Are you scared yet? Don't be, God is in control!

Dearly beloved we are gathered here today, just kidding, but I did think those to be some pretty excellent opening words on this Wednesday, March 9, 2010. Do you have enough on your worry list yet? While Congress debates whether to cut 20 billion or 60 billion from this year's budget, there's an elephant hiding in the corner that very few people are talking about. It involves the national debt. It's actually the amount of interest we are currently paying, at the tune of $200 billion for this year. The number crunchers tell us that if we do not begin to do something about the level of borrowing by our national government, this number will grow to $928 billion within the next 10 years. That staggering amount will be mostly paid to Communist China who will then most likely use it to further humanitarian endeavors throughout the world. NOT! This may sound cynical but since it reflects my opinion I suppose it is what it is: Why would any nation who loves freedom actually help finance a freedom suppressing nation to accomplish its evil plans? But, essentially, that's what we have done. Call it the Barbie doll syndrome or whatever you like, it is an absolute nightmare with potential catastrophic consequences. While the current debate is important, I think we all can see that it reflects mostly chump change compared to the potential problem we are facing. The current administration, after having exploded the deficit, seems to be content with trying one more time to lay it all on former President George W. Bush. He owns his fair share along with both Republican and Democratic Congresses. However, when in heaven's name, will our President, fully accept, like Harry Truman, that he must take ownership and recognize that in order to make any headway at all, the buck has to stop with him?

 Some people have begun using the statement, God help us. Many use it as a throw down line. But, let me tell you how I see it. There's a passage from the Psalms in the 146th Division, where the writer cries out, "³ Do not put your trust in princes,  Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.  ⁴ His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish. ⁵ Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God,  ⁶ Who made heaven and earth, The sea, and all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever,  ⁷ Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners. ⁸ The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous. ⁹ The LORD watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow;  But the way of the wicked He turns upside down."The psalmist recognized that the best that any human being has to offer is transitory at best with no lasting value, therefore, he was glad to see God as His provider. I happen to think 'God help us' is an appropriate response to where we are as a nation and when we do so in spirit and in truth, God will respond and we as a nation will once again be that beacon of light set upon the hill for all the world to see!

Since I've already stirred the pot, I might as well turn the heat up as well. In the Bible study class that I teach on Sunday mornings we have been working our way through a verse by verse study through Genesis and now Exodus. With all the uproar going on in the very region of the world that we are studying about, the question often comes up about the nation of Israel and the lands originally ceded to them by God Himself. I tackled this question last week and provided the class with an overview of the pertinent verses and a map. That map reflects what God originally told Abraham and later confirmed to Joshua as the nation actually entered into the Promised Land. That map would shock the folks at the United Nations and even our own State Department. It includes major portions of existing countries that are hostile to Israel today. Some within the religious world think these promises to have been nullified and no longer relevant. Some even believe that the Local Assembly or Church as it is called today has replaced Israel and that God no longer has a plan for His originally chosen people. Okay, this is my blog, so I will tell you what I believe the Scriptures to teach. First and foremost, the entire globe belongs to The Creator, therefore, He can do with it as He pleases. To cut to the chase, looking only at Romans Chapters 9, 10, and 11, one gets the unmistakably clear message that God will again in the future deal directly with the Jewish people, and I believe that will include them occupying all the lands originally ceded to them, perhaps during the Millennium Reign of Christ here on the earth. God said that land was given to them in perpetuity and He used the words everlasting possession. Secretary Clinton and President Obama can form their own opinions and pursue their own agendas but in the end, I'll trust in the Lord God to do it His way, which will be forever and forever, the Right way. Amen.                .....More later.

Today's menu: This, that, and a little of the other too.

