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June 13 Poor JohnA vacation is a wonderful thing or as they say in London "on holiday". However, trying not to sound pessimistic, I often return to find that in my absence things come just short of a nuclear meltdown. Now allow me to alliterate, and bear with me. I promise I will be positive in the end.
My board leaders called, actually a full 12 hours before "the holiday" was over, to inform me of this and that we had several frightened youth and angry parents. When I arrived at the office I discoverd His resignation letter on my desk. I love the boy to death but he had heard the backlash and vanished before my return.
Now allow me to share a perspective.
It's not about me!!! Thank God he has refreshed my spirit, and restored my soul. I went this morning to visit a saint who has been is a rehabilitation hospital for 8 months. complication from diabetes and crones has cost her both legs. As I was leaving this unpleasant hospice where there are several hundred patients, an older man stepped outside as we headed to our cars. I said, "wonderful day isn't it?" He paused and looked up at me and said, "Every day is wonderful when you can walk out of a place like this" WOW - talk about a wake up. Lord, forgive me when I whine. June 01 MemphisHeaded to Memphis this weekend for a mini vacation. Graceland, Mud Island, a Wedding, and maybe a glimpse of Elvis is on the agenda. I leave you all with a few words from Marc Cohn.
I'm walking in Memphis I'm walking in Memphis Do you really feel the way I feel
Saw the ghost of Elvis May 23 Fwd:I want to thank all
of you who have taken the time and trouble to send me your chain
letters over the past two years. Thank you for making me feel safe,
secure, blessed, and wealthy. Because of your concern... I no longer can drink Coca Cola because it can remove toilet stains. I no longer drink Pepsi or Dr Pepper since the people who make these products are atheists who refuse to put "Under God" on their cans I no longer use Saran wrap in the microwave because it causes cancer. I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a water buffalo on a hot day. I no longer answer the phone because someone will ask me to dial a stupid number for which I will get the phone bill from ‘you know where’ with calls to Jamaica, Uganda, Singapore, and Uzbekistan. Thanks to you, I have learned that God only answers my prayers if I forward an email to 7 of my friends and make a wish within 5 minutes. I no longer have any savings at all, but that will change once I receive the $15,000 that Microsoft and AOL are sending me for participating in their special e-mail forwarding program. I will now return the favor. If you don’t send this e-mail to at least 1200 people in the next 60 seconds, the fleas of a thousand camels will infest your armpits. I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend of a friend dad’s uncle’s neighbor’s cousin, and he’s a lawyer.... used by permission May 18 My GirlsAs a tradition I would take my kids out for breakfast their last week of School. My son and I started this when he was home. Today was my first time with the girls, Hailey is 17 and Allison is 13. We left the house an hour earlier than usual and whent to the Shoneys breakfast bar. We talked about the year and our summer plans. I enjoy being around my girls. They make me genuinely laugh. I hope these times build fond memories for them! May 16 Theology TriviaI had no takers on my previous trivia. Well, I did get a HUH? from one of my favorite bloggers. How about this? What does Selah mean in the book of Psalms? Blackberry WinterI believe the old timers above the Mason Dixon line call it blackberry winter when a cold front moves in around late May when wild blackberrys are in bloom. I don't know if they're blooming but it's cold as kraut here in Tennessee. Several years ago we had similar weather when I lived in west Tennessee. It was late May, sometime after mothers day, because I always wait and plant all my flowers after mothers day to be clear of frost and cold. Well this particular year, I believe it was 1998, a cold front descended on west TN, along with thick fog. I recall going to baseball practice with my son wearing a winter coat and unable to see the outfield. Anywho, the weather stayed so damp and foggy for nearly three weeks that all my flowers actually rotted. It was wierd. This kind of weather also messes with your head. You get a little taste of spring and then all of a sudden your back in froggy soggy bottom. Kinda gives you the moody blues. Oh well, I've got the coffee on and Jazz playing on the puter. Maybe I can fight the funk. peace out  May 10 Midnite Call
We were sound asleep when suddenly the phone
rang.
I picked up the phone and said, "Hello? How the heck do I know? What do I look like, a weatherman?" I then slammed the phone down and settled back into bed. My wife asked, "who was that"? "I don't know. It was some guy who wanted to know if the coast was clear."  May 09 It happened on Monday Most of my "inner circle" friends know that Monday is my day
off and for 15 years it has been considered by yours truly as a sacred day.
