“When your brain is always engaged, when your neurons are always firing, when you find yourself in a continual mode of reacting and responding, instead of steering and directing, the best and brightest solutions that you are capable of producing rarely see the light of day.” ― Jeff Davidson, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Things Done

Today I want to send a Happy Birthday greeting to my Uncle Waymon on his major milestone in reaching his 90th year of his sojourn here on earth. He and mom are the last remaining siblings in their family and we are thankful that God has allowed them the years they have enjoyed. Uncle Waymon is a WWII veteran, a retired railroad executive, and a man of distinction. He has contributed much in the way of serving others and I feel particular blessed by he and Aunt Elwanda and the support and encouragement they have given me over the years. May God continue to bless is my prayer. Amen.


It is Wednesday, February 3, 2016. I wonder if people know how their deepest issues show up when they post an endless stream of certain kinds of postings on Facebook. One person I know puts dozens of postings up every week that talk about how they don't care about those who do not like them, those who have mistreated them, and those who don't seem to care about them. It's like they don't have a problem to the extent they can't stop talking about that problem, the one they don't have. Then we have the screamers. These are the ones that seem to think the world is coming to an end because they are still having trouble potty training their child, or they can't find a certain brand of detergent, or they need immediate recommendations on what to do about a hang nail. I guess I have a different background but we were taught not to share all of our dirty laundry in public. I sometimes wonder if they are even the least bit aware of how their postings make them look. I am well aware that we all have different personalities and I suppose that's part of the appeal of being able to read about the lives of people willing to share all their innermost nitty gritty details with the world. My thought is in many of these postings discretion would be so much better than putting it all out there for the world to see. Just me, a social media user, observer, and obviously, a self appointed commentator.

Later this morning I will be leaving to go to Louisiana to be with our family for Bro. Milton's viewing this evening and his memorial and home going celebration tomorrow. Yesterday I listened to several of his sermons from back in 2008. Simple. Straightforward. Bible centered. But, his preaching had God's power affixed to it. One sermon I listened to was about the need for fellowship as children of the living God. In the home, with God, with each other, and in the ministry God has called us to accomplish together. His illustrations would seem homespun and quaint to some but they drove home the message God had laid on his heart. The other day when the funeral home came to pick up his body I was told what the funeral director said to Bro. Milton's family. "Do not be worried about anything because you can be sure we will do our very best to take care of The Man of God." In the class I teach on Wednesday evenings I've been drilling down on the kind of faith that pleases God as reflected in Hebrews Chapter 11. We talked about the man Enoch and here's what is recorded about his life: "By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek  Him."  (Hebrews 11:6-7 New American Standard Bible) Enoch had a reputation as being one who was pleasing to God. Bro. Milton had his own reputation gained throughout his sojourn here on earth and the funeral director mentioned it directly: "The Man of God."

I feel blessed to have been connected to Bro. Milton. We had a relationship based on family but even more so based on our shared love for God and His Word. We thank each one who has prayed during this time of illness and now we ask that prayers be lifted up for the family as they make this transition. His life challenges us all and it brings to the forefront the question about what we will be most known for when we make our final journey home. In other words, what will I leave behind? What will you leave behind? Would to God that we will leave behind a legacy of faithfulness and service as we follow in the steps of our Savior and those who have paved the way before us. One last thing about Bro. Milton. Everyone is talking about him and his life but he would be the first to point any and all praise, honor, and glory to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I know that to be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.  Amen and Amen. ....More later.