THAT'S WHAT I THINK

This morning I took Me, Myself and I to McDonald's for breakfast. Since I wanted some
coffee, Myself bought him some. Since Me wanted a susage, eggMcMuffin, I bought that
too. After the three of us sat down, I told Myself that Me was getting his food all over
the table. Me just laughed at Myself and so I dropped the subject.
While I watched those there eating, Me gobbled down his food and Myself drank his
coffee while it was still hot. I enjoyed My being there so much that I thought I ought
to take these guys there more often. Me, Myself and I are pretty good company except
I talks too much.
After a refill of coffee, I put Me and Myself in the car and drove back home. The only
trouble is, I have to go to the bathroom if Me can do it. I think I can. I think I can. I can!
Come on, guy's, I gotta go now!! "Me, don't trip over Myself again."

OLD OUTLINES AND FRESH MEMORIES

I have some sermon outlines of my dad's that I've been going through since
he died last month. Most of these are hand written and could only be used
by him. I recall that many years ago I tried to preach from an outline of his.
While I did a pretty good job, I wasn't able to preach like dad.
One of the outlines is about twins. After dad preached it, his twin boy's made
professions of faith and joined the church. I will treasure that outline for a long,
long time. Both of us became pastors many years later as we sought to do what
dad did, service the Heavenly Father. If we have done half the job dad did, we
served the Lord well. To God the be the glory forever and ever. Thanks dad.

"THIS ONE THING I WANT..."

My dad died last month at the age of 96. When I was talking to one of my brothers,
I told him that the only thing I wanted from dad's estate was one of his belts. What
a weird thing to say and want! Let me explain why I want one of dad's belts.
When I was a little boy I did something I shouldn't of done and so dad gave me a
spanking with a plastic belt. To get even, I took a pair of scissors and cut that
belt into several pieces and placed them at the bottom of a waste basket and
covered the belt beneath the trash.
Guess what? I found out that when dad took the waste basket out, he found out
what I had done with his belt. I found out that he had another belt to get out
of the closet and use on my bottom. But he was laughing so hard that he simply
hugged me and sent me on my way. " O Happy Day! O Happy Day" when dad
put he belt away!
So you see why I want one belt of dad's. I want to cut it up and keep it as a
daily reminder of Amazing Grace. That's really the one thing I need and want
most of all. After all, I need grace given to me daily. Don't you? Now, fess up!!

THE DOG DAY'S OF SUMMER

These are the dog day's of Summer. Since it is so hot, we're keeping the three dogs inside
for the most part. One will go in the living room and plop down on the floor, one will get
right in the middle of the family room floor, and one will hop up onto a chair in the family
room. They have it made in the shade!
I'm the water boy. I put water into their bowls several times a day. I also am the one to
take the three dogs outside several times a day they can rid themselves of all the water.
We have to vacumn the floor often to keep things clean from room to room.
Without hesitation I can safely say I'm in the dog house now. But that 's just fine. After
all, isn't a dog a man's best friend? What else could I ask for on a sunny Summer day?
Help!!!

SAME NAME

I have a friend where we attend church who always approaches me and says, "Morning,
Same." I, in return say, "Hey, Same!" We have the same name so why bother calling
each other John when we have more fun doing it this way. We do the very same thing
every time we see one another. At times, those around us look at us wondering what
we're doing. At times, some around us know what we're all about
If you work with someone with the same name, greet them with, "Hello Same" and see
what happens. It could become a great greeting and create lots of laughter and thus lift
sagging spirits.
You can call me JOHN or you can call me, SAME, most of all, call me FRIEND. Or,
better yet, call me out to eat. You know my name, it's always the SAME NAME!

JOHN

Tonight I took my wife and son out to eat at KFC. As we entered,I told my wife I was
going to the Men's Room while she went ahead and ordered our food. I went on into
to the restroom and as I was leaving I wondered if I had made a mistake. Before I
could answer my own question, my wife walked through the door and saw me standing
in the Women's Restroom. Without saying anything, I left as quickly as possible.
I am glad it was my wife that I met at the door rather than some other woman. I'm
not sure what I would of said except, "Hello, I'm Carroll." Then I would take my purse
and leave very, very fast! I know that this John needed a John and not a Jane.