Yes friends and neighbors, I am still here, broadcasting live and in person, on this Tuesday, March 8, 2011. I heard a fellow talking about someone appearing live and in person and he said that sounded odd to him. I guess that would be as opposed to what, although, here in our area there are literally thousands upon thousands paying big dollars to go to the big rodeo to see a country singer and maybe only be able to tell what's going on by watching the huge TV screens. Must be the experience because that just doesn't sound that exciting to me. Perhaps it is being able to say I was there. Maybe I have passed that phase in my life or could it be that I missed that phase? Okay. I was given some tickets and I do remember going back in the early 1980's to see Charlie Pride on a Sunday afternoon, and here's what I remember. Travel into the downtown metro-mess, find a parking spot at least 1/4 to 1/2 mile away for which you pay a king's ransom, and you are even supposed to feel good because you found one, then walk to the arena, find your place up in the nosebleed section, and sit and enjoy your 90 minutes of entertainment. After it's over, then repeat the same steps in reverse. Let me just say there is absolutely nothing about any of that which appeals to me. But, don't you do something very much like that when you attend one of the Gaither Gospel concerts? Now you have started meddling and while there may be some slight similarities, it would be profoundly different, and if given enough time, I might even be able to give you a couple of reasons why. I can tell you that one of them would not be the difference in ticket prices.

It comes down to what we like. If we want to do something then the trouble associated with doing it falls into the category of it being worth it. It's just that the threshold for it being worth it becomes more and more difficult to justify as we get older. Maybe our get up and go takes more encouragement to get it to get up and get going, or something like that. Speaking of the cost of things, the other day while we were driving down the road my fourteen year old grandson asked me an interesting question, "Poppy, what do you think the price of gasoline will be twenty years from now?" I replied, "Twenty years is quite a ways out, your Poppy may not even be around then." He then said, "Oh, I think you'll be around." "I told him, "Thanks for the vote of confidence, but that is in God's hands, but one would hope that in twenty years we will have perfected some of the alternatives and maybe something like the electric or hybrid vehicles will make the cost of gasoline less of a factor than it is today." I couldn't help but wonder where that question came from. It tells me that he's actually picking up more than just the computer video games he plays. Maybe they are talking about it in his school. Or, maybe he has heard people exchanging comments about the recent price hikes. I tried to remember what I was thinking about when I was fourteen because whatever it might have been, I'm quite certain it had nothing to do with the price of gasoline.

They tell us that we currently are in what is called a slow news cycle. Sure, there are plenty of hot spots around the world, especially in the Middle East, but here at home, there are no huge stories dominating the news. That's pretty tough when we have organized life around a second by second reporting of headlines, 24 hours a day. These news outlets have to put something out on the airwaves and often we end up with some pretty weird stuff. Here's a recent sampling of story headlines being reported: Man speeds with wife on hood of minivan; Judge lends man tie for trial; New camera prettifies subjects, even adds "makeup"; Inmate suing for $500,000 after falling when chased by a cow; Parasailing stunt donkey dies from heart attack. And, the list could go on and on. One thing is certain. The daily news goes on for you and I, and for every person breathing air here on the planet. Each of us have our own daily issues to deal with and they often come up without warning. Just because it may be a quiet time at the White House, that doesn't mean it is for folks from sea to shining sea. It doesn't have to make a headline for it to be a crisis in the life of our neighbor, friend, or even within our family. Let's remember to tune in to the news that matters and especially where we can respond and make a difference. That will sure beat waiting for something big to happen that captivates the attention of the entire nation. I will admit today's material tends to be a little discombobulated but some days are like that. Know what I mean Vern? Until next time, may God bless.   Amen.                  .....More later.

You just might be much more qualified than you think.

I don't know these folks, but I like the picture.

Hello friends and neighbors, it's good to be with you again, on this Monday, March 7, 2011. The old joke about coming to your regular job to catch your breath turns out not to be a joke at all. Just kidding. I was able to visit my brother Donald yesterday. Mom and dad came over from Louisiana and we had ourselves an abbreviated reunion. It is always a treat to be able to be with family and it is always special to be with those we do not see as often as we would like. My brother has good days and bad days as he continues his battle to regain his mental and physical function. God spared him for a reason and we trust Him to work all things out according to His will. I thought he had himself a pretty excellent day on Sunday and thank God for it. Thinking about my brother's condition reminds me of something the Apostle Paul said in his second letter written to the local fellowship of believers meeting in Corinth, Greece. He told them that the experiences he had gone through, the difficulties, and the trials, actually gave him an ability to minister comfort to others. Anytime we can tell someone we've been there and done that, our credibility is greatly enhanced. God had brought comfort to the Apostle Paul and he felt qualified to pass on God's comfort to others because of all he had gone through. I suppose it begs the question of how many of us have the potential to help others because of what we have experienced but perhaps we have never thought about it, or acted upon this potential.

