Fat Albert Easter!

Do they make cartoons like this anymore?

I think somebody could make a Sunday school lesson out of this one! Can you see sin, forgiveness, and redemption?

Wow, Bill!

Good job!

Baby BamaSlammer!

I have a good friend named BamaSlammer (a.k.a. "Shay") who lives somewhere in south Georgia. She is home in Alabama for Easter and to introduce her new little Baby BamaSlammer (a.k.a. "Ava Kate").

I had the best time today visiting with BamaSlammer and baby. Thought I would share some baby pics, but I promised Mommy that her image would not be posted!

What a cutie! She's a little Tweety Bird with her great big eyes!!!

I Love You, Baby BamaSlammer!!!

Good...

...somehow "good" doesn't seem adequate for a Friday like this. It just seems sort of plain to me...."good".

This day memorializes a most special day.

A pivotal day for all mankind.

A very dark day.

A day of grieving in Heaven.

On this day we remember a crossroads of sorts where the justice of God intersected with the sinfulness of man, the sinfulness of me.

On a cross.

Instead of me.

It's breathtaking.

It's numbing.

But good? I just think there should be a better, more descriptive word for this Friday.

...oh yes, I remember now...

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord."

Jesus seemed to like the term "good".

"I am the Good Shepherd; the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep....I am the Good Shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine...I lay down my life for the sheep."

He is Good.

Oh, thank you Jesus.

Yes, oh yes, You are good.

And I...

I am not.

Only grateful.

The Icing of the Tulips

I heard talk of snow.

I didn't listen.

I didn't buy milk.

I woke up surprised.

Awwww!

I hope the pretty tulips pull through.

April 7.

In the Deep South.

Global warming?

Anyone?

Anyone?

:)

Little Stellan

Blogging is a weird thing.

It's weird because it's possible to become mentally and emotionally involved in the lives of people, real people with real lives, that you have never met, never laid eyes on, and may not even know where in the world they live. But they become important to you all the same.

For months I've been following the blog of a lady who calls herself MckMama as she writes about her husband Prince Charming and her children Big Mac, MckNugget, Small Fry, and MckMuffin.

I began following her blog long before MckMuffin (a.k.a. Stellan) was born when she and hundreds of other bloggers were praying for a miracle for MckMuffin. See, before he was born, doctors said he would never survive the womb due to fatal heart problems.

Not only did MckMuffin survive the womb, he was born with no signs of a heart condition.

Sadly, MckMuffin is back in the hospital and is not doing well. I believe he is about 5 months old now.

Please say a prayer for this sweet baby and his family. Only God knows what the future holds for them...

Here's what I'm thinking lately...

None of it really matters.

The little irritations that stress us out don't amount to a hill of beans.

Look around you at all the stuff. Someday it will all just burn.

What He cares about is the condition of our hearts. Do we love Him? Do we seek to obey his Commandments? And how do we even know His commandments if we don't read His Word?
Do we love others?

Isn't that what it boils down to...loving Christ? Obeying Him? Loving others?

Simple as that.

Sometimes it doesn't feel so simple, but my feelings are generally selfish, so perhaps I shouldn't live life based upon my feelings.

In my arrogance disguised as false-humility, I used to think it selfish to dwell on Heaven. Then some people that I love went to Heaven. Things changed.

Now I know. Heaven is why He came in the first place...For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Heaven is the hope given to us by our Hope.

How hard would this life be without the hope of Heaven? What if this (although my this is very good) were all there is? How brief, how treacherous, how dead life would be without the hope of Heaven.

So, yes, if He calls me today I would be so embarrassed that my closet looks like it has thrown up on itself, and somebody will have to deal with the mess. My closet is on my nerves, but in the big scheme of things, it doesn't matter.

What does matter is, if He calls me today, I'm ready.

Come, Lord Jesus!

The Winning HoneyBee!!!

My favorite HoneyBee guessed the baby's weight exactly...8lbs 12 oz!!!

Good Job, girl!!!

Be watching for you SURPRISE!!!

Ooooo! Aaaaaaaah! Right?

She's home...

We brought sweet Aubriana home yesterday around noon. She didn't get a chance to get a good look at the place yet because she can't seem to keep her eyes open! All the excitement of the last few days has just left her pooped.

