Less Celebrated But No Less Deserving

My personal, adorable darling, Cheryl, brought me a bouquet of one dozen yellow roses this morning! They bring a smile to my countenance inside and out. They're a beautiful shade of yellow(not that I am particularly fond of yellow)running toward a sort of sunshiny shade of banana. I've seen cars this color, and motorcycles, but I never have fully understood, other than it's a great color to use for lettering a bright green tractor, why people use this shade on vehicles. The roses literally jump off the counter shouting, "Look at us, we're bright and cheery, and you should be, too!" I will be in about 45 minutes and a couple more cups of deep, dark, liquid encouragement, coffee! I suppose, about now, mom's everywhere are getting the children ready for services to celebrate dad's special day. Mother's day is the second biggest day of the year for the giving of flowers, outsold in the retail realm only by Valentine's Day. Father's Day is more a type of "sleeper" when it comes to festive celebration, which is what a lot of dads(including me), would prefer to be doing this morning. If not for the advertising campaigns designed to spur yet another "sales" event, we might miss this one entirely on our male "holiday radar." I don't know the history of how we got a "special" day all for ourselves, but I have a hunch it was thought up by a sales exec with some greeting card company. If I sound cynical, please forgive me, I guess that it has to do with the world we are a part of. In my heart of hearts I really don't think the world cares what we celebrate as long as there is some reason to spur sales. That was the impression I got wandering the aisles of the new Super Wal Mart at midnight Friday. I don't often go there, but needed marshmallows and graham crackers to make smores. I ran into a young couple I married with their two week old baby boy. I got to hold him and congratulate both of the brand new parents. Now, there is the reason for celebrating this day, that glow of pride that comes with having brought a beautiful new life into the world, along with all of the responsibilities that accompany being, "DAD." Today in the churches across our country we will listen to sermons that celebrate the "Fatherhood of God," and that will be the main theme, followed by how our job as dads should be on a par with how God parents all of us. Most of them will carry the message to the people with elements that are earmarks of the social gospel which is so dominant these days, and that's okay, but if it leaves you with an emptiness, remember, how empty we are is in direct proportion to how filled we are willing to be! This is where the flowers enter in! Think of all of your children, and your father's children, and his father's children as the flowers grown in the garden of lives measured only in love that transcends all other emotions. I'm beginning to really like the yellow roses! Maybe that isn't such a bad color for a vehicle, like say a vintage hot rod, 1936 Ford, big v-8, fenders off, with a boom box big enough to rattle the neigbors windows built into the rumble seat area. Maybe with some flames extending down the doors, and lakers on the sides! Not a bad thought. I think I like it. Now, where did I put that new tie? Happy Father's Day......God bless, Preacher.

Sunday Has Arrived, Time To Head Out To Church With Your Precious Cargo! 

This Is My Very First "Multiple" Blog, And It Feels Great!

Many thanks to Carole King, Bill Withers, Randy(Neuman maybe)I can't remember the last name for sure, but I've got your songs in my head, Willie Nelson, and a host of others that have recorded and contributed in song to this day. "Rockers" ZZ Top and Aerosmith, Clapton and The Beatles. I got a hunch I could go on and on, but you catch the meaning and you know my drift. Enjoy! It's summer! YESHUA, REJOICE! With The Flute And Lyre, Cymbal And Chimes, In Dance And Song, Let All The Beauty Of The Earth Proclaim God's Glory! "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee!"
God Bless Our Great Nation. Lift Up Our Troops In Prayer Every Day Of The Week(I know, you think I've twisted off. I haven't, I'm just really happy to be alive and living in the days God has given me),One Nation Under God....... AMEN......... Preacher!

I just love music and the many ways it makes me smile! Catch Randy's "You've Got A Friend In Me!"  

A Pause At The Well Is Often All Any Of Us Needs To Prepare For "Carrying On." 

To Stress Or Not To Stress? It's Not A Question!

Locally we seem to have gotten away from the passing of people in their late 30s early 40s. This is a good thing. For awhile it seemed as though life span was reduced by half for far too many. I guess I've lived long enough now to actually desire the attainment of another 25 years as our national averages dictate. Barring the big "C" or some other unforeseen illness, I could do just that, unless I succomb to stress as so many are doing these days.
There's a glass of water(or a cup of coffee, I'm a little laid back)that sits just a few inches from my right hand when I'm in the pulpit. If I take that glass or cup and hold it up it isn't all that heavy(the plastic cup about half full is 6 oz. the coffee mug runs 26 oz.), but it's not really the weight that matters, it's the length of time I hold one or the other. Just picking up and putting down after drinking from it is not a problem. If I hold one for awhile that's not a problem, but if I hold either for an hour my arm will begin to ache, and if I continue to hold it for a day you may have to call an EMT. In each case, the weight is the same, but the longer I hold on to it, the heavier it gets. This is how it is with the stress that plagues our lives on a daily basis. If you hold on to your burdens they grow in weight until something gives, and I'm not referring to the ounces, that hasn't changed. We have to learn how to set it down for awhile. Pets are great for helping us set aside our burdens, other friends, too, can be of assistance. I believe, however, that faith is the greatest of helpers when it comes to setting aside the day to day burdens that come our way. With the help of my Lord I can leave the worry of work in it's place and get back to it again tomorrow, or on Monday. The personal stresses of life that we give so much weight to, can also be set down for a bit, until we've had a chance to rest and regain our strength. If I don't find a way to set my burdens apart from me something will give, and experience teaches one lesson, the weight in the cup or the glass, or on your "plate," is not going to change, only you and me are capable of changing. If you're carrying more than your share right now, and it's getting way too heavy, get some help in setting down the burden, it can improve your possibilities for life in a variety of ways. Laughter is good for the spirit. Let's laugh a little(or a lot)too, in this way we can help each other to "live long(Spock or one of those Vulcans said this)and prosper." I'm headed out on my biggest Harley to find something inspiring to bring back here for you to view!
Just a simple way to combat stress, that and prayer! In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Eliminating Stress In Your Life May Just Save Your Life!