My Pledge

I found Adam as I was dusting around our house this Ash Wednesday. He was under
our bed. But I also found some of Adam's friends in other places. I found Dusty on
the desk. I found Little Dusty on the Dinning Room table. And, I found Dusty the
Fuzz by our bed. I Pledge to do better at keeping Dust out of our house every year
but dust seems to also slip in some way and cover things up before we know it.
What really has me puzzled is how does God know about the dust in our house
when He says, "Dust to dust."? I think I need a Dust Buster to help around here!
I just hope Adam doesn't get his feelings hurt when I rub him the wrong way.
I Pledge to keep him from sneezing too loud and spreading more dust. I've seen
enough already.
Anyone seen Waldo?

The Waiting Room

Yesterday morning while I was in the waiting room while my wife was having eye
surgery, I didn't need a book to pass the time. The small area was over flowing
with people. Everyone was older than my wife and myself. Everyone was looking
at everyone else. Every now and again someone would say something to the
strangers seated near by.
Most of the talk was about having the weather or some health issues. One woman
is a cook at a resturant in her home town. She got all of us hungry as she described
the dishes she prepares daily at the diner. Another man got to telling jokes and
had all of us laughing so loud that the staff had to get us to calm down.
When we were leving I thanked the man who told the jokes for keeping us entertained.
He replied by wishing us well. When I take my wife to the Doctor's office for a follow
up this morning, I sure hope I see some of these people again because we're friends
who met in a waiting room yesterday morning.
Just back from seeing the Doctor. My wife has the 2nd one done next Monday bright
and early. I sure hope the waiting rooom will be as entertaining as the one yesterday.

My Two-Cents Worth

When I went up to pay for something I got at Walmart, the clerk told me $5.02. All
I had was a $10.00. That's when she said, "Everyone who comes to Walmart should
have two cents." That's when I gave her my two cents worth.
Just kidding. I was nice to her because she needed a smile to help her make it through
the day. Besides, it made my day better. Besides, I needed the change. What's in your
wallet?

May I Help You?

When I went to Walmart to pick up my birthday gift from my daughter, I had to
do a lot of walking. As I was going towards my car way out in the parking lot
(all handicap spaces gone), a woman walking towards the entrance of Walmart
asked if she she help me. I told her that she didn't have to help me. Why didn't
I take her up on being nice to me? Pride? Hurry? Being a man?
I had just been real nice to everyone who helped me in Walmart to get my cain,
why not her? I simply brushed her off and went on my way. Who knows,she
might of been Jesus. I ask, "and when did I see you?" Watch out, it just might
be Jesus.

Clouds

This is one of those days when I love to watch the sky. Isn't it amazing how quickly
it can change? After looking down or around and look back at the sky, it's different.
The clouds have gone away or been joined by others that were pasing by in the
sky.
I love to see if I see any animals up there that have gotten lose from the Cloud
House in Heaven. I've seen snakes, elephants, dogs and cats chasing one another.
Just about the time I get back out with the camara to snap it, it's gone on off to
somewhere else in the sky high above.
Now that I'm 65, I wonder how it happened and when did it happen. I was a
little boy just the other day, wasn't I? 40 years of being married is a mystery
to me. How has she stayed with me through thick and thin? 44 years of being
a pastor is a long,long time and yet, wasn't it just yesterday that I preached
my first sermon? Where have the clouds gone?

Come Clean

I feel like the Maytag repairman after our new dishwasher was installed
this morning. Now that this one is here maybe it means I won't have to do
the dishes like a slave anymore. Maybe it means I can retire from doing
the dishes. Maybe it means I can watch more tv or read more.
Our old one wasn't doing the dishes very well so often times Iwould do
them by hand myself. I even took the dirty dishes out of the diswasher
and scrub them so they would be clean. I've got the dish hands to prove
it. I think I'll write a song about is. How about, ""I've Got the Dish Hands
Blues." Or, "Clean Out of Patience." I often sang while doing the dishes or
worked on a sermon in my mind. Now I will just wait until I'm needed
again. Hey! I can hear my wife a calling..... I gota get out of here before she
makes me run that vacumn cleaner!
Oh, by the way, don't call me, I'll call you!

DADisms

When I awoke this morning I found a small book by our bed. It is Dadisms. I think
I'll keep in the bathroom to read from time to time, if ya know what I mean. What
makes the book so special are the words written by my son just inside the cover.
What a great gift, better yet, what a great son!
Four of my best friends helped me celebrate my birthday last night at a Mexican
resturant last night. The place was packed. I thought they were all there for my
big occasion. Wrong!
We shared stories and jokes while we ate and enjoyed our time together. My wife
was the one who invited these two couples, as well as a couple of other couples
who were'nt able to make it. My wife and daughter were with me to make a
special occassion even more special. Now I've got to get busy with an April birthday
that someone has in a couple of months. Don't tell you know who, you know what.
Here's my Dadism for the celebration last night, "What do you thinkI am, a bank?"
It was money well spent. I'm worth it! And that's the truth even if I have to lie
about it! This Dad isms out of here..........

