Stories and other stuff

Dearest readers, So much is happening in my life right now that just isn't for sharing.  I'm still here, still well.  There's just not a lot that I have to talk about. I can say that God is at work and I praise and thank Him for what He has done to bring me to the point in my life where I am, and where I am now is just being quiet and thankful.  If the Christmas tree kicks my butt when I put it up on Saturday, I'll have a good story to tell.  Other than that, maybe just take some time to look at some past posts.  There's some really not so bad stuff in the archives. Coop

I had some fun today.  I put away the regular dust collecting china so the Christmas dust collecting china can have a chance to be seen.  The lights are officially "on"... well they're off by now, but they were on.  I have a few bulbs to change.  Hey, it happens. At least all the lights on the wreaths on the windows work.  I have two more to put up.  They're bigger and rest around the garage door lights.  I even broke out some of the Christmas records and listened to a tape of Fibber McGee & Molly  featuring The Great Gildersleeve .  It was fun.  I like old stuff like that.  The programs were very entertaining and had to be because they were painting pictures with words and sounds,  instead of colors and images. While taking things out, I found a treasure I didn't even know I had.  I found two Christmas records.  They're part of a collection I think Wendi bought at a thrift store.  They're not glass recor...

OK, it's time to turn on the Christmas lights.  First though, I gotta take down the pumpkins and put away all the fall stuff.  That shouldn't take too long.  Then it's time to haul the boxes of Christmas decorations up from the basement and get started on that.  It usually takes about two days to deck out the joint for Christmas. Miss June asked for a real tree this year.  Sounds good to me!  We gave up on them a few years ago because the pine aggravated Simba's (RIP Ba) asthma.  Last year, I think we were just happy to have the fake trees.  Nobody was really in the mood for celebrating Christmas last year.  A year later, and things are a little different. I kind of decided this year that I'm going to enjoy the holidays.  I'm getting lots of advice these days and I'm prayerfully considering what to do.  It's that fear of God that's keeping me from doing anything, though.  Like I said, I'm waayy past the point of fighting wi...

Today is a day for Thanksgiving.  We celebrate with football, an elaborate meal (you ought to see what's happening in the kitchen right now!), and times with family and maybe friends, too.  In some homes, there will be the traditional arguments over politics, or even over things that have strained relationships.  In other homes, there will be family football games, love, joy, and time together.  Either way, it's a day where memories are usually made. I said in the title this is about thankfulness, not Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving is a day set aside for thanking God for the bountiful harvest, and everything in our lives.  Thankfulness is when we do that each and every day, despite the circumstances. I have a litany of things to be grateful for.  Each is a blessing.  But so are the challenges in my life.  I've learned thankfulness.  I've learned to live with a contrite heart and to find blessings in the worst of circumstances.  It'...

I don't spend a ton of time in the kitchen anymore and it kind of shows.  June and I spent a few minutes today finding things that we don't frequently use.  Sometimes it's hard to remember where you put something you only use once a year. I had to run downtown this morning to the kitchen store.  I only had one pie protector ring.  I'm baking two pies.  These things work great.  You make your pie then put the protector ring over the edge and the crust doesn't burn. I love playing with my gadgets, as I've said before and today gives me a good chance to do that.  A food processor makes quick work of onions, celery, carrots, and apples.  All of which are simmering now in a crock pot with two packages of frozen squash and some chicken stock.  I couldn't find the recipe for squash soup I wanted, but I did find this one instead.  I'm making this today so it can sit overnight and get lots of flavor.  It's the first course at the feast t...

You ever do that?  Decide that you know best and go your own way instead of follow that little voice inside you that's kind of telling you you're making some really bad choices?  I know I have.  Today's blog is going to be about that, and I'm going to tell a little story about Jonah from the Bible to make my point. Jonah is a pretty well-known character.  He ran from God's will and wound up in the belly of a big fish for three days to think things over.  Last Saturday, in my Our Daily Bread devotional book, there was a devotional about God shaking things up so we could get rid of the unproductive things in our lives instead of stubbornly hanging on to them and the accompanying verse is from Jonah, Chapter 1. I had to wonder to myself if there wasn't something I was stubbornly holding on to. I really took a look at this and through the weekend, even into last evening, I don't think I am.  I've had my opportunities to walk it alone, to go down my own p...

I actually found my car keys this morning so I was able to go to Sunday school this morning.  I'm glad I did.  Today's blog isn't about what the lesson was, although it very well could be if I thought sharing the really unusual things that have been happening to me over the last few days was appropriate. Today's blog is about something the Bible study teacher said.  He said we should let folks know that we're just a bunch of normal guys that attend the church.  I really find that's true.  We hunt and fish and talk about it when we're together.  Yes, we love the Lord, but we love our families and talk about them, too.  We have problems.  We're all sinners and we know it.  Maybe that's why I like my church so much.  There's not a lot of pretense and I really feel comfortable there. I was thinking about that this morning, about us just being "normal" because it's not a word I attributed to church going folks.  I know some of y'...

