Out of control

I love the Dollar Tree.  If you have never been, schedule 30 minutes and walk every aisle.  You will be glad you did.

Well, the other day I was in the checkout line and I noticed an issue with the balloons.  They sell balloons for $1.50, the same balloons that you buy for $5 at other places.

This is where the balloons live prior to sale.  I guess that there is a lid or screen of some kind on the top of the display that keeps them under control.

But for some reason, there is a glitch and a bunch of them have been freed.  I wonder how the customer or store employee feels when the balloons get away.

That is a lot of balloons on the ceiling.  Out of control.

Does your life ever feel out of control?  Sometimes we have to just relax and go with the flow.  Eventually the balloons will all come down.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

some things cannot be helped

So I was walking into Home Depot and I noticed the landscape timbers.  Like all wood, they can warp and curl.  People throw those off to the side and look for lumber that is straight.  In the discard pile I noticed this one particular timber.  It was almost an "S" shape.  It was as out of sorts of any board I think I have ever seen.

I stopped to look at it.  I felt sorry for it.  It will never fulfill its intended purpose.  It will probably end up in a landfill somewhere, and there was nothing it could do about it.

And there is my thought.  Sometimes in life, there is nothing that a person can do about it.  Someone has frizzy hair?  Nothing they can do about it.  Someone is not attractive, nothing they can do about it.  Someone was raised a certain religion, nothing they could do about that.

Sometimes when other people annoy us, I think we need to consider the possibility that there was nothing that they could do about that.

Grace is always better than judgment.  And offering grace to others, that is something we can do something about.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Joke Day

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the day after Easter is joke day. They tell jokes because on Easter, Jesus pulled the wool over Satan's eyes. He got the best of the devil. [now you know that I don't believe that the devil is the opposite of God, but I am just going to let them keep their metaphor.] In fact, I am going to join in. Today is joke day. Let's enjoy.

Here is a smattering of my favorite jokes
Two cheese trucks were in a collision. One turned on it's side and split open. Debris was everywhere. [De Bris, the bree]

My friend was in a side swipe accident. He lost his left arm and left leg.
He's all right now.

When does a joke become a Dad joke?
When it becomes apparent.

Did you know that a Florida Alligator can grow up to 12 feet???
But most of them only have four.

A toothless termite walks into a bar and asks "is the bartender here?"

A pair of jumper cables walk into the bar. The bartender says, "I'll serve you, but don't start anything."

Well we could go on and on, but if you catch one little smile today from a joke that you know, give thanks to God because Jesus is the Victor and we can all rest easy today. He is risen!

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Easter Sunday

It is Easter.  Something is happening!  Look up!!!

My wife took these pictures of the rocket launch on Wednesday evening.

It is not uncommon for 20 or so neighbors to be out in the street to watch these launches.

It is a very exciting thing to watch.

And so it is Easter.  Something is happening up above us.  It is big.  It is exciting.  Look up to the sky!!!

God is working his work in this world.  Get out into the street and take notice!!!

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Saturday

Between Good Friday and Easter Sunday is Saturday, sometimes called Black Saturday.

Black because Jesus is in the grave.

This is how I look at this day.  Imagine that all of creation is stopping to take a break.  To sit down and ponder that God is doing something in the world.  Creation takes a pause.  Jesus died.  Something is going to happen.  Let's pay attention.

We could all probably benefit from slowing down and paying more attention to what God is doing in the world.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Good Friday

I no longer believe that God has to kill something to be happy.

I used to believe that God killed Jesus so he didn't have to kill us.  I don't believe that any more.

What I do believe is that sacrifice is a sign of love.

Good Friday is proof that God loves us.

To willingly make a sacrifice for the benefit of others is a sign of love. Good parents do it for their children.  Friends make sacrifices for each other.

Jesus gives himself up. It shows the immense depth and width of God's love for us.

That is why they call it Good.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -

Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Today is not just another Thursday

A little bird told me that many people do not know what Maundy Thursday is... so here goes...

Today is Maundy Thursday. Thursday of Holy Week.

 
Maundy.  It is another church word.  Irrelevant to most people outside of the church, how many people within the church know what it means?

If the church wants to win the world, it would be nice if we started using words that regular people understood. People outside of the church do not know what discipleship is, or spiritual formation.  And I bet if we asked 50 Christians for definitions, we would get 50 different answers as well.  Heady theology will never win the hearts of the masses.

It is time for us to speak the language of those whom we are trying to win.   If we can't, then they won't be listening. That is one reason why so many people are not interested in church... it is just too churchy.

Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum, from which we get the word mandate. So today is mandate Thursday or commandment Thursday.  So named for the new commandment that Jesus gives at the last supper. "A new commandment I give unto you that you love one another." Jn 13:34

Maybe we should call today, Love Thursday, since that is what Jesus asked us to do.   Everyone love each other today.  Everyone get in the habit of loving each other.  Good idea.  Good stuff.  Thank you Jesus for teaching us to love. 

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

April Fools Day

In honor of April fools day, a few jokes...

Did you hear about the goats that got in trouble for playing pranks on April Fools'? It turned out to be a couple of kids.

Two guys walk into a bar on April Fools' Day. The third one ducked.

I told a chemistry joke in honor of April Fools', but I didn't get a reaction.

Where do birds vacation during April break? Someplace cheep.

Why can't you trust spring trees? Because they're shady.

Did you hear about the guy who drank invisible ink as an April Fools' prank? He's at the doctor waiting to be seen.

Why was the frog late to work on April Fools' Day? His car got toad.

How do birds know how to fly north in the spring? They wing it.

Did you hear about the cashew and the walnut that threw an April Fools' Day party? It was nuts.



It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

A quote about raising children

My oldest daughter, Allison posted this on Facebook:  "One of the things that they don't tell you about having kids is how many times you have to get up from where you are sitting.  It's unbelievable."

Well there are a lot of things that they don't tell you about having children.  It takes a lot of determination and self-sacrifice to raise healthy children.

There is a reason that we celebrate Mothers on Mothers Day and Fathers on Fathers Day.

If you are a parent, keep up the fight.  If you have a parent, be sure to say thank you.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

memorial service poem

Following up on the last few days of posts, I thought of this poem that I have read at many memorial services.  I find it to be comforting and heart warming.  To me it is yet another reminder of ways that we can sense the presence of our loved ones...

Do not stand
By my grave, and weep.
I am not there,
I do not sleep—

I am the thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints in snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle, autumn rain.

As you awake with morning's hush,
I am the swift, up-flinging rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight,
I am the day transcending night.

Do not stand
By my grave, and cry—
I am not there,
I did not die.

— Clare Harner, The Gypsy, December 1934

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

I am also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

You have got to be kidding me

I noticed this sign at the Walgreens pharmacy-

And this one at Lowes...

I am embarrassed that evidently these kinds of signs are necessary.  There are some humans out there that have forgotten that other people are people too.

I hope that you are kind to bank tellers, McDonald's workers, Walmart employees, every person who works in those helping industries.  I have come to believe that how we treat those who work in the service industry tells everything about our Christianity or lack thereof.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Avoiding the bombs

And so I’m looking for something to watch on Netflix.  I’m home from my 17 days in Baltimore. My brain says I’m tired of watching the news. I’m tired of watching people getting blown up.  

And then it occurs to me how fortunate I am/we are that I can just click out of people getting blown up. What if I/We lived in a country where people are actually getting blown up?  We are very fortunate.  We have many blessings that we do not pay attention to.

It reminds me of this story that I tell from time to time...
During the great war we prayed for protection. We prayed that God would keep us safe from the bombs. And Praise The Lord! He Did! All of the bombs fell on the other side of the town.

We have many blessings that we take for granted.  Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking that we deserve them.

A little gratitude goes a long way to helping us find and live a healthy life.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Count to Four

Count to four.

Anytime I go somewhere I count to four.  Wallet, phone, Watch, keys.  1234 and I make sure that I have everything -wallet watch phone keys.

One time I was going somewhere with a friend and they saw me do this and they made fun of me. They said I sounded like the old song, head, shoulders, knees, and toes.

So I was checking in my rental car at the Baltimore airport last week.  And as I was walking toward the shuttle bus,  I counted to four and I realized that I couldn’t see my watch.  I thought I felt it on my wrist, but I wasn’t sure.  Did I leave it at the hotel?  It wouldn’t be the first time.  And I thought to myself "well it’s too late now if you’ve left it behind it’s lost to you and a blessing to whoever finds it."

Sometimes we get too attached to our possessions.  Turns out I did have the watch on my arm, but I still think we get too attached to things. May we all learn to count people as more important than things.


It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Do I still feel like a kid?

A week ago I posted some pictures from back in the day.  My friend Arthur wrote...

"When you look at those pictures do you still feel like the kid in those pictures?  I'm 40 and honestly still feel like the same kid I was in middle school or high school, just with more responsibilities and some knowhow around a few things.  I was talking to my Grandma who's in her upper 80's and she said she still feels like a kid inside too, despite all the things that have gone on in her life.  Sometimes I think about that and wonder how many people are really just kids with lots of responsibilities rolling around in their day-to-day."


