Alice

Her name is Alice.

I have been at this hotel for two weeks.  I have learned the names of, and got to know some of the employees.

The other day I was in the lobby getting coffee, and a man is checking out.  He is ugly about it.  He is not just ugly, he is ugly to Alice.  Alice is 72 years old.  Alice's husband died last year.  She is a human would rather be retired, but she is working to make ends meet.  She is a person.

Back to the man... Seems the hotel quoted him one rate, but his bill shows a higher rate.

He is ugly to Alice.  He is treating her as if she personally did this to him.  I went over and stood close to the counter.  I thought the presence of another human might cause the man to act a bit more humanely.  It did not.

I wanted to address him, but I did not.  But if I had, I would have said the following:

Sir, Alice did not do this to you personally.  Sir, you can be upset without being ugly.  Please do not hurt her because you are angry.  Life is short, kindness is always better than ugly.  Why don't you leave the lobby, regroup, get ahold of your mouth, and come back in and start over.

The next time you are upset, remember, you can get a problem addressed without hurting others.

She has a name.  Her name is Alice.

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

The non-anxious presence

The non-anxious presence. This describes someone who:

• is calm in the face of trouble
• doesn't do anything to add to the current craziness
• speaks peace to nervous and upset people

A non-anxious presence is:

• welcome in almost any situation
• may have an opinion, but does not need to express it.
• can bring needed change to the culture
• a very very valuable part of the team

To me, one of the great things about being a non-anxious presence is that anyone can do it.  You can do it.  I can do it.  Even if you were crazy about a thing the other day, you can, I can choose to act and respond differently. 

We can choose to bring healing and wholeness to the organization.

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

A man called Otto

I just finished the movie, A man called Otto. I loved it.

I loved how the pains of life were on full display, for they are very real.  I loved how a normal person worked hard to acclimate to a changing world. His cat reminded me of my favorite cat.

And there was this quote..."I would like a funeral. Nothing overblown. Just a remembrance of some sort for those people who thought I pulled my weight (in this life)"

I hope that at the end of the day, someone feels that I have pulled my weight.

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

Reflections on my life

I posted this the other day, but I did so after the deadline, so it did not go out by email.  So, here it is again.

When I am gone, tell them these things:
Tell them that the house was decorated with blue and green outdoor lights at Christmas, with one red bulb near the top. Just because life is like that.  And I am a little bit strange!!!

Tell them that I was the pied piper of animals. When I went to the basement they would all follow me and pile on in hopes of a good nap. I could scratch a cat and send it to heaven. I will be a cat masseuse in my next life.

Speaking of cats, tell them we had a cat named "the fat one."

Tell them that I loved Anthony Demello stories. In fact tell them one, tell them the one about the ghosts and the medals or the one about the sheeply lion.

Tell them that I loved people. I wanted to love them as God loves them and help them see the joy of being alive.

Tell them I loved softball. Have one of the Armadillos tell about the time I was bracing for a collision at the plate and the runner jumped completely over me and landed with both feet on home plate.

Tell them that I loved afternoon games at Royals stadium with friends.

Tell them I was a tool guy. I had eight hammers and every variety of tool that God had ever invented.

Tell them that Bruce Letner taught me how to replace disc brake pads on cars and that I got pretty good at it, especially after I bought the special tools.

Tell them that I loved jokes. Bad jokes. Me and Gayle Kelley. Tell them about Paddy O'Furniture and Napoleon's thanksgiving.

Tell them that I loved to paint houses.

Tell them that I loved Kansas City. St. Louis. Chicago. Ft. Lauderdale. San Francisco.

Tell them that I loved the mountains, the beach, palm trees. Swimming pools with fountains. Hot tubs.  Tell them that I loved the redwoods.

Tell them that I loved Rob Bell and Hubert Neth. Tell them that they made me a better man.

Tell them that I loved to help big tough men learn to show the warmth within their hearts.

Tell them that I love a pickup truck and all of the things that you can do with one.