Except for when she's pooping, that is...

Don't forget to enter THE CONTEST! You have until 6p.m. tomorrow to leave your guess of baby's birthweight. CLICK HERE TO ENTER! The guess who gets closest without going over wins a special prize! OOOO! Aaaaaa! Right?

Dear Adrian...

Dear Adrian,

HI! Do you remember me? It's me...Katie. When I was really, really sweet, you would sometimes call me K.K. When I was especially smart and talented, some people called me Katie Couric. You will testify on my behalf, right? Will you please tell everyone that I used to be sweet. Back when I was a little, bitty Kitty, I was sweet...right?

I remember when you and I first met. Back in 1996, Theia had graduated from Auburn and had decided to spend the summer there working before starting grad school in the fall. I came to live with you and Theia in your apartment there...Genelda Place, remember?

Genelda Place. Now, that brings back some memories. Remember our cute neighbor Andy and his girlfriend Lara? We never could figure out how those two got together, could we? Remember when Craig and Eric brought you some magazines? And the mouse. That stupid mouse was in the fluorescent light fixture that night....you called Eric and Craig. Eric screamed like a girl. Oh good grief!

But then you moved away to finish your clinicals for pharmacy school.

...sigh...

Theia and I moved to a trailer at Dawson Park way down off of Wire Road. At first, it was just great. I used to help Theia study. She would spread her books and notebooks out on the floor so that I could lay on top of them for her. She used to really love when I would do that for her.

You finally came back to live with us. Oh, I had missed you sooooooooo bad when you were away. Remember that game you and I used to play? I would hide under you bed, and when you walked by, I would jump out and grab your feet. You would scream and I would dart out of the room like a bullet! Oh! Those were the good ole days, huh?

Oh, Dawson Park...yes, I think that's where my troubles all started. Remember our weird neighbor? The parole officer? He wasn't too weird, I don't suppose. But all those white cats he had. They were all over the place! How many were there...5...6...9? I can't remember! But they were HUGE. And some of them had had skin cancer (bless their hearts) and had their ears clipped off. Those cats gave me anxiety, and generally put me in a bad mood.

Another thing that put me in a bad mood...when Theia refused to sing my favorite songs to me. I used to love to crawl up in her arms and meow, meow, meow. I loved when she would sing that "A-B-C-D-E-F-G" song and the "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine..." But then she would cut loose in a song about Jesus loving me...for some reason that song hurt my ears. I would slap my Mommy and tell her to stop it. Everytime, she just told me I needed to get saved. That just put me in a really, really bad mood.

I've been in a bad mood ever since.

Theia finally graduated and we moved home to Sand Mountain.

Grandmother and Pepaw hated cats. They hated me, too. I don't know why, really. Beats the heck-far out of me. I don't know what their problem was. I mean, I'm nice. I'm pretty. I'm fluffy and gray. I told them they could still live in the house as long as they understood who was the boss. They just could not understand that I was the Queen.

One day, Pepaw tried to make me get out of the house. I said you crazy, man! He really was crazy...he got this big broom-thing and started swatting at me. I said to him keep hitting at me, and you'll be sorry! He kept on swatting at me. Stop it, man! I'm not kidding! Pepaw kept on being crazy with that broom! That's it man! You have crossed the line! I'm outta here! Now what you gonna do without me?

Uncle Jack had been begging and pleading for me to come take charge of his farm. He had all these dogs and goats and fish and ducks. You should see that farm now...I've really got it all whipped into shape! I don't know what Uncle Jack ever did without me.

I'm still in a bad mood, though. But I just can't help it. People insist on walking by me when I haven't summoned them to my presence. Haven't they any manners? Don't they know they should not speak unless I have spoken to them?

And get this...sometimes they call me "The devil-cat".... whatever! I'd just like to know where they got their information!

Anyway, if you are ever in South DeKalb county, come see me. Consider yourself officially summoned!

Your Old Friend,

Katie

P.S. I hope you like the pictures I am sending to you. I might be 13 years old, but I still got it goin' on girl!

Thank Heaven for Baby Girls!