Jeff Comments...

Do I feel like a kid???  Sometimes, sure.  I have some of the same thoughts and feelings.  My body still thinks that it can do what it used to do.

But in some ways, many ways, I do not. and this is going to get kind of serious...


When I was a kid, I was controlled by others.  Now I make decisions for myself.
When I was a kid, I lived under guilt and shame.  Now I refuse to do so.
When I was a kid, I didn't pay attention to life... I just assumed that it would go on for ever...  I was on auto pilot. Now, I am thankful for every day, every moment.

So sometimes yes, I feel like a kid, but in many ways, I have learned. I have grown.  And I am glad to be out from under the systems of guilt and shame.


It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

I am also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Attending Church

From my friend Georgia...

"I have often heard people say 'I don't have to attend church to be a Christian.' While I believe that is true, I also believe we don't just attend for ourselves, but to encourage and learn from others."


Jeff comments... I totally agree. We humans can be so self consumed. What did I get out of it? What did it do for me? Sometimes the measure of a visit to church is about seeing friends, caring for them and listening to them.

If you read this blog and are not attending a church, I encourage you to get back to it. Keep looking until you find the right fit.


It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Grief is a sign of Love

John Allanson passed. He was Kathy C's brother. He was one year younger than I am. I really liked him.

At the memorial service, dozens of people showed up who worked with him. I loved that. If the people that worked with you will show up for your funeral, that says a lot about the kind of person that you were.

Kathy spoke at the memorial service. Here is some of what she said... "There is a purpose for everyone you meet. Some people will test you. Some people will use you. Some will bring out the best in you. But everyone will teach you something about yourself…."

"Life is fleeting. The time has come for us to take what we have learned and apply it to our lives as a way of honoring him and keeping his spirit alive…"

"One of my best lessons from my brother was about grief.  He had a greeting card that he kept in the house that says, grief never ends, but it changes. It’s a passage not a place to stay.  Grief is not a sign of weakness or a lack of faith.  Grief is the price of love. ”

"At the end of our lives we will be asked, did I live, did I love, did I matter…"  


Jeff comments... may we all live in a way that there will be no question about whether we mattered or not.

And, if you think of someone and miss them, if you hurt and wish you could be with them again... that is a sign of love.  Grief is a sign of love.  Grief is the price of love.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

I am also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Adulting

Being an adult is not easy.  It takes many of us a long time to get used to the fact that we have to take responsibility for our lives and learn to resolve or live with our own problems.

Part of being an adult is accepting things that you wish were not true.

There is no Mom or Dad to save me from what may be going on.  I have to get used to the challenges and the opportunities of being an adult in this life.

When we are kids, we expect that the world will somehow align itself to make me happy.  [Note that most children in third world countries have no such illusion.] Finally as an adult, we must come to grips with the fact that the world is not here to make me happy.

My happiness and joy needs to exist not because of circumstances, but because I choose to rise above them.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

I am also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

the value of time

The changing value of time.  The value of time gets more precious when we realize that we have much less than we used to.

When we were children, a minute, an hour, a day... there were so many of them.  They were in seemingly unlimited supply.  We wasted time being snotty, immature and self-centered.

So I’ve been on a job in Annapolis, Maryland for two weeks. This last Sunday morning, three police cars, an ambulance and a firetruck truck showed up for somebody in the unit below me.

It occurred to me that it could have been for me.  And one day they will be here for me.

I realized that I don't have the amount of time left that I used to have.  Every minute, hour and every day that I have left is a precious commodity.

Friends if you’re over 50 there is no reason to complain or be upset or anxious or unhappy about anything.  

The clock is ticking for us.  Do we really want to spend any of our remaining time complaining???

Every day that we have, every moment that we have may we celebrate, be happy and enjoy this amazing life is. We don’t have time to waste.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

I am also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

2 Conversions

I believe that we are to have two conversions in this life.  The first is to God and Jesus, however you explain that.  The second is a conversion to our fellow man, a change of heart that helps us to see others and truly love them.

If we don't make the transition to the second conversion, we have totally missed the point of the first.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

I am also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Where do we go when we die - part 2

This was supposed to post yesterday, but something came up that I thought I should address... See yesterday's post if you have questions.

Yesterday I wrote about how we go to heaven when we die.  Today I want to talk about the feeling that we have of not being able to reach our loved ones who have passed.  

The bible speaks of death and the afterlife as something that our current understanding cannot grasp.  There is a mist, a fog, a veil that keeps us here, living on earth and unable to see through to the other side.

