tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78323612024-03-08T01:05:56.546-06:00RickBoyne.comRick Boyne writes about life in God's Country (Oklahoma) and family happenings with an occasional observation about life and world events.Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.comBlogger2834125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-17026211884306244442024-02-01T13:46:00.002-06:002024-02-01T13:46:52.526-06:00Jackpot! in ebook format <p> My first novel that I published in 2022 is finally available in ebook format! Unfortunately, there is a hitch with Amazon and it did not link my paperback and ebook. But, you can order the Kindle version here:</p><p><a href="https://a.co/d/4m8Si6b">https://a.co/d/4m8Si6b</a></p><p>As far as I know, it is now available worldwide on practically every ebook platform including Apple Books and Barnes and Noble. </p><p>Thank you for your support! </p>Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-14283829122877816232024-01-23T20:48:00.001-06:002024-01-23T20:48:30.172-06:00Jackpot! eBook available February 1, 2024<p> I am pleased to announce that my debut novel, which is already available in paperback will be available on all eBook platforms February 1, 2024. It can be pre-ordered on many of the platforms now at</p><p><a href="https://books2read.com/u/mdPpad">https://books2read.com/u/mdPpad</a></p><p>It can be purchased as an eBook for $6.99 which beats the publisher's paperback price of $24.99 by $18!</p><p>Thank you in advance!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_b7EsHhf29XE172DifdYGwzdlfuG89OYnhzlDzF5O0YRAntQtiLArj3UjFusKYGHrDirIwvtiQc21SYeoX51Sxn1H2-JgkcgyIwfZQFpnNWqBf6dfAu6DY65SeGb3ovYj9PZLXsdtLHy9kp8O7y3vNvtN1cIB8QSrRlG8Ru9-wnj7WRhYl_9/s1294/jackpot%20cover%20real.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1294" data-original-width="885" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_b7EsHhf29XE172DifdYGwzdlfuG89OYnhzlDzF5O0YRAntQtiLArj3UjFusKYGHrDirIwvtiQc21SYeoX51Sxn1H2-JgkcgyIwfZQFpnNWqBf6dfAu6DY65SeGb3ovYj9PZLXsdtLHy9kp8O7y3vNvtN1cIB8QSrRlG8Ru9-wnj7WRhYl_9/s320/jackpot%20cover%20real.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-30094262686364941502024-01-21T10:07:00.001-06:002024-01-21T10:07:10.252-06:00When Opinions Divide<p> I recently looked at some Facebook pages of people who de-friended me over the past several years. Some of them defriended me because I held certain OPINIONS of things going on in the government or in certain disease related things.</p><p>They laughed at me, even belittled me for questioning the popular narrative regarding presidents, both current and former. They ridiculed me for questioning the so-called science behind the last pandemic and completely dismissed me and my opinions saying things like "you better adjust your tin foil hat" or "you belong to a cult" or even better, "no TRUE Christian would never even dare think that way."</p><p>Well, I'll give them this: they are tenacious and consistent.</p><p>Despite recently exposed FACTS about government things and health care things, they are still towing the popular narrative, right down to thinking that everyone should still be wearing face masks. </p><p>Wow.</p><p>Even when their FB posts where public and I could have commented on them, I didn't, because they have the right to their own opinion. </p><p>I'm definitely not claiming to be perfect. I certainly am not. Nor do I expect others to be perfect. I do expect a certain amount of courtesy when giving a differing opinion among friends and former colleagues. Why can't we disagree without name calling?</p><p>I guess it comes down to this: when you see you are losing an argument to facts, quit the argument and start attacking the person.</p><p>I've been told numerous times to "follow the science." Fine. Whose science? The politicians' science? Big pharma's science? Liberal science? Conservative science?</p><p>When I was growing up, science used to be just facts. Now it seems it is whatever agenda the entity paying for it becomes "real" science.</p><p>How dare you tell me to not "question the science." I thought that's how you did science.</p><p>How dare you tell me to not question the news? I will question it until it quits reporting opinion as news. And then I'll still question it.</p><p>So, what is the purpose of this post? I'm not sure. Maybe I just needed to get it off my chest.</p><p>Thanks for listening/reading.</p>Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-77521871354726701582023-11-16T14:03:00.004-06:002023-11-16T14:03:00.139-06:00Jesus Is Enough<p> When I was in my mid-twenties, I lived in Los Angeles. I was preparing for missions and was attending the Church on Brady. It was actually the First Southern Baptist Church of East Los Angeles DOB as the Church on Brady. It was led by pastor Thom Wolf.</p><p>It was a great time in my life. I was single and completely unencumbered by anything permanent. Don't get me wrong, I love being married and have been for nearly 31 years, but not when I lived in LA. </p><p>Anyway, I got to interact with so many people who were completely sold out for Jesus. And I loved it. </p><p>One day, I was having coffee with a man who had been a missionary in a very poor part of a very poor country. I'll not give his name. He told me of the extreme poverty in which people called home and it was horrifying. He said that a number of prostitutes had given their lives to Jesus, but they continued in prostitution because there was no other way for them to make a living. </p><p>When I questioned this man, he answered, "Jesus Christ is not the answer to every problem."</p><p>That statement has bothered me for nearly 40 years and I do not believe it to be true. In fact, I say, "Jesus is the answer to every problem." <br /></p><p>Jesus changes lives. Jesus makes a way when there is no way. Jesus saves in entirety. </p><p>JESUS IS ENOUGH!</p><p>How can I say that? Because Jesus IS God! The Bible says that everything that has been created, Jesus created! If He can speak the world into existence, He can rescue a prostitute from prostitution. If Jesus can speak light into existence, He can restore people and families. If Jesus can raise from the dead, He can give eternal life. Yes, Jesus is enough!</p>Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-90649766211683219512023-11-15T13:52:00.003-06:002023-11-15T13:52:22.987-06:00Why I Write<p> I love writing. I've always had an affinity for it. Well, for telling stories, really. When I was young, I would make up stories to tell anyone who would listen. The problem I had then was telling the stories as if they were real, as if they actually happened to me.</p><p>That was dishonest and I know that now. But I never had the mentoring to channel the love of the story into writing. </p><p>I did well on my writing assignments in high school and college. I laugh now thinking about how I bragged that I had to write a ten-page paper every week for a certain class. I also remember a class that demanded a rough draft before the final project. I would simply type out the paper on my Royal Electric Typewriter, then go back with a pencil and paper and "create" a rough draft. I always got ""A's" on my writing projects.</p><p>While we were missionaries, I would write a newsletter that went out to hundreds of people, telling them about what God was doing overseas. I'd also write about our children and include any fun personal stories. Due to a hard drive failure, I've lost all those emails.</p><p>When I became a pastor 16 years ago, I was prolific in writing blog posts here and on our church website. I also interacted with many other bloggers which introduced my writing to a couple of editors of Southern Baptist publications. I began writing missions articles and eventually wrote some larger projects including the International Missions Emphasis piece on Beijing for the International Mission Board. </p><p>About 10 or so years ago, I began writing my first novel, "Jackpot!" which was finally published in 2022. Except for the fact that it made me a published author, it was a miserable failure. There was virtually no publicity for it from the publisher and I personally sold most of the copies that were sold. As of this writing, it ranks as number 1,395,097 in books on Amazon and number 43,198 in Religious Literature & Fiction on the same. </p><p>I finished my second novel about a month ago and am currently seeking literary representation. I have only queried 17 agents so far and have had a negative response from three. I have big hopes for this novel and am praying for success.</p><p>That brings me to the purpose of this post. Why do I write? </p><p>I write with a three-fold purpose:</p><p>1. To glorify God</p><p>2. To edify His church</p><p>3. To build His kingdom</p><p>I certainly don't seek fame. In fact, I love my anonymity. I don't seek fortune, although I would not reject it. My purpose is to write in such a way that Christians are encouraged and those who are not Christians would be drawn to God through His Son Jesus Christ. In those two things, I believe God will be glorified. </p><p>That's why I write.