Temperature Dropping!

At 4:00 pm today, the temperature was 73 degrees here in Wagoner. At 4:37, the temperature was 56. I had to call the local time and temp to get the accurate temperature, because the internet temperature was still indicating 71 degrees!

I couldn't believe it just now when I stepped outside the church to get something! It was COLD!

Changes in Store for Wagoner/NE OK

Yahoo Forecast

Take a look at the hi's and lo's for today, (Sunday). High of 71. Low of 24. That's quite a difference! The weathermen are calling for ice storms, snow, sleet and freezing rain for Monday through Thursday.

Yikes!

Sam Bradford Wins Heisman!

Sam Bradford

In an award ceremony live from New York City, Oklahoma Sooners quarterback, Sam Bradford, was honored as being the 74th recipient of the most respected award in all of college football; the Heisman Trophy.

This will pit two current Heisman Trophy recipients head to head in the game for the national title on January 8, 2009, in Miami, FL.

Bradford is the fifth Oklahoma player to be awarded this prestigious honor.

Boomer Sooner!

Pakistani Militant Arrested

Cleric Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, the founder of an Islamic militant group, Lashkar-e-Taiba, which India says planned and carried out attacks in Mumbai last month. Pakistan has placed him under house arrest.

That'll take care of the problem. House arrest. Sure. Why not?

Good job, Pakistan!

A little 3rd Grade Christmas Humor

Q: How do you celebrate Christmas on the internet?

A: You simply "e-joice"! [groan]

What if the church were run like an airline?

From Todd Rhoades Blog, Monday Morning Insight:

I travel quite a bit, and have been watching all the up-charges that the airlines have been passing on to customers. From paying for the first checked bag, to fuel surcharges, to purchasing soft drinks, they have really socked it to the consumer with all the new charges. I was thinking... particularly during this economic trying time for many churches, maybe we should take some advice from the airlines. Here are some things that I think we could take from the airline world and apply to our churches that might help get us through these trying times:

--First donut free; each additional donut is 75 cents.

--All aisle seats are now $10/week. Back row premium seating available for $20 per week.

--First ear plug is free. Additional earplugs just $5 each.

--iPod rental with a Perry Noble sermon - $20 upcharge

Oh... there's more...

--Valet parking: $20 plus tip

--No Bible charge: $10

--Cell phone ringing during service: $50 one time charge

--Late to service fee: $10/pp

--"Sing that chorus one less time” request: $20

--Nursery diaper change fee: $5/lb.

--KJV upgrade to NIV: $15

--U-PIC the sermon topic: $250

--Hit job on the organist (rates vary per city/church)

--Online tithing discount rate: 8%

--Music Volume Up fee: $20

--Music Volume Down fee: $20

What would you add?

(Thanks, Todd. This is great!)

Christmas Music on the Web

For a great selection of ALL KINDS of Christmas music, go to AccuHolidays.

BTW

It will be Christmas two weeks from today!!!!!!!

Rare December Tornado Strikes Tulsa Area

Tornado Damage in Wagoner County

A rare December tornado struck in Broken Arrow, a suburb of Tulsa, late Monday night. There was no tornado warning, but no one was injured. About 1000 people were without electricity Tuesday, including an elementary school. Damage was limited, but moderate in the affected area. More than two dozen homes received damage.

Representatives from the National Weather Service did not determine that there was actually a tornado until sometime on Tuesday. They rated it as an EF-1 with wind speeds at 110 mph.

The tornado touched down approximately 25 miles WNW of Wagoner but actually occurred in Wagoner County. This was the first tornado in December for the Tulsa area since 1982.

(Tuesday night, we had a winter weather advisory with icy roads and bridges)

From the "Uhhhh" Category...

PRAYING FOR A MIRACLE S.U.V.’s sat on the altar of Greater Grace Temple, a Pentecostal church in Detroit, as congregants prayed to save the auto industry.

Detroit Churches Pray for "God's Bailout": Read the NY Times story here.

OK, let me be the first to say that we need to take everything to God in prayer. But...

I know that if the car makers close, it will mean economic devastation to Detroit, but the car makers and unions have been so greedy for so long that maybe, just maybe, they need some big time reorganization, instead of divine intervention.

Perhaps I'm being too hard nosed about this, but Chrysler has already had one bailout; why should we do it again? GM is way too diversified and Ford is top-heavy. I hate to see Ford go out of business; we are Ford people from way back.

But, do you think we need to bring SUV's on stage in a church to pray for them? I don't.

[HT: Sally B.]

It's the "Little Things"

It's no secret that I am easily amused, entertained, and satisfied. Quite honestly, I think that is a secret of a good life; being satisfied with the simple things.

One of the simple things that makes me happy happens from about the first of November until about mid-March or the first part of April; at least in Oklahoma.

I'm talking about cold tap water!

I love being able to go to the sink and getting a nice cold glass of water without having to go to the freezer to get ice. I love brushing my teeth with cold water. I like taking a Tylenol with cold water. Granted, it isn't great for face or hand washing, but that's what the "HOT" tap is for, right?

When we lived in the tropics, there was NEVER cold tap water. Sometimes is got "cool"; but never cold.

This morning, when I was brushing my teeth, I enjoyed an extra Dixie cup full of cold water, just for the sheer enjoyment! Have a cup of cold water on me!

A Man's Christmas Tree

Click for larger image

Now, here's a real man's Christmas tree. Now bows. No ribbons. Just fishing bobbers, lures, and a stringer! And all right here in my office!

Plus, it even goes along with our church's Christmas float!

He He He

When I walked over to the church this morning at 7:45, it was 46 degrees.

Well, it is now 33 degrees and we do indeed have VERY LIGHT snow. But it is snow!

Senate Seat For Sale

Illinois Democratic Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested today on corruption charges with allegations that he placed President-Elect Obama's recently vacated Senate seat up for sale to the highest bidder, with the governor reaping the benefit!

Court authorized wire taps caught the governor making deals ranging from selling the Senate seat to withholding state assistance in the purchase of Wrigley Field in order for a Tribune executive, who was critical of the governor, to be fired. Read about it here.

I hate politics. I hate corruption. I really hate corrupt politicians!

Maranatha!

Son of Promise; Child of Hope

Nope. Evidently this isn't about Jesus Christ. It isn't about the fulfillment of God's promise through Immanuel. It isn't about the hope that we have in Christ.

It is about Obama.

Obama?

Is it that Obama has a Messiah complex or is it that his "followers" think he is the Messiah?

Here is a quote from the Amazon.com Editorial Review: "Barack Obama has motivated Americans to believe with him, to believe that every one of us has the power to change ourselves and change our world."

I don't know about you, but I think this is very, very scary.

May God have mercy on us all.

[HT: Matt Harmless]