Pray.  Give thanks!  Give glory to God!  Praise Jesus!  Praise God in all circumstances!  And read the Bible. Here's what not to do... Waste $6 on a pack of Camel Lights, smoke three of them and realize half-way through the third one that it's not going to make the washing machine stop leaking or fix the dishwasher.  It's not going to change anything that's making you want to feel like you just want to scream. So, the count starts again tomorrow.  Praise God for that bit of wisdom, and hope tomorrow is going to be a better day.  I have a washing machine to tear apart.  The dishwasher is still broken but now at least pumps water OUT of it. And I'd be less than genuine if I didn't thank God for the things that DO work in my life.  And thank Him for Bucket.  It's awfully hard to have a bad day when a 75 pound dog is sitting on your head and trying his best to make you feel better. Church tomorrow.  If you're in Ogden, co...

Here's the smoking update:  I found a rogue cigarette on the kitchen counter on Sunday night and I smoked it.  I have not borrowed a cigarette from anyone or bought a pack in nine days, now.  I made it through not buying a pack today.   Praise Jesus!  Praise God!

So, what was I laughing about?  Just some of the weird things that have happened to me this week. I heard something worth briefly sharing on the way home from work.  In a nutshell,  I had something explained to me about how satan can do things to us without our knowing it.  Wanna understand this for yourself, go to oneplace.com and listen to the short version of today's "Running to Win" program with Dr. Erwin Lutzer.  I own what I did a couple of years ago, but as I listened to the brief, but systematic way Dr. Lutzer describes the M.O. of our adversary and I found myself saying "Hey, that's what happened to me!"  It's worth the time to listen. I want to share with you this, too.  God does work in our lives and when we get what we want, I think we acknowledge that.  But what about when things don't go our way?  Do we see the same hand of the Master at His work?  What about when he uses delays, roadblocks, and quite honestly, takes us...

I'm not shy about telling you about the weird things I cannot explain that happen in my life.  I'm sure a lot of you thought I'd lost my mind when I told you last year about the baby sock I found in the wife's side of the closet.  That was probably one of the most freaky things that has happened to me until yesterday. Here's my story for today: Last week, when I was at Lowe's for the second time that day, I thought to myself, I ought to have a spare key made for the house.  I don't know why I thought this.  I didn't do it.  The only key I ever had made after I changed the locks was almost two years ago.  When I bought the new locks for the house (had to change them because the front door lock broke about the same time the wife moved out), I bought the kind you can just re-key without changing.  This is going to be important in a minute.  Anyway, I made a key, gave it to her dad to give to her.  She sent it back. On Saturday, I found som...

I took advantage of the sunny day we're having today to start on a project.  OK, I started last night by actually plugging things in to see what worked and what didn't.  I have seven Christmas wreaths I hang on each of the windows facing the street.  As I mentioned before, my house is built backward, with the bedrooms and bathroom windows facing the street, so there are lots of windows on the street side.  I alternate colors of lights on the wreaths, starting with white, then red, then white, etc... All three of the red strands lit.  All four of the white strands did not.  I tried figuring out why, then realized sometimes, even as much as I dislike the throw-away society, with these little lights it's easier just to replace them.  A quick trip to the store, and viola' they're up. Up... but not on. And only part of the lights.  I could string up the rest of them, but it's getting chilly and there's not enough time today to do that.  They...

I was talking to my pastor this morning and telling him about the post I tried to post on my blog yesterday that didn't post.  Hey, I tried.  I even looked and it wasn't there.  That's OK because although I wrote it, maybe it wasn't for sharing.  That's just kind of my view on life because of the things I've seen God do in my life.  When I start down the wrong path, a little roadblock comes up. I noticed today, just a few minutes ago, that the post in question had somehow appeared.  That's great because although there are a few more details I didn't share with you that would have added a bit of conviction to the story I told, you can get the point.  God does work in my life. But don't take my word for it.  Judge for yourself these two stories:  First, I spoke to my youngest for an hour and a half last night and took him driving in Chevron (my F250 pickup).  It was great because he was nervous about driving the big truck and I just fi...

Interesting week.  Aside from feeling like garbage all week, it's been one of those weeks where I think I needed to pay attention. I mentioned I quit smoking last weekend.  Last Sunday, I was so ready to bite through a nail, so I broke down.  But I got right back on the horse and I'm proud to report I haven't had a smoke in three days.  What finally made the difference?  Listening.  It started a few weeks ago with a very obscure comment from an instructor who was teaching a class I was in.  During that time, I ran into someone who I used to serve with in the Guard who had also quit (and more importantly found Jesus!).  I heard part two of an "Unshackled" episode where the man who had become unshackled, had a problem with quitting and told how the Lord finally helped him.  My same friend shared with me his son had heart surgery and quit smoking.  That was earlier in the week.  The straw that broke the camel's back, though?  I ...

