STAYING COOL IN COOL SPINGS

Since my wife has needs to be in Nashville Friday & Monday, we're staying in Nashville
over the weekend. I'm sure we will enjoy our mini-vacation relaxing, reading, shopping,
eating, etc.. We need "time-out" at the start of July. Who knows, I might even buy a
book or two to read.
I enjoyed being on the deck this morning with the cool air blowing in my face as I drank
coffee and read the newspaper If I can get away with it, I'm heading back to the back
yard as soon as this blog is done. If my dear wife needs me, she will find me.She always
does.
I hate to miss church at Broadway Sunday morning but I'm sure we will go to Brentwood
UMC or some other church. It's good to hear someone else from time to time even though
we sure are inspired by Bro. Bard each Sunday. I'm "on call" next week but will be gone
the first two days.I've got things under control since someone else will be ready if needed.
I'm ready to get out of town before something changes our plans. Cool Springs, here we
come!

"BRING IN THE CLOWNS"

P T Barnum was at First UMC this morning for worship. One of the members told
P T , pointing at me, "I see you brought one of your clowns with you." I made a
sad face and acted as if I were crying. P T looked at me and laughed with gusto.
P T isn't the circus P T but a retired pastor who just happens to have that famous
name. I told Bart Anderson (the one who called me a clown) that he got me on
that one but that I will get even. I will get the last laugh. As for P T, this clown
is delighted to have him and his wife as new citizens of Bowling Green.

LOST & FOUND

After having lunch at Cracker Barrel on our way to Nashville today, my wife and I
left for an appointment. Several miles away I realized I had walked off without my
blue cain that my daughter had given me a number of months ago. As I drove to
the office, I tried to think where I might of left it. The good news is that I had a
spare tire (cain) in the trunk.
On our way back to Bowling Green we stopped to see if they had seen it. While I
looked in a couple of places where I thought it might of been, my wife wrote my
name and number on a card so they could call me if they found it. When she gave
to a man there, he turned around and handed her my cane. He knew where it was
while others didn't know. The lost had been found.
What amazes me is that I had walked off without the cain in the first place. I
must of been rubbing my tummy instead of looking for my cain after eating too
much food. Again!

BLESSED

My younger brother led the singing and sang a solo at the funeral for W L Moats
this afternoon. I was so very proud of Wayne for making us all remember how
well Wayne sings since it had been a long time since we had heard him. W L
would of been proud of WL (Wayne Lansden) lifting high his Lord Jesus Christ.
I know I am.
The service brought forth many memories of a man whom we all loved for
his sweet smile and spirit. He has joined that great cloud of witnesses who've
gone on before us. The service reminds all of us to go and do likewise as we
live our lives upon this earth.
My wife and I were able to see so many members of Broadway whom we
seldom see because so many of them attend the 11:00 service and we
don't get there. I go to the 8:15 and 9:30 most of the time. So the funeral
was a gathering of people who have touched our lives over the years.
While I'm sad, I'm also glad because I've been blessed today in so many
ways by so many people. I just hope I can bless others as others bless me.

MR. MOATS

A dear friend of mine passed away yesterday at age 89. W. L Moats was a wonderfull
man of God . When I visited with him at the Medical Center, I knew he would be
going home before much longer. He smiled at me as I left his hospital room and I
waved goodbye to a dear friend.
When I was his pastor several years ago he made me a letter holder out of wood. I
used it on my desk since then and always think of W. L. whenever I see it. When I
told him I still have it, he said he remembered making it for me. Even though he
has his name written on it, I know the gentle man who made it for me. I will
miss his smile and sweet, sweet spirit.
Months ago he asked me to do something for him when he died. I thought he
might want me to preach his funeral or say something with our pastor. Not to
be. He asked me to see if my younger brother, Wayne might singa the service.
Well, I asked and, he is singing Wedneesday afternoon as wanted by W.L. Moats.
I don't mind being second for this saint of God.

GO - GO - GONE

I GOT UP AROUND 5:30 THIS MORNING AND HOOKED UP THE HOSE TO WATER
OUR MIN-GARDEN. JUST AS I SAT DOWN ON THE DECK, I FELT A DROP OR TWO
OF RAIN FALLING ON MY HEAD. SURE ENOUGH, I HAD TO GET THE TWO DOGS
INSIDE, PUT AWAY THE PAPERS AND TURN OFF THE HOSE. NO PROBLEM, THE
RAIN IS FREE.
I PLAN TO WATCH GOLF THIS AFTERNOON SINCE I'M HOOKED ON GOLF. SINCE
I CAN'T PLAY ANY LONGER, I WATCH IT ON TV. WHAT AMAZES ME IS THAT MY
WIFE HAS GOTTEN HOOKED TOO. WHO WOULD OF EVER THUNK IT!
I HAD BREAKFAST WITH A COUPLE OF MINISTER FRIENDS YESTERDAY AND
VISITED A RECENTLY RETIRED MINISTER AND HIS WIFE LATER IN THE DAY.
I TOLD PT & PEGGY I BROUGHT ICE CREAM AS A WELCOMING GIFT BUT IT
MELTED BEFORE I ARRIVED. THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE ME FOR SOME ODD REASON.
SINCE IT'S SATURDAY, I HOPE TO GO TO BARNES & NOBLE TO READ AND DRINK
COFFEE. I'M READING A NEW MYSTERY THERE.
WELL, GOTTA GET GOING BEFORE MY WIFE TELLS ME WHERE TO GO!

Food, Fellowship & Fun

My wife and I attended a picnic last night with three other couples in our small
group Bible study. Needless to say, due to hot weather & rain, we ate indoors.
Each couple had a letter from the word HELP and were to bring food that was
from that letter. We had the letter E & had a tough time coming up with what
to make & take. I told the men I brought a sack of fresh elephant dung and had
a take home sack for each couple except mine. They thought it was thoughtfull
of me to go to all that trouble but they rejected my offer and me!
We had a wonderfull time and wonderfull food. We also played a game where
you had to answer some pretty tough questions. I came in first at being last.
Again. My prize was a sack of left-over elephant dung. They thought I stink!
My shoes were clean though.
I was told to stay out of trouble as we were leaving. You know, everywhere
I go, everyone I see, tells me to stay out of trouble. WHY IS EVERYBODY
PICKING ON ME?

Janice, John & Jesus

I learned today that a minister friend passed away this morning. Wayne and I went before
the Board of Ordained Ministry the same day years ago. Soon afterwards, we were yoked
together as co-pastors of some small churches outside of Owensboro, Ky. Several years
later I held a revival at his church and stayed with Wayne and his wife for a week.
Wayne's brother, James, was a retired pastor at Fern Creek (Louisville) when I served
Fern Creek UMC. "It's a small, small world after all" isn't it? I will miss seeing my
brother in Christ till we meet again.
I took my wife to Nashville to see her Doctor and then for a massage, I drank coffee
at Starbucks and read as my way of getting relaxed. After a long day and a long
drive, we're home again and glad of it! All in all, it's been a good day.
I read several pages of, Jesus Manifesto, by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola whenever
I could while we were gone. It's going to be another book that I will want and need
to read again and again, I'm sure. While it is heavy reading, it lifts my spirits higher
and higher. It will yours as well.
Janice, John & Jesus spent the day together today and we were blessed beyound words.