I loved cars. It was a sickness. I would buy an old car and spend a year fixing it up and then would not know what to do with it. I love mustangs and motors and brakes and tires. Body work, oil changes, brake jobs and wiring.

Tell them that I loved music. The Messiah. Fernando Ortega. Old time rock and roll. Bob Seeger, ELO, REO Speedwagon, Pink Floyd, CCR and one we go.

My first album.  I still have it!!!

Tell them that I loved trees. Oak, maple, red bud, weeping cherry, Japanese maple, ash, aspen, pine and more. I love them all.

I love redwood trees.   Did I say that???  Yosemite. John Muir woods. Henry Cowell Redwoods state park. My soul comes out of my body when I walk among these giants. Scatter my ashes there, I want to be apart of helping these beautiful specimens of the greatness of God grow even taller.

Tell them that I loved to plant stuff. Sedem, tulips, ajuga, english ivy, indian grass, mums, tomato plants, and the list goes on. Tell them that when you plant things and watch things grow, you are participating in the work of God.

Tell them that I loved cable cars, morning fog, highway 1, the old time amusement museum, Scoma's, the golden gate bridge, Alcatraz, Pier 39 and watching the boats on the bay.

Tell them that I loved the wine country, and I didn't even drink the wine. Well I did one time, when I was 17, but that is another story. I love the rolling hills, the beautiful vineyards. The smell of the air in the morning, and being there with Cathy.

Tell them that it was a privilege to be a pastor. To love people and to try to help them come to believe that God loved them.  Tell them that my greatest joy was to see the lights come on in their souls.

Tell them that I learned. I grew. I changed. I wanted to be all that God had called me to be.

Tell them that I had a growing desire to help the poor. To go to the places where people had nothing, and give them food and water. Tell them that God increased the compassion in my heart for those who are the "least of these."

Tell them that I would rather give away that junk than have a garage sale. The joy of giving is worth more than the small amount of money we would make.

Tell them that I so valued my friends. In my early years, friends did not come easily, so I deeply valued each of my friends.

Tell them thank you.

Tell them that no man was ever more proud of his children.

Tell them that I am not afraid to go to the next life. It is already here, now, all around us. Eternity is just into the next dimension. We will all go there sometime, and I have been privileged to see enough of it in this life, that it is just going to feel like going home, and I assure you, I will be there, waiting for you.

When I am gone, tell them these things.

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

Grandpa Pooh x 2

My oldest daughter Allison and her husband Bobby have made me a grandpa x 2.  Boy baby born by caesarian 8am yesterday.  7lbs, 7ozs.  No name as of yet.  

No name for the baby yet, but my grandpa name is Pooh.  Pooh could not be more proud!!!  Rejoice with me!

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

Reflections on my life

When I am gone, tell them these things.
Tell them that the house was decorated with blue and green outdoor lights at Christmas, with one red bulb near the top. Just because life is like that.

Tell them that I was the pied piper of animals. When I went to the basement they would all follow me and pile on in hopes of a good nap. I could scratch a cat and send it to heaven. I will be a cat masseuse in my next life.

Speaking of cats, tell them we had a cat named "the fat one."

Tell them that I loved Anthony Demello stories. In fact tell them one, tell them the one about the ghosts and the medals or the one about the sheeply lion.

Tell them that I loved people. I wanted to love them as God loves them and help them see the joy of being alive.

Tell them I loved softball. Have one of the Armadillos tell about the time I was bracing for a collision at the plate and the runner jumped completely over me and landed with both feet on home plate.

Tell them that I loved afternoon games at Royals stadium with friends.

Tell them I was a tool guy. I had eight hammers and every variety of tool that God had ever invented.

Tell them that Bruce Letner taught me how to replace disc brake pads on cars and that I got pretty good at it, especially after I bought the special tools.

Tell them that I loved jokes. Bad jokes. Me and Gayle Kelley. Tell them about Paddy O'Furniture and Napoleon's thanksgiving.