I'm thankful today for a day off.  It saved me some sick leave.  I've been home for a day and a half, trying to feel better.  I did venture out today.  I had to run to the Commissary (boy am I thankful for that  benefit) to pick up a few items for the holidays. We have a holiday tradition of sharing.  It's something I started years ago to teach my children the true meaning of being thankful.  I don't know if it's something they still do with their mothers, but I hope so.  It's also something I'd encourage you to remember as you do your holiday shopping.  There are so many who are without.  Please remember the food banks or a neighbor who's in need.  Is there an extra seat at your table for the holiday meals? That's a tradition I learned from my wife.  Even though she's not here, it's something special I've learned and it makes our holiday so much better when we share it with friends or co-workers.  I've invited a frien...

Yesterday, I shared with you a story about stumbling.  I did.  I used some harsh words (no cursing, but truthful words in a harsh tone) that after reflection I felt were not appropriate on Sunday.  I wanted to share with you the followup things that happened yesterday. This is no word of a lie, and this really happened.  But to tell a story, I have to tell a story just to let you know I had no way of knowing, you know? I spend my lunch period at work listening to a radio program I enjoy on BBN (99.5 f.m. or bbnradio.org online).  The program is called "Dynamic Living" and is a Bible study program.  On Fridays I cannot listen to the program because we go to lunch a half hour earlier and we had a group lunch on Friday.  That's the setup: The topic of the program this week, and this is no word of a lie, how Christians should react to those Christians, especially those in leadership positions, who have fallen as a result of being human and sinning. ...

I had an opportunity to learn a very important lesson yesterday; as always it was the hard way.  Maybe it was because I tried to quit smoking over the weekend (again!) or maybe it was that everything that has been taking a toll on me finally got to me.  Maybe it was because I'm just human and I was in a bad mood. I don't know, but by the end of the night I had to do something I don't like to do.  I had to pray for some forgiveness. I don't have to share this with you but I thought it was important for two reasons:  The first one is that folks have this perception of Christians and when we fail, I think those around us who don't believe point to a Christian's shortcomings as an excuse to judge and not believe.  It's kind of like "If you're a Christian, I don't want any part of that".   I had a conversation with someone last night that turned into me telling the truth about a matter that affected me, and in doing so, I suppose I didn't ...

I did something I've been meaning to do for a very long time today.  I went to Sunday school at church before the worship service.  I'm glad I did.  They're studying the book of First Corinthians today and I learned much from just being there that I didn't know. What I did do though was not set my clock back.  I woke up and thought it was 8:45, so I kind of hurried and got cleaned up, shaved, and found some clothes for church.  As I was getting ready to walk out the door, Miss June reminded me of what time it actually was. I quit smoking on Friday.  I'm really going to try and here's why:  I often talk of the random things that happen in my life and it's been kind of a random thing about smoking the last three weeks.  From comments from a stranger that were, well kind of strange, to just comments about it, not anyone preaching to me about quitting, and a strong conviction from within that I needed to stop helped make the decision.  The re...

I got a phone call from one of my friends the other day.  After chatting some, we finally got to the purpose of the call.  It seems I hadn't been paying enough attention to my fantasy football team and the message came across loud and clear.  Participate or you're out of the league! Fair.  But in my defense, I am in fourth place.  I meant to do something about my team last Sunday morning but I was so brain-dead from the road trip that I forgot. Our fantasy league is a bit cutthroat.  In fact if you don't finish in the top eight or so, you get demoted out of the league.  There used to be a lot of guys that wanted to get into our league.  I won it one year, and the next made a very unfortunate draft pick or two and lost badly enough to get kicked out.  I got back in on a sympathy pick when someone else dropped out. I don't see my friends anymore because of my work schedule and the distance between O-town and Salt Lake.  I'm a bit of ...

Hi gang, I had planned the other day to tell you a story I heard on a radio talk show I heard while driving home from Indiana last weekend but I heard something very profound on the radio yesterday that made me change my mind. I talk often about listening to the Bible Broadcasting Network (shameless plug) and I heard one of their spots talk about why they don't have talk shows as a part of their programming.  They said it's not important for Christians to know what other people think about issues.  It's more important for them to focus on their Christian walk.  I don't think that means we shouldn't stay informed about the things happening in our government, but it's more along the lines of the "be in the world, not of  the world" way Christians are called upon to live.  We should have opinions about things but along the same lines, there are other things I can share with you rather than ranting about politics.  So today is about really bad old movi...

I haven't shared a story in a while of how God works in my life.  I do have one I can share today though.  It's just one of those typical, random little stories that happen to me frequently.  Here we go: So, there I was just a little bit east of Kansas City and kinda be-bopping to the radio when this little voice inside says to me.  You need to check the oil in this car. OK, good idea.  I know she uses a little bit so I looked at the gas gauge and had plenty.  Thought I'd just do it at the next fill up.  WRONG! Same voice, just a couple of seconds later:  YOU NEED TO DO IT NOW!  It wasn't a shout, just that overwhelming feeling that if I didn't do it soon, I was gonna regret it, so I'm gonna take the next exit.  Not more than a second or two later I see a billboard for a truck stop.  It was at exit 101.  In Missouri, there is a mile marker every 2/10 of a mile so it wasn't hard to figure out I was at mile marker 98. ...