THE RIGHT WORDS AT THE RIGHT TIME

When I went to the retirement village to speak this morning, I had some things to say
about waving at people and whittling to pass time. Since there were no men present
but myself, I spoke about how one of our dogs had died last Friday. I shared some
serious things along with some funny things. The women were paying close attention
to every word I said. When it was over, three shared thoughts about their pets of
the past and thanked me for sharing my story with them. I knew then and there
that waving and whittling would have to wait untill next month.
As I approached my car afterwards, I thanked the Lord for letting me share something
from down deep in my soul with those women. I also got to thinking about how the
right words were said at just the right time when I've needed them so very much. My
pastor seemed to be reading my sore soul and wanted to but salve on it in the Name of
our Saviour. The Spirit works in wonderfull ways, doesn't He? He even speaks through
us from time to time. What a blessing that is.

A CLOSE SHAVE

I've been working on a devotion for the Retirement Village next Wednesday in hopes
it will help them in some small way. I'm plcanning to preach on, "A Close Shave: How
to Whittle." I think too many people whittle their lives away." I want the residents
there to think about ways they might be wasting the hours of their lives away. What
ways are there for them to accomplish much any more in their lives at the Retirement
Village?
While writing the sermon, I started wondering in what ways am I wasting my life? I
visited a lady in the hospital this morning who is on her death bed. She has cancer
and most likely a short time to live. She spoke of her family and her faith while I was
with her. She smiled as the sweat poured down her face. She held my hand as we
prayed together. She thanked me for coming to see her on a Saturday morning when
I could of been somewhere else, doing something else. It was then and there that I
knew though her life is wasting away, I wasn't wasting my time at all by being with her on a Saturday morning. I was right where I needed and wanted to be.
The shavings of our lives lay on the floors of our lives and yet we seem to not see them
because we too busy wasting our lives away on things that aren't worth much at all. So
don't make it a close shave by almost doing something or almost saying something. Do
it now while you can.

DIRTY DOG

When I got up around 5;00 to take the two dogs outside, only one came running to me. I
snapped my fingers for Dirty Dog to come but she didn't. So I thought she was already out.
She wasn't. When I walked into the kitchen I saw that she had died during the night. We
think it was a heart attack and her age. Dirty Dog was one of two rescue dog that belonged
to our son.
My wife and daughter and I have wept often today because she had become one of our
family members. Derby Pie is a cocker who belongs to our daughter who lives with us.
Derby and Dirty Dog were the best of buddies. He knows she is gone and seems so sad.
I've dug a grave for Dirty Dog so that this evening we can bury her in a spot where she
loved to go. I gave her that name because she was dirty most of the time. She loved
being loved and left a lot of love with us whenever we remember her. That will be often.

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.

A HOME RUN

Our daughter just drove in from Indy after seeing the Indy Race yestersday. She
stayed over to catch her breath before the drive home. While we didn't see her
on tv, we knew she was in the crazy crowd. DerbPie (her dog) is wagging hs
tail in celebration of having her home. he brought me six MARS BARS! She
knows how much I love them & her.
I better go hear all about the weekend so I don't miss the details of her being
at the Indy 500 again.

GET NAKED

I told somone at church yesterday that I had to huury home and walk naked before

the rain arrives. She looked at me as if I was crazy. Why,I don't know. I always walk

naked. I even like it to drive naked. I like to get naked! Naked is my dog.Excuse me,

I've got to go get Naked.

HERE WE GO AGAIN

I'm about to take our two dogs outside on a Saturday morning where our neighbors are
having a yard sale. It's to start at 7:00 but people are already looking things over and
it's only 6:15. Both of the dogs will bark, bark, bark until I bring them back in the house.
The people won't be able to be heard with two dogs barking at them. I'll bringthem back
inside after they do their thing.
My wife and I have to travel about a two hour drive to a funeral this afternoon. The
lady taught Sunday School when my wife was a young girl and left a lasting influence
on her life. Albany, Ky is near some lakes so I might go for a swim while she is at
the funeral home. Not! I'd be dead sooner than soon. Send flowers.
This has been a week of travel: Nashville, Somerset, Louisville & now Albany, Ky. I
hope we can catch our breath soon since I'm "on call" all of next week for the church
visitation. Maybe everyone will get out and stay out of the hospitals. I wish.