I remember the late Dr. Adrian Rogers telling how he and his wife lost a child to crib death very early on in their first pastorate. They were devastated. Over the years he came to realize that because he and his wife were uniquely qualified to minister to parents in similar circumstances, that God brought into their paths literally hundreds of couples. I see in our local fellowship some of the widows who have banded together to render aid and assistance to each other. Who better to come alongside and minister than someone who has walked that mile in 'their' shoes? I know I have been able to work with some men over the years who have particular problems and issues that I at one time had to deal with. After having a remarkably successful run at a huge corporation I left because of being out of sync with the direction and my inability to make peace with it. I was immediately picked up by another huge outside firm and contracted to provide consulting services for an 18 month project. In the meantime I passed that 50 year mark and when I decided to get back into the regular job routine, the environment had changed, and I was no longer sought after like before. I did have one outstanding job offer and was in the process of working out the details when it fell apart. Over the weekend, my wife and I had celebrated me finally getting back into my element. On Monday I found out that because of an outside consultant who felt we would butt heads, they decided to withdraw the offer. Devastated. Over the next 14 months we exhausted our savings and lived off the escrow from a loan on our home. But, I retooled, and went back into the workforce, essentially starting completely over, and here I am today, still at it. I've said all of this to let you know that I have a keen insight into what it means to carry this type of burden, and because of that, I have been able to counsel and minister to others. If God has helped you, He will help others and He might just use you as the means of providing assistance.

I'm not one of those who goes around telling people to turn the lemons that come into their life into lemonade. But there is a sense in which our entire life experience within God's economy can be used for a purpose and for His honor. A song we grew up listening to, especially as performed by quartets, had this title: If I Can Help Somebody. The sentiment expressed by this song helps to emphasize our potential in helping others. Here are a few of the words: "If I can help somebody, as I pass along- If I can cheer somebody-with a word, or a song-If I can show somebody, that is travelin' wrong-Then my living shall not be in vain. Then my living shall not be in vain! If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain! If I can do my duty, as a good man ought-If I can bring back beauty, to a world that is so wrought-If I can spread love's message as the Master taught, then my living  shall not be in vain. Then my living shall not be in vain-then my living shall not be in vain. Then my living shall not be in vain! If I can help somebody as I pass along- then my living shall not be in vain! Then my living shall not be in vain! Then my living shall not be in vain!" Obviously the obvious repetitive theme is to live a life in a way that is not in vain. This is accomplished when we take what we have been given, including the hard times, and we use it to please God and reach out to others. I'll have to try and remember this as I go along my way and it might be a good one for us all to think about as well. Have a great work week and may God bless each one. Amen.               .....More later.

Yes, it is true Dorothy, we are not in Kansas anymore.

Did you say you prefer to deal with only the facts? Okay. It is Friday, March 4, 2011. It is the day the Lord has given to us and we have some choices to make about it. But it is still early, therefore, we can at least take some time and think about it. Do you like pleasant surprises? I do. No. I am not talking about playing the lottery because my understanding is you have to buy a ticket to win. I am talking about this past Wednesday evening coming in the back door and suddenly I was slapped up side the head with these blissful aromas. Where have I smelled this before? Mom's? Granny Mac's? Bingo! Both of them! My wife had prepared me a home cooked meal that she knew I loved. Smothered steak with rice and gravy, black eyed peas, fried okra, mustard greens, sliced tomatoes, piping hot cornbread, some good pepper sauce, and a large glass of iced tea. Talk about playing my song! I could see Granny standing there watching me eat. She loved to cook and she loved to see other people love to eat what she had cooked. I can only imagine some of you are thinking to yourself, but I don't think that would be an exciting meal to me. That's okay. You may like something entirely different but what a blessing to be surprised with something so special, to me. Because of my commitment to trying to be sensible, I had only one plate, which would have never been allowed in Granny Mac's kitchen. But that one plate was not only superbly delicious, it was also a wonderful time of recollecting those special cooks like those I mentioned along with my mother-in-law, and, of course, the lady who actually prepared the meal, my dear wife. I'll let you in on a secret. I've tried dozens of those places that claim to feature home cooked or home style meals. I've never found one that has even come close to the spread we had on Wednesday. Sadly, I know folks who think those places actually prepare real home cooked meals, and I sure am glad for their sake they haven't tasted the real stuff, because if and when they do, they will never go in those places again, just like me!