Aubrianna Kailee made her debut today @ 5:30 p.m. Her mommy, Erica, is doing just fine. Baby needed some IV antibiotics, but seems to be doing great.

To celebrate Aubrianna's birthday, we're having a contest!

Please leave a comment with your guess of this little angel's weight. The person who guesses the closest without going over will win a special prize! Ooooo! Ahhhhh!

*Friends and family who have already heard the weight are automatically disqualified! Sorry! Contest ends March 26 @ 6 p.m.!

Cup O'Tea, Anyone?

Even I know this is just wrong.

It calls for a tea party of sorts. A Boston-style tea party, to be clear.

The $800 billion stimulus bill unnerved me from the beginning. Remember this?

I knew it. I just knew it. It seems that my suspicions were right on...the very ones passing the bill had not even read the thing. Oh brother.... HERE is a nice quote to file away.

QUESTION: What now?

CURRENT ANSWER from Washington? H.R. 1586. Nice, Clark. Real nice.

I have just a a few thoughts on this matter....

• Seriously? You are a congressman. If your job is to do anything, it's to pass laws. You didn't have time to read it? C'mon man... Priorities, people! Priorities!
• I'm not rich, but I don't hate rich people. Why is everybody getting so mad at the AIG executives who received the bonuses? They're human just like you and me, right? It would take a person of exceptional character to refuse a bonus for the good of others. According to the letter of the law, evidently the bonuses were legal. The government who passed the bill is what's wacko in this instance. Perhaps if the company was in dire shape, the bonuses should have never been promised to begin with, and maybe past years of absurd executive bonuses are precisely what crumbled the company to begin with, but that's a mute point today.
• 90%??? What? If the government allows a certain people group to be taxed at this rate, what keeps them from taxing me at this rate? No circumstances should call for 90% taxation. This is just asinine to me! Is there something I'm missing here? Somebody, please correct me if I'm missing a big point in this matter!

And here's another thing...

Regarding the uproar over the President and his "Special Olympics" comment on Leno. Who gives a flip? A little politically incorrect? Yes. He wasn't making fun of disabled people, he was making fun of himself, which I have to admire just a bit. But who cares anyway? Lighten up, people! It's a late night talk show, for Heaven's sake. Of course, had President George W. Bush said the same thing, Michael Moore would already be making a movie about it...

Oh! But wait! A late night talk show. Our nation is on the verge of the worst economic climate since the Great Depression, and the President is on Leno discussing bowling? Reminds me of a lecture I heard back in Western Civilization class when Marie-Antoinette said, in response to the news that her French subjects had no bread to eat, "Let them eat cake."

...Sigh...

Cake...

Oh yes, perhaps we can have teacakes at our tea party.

Something's gotta give, and I'm afraid it's going to be you and me giving more and more...

Breathtaking!

Yesterday afternoon I enjoyed an afternoon outing with Erica, my friend Sonya, and her little girl Ashley. We visited Little River Canyon and DeSoto Falls. The weather was perfect!

The scenery was almost unfathomable!

Breathtaking!

It's hard to comprehend that a person could see the beauty of God's creation and still not believe...

Biggest Loser Night

I love Tuesdays. It's "The Biggest Loser" Night. I love it! I love it! I love it!

I love it like I love Reese's Cups!

What? Did I say that?

Once I remember Jillian the Trainer telling one of the Biggest Loser contestants that there's no stopping unless you are fainting of puking. Well, I had moment at the gym early this morning that would make Jillian proud...and I didn't faint. Catch my drift?

Yuk.

Embarrassing. Totally.

Don't worry! I'm feeling fine now.

By the way, The Family officially has another blogger! First it was me, then it was CUZ, now....check THIS out! I'm diggin' this one too!

Aunt Kathy...what are you waiting on?

A little Erica update...stay tuned. We have an appointment at 2:20 today.

****UPDATE: "When the apple is ripe, it will fall off the tree" said the DOC. We go back to see him again on Monday afternoon...

Oh Boy! Oh Boy! Oh Boy! (...or girl...)

Erica's getting that look on her face. We're going to see Dr. Coulter today at 1p.m.!!!

I think this calls for a CONTEST!!!

...stay tuned...

***UPDATE: Dr. Coulter was delivering babies today, so we only saw the NP. We have another appointment to see Dr. Coulter tomorrow afternoon...

