"I Love You Man!"

I've spent the most of two day's working my youngest brother's yard. I've pulled
weeds, cut weeds and cursed weeds (just kidding). I've dragged them to the edge
of the street and I've done work I didn't know I was going to do. It is a gift because
he can't do the job. It was a hard job for a sixty-five year OLD man to do, but well
worth it.
Now I've got to get back to visitation for the church and preparing to preach Sunday.
While working I did work with sermon stuff. I think I'll preach: "I've Fallen and I
Can't get up!", Weeds, Who Needs Them?, "Brotherly Love". "Clear Cut" might be
my first sermon since I cut so many weeds & was cut so many times. Hey, what
about, "Blood Brothers Bleed!" "I Love You Man!" That's all folks!

When I Grow Up

This afternoon I paid a visit to an elderly man whom I've known for twenty-three
years. He is hard of hearing and has very bad eye sight. You would think he would
be having pity party after pity party because of these troubles. Not so. This elderly
gentleman is full of humor and great spiritual strength that puts me to shame.
In an hour visit I never heard one complaint, just praise of how the Lord has blessed
his life throughout the years. I could of listened to him for another hour but I had
been there too long already. Since he invited me back, I'm going to take him up on
that inviation as soon as I possibly can.
I pray that when I'm much older, I'll grow up to be like this man who can't hear or
see very well but who can see and hear better than I do. What a blessing to be with
him in his home and have prayer with him as we held hands.
As I was about to leave he spoke of a child rubbing her hands over her Grandfather's
face and feeling the wrinkles there. Then she asked how he got them. After he
told her
that God made him and that God made her to as well. Suddenly she said, "God's
getting better, isn't He?" as she rubbed her own sweet face. We laughed as we
told one another how good it was to be with one another. I'm still laughing.

TOP TEN REASONS

I'm having breakfast with two of my friends Friday morning even if it is raining. When we get
together we have great food and a great time. Why would I want to miss being with them?
Top Ten Reasons Why Not:
10. Too early
9. Not hungry
8. Too far to drive
7. Have to miss Good Morning America
6. Rather be with my wife (much rather!)
5. Can't finish reading the morning paper
4. Can't find my umbrella
3. Gave to shave & shower
2. They won't buy my breakfast
1.Someone else is buying my breakfast at Cracker Barrell

LOST & FOUND

When I was cleaning things out in the master bathroom this morning I found
something strange. I found Jimmy Hoffa wearing a pair of my dad's old blue
pants!
He looks good it them but he doesn't smell too great! I may give the pants to a
member of our family with Jimmy Hofffa still in them since I can't get them off
his stiff legs!
I thought I heard him saying, "I once was lost but now I'm found" "What took
you so long?" "Wipe the dust off, it makes me sneeze!" I hid him for now so he
can't escape. He is under our daughter's bed. Don't tell her though. Just hope he
doesn't snore and keep her awake. Maybe he can play dead. Derby does.

I might add that I really don't know where Mr.Hoffa is so I hope the FBI doesn't show up
here looking for him or myself.

UPDATE

My wife and I have been busy with getting ready to update the master bathroom. It will be more
accessable for me with a new shower and more room than updated features. It will take a month
and will start in a couple of weeks. We've needed this done ever since we bought the house but
just now are able to do it. We can hardly wait.
I'm visiting the elderly for our church and working with sermons for four Sunday's in October
at Sugar Grove UMC. It takes time to be sure of what to preach to them that many times. It is
an honor to have this opportunity to preach. Their pastor is take time to get some much needed
rest since had so much on his plate to do.
I told the lady at the place where we selected what goes into the updated bath that I need a
mirror that makes me look better. She said she wants one that makes her look thinner. So
do I! I just know the mirror we have is so ugly whenever I look at it I have to keep my eye's
closed so I don't yell and wake everyone else up! I'm the one needing an update.

SWEET STUFF

Two letters are written in most of the books I own, S S. S S stands for Sermon Stuff. I have
several sermons that had their birth from these books with S S written in them. Or, the
S S is a thought that I might quote in a sermon.
One of the authors I quote more than any other is Leonard Sweet. Here are a couple of quotes
from So Beautiful. "As soon as you say to Jesus "I'm in", he says back to you, "You're out."
"Jesus is the "sent One" and we are the "sent ones." And then there is this one, "Let's make March
4 a high and holy day on every church calendar to remind us of this: "March fourth."
At times I find myself wishing I could of said that. But more important is the question I ask of
myself, am I just reading Sweet words or am I putting them into practice in my daily life? So,
I've got to go March forth and get out there since I'm being sent. Are you going out too?