Tell them that I loved to paint houses.

Tell them that I loved Kansas City. St. Louis. Chicago. Ft. Lauderdale. San Francisco.

Tell them that I loved the mountains, the beach, palm trees. Swimming pools with fountains. Hot tubs.  Tell them that I loved the redwoods.

Tell them that I loved Rob Bell and Hubert Neth. Tell them that they made me a better man.

Tell them that I loved to help big tough men learn to show the warmth within their hearts.

Tell them that I love a pickup truck and all of the things that you can do with one.

I loved cars. It was a sickness. I would buy an old car and spend a year fixing it up and then would not know what to do with it. I love mustangs and motors and brakes and tires. Body work, oil changes, brake jobs and wiring.

Tell them that I loved music. The Messiah. Fernando Ortega. Old time rock and roll. Bob Seeger, ELO, REO Speedwagon, Pink Floyd, CCR and one we go.

Tell them that I loved trees. Oak, maple, red bud, weeping cherry, Japanese maple, ash, aspen, pine and more. I love them all.

I love redwood trees.   Did I say that???  Yosemite. John Muir woods. Henry Cowell Redwoods state park. My soul comes out of my body when I walk among these giants. Scatter my ashes there, I want to be apart of helping these beautiful specimens of the greatness of God grow even taller.

Tell them that I loved to plant stuff. Sedem, tulips, ajuga, english ivy, indian grass, mums, tomato plants, and the list goes on. Tell them that when you plant things and watch things grow, you are participating in the work of God.

Tell them that I loved cable cars, morning fog, highway 1, the old time amusement museum, Scoma's, the golden gate bridge, Alcatraz, Pier 39 and watching the boats on the bay.

Tell them that I loved the wine country, and I didn't even drink the wine. Well I did one time, when I was 17, but that is another story. I love the rolling hills, the beautiful vineyards. The smell of the air in the morning, and being there with Cathy.

Tell them that it was a privilege to be a pastor. To love people and to try to help them come to believe that God loved them.  Tell them that my greatest joy was to see the lights come on in their souls.

Tell them that I learned. I grew. I changed. I wanted to be all that God had called me to be.

Tell them that I had a growing desire to help the poor. To go to the places where people had nothing, and give them food and water. Tell them that God increased the compassion in my heart for those who are the "least of these."

Tell them that I would rather give away that junk than have a garage sale. The joy of giving is worth more than the small amount of money we would make.

Tell them that I so valued my friends. In my early years, friends did not come easily, so I deeply valued each of my friends.

Tell them thank you.

Tell them that no man was ever more proud of his children.

Tell them that I am not afraid to go to the next life. It is already here, now, all around us. Eternity is just into the next dimension. We will all go there sometime, and I have been privileged to see enough of it in this life, that it is just going to feel like going home, and I assure you, I will be there, waiting for you.

When I am gone, tell them these things.

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

A New Beginning

So the last few years that I was appointed to Woods Chapel... we had stagnated. Things have gone well for many many years, but by year 22 we were slowing down... I was slowing down.

Although I always believed that the church had good bones, it did concern me when things slowed.

Organizationally, churches need to find moments of renaissance. Moments to start again- moments to re-create. 

I’m pleased to celebrate that yesterday morning, the new remodeled children’s wing opened, and there are lots of new families that have started back to the church. Whatever my vision was, it had stopped working.

But I’m so thrilled. New leaders and new people came with new visions and new ideas, and the life of the congregation is thriving again!

Pastor Aaron Brown.  One of my favorite humans!!!

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

New Favorites

I came home from my work trip and had a package waiting.  Seems a friend had sent me some gifts!!!

I have some new favorite gear.  And a big smile on my face!!! Kindness is always a blessing.  A big thank you to my friend!!!

It's a beautiful day in God's world, and Life is Good!

A soft answer

More on yesterday's post.

I chose to be nice back to the person who was ugly to me.  I always try to be nice, but I am not always successful.  Yesterday, I was nice.

