Brushing up on your grandparent jokes: "Why did the chicken cross to the other side of the playground? To get to the other slide."

Good morning and I'm happy to inform you that if you are reading this today, well, you made it to Friday, September 11, 2015. It may be a short work week because of last Monday's holiday but it sure doesn't feel like it. That for me may have something to do with the fact that we were privileged to have four of our grandchildren with us from Thursday before last through this past Tuesday evening. Six days. It's been a while since they all have stayed with us. They all behaved wonderfully. We so much enjoyed them being with us. This doesn't mean that we were not exhausted when their mom returned from a trip out of town. Teenagers. (Three older teens and a soon to be ten year old). Need I say more? Eating machines? Need I elaborate? But what a blessing. Especially for me. Most of the really difficult stuff landed on the wife and she demonstrated again why she is a legendary mommy and MiMi. I'm not sure she's been upstairs yet. She may want to update the part about how wonderful everything was. She pretty much crashed big time when the smoke cleared. I helped some, mostly with the ten year old. (That probably sounds about right to those who know me.) I'm not one that longs for the weekend so much, but if it's okay with you I just might do a little longing for this one.

The wife told me the other evening what her sister's doctor had recommended in terms of the amount of water she should take in everyday. I immediately told the wife that I had that much covered with my intake of Community Coffee each day. She said, "Surely not." Maybe not exactly the total amount of ounces, but close. I'm only going by the number of 20 ounce bottles of water I typically pour into my Keurig each day. Come to think about it, he has been looking a little fatigued of late. Coffee has been on a roll over the past couple of years in terms of different studies pointing out its contribution to improved health outcomes regarding this, that, and the other. Yet, there is always the outlier. The straggler. The researchers who just have to figure out a way to rain on other people's parades. This latest example making news the other day said that folks who drink more than four cups a day may be risking an early death. I didn't see a cup size specified so I assume it must be a really large cup. I know. The standard is 8 ounces to a cup. Yes. I do know how to do the math. Four times eight, etc., etc., etc. Just this past February they had a report saying Americans should increase their coffee/caffeine intake to at least five cups a day because of all the potential positive benefits. It's enough to cause one to have to spend some time pondering. And, just so you know, pondering and Community go pretty well together.

As I close out this week I want to remind us all that we are blessed. Blessed to be known by the Lord God of heaven as one of His chosen children. Blessed to have been born in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Blessed to have had the family, past and present, that has helped shape and fulfill our lives. Blessed to have a calling to serve the Lord by loving Him and touching others. Blessed with the ability to get up and go each day. And, I could go on and on and on. I mention this because I do point out a lot of things that I see as being upside down, in need of serious attention, or just plain messed up. I know that one can easily become a cynic to the point of failing to appreciate the blessings that surrounds his or her life. Someone published a graphic the other day that had a part of a song on it. The image had no attribution. It just sounded like a good one to make a graphic representation and share with others. That slogan came from a song written years ago by a southern gospel group, the Easter Brothers. It was written about a time when things were really bleak and the words came out of reflecting upon the blessings from the Lord. Have a great Saturday and Lord's Day Sunday and I'll do my best to see you come next Monday morning. Lord willing. Of course. Amen.  .....More later.  Here's that song:

[Verse 1]
While the world looks upon me
As I struggle along
They say I've got nothing
But they are so wrong
In my heart I'm rejoicing
How I wish they could see
Thank you Lord
For your blessing on me!

[Chorus]
There's a roof up above me
I've a good place to sleep
There's food on my table
And shoes on my feet
You gave me your love Lord
And a fine family
Thank you Lord
For your blessings on me!

[Verse 2]
I know I'm not wealthy
These clothes, they're not new
I don't have much money
But Lord I have you
And that's all that matters
Though the world may not see
Thank you Lord
For your blessings on me!

[Chorus]
There's a roof up above me
I've a good place to sleep
There's food on my table
And shoes on my feet
You gave me your love Lord
And a fine family
Thank you Lord
For all your blessings on me!