</p>Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-21194226305892132402023-10-11T14:52:00.002-05:002023-10-11T14:52:46.077-05:00Novel Update<p> I have written a little over 113K words towards my next novel, "Peering into the Darkness." It's taken a different direction than what I first anticipated. While the protagonist still sees angels and demons, the gift is used to bust a huge crime ring that involves celebrities, politicians, and other powerful people.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHhSdggjaR_5joEZBLB7o5ZLCIh4zhMj9ZTMX6tCYgs8fVxTrtqJ68t8gMKPArKv5adGf8Hkq3u4ovAseW6gt-aGfsvDmgNIqOdxx11SkGpr-UzwkjWIR5OrI_EwMcT2bS-JI_PHjDdE_6UJSS2H0CKPmoUQObA85B9KREutVmUAD7mOpu6Vx/s2048/author%20Rick%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHhSdggjaR_5joEZBLB7o5ZLCIh4zhMj9ZTMX6tCYgs8fVxTrtqJ68t8gMKPArKv5adGf8Hkq3u4ovAseW6gt-aGfsvDmgNIqOdxx11SkGpr-UzwkjWIR5OrI_EwMcT2bS-JI_PHjDdE_6UJSS2H0CKPmoUQObA85B9KREutVmUAD7mOpu6Vx/s320/author%20Rick%202023.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>I hope to have the first draft completed by the end of October and will begin looking for literary representation. </p><p>In the meantime, if you know me, please pray for this novel to be a success so that it will encourage the Bride of Christ and bring God glory!</p>Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-87378264385633919512023-09-06T17:07:00.000-05:002023-09-06T17:07:36.818-05:00Second Novel<p> I began writing my second novel this morning. It is tentatively titled, "Peering into the Darkness." The protagonist is Josh Weston who gains the power to see angels and demons and becomes privy to the secret plans of the devil to deceive the world. It is once again based in Tulsa, Oklahoma and locales around NE OK. </p>Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-8057894284159218322023-03-18T08:21:00.006-05:002023-03-19T08:23:50.383-05:00Half a Century with Jesus!<p> <span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; white-space: pre-wrap;">50 years ago today, I trusted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. In this past half century, I cannot boast about my faith, faithfulness, or my devotion, as it is truly not about me and I have messed up numerous times. It is all about God. In His great mercy, Jesus died on the cross, was buried and was raised from the dead. He was seen by hundreds of people before ascending to Heaven. I, along with millions of others, am awaiting His return. The Bible says that God loves the world </span><span style="animation-name: none !important; color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; transition-property: none !important; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a style="animation-name: none !important; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; white-space: pre-wrap;">so much that He sent Jesus to die for us and whoever would put their faith and trust in Jesus would never die spiritually, but instead have eternal life! This is open to everyone, including you. Won’t you surrender yourself to God through faith in Jesus Christ? It will change your life- and your eternity!</span></p><div style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="x168nmei x13lgxp2 x30kzoy x9jhf4c x6ikm8r x10wlt62" data-visualcompletion="ignore-dynamic" style="animation-name: none !important; border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; transition-property: none !important;"><div style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><div style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><div style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="x1n2onr6" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="x6s0dn4 xi81zsa x78zum5 x6prxxf x13a6bvl xvq8zen xdj266r xktsk01 xat24cr x1d52u69 x889kno x4uap5 x1a8lsjc xkhd6sd xdppsyt" style="align-items: center; 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border-right-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-style: solid; border-top-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: row; flex-shrink: 0; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: inherit; touch-action: manipulation; transition-property: none !important; user-select: none; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><img class="x16dsc37" height="18" role="presentation" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' xmlns:xlink='http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink' viewBox='0 0 16 16'%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient id='a' x1='50%25' x2='50%25' y1='0%25' y2='100%25'%3e%3cstop offset='0%25' stop-color='%23FF6680'/%3e%3cstop offset='100%25' stop-color='%23E61739'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3cfilter id='c' width='118.8%25' height='118.8%25' x='-9.4%25' y='-9.4%25' filterUnits='objectBoundingBox'%3e%3cfeGaussianBlur in='SourceAlpha' result='shadowBlurInner1' stdDeviation='1'/%3e%3cfeOffset dy='-1' in='shadowBlurInner1' result='shadowOffsetInner1'/%3e%3cfeComposite in='shadowOffsetInner1' in2='SourceAlpha' k2='-1' k3='1' operator='arithmetic' result='shadowInnerInner1'/%3e%3cfeColorMatrix in='shadowInnerInner1' values='0 0 0 0 0.710144928 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.117780134 0 0 0 0.349786932 0'/%3e%3c/filter%3e%3cpath id='b' d='M8 0a8 8 0 100 16A8 8 0 008 0z'/%3e%3c/defs%3e%3cg fill='none'%3e%3cuse fill='url(%23a)' xlink:href='%23b'/%3e%3cuse fill='black' filter='url(%23c)' xlink:href='%23b'/%3e%3cpath fill='white' d='M10.473 4C8.275 4 8 5.824 8 5.824S7.726 4 5.528 4c-2.114 0-2.73 2.222-2.472 3.41C3.736 10.55 8 12.75 8 12.75s4.265-2.2 4.945-5.34c.257-1.188-.36-3.41-2.472-3.41'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e" style="animation-name: none !important; border: 0px; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: top;" width="18" /></div></span></span></span></span></span><div class="" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j x1jfb8zj" style="align-items: inherit; align-self: inherit; animation-name: none !important; display: inherit; flex-direction: inherit; flex: inherit; font-family: inherit; height: inherit; max-height: inherit; max-width: inherit; min-height: inherit; min-width: inherit; place-content: inherit; transition-property: none !important; width: inherit;"><div class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1o1ewxj x3x9cwd x1e5q0jg x13rtm0m x1n2onr6 x87ps6o x1lku1pv x1a2a7pz x1heor9g xnl1qt8 x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x1vjfegm x1lliihq" role="button" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; animation-name: none !important; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-radius: inherit; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-height: 1.3333em; outline: none; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: inherit; touch-action: manipulation; transition-property: none !important; user-select: none; z-index: 1;" tabindex="0"><div class="x9f619 x1ja2u2z xzpqnlu x1hyvwdk xjm9jq1 x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x10l6tqk x1i1rx1s" style="animation-name: none !important; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); font-family: inherit; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; transition-property: none !important; width: 1px; z-index: 0;">All reactions:</div><span aria-hidden="true" class=" xrbpyxo x6ikm8r x10wlt62 xlyipyv x1exxlbk" style="animation-name: none !important; float: left; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; transition-property: none !important; width: 100px;"><span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span class="xt0b8zv x1e558r4" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; padding-left: 4px; transition-property: none !important;">102</span></span></span><span class="xt0b8zv x1jx94hy xrbpyxo xl423tq" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: var(--card-background); float: left; font-family: inherit; margin-left: -100px; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span class="x1e558r4" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; padding-left: 4px; transition-property: none !important;">Pamela Goodell, Jo Boyne and 100 others</span></span></span><div><span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span class="x1e558r4" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; padding-left: 4px; transition-property: none !important;"><br /></span></span></div></div></span></div></div><div class="x9f619 x1n2onr6 x1ja2u2z x78zum5 x2lah0s x1qughib x1qjc9v5 xozqiw3 x1q0g3np xykv574 xbmpl8g x4cne27 xifccgj" style="align-items: stretch; animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #65676b; display: flex; flex-flow: row nowrap; flex-shrink: 0; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; justify-content: space-between; margin: -6px; position: relative; transition-property: none !important; z-index: 0;"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-73414875930541027092022-08-31T14:02:00.000-05:002022-08-31T14:02:17.909-05:00Jackpot!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFh4CmS0qeLMQq9Q9RIwBS_2HCBAP0ZZ_zyTYmUnekKj_wqYKzmobCldaraXHmXt-w3LoZry2xyCuopR5LEIYIVuhai3XDon1DLZgX1_duyO4Yo1U0qpwVEYnbcALbkmcUx1C0cZ6fTTLdKJ0RXhOwh-nCB778uaOGRU2op2unCXSqN42JKA/s1913/Cover%20(final).