"LET'S EAT!"

My wife and I are having dinner tonight with some friends who have just moved to town.
In the morning, I'll be having breakfast with two minister friends. Last Tuesday I had
lunch with a minister friend at MacDonalds. I say all this to say this, I love to eat with my
family and my friends. Jesus found fellowship at the table again and again.
Labor Day will be a day when our extended family will be together for a meal. We will
share stories and spend the time just talking and listening to one another. We will say
about the same things we said last time, but that's ok with me. I can't help that they have
such short attention spans.
We invited my youngest brother over to eat with us one Tuesday night. It was good
to see Wayne because he has been busy with his church and another country church, So
we miss seeing him even though we live less than six miles from one another. Strange,
he always shows up when there is food on the table. Takes after one of his three brothers
but I won't say which one. You gotta watch him!

FAITH FILTERS

I just removed the air filter for our air conditioner. No wonder the air flow wasn't flowing
as well as it should, the filter was filthy! I think I've found Jimmy Hoffa's body hidden
under our house! Either that or the three dogs hair has clogged things up pretty much.
We had put a new filter in a couple of weeks ago and it looked like it had been in use for
months.
Our souls are a lot like that, aren't they? They get grime and dirt on them and need some
attention. It's called confssion. I know from personal experience that whenever I confess
my sins and forsake them that I feel so much better spiritually. I must do a better job with
my faith filters that keep sins from staying in my life and clogging things up. I also know that
I can't do this every two weeks, I have to do it daily. So should you. Christ takes our soiled
souls and wipes away our sins and sends us on our ways telling us to "go and sin no more."
But when we do, He is always ready to remove the filth from our souls if we would ask Him
again, daily.

I MISS MY SWING

This afternoon I did something I haven't done very often this summer, I sat out on our
front porch swing. Sad to say, it didn't last long. There had neen a breeze but before I
could get comfortable, the breeze blew right on by.
I look forward to Fall when once again I can be a real swinger again. I miss my time all
alone as I pray. I miss my reading while I excerise my legs. I miss my observing of our
world. I am already wondering what the fall leaves will look like. I doubt the display
will be as brillant as I'd like it to be. Unless we get soem rain soon, I wonder if the trees
will survive the Summer very well at all.
For now, I'll have to stay inside as I look out our windows at a hot, dry world. I guess I
could get in my car and take a drive to some of the other States where things are in a
state of flooding. Instead, I'll do as I said in a blog awhile back, "this too shall pass." I
just wish it would speed up some.

"Snap, Crackle,Pop"

"Snap, Crackle. Pop" These three sounds seem to announce every move I make day or nigh.
It's my body's way of announcing that I'm getting older. I sure would hate to hear the "Snap,
Crackle, Pop" of my brother's, whose names I won't write down for you. Last I heard,
they are under the witness protection program.
John Ortberg says it so well in his new book, When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back in
the Box, " The days go slowly, but the years go by fast." My father would affirm that thought
without having to think about it. Dad is 95 years old and unless he has someone to keep him
company each and every day, he reads and sleeps until night time when he sleeps most of the
night away. But there are times when the times moves so slow, so very, very slow.
I had a retired pastor in my last church who was so lonely after his wife died that he could
hardly stand living. He yearned for friends to stop and stay awhile and just talk. Whenever
I went to see him, he would talk my head off with things he had already told me many times
before. But that was fine with me because I knew what he wanted and what he needed, a
friend.
"The days go slowly, but the years go fast." Amen and amen! Whenever I see pictures of
my family from years ago, I realize that the years have gone by far, far to fast for me. I
also realize that the man in the pictures with his family sure has gotten older quick. Poor
fellow! I think there is a scripture about that somewhere, "And"Snap, Crackle, Pop" shall
follow me the days of my life. " Ouch!!

CHALK ONE UP

Yesterday my wife wrote some words on our bathroom wall with chalk just to see how it
looked. This morning, I saw where my daughter wrote me a note reminding me to read
The Upper Room. So, being the smart person that I am, I wrote these words right above
the throne, "Are you on pot?" I think we have a contest going on in our bathroom to see
who can out do the other. Beats just sitting there staring at a blank walls!
Try these on for size:
"You make me flush!"
"It's time to get up!"
I'm going to pot!"
* " John is in the John"

Say, that's enough chalk talk for today!

*I always wanted a building named after me.

