THE TOMBSTONE TEST

Robert Fulghum wrote a book back in 1995 entitled, From Beginnung To End. I read for the first time in 1965. In it, Fulghum shows the picture of a man sitting on a lawn chair looking out at a
tombstone in a cemetary. After reading a few paragraphs, you read that that man was Robert
Fulghum himself. He tells why he was there. He is wondering what to do with his life until he is
buried beneath that lawn chair he is sitting on.
My wife and I own a cemetrary plot. It was the only piece of property I owned until we bought our house a few years ago. To tell the truth, we didn't even buy the plots, they were given to us by an Uncle of my wife. I wondered then if he was trying to get rid of me. (just kidding) Maybe
I should take my lawn chair to that small cemetary and ask the same question Fulghum asked.
To tell the truth (that's twice), I don't have to travel that far to ask that question. All I have to
do is ask it right here, right now. So it is with you. Maybe you should ask such a question of
yourself to check on your sense of purpose for living. He quotes Epicurus as saying, "The art of living well and dying well are one." I don't know about you, but I want to do both well enough to hear some other words one of these days, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant." Maybe this tombstone test has merit after all is said and done. I hope you pass before your passing. Me too.

FORWARD MARCH!

Cleaning off my desk and bookcase a few minutes ago I found something I had forgotten I had. I found a book I'd put aside awhile back. I look forward to start reading it on this last day of February. The book title is, Spring: A Spiritual Biography of the Season. I have already read Autumn and Winter. After Spring comes Summer, right? Can't wait! I have an idea that as I read Spring, I will have all sorts of thoughts spring up in my mind. Just now I thought of the seasons of our lives. What season am I in right now at age 63? I know it's not Spring. I know it's not Summer. I think it might be the beginning of Fall on this last day of February. I've lived 22,647 days during my life time thus far. How many more will I live? That I don't know. This I do know, each day is a gift from God to live well. So, enough of this blogging. I have too much else to do on this last day of February. Like: buy books and read them, take a trip with my wife, prepare sermons to have if I'm called upon to preach soon, etc. Forward March!

THINK BIG!

Several years ago a minister friend and I stood on my front porch, over looking the lake across the street. From out of no where Wally asked me what would be some churches I'd like to pastor. I shared some with Wally, which brought forth these words, "Your expectations are not high enough, John." With those words, my ministry changed from thinking too low to thinking that I could do better, bigger, greater. Before I took disability status as a pastor, I pastored three larger churches that I had first thought I could never have pastored. And, I had some good years in those larger churches. Wally was right. Are your expectations set high enough? Too high? "In the long run men hit only what they aim at." (Henry David Thoreau) I had to let the Lord change my aim. When I did, it worked. But so did I. I worked hard to accomplish what I was aiming at in my work. I planted seeds for the future and I have seen some of those seeds produce great results. Greater than I thought they ever would. What are you working for today? Tomorrow? Think big!

HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

I'm feeling better today than yesterday. Yesterday I wasn't worth shooting. Today, I'm worth it. Just don't do it! I feel better, act better, and even look better. Maybe I'm not blue because the sky is blue and the sun is bright. Our daughter's dog, Derby, licked my face when I was down on the floor doing my daily exercises for my right leg. Last I saw of him, he was in his crate sleeping. I hope I didn't get the little feller sick. I 'm not that dirty! We all have our good days and our bad days, don't we? It's what we do with them that matters. We can fuss and cuss or we can get on with our lives. That's what I'm doing on this Tuesday. What are you doing?

NEW NEWS - GOOD NEWS

Here we go again. Some say they have found the bones of Jesus. Some say they are silly, selfish, and the like. I say, watch what you say and how you say it. Isn't it amazing how un-Christ like a Christian can be in defending Jesus? Jesus doesn't need our defense. He wants our witness. It is the way we act and re-act that matters most. Let the Living Lord take care of those who doubt. They aren't the first. What we need to be about is the living of our lives in such a way that others come to the faith, not go away from the faith. Watch what you read and see about this news story. Others may be watching you and how you handle it. Be affirmative instead of argumentative. As for me, "You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart." Maybe all this new news can lead people to the Good News which is nothing new when you stop to think about it. Jesus may have His name in the morning obituaries this morning because of some bones, but make no bone about it, He lives! That's the best news of all!

