IT'S ABOUT TIME

These are wild and crazy times in which we live. Often the financial news seems like a roller coaster ride. Yet the last several weeks have been more like the Dare Devil Dive, a 10-story freefall. How low will we go?

Now there is the gasoline shortage. Last weekend I was the guest minister for ReserveWorship at The Reserve in South Carolina. Friday evening I went by 12 stations without any gas available. When I got up on Saturday to prepare to leave for the 300 mile round trip, I did not know if I could find gas for my empty tank. Thankfully, Saturday morning I found gasoline, even after waiting in a long line.

Cissy had a delightful surprise waiting for me when I got home on Sunday. Last year she took a special watch to the jewelry store to be repaired for me. It was a watch that my father bought in Switzerland after the end of World War II. When Cissy and I were in Lucerne, Switzerland a few years ago it was interesting to try to trace his steps where he bought this watch and a beautiful music box which I also have now.

The photo above looks just like the watch, except the second hand of mine is black. The receipt shows he bought the watch on April 23, 1946. Click on it to see a larger size.

My father returned home from the war and I was conceived a few months later. During my childhood and into my adult years my father wore this watch every day. Finally it stopped working and he laid it aside. When he passed away over four years ago I got the watch as a keepsake.

Finally the antique repair parts were found, and the watch looks great and runs with perfect time. When I wear the watch I feel so honored that I am carrying around a precious memory of my father.

On February 8, 2008, I wrote about another timepiece I got after my father's death. The blog entry is called "Modern Antique." You can find the story by using the search box in the upper left corner.

Speaking of time and memories, I am reminded of several songs. One is “Time in a Bottle” recorded in 1972 by Jim Croce. He died at the age of 40 the next year in a plane crash. He recorded the song for his newborn son. Below are the lyrics with a video of him with his son and his song playing in the background (patiently wade through 30 sec. of commercial and click skip ad).

If I could save time in a bottle
the first thing that I'd like to do
is to save everyday till eternity passes away
just to spend them with you

If I could make days last forever
if words could make wishes come true
I'd save everyday like a treasure and then
again I would spend them with you

But there never seems to be enough time
to do the things you wanna do
once you find them
I looked around enough to know
That you're the one I wanna go through time with

If I had a box just for wishes
and dreams that had never come true
the box would be empty except for the memory of how
they were answered by you

But there never seems to be enough time
to do the things you wanna do
once you find them
I looked around enough to know
that your the one I wanna go thru time with



I am reminded also of a song recorded by Chicago in 1969, “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” I have always liked the brassy sound of the group, but I confess I used to think the lyrics seemed pointless and the final verse somewhat despairing.

Does anybody really know what time it is
(Care) Does anybody really care (about time)
If so I can't imagine why (Oh no, no)
We've all got time enough to die
Everybody's worrying (I don't) I don't care (about time)
Life is much too short
About time (Oh no, no) I don't care

Finally, I realized the point of the song is that time is much more precious than something you measure with a watch or chronometer. The words for "time" in Greek make the point. One word is chronos, which is time in general; the "time in which anything is done." The other word, kairos, is the strategic or "right time; the opportune point of time at which something should be done." A window of opportunity would be kairos time.

MODERN ANTIQUE

Yesterday I had lunch with my oldest son, Bill, to commemorate his birthday. Besides giving him a present, I told him part of his “inheritance” has been repaired and now works good as new.

Bill knew immediately that I was referring to a special gold pocket watch. Since my grandfather and father had Charles in their name, it seems appropriate that my son William Charles will inherit the watch. Actually, to tell the truth, I told my parents at Bill's birth that one of the reasons he got his middle name was to give him a claim for the watch. The inscription inside the watch case shows that on November 29, 1908, my grandfather, C.W. Ellington, was given the watch by the Sunday School of Second Baptist Church in Petersburg, Virginia. That church began on December 13, 1854, with eleven members in the living room of my grandfather’s grandmother, Mrs. Mary Ellington. Below is her photo and the house which is still standing.

My grandfather moved to Hickory, North Carolina, to be with his pastor from Petersburg, who had become pastor of the First Baptist Church.


C.W. Ellington opened a bakery in Hickory and continued teaching Sunday School for many years. The pictures below show the growth of his class from 1922 to 1923.



Could that be "the watch" on his coat lapel?

