HARMLESS THOUGHTS

I am not dead

Thanks to Stephanie S. for this one! You are Ephesians. Which book of the Bible are you? brought to you by Quizilla

This Sunday I had the privelege of filling pulpit at the United Church of Morocco. For those of you who don't know, this is something that I do every time I get a chance. It started several years ago, when I started preaching at the Rescue Mission in Danville, IL every Thursday night. I did that for nearly a year, and then I got married, and my job changed starting times, so I had to quit. Since then I have filled pulpit at Edgewood Baptist Church in Danville, IL, First Baptist Church in Covington, IN, Central Baptist Church in Iron Mountain, MI, and now The United Church of Morocco in Morocco, IN. I have to say that of all the things that I enjoy, preaching is the one that I enjoy the most. There are no other times in my life that I am as emptied of myself as when I am preaching. I absolutely love it! I have even considered on many occasions becoming a youth Pastor. But I don't know about that! Alot of things would have to fall into place before that happens! But never...

When your wife is out of town for 10 days it is easy to get a little lonely. In fact, I have been so lonely that I have found reasons to stay at the school as late as I can. The earliest that I have been home is 8:00. And at least three weekdays I have been the last person to leave the building. But I have to be honest, It is less about going home to an empty house, and more about going home to Willow! Willow, my hairless cat, is pregnant. She is very lonely right now, too! I can hear her before I open the door. She is in there crying for me! The first couple of days it was ok. I would pet her for awhile, but then she wouldn't leave me alone. She is driving me crazy! My family is coming back either today or tomorrow, depending on the weather. And once they are here, I will be whole again! (And I won't have to pet that stupid cat anymore!)

Sometimes it is easy to wonder what you should do with your life. Well, let me give you a good starting place. (Actually, let Paul give you a good starting place.) "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life , to mind your own business and to work with your hands , just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." - I Thess. 4:11-12 This by no means answers it all, but if you are not doing these things, then you are not even close!

I can still remember it like it was yesterday... PE class -- Picking teams for Basketball or Football (or any other sport for that matter). We would begin by doing the typical lineup. First the captains would be chosen by the teacher. And then the elimination process would begin. The captains would begin by choosing the obvious ones. This is the most crucial part of the team picking process. These first-chosen-ones were the real determiners of the outcome of whatever the competition of the day was. They were those elite few that could perform dazzling miracles with their athletic prowess. These few would be snatched up at lightning speed -- Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! They are all picked, leaving the rest of us in bewildered amazement. Then the excitement would begin to build as we eagerly anticipated the possibilities of the forming teams. While the elite were being picked, you could hear different vocal sounds of "yes!" and "oh yeah, baby!" or "dude!...

Well, I pledge my head to heaven for the Gospel, And I ask no man on Earth to fill my needs. Like the sparrow up above, I am enveloped in His love, And I trust Him like those little ones, He feeds. Well I pledge my wife to heaven, for the Gospel, Though our love each passing day just seems to grow. As I told her when we wed, I'd surely rather be found dead, Than to love her more than the one who saved my soul. I'm your child, and I want to be in your family forever. I'm your child, and I'm going to follow you, No matter whatever the cost, I'm gonna count all things lost. Well I pledge my sons to heaven for the gospel. Though they're kicked and beaten, ridiculed and scorned. I will teach them to rejoice, and lift a thankful praising voice, And to be like Him who bore the nails and crown of thorns. I'm your child, and I want to be in your family forever. I'm your child, and I'm going to follow you, No matter whatever the cost, I'm gonna count all t...