Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Younger than the Turtle
Ian, age 4, stayed all night with us Monday night. As I read a Bible story about Jesus, Ian said, “Jesus did a lot of cool things.” Amen. Yes, He did.
On the way to school Tuesday, Ian, Caleb, and I discussed the big turtle at Bass Pro Shops. When I mentioned it was 75 years, Caleb blurted out, “That’s older than you are, Grandpa.” He immediately knew he had inserted foot in mouth, but the damage was already done. We both howled. Ian was a bit too young to catch the subtle nuance.
Nathan and Rebekah have planted a little garden for Ian and Lilly Ruth to work in. I asked Ian to tell me about it. He immediately said, “It has poop in it.” What!!?? Mom quickly explained it’s cow manure.
We had a huge family get-together Monday night at our house. Lilly Ruth was not being nice. Her mother said, “Where did that sweet little girl I used to have go?” Ian then prayed at the blessing, “Jesus, please bring my sister back.” How do you keep from exploding with laughter in the middle of a prayer like that?
On the way to school Tuesday, Ian, Caleb, and I discussed the big turtle at Bass Pro Shops. When I mentioned it was 75 years, Caleb blurted out, “That’s older than you are, Grandpa.” He immediately knew he had inserted foot in mouth, but the damage was already done. We both howled. Ian was a bit too young to catch the subtle nuance.
Nathan and Rebekah have planted a little garden for Ian and Lilly Ruth to work in. I asked Ian to tell me about it. He immediately said, “It has poop in it.” What!!?? Mom quickly explained it’s cow manure.
We had a huge family get-together Monday night at our house. Lilly Ruth was not being nice. Her mother said, “Where did that sweet little girl I used to have go?” Ian then prayed at the blessing, “Jesus, please bring my sister back.” How do you keep from exploding with laughter in the middle of a prayer like that?
Monday, May 11, 2009
Easter Legend
Yesterday made five Sundays in a row of rain. Maybe there’s something to that old legend about rain on Easter causes rain seven Sundays in a row. Two more to go. We’ll see.
On the Oxford MS trip, I pulled out some of my old sermon material on Lincoln. I enjoyed editing it. I have three or four more sermons I could preach on Lincoln. My original preaching plan was upended by the fact little hoopla was made about the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth. I thought the USA would be abuzz about it, and a series of sermons would be appropriate. So much for my knowledge. I still want to finish the series. Maybe Memorial Day or Fourth of July would work.
Four-year-old Ian begins t-ball practice this week at High Street Baptist Church. Tickets will be harder to come by than for the World Series. Pictures will be taken by the hundreds. Baseball greatness will be redefined. Without steroids.
Humor helps. Children’s definitions. First book of the Bible: Guinness. Animals entered the ark in pears. Unleavened bread: bread with no ingredients. Where Moses received the ten commandments: Mount Cyanide. The seventh commandment: thou shalt not admit adultery.
On the Oxford MS trip, I pulled out some of my old sermon material on Lincoln. I enjoyed editing it. I have three or four more sermons I could preach on Lincoln. My original preaching plan was upended by the fact little hoopla was made about the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth. I thought the USA would be abuzz about it, and a series of sermons would be appropriate. So much for my knowledge. I still want to finish the series. Maybe Memorial Day or Fourth of July would work.
Four-year-old Ian begins t-ball practice this week at High Street Baptist Church. Tickets will be harder to come by than for the World Series. Pictures will be taken by the hundreds. Baseball greatness will be redefined. Without steroids.
Humor helps. Children’s definitions. First book of the Bible: Guinness. Animals entered the ark in pears. Unleavened bread: bread with no ingredients. Where Moses received the ten commandments: Mount Cyanide. The seventh commandment: thou shalt not admit adultery.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Fair Grove Graduation
Happy Mothers Day. This is always a holiday easy for me to celebrate. My mom blesses me every direction I turn. I’ve already called her. Make sure you do the same for your mom.
Ruth, Caleb, and I spent the last two days traveling to and from Oxford MS, 736 miles roundtrip. We attended my cousin Josh Hill’s graduation from Law School at Ole Miss. I told him I expect to never pay a lawyer’s fee again as long as I live.
Josh reports for duty August 10, and will go to Camp Pemberton, Quantico, and Rhode Island his first year as a Marine Corp lawyer. He has to learn all the ins and outs of military law. Before this, he has to pass the MS state bar exam the last week of July. Pray he will do well.
Our trip to MS was delayed for two hours by the terrible storm we had here Friday morning. Fair Grove school was severely damaged in the storm, leaving them without a place to hold their graduation ceremony next Sunday afternoon. We at Second are gladly dismissing our services next Sunday night, May 17, to let the good folks of Fair Grove enjoy their graduation here. They expect about 2000 to attend. I think they will have a good experience here at Second.
Ruth, Caleb, and I spent the last two days traveling to and from Oxford MS, 736 miles roundtrip. We attended my cousin Josh Hill’s graduation from Law School at Ole Miss. I told him I expect to never pay a lawyer’s fee again as long as I live.
Josh reports for duty August 10, and will go to Camp Pemberton, Quantico, and Rhode Island his first year as a Marine Corp lawyer. He has to learn all the ins and outs of military law. Before this, he has to pass the MS state bar exam the last week of July. Pray he will do well.
