In the moment...

You may have already seen these, but I thought they were quite riveting pictures!  They were caught just at the moment of action.  You can almost feel the adrenaline rush by taking these pictures in!

Are they sticking their tongues out at each other or what?

Did the camera survive?  We do have the picture...so it must have continued to function after the impact!

Can you imagine the landing?  OWW!

The look of disbelief!

Hope your week is better than these poor souls.

The pulpit

The news has been filled with recorded words that were spoken over a pulpit recently.  It involves a presidential candidate, but what I will say has nothing to do with the campaign or political beliefs.

  Hearing these unbelievable statements peppered with cursing and knowing that they were spoken by someone that people consider to be a spokesman from God in their life has sickened me.  I could never fathom speaking in this manner in a regular conversation, much less from behind the holy desk.  What is said while preaching is sacred to me and I believe it is sacred to God.  To use God as a prop for my own agenda is profane.

May our pulpits remain reserved for the true Word of God spoken to bring change to a sin-sick soul.  May they be filled by called men of God who have spent time in prayer, seeking the face of the Almighty.  I don't believe it has to be dull, mundane and formal; but it does need to be anointed from on High!

The Riviera...

Cameron has brought back to mind the old car that is sitting in my Dad's shed.  It is a 1967 Buick Riviera that looks like the one above but without the chrome wheels.  My parents bought it new in 1967 and it holds a lot of memories for me.  I can remember standing on the middle hump in the floor between my parents and holding on to the bucket seats.  This was before you had to be buckled in!  LOL!  (Do you remember when?) In fact, I wore the carpet out right there in the middle and it had to be replaced.  On longer trips I remember laying in the back window and sleeping or just looking around!  The backseat was like a couch...

It was my first car.  I had it repainted and the seats redone with the original "tuck-n-roll" style.  I think the seats still look pretty good, although noone has sat on them in a while.  (They could crack!)  Cameron has brought it to mind because he thinks it would be so cool to fix it up again and drive it.  I can see dollar signs running out the tail pipe with all the gas it would take.  It is a great car and quite a classic, but it is really heavy and is definitely not a hybrid!

I'm not even sure it will fit in today's parking spaces.  Some of them are so tight now, that my Jeep has problems fitting in them!  It would definitely win in a fender bender with today's cars - it is made of iron.  The doors will just about cut your legs off if you park on a hill and they fall shut on them!  The Riviera... a family memory and one my son will not let us forget!

Today's Mansion Tour

I guess I have never been in a house that was worth over a million dollars... until today.  Our REALTOR® tour took us to the shores of Lake Austin.  This FIRST HOUSE is listed for $3,775,000.  It is 7000 square feet!  It has 4 bedrooms, 3 full and 3 half baths, 4 living areas and 2 dining.

The pool overlooks the lake and has a negative-edge (disappearing)!

The kitchen was a complete gourmet masterpiece and an extra double Sub-zero tucked in the butler's pantry.

The grand room was off of the kitchen with huge doors going onto the back patio.

THE SECOND HOME is listed for only $2,399,000.

The pool was at the entrance of the home with fountains arching into it.

The den had hand-scraped wood floors and pulley-system fans!

The kitchen was great.  Notice the thick granite on the island with its rough edges.

I think I'll wait for the mansions on the other side!  They won't come with utility or cleaning bills.  A home is where you make it.  We have been amazed in our married life how much we have been able to be at home in whatever house or apartment we have lived in.  A "home" is a state of mind, not a particular type of house.  We have often commented on how my mother-in-law, Sis. Layne, always made whatever they lived in a home - houses, RV, or double-wide!  Remember - "HOME" is where the heart is.  Have a great week and enjoy your family - no matter what you have or where you sleep!

New Music!

I LOVE new music!!  It just does something to your heart and mind - especially when it's encouraging and fun.  Today I bought a new CD and earlier this week Cameron bought a new "CD" on iTunes.  Some of you will be interested in one and some the other - a few of you who are as versatile in your music taste as I am will like them both.

First - "Lovin' Life".  This is the latest project from the Gaither Vocal Band.  As most of you know, I'm a HUGE Gaither fan - not a Bill Gaither fan - just a fan of the things he has done.  You have to admit, he may be "old" but he has been extremely successful in bringing southern gospel music into the new generations.  This is a typical Gaither project in the fact that they use songs you've heard for years and mix in new songs you've never heard before.  The old songs are great and the new songs are awesome!!  I LOVE "Jesus and John Wayne" and "I'm Lovin' Life" and "The Diff'rence is in Me".  Wow!  There's just some good music on this CD!!!

Second - "Salvation Station".  I don't know if this is a new group or what, but we really like them.  The name of the group is NewWorldSon.  I discovered them through the Family Christian catalog I get monthly.  This is what was written in the catalog that caught my attention:  "For fans of - Blind Boys of Alabama, OK Go and Harry Connick, Jr.  Their distinctive jazz/reggae/pop style is unmistakable on this album."  You owe it to yourself to check them out.

