OPRAH'S BOOK CLUB

I'm on page 82 of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle and am finding it hard to put teh book
down. As I read, I remember so many dogs that I had as a child. As I read out on the
back deck, I look at and listen to the three dogs that reside at our house. One of the
funny things that has happened is that I get so caught up in reading about dogs that
I fail to give attention to our daughter's dog Derby. At times he rubs up against my
leg or places his small paw on my foot as if to say, "Hey! Hey you! Let's play!" So I
close the big book of 567 pages and go play with Derby.
I have an idea that this book will be one of my favorities as time goes by. Every once
in awhile my mind goes back to my Granddaddy's farm and the dog he had named
Brownie. There were two other bloodhounds but old Brownie was my buddy. We
liked to go to the barn and sit in the straw and just take it easy, real easy. Maybe I
should write a book entitled, The Story of John and Brownie. Might be a best
seller. Not!
It's time for some football so I better be get going and watch the game. Who knows,
I just might read a chapter or two while I'm watching the game. While I'm not in a
rush to read the book and be done with it, I find myself drawn to it. No wonder it's
on Oprah's Book Club.

ONE DOWN & ONE TO GO

While I was in Barnes & Noble yesterday I bought The Story of Edgar Sawtelle since
it's a New York Time bestseller. There are 562 pages for me to read whenever I can
do it. I hope to start some time today since it will be sunny and I can be on the deck,
drink coffee and relax.
As much as I read religious books, I need to get away from that habit and read books
that have something to say that can entertain me. From what I've heard and read, I
think this book will be well worth reading at my leisure.
I have finished, Faith & Doubt by John Ortberg and found it be a very helpful book
in that it will help me discover my faith and my doubts in a way that will firm up my
faith. This 177 page book is one of the best that John Ortbery has written. I highly
recomend it for those who want to grow in God's grace.
Well, I have one down and one to go. That is until I find something else to read. I'm
already giving thought to another new book that caught my eye while I was in the
bookstore yesterday. Instead of buying it, I will read it while I have a cup of Starbucks
coffee.

BARKING AT THE BARK

Our daughter's dog, Derby,is barking at the bark as I write this. The man who is going to
trim a tree in our back yard is talking with my wife as he looks the tree over. Derby barks
at anyone or anything that he isn't sure about. He is a good guard dog to have around the
house but there are those times when I want to muzzle his mouth. This is one of those
times!
Last night one of the lines that holds our other dogs in the back yard snapped and one
of the dogs was trying to escape when I stopped her. Now we have to go get another
line or two because we can't keep two huskies in the house. Dog food and things like
lines add up when it comes the cost of having them at our house. But that is fine since
they belong to our son and daughter. My wife and I are the care takers of three dogs
that think they are boss around here. Not! My wife is. Talk about a bark!

A REAL PICK ME UP!

Yesterday morning a friend came by and picked me up to take me out for breakfast.
It's the first time in a long time since I have a broken foot and can't drive. We went
to the same place we go about every three weeks and the waiter asked, "Where have
you been?" It was nice to have been missed.
Paul and I ordered our food and had a great time being with one another again as
we caught up on what's going on. We missed having Bob being with us because we
wanted Bob to buy of breakfast. Maybe next time. Bob's been unable to meet too
because of having heart surgery. I doubt he can eat with us much any more since
he has to watch what he eats. I'm a member of Weight Watchers as I watch what
I eat.
What made my day was that Paul paid for my meal too. I gave a tip to the waitress
who had missed us. I told her to brush her teeth daily. Not really, I gave her a big
tip. Then I asked for change. What a guy! Paul brought me back home and went on
his way. As I watched him leave, I thanked the Lord for a friend like Paul. He picked
me up for sure!

A SATURDAY SALE

There is a yard sale going on next door as I write this. It is interesting to watch the
people come and go. They seem so excited as they approach the sale but let down
as they leave without anything. I've seen some with some things but for the most
part it's been slow, very slow. Very few taking anything with them back to their car
or truck. If so, not much.
I went over and looked for a bargain. I came home without anything too. But, when
my wife went over, she brought home something for me. A tray to hold my food
and drink while on the bed watching tv. I'm having to do lots of that these days
with my broken foot. If I can persuade her to bring me breakfast in bed now I will
have it made in the shade! Dream on.
I offered my next door neighbor $5 for her car but she said she had to have $7. I
told her I didn't have that kind of money, I'm just a poor preacher. She said, "I
know, I've heard you preach!" Ouch! Just see if I ever go back!

NAME THE NAME

Very few people ever call me by my full name. Someone with a similiar name always
called me John Carroll. Carol Smith passed away last Monday afternoon in the town
where our daughter was born 35 years ago today. I will miss hearing John Carroll
from Carol.
Although I go by John, a few years ago my father told me that since I was moving
near him that I should go by John Carroll since his name was John. I did what he
told me to do and now that he is gone, I miss hearing him call my name too.
Both my father and Carol knew the name above all names, Jesus. Now they are
both bow before Him and call Him Holy. So should you and I. Name the Name of
the One whose Name is above every other name.

