AM I JUST SILLY, OR DOES THIS BOTHER YOU TOO?

Monday, November 17, 2008

Sundays at our church are wonderful. I always go away from the assembly feeling uplifted and closer to God.

But there are a couple of things that happen there, that bother me like flies buzzing around a bounty laden picnic table.

One thing is when people talk all the way through the worship service. They talk during the song service, the prayers, communion and while the minister is preaching. Why? Why do they do this?

The other thing that bothers me and not all agree with me on this, is when a worship leader says, “Before you sit down, turn and greet those around you.” To me, this is “forced friendliness.” I smile and speak to people who are close to me without being told to. But the main reason this bothers me—is the hand shaking part. We don’t need to be doing this during the cold and virus season. My hands go up to my eyes several times before I have a chance to wash them.

Some feel that God will keep you healthy if you are shaking hands at church. That’s just silly! God expects us to have a little bit of sense when it comes to trying to stay well. There is a time for hand shaking, hugging and maybe even the “holy kiss,” but not on Sunday morning in a congregation of six thousand surrounded by many people you have never seen and may never see again.

Could it be that I’m just silly? It’s altogether possible. I have been before you know!

WHAT'S YOUR BOAT?

Saturday, November 15, 2008

If you want to walk on the water, you’ve got to get out of the boat.

I believe there is something—Someone—inside us who tells us there is more to life than sitting in the boat. You were made for something more than merely avoiding failure. There is something inside you that wants to walk on the water—to leave the comfort of routine existence and abandon yourself to the high adventure of following God.

So let me ask you a very important question: What’s your boat?

Your boat is whatever represents safety and security to you apart from God himself. Your boat is whatever you are tempted to put your trust in, especially when life gets a little stormy.

Want to know what your boat is? Your fear will tell you. For Kathy, it is a relationship, for Doug it is secrecy, for David it is his vocation. Kim’s boat is her dad. Maybe your boat is success.

In what area of your life are you shrinking back from fully and courageously trusting God? Fear will tell you what your boat is. Leaving it will be the hardest thing you ever do.

But if you want to walk on water, you’ve got to get out of the boat.

(Adapted from John Ortberg’s excellent book, If You Want To Walk On Water, You’ve Got To Get Out Of The Boat)

REWARD YOURSELF

How do you overcome the inevitable drag on your spirit in times like these?

Change your attitude. Put a smile on your face. In other words, fool yourself.

Act like things are better, or getting better, and they will--at least for you.

Invite some friends in to watch the game with you, go out to dinner, go to church tomorrow, take a nap, do something for somebody else—something that will put a smile on their face, or whatever wild and crazy thing that strikes your fancy at the moment.

You’re a great person. Reward yourself. It’s doubtful anyone else is going to do it.

FOUNTAIN HILLS FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

Friday, November 14, 2008

One of the largest arts and crafts festivals in the United States.

The fountain shoots higher into the sky than any other fountain in the world—or so I’m told.

Thousands of people come from all over the United States.

If it’s an art or a craft and you can’t find it here, you don’t need it.

The weather is fantastic!

My wife bought my birthday present at the festival today. I will post a picture of it in a few days.

We walked more today than we have in a year.

I’m tired now. I have to go lay down. (Uh, oh, my wife just called for me to come downstairs and hang up my birthday present. Lying down will have to wait. Man, I’m tired).

THE BLUES BROTHERS

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Hey, there’s the Blues Brothers. No wait, that’s them over there. No, no, here they are right here. No, over there. No, right here.

No not at all!

Nope, no Blues Brothers here! Just arrogant, Arizona “high rolling” snobs that came to the ribbon cutting for City North, a new shopping Mecca at Desert Ridge in Phoenix.

Sure, the sun always shines bright in Phoenix—even at 9:00 in the morning. But come on, did they need those sun glasses?

“How about you dear, your glasses have turned dark.” “What?” “I said you are wearing sunglasses now that yours have turned dark.”

“Well yes, but that’s different.”

“Ok, if you say so.”

I DON'T COOK--BUT THEN I DID!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Chocolate candy and chicken enchiladas. Why this combination? Why me? Why now? I’m not a cook. I rarely, if ever cook.

I don’t know! I found myself at Fry’s Market gathering up the “stuff.”

When I go to the grocery store with my wife I rarely, if ever speak to anyone except the cashier. While I was there by myself I talked to a lot of people—got advice, gave advice.
I’m sure one lady thought I might be “hitting” on her. But at my age, who cares, as long as I don’t get arrested, or worse—picked up!

Made the fudge first. It was quick, easy and delicious.

The enchiladas required a little more work, but not a lot. I wouldn’t say they were delicious—just good. It was better than making a trip to On The Border, Carlos O’ Brian, Three Margaritas, Julio G’s, or some other cantina and grill this side of the Mexican border.

Back to my original questions—why cooking, why me? I think I was driven to the brink of insanity by all that’s going on in our country right now—the election, the economic crisis, and tons of other crud. I don’t drink. I don’t even know how to mix a drink. So I just mixed up some chocolate candy and chicken enchiladas and sat down and ate myself into a stupor!