LIFE LESSONS

I came across a quote that says volumes: "The difference between school and life?
In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test
that teaches you a lesson."( Tom Bodett)
Speaking from personal experience, I've had lots of lessons. I just hope I pass the
test! It seems as if there is a new test every day. Just about the time you're feeling
good about things, boom! Something else takes place. They say that experience is
a great teacher. Well, I've been taught by teachers with PHD's of all sorts!!
What is your life lesson today? What are you going to do with it? I hope you pass
the test with flying colors. I also hope you share what you learn with others. Who
knows, it just might be what they need to know.

WORTH WHILE

"I don't want to get to the end of my life and find I have just lived the length of it. I want
to have lived the width of it as well." This quote is in a new bookI bought last week, One
Month To Live.
After just seeing the movie "Bucket List", I came across this 220 page book at Barnes
and Noble. I sat down and read it right there, right then. Then I bought the book because
it said so much to me that I was taken by.
So, what if you had one month to live, what would you do? What would you say? Who would
you want to see? These three questions are included in a book that I had to have. So should
you. It will help you take inventory of the way you are living your life. It will help you to see what is important and what isn't important and then do something about it. I know I am.
The Dash between the date of your birth and your death represents your life. What are you
doing with your dash today? Do it before that last date is put in stone. "This is the day the
Lord has made..." Make it worth while while you can

BUCKET LIST

I turned 64 today. I'm 64 and wonder what's in store. I don't mean a department store, I
mean much more than that. I wonder what will happen in my life in the future. Will I be
able to keep on keeping on as well as I do now? While my walking presents problems from
time to time, thus far it doesn't hold me back too much. I may have M S but M S doesn't
have me. For years I have said I have M S. By that I mean, I have My Saviour and He has
me. What else would I want?
My wife and I watched Bucket List last Friday night. It is a movie about two men who
are dying and having a long list of things that they want to do before their deaths. The two
then set out to do several things that they had never done before. The movie makes you
think about the things that you've never done that you would like to do before you kick the
bucket.
I am working on a short list of things that I want to do before I kick the bucket. It isn't all
that easy. I want to create a list of things that are well worth while. From time to time I
will share some of these things with you. The first thing is to take a trip out West. There
are a couple of places I'd like to go and a couple of preachers I'd love to hear preach.
So, Happy Birthday John Coomer! There's lots more in store when you're 64!

"I'II TELL YOU WHAT."

My twin has another birthday Monday. Poor old man! I wonder what it feels liketo be that
old. If I know him,and I think I do, I'm sure he will tell me much more than I want to know.
Of course I'll have to turn up my hearing aid.
My older brother is having surgery at the end of the month and I'm sure he will have
something to say about that. I say,milk it for all you can, old man! As for me, did I ever
tell you about.............Thanks for asking. My twin will be 64. No wonder he is sore!
Enough is enough.

SOLO

SOLO is a new book I'm reading each evening as part of my spiritual growth. Each page of
SOLO has a Scripture to study and reflect upon. SOLO provides points for consideration
and oppotunities to change.
SOLO was written by Eugene Peterson along with others who helped him develope some
new ways to study Scripture. SOLO is a solo event as the reader under goes it all alone in
an attempt to mature in the faith. Thus far, I'm finding SOLO to be a valuable tool to use
daily.
SOLO is something I will read slowly so I won't miss the message in God's Word.

J. B. HOLMES BRINGS IT HOME

I spent Sunday afternoon watching a golf match to see if J.B.Holmes from Campbellsville,
Ky would win for the 2nd time. He did!!! He won in a play off that showed he has the skill
to thrill still.
I met J.B a few years ago at the church where I was pastor. Even if he is a Baptist, he is
a great guy. I wish J.B. well as he celebrates this victory. I hope he has many more victories
in the future. J.B.Holmes is a winner! I love it when the good guy wins!
By the way, his caddie is a United Methodist who made a profession faith and joined First
Church whenI was pastor. Brandon Parson's mother is the organist.

What I'm Reading and Re-Reading

I finished reading The Shack last night. It is one of those books that I will want to read again
and again. At times I had a hard time connecting all the dots. I had to re-read a page or
even a chapter but by staying at it, it all made sense. I'm sure I will re-read the entire
book again in the future.
Speaking of re-reading, I'm re-reading Who Stole My Church? since I read it quickly at
the bookstore before buying it a few weeks later. It says some things that would help
people understand why we worship in Church the way we do. The primary thing I've
gotten out of it thus far is that the Church has always been in change. If not, the Church
becomes stale and out of touch with the times.
I have some other books I want to read whenever I can find them. Two are by Leonard
Sweet and one is by Stephen White. The three are yet to be released as far as I know.
One is a mystery and the other two deal with spiritual things. I've met Leonard Sweet
and always look forward to what he has to say. I read Stephen White as a change of
pace. The main character in his books former wife has M.S., as I do, thus, it is interesting
to see how she is doing even if it is make believe. Besides, I love a good mystery!