Do you have enough to do for the upcoming month? We are officially off and running in the month of March where college basketball becomes the craze, and it's even referred to as madness, as in, March Madness. Some observe Ash Wednesday in this month. Here in our area the history is remembered of the founding of the Republic of  Texas along with the familiar "Remember the Alamo."  It's also the month in which Alexander Graham Bell demonstrated his invention, the telephone. That was in 1876, and if he were still around, he could observe a huge mass of not so smart people using what they now call a smart version of his invention. Speaking of smart, Albert Eeinstein was born on the 14th. Many believe he was a skeptic or agnostic when it came to a belief in God, and I can tell you that long term, like in eternity, that is not very smart at all. And, we have the spring forward to do with our clocks to make sure we gain as much daylight as we can, and there's that Ides of March deal on the 15th, remembering when Julius Caesar was assassinated, giving Shakespeare his inspiration for the famous, "Beware the Ides of March." We also have St. Patrick's day which will be a green day and an excuse for many folks to party. I suppose we could have our own Patrick Henry Day since he did do his midnight ride on March 23, 1775. It's also the birthday of my late mother-in-law, on the 26th, and I think for obvious reasons, she became a very important person in my life. There were three presidents born in March, but October holds the record with six. Then we all have our own stuff already penciled in, family birthdays, special events, and other activities booked. Don't forget to schedule some downtime. I've heard of that before. Does anyone know exactly what it is?

I'm not complaining, just sharing. It was like me sleeping in the recliner the other evening and giving the excuse that I was only resting my eyes. That's an old one but my wife's grandmother used to use it the most so I awarded her ownership of that particular phrase. I suppose it is interesting to think about how we all got by before we had so much clamoring for every second of our time and attention. Work is a given. I grew up in an environment where work was interwoven into the fabric of life. But, we somehow got by without a Daytimer, or an automated schedule keeper on our computer or smart phone. It's like the recent report on fever. According to the high muckety mucks in the medical scientific world we have become a fever focused people. As the report stated, fever is the natural response of the body to a problem. It is not the problem. When we focus on treating the indicator instead of the underlying cause we can easily fix the wrong problem. Uh oh. We have an entire system of how the world works based on getting that temp down. The school operates on it and so does most of the rest of our world. Back in the day, there was something we experienced and it was called, letting it take its course, but that did take time, and that's what we already have too little of. Or, was that love? Or, do I have a clue? Most likely not, therefore, I will bid you a good Saturday and Lord's Day Sunday and see if something meaningful comes along before we meet again. Until then, may God bless. Amen.       ....More later.

Since this is the only day you have at the moment, might as well grab it, and get on with it!