I read THIS on the Fox News website today and thought it interesting.

La la la la la laaaaaaaaaaa....

What in the world???

Had lunch with my good friend Marie *** today. After a brief lull in conversation over our "beans and greens" at Cracker Barrel, she says to me "I heard this story on the radio yesterday about this one-eyed Canadian film maker."

One-eyed film maker??? I just cracked up, as did she! Just the fact that we both found that concept funny...I'm sorry ya'll.

What.In.The.World???

HERE is the story.

Little bit creepy if you ask me!

***Marie is getting good reports from her recent bout with cancer. She's really quite exhausted, but preliminary tests are very positive. Great News!!!

Pray 4 Dustin

Please pray for Dustin Lewis, a young man from Pisgah who recently had a motor cycle accident. He is in the hospital at Erlanger in Chattanooga. You can read his story HERE...you can even register to receive email notifications when his website has been updated with his progress.

I don't know Dustin very well. I just remember watching him play basketball for Pisgah where he was a fantastic athlete. I know he is very much loved by many people.

Just a few random thoughts of what I'm thinking lately...

Wednesday has come and gone and the time change is kicking my butt. Is it okay to write that on a "Christian" blog???? Sorry kids. That's just the way it is.

To make matters worse, I'm going through this weird insomnia-thing where I keep waking up during the night to check the clock...fearful that I have overslept. How frustrating! Dont't know what's up with that!

When the girls here at the house complain of not being able to sleep, I smugly tell them that God is preparing them to have an infant, that their bodies are gearing up for sleep deprivation. Oh my, we are expecting a baby any day now, and I hope He's not preparing me for sleep deprivation. That's totally not cool.

The doctor was originally planning to put Erica in the hospital this Friday, but after her check-up today, he has decided to wait another week. Sigh... It's a girl, and we feel like we've been waiting on her for at least eleven months.

A little side note about Erica...she's doing really good. She hasn't missed a day of work her entire pregnancy. She's half-way through her first semester at Northeast. Saving money to buy a car...buy, yes buy....not finance. I'm really proud of her.

A few weeks ago, we had 4 girls in the house, but now we are down to just one. Kiara achieved her goals for being here and went back to her family. Since then, two other girls have made the choice to leave the house. I'm a little sad about it, because I know they are making choices to return to difficult circumstances in a hard world. Sometimes I question if we are doing something wrong here or if we are missing a mark somehow, but I've come to the conclusion that the we would be doing our residents more harm than good if we allowed them behave "any ole way". Because we love them, we set difficult yet reasonable and achievable standards for our residents, and unfortunately, not all of them are up for the challenge.

...because we love them... It seems that love, God's way, has been popping up in my life every way I turn lately. 2 Commandments: Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind and Love your neighbor as yourself. If we love Him, we will keep his commandments. Love is patient, kind, does not envy. Keeps no record of wrongs. Rejoices in the truth. Christ loved the rich young ruler enough to tell him the truth.

God's definition of love is difficult for me to get my mind around sometimes. It's even more difficult to line my actions up with His standard, but I believe it can be done...we should at least give it all we've got to love as He commands us to love. He gave everything for us...

Soooooo...on a more serious note....

Saturday I am registered to walk in a St. Patrick's Day 5K in South Pittsburg, TN. It benefits a food bank and a Christian Women's Job Corp. If it's yukky weather, I'm not going. Sorry kids, that's just the way it is.

Oh, yes...I almost forgot. My cousin Chris who was a guest writer on my blog recently has apparently started his own blog. Check it out HERE. I'm diggin' it personally! Please leave comments on his blog if you enjoy reading it. Comments help.

I'm fine with all the Lurkers who Read My Thoughts, but please don't do CUZ that way! He deserves better!

In the words of my good friend, new-mommy-of-baby-Ava-Kate, and the all-time best Whitney Houston impersonator, a.k.a., BamaSlammer,... This is my blog for the day...

Makes Me Wanna' SHOUT!

March 9, 2009 is a good day. No, it's a Great day!

Today, I am 3 years cancer-free!

To celebrate, let's all enjoy another video clip from the HOPE Puppet Team!