FETCH!

I love to be out on the deck out back while I read and drink coffee. Everytime I
get settled in, our daughter's dog, Derby, will scratch my leg as if to say, "let's
play" or, get me a stick. So I have to get up and play or get him a stick to gnaw
on.
This morning I was well into a new book when Derby decided I needed to give
him attention. I threw the ball a few times and went back to my book. Before
long I was having to get a stick for him to fetch. In between throws, I read
a page or two before Derby would be back wanting my full attention.
I took a stick and stuck part of it down into the crack between boards and
watched to see what Derby would do. He went right to work gnawing on it
as if it were a big bone. That allowed me more time to read and drink my
cold coffee. But before long Derby wanted to go back inside to rest. So did
I! I'll read more of the book whenever Derby is fast asleep. I really doubt
it will last long but it's a thought.

A GREAT DAY

My family took me to O'Charley's last night to celebrate my birthday. It was wonderful.
As I was about to leave, the waitress placed a plate of carmel pie on the table and wished
me a Happy 21st Birthday. I wish!! Before I could eat a 2nd bite, my younger brother
took a spoon and started eating my pie. I almost took a bite of his arm but I was
afraid I might get rabies so I simply stopped to enjoy the moment. Then I took my
spoon to give him a big bite and accidently on purpose put my spoon on his nose. Poor
fellow!
After arriving back home I watched Duke and North Carolinia play basketball on ESPN.
After that I watched some of Jay Leno & David Letterman. But before long I turned
them off and turned over and went to sleep. I guess my age caught up with me. But
before I lay me down to sleep, I thanked the Lord for giving me such a great day and
such a great family. What else could a guy ask for on his birthday? Well, let me tell
you that I could always use a new car. How about a cruise? How about a clean garage?
Maybe next year. Till then I will dream on.

HAVE A SEAT

My wife and I went out for breakfast this morning to celebrate my 65th birthday. We
then took a drive which led us to a store where she bought me a birthday present. We
looked at several recliners and the bought one which will be delivered Friday. I can't
wait!
I had not suspected that she was taking me to shop for my birthday gift. I thought we
were simply spending some time together. What a pleasent surprise when she told me
what we were going to do. Now I can have a nice nap in my very own recliner rather
than on her recliner. I'm sure I can sleep well without a doubt.
It's hard for me to believe that my twin is 65 years old. It's hard for me to believe I
have a twin that old. How did that ever happen? Maybe I ought to go to bed and
sleep on it for a couple of hours. Sounds like a plan to me, doesn't it you?

Silly Stuff

Well I've gone and done it again. I bought another book at Barnes & Noble today.
I always like to read whatever Barbara Brown Taylor has to written. This book
is An Altar in the World. It is a follow up book to her last book after she resigned
from several years as a pastor. I'm sure what she has to say will be well worth
thinking about. Her books have always done that for me.
I could of waited with high hopes and great expectations that tomorrow I just
might get something new to read for my 65th birthday. How about: How To
Have Enough Breath to Blow The Candles Out. Or, Check Coomer's Pulse to See
If He Is Still Living. Best sellers if I say so myself. But my best book would have
to be: Leave a Light On in the Casket So I Can Read. I want to read, How Do I
Get Out of Here? Or, Who Turned the Lights Off?
Enough of this silly stuff. Time for my nap. I just hope I wake up before dinner.
That's what I wish for while I'm still sixty four. Night - night.

WATCH IT!

When I went out to get the morning mail I found a birthday card from Edward Jones.
I rushed back in the house and ripped open the envelope hoping to find a check to
celebrate my 65th birthday Wednesday. Well, they were nice enough to send a card.
Maybe someone stole the money. You just can't trust people these days. The sad
thing is that the very same thing happened last year. Maybe the money will get
here next time.
I say all this to say, if you send me a birthday card, make sure no one sees you slip
that hundred dollar bill in the envelope. You just can't be too careful these days. So
again I urge to watch it! Thanks for thinking of me as time goes by.

Slow Poke

Yesterday it was warm enough to be out back on the deck. I pulled up a chair and started
reading UNcommon by Tony Dungy. As I sipped my coffee and read I discovered Dungy
has written a really great book about the things that matter most in living. I'm sure that
by the time I finish reading this new book I will have gathered all sorts of sermon ideas.
I really enjoyed the Super Bowl last night. It was a great game and well worth watching
even if the Steelers won. I ate plenty of pizza and enjoyed the evening. Either team is
worthy of being called champion.
It feels good being back up and going after so many weeks of having to be a slow poke.
I am always wanting to do something rather than take things so slow. There are things
to get done around the house so I better be getting at it. I might need to rest after doing
some things, but that's fine with me.