CHANGE

While I was having breakfast with a friend this morning, I kept watching out the window
at some workers building a new Starbucks. It seems like it hasn't been that long ago that
it was an empty corner lot. Beside Starbucks there is a new drug store being built as well.
It reminds me of one day a few years ago when my wife and I were driving around looking
for a house to buy. One of the streets was overlooking a field with trees and grass. I told
her that I would enjoy looking at that field from time to time as I passed by. Today that
once empty field is full of new houses, hundreds of them for as far back as one can see.
Nothing seems to stay the same very long anymore, does it?
Nothing stays the same very long, does it? Wow! When I look at the man in the mirror I
know that for a fact. All I have to do is take a look at the wrinkles and the changes of my
body to know that I'm not the same man I was when we moved into our house a number
of years ago. My ears are even getting bigger! The better to hear you with, if I have on my
hearing aids.

SOUNDS LIKE A SOUND PLAN TO ME

I met a minister friend at MacDonald's for breakfast this morning. We hadn't been getting
together for awhile due to being busy. It was great to simply share ome things with each
other over coffee. I don't know who did the most talking but I have an idea that I win. I
talk way too much at times. I take it from my father.
I always enjoy hearing what's happening with my minister friends. I miss being a pastor
at times and yet, I'm glad I dont have all thatadministrative stuff to do. I enjoy being with
people and preaching. That's why I look forward to next month when I will be preaching
at a small church one Sunday and also doing a three night revival for another. Then to top
that, I'm doing a wedding in Nashville toward the end of the month. That's enough to wear
me out!
There are plenty of things to do around the house, so I best be getting back to doing some
of them before my wife tells me what to do. The first thing I need to do is take a nap after
lunch. Now, that sounds like a sound plan to me! I din't know meeting at MacDonald's was
so tiring.

SERMON STUFF THAT WILL PREACH

Something I'm always saying is,"That will preach." The trouble is, I often forget what I thought
would preach before I preach it. That is, I fail to make a note of it and then I forget it. I have a
habit of jotting down "S S" in a book when I see something that I think is sermon stuff. I can go
back to the book and refresh my memory so that something can come from that simple note to
myself. It works. I've done it so many times that ought to write a book entitled SS: Sermon Stuff
That Will Preach.
I'm 76 pages into When The Game Is Ovr It All Goes Back In The Box by John Ortberg as
of this morning. The more I read of Ortber's stuff, the more I ask myself, "why didn't I think
of that?" Instead of thinking it myself, I find myself having to give credit to another guy named
John, not myself. But that's ok with me. He has a way of making me think and then do. He has
a way of poking his thoughts into my spiritual ribs. It doesn't hurt as much as it helps. So, I'll
keep looking for places to place yet another "SS" before I put his book back on the shelf to
take down again some day when I need it for some reason or another. I just hope I don't
forget where I put the book! By the way, "SS: That Will Preach!"

"AND IT CAME TO PASS..."

When I was reading from The Bible a few minutes ago I came across five words that stopped
me in my tracks, "and it came to pass..." Why would that be? About an hour ago as I walked
outside to pick up the mail from the mailbox, I couldn't believe how dry the grass was beneath
my feet. I wondered when it would ever rain again. Then I read five words that refreshed my
soul, "and it came to pass..." You see, one of these days it is going to rain on my yard again
and the grass will grow and grow and... then I will have to mow it again.
There are times in our lives when we wonder if something will ever start or stop. We wonder
with doubt more than with faith. We tend to give up rather than go on. I know from personal
experience. A number of months ago I was down in the valley of dispair wondering why things
had gone has they had gone. I had a pity party that just about got me down and stomped on
my soul. But then, these same five words lifted me up and jump-started my soul so that I
wouldn't stay down and out. Sure enough, " it came to pass..." Whatever you are going through
right now, just remember, this too "shall come to pass." That' s why I'm passing on this promise
to you. Take it for what's it's worth and see if something does happen that will lift up your
drooping spirit.

"IT'S HOT, DON!"

When we lived near Owensboro, Ky there was a tv commercial for a car dealership that
always caught my attention. Somone would yell out, "It's hot, Don!" Well, today I can yell
out, "It's hot, Don!!" It's 106 outside right now. I feel so sorry for peoplewho have to work
in this heat. I offer a prayer for their safety during these Summer days when it is very hot.
One of the reasons why my wife and I cut short our trip this week was the heat. It is too
hot to be outside, even if it is in the swimming pool. I rather be home watching tv where
it's cooler.
Before we know it, snow will be falling and we will be complianing. I think it's best just to
take it as it is and live life as best we can. There's always someone, somewhere worse off
than we are. All I can safely say today is,"It's hot, Don!"