A STANDING OVATION

I didn't feel well at all yesterday until Louis sang a solo in worship. My soul was standing up inside my soul as he sang. My lame leg was ready to leap up. I held myself down by holding onto my chair. It was a marvelous moment for me. I'm sure that those seated beside, before and behind me felt a spiritual surge as well. His song followed a fantastic message by our minister. My soul was soaring already and then this song seemed to put a spiritual explanation point on all else that was said and done. I felt so good after worship that I forgot my knee was bothering me. What I wanted to do was go down on my knees and praise the Lord! I'm glad I went into the House of the Lord yesterday. It was worth it as we worshipped an awesome God!

THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE

I love to get up early on Saturday mornings. I love to listen to the silence of the night. No cars
or trucks passing by. No people passing by. Just silence. That's the way it was at 5:00 a.m.. I was getting the newspapers and taking the dogs out when I stood still and listened to the silence in the darkness before the dawn. I knew that far too soon I would turn on the tv and begin to hear the sounds that tend to rule our days if we let them. For Lent, I think I will give up turning on the tv so early so the silence can speak to my soul. The newspaper can even wait for awhile longer before being read. Even Dagwood and the Family Circus. What a refreshing thought. I'm glad I thought of it so early on a Saturday morning.

I WAS WONDERING

Within a week two of my Minister friends have died. Alex died of natural causes, and Jerry died
of lung cancer. One was 60 and the other was 63, my age. Jerry married Janice and myself 38
years ago in a small country church. Wondering how Jerry was doing, Janice called to check on
Jerry one day last week. She prayed with and for Jerry over the phone not knowing he would
die within less than a week. It is hard to see someone die who has meant so much to you. You
wonder what else you could of done or said. You wonder why them and not you, You wonder why so young. You wonder how you can remember and honor them. Most of all, you wonder how it is that God gives those who believe upon His Son, eternal life so that one day you can be
with those who have gone on before. So, it's not a final farewell. It's a, "I'll be seeing you." That's the wonder of it all."

AN ALARMING THOUGHT

Every few minutes I will hear these words: "Derby. Derby. Derby!" It's my wife trying to get the attention of our daughter's puppy, Derby. Derby has a way of getting into things that he
shouldn't be in. Most of the time Derby will stop what he is doing and behave. At times, Derby
will see what he can get away with before being stopped.
Wouldn't it be something if we heard our name called out every time we're about to get into
something we shouldn't? It is like an alarm system that warns us before it's too late. Come to
think of it, for some reason my wife calls out my name when I letting Derby do something he
shouldn't be doing. If I knew it was something really bad, would I let Derby get in trouble like
that? Not! I know both of us would soon be in the dog house for "time out." "Been there - done
that!" Derby and I rather be able to play all day and then take a nice nap after a nice meal. If
my wife needs to call my name, let be to the dinner table. Derby can come too if he will behave.

AFTER THE ASHES

Tonight my famiy will attend the Ash Wednesday service at our church. At some point in the service, the Pastor will make the sign of the cross on our foreheads with ashes. We will wear that smudge of ashes either for a brief time or a long time. We will wear that smudge of ashes in private or in puplic. Tomorrow the smudge of ashes will washed off as we begin a new day. That's when the rubber hits the road. After the ashes, what do we do to be identified as followers of the faith? Do the people we work with know that we are Christians except for ashes on our foreheads for a few hours or even minutes once a year? It's our actions not our ashes that identify us as followers of Jesus. I remind you of that, and I remind myself as well. It's what comes after the ashes that matters most. It's not what happens in the Ash Wedneday night service as much as our service in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Don't just go through the actions, but let your actions account for something worth whle.

A GREAT LOSS

Today is the funeral of a friend whom I've known for many, many years. Alex died last week near Atlanta. He was a United Methodist Pastor for several years. He held a revival in one of the churches I served. Alex was always so kind with people. We loved to pick on one another just to see who could get the last laugh. He did. I have missed seeing Alex over the past years due to their being so far off. They were planning on returning o Kentucky in June. Now Alex is in an even better place where there are no more tears and no more pain. Alex was only 60 years old. His sudden death reminds me that I should live each and every day with gusto. That is what he did, and what he would want for others, including you.

