Music by Jon McLaughlin
Song: Perfect
CD: Indiana
February 28, 2009
February 27, 2009
Memories
I remember...
1. A time when if you’d call a person on the phone you didn’t have to ask them where they were.
2. When gas station attendants pumped your gas, washed your windshield, and gave you a piece of bubble gum for coming in.
3. The lunch ladies wheeled a water cart through the grade school giving us each a cup of water to keep us hydrated on hot school days.
4. The smell of Pink Pearl erasers permeating the air as I practiced writing my spelling words.
5. When bottled water was only for Hollywood stars. (For that matter I remember when even movie stars didn’t drink from bottles.)
6. Green stamps were given out at grocery stores and you could buy nearly anything with them. Man that was fun.
7. There were only three channels on TV and you needed rabbit ears and tin foil to see them.
8. In order to look up a word you had to grab the dictionary from the top shelf of the living room.
9. The smell of burnt toast in the morning. I love overdone toast still today. I don’t think mom’s toaster worked well.
10. The little transistor radios we three kids received for Christmas one year. They were tan, about the size of a single size cereal box, and had a round station dial we’d scroll through endlessly.
11. My white patton leather Easter shoes in 5th grade. They had a huge square buckle on the top and blocky 2” inch heels. I resembled a Pilgrim.
12. The first fast food drive thru in our area called “Shutes.” They literally shot the food to you through a vacuum system, like the banks today. There was one glitch however. It jostled your order with such force that your drink would invariably arrived with the lid popped off and your drink spilled to high heavens. Needless to say it didn’t last long. Note: people still hand us our food today.
13. Watching McDonald’s employees make French fries in the side window of the building under the big golden arches. It was our Friday night treat.
1. A time when if you’d call a person on the phone you didn’t have to ask them where they were.
2. When gas station attendants pumped your gas, washed your windshield, and gave you a piece of bubble gum for coming in.
3. The lunch ladies wheeled a water cart through the grade school giving us each a cup of water to keep us hydrated on hot school days.
4. The smell of Pink Pearl erasers permeating the air as I practiced writing my spelling words.
5. When bottled water was only for Hollywood stars. (For that matter I remember when even movie stars didn’t drink from bottles.)
6. Green stamps were given out at grocery stores and you could buy nearly anything with them. Man that was fun.
7. There were only three channels on TV and you needed rabbit ears and tin foil to see them.
8. In order to look up a word you had to grab the dictionary from the top shelf of the living room.
9. The smell of burnt toast in the morning. I love overdone toast still today. I don’t think mom’s toaster worked well.
10. The little transistor radios we three kids received for Christmas one year. They were tan, about the size of a single size cereal box, and had a round station dial we’d scroll through endlessly.
11. My white patton leather Easter shoes in 5th grade. They had a huge square buckle on the top and blocky 2” inch heels. I resembled a Pilgrim.
12. The first fast food drive thru in our area called “Shutes.” They literally shot the food to you through a vacuum system, like the banks today. There was one glitch however. It jostled your order with such force that your drink would invariably arrived with the lid popped off and your drink spilled to high heavens. Needless to say it didn’t last long. Note: people still hand us our food today.
13. Watching McDonald’s employees make French fries in the side window of the building under the big golden arches. It was our Friday night treat.
I could go on and on as I trace the cobwebs of my mind. It's fun to think back into my childhood. There are so many fond memories of things past and now I'm curious. What fun memories pass through your mind as you reminisce? Perhaps like me you will have trouble keeping the list short. But, who's counting. List away. I'd love for you to share.
February 26, 2009
Let's "Face" It
It wasn't but one year ago I had absolutely no idea what it meant to blog. I was encouraged to dive in but hadn't a clue how deep the waters where or where it would lead. As an obedient and curious chap, I muddled my way along until one day blogging clicked. Today I love the OLM blog as if it were my child. I feed it regularly, clothe it in the best attire I can afford, nurture it with the word of God, and share it with everyone I know. My blog is now my comfort zone.
Then, as life would have it, along came another modern marvel someone challenged me to learn. This time it was Facebook. "Oh you just have to join. It's great networking and every one does it" she said. Like two old fogies Jimmy and I became curious about what the whoopla was all about, so a couple of months ago we began dipping our toes in this new body of water. We filled out our profile and began fiddling with all the features. I'd poke him and he'd poke me, even though neither of us felt a thing. We started inviting a few friends and soon our friends list began to grow and grow and grow. Friends from church, friends far away, and friends from long ago. Just two days ago my best friend from high school contacted me through Facebook and once again I was utterly amazed.
We still have lots to learn. Jimmy and I have never figured out how to effectively poke each other. If we do it has to be literal. Nonetheless, I can assure you these two boomers will master the art of Facebook if it's the last thing we do.
So tell me now...are you on Facebook? If not give it a try. Fiddle with the features and poke your best bud. (If you succeed tell me how you did it.) Look up a long lost friend and catch up on what's going on in their lives. Pray for one another, join a group, and let your light shine. You have a lot to offer and others will be blessed. Dive in and enjoy!
February 23, 2009
February 21, 2009
Your Two Scents
Each week OLM provides a video devotion designed to help you dig deeper into God's word. After filming 32 videos on topics I have a particular passion for, I'd like to open the forum up to you!Is there a particular topic, person, verse, or event of the Bible you would like to learn more about? If so, I encourage you to leave a comment on this post and offer your suggestion. If by chance the topic is personal feel free to select the "anonymous" option in the comment section. The point is not who asked the question but finding answers. Remember, whatever question you may have, no matter how odd it may seem, is being asked by others. Nothing is new under the sun, that includes questions you may have.
So have at it ladies. Ask away. The floor is yours. We will prayerfully consider each and every entry and look forward to hearing what's on your mind!
February 19, 2009
Online Lessons Available Now
Hi ladies! Through the Olive Leaf Ministries I am pleased to present a new feature available to you and all your friends. Now, free of charge, you can join me as I teach class Sunday mornings, speak to mothers of preschoolers (MOPs) and all other speaking engagements the Lord sees fit to send me. Best of all you can listen at your leisure and from the comfort of your own home or office. Each lesson comes with a printable outline so you can follow along and take notes with the group. Isn't modern technology the cat's meow? As my mother would say, "Handier than a pocket on a shirt."
So there you have it. No cost, no fuss, and no travel. In spirit we can meet together and dig deeper into the matchless word of God to learn more about Him. No matter how you look at it it's a mighty good deal. Join me now!
February 16, 2009
February 11, 2009
Little 8 year old Grant went home to be with the Lord last Friday, February 6th. We will be attending his funeral this Saturday, Valentine's Day. His parents have made it clear this day will not be a day of grief for their beloved child is with his, and our, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Instead, this day of love will be a day of celebration. In fact we've been asked not to wear black, but rather one of Grant's favorite colors such as green (for frogs) or pink (his secret favorite color.) How cute is that! I plan to wear pink, which happens to be my fave as well, and bring along one of Dani's fuzzy stuffed green frogs.
Please pray for this special family as we honor this young life that touched so many of our own. Little Grant may have lost the battle with this unknown muscle disease, but he won the war over sin and death thanks to Christ and His work on the cross.
"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world,
yet forfeit his soul?" Mark 8:36
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Mark 10:14b
February 9, 2009
February 6, 2009
Come Tour Kansas City!
The weather is gorgeous in Kansas City so I'm gonna take you on a tour of the town. Put on your walking shoes, grab your dog if you have one, and let's head on out. There is plenty of room and Jimmy and I'll pay for the gas.
(Click on pictures to enlarge.)
Continue tour below...
Ecclesiastes and Cocoa Bean
enjoyed the tour too.
Museum front lawn.
It's vast and beautiful.
Nancy with a "birdie" on her shoulder.
View of Union Station from the Liberty Memorial
Continue tour below...Come Tour Kansas City! (cont.)
A great place to eat and shop.
Water way along the Plaza
We had a great day out and I'm glad you could tag along. Hope you are enjoying nice weather in your town as spring of 2009 taps at the door.Have a great weekend. See you Monday.
February 4, 2009
A Good Night's Sleep
Just got up and realized it was 6:37 am and Cocoa Bean has slept all night long. He still refuses to stay in his crate at night, but he's doing great in bed with us, so we'll take what we can get. I think we are making progress.
February 2, 2009
Mercy Not Sacrifice
Welcome ladies and happy Monday! Today I felt like offering a written devotion as opposed to one on video, a video sabbatical of sorts. Since God’s word never goes out and comes back void, it doesn’t matter how it is presented.
The Holy Scripture never ceases to amaze me. The tiniest most obscure passage or word can prompt a divine revelation and Hosea 6:6 is one such passage,
These words pack a powerful punch to my heart, because it aches with great grief right now. Grief over lost independence that all parents expect when their children grow up. Since Dani’s Autism has made it so Jimmy and I will be her caregivers for the rest of our lives, the reality of never gaining my freedom later in life weighs heavy on my soul. As of late, for some reason, my heart has been groaning more than usual.
This passage in Hosea, however, does well to set my sails in the right direction and I meditate on it day and night. It reveals the deep things of God by telling us He prefers, or is drawn toward, a heart that is full of kindness for others and love for Him. Far more than any amount of hard work we could ever do in His name, He would rather we show our love for Him by being merciful toward others. This convicts me beyond measure as it exposes the sin within my heart that desires to work for Him more than show mercy. Fretting and brewing over how much I could do for Christ if only I didn’t bear this heavy burden, I place work for God above mercy. It’s a subtle trap many of us fall in to. Just ask King Saul who knows from first-hand experience.
“But I did obey the LORD,” Saul said. “I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. 21 The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.” 22 But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:20-22
Ladies, our primary responsibilities in life are to fear God, keep His commands, and show mercy. We must never put work for God above Him and His command, even though work may appear to be the more valuable option. Mercy is vital because without it we become critical, impatient, selfish, and judgmental, all the things that lead us away from the heart of God. May we heed the words of the prophet and choose mercy over sacrifice for it is in essence the only true offering God desires.
The Holy Scripture never ceases to amaze me. The tiniest most obscure passage or word can prompt a divine revelation and Hosea 6:6 is one such passage,
“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.”
These words pack a powerful punch to my heart, because it aches with great grief right now. Grief over lost independence that all parents expect when their children grow up. Since Dani’s Autism has made it so Jimmy and I will be her caregivers for the rest of our lives, the reality of never gaining my freedom later in life weighs heavy on my soul. As of late, for some reason, my heart has been groaning more than usual.
This passage in Hosea, however, does well to set my sails in the right direction and I meditate on it day and night. It reveals the deep things of God by telling us He prefers, or is drawn toward, a heart that is full of kindness for others and love for Him. Far more than any amount of hard work we could ever do in His name, He would rather we show our love for Him by being merciful toward others. This convicts me beyond measure as it exposes the sin within my heart that desires to work for Him more than show mercy. Fretting and brewing over how much I could do for Christ if only I didn’t bear this heavy burden, I place work for God above mercy. It’s a subtle trap many of us fall in to. Just ask King Saul who knows from first-hand experience.
“But I did obey the LORD,” Saul said. “I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. 21 The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.” 22 But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:20-22
Ladies, our primary responsibilities in life are to fear God, keep His commands, and show mercy. We must never put work for God above Him and His command, even though work may appear to be the more valuable option. Mercy is vital because without it we become critical, impatient, selfish, and judgmental, all the things that lead us away from the heart of God. May we heed the words of the prophet and choose mercy over sacrifice for it is in essence the only true offering God desires.
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