(click on photos to see full size)

In the lower photo my father is sitting on my grandfather's lap.
Inside the hunter's case of the watch is a photo taken in the early 1920s of my father with his mother and sister. I can imagine my grandfather opening the watch up daily for many years, each time looking at the photo of his family.



After we talked about the 100 year old antique watch, Bill opened his birthday card. On the card I wrote him a note to remind him that he is at the one-third century old mark. So, in a sense, he is a “modern antique.”

Bill earns his living as an artisan, specializing in decorative painting. Hopefully he is creating work that will be around for a long time. You can see his work by clicking on www.BellingtonDesigns.com

TIME IS PRECIOUS

I received an email today with the story below. It makes me value my own special keepsakes of time even more. I’ll explain them after you read the story.

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls,career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, “Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday.” Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

“Jack, did you hear me?”

“Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago,” Jack said.

“Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence,' as he put it,” Mom told him.

“I loved that old house he lived in,” Jack said.

“You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life,” she said.

“He's the one who taught me carpentry,” he said. “I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important. Mom, I'll be there for the funeral,” Jack said.

As busy as he was, Jack kept his word. He caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.

The night before Jack had to return home, he and his mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time. Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time. The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step, every picture, every piece of furniture held memories. Jack stopped suddenly.

“What's wrong, Jack?” his mom asked.
“The box is gone,” he said.
“What box?” Mom asked.

“There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'it's the thing I value most,'" Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.

“Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him,” Jack said. “I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom.”

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one day, Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. “Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days,” the note read.

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. “Mr. Harold Belser” it read.

Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside, “Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life.”

A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. Inside, he found a beautiful gold pocket watch. Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover and found these words engraved: “Jack, thanks for your time! - Harold Belser.”

“The thing he valued most was my time,” Jack whispered. Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days.

“Why?” Janet, his assistant, asked.

“I need some time to spend with my son,” he said. “Oh, by the way, Janet,thanks for your time!”

Here is the link to two stories about my inherited watches: http://phillellington.blogspot.com/search?q=watch

GOOD MOVIES

I am hooked on Netflix. Last summer one son gave me a three month gift subscription while I was undergoing chemotherapy. Then when I got home from the hospital another son gave me a Playstation. Now I stream Netflix movies through the Playstation on my big screen TV.

It is so easy and quick to watch great movies with this modern technology. Generally I watch a few movies each week, if not one every night. Below are trailers for my favorite three from the last week.

HEISMAN BUDDIES

I love college football. It has become my favorite sport to watch. Tomorrow I am going to the Wake Forest-Clemson football game. My Demon Deacons will be taking on the Tigers at Death Valley in Clemson. We will be the guests of some Clemson fans. In fact, he is a former Clemson football player.

At the same time tomorrow is the great Texas-Oklahoma game. I lived in Texas for three years and appreciate the huge Red River Rivalry. The two opposing quarterbacks are friends, and both are top Heisman candidates. In the video below they share what is most important in their lives.

90/10 PRINCIPLE

Senator Edward Kennedy has died. News reports note the long list of accomplishments in his 47 years in the U.S. Senate. Commentators have reviewed the Kennedy family legacy. One story stated that some difficulties in Senator Kennedy's life were brought on by himself. Yet he found a way to respond to his mistakes and even the tragedies in his life.

Coincidentally, tonight I saw a video of the “90/10 Principle.” The author, Stephen Covey, explains:

“What is this Principle? Ten percent of life is made up of what happens to you. Ninety percent of life is decided by how you react. What does this mean? We really have NO control over 10% of what happens to us.”

Take less than five minutes to watch this video and it might change your life!




Another way I look at getting ready for the day is to think how God gives us two sets of “clothes” to wear every day. The outer layer is called the armor of God. “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6) The passage describes each piece of armor in detail.

To illustrate the armor one time I had my son Evan dress up as a Roman soldier, while I explained each piece of equipment and its analogy to spiritual warfare.

The scriptures also describe undergarments to wear. “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” (Colossians 3:12-14)

http://www.phillellington.blogspot.com/

SOCCER SONS

Tonight I went to watch two of my grown sons, Seth and Evan, play indoor soccer. As I drove to the game is was like going down memory lane.

I remember Seth learned to play indoor soccer in Brazil where they called it salão de futebol. Seth was five years old and had never been taught the rules of the game. He kept wanting to hit the ball with his hands. I think he exasperated his Brazilian teammates with all the penalties called against him.

I sat on a bleacher week after week, proud that he kept trying to learn the game. When we returned to the USA several years later, he was well-schooled in the game, and with his speed was a very good forward.