THE KEEPING ROOM

Yesterday I drove some 100 miles to see someone I hadn't seen for several years. We met at a restaurant called Bread of Life. When Thom arrived, we offered huge hugs to one another. After we ate, we stayed at the table for three hours sharing stories and pictures with one another. It was as if we hadn't been apart for over twenty years. After leaving to head home, I stopped to see my almost 95 year old (April 2nd) Dad. We too had huge hugs for one another. We shared things for over an hour before I left to get back to Bowling Green before dark. There was a small sign above the entrance to one of the rooms at Bread of Life, The Keeping Room. I thought to myself, if these walls could talk, they sure could tell a lot about a lot of people. The good thing is that The Keeping Room keeps conversations confidential. Maybe that's why they call it that. I know that I will keep a lot of good thoughts in the Keeping Room of my soul about a cold Friday in February when I was with a dear friend and a dear Dad. The long drive was worth while because it affirmed to me that family and friends are worth keeping in a society where people are cast aside so easily. And that is so sad.

HOLY GROUND

Since Lent starts in a few days, I've been reading Bishop William H. Willimon's new book, Thank God It's Friday. It deals with the seven last words from the cross. I'm only on page 9 and I feel as if I'm standing on holy ground. I've heard Bishop Willimon several times across the years and have always been blessed. But more than that, I've been challenged! He has a way of saying a number of things that stir up my soul in such a way that I know I can't stay as I am. I have to make some spiritual adjustments if I am to be a Christ follower. I still have a few pages to go as I read about the first word from the cross, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23: 32-38) and he has said some things that I need to hear and heed. I have put his book down for today so I can do some serious thinking about a very serious subject. I have an idea that when I pick it up again, I will be on tip toes to capture what he has to say about the sayings of my Savior. I can hardly wait till then.

My Pastoral Record

As I was turning through my thick My Pastoral Record book this morning, I saw something I had forgotten was there. Written beneath the name of this 487 book are these words, "The Life Ministry of John Carroll Coomer." I'm not through writing in the sermons I've preached, the baptisms I've conducted nor the marriages and funerals I've conducted. My ministry isn't over yet. After just turning 63, I should still have several more opportunities to do these duties for a long, long time. I may not be able to do some of the things I used to do, but I can still do most of them. I know I am not to boast about these things but I'm proud of my pastoral record. I'm not tooting my own horn, I'm just thanking God for giving me this ministry. I used to have a small sign which read: "I'm humble and I'm proud of it" on my desk. I think they took it away from me for some reason. Beats me! Anyway, taking a trip through this thick book has brought about many memories on this cold winter morning. Now if I can just keep on doing some of these things for years to come, I'll be grateful to God for giving me this ministry.

HIGH NOON

I will be up even earlier in the morning than usual. I'm meeting a minister friend at high-noon for lunch. We haven't seen one another for several years. Thom and I served churches in the same town some twenty-two years ago. Thom moved out of state to serve a church and we lost track of one another until just recently. We've emailed one another for a number of months and decided to meet Friday. I will drive over a 100 miles to get to where I'm going and Thom will drive a number of miles as well. Knowing the two of us, there will be a very few moments when we won't be talking and listening to one another. We will share stories about our families and our churches we've served, and the "good old days." I am looking forward to Friday because it will be a lot like a belated birthday gift to see someone who means so much to me. High-noon can't come quick enough for me because Thomas Gibson is a great friend I've always appreciated. I will appreciate him even more if he picks up the tab at high-noon! Why shouldn't he? He always said I was a poor preacher! I get poorer year by year, Thom! It will be worth it just to see me!

"DOG - GONE IT!"

I was up at 5:00 this morning to take the dogs out. It was snowing and cold. Very cold! I had to watch my steps as I walked across the pavement so that I might not fall out there in the dark morning. I brought them back in and started to feed them when suddenly the wind blew and the back door flew open and both dogs fled into freedom. I didn't even try to go after them. I couldn't catch them if I tried. We will bait them in after awhile. Being huskies, they love to go in the snow. When Derby saw them at a distance when he was taken out he wanted to join them in their great escape. He was on a lease and was brought back into the house where it's warm. Dog-gone-it! They are gone but they will be back, wagging their frozen tails behind them!