Yesterday was a wonderful way to get the day going. We had us a 38 degree start here at the company, cool and crisp, and I sucked in so much of that cool air, it was like I thought I might be able to store it up or something. Here in these parts you never quite get out of your mind just how muggy and hot and miserable it is in the summer, and that makes these little respites even more invigorating. I know. My wife says my invigorating spells C-O-L-D to her. But, there is a sense in which we must enjoy it while we can. I hope that this day, Thursday, March 3, 2011 finds you doing well. Life can be challenging but much of it has to do with how we face it, embrace it, and go about the living of it. I like what the late Erma Bombeck said about life: "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'." That would not be a bad way to end our journey. Charles Schultz of Peanuts fame, who was a very strong believer in God, had this to say: "I think I've discovered the secret of life - you just hang around until you get used to it." Thankfully, he did hang around for his 78 years here on the planet where he brought a smile to millions every single day. Here's the kicker: He's still at it today! The famous playwright Arthur Miller said this: "Maybe all one can do is hope to end up with the right regrets." Given his tumultuous life, I'm not sure he did, and I am fairly certain that none of us will end up with all the right regrets. Don't be discouraged, we have today and if you are blessed to still be breathing air on the planet, today is the day we can all do what we can, with God's help, to make it the best life possible.

I know that sounds like a pep talk and some are no doubt thinking, he doesn't have a clue as to what I have to deal with every day. And, to a great extent, that comment is absolutely true. But, for the most part that is true for all of us because everybody has to work through the issues on their agenda. Those issues come and go, and some of them, unfortunately, come to stay. Even the little guys have their own troubles. Last Tuesday evening at our inner city Bible club meeting I had the opportunity to pray with four young boys. One of them, a 12 year old, has struggled with grades for years, and I've prayed with him about them many times, but he has recently shown great improvement, and he wanted to just thank God for helping him to do better. Did you get that? He had been asking God to help him and when his prayers were answered, he then wanted to give thanks and praise to God. We all could learn something from that kid! Another young Mexican American boy said he had been thinking about all that God had given to us, all that He had created, and even though his family had lots of trouble, he wanted to thank God for all these blessings. The third boy wanted prayer for some personal struggles he was facing in behavior and other matters. The fourth kid said he really didn't have anything to mention, he just wanted to be there for the prayer time. I like that fourth kid's attitude. Don't you? He just wanted to show up in the counseling room because that's where prayers were being offered up to God. It was my privilege to hear these requests and then lead these boys in a prayer to our Heavenly Father on their behalf. Issues. See what I mean? Even our little ones have them.

Speaking of issues, I continue to do my best to battle one of those that came to stay. Mark Lowry, the Christian comedian, says his favorite verse is the Bible is the one that says, "And it came to pass." He comments that this means that everything will eventually pass, therefore, we can always be positive regardless of our circumstance. For me, the diabetes has come to stay, at least until that time when I will pass and then I'll really begin to live. However, back to our serial episode still in progress: while each day is a challenge and I weeble wobble here and there, I am happy to report over the last two weeks I have averaged 103 on my fasted blood glucose finger prick test. About the time you feel good about a number like that you read something about just how accurate these tests are. There seems to always be someone somewhere who wants to rain on your parade. But, I am thankful for that number and look forward to the day when I can report a two week stretch with it being under 100. For those who don't know, 100 is considered the top end of normal, and anything over 100 is considered to be problematic. One of the previews to my medicare transition is the fact that I will be losing my doctor. In fact, this next visit with him this summer will likely be my last. He has been good for me. We have a great relationship and I very much like his minimum treatment approach. This means he only treats what needs to be treated with the bare minimum dosage which can be tweaked later. I well remember my cardiologist questioning the cholesterol drug I was taking. He said that it wasn't much of a drug in his opinion. I told him I thought the objective was to bring the numbers in line, and that was what my doctor and I had done. These kind of mixed messages is why we end up with such an over medicated society. (That opinion does not reflect anyone other than the one writing this blog.) Okay, enough already about issues for one day. Know that God is aware, regardless. Enough said! Amen.            .......More later.

Getting my facts straight requires that I get here early, very early!