Evan was much bigger than all his teammates through middle school. I remember parents of opposing teams saying someone ought to “card” Evan to prove his age because of his overbearing size.
He was a good fullback and a ferocious goalie. While in high school he was on a team that travelled to Europe to play in soccer tournaments.

Well, it was quite an experience watching all those soccer games while they were growing up. But it is good to know that I still have more games to see them play! The photo below was taken after the game tonight.

POTTER PRINCIPLES

Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter: we are all the work of your hand. - Isaiah 64:8

My brother earns his living as a potter. He makes all types of vessels. As I watch him work, I observe that the way he works with clay illustrates principles God uses to shape our lives. http://www.kimellingtonpottery.com/

As you read these principles and scriptures, reflect on how God is at work in your life.

1. Choice of the raw clay material is only a prelude to the real work of the potter.

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son. - Romans 8: 29

2. Strong measures are often necessary to remove impurities from the clay.

If a man cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. - 2 Timothy 2:21

3. Pressures on the clay are evidence of the potter's thoughtful hand at work. I have formed you, you are My servant, 0 Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me. - Isaiah 44: 10

4. Excess material must be removed from the vessel while it is being shaped.

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all, things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ. - Philippians 3:7, 8

5. Vessels must be still, quiet, and trusting to let the potter work.

Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker — an earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, "What are you doing?" Or the thing you are making say, "He has no hands"? - Isaiah 45:9 ... Who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this," will it? - Romans 9:20

6. Proper shaping of the vessel requires many turns on the potter's wheel. My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you. - Galatians 4:19

7. Strength and sturdiness come from both the outside and inside of the vessel. Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. - 1 Corinthians 4:16-18

8. Shaped vessels must be set aside to dry.

Biblical characters like Moses, David, Jesus, and Paul spent extended time in thewilderness or desert.

9. Broken glass for glaze produces many areas to reflect light. We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. - 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

10. Fire changes the composition and appearance of the vessel.

The proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. - 1 Peter 1:7
Each man's work will become evident: for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. - 1 Corinthians 3:13

11. Vessels are made to use, not just for display.
...He will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. - 2 Timothy 2:21

12. Different vessels have different uses.
Does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use, and another for common use? - Romans 9:21

$$$ EVAPORATING

It has been sad and difficult to watch financial investments and retirement money "evaporate" in the past year with the poor economic situation. A couple of visuals help me get perspective.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." — Matthew 6:19-21

ANSLEY, little surfer girl

One of the delights at the beach is to watch little kids experiencing it. Ansley will be two years old in a couple of months. From the git-go she had no fear nor reservations about charging into the water and playing with the waves. Below are some of her highlights from the week.

HORRORS IN NEW YEAR

The New Year is greeted with new problems, new challenges, new defeats, new illnesses, and new tragedies.

Several friends and acqaintances are dealing with life-threatening illnesses. Yesterday the bodies of two men were found behind a shopping center several blocks from our home.  It appears the men were homeless, intoxicated, and died due to exposure to the cold.

Yesterday Haiti was rocked by a horrible earthquake.The extent of the devastation is obvious; the number of deaths unknown, though it appears to be in the tens of thousands.  I spent a week in Haiti 35 years ago.  It was a trip that opened my eyes to the needs of the world. Today I read a prayer that expresses my thoughts .....

A PRAYER FOR THE PEOPLE OF OF HAITI

By Taylor Burton-Edwards

 

The seas roar, the earth shakes,

buildings crumble, roofs topple

and walls turn to dust.

Have mercy on the people of Haiti, O God.

Nations watch, alarms sound,

traffic halts, utilities stop,

and news is hard to verify.

Give us compassion to weep with those who weep, O God.

People die, families mourn,

mountains split,

infrastructure and superstructure alike are gone.

Make us swift to help and persistent to rebuild,

not just things and structures, but lives, O God:

Through Christ, the solid Rock. Amen.

ETHAN PLAY DAY

My grandson Ethan and I have some good play days. Our most recent time together a week or so ago followed our typical format

In the morning usually we stop by the aquarium store and see all the awesome fresh and saltwater fishes in stock. At home we eat our favorite lunch of grilled cheese sandwiches.

In the afternoon we work out in the yard and woods, usually with our machetes. The most recent day included some ants getting dissected. Fortunately for the caterpillars they got only a hand inspection on that day. As the weather warms up we get in the creek. Later in the afternoon it is time for refreshments as we watch another episode of Star Wars for the umpteenth time.