But, it has been my experience that sometimes a brief window opens and we find a connection to someone who has made the final journey.  

Shortly after the passing of my dear friend Dan Horn I was working at a house in Blue Springs and a cardinal rested on the electrical line above me.  He stayed there and sang for 20 minutes.  I was so touched.  I was so blessed.  It was as if Dan was telling me that he was ok.

I have also over the years, a time or two, felt the presence of my parents.  It is like from time to time they are allowed to reach for us.

If you have ever had such experiences, they are really reassuring as they help us feel that our loved ones are ok.

If you haven't had such experiences, keep an open mind.  Just beyond our vision, just beyond our grasp, just beyond our understanding is the world of eternity.

I pray that your loved ones can bring you a moment of assurance and some peace to your heart.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

I am also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Mercy or Judgment???

Something happened yesterday.  And so, I wanted to say something about how we treat people.

James 2:13

"Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Because mercy triumphs over judgment."

The world needs less judgment and more understanding.  The world needs less accusations and more compassion.  The world needs less talking and more listening.  I have a friend who has found themselves in a difficult mess.  They have received questioning, judgment, accusations and nastiness.

 No one has compassionately offered to ask how they are doing. No one has offered to listen.

Grace isn’t just something we give when we feel like it.  Grace is something that needs to go out every day - every time, to every person, regardless of what the story is that that’s being told.

Every time in my life that I led with judgment, I regretted it later.  However, I have never regretted leading with grace.  The world needs more grace and less judgment.  What are you leading with?

Where can you show kindness to someone who is hurting?

There will always be those who judge.  The world needs more mercy.  Please choose to be one who delivers mercy.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Where do we go when we die?

I was thinking about this the other day.  Where do we go when we die.

Well, as a Christian, the easy answer is:  we go to heaven.  Personally, I don't believe in streets of gold and pearly gates.  I believe that these images are the attempts of mere humans to describe the indescribable.

What I do believe is that when we cross over the river of life, we will be taken into an ocean of love.  It will feel like coming home.  It's not that our questions will be answered, our questions will fall away.

I believe that we will find that peace, contentment, joy and bliss that we struggle to secure in this life.  What is a challenge to find on this earth, will be obvious in heaven.

My 2 cents.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

I am also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

St. Patrick's Day humor

Dave Harris and Paul McClain

So in honor of St. Patrick, let's share a little humor...

What does an Irishman get after eating lots of Italian food?   Gaelic breath.

On St. Patrick's Day let us remember the bullet proof Irishman... Rick O'Shea.

And his cousin, the man who invented outdoor tables and chairs... do you remember his name?  Patty O'Furniture.

Why are there so few Irish lawyers?  Most Irishmen cannot pass the bar.

A man walked into a bar in New York and asked the barmaid for a beer and a packet of peanuts.
‘Oh. You must be Irish’, she replied.
The man was clearly offended and responded, ‘The cheek of you. Just because I order a drink you assume that I’m Irish.
If I ordered Spaghetti would you that make me Italian?!’
‘No’ she replied. ‘But this is a post office…'”

Humor is good.  Enjoy your day!!!

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

I am also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

The alarmist media

I get so frustrated when I listen to the news.  Sometimes even listening to the weather can be frustrating.  It is like the news anchors and weathermen/women need to keep everyone on edge.  I know that they are reading from teleprompters, but they seem unable to describe things in any way other than highly stressful.

It's not just going to snow, it's going to be a terrible storm.  They predict a foot and it snows and inch.  Is there ever an apology?

It's not just a war, munitions are raining down on middle east countries.  Well the fact of the matter is, when this was reported last week, several hundred missiles and drones were launched but only a very few made it through.

"This is the  worst since..."  

And they never apologize when they are wrong.

It is like the news media wants to keep everyone on edge and upset.

I personally, do not want to be on edge or upset.  I want to wake up, be happy and enjoy the gift of life.  Sometimes, I just have to turn the news off.

Don't be sucked into worrying because of what you see on the news.  God is with us.  Life is good.  Smile.  Be happy.  

All is well.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

I am also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Steeple Down

This is one of my favorite stories.  In 2015 a big storm blew through Lees Summit, MO.  A church up the street from us had their steeple blown over.

We knew this church well.  We had received members from them and we had probably lost some to them as well.

We inquired about the insurance deductible.  It was $1,000.  Our missions department authorized a check to cover this.  It was my pleasure to deliver it to the church leadership.

You know, it could have been our steeple.

I love the stories of how individuals help others.  In this case, one church helped another.  Anytime we help someone else, it is good for them and good for us.  It makes us feel good to bless others.