SOMETHING WELL WORTH READING

I went to see my two best friends, Barnes & Noble this morning. While there I started
reading, UNcommon, by Tony Dungy. Since I've always been impressed by how he
conducts himslef I thought it would be worth reading. After drinking coffee and reading
a few pages, I went ahead and bought the book. I'm glad I did. I'm finding it to be a book
that has a great deal to say.
While watching the Super Bowl Sunday night, most likely I'll be reading right along with
the game. I've already come across somethings I want to share with others as soon as I
possibly can. I underline sentences and make notes so that I can refer to them again.
I'm amazed at how Dungy expresses himself so well. He has a great deal to say and
says it all so well.

WHAT'S GOING ON

Both of my brother's who live in Louisville are having to deal with the winter weather
in a rough way. Tree limbs have caused power shortages and the water has caused
some flooding due to sup pumps not working well. What a way to live in Louisville.
We're blessed in Bowling Green with all utilities working well. While it is cold outside
it's warm within. I just hate to see what it will cost us. That's ok. I can survive.
I've been snug as a bug in a church rug while reading and watching out for things
around here and people elsewhere. My daughter and I may go out after ahwile to
look for her a car. Her's was totalled in a wreck so she has to get one soon. Maybe
the sales person will be help her out due to wanting to sell cars.
I'm ready for the Super Bowl. I've got the popcorn, drinks and a cozy chair. Bring
it on! Are you ready for some football? I want to see a great game and I want the
Steeler's to steal & seal the game.

A DATE WITH OUR DAUGHTER

Yesterday afternoon I took our daughter on a date. We went to Barnes and Noble where
I bought yet another book. I get so much out of Eugne Peterson's books that I just have
to read them if I can. The book I bought is, Eat This Book. It may sound like a strange
name, but it is about how we really need to read The Bible rather than giveit a glance.
I've finished Peterson's latest book, Tell It Slant and found it to be his best book. It is a
book I will re-read again and again. While I get some sermon ideas from what he writes,
most of all I am blessed by what he has to say.
It is going to snow and be icy around Kentucky tonight and Tuesday so I will wait to
start reading this book that I pickedup yesterday. While we were at Barnes and Noble
we had coffee and cheescake as we watched a lot of others spending a Sunday afternoon
at Barnes and Noble. We will have to do it again some Sunday afternoon. Maybe she
will buy me a birthday present next month. Hint -hint.

An Open & Closed Case

This afternoon when I went to see my hearing aid representative, he asked me if I
still like my hearing aid. After he asked me twice, I told him that they were working
well. That's when he told me loudly that I didn't have them turned on at all. In my
rush to get going this morning I failed to open the case enough to start them. After
he did what I hadn't done, I could hear. He laughed. I didn't.
Maybe I could use this for an excuse whenever my wife wants something from me
or someone else. I will simply tell her I forgot to open and close the hearing aids
as I'm instructed to do. But knowing her, it would be an open and closed case before
I could even begin to talk my way out of it. Again!
He also told me to get the ear wax out of my ears. I knew there was something wrong
when I saw all that stuff on his screen. I guess I need to wash my ears more than once
a week. Ha!

SERVANTS IN SERVICE

This Sunday I will be serving Communion at the 8:15 service at church, our daughter
will be back in the praise band after a long time out and, my wife will be at the desk
at 9:00 to assist people at worship. The three of us are busy at Broadway. It feels
good to be servants in service.
We have to be at Broadway by 7:45 a.m. Sunday. It makes for a long morning but
after all we do, we get to go out to eat. Yea!

HAVE YOU SEEN MY SHOES?

For the first time in 17 weeks I'm wearing both of my regular shoes. I can put my boot
out of sight, out of mind now. Yea! It feels so gooooooooood to walk without the boot.
I hope I never have to wear one again.
I hope that I can start doing things again that I have put on hold for four months. I
want to drive now. I want to help serve Communion each Sunday again. I want to do
things around the house that I've had to let my wife do. I can lift things again. Most
of all, I can thank God again. Now, it's nap time again. I'll leave the porch light on for
ya.

A HELPING HAND

After spending several minutes having my car worked on this morning, I started to
get up off the couch in the waiting area. I tried twice when all of the sudden I saw a
young man who had been beside me stand up and stretch his arm out to give me a
lift. I hadn't asked him to help, he did it all on his own. I let him lift me up and then
I thanked him gladlyand went on my way.
I wonder who needs a helping hand today from me? From you? I'm sure someone
is in need of a helping hand in one way or another. Maybe a word spoken. Maybe
a kind deed. Maybe a simple smile.
Before getting out of bed this morning I asked the Lord to use me in some way.
Little did I know then that God used someone to help me. Maybe that's why I'm
asking you, who needs your helping hand today? Just look. Just listen. Someone
needs a lift today.