Wednesday is here and we are having to deal with it, bright and early, or dark and early like it is here, therefore, I bid you welcome on this March 2, 2011. If you have not noticed, I do occasionally make a mistake. I reported my mom's birth age in a recent blog as her soon being 86. That missed it by a full year. Our 'email mom' using her little computer will be 87 in May. I have it correctly recorded in my calendar book but I did not report the correct number. I suppose we all should be looking forward to that day when we are very proud to have made it to such an elevated number, and we most certainly thank God for her, and His continuing grace in her life. I do not take that for granted. We already know that our mom is a treasure and we are the recipients of being especially blessed by her still being with us. The facts tell us there's only around 1% of our citizens who are still living past the age of 85. That makes these folks special to our entire nation of over 300 million. I'm not ashamed to admit that I talk to my mom at least once a day, sometimes more. Why not? God has allowed us the technology and wherewithal to visit, at least by telephone each day, and I believe that everyone who can should take advantage of it. I am surrounded by folks who would love to talk to their mom just one more time and that's a good thing because moms play such a critical role in us becoming who we are today. So now I can publicly announce that mom will soon be only three years away from the big 90 instead of four. That will no doubt put her in an even more rare category but it will not change one bit our love and admiration for her, and thankfulness for all she has done for us.

Have you ever wondered when I will run out of things to write about? Me too. I already know what some are thinking. You believe I ran out a long time ago but I've just not yet stopped putting words on the page. That's certainly not the view of everyone, however, because I still get notes from some who actually look forward to reading my blog each day. I even hit on a funny story once in a while because I get feedback about how it made some laugh. In particular, the one I recently shared about the lady getting her doctor's permission to join an exercise class seemed to touch the funny bone of several different readers. Good. It is good to laugh out loud every once in a while. Right? Picking subjects is really the challenge because once I have a topic, well, I am off and running. Take for instance the traffic last Sunday when I had to drive across the metro-plex, some 60 miles, to visit my brother. My word! Doesn't anyone stay home on Sunday anymore? It's like one hour and fifteen minutes of playing a game called: Look how close you came to being hit! I suppose it may even be safer during the work week because everyone has to drive 15 miles per hour because of the bumper to bumper gridlock. I did run into several stop and go situations and I can tell you, people are wound up tight. You come to a complete stop. Eventually the traffic starts up but you hesitate for maybe less than a half second. Suddenly, you hear a dozen horns letting you know that you have failed in your duty to move exactly one and one half car lengths forward. Well, E-X-C-U-S-E me! Every time you see the Pope on television arriving somewhere and he bends down and kisses the ground, well, that's exactly what you fee like doing when you survive another episode of road rage roulette.

My Facebook experience thus far has been very positive. Many of the folks I've hooked up with or friended as they call it are from my long ago growing up days. Some are folks I have worked with in the companies where I have previously served. Others are people I have had the privilege of serving with in a variety of ministry endeavors, some from many years ago. It is encouraging to hear from people I haven't seen in a long time and to find out they are still faithfully serving the Lord, some here, and some in far away places abroad. Many of those I have connected with are not based as much on friendship, although that's a part of it, but it's more the kinship and fellowship that comes from our shared relationship in Christ. One common denominator: Everyone has had their fair share of tough times and challenges. I emphasize: EVERYONE! Some have lost their mates or even a child. Some have had to deal with medical issues that have dogged their steps. And, the list could go on and on. I say all of that to say this. Those preachers you hear on TV and radio that promise a happy go lucky life if you are faithful to God, usually demonstrated by sending them money, are not only false teachers, but they literally bring hurt and harm to those buying into their garbage. Our Savior summed it up by saying that in this world, that would be the one He walked in, and the one you and I live in each day, in this world there would be troubles and tribulation. Ouch! Thankfully, He didn't end it there because He completed it by saying not to be fearful because of this. Why? Because He has overcome the world, therefore, when we live out our trust in Him, we can make it, even with all the challenges, by His grace. (Gospel of John, Chapter 16, Verse 33)  Amen.                        .....More later.

Drive to end the hunger caused by not winning a race in 66 tries!

