowing
the Taliban and what they want for us and everyone else, I recognize them as
our enemies. And I remember the instruction of Jesus, “love your enemies, bless
them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which
despitefully use you and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44) With the Taliban, that
will be hard to do.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Grace and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-74037341704297637752014-09-27T08:30:00.000-07:002014-09-27T08:32:48.937-07:00EBOLA<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> If you are like me you probably never
heard of the Ebola virus until recent weeks. Ebola is transmitted from one
person to another or from infected animals through bodily fluids. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It is difficult to cure and the last
figure I saw was 2400 dead as the virus ravages west Africa. Missionary doctors
from the U.S. have contracted it as they treated others. These were flown back
to the U.S. and recovered. The epidemic has not been slowed thus far. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Diseases
seemingly come out of nowhere and cause widespread death. HIV/Aids is still
claiming many lives in Africa, even though medicines for treatment have been
developed. Many lack the medicine or lack information about the disease.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As
I have noted before, we seem quite unable to help in these situations. That, of
course, is not true. We can help financially to the extent God enables us. Locally,
Eddie Gibson, on the staff of Sardis Baptist is working with Liberians in
Birmingham, Al. to collect foodstuffs to Liberia where the Ebola outbreak has interfered
with food production and availability. One result of the Ebola crisis is that
my prayer list has expanded once again to include those fighting it in west
Africa. I believe with all my heart that the Holy Spirit works through
dedicated scientists and medical personnel to develop medicines and treatments
for all kinds of diseases. Therefore I pray for God’s Spirit to do just that in
the Ebola crisis. And I pray that God will help those who are ill, the families
of those who succumb to the disease, and those who are ministering to them.
Again, I believe with all my heart that God hears and acts in response to
prayer. “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe
that you receive them, and you will have them.” (Mark 11:24)</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Grace and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-85019438190463789542014-09-17T06:11:00.000-07:002014-09-17T06:11:03.455-07:00WHO DID YOU PHONE?
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Edward
Snowden and his leaking of government surveillance information are still in the
news and are considered editorially in the latest issue of Christianity Today.
As I understand the issue the government, with other nations, has traced phone
calls, emails and other correspondence of all of us. I further understand they
have information on who we have phoned, who has phoned us, whom we have emailed
and from whom we have received email. They do not have the actual
communications, what was said or written, just the traffic information. They do
therefore have information on the amount of traffic between people here and
radicals in the near east, information I really want them to have.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It doesn’t bother me for the
government to know with whom I’ve been in contact. Now, if I was plotting some
action detrimental to the nation or to businesses, or even to individuals, it
would bother me for my communications to be tracked. Otherwise, I don’t think
any of us should be upset over this kind of government surveillance. It goes
back to the truth that we should not be engaged in anything we need to hide. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Indeed,
if we join the psalmist in his desire to, “Let the words of my mouth and the
meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my
Redeemer;” (Psalm 19:14) we then need not be concerned even if someone does know the
content of our conversations and emails. If it is acceptable to God, surely it
will be acceptable to most others.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Grace and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-44357346870207038222014-09-02T05:07:00.002-07:002014-09-02T05:15:40.718-07:00GOD HEALS<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> The Holy Spirit gives gifts of
service to all believers. “The Holy Spirit displays God’s power through each of
us as a means of helping the entire church.” (1 Corinthians 12:7 TLB)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this passage the apostle Paul lists the various gifts.
Each of us has a gift or gifts which we know or should endeavor to discover. Every
Christian is given a gift but it is implied that none is given all the gifts.
And we cannot receive a gift on our own. They are given by the Spirit. If I
could attain another spiritual gift it would be the gift of healing. When Jesus
chose his twelve disciples he gave them the power to heal. (Matthew 10:1)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Some
claim the gift of healing was given only in the first century. Many who have
claimed the gift, and famously so on TV and hyped healing crusades, have proven
to be false upon investigation. This debate continues. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
do know and have witnessed God giving miraculous healings in spite of
scientific knowledge and hopeless symptoms. I have not seen it in connection to
an individual “faith healer.” But I know God can do it. I don‘t know why one is
healed and many others are not.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So
often I’ve been in a hospital room overcome with sympathy and wished for the
ability to proclaim, “You are healed” or like Jesus “take up your bed and walk.”
