"Moon river, wider than a mile I'm crossing you in style some day Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker Wherever you're going, I'm going your way...."

Hello and welcome to the official kickoff of a brand new day, a brand new work week, and a brand new month. It is Monday, October 1, 2012, and I do appreciate you taking the time to stop by here at the old blogger ranch. Many local radio stations, including the news and talk stations, played some Andy Williams tunes as a way of showing respect after his death last week. We used to never miss his variety shows. His Christmas programs were 'must see TV', back in the day. We purchased some of his records and cassettes, maybe even an 8 track tape. What was interesting was to hear the reaction of some of the younger engineers and others at the radio stations who didn't have a clue about him or his music. They could not believe their parents and grandparents ever listened to music like that. We did folks. We most certainly did. And, we actually enjoyed it. Sure. It was a different era and tastes were different. We liked Andy, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Eddy Arnold, Dean Martin, and others like them. We still like that style of music. They were all great crooners and you didn't need an interpreter to understand the lyrics. Just saying. For what it's worth. You know. My opinion and all of that.

We had one of those wonderful wet weekends. That's right pardner. It was a combination of drizzle, light, medium, and some good old fashioned gulley washers. I know there are huge numbers of folks who plan mostly outdoor activities, but, maybe it's my age or something, when we need rain, it has to be seen as a blessing, not an inconvenience. The residual hang over from all that moisture is a rather coolish morning and I'm sitting here with the office wide open, sipping Community, and enjoying the damp, cool air. I suppose that drought from last year still lingers because every time we feel the rain, we just pause to thank the Lord. One lady coming into the meeting place of our local fellowship on Sunday morning was walking in the drizzle. She said she had an umbrella but she was just too thankful for the rain to use it. I just happen to know exactly how she feels.

Do you ever get that feeling that you are somehow behind before you get started but you can't put your finger on exactly what it is that you are behind on? That's the way it is going for me this morning. I'm still working on that first cup of Community so maybe it will become less so as the morning continues. Our pastor has been bringing a series on Sunday evenings on the subject of the pursuit of holiness, as in the Lord's command, "You be holy because I am holy." (1st Peter 1:16) This sounds like an impossible task. Right? And, no doubt as it pertains to our ability, in our own power, it is. However, we are not without resources as a child of God. The Apostle Peter wrote in his second letter that we have been given all things needed for life and the living of a Godly life. (2 Peter 1: 3) My problem and perhaps all our problem is that we can easily find ourselves operating our spiritual lives as if we are impoverished instead of accessing the riches that are ours in Christ. Challenging? You betcha! But, it is also encouraging to know that God has a great plan and has provided for each of our lives. And, that is a good thought on this cool morning, or any other morning. May God bless. Amen.     ....More later.