Update: One dog was caught in the late afternoon while the other didn't get home until late into
the night. Both are doing fine this morning (Thursday) after a night's sleep and a good breakfast.

Public Prayer

I went shopping by myself today after getting my hair cut. While I was at the mall, I ate in the food court at a table by myself. While I was watching the people pass by, I noticed two women seated across the room. Just as I looked, one of the women bowed her head and prayed right there in public. That's when all of the sudden I stopped eating and prayed the prayer I had failed to pray. Isn't it easy to forget saying grace in the kind of place? I'm sure she didn't pray to be seen by anyone, but to be heard from the God to whom she prayed. When I saw her bow her head, it reminded me that I too should so the same. What about you? Do you pray in a public place? How about a private place?

?

After our daughter had showered and left the bathroom, I walked into use it. When I looked at the mirror I saw steam still on it. Written in the middle of the mirror was a big question mark (?). I wondered why she put it there. I wondered if she wondered what today would be like for her. I wondered if she was asking a personal question of herself. I wondered if she wondered if anyone would see that it in the middle of the mirror before it faded away. Well, I saw it. If I knew the question, maybe, just maybe, I could answer it for her, though I really do doubt it. Truth is, I have enough questions of my own to deal with today. I better get on with it and leave that in her hands. I will let her deal with her question and hope she gets the right answer and that it is something she will be satisfied with. She knows I'll be praying for God's guidance for her today, as I do everyday. That's my answer to her question if it, "does anybody care?"

"Can You Hear Me Now?"

I went to bed early last night because I was tired and deeply depressed. Sunday night I lost my left hearing aid. My family and I looked everywhere I had been to see if we could see it. Not! We looked down. We looked up. We looked under. We looked in. We looked so much that it tired me out. We all prayed that the lost be found. I knew I could replace it but, I sure hate to spend the money to do it. So, being tired and depressed I went to bed by 9:30 last night. I had been sleeping for an hour or so when I heard, "Daddy, Daddy, I found your hearing aid!" I thought I was dreaming. But I looked up and there stood my daughter and my lost hearing aid. I was so shocked that it took me awhile to realize that she had it in her hand. It had dropped out of my ear near the crate where her dog, Derby, stays in her bedroom. I had prayed that it would show up out of nowhere. Well, it did! As I write these words I am delighted that the lost is found and that I feel so much better this morning than I did when I went to bed last night. I not only feel better, I can hear you now! What wonderful words, "Daddy, Daddy, I found your hearing aid!"

Jump Start Your Week

Let me share a couple of quotes from Everday Greatness by Stephen Covey to jump start the week.

"If you burn the candle at both ends, you may not be as bright as you think." Herbert Prochnow

"If a man watches three football games in a row, he should be declared legally dead." Erma Bombeck

"Fall seven times, stand up eight" Japanese Proverb

"Never insult an alligator until after you have crossed the river." Cordell Hull

Take these thoughts with you today and see if they speak to your soul.

I Love A Little Nip Every Now and Again

Every now and again I like a nip. I can hardly wait to take a nip while I'm working in my study. It makes me feel so much better. Barney says, "Nip it in the bud!" I say, a nip or two can't hurt you if you don't over do it. Too many can give your tummy troubles. That's why I was so excited today when my wife gave me some Nips. Nips are rich and creamy hard candy drops that taste like coffee. I even take a nip when I'm driving. I haven't gotten pulled over yet. If I do, I may just offer a nip or two the police man, not as a bribe, mind you, but as a gesture of friendship. If I'm questioned as to where I got my supply, I will tell them my who got me high on this stuff.

"Let me count the........."