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1913" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFh4CmS0qeLMQq9Q9RIwBS_2HCBAP0ZZ_zyTYmUnekKj_wqYKzmobCldaraXHmXt-w3LoZry2xyCuopR5LEIYIVuhai3XDon1DLZgX1_duyO4Yo1U0qpwVEYnbcALbkmcUx1C0cZ6fTTLdKJ0RXhOwh-nCB778uaOGRU2op2unCXSqN42JKA/s320/Cover%20(final).jpg" width="188" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Front Cover</div><br /> I am anticipating the publishing of my first novel, "Jackpot!" any day now! It has been a long time coming and I am very excited about it, to say the least. This is the blurb on the back cover:<p></p><p><span> </span><span> </span></p><blockquote><p>After winning millions in the Lottery, Owen Rigsby embarks on a reckless journey of self-destructive indulgence, trying to live up to his imagination of a millionaire lifestyle only to find himself alone, empty and morally bankrupt.</p><p><span> </span><span> </span>A lifelong hatred of the drunk driver who killed his father stands in the way of finding peace with himself and God. Owen learns of the killer's upcoming parole and feels compelled to avenge his father's death. But when the opportunity arrives, Owen discovers forgiveness is a far greater treasure than money and all it can buy.</p></blockquote><p></p><p><br /></p><p>If you would like an autographed copy, please contact me at <a href="mailto:rick@rickboyne.com" target="_blank">rick@rickboyne.com</a>. The list price is $21.95 (set by the publisher, not me) plus $3.49 for postage. (Total is $25.44) This offer is good in the USA only. I accept PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp. Please include your mailing address in the email and to whom the autograph should be addressed. </p>Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-15664656044378690982022-01-06T10:44:00.000-06:002022-01-06T10:44:51.014-06:00Insurrection? What Insurrection?<p> A year has passed since so-called insurrection at the nation's capitol. I say "so-called" because none of the "insurrectionists" had weapons. If it were a real insurrection, there would have been much much more bloodshed, instead of just one woman protestor.</p><p>This whole thing stinks to high heaven. There is video of the Capitol Police opening doors and letting the protestors in with the caveat, "Don't break anything." Those who have been arrested have not been charged with insurrection, only with trespassing misdemeanors. </p><p>There are reports that T ordered the national guard and the DC police chief agreed but was overruled by the DC mayor and by NP. NP, as SOTH, oversees the Capitol Police and her responses are at best confusing, and at worst, traitor-like. </p><p>It is obvious to many, if not most, that the media guided this red flag event. Even today, my local station, was reporting on the "Deadly Insurrection" as if protestors had killed police or politicians. People need to realize that if the majority of those there were actually T supporters, they were then 2A supporters as well, and they did not show up armed. Can we all agree that real insurrection would be truly bloody? <br /><br />Something is rotten in DC. Always has been; always will. <br /><br />God help us all.</p>Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-4377288405028286842021-05-18T15:47:00.000-05:002021-05-18T15:47:50.962-05:00Elections have consequences <p> Gas prices are rising.</p><p>Lumber prices are rising. </p><p>The Taliban is back. </p><p>Hamas is attacking Israel. </p><p>Russia is massing on Ukraine’s border. </p><p>Conservatives are being censored. </p><p>Science is what you want it to be. </p><p><br /></p><p>Elections have consequences. </p><p><br /></p><p>But don’t blame me; I voted for the other guy. And something sure doesn’t seem right with this guy....</p>Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-83244827713347402422021-01-06T15:06:00.000-06:002021-01-06T15:06:39.065-06:00Chaos in the Capitol<p>(Writing this as it is currently happening in DC)</p><p><br /></p><div data-contents="true"><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="44pj" data-offset-key="8dg8f-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8dg8f-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8dg8f-0-0"><span data-text="true">Just my observation, but I think what we are seeing in Washington is the base group of Americans who are fed up with being lied to and ignored for the past 12 years. And remember, not everyone who wears a MAGA hat is a MAGA subscriber. Stories have been swirling for days of how agitators were going to go along side the peaceful protestors to cause trouble. If this was Antifa or BLM instead of MAGA, the Capitol would be on fire by now. </span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="44pj" data-offset-key="c6pjv-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="c6pjv-0-0"><span data-offset-key="c6pjv-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="44pj" data-offset-key="39vuu-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="39vuu-0-0"><span data-offset-key="39vuu-0-0"><span data-text="true">I've been watching a live stream for the past hour or so of the protestors on the steps of the Capitol. They are chanting "USA" and waving flags. Obviously, I don't know everything about everything that is going on, and my observation could be off. </span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="44pj" data-offset-key="2p5v3-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2p5v3-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2p5v3-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="44pj" data-offset-key="5qn6p-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5qn6p-0-0"><span data-offset-key="5qn6p-0-0"><span data-text="true">I've read FB posts from Trump Haters denouncing everything about this. I get that. 99.9% of the protestors are peacefully protesting. I think they genuinely believe the election was rigged for Biden to win. There certainly seems to be enough documented discrepancies to come to that conclusion. </span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="44pj" data-offset-key="7e1hb-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7e1hb-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7e1hb-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="44pj" data-offset-key="64lnj-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="64lnj-0-0"><span data-offset-key="64lnj-0-0"><span data-text="true">Don't get me wrong. I think there are lots and lots of things wrong with Trump. There is no politician who is perfect. (For sure) </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="64lnj-0-0"><span data-offset-key="64lnj-0-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="64lnj-0-0"><span data-offset-key="64lnj-0-0"><span data-text="true">I'm sick of "politics as usual," that is, that people in power can get away with crimes just because they are in power. Take a look at the Clintons. Conservatives are tired of the GOP having no spine. I think people are starting to realize that they are the other side of the same political coin as the DNC. I'd love to see the end of both parties, or, at the very least, term limits. That would take care of a lot of the corruption. <br /></span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="44pj" data-offset-key="62m80-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="62m80-0-0"><span data-offset-key="62m80-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="44pj" data-offset-key="aq1td-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="aq1td-0-0"><span data-offset-key="aq1td-0-0"><span data-text="true">I don't put my trust in a politician or a man-made institution. I trust God. At the same time, I understand the frustration believing the election was not just. </span></span></div></div></div>Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-7351617641122889762020-09-01T12:24:00.001-05:002020-09-01T12:24:53.254-05:00Third Party Voting<p>Are you fed up with the two party system? Do you feel that voting for either party is essentially the same and are considering voting for a third party? According to ballotpedia.org "As of August 31, 2020, there are <b>1,186</b> candidates who filed to run, including:
</p>
<ul><li><b>323</b> Democratic candidates</li><li><b>163</b> Republican candidates</li><li><b>65</b> Libertarian candidates</li><li><b>23</b> Green candidates"</li></ul><p>They layout their case that there are only four "notable" candidates and parties:</p><p>Biden (D)</p><p>Trump (R)</p><p>Jorgensen (L)</p><p>Hawkins (G)</p><div class="adM"></div><p>For many people, it comes down to issues. For some, it comes down to the character of the candidate. We can debate all we want, but the reality is, a third party vote is essentially wasted. I wish it wasn't, but it is. The third party votes by conservatives fed up with their party only subtracts from the more conservative of the two. Third party votes by moderates fed up with their party, only subtracts from the more moderate of the two. <br /></p><p>In reality,
the decision for most people is between Trump and Biden. <br /><br />For
me, and most Americans who don’t actually hate a candidate, we have a
few months to determine for ourselves, who is the better man for the
job. <br /><br />On the one hand, there is the incumbent who has an ego like
Nebuchadnezzar. He’s definitely not a politician but seems to care
about his country. <br /><br />On the other hand, the challenger is a career
politician who has some genuine cognitive issues. His character flaws
are as blatant as the incumbent’s but his concern for our country seems
to be along party lines. <br /><br />Does character matter? Absolutely!
