1. I’ve never seen the entire movie, ‘Casablanca.’
2. I’ve never seen the entire movie, ‘The Wizard of Oz.’
3. I’ve never seen the entire movie, ‘Gone with the Wind.’
4. I’ve never roller-skated.
5. I’ve never water-skied.
6. I’ve never snow-skied.
7. I’ve never eaten caviar.
8. I’ve never been to Europe.
9. I’ve never owned a motorcycle.
10. I’ve never flown in a helicopter.
Yep, me & the Mick, linked forever!
1st degree: One of my best buddies was Gailyn Wells
2nd degree: Gailyn Wells coached Andy Pettitte in Deer Park, TX
3rd degree: Andy Pettitte played for Yankee’s Manager Joe Torre
4th degree: Joe Torre hired Don Mattingly as Yankee’s hitting instructor
5th degree: Don Mattingly played under Yankee’s Manager Yogi Berra
6th degree: Yogi Berra was a teammate of Mickey Mantle
Me & the Mick are almost kin!
I learned my multiplication tables at Watson Chapel Elementary. They never changed in Junior High, Senior High or College. But, when I enrolled in the Kingdom, I was presented with laws of mathematics unlike any other. Take July 11 for instance:
* A man we help in Ecuador spoke to combined adult classes. His grandfather was near death in OK, so he shortened his presentation to hurry back. There was a problem with our computer & neither slideshow went as planned.
* He mentioned a woman in severe poverty. With 2 young sons, she was trying to build a new home, single-room, but with a concrete floor & something-besides-mud walls & roof/ She works 6 days a week, yet cannot borrow $$ because she’s a single mother; even if she could, she couldn’t pay it back – interest is 20%. Her sons attend the school only by scholarships.
* In a single sentence, the speaker mentioned the monthly cost for each boy to attend is $60 & the cost to finish the house is $3000. He finished, thanked us & left to check on his grandfather.
* At the end of the morning, unsolicited, funds were handed to elders to cover the house completion & scholarships for her 2 sons…for 2 years!
Long ago, I stopped worrying about the way God does math. It makes no sense & it changes constantly & I am so glad for both conditions!
The real estate industry can get back to the task of housing America.
The auto industry can get back to the task of recovery.
The banking industry can get back to the rebuilding of trust & sensibility.
The environmentalists can return to the struggles with BP.
The military can return to the mission of ending the war.
The world can get back to the day-to-day struggle of day-to-day existence.
How is all this possible?
The enormously annoying “LeBron James Show” has ended!
Can somebody say ‘amen’?
“R” comes every Sunday; he comes alone, but is never alone once he arrives. He comes early, gets his regular order at Coffee Connections, sits with his friends & visits until worship. He’s been coming for 2 years; his introduction was through a free community Bible course on Tuesday nights.
“C” is a bundle of smiles & willingness to serve. She has been coming for a bit over a year. Her introduction came when her husband died after a battle with cancer. She had no church home, knew no one to help with arrangements. A friend introduced her to us & the church family stepped up to contribute. She has blessed so many.
“N & F” have attended for several years. Their journey has been encouraged by countless Christians who have reached out to them. They were baptized Sunday & there was such rejoicing!
“B” is a young man, a Christian less than a year. He was introduced by some of our teens. He has no family encouragement, but is inspires many through his spirit & attitude.
“C”, another young Christian man, was also rescued by his teen peers. Through high school, Christian college & into the work force, his example is a strong one.
“G” & his family moved from a church in the Chicago area. He regularly comments that they feel like they can finally breathe. His smile & greeting each week makes any guest feel special.
“L” has endured enough pain for several lifetimes, but is always searching for a spirit to lift. She has been the rock & glue for at least a half dozen women who have faced similar hardships.
Lord, help us to remember that ministry is not about piety or procedures; it’s about people.
Our daughter’s youngest gave his first recital. He walked up to the stage, sat down and played. When he finished, he hopped up and came back down to the family. I asked him, “Why didn’t you take your music with you?” He said, “Paw Paw, when you know it, you don’t need it!”
I finally convinced myself that I deserved an iPad. It wasn’t a hard sell since I know what character weaknesses to target in me. So, I placed the order and entered the Apple Twilight Zone of waiting. If the iPad is half as interesting as following the shipment, I will be delighted! Here’s the sage so far:
Shipped from Shenzhen, China (see, I told you it’s interesting!)
Arrived in Anchorage, Alaska
Sent on to Memphis, Tennessee
Arrived in Tulsa, Oklahoma
I’m anxious to see if it comes directly to Rogers or if it spends the night in Choteau, Siloam Springs or Springdale!
But, it’s getting closer!
I don’t like….
I can’t see why….
I’m not going to….
That’s not my choice….
I won’t support….
If it’s not my way….
Don’t count on me….
I can’t go along….
It’s too different….
Where’s the old way….
I’ll just leave….
Lots of contractions & nothing constructive.
Lots of guests in both 1st & 2nd services!
A great visit & sharing old times with Mark Moore, then hearing his exciting future plans!
Lunch with our kids & grandkids, along with Mark, the Biggs, the Martins & the Carpenters!
Mexican food!
Father’s Day candy from the grandkids!
And, the topper: after months of Jim Canfield asking for a hot-dog at Coffee Connections, Guy Cable brought him one! It was a classic moment!