MY MISTAKE

I made a mistake by asking my wife what else I could do to help her around the house.
Before I could run for the hills, she handed me a long list of little (ha) jobs to be done. I
started by trimming a big bush beside the house. But she then told me to cut it way
back. What!
I was up and at it at 6:00 this morning hoping to beat the heat. I trimmed three big
bushes and then moved to the other side of our house and did one more big bush. I
picked everything up and the raked some leafs by a tree. Needless to say, I learned
my lessson. Don't ever ask such a silly question of the wife, men. She will tell you
far more than you want to know.

MYSTERY SOLVED

At the ending of another day, I'm out back on our deck looking at the changing
clouds high up in the sky. "Now you see it, now you don't" is what I'm thinking
as the clouds come and go so quickly. I see the sun going down on the other
side of the pine trees at the fence. What a sight!
I trimmed bushes early this morning before it got too hot to work with them.
After picking up and putting away, I was on my way to read and sip coffee
while reading a mystery that has me in it's grip. It amazes me that there are
so many myteries to read. Where do all these thoughts come from is a real
mystery to me. Then there are movies and tv shows, etc..
I needed a day like today. My wife and daughter were both in Nashville so
I did pretty much whatever I wanted and needed to do. I even baked a cake
for my family while they were gone. The mystery of the missing cake has me
wondering who slipped into the kitchen and had a big piece of it. But when I
followed the crumps though I found the Crum who did it, he was staring at me
in the mirror asking, "Got milk?" Guilty as charged! I say. Mystery solved.
Well, the sky is getting darker at dusk so I better go see if there is a good new
mystery on tv tonight for a tired old man whose bones are in need of some
Ben Gay at the close of a great day. I'll leave the porch light on for you.

A HOME RUN!

After my wife and I had painted our daughter's bed room, she told us it was way to dark.
That's what I had thought as I applied the paint she had selected. It was way to depressing
for me. So, being the nice parents of a loving daughter, my wife and I repainted her room
again yesterday. What a difference a day makes! The lighter color is a grand slam home run!
I hope we can retire from painting now and relax. Ha!
Saturday is the Hunting Creek yard sale where neighbors have items for sale and hundreds
of people show up attempting to buy a bargain. Not me! I'm out of here. Barnes and Noble,
here I come.
What I want to know is, who runs this home? I think I already know. It's not me. Excuse
me, my wife is calling.

MOTHER'S MOTHER DAY LETTER TO ME

Even though Mother's Day was last Sunday, I'm going to share some thoughts about
mother's at the Retirement Village in the morning . Since there are more women than
men who attend the monthly services, I think they will be ready to hear what I want
to say.
I'm going to share about a letter that I wrote 57 years ago to my mother. I will read
what I wrote to her and then read what she wrote about my letter. Four words are
written on the back side of my letter, "Very precious to me." Those four words are
very precious to me, to say the least. So many memories come to mind whenever I
remember Momma. What a woman. What a Mother. What a Christian who influenced
my life so very, very much! She still does whenever I think of her.
My prayer is that these woman (Mothers) will have many precious memories as they
reflect upon their long lives. I hope the three or four men will be blessed by what will
be said. I kow I will be, even if I say so myself.

THE BIRDS

A bird nest has been built on our front porch over the past few days. Whenever I want
to read while on our swing, birds swoop down at me. I just hope they don't drop any
bombs my way! I'll leave them alone if they will leave me alone. I'll even go out back
to the deck to protect their babes.

TROUBLED WATERS

When I was starting out of our subdivision today, I had to make a u-turn due
to water over the street. I didn't drive through it because I didn't want to be
struck or send waves of water higher into a near by house. I'm amazed at
how high the water was and how fast it takes place. I drove that way just
yesterday without water being a problem at all.
When I see the thousands of homes and places under water, I send up a
prayer for all those dear people and their problems. I'm moved by the
people who seek to provide any help they can for people they may not
even know. It makes me want to do more for others as well.
I'm glad to see the sun instead of rain so that the waters can reside and
things dry out. Then there is all the clean up to be done. Wow! May
they be given added strength through it all.
Give thanks for what you have during these days of troubled waters.