Do issues matter? You better believe it! What about voting your conscience? Sure, if you want your vote to ensure the one you dislike the most wins. Isn't that a cop out? Not if you look at reality and know that either Biden or Trump is going to win. There is no way for a third party candidate to win, at least not in THIS election.<br /></p><p>Reality says it’s going to be one of the characters from the two party
system. Voting your conscience for a third party candidate is only good
in your opinion. </p><p>One of these years, I would love to have a candidate that I truly supported rather than voting against someone. I suppose I will support Trump, but I certainly don't like everything about him. And I certainly wish he would have someone monitor his Tweets...</p><p>Nevertheless, I urge you to look back at a post I made a few years ago, <a href="http://www.rickboyne.com/2019/03/my-grandmother-was-life-long-democrat.html">My Grandmother Was a Life-Long Democrat</a>. Of course, vote your conscience. But don't waste you vote!<br /></p><p>And, no matter who is president, don't forget to pray for them and for our country!</p><p>God Bless America!<br /></p>Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-82174163625787789992020-08-01T00:30:00.000-05:002020-08-01T00:30:00.802-05:0013 Years Pastoring13 years is a long time. This past year seems to be the longest. I, nor any of my friends, have ever faced the challenges of being a pastor during a pandemic.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vrjSIi7-vqI/XyNBlcszD7I/AAAAAAAAJb0/zVUQQhgVvr8U0Jts6USzGWNQECLOAqEvACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/8DB41C13-4DE6-4835-A1AA-55EBE3AB33A8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vrjSIi7-vqI/XyNBlcszD7I/AAAAAAAAJb0/zVUQQhgVvr8U0Jts6USzGWNQECLOAqEvACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8DB41C13-4DE6-4835-A1AA-55EBE3AB33A8.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">13 Year Anniversary Pic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At least since mid-March, traditional conventional ministry, at least personal pastoral ministry, has been anything but normal or conventional. I have faced criticism from folks for following the recommendations of the CDC and closing down for public services. Likewise, I have faced criticism for not closing down soon enough and/or reopening too soon. There is literally no way to please everyone. And the pastor will be the one blamed if anything regarding the pandemic goes wrong within the church.<br />
<br />
Falls Creek was cancelled. So was KBA. We made the heart wrenching decision to cancel Vacation Bible School.<br />
<br />
There are several older members who I have not seen in person since March and they refuse to allow me to visit them in their homes. In fact, I’ve only been in a handful of members’ homes since March. I hate it.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, I have continued to preach every week. We never had a completely empty sanctuary. We have had a couple people saved and I was honored to baptize 3 people last Sunday. We have been on Facebook Live and have had hundreds of viewers. We are back to “normal” except for Sunday evening services. Attendance is suffering. We are at approximately 35-40% of regular attendance. Giving is down. We were the first in town to reestablish our children and youth programs. But we have also lost several people through this crisis.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, through all of these issues, God has been faithful. We were able to raise over $7000 for our Pakistani Christian friends who are suffering more than we are. Both children and youth were afforded the opportunity to attend an alternative to camp this past week, thanks to the efforts of volunteers.<br />
<br />
If you'd like to watch the live service online, go to <a href="http://facebook.com/immanuelsouthern">facebook.com/immanuelsouthern</a> at about 11 am (Central) on Sunday mornings. If you'd like to contribute to our church, you can also do that online at <a href="http://www.bfok.org/give-immanuelsouthern">http://www.bfok.org/give-immanuelsouthern</a><br />
<br />
I don’t know what the future looks like, but I know who holds the future! God is good- all the time!<br />
<br />
<br />Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-52176343532950332852020-07-27T11:54:00.000-05:002020-07-27T11:54:32.955-05:00Is Everyone God's Children?I hear it all the time, "We are all God's children."<br />
<br />
It is a nice sentiment, but it isn't true. Actually, there are a whole lot of nice sentiments that aren't true, but I digress...<br />
<br />
What IS true is that we are all "created in the image of God." (Refer to Genesis 1:27). In other words, we are all God's creation. BUT, that doesn't make us His children.<br />
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Children, whether natural born or adopted are heirs of their parents. We are not naturally born into God's family. We are adopted by means of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. (Refer to Ephesians 2:8-9) Actually, that is the ONLY way to be adopted in to God's family. (Refer to John 14:6)<br />
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So, where does the idea that we are "all children of God" come from? It comes from bad theology and wishful thinking.<br />
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You see, to be adopted into God's family, certain things need to happen. The first is that a person must feel the conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit. The second is that they must trust Jesus to be their savior.<br />
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Those two things are entirely necessary, but certainly not natural. Very few people will admit that they are sinners under their own power. No one likes to think of themselves as broken or blemished. But, until that happens, that is, that you realized that you are lost, in danger, in mortal/eternal peril, there is no need to seek out a savior.<br />
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Then, this is where things get tricky. The world says that if we are good enough, we will go to Heaven; that if our good outweighs our bad, we get judged "good." Unfortunately, that isn't how this works at all.<br />
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God says (and He should know) that sin (being bad) separates us from Him and that our bad deeds have to be rewarded with death. BUT He also says that He loves us and wants us to be saved from that horrible "reward." He says that He showed the whole world that He loves us by sending Jesus to take that horrible reward for us, even though we were still being bad.<br />
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He says that if we "openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in [our] heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved!" (Refer to Romans 10:9)<br />
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That's it. That's how you become a true child of God! Not by doing good things. Not by being dunked or sprinkled by a preacher or priest. Not by living the best live you can live. Not by going to church. Not by giving money. Not by any other way. And it has to be through Jesus only! He was the one that took the horrible reward for your sin. Not any other person who has ever lived.<br />
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So, how about you? Are you a true Child of God? If you need some help getting there, leave me a message or get in touch with me. God loves you; and so do I!Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-74435168761993032942020-02-06T14:45:00.000-06:002020-02-06T14:47:52.400-06:00Novel Security<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/safebooksbyrick/" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.facebook.com/safebooksbyrick/" border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="960" height="187" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e2MiQWEDjs4/Xjxqvrrw-mI/AAAAAAAAJVw/2WU2_Dp_qOQw5tSgmgzEIOXOCKHNm3yBACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Novel%2BSecurity%2BBanner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have started making and selling safebooks. Safebooks are books that have been hollowed out, creating a great place to hide valuables in plain sight. <br />
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Safebooks make excellent gifts for yourself or others. They are quite affordable, starting at only $20. There are two upgrades available: magnetic closures and pick and pluck foam. Each upgrade is $15 each.<br />
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I make safebooks out of a variety of novels, textbooks, dictionaries, etc and can often fulfill special requests. I will also cut a book that you provide, creating that extra personal touch.<br />
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I will be happy to mail your custom safebook at actual USPS postage. Special orders can take up to two weeks to create by hand.<br />
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Below are some examples of books I have made. If they are still for sale, the details of the booksafe will be in the caption.<br />
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For an up to date look at my inventory, please click this <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/safebooksbyrick/photos/?tab=album&album_id=122719369245579" target="_blank">link</a> in FaceBook.<br />