Today, they called back to apologize.  Well they didn't really say, "I'm sorry," but they called to make sure that everything was ok.  That we were ok.  They did that without really saying anything... no direct communication about it, just general conversation to let me know that they were back in.

And I thought of the scripture from Proverbs 15:1 "A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger."

I cannot tell you that when you are kind you will always be rewarded with a good outcome.  But I can promise you that when you return evil for evil, you will most assuredly end up with a painful outcome.

Kindness is always the best choice, even when you want to hurt back.

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

Absorbing Pain

I had something happen to me the other day.  Someone delivered pain.  Right to my doorstep.  I did not see it coming.  I got no notifications.

I wondered if I had hurt someone and they were retaliating.  The answer ultimately was yes.  I had hurt someone and someone else responded on their behalf... Wow... I did not mean to, and I had no idea.

For what I delivered to them, the response seemed much more intense than it needed to be.  

I thought about the situation quite a bit.  I felt badly.  I felt wounded.   I am sure that this was their intention.  I thought about ways that I could explain to them or get back at them, but I stopped my self from doing so.

Sometimes, we have to just absorb the pain.  That is what Jesus did for sure.  I am not saying that I am Jesus, of course not.   Sometimes, it may seem unjust, and you may not understand, but absorbing the pain is the healthiest thing to do.

I am not suggesting that you become a door mat... but too many humans respond too strongly and too quickly.  We need to at least consider the option of just absorbing the pain and letting the thing dissipate.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

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

Scams

Oh my!!!  The scams out there.

There are scams where auto mechanics and other trades work to pressure you to buy things that you don't need.  Buyer be ware!!!  Just say no!  Ask a friend that knows about cars!!!  Anytime you go in for the cheap oil change they will almost always try to sell you brakes.  Don't fall for it.

There are scams for high prices on line... always check multiple price sources when making a purchase.  I was ready to buy a vacuum part on Amazon for $60.  I looked at another web site and found the same part for $17.  Look around.

Then there are the electronic scams... Facebook friends want to tell you about a government program to get money.  Direct TV is having a 50% off sale.  [that guy was so good that I was on the phone with him for 20 minutes before I figured out it was a scam.]  Then by email you learn that someone is stranded out of town and needs money.

I have known wonderful, normal people who have fallen for such foolishness.

When you are presented with such an invitation ask yourself some questions...

• Do they want my personal information? [your real vendors already have it. they don't need to ask you for it.]
• Are they asking me to click on some link? Don't do it.
• Are you being pressured to act immediately? Warning sign for sure.
• The worst sign to me is that they ask for some unusual form of payment... They want you to pay them in gift cards or some electronic means. Don't do it!!!

Friends... pay attention!!!

Im Mt. 10:16 Jesus said, Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

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

Purpose

I am working out of town in Chesterfield, MO.

I am at a lonely construction site.  It is cold.  It has rained cats and dogs and cats and dogs.  No one has come to work here yet today...

I am working out of a small trailer.  It smells funny and it is cold until the heater takes off the chill.

I have every reason to be down.  But an interesting thing is happening.  I am working on my sermon for Sunday... it is about purpose.  Purpose.  And here I sit.  Alone, cold, wet and all.  And I am all jazzed up, just thinking about purpose.

Interesting how purpose works.  Find it and find joy.  Forget it, and lose the joy.  

Let's keep focused on ours.

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

Quote

"We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about."
Charles Kingsley

Have you found something to be excited about in this life? Have you found something that makes you to feel that you have a purpose?

If not, then you are probably depressed. On the other hand, if you have, then you are probably the happiest of people.

In this life, what are you enthusiastic about?  What turns your heart on???

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

Stable Government

So, put this in the category of things to be thankful for.  And there are many many other things that we should be thankful for... we should think of one every day.

I am thankful for a stable government.

I have been watching the Netflix show "Designated Survivor."   I have really enjoyed it so far.  It is about a man who is thrust into the presidency after a tragic attack that kills most of the leaders of the US.  He is trying to restore a sense of normalcy and stability.  It isn't easy.