GOOD TO BE BACK HOME

I was up early each morning while we were at Dale Hollow State Park Tuesday and Wednesday.
I watched the sun come up while drinking my morning cups of coffee. I watched the small animals as
they searched for food. I watched the water begin to stir as boats passed by the
shoreline. But most of all, I watched for signs of God. They were on Divine display all around
me. I gave God a standing ovation each morning before leaving the balcony.
One morning we went swimming in the outside pool but when it became too hot to stay, we
went back in and read. Needless to say, we enjoyed the food morning, noon and night. It was
a great get-away but we came home a day early. On our way, we stopped at two or three
antique stores just for the fun of it. While I hate that kind of thing, I'm glad that my wife was
able to get her jollies from it. While we were there, I bought an old book to make the stop
worth while. I shall see as I read it one of these days in the near future.
This was part of our 38th wedding aniversary celebration. It was nice to be near my wife
while we were away. We shared stories and talked about what we want to to do for the next
38 years or so. Her list is longer than mine.

GETTING LOST

This afternoon my wife and I are headed to a State park for a few days. I'm taking two books
to read while she is taking all kinds of other things. I think I will need a U-Haul trailer before
much longer! All I want to do is rest and read. She says she will read and relax as well. Well,
I'll let you know after we get back home.
This is our 38th wedding anniversary get away and it's not too far off from where we live. We
knew we don't need to go out of State and don't need to drive far. Going to a State park is one
of our favorite things to do. It's too bad that it is going to be so hot all week. I'm sure we will
go swimming some each day just to cool off. I'm also sure that we will love the lodge where
the food is so very, very good.
The three dogs know something's up by the way they stare at us. I don't know if they are
sad to see us go or can't wait for us to drive on off. Our son and daughter will take care of
them while we're gone, so I'm sure they will be just fine. As long as they are cool and fed,
they wag their tails behind them with delight.
I love to "get lost" like this from time to time. I don't have to dust, run the vacumn cleaner,
do dishes, make my bed or even pick up my socks. I hope you know who, doesn't come up
with some "to do" list all of the sudden that stops me in my tracks. After all, All I want to
do is enjoy the thrill of the chill.

PUPPY LOVE

My wife fixed me an egg sandwhich for supper tonight. When I put my plate down to reach for
a napkin, our daughter's dog, Derby, decided he wanted some of the sandwhich. Before I knew
what was happening, he had grabbed a big bite of it. I got after him for two things: not praying
first and for not asking me if he could have some of it.
Every once in awhile you have to really be on guard with Derby or he will do a sneak attack.
I've learned to never leave something where he can get to it. He loves to grab my cap and
carry it off.He has been doing that since he was just a littel pup. I've been told he has had help
from a friend. I wonder who that is. I think they call it puppy love. I love the puppy and
the puppy loves to get his teeth into anyting he can.
Derby loves to have a ball thrown into the air to see if he can catch it. The thing is, he starts
running without watching to see where the ball is headed or if it's even been thrown. Then
he stares into the sky wondering where the ball went. After I show the ball to Derby, he has
a great time playing with it while I catch my breath. Dog sitting is hard work!

WE

The best thing that took place on our 38th wedding anniversary yesterday were the hugs
and the kisses. There were hugs and kisses from my wonderful wife and then there were
the hugs from our two wonderful children. While one gave a gift of money and the other a
gift of mowing our yard, the best gifts were just being with the two of them!
I took my wife out to a resturant where we were ate a great meal. The waiter was aware
of our anniversary and took special to take care of us. He suggested some very good food
as well as a great desert. We enjoyed our time together while we reflected upon 38 years
as husband and wife. We plan to go to a State Park for a few days next week as part of
our own going celebration.
I just realized how many times I've used the word "we" in this Blog. That's it! Marriage is
about "we", not me. It takes two to make a marriage work and while we still have lots of
work to do, the two of us are looking forward to the future. Happy anniversary to the
two of us indeed!

I WAS JUST THINKING

After going to see my two best friends, Barnes & Noble, I made a mistake and returned home.
Before I knew what had hit me, I was helping run the vacumn cleaner in the family room. We
even moved a few things around while we were at it. While I was being the good husband I
am, I kept thinking that this was a great way to celebrate our 38th wedding anniversary,
house cleaning. When I sat down to rest at the computer I saw where our daughter had placed
our wedding picture on her Blog. It sure is a cute couple even if I have to say so myself.
Our daughter gave us the gift of paying for our meal at a resturant tonight. She sure is
sweet like her mom. By the time we get our house duties done, I'll be ready for a big meal
even if it means I have to throw in a buck or two! The problem is that we won't be going
out to eat till this evening. Well, I better get back to work or I might be eating all by myself.
That's what I think on this Thursday afternoon.