Alas, I do not have that gift.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But
I do believe God hears and answers prayers. I do not hesitate to pray in faith
for His healing touch. I do not hesitate to anoint the sick with oil and, with
others, pray for healing. And to His praise I have been granted the privilege
of seeing it happen.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Keep
praying. Keep believing. God will act.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grace and
Peace<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-49401781374196538632014-08-18T17:19:00.000-07:002014-08-18T17:26:06.572-07:00FRUSTRATION BUILDING PATIENCE<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> A couple of weeks ago I wrote of Liz
and my tendency to over pack for any journey. For the past two weeks we have
learned how little we need to get along.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
began when Delta caused us to miss our connection in Atlanta. We spent the first
night in an Atlanta hotel. We supposed Delta had sent our luggage on to London.
We had some scant basics in our carryon pieces. The next day we flew to London
but the Delta baggage people didn’t have the luggage and had no idea where it
might be. We filled out forms, and as we were scheduled to fly British
Airways to Leeds to join our tour group, they promised to send the bags to our
hotel there. Guess what? They did not appear. More phone calls back to Heathrow
to complain. They promised they would get the bags to our hotel in Glasgow
where we would spend two nights. Guess what? They did not appear. More phone
calls and promises they would get them to our next stop in Dublin where again
we would stay two nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guess what?
They did not appear. More phone calls and more promises. They would get them to
our hotel in Waterford. Repeat performance. They would get them to our hotel in
Cardiff. Still no bags when we got back to London. We checked again with the
baggage people at Heathrow. They supposedly had sent the bags after us but they
didn’t get them to us. At that point they had no idea where they were. We are
home today and only God knows where in His beautiful world our bags rest.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
the meantime we bought a few pieces of clothing, a Jacket for Liz against the
cold weather and an electric power converter, three of which were in our lost
luggage. We washed clothes in the lavatory each night in our hotel room. It is
amazing to me how little we got by with. Maybe this experience will inform our next packing for a trip.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Otherwise,
we still managed to enjoy the tour. And James tells us “My brethren, count it
all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your
faith produces patience.” (James 1:2-3)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grace and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-13003201862321833152014-08-07T05:37:00.001-07:002014-08-07T05:37:56.249-07:00SO LONG
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> The past couple of days have been rather hectic
for Liz and me as we prepared for our anniversary trip. First we had to measure
our luggage to make sure its dimensions were allowed by the airline and the
tour company. After doing so we needed to contemplate what to leave behind. We
are notorious for packing too much for any trip. We tend to carry along
anything we <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">think we may need.</b> And
most of these are things which could easily be replaced along the way. We also
pack as though there will be no laundry facilities where we stay; therefore we
carry eleven days of clothes. In my case we need a suitcase just to carry all
the medicines I take or use or may need. (Alka-Seltzer anyone?) </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
trip had a new wrinkle. I went to the library and downloaded some books to my I
pad. No need to carry hard copies with me, even though I prefer reading from a
page rather than a screen.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then
we needed to get all our papers and passports together in logical order, which
by no means indicate that we will not fumble with them as we need them. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
finally got it all done, and will get on our way this afternoon. With all the air line tragedies
lately, we covet your prayers for our safe travel. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our
final trip will be much less hectic. The Lord will take us up to be with Him.
We won’t need to take anything with us, no passports and no luggage. In fact, Liz is concerned by some of
the depictions of the rapture which have people being caught up <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">without their clothes! </b>However He wants
to take us is fine with me. “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught
up….”(I Thessalonians 4:17)</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grace and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-82463545115949761252014-08-03T17:36:00.002-07:002014-08-03T17:36:47.064-07:00AGE NO BARRIER
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I read something the other day which was encouraging to older adults like
me. In an article AAA reported, “Drivers over 70 are as safe as drivers of 25.
Drivers over 80 are less safe but still safer than drivers in their teens.”