My family took me to a nice restaurant today to celebrate my twin's birthday. How thoughtful of of them to do such a thing. I thought he would meet us there but he was a no show. Most likely he is still sleeping! When you get his age you need lots of sleep, I hear. I've also heard that men his age need lots of birthday presents to affirm him as the sands of time fall through the time bottle. Maybe that's why he wasn't at the restaurant, he was (still is) counting sand as it falls so slowly on through, one by one by one by one...... I doubt he can count that high now that I stop and think about who is doing the counting. That's why I cal him No count! Anyway, I had a great time at the restaurant and to top that, when we got home my family gave gifts to me to help celebrate my twin's 63rd birthday. Now that's what really counts to me on my twin's birthday! Happy Birthday, Harold. Thanks for the attention it got me! It worked!! Happy Birthday, old man.

Can You Top This?

I went to the Public Library after having breakfast with a friend this morning. After reading a
couple of magazines and news papers, I got into my car to leave. All of the sudden I realized I
didn't have my hat on my head. I looked in the front and back seats, no hat. I thought that I'd
left it at the resturant and would have to go across town to get it, if it were still there. That's
when I remembered having my hat on my head when I went into the Library. So, I went back to the second floor to see if I had left it on the table where I sat when reading. It wasn't there.
As I was walking out of the room, I happened to look across the room and, there it was on the
floor by a chair I had sat down in when I first walked into the room. I picked it up and went
back out to the car to leave. I'm sure glad I found it because it was a gift from my wife. It is a
nice looking hat. But most of all, it's cold!! I don't see how people get by without something on
their heads when they are out doors in weather like today. But I see them all the time. Some
don't have a hat on and to top that, they don't have any hair with. Makes me shiver all over
my body as I write this Blog in my nice, warm house. By the way, I've still got on my hat. I
don't want to leave it somewhere where I can't find it again. They say a hat helps keep the
body warm. I say "amen" to that on this fridget Friday where small snow flakes are falling
as I look out the window of my study. Burr!

The Early Morning Show

I was up early this morning to get some things done before meeting a friend for breakfast. I shaved and showered, put on the coffee and got the newspaper before 5:30. Then I opened the blinds in the Dinning Room and lo and behold, there was the God show. The sunrise was astonishing - awesome - out of this world! I stepped outside and stood still in the silence. It was as if God had given me these moments as "Good morning, John" wake - up call. I must confess that too often I'm too busy to stop and see the sun rise. Well, not today. This will nudge me into looking for the sunrise every morning that I'm up and at it so early. Indeed, "This is the day the Lord hath made." It is a great God show! And, it's free for the taking. Take it all in even if it is the Early Morning Show.

Still Waiting

My wife and I ate at a restaurant today in Nashville after keeping an appointment we had there. After our waitress brought our food to our table she asked if we needed anything else. I told her I needed $10.00. She stopped in her tracks, looked at me and smiled. Then she walked away. I have yet to have any waitress take me up on giving me the $10.00. Why? She asked what we needed and I told her. Some just look at me and laugh. Some say that when I pay a big tip, I will get my $10.00. I'm still waiting. Maybe I need to come with a new answer to her question. I think I will ask for a a free car wash. I can always use one of those. I always leave a large tip. I tell her to brush her teeth daily. That's the tip my Mom always gave me.

Simple Truths

Yesterday afternoon I slipped a piece of paper inside a book entitled, Simple Truths. I want to keep that paper because it is an email from the person who wrote the book, Stephen Bauman. I had emailed him yesterday morning to thank him for what he had to say in his book. Bauman is the Senior Minister of Christ United Methodist Church in New York City. What amazed me was that he emailed me back and, that he did it within a couple of hours of my emailing him. He shares such simple truths from everyday life. He says that they are right before our eyes if we will take time to look and listen for them. I know from personal experience that he is right. Many of my blog posts are made up of simple truths that come to me as I simply stop to take in what's happening right before my eyes. Many of my sermon seeds come from simple things. What a nice note from Stephen Bauman. The simple truth is that I hope to meet him and thank him personally one of these days. Until then, I will try to practice what he has to say in Simple Truths.

A CLOSE SHAVE

While shaving this morning, I looked in the mirror and saw my daughter's puppy, Derby. He was out in the hall looking at me. Listening to the radio as I shaved, I was careful not to cut my face. Just as I was about through, I looked in the mirror to see Derby. Sure enough, Derby was there to be seen. What I saw was Derby with the toilet paper in his little mouth heading south. He was singing, "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder, I'll Be There." When I reached to get hold of him, Derby darted down the hallway saying, "Catch me if you can." Well, I did! I picked him up and started trying to rewind the toilet paper. That was the end of that! It was a really close shave! After cleaning things up, I looked at Derby and told him that he was so Charmin. He agreed with me as the two of us high tailed it on out of the bathroom before the lady of the household could catch us. Talk about a really close shave!!