Next time when Ethan comes I have a new rope swing to see how high he can fly. I also found some tree branch lopers just his size like he has been wanting. For some small degree of added safety, the machete and lopers stay with me so he does not return home with them to harm his parents shrubbery … or his sisters!

Flash Slideshow

LABOR DAY

This Labor Day weekend Cissy and I have had varied activities. It was great to watch so many of the various college football games on opening weekend. For me the biggest surprise was watching Alabama maul Clemson. All the teams of our family won … Wake Forest, U GA, Georgia Tech, and Auburn. Yeah teams!!!

Saturday evening granddaughter Ansley Mae Cloud celebrated her second birthday. The festivities were held in the barn at her house. Even Dixie the horse stopped by to give her good wishes. As the party was breaking up a copperhead snake was seen scrambling under a car. Shovels were quickly dispatched to its head, and children got a lively quick lesson on poisonous snakes.

Flash Slideshow

Our Sunday morning group discussed “prayerful community” based on James 5:13-18. We noted seven references to a form of the word prayer in those verses. It was mentioned it is hard to develop honest, caring relationships if people do not know each other.

We did an activity with the “bean pot” to test and broaden our knowledge of each other. Each person received five beans. Then each person made a statement about themself and placed a bean in the pot. Each person who could truthfully make the statement also put a bean in the pot. Each person who could not make the same statement had to take a bean from the pot. The object was to share something unique and be the first person to run out of beans.

More importantly, we learned more about each other. For example, one lady has two masters degrees, another one had a brain tumor, one guy had played the violin professionally, someone has been married for almost 40 years (the spouse got to put a bean in the pot too!), mint chocolate chip ice cream was the favorite of one guy (me), and so on it went. Hopefully, as we spend the next three months studying community in the New Testament, we will experience even more sense of community.

Sunday evening we celebrated a great pre-Labor Day picnic at the Plum Nelly Campground in Ellijay. Bill and Deanie Fincher were the awesome hosts for way over 100+ people. Folks brought covered dishes, and the Finchers supplied the delicious home-cooked barbeque. A local band played a wide variety of rock music from the last 40 years.

Today on Labor Day I am fat and happy … and about to head to the YMCA for exercise … before dinner out with friends tonight.

GOTTA MINUTE?

I am not much of a conversationalist. I am encouraged, though, that a conversation involves talking and listening. I guess I am not a great talker, but I am a pretty good listener.

Yet I do find it easy and enjoyable to have a conversation with God. There are times when I have long conversations with God. Usually that is when I spend time reading a long portion of Scripture, and then spend time in prayer. For me prayer is like conversation, there is talking and listening.

Sometimes my conversation God is short and to the point. I have enjoyed working out in the woods the last few sunny days. At the end of the day I like to stand by the creek and watch the sunset. Some of my comments to God are simple, like “Hallelujah” or “I love you, God.”

The Bible is filled with many “minute prayers.”

“Lord, teach me to pray.”

“Speak, Lord, for your servant listens.”

“Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your laws.”

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

“O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall show forth your praise.”

“Cleanse me from secret faults.”

“Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.”

“Even so, come Lord Jesus.”

I have to remember that prayer is more than talking. It is also listening. The Psalmist reminds me, “Be still and know that I am God.”

After I talk with God, I try to wait quietly and patiently for a response. I read in Isaiah, “In returning and trust you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

I have found in the presence of God there is calmness, stability, firmness, decisiveness and confidence.

Gotta minute? Talk to God!

But be prepared to listen to what God has to say in reply. You might end up having a long conversation.

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

Today I received a devotional for 2010 that consists of two commitments. These words challenge my heart! Dare I and you pray these prayers? Read the article by Dr. Al VomSteeg below.

When a new year begins it is common for a person to make “New Year’s Resolutions”. They could include spiritual goals: read the Bible more, pray more. They could be personal health decisions: eat healthier, lose weight, and exercise more. They could relate to home issues: spend more time with family, watch less television and do things together. I think this is a way that we are attempting to evaluate our lives and see where we can make better choices that relate to our whole lives.

When I served as the pastor in the local church, as a part of our the final worship service of year, before serving Holy Communion, I would lead the congregation in the Covenant Prayer that was prayed by John Wesley in England in 1780.