SCAT!

Our daughter's dog, Derby, likes to be at my side when I'm at the computer. When I looked for
him this morning, I didn't see hom at first. Then I saw the little feller up on the couch sound
asleep. The trouble is, he isn't allowed to get on that couch! I guess he thinks he can get a way
with it since our daughter is in Nashville today.
I'm not going to get after him or get him down since is he sleeping. But I have an idea that he
won't stay there long if someone else walks into the room, my wife. She will simply pick him
up and scold Derby in a polite way and send him on his way. I know I get on my way when
she tells me to move. I scat!

START AND STAY

Whenever I'm trying to type at the computer, one of our dogs comes over and touches
my hand enough so that I have to stop then and there and tell her to go away. Broken
hearted, she finally leaves for awhile before being right back by my side. We go through
this routine until one of us gives us. Most of the time it's her. Tonight she wins. I'm too
tired to do what I was going to do so I will type the word STOP and STOP.
PS: Right now she is sleeping on the floor and I'm heading to bed. By the way, she
will be right there before long wanting attention and affection. That's when I STOP
being so nice and tell her to get lost. Derby, our daughter's dog is in her room with
her but will be wanting attention before I STOP for the day. Most of the time he
will get it because I've gone to the dogs.

"PRAYER BLANKET"

Last night a dear friend said something that will stay with me for a long time to come.
She said, "I felt like I was wrapped in a prayer blanket." This young lady has cancer
but cancer doesn't have her. She is a strong Christian who looks to the Lord every
day of her life for strength and peace. Her prayers and the prayers of others have
given her hope and help.
Doesn't "wrapped in a prayer blanket" sound so soothing? It's a blanket that gives
warmth and comfort to the one who is wrapped up in it. And the great thing is that
this blanket is something that you can take with you wherever you go and however
you feel. It's not for sale at a store, it's free for the taking. Family, friends and faith
make this available to anyone, anytime, including you. This young lady highly endorses
it and so do I.

CHARGE IT

Every now and again I hear a small sound in my ears whenever my hearing-aid battery
is needing recharged. I just heard it in my left ear. Before bed, I'll put them both in the
device to recharge them tonight.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if there were such a spiritual device that would alert us that
our spiritual batter needs recharged? There is. It's called a conscience. It's called a
poke in our spiritua ribs somehow, for some reason. God gets our attention when we're
too busy to be bothered in one way or another. It happens to me too often but I'm glad
God taps me on my spiritural shoulders to get my attention. It works very, very well.
At times it's something someone says or does that stops me in my spiritual tracks. And
at times it is sheer silence where a whisper in my spiritual ear gives me a wake-up call.
However and whenever it happens, I want to respond and get recharged before I'm all
out of power. Don't you? Just say, "Charge it."

Valet Parking

When I went to the Hospital to see someone this morning, I started to get Valet Parking
but didn't. So I drove into the parking lot where I saw one spot being vacated. Just as I
was about to pull in, another car pulled in so I drove around looking for a spot. When I
saw a spot coming open, I prayed that I could get it without having to look for another
spot. I got it because it is reserved for clergy. I'm clergy, therefore I took it.
I still had to walk some distance to the Hospital and then to see the man I went to see
and then back to my car. I didn't mind it since I need to walk as much as I can, for as
long as I can. That's why I didn't get Valet Parking. I seldom do. Maybe I should start
taking advantage of Valet Parking in the future to save me steps. But for now, I want
to walk even if it means it takes time and energy. Or, maybe I should have my wife
drive and drop me off. I don't because she might not come and pick me up and the
I'd have to walk home. I don't want to walk that much!

Labor Day

Our family went out to eat and then took a drive in the country. We even stopped at
Tractor Supply for dog food and a new shovel. Then it was on home where I took a
nap. What a good day not to labor since the rest of the week will be busy.
I didn't seen anyone I knew while we were out which is odd. Most of the time I see
someone I know. They must be under a rock.
I wanted to go to Barnes & Noble and read some but knew I wanted to be with my
family instead. It is my "get-lost" place when I want or need to chill. I'll get there
before the week is out and buy a book that they should have in stock by now. If
they don't, I'll wait for it to come in. Meanwhile, I will read something else while
I'm there.
Hope your Labor Day was a great day.