I got to thinking about the US government in it's 240+ years of history.  While many countries experience dictatorships, military coups and votes of no confidence, we have been pretty stable.

I didn't like what happened on Jan 6, but the transition of power did take place.

Lots of different leaders.  Some I liked and some I did not like.  Some I voted for and some that I did not vote for.  But, regardless of what aisle you may or may not be on, I think that we can be thankful for routine, regular transfers of power.   And thankful for a stable government and a nation that gives us the right to dissent.

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

Busy Bee

Busy Bee is a nursery, a plant and tree nursery, just up the road from our house.  I go there from time to time, and I am always touched by the sign that they have at their exit...

On another note, while I was there, I saw one of the invasive orange headed lizards.  Officially they are called Peter's Rock agama lizards.  They originally came from Africa and are making their way up into central Florida.

I don't really like them, but I guess that God made them for a reason.  There are lots of things in this life that I wish were different, but maybe there is a higher purpose.

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

A beautiful thing

On Sunday, a marginalized man [homeless] helped receive the morning offering.

A little background... In a world where many churches moved out of the downtown area to get away from a declining neighborhood, our church chose to stay.  Our church chose to stay where the broken people lived.  Consequently, we have a number of marginalized people that attend service.

Sunday, Easter Sunday, one of them helped receive the offering.

I loved it!!!  The congregation has normalized the attendance of such people [as they should.]  The usher crew decided to include this person [as they should.]  

To me, it was a beautiful picture of the kingdom of God.  Everyone was welcome.  Everyone was in.  Everyone was included, accepted and loved.

May it continue.  May I, may we, do everything that we can to cause it to continue.

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

Go Ye Now in Peace

On Easter Sunday, at the close of service, the choir walked down to the front and did a postlude entitled, "Go ye now in peace."

Here are the words...

Go ye now in peace and know that the love of God will guide you.
Feel his presence here beside you, showing you the way.
In your time of trouble when hurt and despair are there to grieve you,
Know that the Lord will never leave you, He will bring you courage.
Know that the God who sent His Son to die that you might live,
Will never leave you lost and alone in His beloved world.
Go ye now in peace.
Go ye now in peace.
Go ye now in peace.

Oh, it was beautiful!!! And it took me back to a place in time. A time when many people from our church were going thru the Camino weekend experience. At the end of the retreat, Alice Luther would come to the front and lead the song, "Go ye now in peace." I can still hear the beautiful accapella tones echoing through the sanctuary.

Here is a video of a choir singing the song. Click on this link. I hope it blesses you.

What a beautiful picture, what a beautiful sound, what a beautiful message.

Go ye now in peace... the Lord will never leave you. Go ye now in peace.

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

It doesn't sound good

Some people are not very good at apologizing.  They don't know how to say that they were or might have been wrong.  

The other day I posted saying, "I am right."  The more I think about it, the more I don't like it.  It doesn't sound good.

I think that most of us think that we are right... if we thought we were wrong, wouldn't we change our thoughts?  We think we are right.

But it doesn't sound good, it doesn't sound kind, for me to say that I am right.  It doesn't sound right to me.

How about this instead... "After 65+ years of life, I have come to believe that the most important thing in all of life is to love one another."  Let's leave the right and wrong to God.

Love can just love.  Love does not have to justify or argue for itself.

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

throw it out

Sometimes we have to throw things away.  I hate wasting things, but sometimes things need to get to the trash.  These flip flops finally had to go.  I don't know if I got these from my friend Chris or if I bought them online, but I finally had to toss them.  It seems that these flip flops, although they look perfectly fine on the outside, have absorbed some thorns and other objects that disappear into the foam and cannot be found... until you walk on them just right.  I tried to fix them, but in the end, their time had come.

There are things in life that we should toss.  Things that we should trash.  Things that seem ok for a while, but after a time, tend to deliver pain.   Here are some other things that I have tried to send to the trash...

