ONLINE MESSAGES

TUESDAY - THE COURT SYSTEM. A few weeks ago two things occured relatively close together. (1) After 10 years of working outside the church I was laid off from a job I really enjoyed althought it asorbed alot of my time. (2) I got a traffic ticket for parking in a fire lane. These two are connected because if I had still been working the second job I would have paid the $42 and gone on my way. However, since being laid off I have more time on my hands so I choose to take this to the court. I was convinced I was innocent [if you need details, write and I will give them to you]. Tuesday was my court date. I came loaded with a folder full of pics of other trucks and customers parked in the same spot I was when I got my ticket @ the Euless Home Depot. Never having been to court before [only as a witness] I was not aware what was waiting ahead for me. After unsuccessfully trying to pass through the metal detectors [an impossibility with 3 artificial joints] I joined about 60 -70 others who shared the same court date/time as I. Having the last name beginning with "A" I figured I would be one of the first to appear before the judge so I took a seat on the front row [never my style -it's usually near the door]. Two and 1/2 grueling hours later I was called. I was the last one to appear. I talked with the prosecuting attorney and pled my case. I told him it was not the money but the principle. [I fantsized how proud my family would be of me for standing for principles] It was when I requested a jury trial that he told me it would be very time consuming process and there would be the potential for being liable for court costs. Before setting a date he offered me a plea bargain to reduce the fine. I had already invested 2 1/2 hours of my time and now I was facing more time and possibly more costs....I nearly broke out in sweat... principle versus paying $30 and walking away.... I thought of those men I had read so much about in history who stood strong for their principles...... as it all turned out...... well let me just say you won't be reading about me in any of those books and I am now accepting donations to offset the $30 extra expense for a laid-off employee. 

THURSDAY. A FLAT TIRE. I am trying to use my unexpected extra time wisely so when my truck got a flat, I went to Discount Tire and chose to wait while they repaired the tire. I took a book with me to utilize my time. I had been seated for about 10 minutes and was involved deeply in reading. A lady came and sat down two seats from me. I noticed she had her laptop and her bluetooth in her ear. A paragraph later she begain talking. I paused and looked her way thinking she was speaking to me. Wrong! She was, you guessed it, talking on her phone. I quickly noticed how loud she was talking. Her phone looked like a blackberry and not some tin can with string. I didn?t understand why she talked so loud. I tried to get back to reading my book but her voice kept distracting me. I was actually more interested in ready than listening to a 1-sided phone conversation [amazing]. I fought hard against two temptations [1] asking her to lower her voice or [2] start reading my book out loud and compete with her for noise pollution. I chose neither as my truck was quickly fixed and I was able to leave.

Looking back on my choices of time this week, I am not so sure I succeeded at using it wisely. 

I have recently added a new category that I will probably use frequently. It?s the category of "Soapbox" and this is my first post assigned to it.

It seems like a daily ritual lately hearing about the economy and everyone's idea on what needs to be done to fix it.

Maybe it is just me but the more I hear the more I feel like I need to do something or lose my mind. I was driving home tonight from Prayer Meeting and I kept asking the question to myself, "I feel like I need to do something but what?" It wasn't a prayer but when I got on the computer tonight to work I first checked my email. I noticed some files in the spam box so I went to delete all. I stopped and then opened the files and came across an email from a conservative values group. After reading some of it I searched for my U.S. Senators and Representative emails and then sent off some emails expressing my concern that we were losing our minds and encouraging them to vote against (as they have done) the "stimulus package" and other bills I was interested in. I felt immediate mental relief and a renewed hope for sanity.

I know this may seem controversial to some and perhaps you are right that a pastor should stick to preaching the Bible but if I don't do something as an American citizen, I am going to lose my mind!

I'd be happy to share with you that website if you are interested and if you disagree, that is alright too.  I believe there are some extra soapboxes we can find for you.

We've just returned from our annual church retreat in Glen Rose. This year was exceptional. Judy and I arrived early enough to get right to the first thing our agenda, a "nap" to prepare for the marathon later that evening.

I found a spot on our balcony overlooking the river valley, kicked off my shoes and in just a short time fell asleep in the afternoon breeze.

As everyone was getting settled into their rooms later, others were gathering in the great room. This was our first year in the new Cedar Bluff Lodge. Kudos to the staff at Riverbend for the first class service and facilities; they've thought of everything. This certainly made our stay very enjoyable. A personal thanks to Roy for taking care of all the incidentals for our retreat this year.

After rounds and rounds of games and every kind of food imaginable we finally turned out the lights and got to bed sometime around 3 a.m. Our rest was sweet because of the great fellowship and fun we had shared with friends.

This morning we arose to the smell of bacon and biscuits. We all agreed Chef Rodger missed his calling. We are grateful to Rodger for getting up early and preparing the great breakfast. For our devotional

we were reminded of the great promises God has given to us as Missie presented a teaching on the covenants of God. It's assuring to know that our care and keeping is in God's hand and based on His promises.

We gathered mid morning again to "buzz" over our past year and to focus on the coming year at Calvary.

Following lunch we all just hung out and reminisced about past retreats and shared memories. Before long we packed up and left for home... with thoughts of our next retreat together. By the way if you'd like to go ahead and make room reservations the dates are Jan. 29-30, 2010

Today's the first day for our new president to be in office and serve us as our president. Regardless of your political persuasion, believers have been instructed to pray and lift up those who have authority over us.

I Timothy 2:1 tells us that it's our duty and responsibility to offer prayers for kings and all those in authority. It goes on to give us a reason or purpose ? that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  Finally it tells us that when we pray for those in authority over us that it pleases God.

Imagine as you pray for our new president now that you are not only acting in obedience to God, you are putting a smile on His face.