Baptist Blues Brothers IN THE HOUSE!!!

I wish all of America could have been at Rainsville First Baptist tonight! You would have seen the Baptist Blues Brothers in their finest moment!

We have a fantastic group of both adults and youth who form the HOPE Puppet Team (Helping Others Prepare for Eternity). These are not just your regular Sunday School hand puppets. This is serious buisness in with a serious Kingdom message!

They will perform again tomorrow, March 9th, at 7 p.m. Come everyone young and old! Bring your friends and neighbors! You don't want to miss it!

Here are a few snapshots and video clips from my balcony view!

Boogie Down, Man!!!

Although this video is not the greatest in quality, this was my favorite song of the show. It's difficult to hear the song on this recording, but it's about God's glory in creation. Can you see the scuba diver swimming with the fish, sharks, and jelly fish? Listen for the crowd's response!

I thought I caught a fish...

Friday night I attended the Hope4U Crusade at the DeKalb County Schools Coliseum. The Coliseum was filled to capacity, probably way above capacity. The event was free to the public, and people flocked to hear the messenger of the evening, Rick Burgess of the "Rick and Bubba Show" as well as the worship leader "Big Daddy Weave", a contemporary Christian band that very popular with teens and the twenty-somethings....and maybe a few of us thirty-something, Generation Xer's too!

Rick Burgess did a fantastic job. I couldn't possibly recap the message, but I can say that anyone with ears to hear in that place walked away hearing The Gospel. Any Christian walked away with a powerful challenge. If you've never listened to Rick's testimony, you can watch it in three parts on Youtube Here, Here, and Here.

But why, oh why, did you title this post something about catching a fish? you ask.

That's a good question. I'm so glad you asked.

...back to Big Daddy Weave...

My good friend Alice and I were ushers for the concert...which basically means we were supposed to stand around, smile at people as they came in, direct people to the bathrooms, etc, so we thought... We actually became crowd-control and space-maker workers as the people kept flooding into the Coliseum. We crammed people into every little hole we could find in the bleachers. Whew-wee! What a job! That just stressed me out! So when WE finally had the opportunity to find a seat and enjoy the service, there were no seats to be found. Alice and I just crawled ourselves under a rope at the top of the stairs leading down to the stage area, and sat on the steps next to the stage.

Big Daddy finished playing and Rick took the stage. I looked just below me to my right, and guess what? There sat Big Daddy himself. Hmm. Interesting. There he was, just sitting there on the steps, still holding his guitar, listening to Rick Burgess. Hmmmm.

Well, I listened to Rick. Then I observed Big D. I got back focused on Rick. Then I got side-tracked watching Big Daddy. He wasn't doing anything really. Just sitting there on the steps, holding his guitar, listening to Rick.

Well, I have to say, I kept looking at him because I was trying to get a look at his left hand. Left hand, ring-finger, to be exact. Guess what else? No ring. That's right boys and girls. No ring.
Hey, Big Daddy is Single Big Daddy who can play the guitar and sing! Yes!!! Okay, how am I going to keep Alice away from him?

I focused my attention back on Rick who held my attention for the rest of his sermon.

The service ended eventually, and it was time for the Big Daddy Weave concert.

By that time, most of the stadium seats in the Coliseum had emptied out, so Alice and I made our way up to a more comfortable seating section and began to enjoy the concert. Before long, Alice looked at me and said "Hey, uh, did you notice that Big Daddy isn't married?"

Uh, duh.

"Yeah, I noticed," I replied, rather nonchalantly.

We sat there for a minute. Neither of us talking. Big Daddy just kept on playing his guitar and singing. Sigh...

"Hey, Alice," I said. "You think we can get back stage?"

Alice, quick as a flash of lightening, grabbed her cell phone out of her purse and began to text frantically with both hands as she said "I'm texting Jody!" Well, you should know that Jody Dean is the youth minister at our church who knows everybody and everything, and if anybody could get us backstage, Jody could.

Momentarily she showed me her phone and I read Jody's reply.... He's Married.

Dang.

Sigh.

Where in the world is you wedding band Big Daddy? You can't be doing that to people! Not cool!

I really thought I had caught myself a fish, but I guess he got away. Better luck next time.