DOING DAILY DUTIES

While I was reading a few minutes ago I heard a familiar sound, the "Garbage Guys" going in front of our house. Here I am in my nice, warm home watching the "Garbage Guys" going by in frigid weather. I complained about taking the garbage out at 6:00 this morning and here there they were at 10:00 doing their daily duties. I didn't hear them complaining about it. Isn't it true that we too often take people for granted? People who go about their daily duties with out calling attention to themselves amaze me. They do these acts of kindness knowing that someone needs something that they can do. What we ought to do is do something to thank them. A tip. A smile. A thank you note. It just might make their day worth while.

"AND THEY CALL IT PUPPY LOVE"

I was up at 5:30 this morning because my ribs were hurting. Since I couldn't sleep I thought I might as well get an early start on the day. I took the dogs and the garbage out. Then I sat down to read the newspaper and watch the morning news on tv. By 6:30 I was worn out! I guess it's my body telling me that I can't do things the way I used to do them. I used to move at the speed of a microwave but now it is more like a crock-pot. I'm just glad I can still move. I may be slow, but I'm moving. When I was taking our daughter's puppy, Derby, out I fell down just outside the garage door. It didn't hurt. It just was frustrating. The good thing is that Derby stopped his march to the yard and came over to me and licked my face. It was as if the little feller was saying, "I know you're in pain." Or, maybe he was saying, "You're a pain!" Whatever, it was nice to be noticed. I got up and we took care of matters at hand, came back in the house as if nothing had happened worth telling about. So, why am I telling you? I guess I need some sympathy. Even if it's from a little puppy. That's why they call puppy love, I guess. Works for this old man.

GREAT GAME - GREAT TIME

Being the very nice older brother than I am I invited my youngest brother over to watch the Super Bowl with us last night. It was a great game and we had a great time. There were times though when I wasn't watching the tv. Instead, I was watching my brother watching the game on tv. Every time his team did something right, he would yell and clap. Every time his team made a mistake, he would boo them as if they were the dumbest people in the world. He acted as if he had never heard of them! Then there were the commercials. He laughed so loud that I could hardly hear what was being said. And I had on my hearing-aids! Of course, I have to admit, I did my fair share of watching, yelling, and talking too. The greatest thing was, I ate more pizza than any one else. Watching the great game and the great gathering in the family room got me really, really hungry! And, by the way, our team won! As Tony the tiger would say, “That's GREAT!!!!"

WAIT WATCHING

I love to go to the Mall or to some other store and watch people. What is so amusing is to watch the men watching their watches. One man took a look about every other second. "Been there, done that!" Some will walk around some. Some will watch the people passing by. Some will get up and go to the bathroom and then return to their perch while waiting to really go. Whenever I find myself waiting in a place like that, I pray for the people passing by. I don't know them and I don't know their needs and problems, but God does. While waiting, I try to rest knowing that I will be up and at it before too much longer. Just now while writing this, our daughter's dog came in spread out right at my feet. I think he is waiting for me to get up and go get his mid-day meal. So, so long.

THE DERBY DIET

In a week I will celebrate my 63rd birthday. I would of never thought that at age 63 I would be
trying to train a puppy to go outside to do his business. And I don't mean going to the bank or
buying his dog food. You know what I mean, don't you? At my age, I do well enough to get to
the bathroom without having an accident! I even have to watch where I'm going so I don't knock my wife down in the hallway as I'm trying to get there in time! Again, you know what I mean, don't you? As hard as we try to train Derby to do his do-do thing out doors, he seems to think that he has us on a new weight training exercise - bending over - to pick him up - to pick up or clean up his mess. I've lost 5 pounds just bending over since he arrived a few weeks ago. This Derby Diet sure does work. At this rate I will be 20 or thirty pounds lighter by the time I'm 64!

A NEW DAY

"IN THE BEGINNING...."