Wake-Up-Call

Sleeping at my side. That's what the two dogs are doing after awakening me before five
to go outside. Now they are sleeping in Bowling Green and I'm wide awake! Fogers in
my cup sure hits the spot. The bad thing is that it is raining and I can't go get my paper
without raindrops on my head. It can wait. We need the rain so no need to complain.
The thunder is loud as I write this. I'm thinking I should turn the pc off and play it safe.
Therefore, I'm heading back to bed or hiding under a table. It's like a light-show outside.
Since it is Labor Day, I sure hope my wife doesn't think that means there is work to be
done. Got that Hun?
Not! She just told me where to go! Cracker Barrell. That's the good news. The bad news
is that we're going to Tractor Supply and a few other places before getting back home.
I should of known it! Labor Day means, "Work for the Night Is Coming." Maybe I can
sneak an afternoon nap in while she is in some store, I'll have to work it in.

Homer & Langley

After attending the 8:15 and 9:30 services and going to Logan's Steakhouse, I headed
on over to Barnes & Noble where I read a book. I read, Homer & Langley. My Minister
had aluded to these two brothers in a sermon a few weeks ago and then I heard a very
interesting interview on Public Radio abut the book. I had to read it as soon as possible.
So, I got some Starbucks coffee and read the 200 plus pages book this afternoon.
I found myself drawn into the story as I had to have more information about who they
were and why they did what they did. They were hoaders who ended up dying in their
residence from the smell and weight of all the things they had stored in their place. It
is amazing how they could ever do such a thing, I thought. Then I remembered seeing
a tv program called Hoaders and had a better idea of the how and the why it could take
place.
When I was leaving, I started to but a book but then thought that that would be doing
something similiar to what they did. So, I didn't buy another book to go with all my
other books because my bookcases are already full. Plus, why buy when you can read
a book and drink coffee on an afternoon like today. All I paid for was a cup of coffee
and an afternoon relaxing with two of my best friends, Barnes & Noble, not Homer
& Langley.

SADURDAY

It was hard watching Western Kentucky's football team get beat by Tennessee on tv
this afternoon. I thought they could do better than they did but, I think they will be
able to get their act together soon. Their Coach attends our church and is in church
most every Sunday, even after a game like today's. Maybe that's why he wll be there
tomorrow. He knows where to get strength to keep going. I salute the team and the
Coaches.
I went to a couple of bookstores today and took a nap this afternoon since I start
Sunday as Pastor "on-call" for the week. The last time I did it made for a very
busy week along with all else I had to do. I will do my best as I seek to minister to
those in need.
Have a great Labor Day Weekend and don't labor too much. Lean back and take
things easy. All else can wait. It works for me.

BOUNCING BACK

While my wife was looking at books at Barnes & Noble today, I read all 289 pages of
Bounce Back by John Calipari. He was in this very Barnes & Noble Wednesday night
to sign them, but I had to be at church and had to miss the Coach. So, today I sat down
with a cup of coffee and read the book.
I was impressed with what he has to say about being able to bounch back after having
something happen to you that gets you down. He shares steps in surving tough times
and getting back up and going again. I think it would be a good book for someone who
has experienced tough times for one reason or another. His advice is worth while and
it's an easy book to read. I'm glad I read it and hope to share some of his wisdom with
others.
I recall preaching a sermon after my Mom died about Bouncing Back from a Broken
Heart where I shared some steps to take after the loss of a loved one. We all could
use help from time to time when things aren't what we want them to be. That's why
I love to read the Scriptures as well as gain advice from others who have gone through
tough times. There is light at the end of the tunnel if we just keep moving forward in
faith.

SLOW GO

When we awoke this morning we decided not to travel to Nashville in the rain. I called
and cancelled our appointment and went back to bed. Before long I was working out in
our garage since it needed some cleaning up. Other than that, I didn't do much today
but rest. We both needed a "day-off" today.
I will meet with a minister friend in the morning and buy him breafast stince today
is his birthday. I hope he likes water and bread. It's the Friday special for a special
friend and it's all on me. What are friends for anyway. Just kidding. I'll buy him all
he wants because most of the time he doesn't eat much. I hope he still has that as
a habit tomorrow.
I think if I keep moving things around in the garage we might get two cars in it for
once. We let our daughter park in it so she can get going early each morning without
having to do anything but get going. Maybe we can get her to share the space if we
can get two or three things elsewhere. I have my dozen doubts!
Well, that's the Thursday report from our house which is a mighty, mighty fine
house with two dogs and us. For now. Come see us, I'll leave the porch light on.