As I was preparing to write this post, I began to search Youtube for a music video of Big Daddy. I really thought an audio/visual aid would help you out here. Then I ran across something interesting. It seems that Big Daddy has launched his own personal health journey. Watch...



Wow. He even has his own 90in09 website.

I think this is for-real. Here's how I know... my own uncertified, unofficial trainer Jerry told me on Friday that Big Daddy was working out at Body Vision in Rainsville on Friday afternoon. Wow. He's working out while he's on tour! You go, Big Daddy!!! You 'da man!

Let's all say a little prayer for Big Daddy tonight! This time next year, he may be changing his name!

Need a good laugh? You came to the right place!

Sometimes you just need a good laugh. If that's you today, you've come to the right place!

Please be forewarned...perhaps you should empty your bladder before clicking on "Play".

Dusty monitors be gone!

I found some good information HERE for easy tips on cleaning your monitor and keyboard. Very practical and inexpensive...I love me some bargains! Check it out!

Throbbing Heark 5K...a CUZ point of view!

I'm so happy to introduce a guest writer on "Read My Thoughts." Some of you may know him as Sport, some as Chris, but I shall call him CUZ. He lives in Cullman and is a soldier turned firefighter turned fire inspector. He is husband to Ashleigh and dad to Harley and Jace. Now he is officially blogger...Enjoy as he recounts our recent exercise experience!

Ok, before we begin there are several administrative things that must be handled. I am in no way a professional writer, blogger, poster or author of any book at Books-A-Million. I am a proud graduate of the Jefferson County Public School System long before there was a no child left behind law. So saying that, please be advised that I just type as I talk…Southern. That sound you hear while reading this is every English and Grammar teacher gasping at the same time. (Good luck using your red pen on the computer!!)

Theia has been on me for a month now to finish this and get it sent to her and like any good man; I put it on the “get around to it sometime because there is TV to watch list”. But, not wanting to let my cousin down and to rid myself of the feelings of guilt for not following through on my word here goes…

FLASHBACK: Dateline February 7, 2009, Scottsboro, Alabama

Today I did something that is very strange. To some folks it may not, but for those that know me, you’d agree. I ran for fun. That’s right fun. Now realize there was no one chasing me, I wasn’t chasing anyone, and there was no gambling involved. Exercise is not one of the biggest priorities in my life. In fact my idea of exercise is rocking faster in the recliner with a bowl of ice cream in my hand.

Now don’t get me wrong, I have run before. And for you former veterans’ you know what I mean. In the Army, we ran everywhere we went it seemed. Run to the mess hall, run to the firing range, run in PT, run, run, run…then wait patiently because you got there too early. That never made sense to me, to run then get there so soon to have to wait. Some of that hurry up and wait philosophy. But my largest complaint about running is that it hurts.

Back to the story: This all started last Thanksgiving when Theia mentioned the 5K after participating in the Turkey Trot 5K. My wonderful wife, Ashleigh (see workout nut for further information) decided that we would meet Theia to do this. I, suffering from triptophan overdose, thought, “No problem, I got two months to prepare.”

FAST FORWARD to February 7, 2009

Well it’s race day. I have yet to do any preparation for this race, so my answer for stress…cigarettes. I smoked on the drive from Cullman to Scottsboro. I smoked before I registered. I smoked after I registered, and even before the start. (I KNOW...Smoking is bad but I am STRESSED HERE). Doing quick math in my head, I remember that a 5K is actually 3.1 miles for all the non-metric system people. Wow, three miles…what was I thinking two months ago when I agreed to do this?

Theia arrives and we chat for a while in the parking lot. She says she rode the course yesterday and there weren’t any hills, pretty straight shot looks easy. (Translate as: I don’t want to scare you but you must scale Mt. Everest and run across the San Francisco Bay Bridge, turn around and do it again)

Race time was near so we moved to the starting grid. I decided to pull a Tony Stewart and start in the back so I could pace myself and hope that several people would wreck ahead and I could move up. Being that this was my first race ever, I also did not want anyone to see me crying from the fear of it all.