FAMILY MATTERS

My daughter and I went to Starbucks for coffee this morning after we dropped her car off
for some repair work. We shared so many things that I can't remember them all. We saw
two staff members from our church and chatted with them before leaving.
Our son called from work to ask if our wedding anniversary is tomorrow or not. I told him
that it is his mother's wedding anniversary, mine is Friday. I just hope he gets me really
nice present that I can share with his mom.
I've told them that I plan to take their mother out to a realy nice resturant tomorrow night
with high hopes and great expectations that she will pay for it! I'll give the tip. I will tell the
waiter to brush his teeth or floss them daily.
Well, I better be going since I have places to go, people to see and things to do.

DOG DAY'S OF SUMMER

It is so hot that yesterday I saw a tree chasing a dog!

A REAL CUT UP!

What does a husband give his wife of 38 years for a present? A paper shredder, that's what!
I went all out to give my wife something she has wanted for a long, long time. Now, if I can
just figure out why she wanted a paper shrededer. Here are some things I think she might
shred: our marriage license, wedding pictures, love letters, etc. Not!Never!!
This is the gift that keeps on giving. It gives her assurance that she can shred papers she
wants done away with forever and ever, amen! It gives her assurance that she can shred
old pictures of her drivers license.It gives her assurance that she can shred hush-hush things
that are for her eye's only.
When she wakes up from her nap, I hope she doesn't shred me. It might hurt! If you don't
hear from me again, look in the bottom of the trash can and you might see a real cut up! Me!!
Don't call 911 since I'll be a real cut up up in Heaven! Enough said about the dread of the
shred! I'm going to bed and cover my head.

CRAVINGS

This morning I dropped by our insurance company to pay a bill, got gas for the car,
got a hair cut, shopped at a Christian bookstore and walked awhile at the Mall. Then
to top that, my wife and I took a look at our calendars to see when we might get away
for a day or two to celebrate our wedding anniversary. By the time we were through,
I was ready to take a nap. Thinking is hard work!
If it wasn't so hot, I would be out mowing my yard. If it wasn't so hot, I would work in
our garden. If it wasn't so hot I would go shopping for a gift for my wife. I already know
what I want to get her, all I have to do is go get it. But it's too hot! Maybe I should stay
inside and watch tv, sleep some or chase the three dogs for exercise, mine and theirs.
The trouble is, it's going to get even hotter by mid-week! Maybe we need to take a
tour of Mammonth Cave where it is cool down deep under ground. Maybe we need to
go swimming where the water can cool us off. Maybe we should give thanks that the
air-conditioner is working as well as it does day after day after day.......
This morning I bought, Soul Cravings by Erwin McManuus. Now I'm craving to
find a soft spot somewhere here in the house to see what he has to say to soothe my
soul. I know it can do a soul good to take a good look within and see what needs to be
tossed out so the soul can develope in a more mature way. So, I think after I have lunch
I'll be fed spititually before taking that nap. That's what I'm craving after a busyMonday
morning.

A GREAT THIRTY-EIGHT

My wife and I will celebrate our 38th wedding anniversary this coming Thursday unless she
leaves me before that. We are still trying to decide what to do to celebrate. We want to take
a trip somewhere but can't decide where to go. I want to travel a short distance while she is
wanting to travel many more miles than I. Since she is always telling me where to go, I 'll go
where she tells me to go this time too.
We have had our good times and we have had our hard times throughout these thirty-eight
years. We moved nine times before moving back to Bowling Green a few years ago. We are
glad to call this our home after all the moves we've made. When my father retired, my mom
had her very own yard to plant her flowers in without having to get up and move again. I'm
not retired but, my wife feels the very same way about having her garden and flowers in her
own back yard.
I'm sure we will be going somewhere this Thursday to celebrate since it is too hot to sit in
our own back yard and look at the pretty flowers or pluck beans. (God is good!) Maybe I
can take her to a nice resturant in Bowling Green since it is less than three miles from here.
To be honest, I'm looking forward to going off with my wife because that will be a wonderful
way to celebrate a great thirty-eight!