"Me & My Shadow"

Our daughter's dog, Derby, is just like a shadow. Everywhere you go, Derby goes. If you
get up to go to another room, he will meet you there. If you get up to get a drink of water,
he will look up at you as if to say, "where's mine?" If you go outside, he will be out the door
before you open it. If you want to simply stop and rest, he will be up in your lap before you
can get comfy.
One of the problems with this puppy is that he will be at your feet when you are working at
the computer, asI am right now, and if you aren't watching what you are doing and what
Derby is doing, you will step on him or move the chair and make him whine as if to say,
"watch what you're doing there big guy!"
I can ask Derby if he wants to take a nap around 3:00 in the afternoon and he will head to the
bed without being prompted. The trouble is, when he is on the bed, he wants to play or watch
out the window. Until or unless Derby is out of the room, I don't get much rest at all. But that
is ok with me. I know my little buddy by my side knows he is loved. And, so am I. While he
may be our daughters dog, Derby has brought lots of love to our house even if you have to
watch where you are going or you might trip over him. I also know this, the shadow knows
that his owner thinks he is the best dog in all the whole wide world. He is!

FLAG DAY

Early this morning I put the American flag out at the front porch. I try to do this most mornings
as my way of remembering the freedom I have. I see so few flags as I drive around the area. At
times I wonder why more people don't do as I do. Maybe it's because they just don't think to do
it. Maybe it's because they are too busy to be bothered by doing it. Maybe it's because they are
not sure about things that go on in America or don't agree. For them it is a form of protest. That
is why I love being an American. Soon and very soon, we will celebrate the 4th of July. We will
see flags flying in the wind just about everywhere that day. But what about today and every other day?
For me, every day is flag day. May God bless Amercia!

UP DATE

I preached twice yesterday at a church in Bowling Green. The two servies were very different.
One was traditional and one contemporary. But both services seemed to have one high purpose,
to worship God. I was impressed with the people and proud to preach the faith at Faith.
Last night we had ice cream with a couple who just recently moved to town. We shared stories
and laughed so much that my stomach hurt. It wasn't the ice cream, it was the humor and fun.
It feels so strange to not be up and at it today after such a busy week last week. I discovered
that couldn't carry out the role of Pastor of Congregational Care as I had wanted to do. So I'm
doing things around the house to help my wife have a good day. If I get a call to visit someone
I will hop right to it asp. For now, I'll relax and read the morning newspaper. I just hope it's
all good news. Ha!

PREACHING

Last Sunday I preached to 789 people in the three services at Broadway. It was a real honor
to share some thoughts about being a father. Several people have said how much the message
meant to them. That is what I wanted to hear. Any sermon should say something that people
need to hear.
This coming Sunday I will be preaching two times at Faith UMC in Bowling Green. My twin
brother was pastor of Faith when it was known as Kerr Memorial UMC. It has merged with
another church since he served there many years ago. I preached at Faith a few months ago
and look forward to being back again Sunday. I'm going to talk about some ways the church
can minister to the needs of people through what they say and what they do.
I enjoy preaching from time to time and I enjoy hearing sermons that help me in my faith
journey. I can recall many messages that I have heard throughout the years of my life. If
I can say something Sunday to help others grow in the faith, it will be worth it all and God
will be glorified.

F Y I

F Y I: I am no longer Pastor of Congregational Care at our church. After a few days of walking
the halls of three hospitals (Bowling Green and Nashville), visiting rest homes and homes, I've
realized I'm not up to the job. Besides, I am on disability and am restricted in what I can and
cannot do. Yesterday wore me down as I put in a long and busy day. I will still see people as
asked by the church but it will not be in the role of Pastor of Congregational Care. I will say
more in the coming days.

DON'T HORSE AROUND

While I was at the eye doctor's office last Friday, I noticed that they team who worked there
all had on white shirts and black pants. Knowing that the woman who was helping me didn't
like the Friday dress code, I asked her what she had worn the day before. She told me that
she hadworn bluejeans. I asked her if she rode her horse to work. Without looking up at me,
she said, "No. That's to far out of town for me. Besides, we're just now get her broken in." It
then hit me that she wasn't kidding me. She was serious. She simply hadn't caught my joke.
I told my wife as we were leaving that I sure hoped this woman wouldn't wonder later how I
knew she even had a horse. And, that I hoped she didn't think I was starking her! I had asked
her on my previous visit who all the staff were dressed with the same outfit. She had told
me then and there that she hated the white and black outfit. I was just trying to carry on a
converation with her about what I had said before. From now on, I think I'll just keep my
big mouth shut and not horse around so much! I rather be safe than sorry.

EARLY THOUGHTS

When I went outside at 5:00 this morning to water the front yard, I found myself doing much
more. Before I knew it, I was bending over and pulling weeds, walking around and picking up
trash that had been thrown in the yard and looking up at the sky. It was so calm so early in
the morning. No traffic and people passing by seemed to silent things considerably. But before
I finish typing this Blog and drinking my first cup of coffee, I will begin to hear the sounds of
the day coming alive and loud.
I love getting up early in the morning before anyone else in our house. It's my time to hear
the sounds of silence. It's my time to think aboutthe things that I need to get done before I
go back to bed tonight. Right now I am busy with writing the sermon I'll be preaching three
times on father's Day. I am finding this sermon to be difficult due to the fact that some who
will hear it aren't fathers. Or, if they are, some have lost their children through death. What
do you say to soothe them as you seek to inspire and instruct others? I know it will all come
together since I still have several days to be ready, but I sure wish I had a better idea of
where I'm going with it all. Time will tell. These are my early thoughts so early in the morning.
I need to get some more coffee and start working with the sermon since my mind and soul
seem to want to get going.