The race started, not with a bang as I had hoped, but with a disappointing toot of a horn. I started out, legs pumping, arms swaying. I was doing good, finding my groove, “This is not bad at all,” I thought. I found a steady little pace and my head swelled with the idea of “I’ve still got it after all these years.” I saw some cones ahead getting closer and from extreme oxygen intoxication I believed that this was the half way mark. WRONG!! 1-Mile mark….UH-OH. Then the inevitable unplanned event happened…the six-year olds passed me. This is not good.

The longer I ran the further the end seemed. The hills began to get larger, the road harder, breathing labored, legs like Jell-O just taken out of the fridge. This is where I had the “Goose Pond Colony Road” Experience. I believe I saw GOD! He had this smile and a small snicker in his voice. He basically told me “Slow down, it’s not your time yet. You didn’t even prepare for this.”

At the two mile mark there was a lady posted on the side of the road calling out the times for the runners. I had to laugh as she called out mine. No Olympic dreams here folks believe me. I came very close to stopping at this point. It would have been very easy to quit here. I mean hey, I paid to do this! They can’t make me run! Will some kind of 5K police come out of the woods and drag me to a waiting unmarked suburban and carry me off to 5K jail?

But, after my thoughts finally collected themselves, I began to pick landmarks to run to. That tree there, that sign there, that bump in the road…eww that ain’t a bump. Anyway the more I did this the finish line was getting closer. I couldn’t see it but I knew it was there, and around the final curve there it was. I was so proud of myself, “I’m gonna make it!” Then idiocy got in my head again, “I think I will sprint the last 1/10th of a mile just to prove I can and then look really cool in front of all the 6 year olds who passed me earlier. That was my mind; my legs disagreed completely and kept me on a steady pace.

As I crossed the finish line, a feeling of relief, enjoyment and new found pride in myself in knowing that I can finish a 5 K. Later we all met in the clubhouse for prizes, gifts, goodies, and sweets!! Donuts everywhere.

I began to reflect on the race while sitting in the parking lot, physically tired but emotionally high. My thoughts took me to the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:24 – Do you not know that in a race all runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. I believe I ran in a way to get the prize. My prize was finishing that day and knowing that I did not quit.

This of course led to further thought and pondering and I was led to 2 Timothy 4:7-8 where Paul tells Timothy: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

I think about my “Spiritual Race” as a Christian. Especially how hard it is sometimes in the hills and valleys that we each go through. Even the times when discouragement comes in and we just want to throw our hands up and quit. But Paul said it the best, giving us the hope of a greater reward than any medal or T-shirt. A guaranteed life everlasting with our Savior, Jesus Christ is worth a lot more than those. I have now learned to keep looking for the next landmarks to focus on, but ultimately to look for the finish line around the corner.

Keep Running and God Bless.


P.S. If anybody finds my cigarettes please send them back…gotta another 5K on the 28th.

13.1...here I come! What'tha????

Yes, that's right ladies and gentlemen. I made the commitment today.

13.1

13.1 proof-positive miles that perhaps I really have flipped my wig... for real.

The Country Music Marathon and Half-Marathon will be exactly 55 days from today on Saturday April 25, and I plan to be there wearing my magic walking shoes and DryMax socks....Me and more than 25,000 other people. This ain't the Turkey Trot, Toto!

I've been training for several months now, and I still have some work to do. Nevertheless, I think I shall make it with God's help!

This whole distance-race flame was sparked inside of me when our Pastor was teaching through Second Peter on Wednesday nights. He started in 1:1 and went to the end of the book, but the passage that spoke volumes to my life was 1:5-8...

...make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness,

goodness with knowledge,

knowledge with SELF-CONTROL,

SELF-CONTROL with ENDURANCE,

endurance with godliness,

godliness with brotherly affection,

and brotherly affection with love.

For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being useless and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I certainly do not desire to be useless and unfruitful in my relationship or service to Christ, but I had to confess that I have a true sin-problem when it comes to self-control and endurance. So this upcoming race is not about me or anything I can accomplish, but it's about the power of Christ to redeem a sinner and change a life. It's about the freedom that comes with submission. It's about learning a difficult lesson...Endurance comes with faith that He does have a plan that he will reveal in His own time, and I must wait as I persevere step by step by step.

As a light hearted tribute to my distance walkers and runners everywhere, let's all enjoy a little Forrest, Forrest Gump.