It's Tuesday morning, and I bid you welcome on this March 1, 2011 where we have in this area the unusual combination of lower humidity and moderate temperatures. Being close to the Gulf Coast makes this somewhat of a rarity. But, before anyone changes their mind, I'll take it because it's almost, and I did say almost, like Colorado, meaning of course, not one of those days up there when there's an avalanche or all the roads are blocked due to snow, etc., etc. What does this tell us? No matter where you are, there's good, bad, and typically, the everyday get up and get with it, regardless of the pleasantness or lack thereof. You didn't know that's the way it works? Sorry, but that pretty much reflects my experience, but I'm not opposed to wearing rose colored glasses because sometimes we all need a little break from reality. I did enjoy the NASCAR race this past Sunday. Primarily because the driver I follow won, Jeff Gordon. He had gone 66 races without a win and that for a great champion is agony. I had visited my brother and had to listen to the race in my car on satellite radio and the last few laps while on the Church property Sunday evening. I hated for everyone to see The Brother Teacher standing outside his car cheering like a yell leader, but it just had to be done, and I'm sure when I thrust my arms up in the air, some driving up may have wondered if I was in the Spirit, or it was just my normal abnormal self. It's funny because I had just that morning written notes about the 24 Car (Jeff's number) on the cards our Church sends to those ailing, in the military, or dealing with a special need. Several of those are in the category of being "Jeff haters" (not hate hate) and I like to tease them because they follow other drivers. They have the attitude that says if my driver doesn't win, then anyone except Jeff Gordon. That's why we love to tease forth and back. But, because of the race outcome, I went into the service Sunday evening feeling a little better. I can see some of you scratching your head and saying, "What in the world is he talking about?" Some have noted that I stayed with Jeff so long he is now racing for the AARP, but a win is a win, and we will take it. (AARP's sponsorship is based on a campaign called Drive to End Hunger, therefore, the title is a play off this theme, just so you know.)

We will take it. We will take it? That's kind of funny but that is how it works when we, vicariously, win or lose with our team. I'm not knocking it because as you can see, I'm right smack in the middle of it. However, it's always interesting to see how folks' morale is lifted when their team wins. They may not have one player on that team from their city or area but when they win the big one, everyone celebrates like the entire team are hometown folks. Often the parades and the huge celebrations give way to half of the team leaving after their contracts are up or they trade up for a better deal, but, in the heat of the battle, with all the hype and emotion, it can be a huge rush when your guy wins, and I will admit being a little emotional when Jeff won on Sunday. Winning a race, any race, in today's super competitive environment in motor sports is phenomenally difficult. I like to think about it as a distraction where you can focus on something else for a little while and not be so much inundated with today's issues. I'm not one of those who will watch every lap of every race but if I am available and it is on, I will pay a fair amount of attention to it. I know some people who scoff at the idea that race car drivers are athletes and that it should even be called a sport. That's okay with me because usually folks who say things like that are pretty much unaware of what is required to race at the highest level, and the kind of team effort required to be successful. And, that's why you can stay up late at night and watch the international domino championships if you like, and I can blubber on and on about the one I follow. We have many choices and the freedom that comes with it, and that, my friend, is what makes the world go around.

Well, actually, I'm sure there's a much more concrete, scientific reason for the rotation of the earth but I'm sure you get my drift. Speaking of today's issues, did you ever see so much turmoil going on at one time? Many are perplexed by all the upheaval and how it is impacting all of us, each and every day, just look at the price at the pump. I've decided to fill up more often. That way $25 to $30 looks better than a fill-up at $45 to $50. Silly? Maybe, but I can use all the help I can get. The speculations about the Middle East are all over the page. My wife has said more than a few times lately about how some of what she is hearing and seeing on the news sounds like her dad's comments from The Scriptures he preached from so many years ago. Here is something for those who are believers to think about. World history portrays events from a secular viewpoint. Take for instance some of the world powers that came on the scene and conquered nations and huge amounts of real estate. Secular history gives all kinds of rationales and reasons for why these things happened. However, in God's Word we find those very nations mentioned and God's reporting in great detail concerning why they were allowed to become a world power. See what I mean? The historians are making notes. They see the turmoil. We see the turmoil. They see the difficulties and hardships. We see the difficulties and hardships. But, those who have their trust in the Lord their God can be assured that all of these things are working to accomplish His plan and purpose. Just like those from the past. We have His Word on it! And, without trying to sound trite, that's good enough for me! Amen.          ......More later.