- insisting on certain doctrines
- insisting on a Jesus that is "my sized" instead of God sized.
- any ideas related to the second coming. They are usually wrong, and self-centered.
- a rejection of the other political party's ideas.
- a sense that I deserve anything.

These things that I have tossed, I hope to replace with the following.  Out with the old, in with the new...

-insisting on love.
-believing in a Jesus that is bigger than my notions of him.
- focusing on living in the now instead of a pie in the sky in the sweet bye and bye.
- a welcoming of ideas from all sides of the aisles. That is how we learn. That is how we stretch our brains.
- an appreciation of the simple things. A growing sense of gratitude.

What should go in your life?  What should you replace it with?

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

John Sherley

I sat in on a zoom call with a men's book study group last week.  I love those guys.  I love all of those guys.

One of the guys on that call was John Sherley.  I love that guy.

We were talking about how Jesus boiled it all down to a message of love.  In his sermon on the mount, the beatitudes boiled it all down.  Over and over, Jesus focused on love.

John said something that I thought was funny, and profound.  He said, "and for the slow ones in the group, Jesus said, 'love one another."

Now when John used the word "slow" he was not referring to the mentally challenged.  He was referring to all of us, or any of us who have been "slow to get it."  That includes me.

How many years did I spend focused on belief and doctrine and such, treating love as a secondary part of Christianity.  Friends, love is not a secondary part.  It is the core of Christianity.  It is not just the core, it is the only part.  Everything else, without love, is rubbish.

And so, for the slow among us, let us remember Jesus' words, "love one another."

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

I am right!!!

I am right!  I have it right!  

This is what many Christians say.  They insist that their way is right, and that other's ways are wrong.  I  find such statements annoying.  But then, here I am and I have to say it too... I am right!

I have boiled Christianity down to loving God and loving your neighbor.  This is what Jesus did.  Paul actually piles on in 1 Cor 13 "if I have not love, I am nothing."

I think it is annoying to say that we have it right.

But there are some differences between my view that I have it right, and the view of so many others who insist that they have it right.

Difference #1 - others who say that they have it right, usually have a long list of what is right and what is wrong and who is in and who is out.  My list is short.  Love God, love others.

Difference #2 - most others who insist that they are right, also add that those who do not agree, well they are wrong.  I don't personally need to do that.  I may from time to time illustrate some things that I think are wrong because I want you to be wary of the ideas.  But the people that hold them, I can just love them.  I don't have to shame them.  I don't have to tell them that they are not in the in group.

Everyone has to decide what they think "right" is.  To me it is simple.  Love God, love others.  That is all.  We need nothing more.

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

Happy Easter!!!

Easter means that God is greater.  Easter means that the battle is won.  No more fear, no more worry.  Easter means that Christ followers can live with confidence and hope.  Evil is vanquished.  Our life can focus on the hope that we have in Christ.

This Easter day I wish you the joy and hope that comes from our Father by way of the resurrection of his Son Jesus Christ. What more do we need to find the peace for confident living.

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

Holy Saturday

Today is the day after Good Friday.  It is a quiet day, when Christians await the noise and celebration of resurrection morning.

It is a day to remember that Jesus' death is a sign of God's deep love for us.  In fact, every day is a good day to remember that Jesus' death is a sign of how much God loves us.

When we suffer for another, it is a sign of love.

We have sacrificed financially to send our kids to college.  We sacrificed financially to help build church building.  There may be other sacrifices that we have made over the years, but those two come to mind.  We have not however, had to take on pain and suffering for someone.

Willful suffering is always a sign of love.  We sacrifice for those we love.  Most parents would do anything for their kids.  Jesus' death on the cross is the ultimate sign of God's love.

And, as such, it is the ultimate invitation for us to follow into a life of love.

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

surgery

Some of you knew that I was scheduled for surgery on April 10.  Knee replacement.  I have received some cards and well wishes, which I appreciate.