Our trip to MS was delayed for two hours by the terrible storm we had here Friday morning. Fair Grove school was severely damaged in the storm, leaving them without a place to hold their graduation ceremony next Sunday afternoon. We at Second are gladly dismissing our services next Sunday night, May 17, to let the good folks of Fair Grove enjoy their graduation here. They expect about 2000 to attend. I think they will have a good experience here at Second.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Salsa on Waffles
Had tacos for breakfast again. I was so excited about eating them that I had trouble concentrating on my prayer and Bible time. I tried to convince John and Caleb to put salsa on their waffles. Neither consented. Where did I go wrong? I thought I raised them better than that. An adventurous spirit is a wonderful thing.
I speak tonight at the MSU BSU for the third and final time this semester. I believe some of the students there will become career missionaries. Pray for our time together tonight. I want to be a catalyst for missions everywhere I go, especially with college students.
Jake and Millie have returned to the back deck. I assumed it was because Ruth didn’t have the heart to keep the gate closed. I was wrong. She told me this morning the reason they were on the deck is because Caleb and Sam have trouble remembering to close the gate behind them. It will be interesting to see how Ruth handles this mini-drama. New door. Scratching dogs. Forgetful grandchildren. I’ll keep you posted.
My cousin Josh Hill graduates from Ole Miss’ Law School this Saturday in Oxford MS. I’m proud of him. He will do the United States Marine Corp proud.
I speak tonight at the MSU BSU for the third and final time this semester. I believe some of the students there will become career missionaries. Pray for our time together tonight. I want to be a catalyst for missions everywhere I go, especially with college students.
Jake and Millie have returned to the back deck. I assumed it was because Ruth didn’t have the heart to keep the gate closed. I was wrong. She told me this morning the reason they were on the deck is because Caleb and Sam have trouble remembering to close the gate behind them. It will be interesting to see how Ruth handles this mini-drama. New door. Scratching dogs. Forgetful grandchildren. I’ll keep you posted.
My cousin Josh Hill graduates from Ole Miss’ Law School this Saturday in Oxford MS. I’m proud of him. He will do the United States Marine Corp proud.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Weathering
Ate tacos for breakfast. Cured sinus trouble I had last week. The food was left over from a Cinco de Mayo party several single adults had at church last night. I do love Mexican food, and Italian, and Greek, and Chinese,. . . .You get the point.
I’m figuring out Ozark weather patterns. Someone told me we are experiencing Blackberry Winter. Wow. Confusing. We have Indian Summer in the middle of Winter, Blackberry Winter in the middle of Spring, between the two the ground hog comes out to predict whether or not it will rain on Easter, thereby determining our weather for the next seven Sundays. I got lost in there somewhere.
Yesterday was grandchildren day. Sam was up and alert at 5:30 a.m. I took Caleb to school, and then did the same for Ian, who recently prayed, “I remind you of the cross that you died on, and that’s sadly. And don’t do that again, okay, God?” I asked him what characters were in the Disney on Ice show he went to. He replied, “All the ones in the commercial were there.” End of conversation. Babysat Lilly Ruth. She put some sunglasses on. Looked like a movie star, except prettier.
Hosea Bilyeu and I will be teaching Pastors at his church at noon. Pray God will bless our time.
I’m figuring out Ozark weather patterns. Someone told me we are experiencing Blackberry Winter. Wow. Confusing. We have Indian Summer in the middle of Winter, Blackberry Winter in the middle of Spring, between the two the ground hog comes out to predict whether or not it will rain on Easter, thereby determining our weather for the next seven Sundays. I got lost in there somewhere.
Yesterday was grandchildren day. Sam was up and alert at 5:30 a.m. I took Caleb to school, and then did the same for Ian, who recently prayed, “I remind you of the cross that you died on, and that’s sadly. And don’t do that again, okay, God?” I asked him what characters were in the Disney on Ice show he went to. He replied, “All the ones in the commercial were there.” End of conversation. Babysat Lilly Ruth. She put some sunglasses on. Looked like a movie star, except prettier.
Hosea Bilyeu and I will be teaching Pastors at his church at noon. Pray God will bless our time.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Number 10 Tomorrow Night
I have preached eight times this week. Number nine will happen tonight. Am I exhausted? Maybe. Am I exhilarated? Absolutely. I’m speaking on missions tomorrow night at FBC Nixa and can hardly wait to preach my fire bucket sermon.
“Rain on Easter means rain the next seven Sundays.” I had never heard this old saying before, but one of our church members called it to my attention this morning and then added, “It rained on Easter, and has rained all four Sundays since.” Three more to go. We’ll see.
All this rain makes me think of two things. One, the 1000 trees we helped plant at the home for disabled adults. At this rate of rainfall, at least 999 of them will survive. Two, our Victory Garden. There’s no hint of drought on the three and a half acres of food we have planted for the poor.
Humor helps. PUNishment. She made whiskey, but he loved her still. A dog gave birth to puppies and was cited for littering (sorry Jake and Millie). Two silk worms had a race; they ended up in a tie. Two hats were on a hatrack; one said to the other, “You stay here; I’ll go on a head.”
“Rain on Easter means rain the next seven Sundays.” I had never heard this old saying before, but one of our church members called it to my attention this morning and then added, “It rained on Easter, and has rained all four Sundays since.” Three more to go. We’ll see.
All this rain makes me think of two things. One, the 1000 trees we helped plant at the home for disabled adults. At this rate of rainfall, at least 999 of them will survive. Two, our Victory Garden. There’s no hint of drought on the three and a half acres of food we have planted for the poor.
Humor helps. PUNishment. She made whiskey, but he loved her still. A dog gave birth to puppies and was cited for littering (sorry Jake and Millie). Two silk worms had a race; they ended up in a tie. Two hats were on a hatrack; one said to the other, “You stay here; I’ll go on a head.”
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