Too Soon Gone
TO SOON GONE a song by The Band is playing on my iPhone as I begin my newsletter and therein lies my prompt for the week. Kim and I celebrated our 39th Anniversary over the weekend. We spent our time eating drive thru and carryout meals. There was some laughing , some crying, and quite a bit of reminiscing. One particular topic continued to come up in our discussions pertaining to our past experiences, present realities, and future dreams… To…
My Experience with COVID 19…the Saga Continues
On July 15th I was tested for COVID 19 only as a precaution due to the fact that some friends I had been in contact with tested positive for the Coronavirus. So I went for the nasal swab, which can also be used as “back of yer eyeball scratcher”, to see if I might be a victim of this dreaded ailment and on July 18th the results arrived…(“May I Have The Envelope Please” or “Tell em What He’s Won Johnny”……
Surgery
Poplar Springs family, the time I have been both dreading and looking forward to is drawing nigh. I was informed by my doctors that this procedure which was experimental and rather cutting edge when my mother had Parkinson’s was now a standard procedure for those being diagnosed with the ailment. I was still somewhat skeptical and fatalistic thinking I would rather die than have someone play around in my cranium for four hours while I was awake and communicating with…
A Perfect Poem
This week, Andy wishes to share a poem that he found when he was about 14 years old and it changed his attitude toward life: He has achieved success who has lived well, Laughed often, and loved much;Who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, The respect of intelligent menAnd the love of little children; Who has filled his niche and Accomplished his task;Who has left the world better Than he found itWhether by an improved poppy,A perfect poem or…
You Know It’s Gonna Be a Good Day
I used to say Monday morning was my time to take care of overdue reminder notes, clean up my desktop, make phone calls that should’ve been made the week before, and discover what I haven’t done and who I made mad. For some pastors it’s the day they get their instructional information and future guidance and feedback that are the result of Sunday lunch discussions, prayer requests among friends, The Secret Meeting or some other informal church information mode. Serving…
Rayfield and the Mail Carrier
It has been an active morning here at good old PSBC. My kind of morning as individuals looking for some conversation and fellowship stopped by to see us. One of our visitors came by my office and as we made small talk the conversation soon turned to remembrances of good dawgs that we had the privilege of having as our best friends. One Oliver pooch that eventually comes up in any canine conversation is my late black and tan, Cocker…
A Certain Pastor Dealing with an Unpredictable Virus
I know you are thinking I am trying to be cute as I talk about a certain pastor and it turns out to be me. This is not the case. I have been accused by some (mostly my wife) of being indecisive at times. When Kim wants to irritate me she calls me “wishy washy”. After making the comment I usually enter into a self righteous trade about the tremendous burden on my shoulders and then I change my mind…
A Good Porch Visit
ANDY GRIFFITH is and has been essential viewing for folks in these parts for years. The show is good for a number of reasons. It could be the folksy wisdom of Andy himself that draws you to it or it could be his plain old common sense. For some, its Barney or maybe Otis the town drunk or even Ernest T Bass and their humorous escapades that make it pleasurable viewing. For me however, it’s the moments portrayed on Andy’s…
A Blatant Plug for Nicole’s Dawg Book
I, in no way, want to steal any thunder from or try to upstage my good friend and fellow staff member Nicole Hamrick who is writing a book full of dawg stories. But, I have a couple of my own. Specifically I would like to call to mind dogs that have been helpful to me in times of difficulty and crisis… “therapy dawgs”. I am a dog lover and have a list of great dogs in my history starting with…
A Time of Loss
Each new month that we are still at home and limiting our exposure brings new changes and emotions. I’m experiencing a new sort of weirdness now. It was weird to not be able to see friends, go out to eat, or swing by Marshalls on my days off. As April began, it was weird to have missed so many church events… the dress drive, Saturday breakfasts, and other fundraisers. As I sat in my office a month ago and looked…