What a Week

I took my wife out for breakfast this morning and then to Jackson's Orchard to look at the
flowers and apples. After that we went to Ace Hardware where we saw five people whom
we know. One mother told her son that I was the person who baptized her when she was
a teenager. It was a moment to remember.
I will be glad to be back at Broadway UMC after missing a couple of times due to my dad's
death and me preaching elsewhere last Sunday. I will consecrate Communion at the 8:15
service and then be a Greeter ar the 9:30 service. I need the spiritual food and fellowship
that helps me so very much.
This has been a busy week so I'm looking forward to resting this weekend. I will watch
golf on tv and try to relax as much as I possibly can. I might even catch up on some
reading.

That Cat

That cat from next door isn't home. The cat from next door is at our front door! When I
took Derby (dog) out, the two of them acted as if they were best of friends. I just gave
the cat a look and left. I wish it would. soon. Very soon!
Maybe the cat will run away from our home back to it's home when the neighbor's get
home. I wish it would be soon. very soon! For now, that cat is right at home here at
our house. Here kitty, kitty.

MILK MAN

I saw our neighbor's leave last Saturday on vacation. For the past week I've seen their
cat out in their yard. A couple of days ago I saw their cat in our yard and then on our
front porch. Being the nice man that I am, I gave the cat some milk. Then yesterday
I gave the cat milk again yesterday. My mistake.
Years ago I adopted a stray cat. My family named the cat Mr. Kitty. He stayed until we
moved but we didn't move Mr. Kitty to Bowling Green with us. I sure hope the next
door neighbors get home soon, milk is expensive! Not knowing the nameof the cat, I've
named the cat Miss Milk. By the way, I'm Milk Man. I hope I get fired for the Fourth!

THE CASE OF THE MISSING PAPER

This afternoon I sat down to read the local newspaper. After a glance at the front page, I
got up for some pie and ice cream. When I sat back down, I couldn't find the front page of
the paper anywhere. I asked my daughter if she had it. Not. I asked the dogs if they had
eaten it. Not.
I have searched and searched and have yet to find the front section of the newspaper. If
I had not already glanced at the paper, I would of thought it didn't come with the rest of
the paper. But it did. I held it. I saw it. I even read the headlines. But the news of tonight
is that missing paper. I can live without it. What I can't live with is the fact that I can't
find it. Now, what did I do with my glasses?

"Blest Be the Tie That Binds"

One of the best blessings of being a United Methodist is being connected to other churches.
When my dad died last week, our family wanted the churches dad had served to know as
well as the churches other family members. My twin and I both have served churches as
pastors and so we were not at all surprised when person after person from former churces showed up at the Funeral and the Funeral Home. Some driving a great distance.
"Blest Be the Tie That Binds." is a song we not only sing but seek to put into practice. Dad
would be amazed if he knew how many people came by to express their thanks for his
life and witness, I wasn't. One lady who showed up was a member of his church in the
early days of his ministry. She shared many "Precious Memories" with me at the table
as we ate after the service Tuesday. I was truly blessed by hearing what she had to say.

CELEBRATE

This coming Sunday I will preach at a small country church. I plan to preach about freedom since we will be celebrating Independence Day. I will talk about things we want to be free
from in our lives. For example: freedom from hunger and poverty, oppresion and war,
sin and death. The good news is that through Jesus Christ we can experience freedom
from sin and death.
You and I can help people experience all of these things if we would only we would be
more like the Master and share the Master. After all, Jesus is the One who sets us free.
Now, that's something to celebrate!

LONG DISTANT

My wife told me tonight to remember to call my dad. If I did, it would belong distant.
Dad was buried today at the young age of 96. There were very few nights when one
of his children failed to call him. He loved to hear from us and we loved to hear from him.
We were astonished at how many people visited the funeral home and attended the
funeral. But more than that, we were amazed at how most of the thanked the Lord
for letting Bro John touch their lives in so many ways.
Dad has had his prayers answered now and he is with the Lord Jesus who touched
and transformed his life so many years ago. Dad touched my life so many times, in
so many ways. That's why I want to walk in his footsteps for I know they lead to
the Lord.