This contradicts popular opinion that all older drivers are less safe than any younger
drivers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Having been in a serious one vehicle accident last December, I was ready
to believe popular opinion. But I knew my accident was not because of my age. It
was simply a matter of distracted diving.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In fact, many older adults are doing things that many younger people
cannot or will not do. This morning I watched an 89 year old friend on the
tennis court moving well to the ball and stroking the ball with authority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw on television a man who was 101 years
old and running a marathon. Many older senior adults are going back to school,
or learning a new language or composing music or poetry and writing novels. It
isn’t age that makes the difference, but the physical condition and mental
ambition of the individual.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When he was 85 years old Caleb reminded Joshua of the place God through
Moses had given him and he was ready to go claim it. In the process he said the
Lord had kept him alive and at this time he is as strong as he had been forty
years earlier when he was sent to spy out the land. (Joshua 14) He went and
conquered the land and continued to live.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If God blesses us with long life he also has a promise for us. “As your
days, so shall your strength be.” (Deuteronomy 33:25) </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grace and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-62852513265289703552014-07-26T15:00:00.004-07:002014-07-26T15:00:50.481-07:00Holy Land War
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Israel and Gaza are at war again. The
ongoing conflict has guilt on both sides. Obviously the Palestinians, or Hamas,
for lobbing rockets into Israel. On the other side Israel is causing great
suffering by closing off Gaza from trade and imports. Israel demands Hamas stop
shelling. Hamas demands Israel lift the ongoing boycott. Israel has a right to
try to protect her citizens from shelling. Hamas is right in seeking to free
Gaza from the boycott and mitigate the people’s suffering.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Why
does God allow this? Why doesn’t God step in and stop it? The obvious answer to
me is that God has given mankind a free will. Humans have the ability to make
choices and God allows us to make those choices even if they are wrong. The
boycott was the idea of men and the shelling is likewise the idea of men. This
war will end when men decide to seek a settlement of issues and restore the
peace. God will help us when we make good choices and engage in positive
action. He even comes to our rescue sometimes when we have gotten ourselves
into trouble by making the wrong choice. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God
has not left us to blunder along when making choices. He has given believers
the Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Jesus said “when he,
the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:…”(John 16:13)
But does the Holy Spirit speak to Jews and Moslem Palestinians? I am convinced
that He does if they will listen.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grace and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-80235735394969551042014-07-12T07:58:00.001-07:002014-07-12T08:02:13.619-07:00A HAPPY BIRTHDAY<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> I typed this
on the evening of July 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>, the birthday of our nation. Liz and I did not fight the
traffic; carry our folding chairs, bug spray, radio and snacks to witness
holiday fireworks in person. For the last couple of years we’ve been content to
watch fireworks on our televisions. The last time we attended a fireworks
display was with our grand boys. We also did not wait in a crowded restaurant
to order the traditional bar-b-que and sweet tea. And I did not make the effort
to grill outside. We had a celebrative dinner at home prepared in an
air-conditioned kitchen. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are
symptoms of old age. As one grows older he begins to take the easiest path. Now
if we had celebrated with family we probably would have done these
things, but none of our immediate family were in Birmingham today.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our relaxed observance of the
day does not indicate a lesser appreciation of its importance. We feel a sense
of pride and thankfulness as we put a <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> flag out front of our house. We
have pride in the fact that the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
in our opinion, is the greatest nation on earth. It has its faults and
problems, but it is the land of freedom and possibility. Millions of people
around the world see us as the land of opportunity and seek to come here, even
illegally.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And we are so thankful to live in this country. We are thankful that the bold experiment
of democracy has endured these 238 years. This is a blessing from God. Our
society is far from perfect, but we common people today live like the kings of
former generations. So I give thanks to the founders of our nation and the
generations which have preceded us. And most of all I give thanks to God. We
sing, “God bless <st1:country-region w:st="on">America</st1:country-region>”
and God has already blessed <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
I am confident He will continue to do so. The religious scene is rapidly
changing, but the great majority of our citizens still believes in God and
worships him. The Psalmist said, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
(Psalm 33:12)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Grace </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-42569430883361585752014-06-28T18:32:00.000-07:002014-06-28T18:32:24.084-07:00ANNIVERSARY GIFT
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Previously I
mentioned a gift for our fifty-fifth anniversary. Liz hates to fly over the
ocean. But she has conceded that she would cross one more time for a trip to
the British Isles. We had been to London once but London was all we saw. As I
began thinking about this milestone fifty-fifth anniversary it occurred to me that such a
trip would be just the thing for our celebration. Several months ago I began
plotting and getting reservations for the trip. So I surprised her with an
eleven day tour of Britain; i.e. England, Scotland, North Ireland, Ireland and
Wales. The trip is scheduled for August 7-17. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I predicted to our children her