Don't just go buy these projects without checking them out for yourself - unless you REALLY trust me.  LOL!  But you SHOULD at least check them out and see what you think.  Let me know if you like them!

ENJOY MUSIC - IT IS A GIFT!!

Special Speaker

We were happy to have Rev. Gary Erickson, Director of the UPCI General Sunday School Division, in service with us on Sunday!  The presence of the Lord was electrifying during our worship - with dancing, shouting and making rounds in our little space!  God knows what we need and when we need it.  Bro. Erickson blessed the church and we enjoyed spending some time together over lunch.  I served under him for a couple years on the Sunday School board and he definitely has the children of our world at heart.  Here's a cute candid shot from this Sunday while Bro. Erickson was preaching... not of the preacher, but the future...

Hast thou not known?

28  Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29  He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young shall utterly fall:
31  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.                                                                               Isaiah 40:28-31

Sometimes we feel as though we carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. But, as the Scripture passage says, "Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard that the everlasting God....fainteth not, neither is weary?"

I have stood by the bedside of a wonderful saint of God this week as he and his wife faced yet another battle with this old flesh. I got the privilege last night to hear them banter back and forth last night as they expressed their love for each other. She was headed home for the night and he would stay in his hospital room - but they would not really be far from each other because of their love. He suffered a stroke 3 years ago and she has faithfully worked to make sure he could be at home and they could continue to enjoy each other's company. He told her last night, "I have added so much work to you. You have to help me do everything."  She smiled real big and stroked his arm saying, "It is nothing, honey - I love you."

There are many times when we are weary, that we think, "Lord, why would you even keep working on my behalf.  I am so much work."  That's when you feel His loving arms come around you and hear Him say, "It is nothing - I love you." He is not weary, He is not faint! He can give you power today. Even when you have no might of your own, He increaseth your strength.   It really has nothing to do with age, even the young faint under the load. It has to do with life on this old sinful earth.

But you do not have to fall!  Wait upon the Lord and He shall renew your strength.  Before long, you will take flight like the eagle. You will feel the load lift. 

"Hast thou not known?"  Yes, but we need to be reminded again.   May the Lord bless each of you this weekend and lift your spirit. Know that He loves you and has your best interest at heart.

"Old Couple?"

I got an email today entitled, "Old couple".  When I opened it up, this picture was on the page!  I thought it was a great picture and I don't consider them an old couple at all!  I guess the years are passing by, but they don't act old.  They are the greatest of parents and grandparents.  In fact, it is time that they come visit again (hint, hint!)  Chad is wanting one of these pictures to hang on his bedroom wall.  Just thought I would share it with all of you.

The Preacher's Task

Last year, I attended classes for those in ministry taught by Bro. Bernard.  Today, I was reading over the notes and thought I would share some of it.  It is not written in complete chapters, but just notes of important statements that were made.

As preachers we must be diligent and take ministry seriously.  It is important to work hard to make something you and God are proud of.  Be a skilled worker.  That means we must know what we are doing.  You cannot know everything, but you can know what the Word says about important, eternal issues.  Stay away from questions that cannot be answered in the Word.  Let God be the final answer.

There are certain times when you will be prone to temptation.  Think - H.A.L.T!  When you are: 

• H-ungry
  
• A-ngry
  
• L-onely
  
• T-ired
  

You must increase safeguards during these times.  Monday is a good time for these battles!

"A dog can lick a skunk, but is it worth it?"  Some battles are best left to the Lord.  Be more like Jesus— with gentle strength.

In correcting someone - see them in the clutches of the enemy.

• the enemy is the one who is the cause.
  
• have compassion on the person.
  

They are only acting this way because of sin in our world.  Fight the enemy, not the person.

If there are problems: wait, pray and preach the Word— not waiting until it hurts the body, but allow God time to change people.

1. Preach the Word of God.
   
2. Keep them coming to church.  The Spirit of God does work!
   
3. Be a positive example.
   

Your ministry is given of God.

• Do not feel like your ministry is at the mercy of someone else.
  
• God will direct your ministry.
  

Your ministry goes on whether you hold an office or not.

I have found these things to be true.  Keep doing what you know to do...God will do the rest!

Today's Mail

Well, why would I blog about today's mail? Today's mail was a snapshot of our life right now. First, I was shocked. A catalog from "The Scooter Store?!" Actually, that was the back advertisement and it turned out to be the Austin Seniors' Guide.

It really has made me feel old. I didn't know that you started receiving this stuff at age 42. The boys laughed and laughed as I perused the visions of my future (or present?!?)

The second piece of mail is a summons to court. What? What have we done wrong? No, Karla was just summoned to Jury Duty! Her stomach immediately knotted up. LOL! Today's mail had us both upset, but for different reasons.

Another piece is just a sample of what we receive EVERY DAY. In fact, today was a slow day for these... college advertisements! We are having to throw away 3 to 4 of them every day. Cameron is only in 10th grade, but we are a target for mass mailings from all across the country! I know he is smart, but really, come on.

I guess we are older than we think, huh?!