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Contact me at this <a href="mailto:rboyne@gmail.com" target="_blank">email address</a> with inquiries. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SBivIZx3pys/Xjx4uTob98I/AAAAAAAAJWE/lF8cLAaJ52w_fCNhpiChf3qRjMrfzN9fACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/26a%2BYearbook%2B1971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SBivIZx3pys/Xjx4uTob98I/AAAAAAAAJWE/lF8cLAaJ52w_fCNhpiChf3qRjMrfzN9fACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/26a%2BYearbook%2B1971.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#26 F&W 1971 Approx inside dimensions 4 x 7 x 1.25 $20</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O1hCUwJVpXo/Xjx4uL3M1sI/AAAAAAAAJV8/B6CWDVVtZzkTzaHdiQP9po06dRwROno4gCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/26b%2BYearbook%2B1971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O1hCUwJVpXo/Xjx4uL3M1sI/AAAAAAAAJV8/B6CWDVVtZzkTzaHdiQP9po06dRwROno4gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/26b%2BYearbook%2B1971.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#26 F&W 1971 Approx inside dimensions 4 x 7 x 1.25 $20</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmAHEEdKino/Xjx4ucb5sGI/AAAAAAAAJWA/x6cM6JYq8Wgl5rATwXA_VVMdFWfPOyVJACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/27a%2BBankruptcy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmAHEEdKino/Xjx4ucb5sGI/AAAAAAAAJWA/x6cM6JYq8Wgl5rATwXA_VVMdFWfPOyVJACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/27a%2BBankruptcy.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#27 USCA Bankruptcy Approx inside dimensions 4 x 7.75 x 1.25 $20</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EnYQ4AHlG6A/Xjx4uw_i2KI/AAAAAAAAJWI/dHpEJTy3qTIb8CKhfklvMZdyV05W2GgKACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/27b%2BBankruptcy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EnYQ4AHlG6A/Xjx4uw_i2KI/AAAAAAAAJWI/dHpEJTy3qTIb8CKhfklvMZdyV05W2GgKACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/27b%2BBankruptcy.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#27 USCA Bankruptcy Approx inside dimensions 4 x 7.75 x 1.25 $20</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tXxlVdYyyGQ/Xjx4vPtNfBI/AAAAAAAAJWM/0dfFFV6R-4sZcnjrSBrt9U2QlQculiCmgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/46a%2BRunaway%2BJury.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tXxlVdYyyGQ/Xjx4vPtNfBI/AAAAAAAAJWM/0dfFFV6R-4sZcnjrSBrt9U2QlQculiCmgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/46a%2BRunaway%2BJury.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#46 Runaway Jury. Approx inside dimensions 4.5 x 7.5 x 1. $20</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JOwHG_s9Gig/Xjx4vd3_hZI/AAAAAAAAJWQ/kJEBrR48Ac0b6t3gPT1m6miPckAH2bZTACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/46b%2BRunaway%2BJury.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JOwHG_s9Gig/Xjx4vd3_hZI/AAAAAAAAJWQ/kJEBrR48Ac0b6t3gPT1m6miPckAH2bZTACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/46b%2BRunaway%2BJury.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#46 Runaway Jury. Approx inside dimensions 4.5 x 7.5 x 1. $20</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YjO8V8VTgdQ/Xjx4vy8wgpI/AAAAAAAAJWU/tYIy53aVzQILdRVsQO4JOrWGD1Z_a-oBACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/47a%2BHidden%2BPrey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YjO8V8VTgdQ/Xjx4vy8wgpI/AAAAAAAAJWU/tYIy53aVzQILdRVsQO4JOrWGD1Z_a-oBACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/47a%2BHidden%2BPrey.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#47 Hidden Prey. Approx inside dimensions 4.25 x 7.25 x 1. $20</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nbwBAhLRtBs/Xjx4wbKq_NI/AAAAAAAAJWY/5KhaLhUyMdoDcfabHk2Ms9FWb88M-sneACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/47b%2BHidden%2BPrey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nbwBAhLRtBs/Xjx4wbKq_NI/AAAAAAAAJWY/5KhaLhUyMdoDcfabHk2Ms9FWb88M-sneACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/47b%2BHidden%2BPrey.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#47 Hidden Prey. Approx inside dimensions 4.25 x 7.25 x 1. $20</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x3xLOWzI2pY/Xjx4x-E6jVI/AAAAAAAAJWc/vPvz994-O4s0Qult6nJVU7QxKhKa0rD5ACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x3xLOWzI2pY/Xjx4x-E6jVI/AAAAAAAAJWc/vPvz994-O4s0Qult6nJVU7QxKhKa0rD5ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3803.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whose Broad Stars - Magnetic Closures and Foam - $50</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JURRgdrhHU8/Xjx4zo7EwbI/AAAAAAAAJWs/KUkH78rJZMEdlkFkXhOc-ks6VuU1MvIxgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JURRgdrhHU8/Xjx4zo7EwbI/AAAAAAAAJWs/KUkH78rJZMEdlkFkXhOc-ks6VuU1MvIxgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3804.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whose Broad Stars - Magnetic Closures and Foam - $50</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ify80zkHE6M/Xjx4y03HqLI/AAAAAAAAJWg/xCzjw13Mb-UWAXT0tlL4rLgjZMkmM_bFgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ify80zkHE6M/Xjx4y03HqLI/AAAAAAAAJWg/xCzjw13Mb-UWAXT0tlL4rLgjZMkmM_bFgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3806.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whose Broad Stars - Magnetic Closures and Foam - $50</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-96u-Qe5vrX4/Xjx4y6M2jnI/AAAAAAAAJWk/UKXXfOEVGogmFR1TgxbBmqLIt9EbeMfYACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-96u-Qe5vrX4/Xjx4y6M2jnI/AAAAAAAAJWk/UKXXfOEVGogmFR1TgxbBmqLIt9EbeMfYACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/owl.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Special Order - Not for Sale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wpNpsXL5EiE/Xjx4zqd1BpI/AAAAAAAAJWo/Sh3TMMZKuXQfKYG9IoDkMbRMjpFLuZh0wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/raccoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wpNpsXL5EiE/Xjx4zqd1BpI/AAAAAAAAJWo/Sh3TMMZKuXQfKYG9IoDkMbRMjpFLuZh0wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/raccoon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Special Order - Not for Sale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zAV0qhnsElc/Xjx4zjFkU5I/AAAAAAAAJW0/hd5YGWFfjKMvlUFd3IxlkhuuLkMvRQeJwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/redleather1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zAV0qhnsElc/Xjx4zjFkU5I/AAAAAAAAJW0/hd5YGWFfjKMvlUFd3IxlkhuuLkMvRQeJwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/redleather1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Leather - SOLD</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6sxkVI-bWaU/Xjx40AaAE9I/AAAAAAAAJWw/VDssyUHey2MDlxphVk5g7kEw-x_WS_zXACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/redleather2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6sxkVI-bWaU/Xjx40AaAE9I/AAAAAAAAJWw/VDssyUHey2MDlxphVk5g7kEw-x_WS_zXACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/redleather2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Leather - SOLD</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-61671041130744111932019-08-03T00:30:00.000-05:002019-08-03T00:30:10.128-05:0015 Years on BloggerToday marks 15 years that I first began my blog. I was in Thailand at the time and thought it was a good thing to do.<br />
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Then came Facebook.<br />
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My blog has certainly suffered in the past 5 years or so. Facebook fulfills my need for posting pictures and such.<br />
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But the blog has it's place, too. When I want to mark an occasion or when I want to expound on a subject that might be censored by FB, I write it here.<br />
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There is a big of ego-stroking, I'll have to admit, in having a blog with your name on it. Frankly, when I bought the domain, I was hoping to become a published author and this would be my platform. I still hope and dream.<br />
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Nevertheless, BoyneBlog or now, RickBoyne.com is still alive.<br />
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Thanks for reading. Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-66954904645492551122019-08-01T11:00:00.002-05:002019-08-01T11:01:51.155-05:0012 Years as Pastor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CZ8PGhCtPV0/XUMMSsk11LI/AAAAAAAAJMY/qcMRb5ylusgGi4xdmw_FhAAlj8WYwZoBwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CZ8PGhCtPV0/XUMMSsk11LI/AAAAAAAAJMY/qcMRb5ylusgGi4xdmw_FhAAlj8WYwZoBwCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_9144.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
Today marks 12 years that God called me to pastor Immanuel Southern Baptist Church. I have seen many blessings in these 12 years. Many ups and many downs. Many joyful occasions and many sorrowful ones.<br />
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I have baptized new believers and presided over baby dedications, baptisms, weddings and funerals. I have offered countless prayers for the sick or discouraged, delivered somewhere in the neighborhood of 1000 messages, and led thousands of songs.<br />
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I've had pies in my face, been dunked in a dunk tank, and dressed up in crazy costumes for Vacation Bible School. I driven thousands of miles, attended hundreds of meetings, and know how to navigate every hospital in NE OK. <br />
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But it isn't all about me. For sure. It is God Who has been at work at ISBC. He is the One who has saved souls and transformed lives. He is the One who gives comfort and healing. He is the One who stirs the hearts of men and women, boys and girls, to hunger for His Word, to live according to righteousness, and to have a passion for the lost. I am merely a tool in His hand.<br />
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I praise God for His faithfulness to His congregation and to me and my family. God is good, all the time!Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-21749926692231063922019-04-18T02:16:00.001-05:002019-04-18T02:16:00.424-05:0020,000 Days AgoI was born 20,000 days ago! That is quite a thing to think about.<br />