first question would be, “How are you paying for this?” So I explained to her
that I started the process months ago by selling my little truck. I hadn’t been
using it much since we moved into the Oaks on Parkwood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sold my guns, neither of which had been
fired in over three decades. Then I began to squirrel away from our budget a
little here and a little there until I had the expense covered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Neither of us has a “bucket
list,” but I suspect, considering our ages and the cost of travel, this will be
the last major trip we will undertake. I am grateful to the Lord for our
current health and the resources to accomplish it. I am grateful to the Lord
that together we have been able to see much of His beautiful world. We have
traveled together to Mexico, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Greece, Italy, London, Israel twice, Hawaii,
Alaska now the whole of the British Isles. We have also been in all fifty
states of our country.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With the seraphim in the temple
vision of Isaiah I can declare, <span class="text">“Holy, holy, holy <i>is</i>
the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"> of hosts; The whole earth <i>is</i> full of His glory!” (Isaiah
6:3)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grace and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-19332404384489437312014-06-23T05:14:00.000-07:002014-06-23T05:14:39.059-07:00"SAKES ALIVE"
An earlier version of this blog somehow disappeared.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Last week
Liz and I celebrated our Fifty-Fifth wedding anniversary. We recognize in doing
so we are greatly blessed. Many of our friends and contemporaries are not so
blessed because one or the other of these couples has died. Also, a few have
experienced the trauma of divorce. God has blessed us with life and love. It’s
awesome to realize we have been together so long. (We dated five years before
we married, so we’ve actually “been together” sixty years.)</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I wrote a short verse for the
occasion to accompany a gift. It goes as follows:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Sakes alive! Sakes alive!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here we are at fifty-five!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fifty five? Yes fifty-five!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What causes a marriage so long to survive?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">First, enough health for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">US</b> to
last so long.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Second, a love that is unusually strong.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A love that sees in each the best</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then ignores all the rest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We rejoice today in what we’ve been given, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And trust it will last ‘til we get to heaven.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>(i.e. ‘til death do us part.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> More about the</span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> gift later. Liz certainly didn’t expect I t.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So rejoice with us and pray for
us. Pray that God will continue to give us good health and that we will remain
in the center of God’s will. Kit and Julie received many good wishes for us on their posts for our anniversary, and we received many cards and phone calls. Thank you all who communicated.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And remember; love endures, is kind, never fails, does not envy, is not
proud, behaves, doesn’t claim its rights, isn’t easily provoked, assumes the
best, rejoices in the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all
things, endures all things, “love never fails.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(1 Corinthians 13:4-8)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grace and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-81991772646703647152014-06-02T18:11:00.000-07:002014-06-02T18:12:50.692-07:00A RARE HAPPENING<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Fifty-four
years ago I had the privilege of presiding at the wedding of my brother, Bill,
and his bride, Evelyn Connell. Then twenty-four years later I was given the
privilege of presiding at the wedding of their daughter, Peggy, and her fiancé,
Donnie Helms. And now, two generations later I was invited by Bill’s
granddaughter, Katie Helms, to officiate at her marriage to Andrew Gilliam (May31<sup>st</sup>). I have officiated at the marriages of couples and their child, two generations. This is the first time I have conducted weddings for three generations. Words cannot express how pleased I am to be a part of each of
these weddings. I rejoice in the strong Christian families each has produced.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Bill was present to give away his
daughter at her wedding, and I regret he will not be present for the wedding of
his granddaughter. He died an early death in the summer of 1999. But wait a
minute…he will be present. Having written last week about John MacArthur’s book
“The Glory of Heaven,” I reflect that no one really knows what heaven is really
like. Many ideas have been suggested by a multitude of people. But one thing of
which I am sure is that those people who are there are aware of what is
happening on earth. Having described the faith of the Old Testament believers
now in heaven, the writer of Hebrews declares “we are surrounded by so great a
cloud of witnesses.” Heaven is full of witnesses. One of these is my brother
Bill who will certainly witness the wedding of his granddaughter. And I am also
convinced that another “Bill” Deason will be a witness, Katie’s great
grandfather whom she never knew. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Being
surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, “let us run with endurance the
race which is set before us, looking unto Jesus…” (Hebrews 12:1-2)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-60959425474272737462014-05-21T19:20:00.001-07:002014-05-21T19:25:27.856-07:00HEAVEN IS<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> In his
latest book, “The Glory of Heaven,” John McArthur challenges the growing number
of first hand reports by people who have died and then been brought back to
life, and described a trip into heaven or another world. His main thesis is
that these stories do not harmonize with the Bible, our source of divine truth.