Yesterday I started with my customary breakfast for the girls, sipped on
coffee, kissed everyone goodbye, and then watched my wife and daughters pull
out of the driveway. I began by surveying the flowers and plotting my next invention. During this time the phone never rings. I planted a new Tea Rose bush and filled several planters with Vinca Vine and Ivy. I mulched around the patio and set out two Boston Ferns and it occurred to me, I haven't heard the phone ring. By now its lunch time so I fixed a little red neck meal.(bologna, pickles, tomato, and left over potato salad). Later I had a marvel idea to wire the patio with sound. This simpleton actually ran speaker cable to the landscaping and wired an all weather speaker to our entertainment system inside. By now its 3 in the afternoon and I'm outside on my patio, Watching my roses grow, sipping on a chilled Cafe' Mocha listening to Andrea Bocelli. Sometimes I amaze myself. Oh, and the phone never rang. My little 13-year-old angel arrives home from school, bragging to me about all the yard work, and the outdoor music, so I reward her compliments with about an hour of tennis at the local park. Back at the house, I first check to answering machine, hum, no messages or calls!?!? For supper I prepared the steaks and trimmings that have been on hold for a while. I fire up the grill, pour a little Merlot, stare at all the beauty of the day. By now my honey and 17 year old get home about the same time. Perfect timing, steaks almost done. I set the table for a mouth-watering experience. We dine out on the patio/garden. The phone never rings. After dinner, Angie and I kick back, listening to soft music watching the girls slam tennis balls up in the air like they were trying to hit the moon. Darkness falls, and I'm still outside. What a blessed day. I don't think the phone ever rang. The Girls call me in to help out with a little homework. I give them my standard answer, "it's all Greek to me...". It's getting about time to turn in and call it a day. I pull back the covers but before sliding between the sheets, I wonder to myself, "can this be for real". I decide to pick up the receiver just to check and see if there was a dial tone. No, I didn't get lucky - but did I tell you the phone never rang? GratitudeGratitude is the greatest of all virtues - Cicero I'm deeply grateful to all of my new blogger friends for your prayers and encouragment. I'm pressing on j May 05 Long Tail CatHey guys - I've been busier than a long tail cat in a room full of rocking chairs. You know about the Funeral earlier in the week well I have another one Saturday. Our pre-school coordinator died from an asthma attack while shopping at Wal-Mart. Bizzare!!This has stunned our congregation. I know my recent blogs have been morose, but please pray for my strength to minister May 02 HONOR Yesterday during my "Day Off", I received a disturbing call that
my brother-in-law passed away. His children, my niece and nephew, immediately
called me asking if I would conduct the service. Of course I was honored and privileged. I began to reflect on my large family. Out of all the weddings for 13 Nieces and Nephews Uncle John Mark has been blessed to officiate 11 of them. I'm honored that family entrust me with that glorious day. Now it appears that as time and age march on my family is being replaced with Great Nieces and Great Nephews and my life is taking on an added ministry, of this I am equally honored and privileged. God has richly blessed my extended family. May we be thankful - even in sorrow May 01 Day OffPlan on weeding the Garden
Watching a few Classic Movies
Cooking a steak dinner for my love
Kicking back with a merlot
Watching the sunset on the patio
And if I'm lucky....
April 27 Million Dollar PieFeeling pity for my poor pitiful plight, one of my sweetest and kindest parisoners made me a Million Dollar Pie. I don't know if you have ever had a Million Dollar Pie but it's worth fighting for. She put it in the frig. in the Staff Lounge, with clear markings on it, "This is for Pastor John". She called home while I was still layed up and told me it was waiting for me upon my return. Well would you believe it, when I arrived this morning there was only 1/2 Million left. What kind of respect is that when right here in God's House some would steal 1/2 Million from the Pastor. Jeez, what's this world coming too  April 26 SciaticaLandscaped a local Bussiness Monday - It was a masterpiece, Then I spent all of Tueday night in the emergency room with sciatica. I was was paid $200 for the job and spent $150 for treatment. Oh well, it was awash but I enjoyed it!!! April 25 TeensIn just 15 days my 12 year old daughter will be 13 . I will officially have 3 teenagers. Can anyone grant me assylum for just a little while?? Maybe a cave I can hide out in?? I'll even share a bunk with UBL! If no one out there can put me up for a while, then just send your contributions to the "Thomas Felony Prevention Fund". April 21 Go JuiceJust got one of those famous forwarded e-mails, you know send to thirty friends, yadayadayada. Well the subject matter has been a concern of mine. GAS PRICES Here in TN its near 3 bucks a gallon. Not buying gas for a day is not an option. It has never worked. However the e-mail suggested a total boycott of the dominant North American oil producer. EXXON/MOBILE. The author of the circulation suggest that OPEC bows to EXXON. A sustained boycott to EXXON would drive prices down. Worth a try, I'm gonna do it. Just watch me. I will single handidly reduce gas prices for all citizens. j April 20 FUNNYWhats the difference between a bad golpher and a bad skydiver? A bad golpher goes, Whack - Dang A bad skydiver goes, Dang - Wack  April 18 Buble'Hey Bloggers,
Check out Michael Buble' at http://media.101rpm.info/warner/audios/m/MichaelBuble_feelinggood.wma
it's worth the visit!!!!
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