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I've been thinking about it for a long time, as I actually created this post on October 5, 2010, in anticipation of this day.<br />
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The Bible says to "count your days", so I did!Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-60093472160124697582019-04-03T11:11:00.003-05:002019-04-03T11:14:50.558-05:00A Quote from my Sermon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQn1Bi7WKg0/XKTbKLUBV7I/AAAAAAAAJKw/SAc_obysP6UfHnKSmcRVu5N3YRblXLQGwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="1125" height="316" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQn1Bi7WKg0/XKTbKLUBV7I/AAAAAAAAJKw/SAc_obysP6UfHnKSmcRVu5N3YRblXLQGwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_6196.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-57751781797410785772019-03-15T13:29:00.000-05:002019-03-15T13:29:51.881-05:00My Grandmother Was A Life-long DemocratMy maternal grandmother was a life-long Democrat.<br />
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She would always give me the party line: Republicans are for the rich; Democrats are for the common man.<br />
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In the fifteen to twenty years prior to her death, she really razzed me for ditching the Democrats. Her relatives would pull funny pranks on her like getting a picture of George Bush and having it faked autographed to his "biggest fan."<br />
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She was of, what I would call, the "old Democratic party." Back before they changed.<br />
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A few years before she passed away in 2012, after Obama had been president for a couple years, she called me and said she desperately needed to speak with me. While we didn't see eye to eye in politics, we held the same moral values.<br />
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She said that she felt the Democratic party had changed to the point that she no longer felt comfortable calling herself a Democrat. She said they no longer were for the common man, but seemed to be trying to tear America down.<br />
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She asked this question, "Without becoming a Republican, what else can I be?"<br />
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I knew this was something very serious, as for as long as I could remember, she said she would always be a Democrat.<br />
<br />
So, we talked about her choices. We talked about becoming a Libertarian. She didn't like that so much because it sounded too much like becoming a Liberal. We talked about her becoming an Independent. She didn't really like that because there aren't too many Independent candidates in Oklahoma and many of the local elections are settled in the primaries.<br />
<br />
In the end, she finally asked me about the Republican party. As I explained things the best I knew how, she exclaimed, "Well that's not what I thought they were at all!" She went on to say that they sounded more like she believed than she was led to believe.<br />
<br />
She didn't make it to the next presidential election. As her health rapidly declined, I don't think she was ever able to register in a different party.<br />
<br />
But I know that this life-long Democrat left the Democratic Party over values.<br />
<br />
Let's face it; the Democratic Party today isn't the Democratic Party it was even 25 years ago. In recent DNC events, they tried to remove God from their platform and actually booed when the moderator fudged to get it back in.<br />
<br />
In the 2016 election, they completely rigged the system against Bernie Sanders, then reportedly paid him off for his trouble.<br />
<br />
In the past two years, they have doubled down against the traditional values in America, seemingly for the sole purpose of getting votes to remain in power.<br />
<br />
They are willing to kill babies at the time of their birth.<br />
<br />
They think the government should pay for sex-change operations.<br />
<br />
They think the borders should be left wide open.<br />
<br />
They have openly called for the confiscation of guns.<br />
<br />
The list goes on.<br />
<br />
Here's the deal. I'm not advocating anyone necessarily becoming a Republican, but please, for the love of God and country, walk away from the Democrats. Wake up and see what they are doing to our country.<br />
<br />
No political party is perfect, for it is man's institution. And good grief, the Republicans have their own problems! To be honest, I wish we had something called the Patriot's Party that was the real deal alternative to the the big 2.<br />
<br />
Most of the local elections where I live seldom have any third party candidates, and often, they only have Republican candidates, so, I'll stay put where I am for a while. I'd almost become a Libertarian, except for their views on abortion and marijuana.<br />
<br />
But it says a lot to me, when a woman in her 90's, is seeking to find something different because in good conscience, she could not longer be a Democrat. Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-41525038255729056382019-02-08T10:33:00.000-06:002019-02-08T10:33:36.580-06:00A Tribute to Bill Sherrill<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9xvXkgTCkUo/XF2rLZzVOvI/AAAAAAAAJDk/jCxQbihtRWMc6lix8cwGB0Z0NlysAsw9gCLcBGAs/s1600/Bill%2Band%2BBeth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="492" height="288" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9xvXkgTCkUo/XF2rLZzVOvI/AAAAAAAAJDk/jCxQbihtRWMc6lix8cwGB0Z0NlysAsw9gCLcBGAs/s320/Bill%2Band%2BBeth.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill and Beth Sherrill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My friend and mentor, Bill Sherrill, finished his journey on this earth and went to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, this week.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xhBTTQ1Y_Ss/XF2sd_oP0ZI/AAAAAAAAJDw/_hutaU3PVHMAYnV067GBHwhCumSXg_tCgCLcBGAs/s1600/Rick%2Band%2BBill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xhBTTQ1Y_Ss/XF2sd_oP0ZI/AAAAAAAAJDw/_hutaU3PVHMAYnV067GBHwhCumSXg_tCgCLcBGAs/s320/Rick%2Band%2BBill.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill and Me in 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I first met Bill back in 2007 when I first arrived back to the US after serving with the IMB for a decade.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_svAofEr3ts/XF2uabWSZ0I/AAAAAAAAJEA/jyR9maOEwLwB_6nz7ZjiobVI9VmqpGIsQCLcBGAs/s1600/2013%2Bstaff%2Bpic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_svAofEr3ts/XF2uabWSZ0I/AAAAAAAAJEA/jyR9maOEwLwB_6nz7ZjiobVI9VmqpGIsQCLcBGAs/s320/2013%2Bstaff%2Bpic.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2013 KBA Staff Pic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A lot of what I have to say about Bill, I wrote in a tribute to him when he retired two years ago because of the effects of a brain tumor and its treatment.<br />
<br />
Here is that tribute:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For the past
9 ½ years, you have been my pastoral mentor. You have invested in my life to
help me be a better pastor; a better man. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You have
walked with me through some very difficult times in ministry and in my personal
life and celebrated with me when all seemed to be right in the world.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Bill, you
are an example of a godly man. You are generous and loving. I know you to be
righteous and zealous for the Lord. In the face of difficult circumstances, your
motto has been, “I’m just trusting the Lord; He knows best.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When Sally
and I first returned from the mission field, you spent hours with me helping to
determine what God had next for us. You spent an entire day driving me around
to all the pastorless churches in our Association and prayed with me at each
church for God’s direction.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Over
countless meals, we’ve discussed theology, missiology, eschatology, soteriology,
ecclesiology, and every other kind of ology you can think of. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And sometimes, just talked about the weather,
because that’s what friends do.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We have
laughed together; cried together; traveled together; worked together; and even
schemed together. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Through all
of this I have come to know several things that are patently obvious:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You love the
Lord with all your heart.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You love
Beth and married WAY above your station.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You love your
family: your kids and grandkids.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You love
this Association.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You love
people and want to see lost people saved and God’s kingdom increased.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I also know
that you care about me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[And if you
know Bill at all, you know he cares about you, too.]</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As you write
this next chapter of your life, I want to remember that God isn’t finished with
you yet. You don’t get to fully retire from ministry until you hear “well done,
good and faithful servant.” I want to encourage you to find a place of service.