He is especially hard on “Heaven is For Real,” published in 2010 and a best
seller since. The story, told by Todd Burpo, is of Colton, his three year old
son’s visit to heaven while undergoing surgery for a ruptured appendix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McArthur rejects outright Colton’s
descriptions of buddy-buddy paling around with Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit.
Much of what Colton describes sounds to McArthur like scenes from some of the
Bible picture books read to Colton since his birth. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To McArthur most of the life after
life or heavenly visits are focused on the individual involved, almost wholly
leaving out the presence, majesty and glory of God as described in scripture.
He is also troubled by the universalism taught in some of them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Although I have not been as critical
as McArthur, I must agree with his observances. Still these experiences related
by others have been a real blessing to me and an affirmation that something
good is out there beyond this life. Paul claims in a visit to the highest
heaven that he saw things which cannot be described with words. (2 Corinthians
12:1-6) Here lately describing in words seems to be no problem.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But we do not claim testimonies of
people who supposedly have been there and come back for our hope of heaven.
Rather we claim the promise of Jesus who told us “I go and prepare a place for
you… I will come again and receive you unto Myself;” (John 14:2-3)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grace and
peace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795970056401070066.post-46788084361768273992014-05-11T17:30:00.000-07:002014-05-11T17:32:57.362-07:00SNAKES ON CAMPUS ?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> “Snakes on Campus!” I did a double take at
the news account of snakes on the campus of Samford University. In the Bible
the devil is portrayed as a serpent, a snake, in the Genesis account.
Condemning the scribes and Pharisees, false teachers and hypocrites, Jesus
calls them snakes and vipers. (Matthew 23:33) We call a shady, conniving or
evil person a snake. A snake on campus conjures up the image of a false
teacher, a professor who leads students astray.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But
the news article referred to real flesh and blood snakes, Copperheads, which
have bitten two students this academic year. Now that is a serious problem. The
administration assures us they are doing all they can to rid the campus of such
creatures, but that the efforts are only partially effective because the campus
is so wooded and ivy covered. In the meantime they warn students and others to
be watchful and alert to such a danger.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Of
Samford I am confident there are fewer two legged snakes on its campus than on
most state schools. Not that Samford is heaven on earth, or as Grady Nutt
referred to Mississippi College as being “ten miles from the nearest known
sin.” But as news sources report one in five coeds on state campuses being
raped, mostly at drunken orgies, I once again thank God for Samford and similar
Christian Universities. Being a graduate and familiar with the bible and
theology professors, although I disagree with them on some points, I am
confident there are no snakes teaching the Bible, and I have no knowledge of heresy
being taught in any other disciplines.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But
even as we need to be watchful for snakes on campus we need even more to be
aware of that other snake. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the
devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1Peter
5:8)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> (Note: My computer was out of service for several weeks. Glad to be back.)</span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grace and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Two Grandparentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997303849898081552noreply@blogger.com0