So, having said that, I need to let you know that my surgery has been postponed until June 26th.  Everything is ok.  

Initially they told me that I would need 4 weeks for recovery.  But at my pre-op meeting earlier this week, I was told that I needed 8 weeks.

So the June 26th date gives me 8 weeks clear, post surgery, to recover.

I thank you all for your prayers and concerns.

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

See the good

See the good.  Or see anything.  Can we see anything at all???

There is so much camouflage in this world that we often miss what is right in front of our faces.  And we humans tend to add to the problem by not looking closely at what is around us.

We tend to discount anything that does not come naturally to our world view.  That makes it hard for us to see the good, particularly if it is showing itself in a form that isn't apart of our normal genre.

So, all of that said, my friend Mary has a friend names Evelyn.  Evelyn lives in Vermont.  It is still winter in Vermont.  Evelyn took this picture from her kitchen window a couple of weeks ago.

Oh my!!!  I almost missed it the first time.  I had to look again!!!  And friends, that is how so much of life works.  We have to look again.  We have to look a little harder to see what is really there.  Sometimes, there are unbelievable truths and eye opening thoughts right there for us to find.  If we can just really see.

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

dangerous work

Handyman work can be dangerous.  I have run into lots of snakes for example.  None were poisonous, but almost all of them almost gave me a heart attack.

Then there is injury.  A few years ago, I tore my bicep putting a power washer back in the truck.  I have fallen off of ladders and got numerous scrapes and cuts.

I got a stick in the head.

Did something to my arm...
by the way, look how old my arm is looking!!!

Here, randomly, a thorn has come thru the handle
of my clippers.  You have to be on the lookout
for all kinds of strange things.

I still love the work.

Sometimes in life, there are things that happen that hurt us. And it is all part of the thing.  I didn't stop playing football when I blew out my knee.  I won't stop handyman work because of my cuts and bruises.  And I won't stop engaging with people, even though sometimes they can cause hurt.

People matter.  Stay with them.  Keep on loving them.

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

Cruise

I went on a cruise.  Cathy, my wife, who does not usually go on cruises, took the week off of work [sort of] and joined me.

Glass of wine at dinner.

Carnival Ship, Freedom, leaving Port Canaveral. 

Carnival Ship coming into Nassau.

Atlantis Casino in Nassau.

Boat drills, just in case someone falls over!

I'm thinking of buying a boat.

Nassau Lighthouse.

So there is a story here.  The guy in the picture had put his food on the table and went for a drink.  When he came back, he found that the seagulls had pillaged his burger and fries.  There you can see them on top of the umbrella, all fat, proud and happy!

One night, a monkey visited our room.

Sunset on the Atlantic.  
It's a wonderful world.

We are so blessed to be able to do things like this.  Unfortunately, our minds can get fixated on what is wrong or what is bad.  But we have so many blessings.  I wish we could all work harder on seeing what is right in our lives instead of what is wrong.

If you made a list of what is bothering you, did you also make a list of what is going well?  I can see.  I can breathe.  I got to go on a cruise.  There are 10,000 good things going on in our lives if we would just pay attention.

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

Attic Floor

So I knew that there was this secret attic area above our garage that was inaccessible.  I took a risk and cut a hole in the ceiling.  Yes, there it was... wide open spaces for storage.  I have spent part of the last few weeks flooring the area with plywood scraps.  It is going to be a great space for storage.

If you need an attic floored, give me a shout out!!!

Moral of the story is below the pictures.

getting the floor down will help clean out the other
junk up there like this wad of insualtion.

working the floor gives me a chance to put in more
insulation as needed.

Oh how I love my tools!!!

Had some 1 x 12s so I made some shelves for paint.

looking good in the neighborhood!!!

Morals of this story.

• Most things have a hidden goodness that we can discover is we take a risk.
• Taking a risk opens the door to possibilities.
• Scraps can be useful if saved.
• Storing things up and away makes more room for pertinent needs.
• The simple things of life can make us happy.

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