“Let me be your servant, under your command. I will no longer be my own. I will give up myself to your will in all things, Lord. Make me what you will. I put myself fully into your hands: put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you. Let me be full. Let me be empty. Let me have all things. Let me have nothing. I freely and with a willing heart give it all to your pleasure and disposal."

I prayed this prayer and made it my renewed commitment on the final night of 2009.

But now I have added a second prayer of commitment. It is one that we often read during our ILI conferences so it may be familiar to you. It is the final testimony of an African Christian in Zimbabwe just before he was martyred for his faith. For me it adds to what the Covenant Prayer says but also states more specifically my desire to become more intimate and committed so God can use my life. Read these piercing words and see how they might impact you.

“The Fellowship of the Unashamed”

I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast. The decision has been made. I have stepped over the line. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, or back away.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, live by prayer, and labor with power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, spoken up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go ‘till He comes, give ‘till I drop, preach ‘till all know, and work ‘till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner is clear: I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed.

As we enter this New Year, there is no question in my mind that the way we are going to help make the Kingdom of God more real on earth is by living out these two prayers of commitment. They may say it differently but they seem to echo the words of Jesus in Luke 9:23: If anyone will come after Me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.

OLIVIA DAY

Friday was “Olivia Day” for me to spend some quality “one-to-one” time with my seven year old granddaughter. I frequently spend a whole day with her five year old brother Ethan, who does not have play school every day. Usually, almost three year old Merrily plays with us for a little bit. Since Olivia had to miss the last two weeks of school due to treatment for a parasite, she was available. First we went to the mall. The first stop was the “American Girl Boutique and Bistro” featuring all the dolls of that brand. The hair salon section for the dolls was over the top! Plus, the Bistro with no food prices listed scared me. Next was a ride on the carousel. As Olivia rode her wooden horse, my mind flashed back to a memory in another mall in another country twenty five years ago. Clear as day, I could see Olivia’s father, my son Seth, smilingly perched in a little airplane ride in the Iguatemi Shopping Center in Porto Alegre, Brasil. I cannot describe to you the uncanny (and emotional) feeling I had seeing an amusement ride in a mall repeated in the second generation.

Of course, I had faith that my son would grow up and have children. Yet I never had a vision of what it would be like. I think this experience is giving me a little more understanding of the difference between faith and vision.

Lunch in the food court followed the carousel. Then came a visit to the Disney Store. Next was a new store for me. Shoppers could choose from a wide variety of toy animals to purchase and stuff, and then buy clothes and accessories. Finally, a buyer sits down at a computer to design a birth certificate for the new "pet"!

On the way to our home we detoured along a gravel road and stopped by a series of small waterfalls. Olivia showed her prowess to climb over boulders, thread around thorny bushes, and throw rocks in the creek. Once we arrived at our house we walked the paths in the woods along the creek and followed some deer tracks and mole tunnels in the ground. Then we stopped by the fence of two neighboring horses. Olivia had a good time petting the horses’ heads and hugging their necks.

After getting some orange juice and bananas, we settled into easy chairs to watch a “Planet Earth” DVD about caves.

Before I knew it, the day had flown by and ’twas time for Olivia to return to her home. Such precious time and new memories could not be bought for any sum of money!

GO DEACS!

My Wake Forest Deamon Deacons kicked off the new college football season on Thursday night by easily defeating Baylor 41-13. Expectations are high for the #23 preseason ranked Deacs.

Next Saturday Wake Forest will look for its 400th win in the program's history with the home opener against Ole Miss at 3:30 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN2.

Watch out for the Old Gold and Black!!!

GEEZER B-BALL

Tonight I went to play basketball with some "seniors" (minimum age is 45). I had played with the group a few years ago but had to stop when I had a schedule conflict.

I tried to play sporadically the last couple of years. Usually my feet and joints ached so bad I would just end up trying to shoot baskets.

I have experimented with pills with different compounds that are supposed to help joints and cartilage. I found a brand a few months ago that seems to be giving me pretty good results.

Tonight I got a little concerned as I approached the gym and saw a warning sign. When I saw the "ride" for one of the guys I wondered what I was in for... HA! HA! Click on the geezer and watch him go.

When I entered the gym I recognized some of the guys I had played with a few years ago. I was definitely one of the oldest true geezers in the group.

We played full court for two solid hours with just a water break between games. It was fun but exhausting. My goal was not so much play ball but just keep making it up and down the court.

