No Words

 I am a pastor AND an author.

Yet, sometimes, I am without words.

The audacity of some people never ceases to amaze me. 

Their arrogance baffles my mind.

Their capacity for indifference for anyone but themselves shatters my understanding.

If I respond, I've taken the bait.

If I don't respond, I'm a coward.

Either way, I'll be criticized.

Good thing my identity isn't wrapped up in pleasing people who don't like me.

Google Ads

I decided to subscribe to Google Ads and allow them to place ads on my blog to generate a little extra revenue.  Unfortunately, not many people are clicking on the ads (the way I get paid) so far, and I haven't been paid anything yet.

I am able to decide what categories of ads Google places.  I decided to allow them the "religious" topic.  UNFORTUNATELY, the Mormons have LOTS of Google ads and they appear on my blog frequently.

Under no circumstances do I endorse ANY of the ads that Google places on my site, but especially the Mormon ads.  DO NOT CLICK the Mormon ads.  I would block them, if I could figure how to do it.

Otherwise, if you see an ad that interests you, PLEASE FEEL FREE to click on it.

Making Progress

For those of you who know me personally, you've know that I've been on a quest to shed some pounds lately.  I've been making pretty good progress.

But then came Thanksgiving.

I weigh myself on Thursday mornings, bright and early.  I did so a week before Thanksgiving, but didn't bother last week, as I wasn't home that morning and it was Thanksgiving Day...

Well, the moment of truth arrived this morning and I am pleased to report that I lost about three pounds in the last two weeks!

That brings my total lost to just under 57 lbs!

That makes me very happy.

Yes, I still have quite a way to go; I've been much too overweight for much too long.  In fact, I've struggled with my weight since puberty.

But, for today, I weigh a bit less than I did when I got married nearly 18 years ago!  In fact, I haven't weighed this amount since I lost weight to pass my physical to become a missionary 12 years ago.

The difference, I think (I hope) is that I'm doing it because I want to, not because I "have" to.  I realize it is going to be a life-long struggle against being overweight and I think I've finally come to grips with that.

That doesn't mean I like it; I don't.  Not at all.

But, for your viewing pleasure, here is a little photo montage of my weight loss journey, so far.

Angry People

Over the past week, I've encountered several angry people.  Some of them have seemingly been angered by things I've written; others have been angry over things I don't have anything to do with.

Those who have expressed their displeasure with me, have done so because I've simply expressed the Truth of God in a way that wasn't directed at anyone and goes against the so-called "political correctness."

Those who have expressed their displeasure with someone besides me, but whom I had the "opportunity" to hear out, seem to be angry with organizations or institutions.

What I've seen in common, at least with these people in the past couple of weeks, is that they are so angry, they aren't being reasonable.  Instead of responding in a thoughtful manner, they react like a shotgun going off in a crowd.

One person who was angry with something I wrote, wasn't able to respond immediately and wrote a note several days later.  I was expecting a measured rational response, but instead, I got a litany of criticism, attacking me personally, instead of the Truth of what I had written.

99% of the time, it doesn't bother me.  I realize that, many times, people are convicted by God's Truth and are rebelling against God, not me. 

I honestly don't mind being politically incorrect if it means that I am pleasing God.  But I'm not going to be be politically incorrect just for the fun of it.  If I'm not standing on the side of God's Truth, then it just isn't worth it; especially when it comes to hurting friends. 

Some of these angry people's ramblings, however, are worthy of some sort of creative writing award.  Completely ignoring facts and Truth, they spew ridiculous statements that only enforce their perverted and/or skewed perspectives.  Something along the lines of "Professing to be wise, they became as fools." (Romans 1:22)

I wouldn't intentionally write something targeting anyone; that doesn't make sense.  But I'm not going to compromise God's Truth, either.

KBA

We had a wonderful time at KBA this year.  (Kiamichi Baptist Assembly).  There were 675 campers and 67 professions of faith!

The tabernacle has been refurbished and looks wonderful! The ceiling is clean metal and there are two LCD projectors for words and/or pictures.

How Rich Are You Really?

Do you think you are rich or poor?

Most of us think we could be better off, but that is because we constantly compare ourselves to people who are richer than us.

Let's take a look at the big picture for moment.

According to the World Bank Research Group, the average annual wage around the world is about $6000.  That's PER YEAR!

If you want to see how well off you really are, go to this site: http://globalrichlist.com/  and plug in your annual salary.

If you consider your earthly wealth to define who you are, then you have your confidence in something that is insecure and could/will not last forever.

Put your confidence in Jesus Christ; an investment in Him will not disappoint!

[HT: Dave Scott]

A Word of Caution

Recently, while serving as the security guy at church camp, I had a police officer man the security hut for a while. We ended up chatting the whole time he had signed up to volunteer for that hour of service. He told me many police stories, some funny; others sad.

One thing he did tell me however, really startled me.

He said that with the new Sex Offender Laws, if you are arrested for urinating in public, you will become a registered sex offender!

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!

He said generally police officers are extremely reluctant to actually arrest anyone for that now, because it will literally ruin their lives! He said that there are some hard-nosed cops, however, that are zealous at it.

He went on to say that the biggest offender of this "code" is women!!!!

His advice: wait until you find a bathroom; it may just ruin your life if you don't!