Someone around you has had a storm blow through their life.  What can you do to help them?

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

I am also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

A long long time ago...

I was consolidating some pictures and found these.  I just wanted to share...

A long long time ago, in a galaxy far far away...

It was 1971.  I was 14.  I was going to a Halloween dance at the Christian Church.  I danced to the long version of Ina-gagda-da-vida.  I won the costume contest.  I remember it all to this day.

It was 1974.  We lived in San Jose, Calif.  I was 17.  During the summer on a day off of work, I rode my bike 30 miles up Mt. Hamilton to see Lick Observatory.  I remember it to this day.

I am in the front.  My roommate Dallas Moore is in the dark sweats.  We played intramural soccer in college.  This would be 1977 or 78.  In one game I got 3 goals!!!  

Fun times!  You may not enjoy seeing this, but it does my heart good to look back and remember. 😊😊😊

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

I am also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

make things ok

Make things ok.  Be ok.  It is your choice.  Either you can create a panic by panicking or you can bring calm by being calm.

Everything is OK.  Everything may not be going the way that I want it to go, but everything is OK. Good leaders remind others that everything is OK.

The world needs more people who are a "non-anxious" presence.  Non-anxious people bring a very important presence to the room, especially in times of struggle and fracture.   Don't contribute to the cesspool of worry.  Take a deep breath... Look people in the eye and tell them, "everything is ok."

I have a friend Lynn who ends her emails with this phrase, "in the end, everything will be ok. If everything is not ok, then it is not the end."

I'm OK, You're OK. Everything is OK.  Remind yourself.  Remind others.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

I am also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

learning to drive

 

I was driving in Annapolis MD on a job.  It was 730 am.   I recognized that my brain was evaluating a lane change.  My brain, all by itself, was instinctively working out the appropriate amount of time and space needed to move over behind the red car on my left.

I wondered… it all comes so naturally to me now.  But I remember when my Dad was teaching me to drive.  After several driving/teaching sessions he said to me, “son, you have the basics down. Now you just need to learn to drive so that other people are comfortable with you in the car.”

I wasn’t sure what he meant so I asked him to explain.   Evidently, my acceleration and braking was random and my steering was herky-jerky.  He told me to relax and practice to make it all smooth.

So how is your driving?  Are others comfortable in the car with you?  Better yet, how is your life?  Are you living in a way that others are comfortable around you?   Do you bring peace and calm to life’s moments?  Do you bring joy???

May we all learn to drive/live in a way that others are comfortable with us on the journey.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

I am also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Beaver

Stop.  If you are squeamish or have an inordinate love of all animals, stop.  Read no further.

If on the other hand, you have a moment for an interesting, almost hard to believe story, read on... keep in mind that I make no promises about the blog being inspirational or anything.  I just write about what is on my mind.  I was going thru some old pictures the other day and I found these and remembered the time when.........

If you would have told me that we would catch a beaver behind our house in Lees Summit, I would have said, no way!!! we lived at least 1/2 mile from the nearest creek or pond.

But here we go...

Some years ago when we lived in Missouri, there was some common area behind our house.  Lots of trees and a small water drainage stream.  The area was usually dry, but in the rainy season, it was fed by three [3] storm drainage pipes.

I used to keep an eye on the area because neighbors would often discard trash and brush there.  I hauled a lot of their junk off over the years.

One time I noticed that a number of the trees appeared to be chewed on, like a beaver would chew on them.  I also noticed what I thought was a small dam on the water drainage stream.  Could a beaver have made its way into this water retention area?  

I disturbed the dam and kept an eye on it.  The next day it was repaired.  I called the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and they sent out a man with a trap.

A few days later, he knocked on my door and showed me his catch...

chewed trees

Dam

Missouri Department of Natural Resources Truck

look what the trap caught!

He was a big boy.

I hate to see anything die, but nothing good was going to come to him or from him with him living down there.

I have always found this a particularly interesting story.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

I am also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

also on the office door

I posted this picture yesterday and talked about the fortune cookie messages.  It occurred to me as  I  was working on the blog that there is/was another message on the office door.  You can see the dark green oval paper that is clipped to the right side.

This is a message that I clipped from a Christmas card.  It is a quote from the musical "The Sound of Music." 

I hope that you are familiar with the quote.  I hope that your brain has committed it to memory.  To me, it was valuable enough to clip on the office door.  Here is the quote:

"A bell's not a bell til you ring it, a songs not a song til you sing it.  Love in your heart wasn't put there to stay, love isn't love til you give it away."

I hope that you have love in your heart and I hope that you are giving it away, every day to every person that you can.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

I am also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise