Happy Birthday Mom

Today is a very special day.

Today would have been my mom's 95th birthday.

Yes.

You read that right.

95 years old.

My sister and I were born to my parents somewhat late in life.

That did not mean that we were "mistakes" or were not loved by our parents.

It just means that they were older than our friends parents.

And that was not a problem.

My mother had many characteristics and attributes that were strong examples to me.

My mom had a very strong love for the Lord.

She loved the Lord with all of her heart, mind, body and soul (cf. Mark 12:30).

On November 25, 1986 my mother passed away.

I had gone to pick up some things from her home as we were preparing for Thanksgiving.

I had knocked and knocked on her front door with no answer.

I knew that something was wrong.

I used my key and went inside.

I found her on the floor where she had died the night before.

My mother had many physical problems and everyone of them are gone.

She no longer has any pain or discomfort.

And most of all she is with the One that she loved and lived her life for.

I know that even though my mother is

absent from the body she is present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8).

The Passing Of Another Birthday

I am glad that birthdays only come once a year.

If they came more often than that then they would loose

that fuss and special warmth of being loved by your family.

I began my birthday this year with a four day weekend.

Yes - you heard right.

A four day weekend.

We had a special dinner at home of Suf & Turf.

Missy picked up a steak

and we had some shrimp in the freezer.

The results were a meal that was totally amazing.

After dinner was gift time.

My family gave me two cds

("Monster Monster" by the Almost and

"Response" which is Phil Wickham's new release.)

I also got a 3G Kindle with a boatload of books my wife

had loaded for me.

It was a grand time of celebration,

hanging out with my wife and daughter,

and going to church at the end of a nice long weekend.

Honey Is Gone

Honey is a 1997 Ford Escort.

She has been a very reliable vehicle.

With very few problems she has run like a top.

She has been like a family member.

We bought Honey in 2002 from a car lot in Fort Worth, TX.

We had a pick-up truck that we had sold and we needed something to replace it with.

That was when we found Honey and bought her.

We have been preparing to take Mercy out on her maiden voyage

(go back a few posts to "Meet Mercy") and we have been downsizing.

It is not always easy to do that.

It was time for Honey to go.

My friend Ivan wanted to buy Honey for his mom in the Texas panhandle.

I gave him a price and he took it.

On Monday Honey left us.

Ivan and Hannah came and drove Honey away.

I do not know when Honey will return to Texas.

I think Hannah wants to keep her.

Good bye Honey. We will miss you.

2011 Men's Retreat

This past weekend I went to the 2011 AZ Calvary Chapel Men's Retreat.

It is held each year on the first weekend in November.

The theme this year was Abiding In Christ.

It was an amazing time of teaching and worship as we covered John 15:1-17 in depth.

This was my fifth year to attend the retreat.

Normally the weather is really nice and sunny.

But this year the weather was a little different.

On the way to the retreat from Grand Canyon

I fought really high winds all the way there.

On Friday night as we were

worshipping and the

teachers taught there was a massive rain storm.

Then overnight the snow came in.

But the weather did not slow down the teaching or the worship.

A good time was had by everyone.

The Lord did some amazing things in many lives.

Afterwards many of us headed over to In-N-Out Burgers for lunch.

It was fun to see the place overrun by a bunch of believers.

We just couldn't get enough of that good fellowship.

I must admit that I am already looking forward to next year.

Meet Mercy

Please welcome the newest member of our family.

This is Mercy. She is a 29 ft AlpineLite.

We picked her up a couple of weeks ago.

We will escape the winter months at the Grand Canyon with her.

Her name is from Lamentations 3:22-23.

Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

She is a picture of God's mercy and a stark reminder of how faithful He is.

We are looking forward to heading out this winter.

It Came In The Mail

In the late 1980s I heard The Choir for the first time and went nuts over their music. The first time I saw them in concert was 1990. They were touring to support "Wide-Eyed Wonder." I remember being totally blown away. The music was relevant and the lyrics were not shallow. I was hooked for life and I began to look for all of their music.

Last year The Choir recorded an acoustic version of one song from each of their albums. The result is "de-plumed."
This year Derri Daugherty stepped up to the plate and released an instrumental album of atmospheric guitar work entitled "Clouds Echo In Blue" and this is his chance to shine. This is a beautiful album of instrumental music that is perfect for those cold nights when all you want is a cup of hot chocolate and a good book.

It is always good to open packages that come in the mail.

Good-Bye Bill

In February of 2008 we bought a cargo trailer.

Since it is our custom to name everything he got the title of

Wild Bill.

Wild Bill actually got used a whole lot.

He made a few trips with us

but he was used for storage more than anything else.

Bill recently got a face lift inside.

We painted his walls white and the floor red.

He actually looked pretty nice.

Then he got sold.

Wild Bill has moved down the street to a new family.

Who (or what) will be sold next?

We have sold Tex, (our camper)

and now Wild Bill!

Stay tuned. It looks like we may be selling

a long time family member.

Sunday Left Overs

This past Sunday I took a vacation day and headed to Prescott for church.

It was a great time of worship, teaching and fellowship.

It was the first Sunday morning service that I had been able to attend since February 6!

Now that does not mean that we have not been to church.

We have gone on many Wednesday nights.

But there is something special

(and right)

about showing up for Sunday morning worship.

There are some strange ideas

"out there"

among Christians about "going to church" and fellowship.

Some Christians will say that they

"don't need to go to church to be a Christian."

There is also the idea that

"I don't need to go to church. I get everything I need right here at home."

Then there is the idea of

"God told me not to go."

An interesting verse concerning believers gathering together is in Hebrews 10: 24-25.

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,

as is the manner of some,

but exhorting one another,

and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Pastor Chuck Smith said this regarding this passage:

"Part of the purpose of the church, as we gather together,

it that we might be encouraged to good works,

encouraged to seek the Lord,

encouraged to forsake the things of the world,

and encouraged to walk close to Christ.

This exhortation is part of the reason we gather,

along with being built up and edified in our faith,

and being comforted together in the Scriptures."

Another wonderful passage that I think goes along with this idea is found in Psalm 133.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is

for brethren to dwell together in unity!

It is like the precious oil upon the head,

Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron,

Running down on the edge of his garments.

It is like the dew of Hermon,

Descending upon the mountains of Zion;

For there the LORD commanded the blessing--Life forevermore.

The need for fellowship.

The need for corporate worship with the body of Christ.

The need for solid teaching from the Word of God.

Good reasons to show up for church.

Good-Bye Tex

In June, 2008 my daughter went to camp for a week. My wife and I had been looking for a truck camper since we had sold our Airstream a few months before. We had looked at a truck camper in Flagstaff and really liked what we saw. So while Janie was out enjoying summer camp we bought "Tex."

We actually used Tex a whole lot. He got broken in well a few months later when Missy and Janie took him to Colorado for a few weeks. I did not get to go on that trip. (Somebody had to stay back and support their trip financially.) We would also take Tex to town whenever we went to Prescott for church and shopping.

My favorite trip with Tex was in December 2008 when we took three or four days and hung out in Prescott. We went and watched the Christmas tree lighting at the courthouse in old downtown Prescott. We went and enjoyed Christmas lights in Prescott Valley. And of course we went to church on Sunday morning.

This past Friday Tex was sold to a family in Flagstaff. What is funny he returned to the neighborhood where he came from. Tex is no longer a part of our family but we will remember him well.

Good-bye Tex. Hope you get used a lot.

What A Burger!

I discovered Carl's Jr. in Illinois back in 1994.

In that state they are called Hardee's.

In Bushnell, IL there is a Hardee's that I have been to a few times.

It is on the corner of the main street in Bushnell and the road that leads to

Cornerstone Festival.

But in certain states Hardee's is named Carl's Jr.

Why?

I don't know.

But they have the same menu. (Maybe it is to confuse certain people.)

The other day we went to Flagstaff and had lunch at Carl's Jr.

I couldn't help myself.

I had the new Steakhouse Burger.

Man was it good!

Thanks Carl's Jr. You made a wonderful three day weekend even better.

[Note: picture of the burger is taken from www.carlsjr.com]

These Times, They Are A Changin'

The American Heritage Dictionary defines the word "change" as

"to cause to be different; alter."

This past week there have been some serious changes taking place in our household.

Missy and I have spent the last few months

talking,

praying,

discussing

(not fighting - HONESTLY)

about my job in supervision.

A whole lot has happened this past year to get me to the place

where I realized that I had made a

major error

(think mistake)

in accepting the position of full-time supervisor.

The biggest and most improtant mistake was

that the Lord did not want me in there!

I wanted me in there.

The biggest problem with the job was the toll it was taking on

my family life,

my daughters' education,

and on my physical rest.

On Monday I resigned from my position.

I am now a seasonal shuttle bus driver.

I will be here until November 30th, and from there

I will have three months off.

In regards to my family life - the tone has completely changed.

And I am getting caught up on my sleep.

Wait on the LORD;

be of good courage,

And He shall stregthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the LORD.

(Psalm 27:14)

The Band That Won't Go Away

Wow!

It has been a while since I posted anything here.

For those that keep up with me, please forgive me.

I will try to do better.

Last month we headed down to Phoenix to see seminal Christian alternative rock band

Daniel Amos.

When we got there the doors had not opened yet.

I went and stood in line and met some diehard DA fans there.

This is Steven. His shirt is an original Doppelganger t-shirt.

It is amazing that the shirt is in such amazing condition. But it is even more amazing that he can even get into it.

For those that don't realize it Doppelganger came out it 1983!

Daniel Amos took the stage and played an amazing set

from all through their catalog.

Here is the set list from the Phoenix show:

Who's Who Here

Mall All Over The World

Walls Of Doubt

Catch That Angel

Endless Summer

Broken Ladders to Glory

If You Want To

Hide The Beer (The Pastor's Here)

New Car

Man In The Moon

Ain't Gonna Fight It

The Twist

Sanctuary

I Love You #19

Encore:

Ghost of the Heart

Hold Back The Wind Donna

Stone Away

And So It Goes

Buffalo Hills

Encore #2:

Joel

It was a fun night full of great music

from a band that has been around for so many years.

Terry and company, thanks for a great summer concert.

I must also thank Ben Newsum for booking the concert.

This was his first concert to promote.

I appreciate Ben and his hard work.

A Visit to Cowboys Stadium: The Locker Room

One of the most interesting places that we got to see on the tour of the

Cowboys Stadium

was the locker room.

The first locker room we saw

was for the world renown

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

I must admit it looked more like

a dressing room than a locker room.

Just outside of the players locker room

was some super bowl numbers.

It is always good to see how often the Cowboys

have been there.

Maybe they will have to change our 8 to a 9

this year.

The entrance to the locker room.

Just below the locker room sign

is the star.

Great entrance.

The lockers are made from imported wood from

Africa. The cost is $9,000 each.

$9,000 - each!

I guess Jerry Jones thinks that nothing is to much for his guys!

Here are some of my favorite

players lockers.

Do you ever wonder who

is next to who in the locker room?

Now you can know.

Tony Romo is next

to Jason Witten.

That is no big surprise.

You have Tony, and to the right of Tony is

Jason. And to the right of Jason is

Miles Austin.

Two of Romo's favorite

go to guys.

Marion Barber.

Last week Marion was part of a group of eight

players that were cut from the Cowboys.

In our household we will miss Marion . . .

alot.

Bye Marion.

We will miss you.

Then of course, there is Keith Brooking.

He is fun to watch play. He gets so into it.

The locker room was a lot of fun.

A Visit to Cowboys Stadium

For Father's Day this year

my amazing wife gave me something

that I really, really wanted:

a tour of the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

But she did not just give me a tour of the stadium.

She got me the VIP tour!

At the entrance is the statue of Coach Tom Landry

that use to be at Texas Stadium.

Here I am with Coach Landry.

Here are the three of us:

Me, Missy and Janie,

and of course Coach Landry.

Do you ever wonder about the turf that goes on the field?

It comes out in rolls.

Very LARGE rolls.

Here I am (along with Janie, my son-in-law Rusty and

one of my grandsons)

at the table in the press room.

I can still hear Tony Romo now:

"It is what it is."

Here is a view of the end zone from

the sixth level (I think).

This is the helmet from the end zone. (See previous picture).

Me at the helmet in the end zone.

I am down on the field at the NFL emblem.

The field was available to just wander around on.

Looking at the end zone gave me new respect for a player who

catches the ball on the (for example) the five yard line

and runs it back for a touchdown.

Think Dez Bryant and his 93 yard td last year.

That is a lot of running.

That is some serious football playing

In my next post we will look at some more of the stadium.