(truth is stranger than fiction)

Man "finally" happy with 25th wife

After 24 failed marriages, a 49-year-old porter in eastern Nepal says that he has finally found happiness in his latest union.

The simple reason is that the landless labourer's latest marriage seems to be working out, unlike the previous ones.

Ramchandra Katuwal, of Khandbari municipality in Sankhuwasava, and his wife recently celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary.

He says that his marriage to Sharada has been a "journey of happiness".

[HT: Harold Clark]

July?

How in the world can it be July already?

I might as well give you an update as to the current status of things:

My grandmother is home from the hospital. She is still having difficulty sleeping. Mom said she did have a good night last night, though. Thanks for your prayers, but continue to lift her up to God.

I'm feeling rather melancholy from all of the contact with IMB folks this week. A good friend of mine called me this morning for a chat. I planted a church in HK with them back in 1989-90. (New Hope Baptist Church). They are retired (sort of) and living in Knoxville.

There is a 1964 Ford Falcon convertible for sale in town for an extremely reasonable price. The only problem is, is that we don't have a garage to put it in. It is definitely a parade car. Sally has wanted one since we got married, but I can't see leaving it out in the weather. (It is sky blue)

I'm ready to go fishing, but the lake is too high to get to my dad's dock.

I'm working really hard (except for right this moment, when I'm blogging) to be completely ready for Sunday by Thursday so I can take Friday and Saturday "off".

Sally starts her "new" new job next Monday. She was head-hunted by Muskogee Public Schools and will be their federal grants secretary.

The girls are bored, but there isn't much I can do about it. They can't stay with either grandmother right now for various and sundry reasons. At least they don't fuss. And, they are right next door. I feel bad about it, but I don't know what to do.

The church is doing pretty good. Our attendance is down because of the summer-time, though. I am encouraged about all the things that are happening right now. We ordered a fancy new sign that should be here in 6-8 weeks. It will be very, very nice.

Well, I guess that about sums things up. I need to get back to work.

Terri Garr

I have been a fan of Terri Garr for most of my life. She is a hilariously funny actress with great facial expression. I loved her in Mr. Mom, Close Encounters, & Young Frankenstein and on M*A*S*H and Friends. (She was PERFECT as Phoebe's mother!)

She was on David Letterman last night. I had no idea she was suffering from MS and recovering from a brain aneurysm. I felt so sorry for her, except that she had such a great attitude about the whole thing.

Interview

The other day, Cadie Thompson from The Daily called and wanted to interview me about the release of the Oklahoma quarter. She found me as an OU alum on Facebook and saw that I collected coins. You can go to the article here.

Tax Rebate

According to CBS, we should be getting tax rebate of $1800.00. I guess we'll see it when (if) we actually get it. It will sure help us out; I don't think it will do much for the economy. Ours will go to pay off credit card debts.

Oh No!

Well, for the very first time in my life, I've lost something valuable. It wasn't stolen (I think), and I didn't leave it somewhere (I think). I've lost my digital camera. :-(

I had it for sure about 10 days ago, but when Sally and I left for Branson last Thursday, I couldn't find it anywhere. I looked in the church van. I looked in my office. I looked at the Muskogee Baptist Center. I looked at my grandma's house. I've torn the house apart, but the sad fact remains: I've lost my camera.

I am really sad about it, too. It was a very nice Olympus 720 that Sally and the girls got me last Christmas in Hong Kong. It had about 20 pictures that I hadn't downloaded yet. It had a huge storage card in it. It was "weather resistant"; very handy for the likes of me.

We can't afford a new camera right now. I'm going to have to dig out my old Sony with the busted LCD screen. At least it has a view finder so I can take pics.

I miss my camera.

LOOK!!!!!

It must be getting close to Halloween; the Christmas stuff is out at Wal-Mart!

Muskogee Air Show

I went to the Muskogee Air Show at Davis Field last Saturday (since there was no OU game). It was a really great time, except that I got sunburned. The weather was absolutely perfect and they had a fair turnout of attractions. They had about 15 WWII era planes which was pretty cool.


A look at the tarmac.

A beautiful trainer.

Blue Angels

The Blue Angels were the featured attraction.

Their formation flying was incredible.

Muskogee Air Show

This WWII plane had 6 kills.


A "self portrait".

A letter from President Bush

A few weeks ago, Audrey got inspired to write a letter to President Bush. The gist of the letter was to encourage prayer to return to public school and to say that, as a student returning to US schools from overseas, she thought the US educational system was too lax; that they students weren't being challenged enough.

Well, yesterday, a big manila envelope arrived in the mail addressed to Audrey from the White House. It was a very nice letter from President Bush and a photograph of the President and First Lady.

Pretty cool, huh?

This past month, Emily was selected as her school's "student of the month" and this past week Audrey was nominated for a National Junior Leadership Conference Scholarship in Washington, DC!

I am very proud of both of my girls!

"Blast" from the past

How long has it been since you've seen a sign like the one above? I haven't seen one in a very long time. I found this one on the old Muskogee Public Library building, which now houses something else. I hope that they don't ever take the sign down. (or, if they do, they'll give it to me!)

IT'S TRUE!!!!!!

The news has been saying that we will likely see a reduction of SPAM in our email and IT'S TRUE!!!

On a normal day, I get usually45-50 SPAM messages. Today, I got only 14!

Throw the book at that crumb!