As long as you are breathing, you are important in God’s Kingdom. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I want to
thank you, Bill, because you’ve made a difference in my life.</span></div>
</blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EsN7qPqLx8g/XF2u1BgaBWI/AAAAAAAAJEI/QG9gH9iGvQE80wYfAg5nQf4CsLiZgbOpwCLcBGAs/s1600/MBA%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EsN7qPqLx8g/XF2u1BgaBWI/AAAAAAAAJEI/QG9gH9iGvQE80wYfAg5nQf4CsLiZgbOpwCLcBGAs/s320/MBA%2B001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Addressing the pastors of the Muskogee Baptist Association in 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We are going to bury Bill's earthly tabernacle today. But, as fellow believers in Jesus Christ, we will see him again. I'm going to miss my friend. Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-2578943329459156232019-02-05T16:11:00.002-06:002019-02-05T16:11:45.798-06:00Racism? Hate Speech? Seriously?<div data-contents="true">
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="4u6d0" data-offset-key="dc5sv-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dc5sv-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="dc5sv-0-0"><span data-text="true">When I was critical of </span></span><span class="_5zk7" data-offset-key="dc5sv-1-0" spellcheck="false" start="23"><span data-offset-key="dc5sv-1-0"><span data-text="true">Obama</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="dc5sv-2-0"><span data-text="true">, I was accused of hate speech. When I express approval for </span></span><span class="_5zk7" data-offset-key="dc5sv-3-0" spellcheck="false" start="89"><span data-offset-key="dc5sv-3-0"><span data-text="true">Trump</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="dc5sv-4-0"><span data-text="true">, I am accused of hate speech. Yet, actual threats and hate speech towards </span></span><span class="_5zk7" data-offset-key="dc5sv-5-0" spellcheck="false" start="170"><span data-offset-key="dc5sv-5-0"><span data-text="true">POTUS45</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="dc5sv-6-0"><span data-text="true"> are not just ignored, but encouraged.</span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dc5sv-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="dc5sv-6-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dc5sv-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="dc5sv-6-0"><span data-text="true">I found out today, that anyone who rooted for the Rams in the Superbowl was against Trump and anyone who rooted for the Patriots was racists and pro-Trump. That's news to me. And, that is just about the silliest thing I've ever heard.</span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dc5sv-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="dc5sv-6-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dc5sv-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="dc5sv-6-0"><span data-text="true">I really thought things were improving after the disaster called the Obama Administration. He single-handedly set back race-relations 100 years and placed incredible moral stumbling blocks for the easily influenced in the form of gender/sexuality/marriage ambiguities.</span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dc5sv-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="dc5sv-6-0"><span data-text="true"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dc5sv-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="dc5sv-6-0"><span data-text="true">Is it all Obama's fault? Of course not. But he certainly wasn't America's savior.</span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dc5sv-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="dc5sv-6-0"><span data-text="true"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dc5sv-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="dc5sv-6-0"><span data-text="true">Is Trump America's savior? Of course not. But at least he doesn't hate America.</span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dc5sv-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="dc5sv-6-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dc5sv-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="dc5sv-6-0"><span data-text="true">A few days ago, I was accused of being a racist because I suggested someone check their facts. CHECK THEIR FACTS. Wow. </span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dc5sv-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="dc5sv-6-0"><span data-text="true"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dc5sv-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="dc5sv-6-0"><span data-text="true">Let's give this racism/hate speech card a rest for a little while. Maybe we just all need a break from Facebook and Twitter....</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-57502808446842452572018-03-06T13:28:00.000-06:002018-03-06T13:28:28.531-06:0030 Years Ago in ChinaI first stepped foot into China 30 years ago. It was a different place then.<br />
<br />First of all, there were bicycles EVERYWHERE! And hardly any cars at all. They had taxis and delivery vehicles and official vehicles and military vehicles and buses. But practically no one had private ownership of a car.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_xipp9wdX1U/Wp7nnlaUpvI/AAAAAAAAI0c/B_-YcLhAA4A9vRjHpV1qMC54nGlLedVUQCLcBGAs/s1600/china%2Bbikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_xipp9wdX1U/Wp7nnlaUpvI/AAAAAAAAI0c/B_-YcLhAA4A9vRjHpV1qMC54nGlLedVUQCLcBGAs/s320/china%2Bbikes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is not my original pic, but is representative. This is Wuhan in 1980.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Second of all, foreigners were only issued "Foreign Exchange Certificates" instead of the Renminbi, or the People's Money. In fact, you had to have a special permit to use Renminbi if you were a foreigner. The exchange for the FEC was similar to what it is now (~8FEC to 1USD), but you could get over 60 RMB to 1 USD on the black market. (Just don't get caught with it!) Outside of the very large cities, no one knew what an FEC even was.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m14SypUjU1c/Wp7kW1cvmqI/AAAAAAAAI0I/1sUZ1WYKwkw7suQ-wX-CWLe7BhUgVg5OQCLcBGAs/s1600/FEC-01YB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="148" data-original-width="394" height="120" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m14SypUjU1c/Wp7kW1cvmqI/AAAAAAAAI0I/1sUZ1WYKwkw7suQ-wX-CWLe7BhUgVg5OQCLcBGAs/s320/FEC-01YB.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8G36laaJeCg/Wp7kcNCN-sI/AAAAAAAAI0M/qo9MQ-vbtPgEwGzXp7IdXGthbBLrI3rzwCLcBGAs/s1600/100-yuan-bank-of-china-foreign-exchange-certificate-green-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="1362" height="130" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8G36laaJeCg/Wp7kcNCN-sI/AAAAAAAAI0M/qo9MQ-vbtPgEwGzXp7IdXGthbBLrI3rzwCLcBGAs/s320/100-yuan-bank-of-china-foreign-exchange-certificate-green-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Thirdly, Americans (and other Caucasian foreigners) were still a rare sight. A year or so after my first visit, I was in the Guangzhou Zoo. A friend and I were watching the pit of monkeys (maybe 100 or so) and we noticed that the 400-500 Chinese were no longer watching the monkeys, but were watching US watch the monkeys! Very strange indeed!<br />
<br />
When I lived in Hong Kong, I traveled over the border many times. It was described as going back 100 years in just 12 miles. And it was like that. I used to smuggle in Scripture and religious materials from Hong Kong. It was against the law, yet I always declared it on my customs form. They would ask to see it and I would show them my Bible. I would speak very fast and tell them that this was my Bible and it was for me alone to use and I have a whole lot more in my bag, but THIS is my Bible. They never looked in my bag. If I remember right, the customs form at that time, asked if you had drugs, guns, pornography or Bibles.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cik6Cy_VOj8/U8H7iQ2h-VI/AAAAAAAAIfg/Ae3yIEeH6IU0cDQiigzx_I_kEX8etYBUQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/great%2Bwall%2B1990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="743" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cik6Cy_VOj8/U8H7iQ2h-VI/AAAAAAAAIfg/Ae3yIEeH6IU0cDQiigzx_I_kEX8etYBUQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/great%2Bwall%2B1990.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In 1990 at the Great Wall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have many wonderful memories of my many visits to China over the past 30 years. It is really hard to find any remnant of the China I remember. But I have my memories.<br />Pray for the people of China. Pray that God would draw them to Himself and that they would know Jesus. <br /><br />