Included in a get well card to me were these words from a woman I know, "Spring is coming and bringing a new beginning, Thank God." While looking at that card with that message, I looked out the window and saw snow coming down and on the ground. Her card was a card of promise.
Our son's favorite hymn is Hymn of Promise. It speaks of the end as our beginning. The Bible says, "Behold, I make all things new." This is a new day with new possibilities. What we need to do is to take use this new day as best we can, for as long as we can. Before we know it, it will be gone. So, what are you waiting for, friend?

"YOU'VE GOT MAIL"

"You've Got Mail" is one of my favorite movies. I love to watch it again and again. Yesterday I got mail. I got a get well card from a woman who had heard of my fall and broken ribs. A really nice note was written inside the card. Then there's the card with an old dog with a bandage on his front leg. Inside the card where these words, "Heal!" And a nice note from a couple from our church. Lastly, there was a card from the small country church where I preach from time to time. Last night I got to thinking about these get well cards. Someone had to take time to get a card, stamp it and include a nice note inside it. They didn't have to do it, but they did. They didn't have to think of me at all, but they did. "You've got mail!" means a great deal to me while I get better day by day. The message about healing is what it's all about, isn't it? These cards make me feel better. Much, much better.

The Man In Black

"Hello, I'm, Johnny Coomer......" You wonder why I wear black. Well, I'm so sad...so very, very sad. My twin brother turns 63 this month and that's why I wear black. It's so sad that I have to wear a black suit everywhere I go until I get over these old person blues. I feel so sorry for him getting so old, so quick. They say there's nothing we can do for him but pray, but I'm gonna sing a song about my almost older twin brother. I can't sing to ya, but here are the words.:

Sixty-three, oh my - oh me!
How in the world can it be?
What ever happened to your face?
Wrinkles here and there, I do declare!
You look older than your older twin brother
But you still smile like your Mother!
Sixty-three, how can it be?
That you look older than me?
Goodbye, I'm Johnny Coomer - the man in black out of respect for my twin who will be 63 this
month. Don''t send no flowers or candy, just dress in black, that would be dandy!

"Me & My Shadow"

"Me and my shadow" is an old saying that I remember from way back when I was a child. Then a few years ago we bought a cocker spaniel and named him Rusti. Rusti was with us for a long time. The truth of the matter is, where ever you went, Rusti went. Upstairs - upstairs, downstairs - downstairs. She would follow you from room to room. She was like a shadow. Since we brought Derby home a few weeks ago, he has become the shadow. Where ever you go, Derby goes. This morning I played hide - go -seek with Derby. He found me each and every time. I didn't have to call him or whistle for him, he just always showed up. They say that a dog is man's best friend. I say, this dog is like shadow. I don't mind having him follow me everywhere as long as I can get a nap in from time to time. Now, where us that little feller?

TALKING TO MYSELF

Yesterday afternoon I finished reading The Gospel According To Starbucks by Leonard Sweet. This 210 page book is wonderfully written. I doubt I can ever drink another cup of coffee without thinking of it. Sweet shares where coffee came from and why it is so popular with so many people. The most important thing that he deal with is how coffee and conversation go
together. Coffee connects people together as they talk about almost anything there is to talk
about. Starbucks is a success because it's the relationships that matter most, not the coffee.
It is a "port of entry" into the hearts and minds of one another. This small book asks some big
questions of it's readers as they turn from page to page. I know it has helped me deal with a
couple of issues already that I hadn't given much throught to before. It is as if I've had a deep
conversation with myself over coffee. I know I talk to myself from time to time but this was well worth listening too. I even took notes. Now if I can just put into practice some of the things
I thought about, I'll be a much better man.

Wise Words

One of the things that I like so much about Everyday Greatness are the quotes. Here's a share of some of them:

"This typxwritxr is xxcxllxnt xxcxpt for onx kxy. The 25 othxr lxttxrs work finx; but just onx goof-off lousxs up thex wholx job." - William D. Xllis

"The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work." - Arthur Brisbane

"Nowadays some people expect the door of opportunity to be opened with a remote control."
- M. Charles Wheeler

"The best way to break a habit is to drop it." - Leo Aikman

Wise words to ponder through out the day.