When I pulled on my sweats before leaving the gym, I could hardly move. As soon as I got home I took two ibuprofen (which I wish I had taken before I played). Then I took a bath in hot water with the jets streaming over my aching body. I dragged myself out of the tub and crawled to my lounge chair.

The real test will be to see what kind of condition I am in tomorrow. Whatever the case, I think the feeling of being able to play tonight will bring me back out again ... and again.

Maybe I could borrow one of those little motorized carts to ride up and down the court!

DEACON SPORTS

Living in the midst of Georgia Bulldog and Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket fans can sometimes be exasperating with their raucous barking and boastful rambling. They do not have appreciation of the finer and better things in life ... like my Wake Forest Demon Deacons.


The Deacs had a good fall sports season. The soccer team hoped to repeat as national champions, but were defeated in the semi-final game. The football team was ranked as high as 15th in the polls, and finished with a bowl game win over Navy. The basketball team is 12-0 right now, and ranked 6th in the national polls.

Sunday, January 11, at 8 p.m. is a TV schedule challenge for me. Wake Forest will take on the #1 UNC Heels on the hardwood. At the same time "Jack Bauer" will be cranking up the "24" season. I think I can watch a delayed version of "Jack", but I will have to see the basketball game live.

GLOBAL COMMUNITY

As the Olympic Games continue in Beijing, all the world is drawn together by the excitement of sports competition. The beautiful imagery of doves traditionally used in the opening ceremony inspires thoughts and hope for a better and more peaceful world … even with new conflicts starting such as with Georgia and Russia.

Some have more than hope; they even have a plan. The current issue of TIME magazine features a cover story on Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Community Church. A major part of the article deals with his PEACE plan (PEACE — an acronym for promote reconciliation; equip servant leaders; assist the poor; care for the sick; educate the next generation). An excerpt from the feature says:

Five years ago, he concocted what he calls the PEACE plan, a bid to turn every single Christian church on earth into a provider of local health care, literacy and economic development, leadership training and spiritual growth. The enterprise has collected testimonials from Bono, the First Couple, Hillary Clinton, Obama, McCain and Graham, who called it "the greatest, most comprehensive and most biblical vision for world missions I've ever heard or read about."

To read the complete article go to: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1830147,00.html

Last Sunday with my Bible study group I tried to share from the Bible (second chapter of James) about favoritism and discrimination because of riches in the local church, as well as implications for the world community. I did a poor job directing the discussion, and it denigrated to focusing on nationalistic pride.

Here are some words from the lesson commentary I wish I had read to the group:
Jesus said at the outset of his ministry that he came to “bring good news to the poor.” He also spoke to the affluent about the deceitfulness of riches and the cares of this world. He knew that all the needs of the poor could not be met with wealth and that the spiritual poverty of the wealthy would not be solved if they became poor.

I invested some of the best years of my life working in Brazil to share the good news of Christ and help communities build a better life. I have done likewise on short-term trips to Central America.

I am well aware of widely differing philosophies and strategies to have a better world. Below is a poster with words that represent some good ideas. Though I would disagree with the ideology behind some of the statements, I find many of the thoughts worthy to share.







Think of no one as "them"
Don't confuse your comfort with your safety
Talk to strangers
Imagine other cultures through their art, poetry and novels
Listen to music you don't understand
Dance to it
Act locally
Notice the workings of power & privilege in your culture
Question consumption
Know how your lettuce and coffee are grown: wake up and smell the exploitation
Look for fair trade and union labels
Help build economies from the bottom up
Acquire few needs
Learn a second (or third) language
Visit people, places, and cultures - not tourist attractions
Learn people's history
Re-define progress
Know physical and political geography
Play games from other cultures
Watch films with subtitles
Know your heritage
Honor everyone's holidays
Look at the moon and imagine someone else, somewhere else, looking at it too
Read the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Understand the global economy in terms of people, land and water
Know where your bank banks
Never believe you have a right to anyone else's resources
Refuse to wear corporate logos: defy corporate domination
Question military/corporate connections
Don't confuse money with wealth, or time with money
Have a pen/email pal
Honor indigenous cultures
Judge governance by how well it meets all people's needs
Be skeptical about what you read
Eat adventurously
Enjoy vegetables, beans and grains in your diet
Choose curiosity over certainty
Know where your water comes from and where your wastes go
Pledge allegiance to the earth: question nationalism
Think South, Central and North - there are many Americas
Assume that many others share your dreams
Know that no one is silent though many are not heard
Work to change this.