I TIP MY HAT

Tomorrow my wife and I will attend the funeral of a dear friend who died Monday
afternoon. Carol was only 61 years old and had such a wonderful witness to give.
Carol was the widow of Jerry Smith whom I had known for many, many years.
I think of him most of all today because today is our daughter's birthday and
Jerry was the first visitor to see her at the hospital and give her a gift of a small
teddy bear. Jerry died a number of years ago and was buried in the grave yard
next to Carol's home church. Tomorrow Carol will be buried next to his grave.
My wife and I went to Pittsburgh with Jerry and Carol primarly to hear someone
preach. Of course we did others things while we were there, but when we heard
Dr. Robert Cleaveland Holland stand in the pulpit and proclaim the word with such
power, we knew the trip was well worth while. Jerry and I loved to hear great
preachers and traveled to Nashville, Chicago and Pittsburgh just to hear someone
preach. Jerry was an outstanding preacher himself and touched many lives.
Carol was always by his side cherring and encouraging him on.
Carol came to Bowling Green to attend church with us and then we went out to eat
with her and another couple. We had a great visit with Carol not knowing that would
be the last time we would see her again.
Carol loved to have friends gather at her place and dine with her. She was a great
cook and always made us feel so special. Carol now dines at the table of the Lord
reunited with family and friends who have gone on before. We can't question why
she died when she did. All we can do is thank the Lord for letting us know a very,
very special woman.
Carol loved to wear a hat to church each and every Sunday. So today I tip my hat to
a lovely lady who made life much more lovely for those who knew her. I have an idea
that every time I see someone in worship with a hat on, I will think of Carol.

SPIRITUAL DIP-STICKS

I've been reading Faith & Doubt by John Ortberg as a means of spiritual heart cleaning.
Ortberg has a way of making me dig down deep in my soul to see what's really going on
in my life. Every now and again I feel a poke in my spiritual ribs that is uncomfortable
to say the least. Whenever that happens, I know I need to pay close attention to what's
going on spititually.
I have an idea that by the time I complete Faith & Doubt, I will be better off than when
I first began reading it a few days ago. My study Bible along side Ortberg's book both
are really great in helping me in my spiritual walk. Without taking and making time
for this time, I'm sure my soul would be drying up. So these two are books are like
spiritual dip-sticks to check things out. Is my faith low or is it high? Is it cold, cool or
hot? What must I do to correct things that need my attention right now? I have no doubt
that my faith will be firmed up if I don't just read another book or two but put into daily
practice those things that work. If I don't do it, I'm a dip-stick!

ONE HUNDRED DAYS TODAY

As I was looking at my daily calendar today all of the sudden I realized that my Dad
celebrated his 100th day in heaven today. Wow! Double Wow!! It seems like yesterday
and yet, so long, long ago. What matters most is that today and for all eternity, Dad is
in Heaven with Almighty God and the One who saved his soul upon an old rugged cross.
Just yesterday afternoon, I reached down at my bookcase and touched the molded
hand of Dad that was made a number of years ago. As I touched that dusty white
hand, I felt as if it was touching mine. Maybe, just maybe, God granted me that moment
so that I might celebrate the touch of the Master's hand. I still have holy goose bumps
up and down my soul. To that I again say, Wow!

Standing on the Promises

I felt free today as I attended worship withmy wife and daughter. I had to miss going
last Sunday so it felt so good to be backin the House of the Lord! I wanted to stand and
sing even if I did have a boot on my boken right foot. I wanted to walk up front and
take Communion and, I wanted to let mylittle light shine.
It was nice to be greated by person after person before and after the service. My soul
was fed through the preaching as well as the music to the Mighty God. I simply can't
understand why people stay away from worship when they could go because one of
these days theyjust might want to go really, really bad and not be able to go at all. I
remember different family members taking my Mom to worship for as long as she
could go even if it was in a wheel chair. Sure enough, the time came when she wasn't
able to attend again. It was hard on her but she worshipped the Lord at her house
since she couldn't be in the Lords' House. What a witness. That's what I want to do
too.

BOOT THE BOOT!

My Doctor says that my broken foot still hasn't healed so I have to wear the boot
awhile longer. While it is heavy, it does give me stability when walking. It is hard
to know when it will be healed enough to give the boot the boot. So for now, this
boot is made for walking.
I was hit hard with a bug early this week and was left weak. Even though I'm
feeling better, I still sense weakness from time to time. I sure hope this will
go away and stay away soon.
Sounds like I'm a grumby old man, doesn't it? Yep! I've worked hard to get
down and out. Ha! I'm working hard to get going as soon as I possibly can.
I am indeed thankful that I'm doing as well as I am and that my family has
been right here for me. I feel so sorry for anyone who hasn't got family or
friends in tough times.