<br />Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832361.post-38889518549330256612017-12-05T09:58:00.000-06:002017-12-05T09:58:49.290-06:0025 Years and counting....<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-deQvoxoP0_M/Wia2WpRFReI/AAAAAAAAIv0/BV-K5ghoqT8OGg-Qw6fnsRO-4lcweZcUQCLcBGAs/s1600/Rick%2B%2526%2BSally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="998" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-deQvoxoP0_M/Wia2WpRFReI/AAAAAAAAIv0/BV-K5ghoqT8OGg-Qw6fnsRO-4lcweZcUQCLcBGAs/s320/Rick%2B%2526%2BSally.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December 5, 1992</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Twenty-five years ago, at First Baptist Church, Vinita, Ok, Sally and I were united in marriage.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pRHTa7bwB78/Wia2WxVQJUI/AAAAAAAAIv8/QHj22UNFzlYr7SuCBiKgw4QAlnkQs-ULwCLcBGAs/s1600/scan0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1355" data-original-width="1030" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pRHTa7bwB78/Wia2WxVQJUI/AAAAAAAAIv8/QHj22UNFzlYr7SuCBiKgw4QAlnkQs-ULwCLcBGAs/s320/scan0019.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sally's dad walking her down the aisle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Looking back, it seems we were just kids, although we had waited longer than most of our friends to get married.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0qMYFV2XqaQ/Wia2W1wFekI/AAAAAAAAIv4/FRe7mvb38zMKGbnCqLPQKTdR7gn-YdKgwCLcBGAs/s1600/scan0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1427" height="215" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0qMYFV2XqaQ/Wia2W1wFekI/AAAAAAAAIv4/FRe7mvb38zMKGbnCqLPQKTdR7gn-YdKgwCLcBGAs/s320/scan0026.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her parents, us, my parents.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It has been a wonderful journey that God has led us on; to serve Him all around the world.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ultcke4H9mM/Wia2XaGGzmI/AAAAAAAAIwA/v8jtd6B-0OQNqk59aFCrli3yqHVQo2mgACLcBGAs/s1600/scan0036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1430" height="215" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ultcke4H9mM/Wia2XaGGzmI/AAAAAAAAIwA/v8jtd6B-0OQNqk59aFCrli3yqHVQo2mgACLcBGAs/s320/scan0036.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A moment of quiet in a busy day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
God has blessed us abundantly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gh-hZ1CNBws/Wia4nJP3moI/AAAAAAAAIwE/uAxUs0u8M-If1gaBy32Yl5HBXiT9ktMmACLcBGAs/s1600/041198b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gh-hZ1CNBws/Wia4nJP3moI/AAAAAAAAIwE/uAxUs0u8M-If1gaBy32Yl5HBXiT9ktMmACLcBGAs/s1600/041198b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Audrey's 2nd birthday in Vinita, OK.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He blessed us with Audrey.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UH_YOb4xgCc/Wia6688XCkI/AAAAAAAAIwI/IcvASnHL-iEqM0VQqo4tvVF458MQtXOXwCLcBGAs/s1600/birthday%2Bfamily.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UH_YOb4xgCc/Wia6688XCkI/AAAAAAAAIwI/IcvASnHL-iEqM0VQqo4tvVF458MQtXOXwCLcBGAs/s320/birthday%2Bfamily.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily, Me, Audrey, Sally in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He blessed us with Emily.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iWyfLBinfJQ/Wia7KHeWxrI/AAAAAAAAIwQ/XxFPR5y32PYnW2UBcyp-l7lt1LR9xb52ACLcBGAs/s1600/Picture%2B078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iWyfLBinfJQ/Wia7KHeWxrI/AAAAAAAAIwQ/XxFPR5y32PYnW2UBcyp-l7lt1LR9xb52ACLcBGAs/s320/Picture%2B078.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our family in Mongolia in 2004.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He blessed us with being able to see His creation.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cnxeiPp3pxA/Wia7O-E13DI/AAAAAAAAIwU/lf53AxN_6Nc6GBTmY52PSR3bQ6Dl6ZhSwCLcBGAs/s1600/Picture%2B237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cnxeiPp3pxA/Wia7O-E13DI/AAAAAAAAIwU/lf53AxN_6Nc6GBTmY52PSR3bQ6Dl6ZhSwCLcBGAs/s320/Picture%2B237.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beijing, 2004.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And pray for people all over the world.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jbDWEcWw59g/Wia76cNDtXI/AAAAAAAAIwY/mB4Q4-rZcoQajoGiSI2WAET_e_N3yt4eQCLcBGAs/s1600/Boynes%2Bin%2BHK1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jbDWEcWw59g/Wia76cNDtXI/AAAAAAAAIwY/mB4Q4-rZcoQajoGiSI2WAET_e_N3yt4eQCLcBGAs/s320/Boynes%2Bin%2BHK1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hong Kong, 2005</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We have been blessed to live all over the world, too.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vlTUXrwhPv0/Wia8KAQ2MnI/AAAAAAAAIwc/sw7Es7jPbVQ2Gv6U4BYUQZ42LO6bZuarwCLcBGAs/s1600/Samui%2B2004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="406" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vlTUXrwhPv0/Wia8KAQ2MnI/AAAAAAAAIwc/sw7Es7jPbVQ2Gv6U4BYUQZ42LO6bZuarwCLcBGAs/s320/Samui%2B2004.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Koh Samui, Thailand, 2005</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And enjoy great family adventures together.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wZ9t7a0HhH4/Wia9B_DVlOI/AAAAAAAAIwg/miPPI25H3ccgFmcO4vXPjWsAp8o_N4ziACLcBGAs/s1600/1st-anniversary-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wZ9t7a0HhH4/Wia9B_DVlOI/AAAAAAAAIwg/miPPI25H3ccgFmcO4vXPjWsAp8o_N4ziACLcBGAs/s320/1st-anniversary-002.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 1st Anniversary as pastor at Immanuel Southern Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK 2008.</td></tr>
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Then, He brought us back to Oklahoma, we He has allowed us to serve Him at "home."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W8ZiwYW0uE8/Wia94xmDtdI/AAAAAAAAIwo/m8UytqW_9oIBUzOOORmIGYT8SJ_LbKqwACLcBGAs/s1600/Boyne%2B2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="960" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W8ZiwYW0uE8/Wia94xmDtdI/AAAAAAAAIwo/m8UytqW_9oIBUzOOORmIGYT8SJ_LbKqwACLcBGAs/s320/Boyne%2B2017.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily, JD, Audrey, Sally, Rick, Wagoner, OK 2017</td></tr>
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We added John Ellis to the family last year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vpoHIQRp1n8/Wia9NBk965I/AAAAAAAAIwk/TS_HAI_m8SwUWtxoP6P9inJGj3KZezG0ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vpoHIQRp1n8/Wia9NBk965I/AAAAAAAAIwk/TS_HAI_m8SwUWtxoP6P9inJGj3KZezG0ACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2038.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Western Wall in Jerusalem.</td></tr>
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Our adventures will continue.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VxcySf5veUY/Wia-G8JohCI/AAAAAAAAIws/bn7uYxva0Eom9SlIfblFyTs0ckH_QvlLgCLcBGAs/s1600/25th%2BAnniversary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VxcySf5veUY/Wia-G8JohCI/AAAAAAAAIws/bn7uYxva0Eom9SlIfblFyTs0ckH_QvlLgCLcBGAs/s320/25th%2BAnniversary.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A continuing love story.</td></tr>
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Now, with an empty nest, we will continue to serve the Lord. Continue to fall in love with each other even more every day!<br />
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Thank you, Lord, for my wife and family. May you continue to bless us that we might be a blessing to others!<br />
<br />Rick Boynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14518041582653090943noreply@blogger.com0