Random Thoughts

As usual I spent an entire weekend talking, visiting and persuading this weekend. To do what I have to do sure requires some gas in the tank. Today is my day off and I plan to rest a bit! I hope your weekend was a good one.

Here are a few things I learned this weekend:

- Never make suggestions based on poorly gained information.
- I make assumptions way to early at times and get myself in over my head at times.
- I have told my story about a church start up so much that I believe it too!
- That it doesn’t take much to entertain “snowbirds”!
- If you wait tables, bartend, or run lobbies for hotels jobs are plentiful down here.
- Just having talent is not enough; you have to market what you do!
- People are receptive to the gospel; they are not receptive to religion.
- My drive to work is a post card pic, I am very grateful for that view everyday.
- Never pass out a “Stroller Stride” exercise brochure to a rather robust mom pushing a toddler as they pass you by!
- Listen carefully! If people matter and they do, then listening to them.

Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason.
-Jerry Seinfeld

Proverbs 26:13 (NLT)
The lazy person is full of excuses, saying, "I can't go outside because there might be a lion on the road! Yes, I'm sure there's a lion out there!"

Don’t talk yourselves out of a great walk! Peace and Love!

I had a very interesting kind of day yesterday. Here are my thoughts of the day

- I am amazed how many good; God loving people are not connected to a body of believers-misplaced gifts!
- There will always be two trees in our garden. The forbidden tree of “knowledge” of good and evil. And the tree of life. The fruit is in the tree. Not interested in that non-life product.
- It is amazing how we speak form our experience.
- Will there ever be anything better than a well-prepared breakfast?
- We all have a story, the trick is telling it so it may stick to the listeners.
- I am so glad of my spiritual journey; I was able to travel with less baggage.
- I hope to help others lighten the load.
- How many dollars is a billion, I get confused. How many dollars will we spend in printing more money?
- Did you know Hell is mentioned 17 times in the NT and Heaven is mentioned 261 times? I like the balance.
- I wonder if Bama will open well against VT this September.
- Nothing like freedom!

Peace and Love

Haggai 1:5 (KJV)
Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.

What an interesting proposal… consider my WAYS!!! Have you ever set and thought about your ways, your choices, and your experiences. Not that I am your most cerebral person you have ever met, but of late this passage has ran though my mind daily.

I, like us all are afforded “ways” or choices, and responses to life and all it unfolds to us. I asked Shari the other day “ am I suspicious in nature or perceptive?” Of course she paused and said “mostly perceptive”. She is my greatest fan!

I think the older I get the more I am ……let’s just say ultra perceptive. I am reminded of the poker proverb, “ Trust everyone but always cut the cards”. I try to be balanced in my approach to people and life in general but man I sure look for motive and reason in every situation. HELP…… Where did the simple Mike go?

In the overall scheme of things I am pretty much the same guy, but man my radar is on high sensitivity! I feel am to chart my path carefully and I am tuned in closely to all that is going around me. Example, I go with Bo to see a movie (Yes Man) and I come out with plans and direction for me, Bo and anyone who would lend an ear.

The NLT translation of Haggai 1:5 sounds like this:
“ Consider how things are going for you!” Feels like God is saying, how is that working for you? So, have you seen changes in behavior or thinking? Do you see yourself sometimes thinking about your choices or responses? Give consideration to your life at least it is some comedic relief.

Peace and Love!

Thanks for the donations to the need I shared with you! We were able to put 150.00 in his pocket but mostly our friend experienced
kindness from an uncommon arena in his life.

He never had “ strangers” (if he only knew how strange!!) help him out. We made a difference. I was glad we could do it!

I am also GLAD:

To share a life with Shari Lynn

I have 3 great kids

I have some of the best friends a man could ever ask for

All my family is healthy

I have enough

Bama beat 12 of its opponents

To be with my family real soon

I am right where I am right now (not just latitude and longitude)

To have a large awareness of GLAD biblical style

Psalm 40:16 (NLT)
But may all who search for you
be filled with joy and gladness.
May those who love your salvation
repeatedly shout, "The Lord is great!"

Luke 1:14 (NLT)
You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice with you at his birth,

Be glad!!! And be extremely cool while you are a blessing!

What are you Glad for?

How I spent the better part of my Day!

I love my job presently. Today I worked a kiosk just yards from the sand and gulf. I talked with people from the Ukraine to Kentucky and topics were as various!

Here is what I gleamed:
-People are still somewhat hopeful of the US future
-Some people have no clue as the hope that comes from a church community.
-People have all shapes and sizes.
-There is a distinct awareness of walking wounded in this ole world.
-It takes patience to develop some new skill sets for new jobs.
-Not everyone gets to sit where I sat today in a working capacity.
-If you care for people it shows up and people will tell their whole life.

Do you love your job? What is your dream Job?

Peace and Love

Please excuse my absence from blog world! My blogging machine was broke and I don’t mean my laptop! I had several technical issues for a non-creative mind to a busy schedule with work and some travel.

Since we last visited here are some experiences I had come my way!

- Visited my mom in PCB
- Shari and I took Bo to Coast Guard Recruiter (it appears son will be a “coastie” by years end and serving God and country)
- Shari, Bo and yours truly voted for the first time in FL.
- Got a day off! (Never been quite so excited about allowing a day to fluff off)
- Meet new neighbors!
- Meeting a lot of great people in my working world.
- I got peanut butter bars form Sue Ellen McCullough in the mail for my birthday! (You momma Sue rock!)
- Had many emails, post and call for B-day….thanks for thinking of me!

This week represents 150 days here and I love all that I am experiencing, except being without daily contact with our great friends!

I hope the cobwebs are off the blogging machine now and plan to stay in touch!

We all do it. We get several things that keep our attention watching how certain scenarios play out! Here is the skinny on my watch list.

- I am watching to see if McCain pulls a rabbit out the hat.
- I am keeping my eyes on the ever dropping gas prices
- I am keep watching to see if Saban keeps Bama on task
- I am anxious the see the Gator-Dawg war soon.
- I am watching this Facebook dynamic unfold
- I am keeping my eye on this weather here….WOW
- I am looking for yard sales this weekend.
- I am watching the development of these 3 kids we got.
- I watching the clock, looking forward to SLO getting home
- I am watching my fantasy football team fold up
- I am watching new opportunities appear.

What has you attention, what are you watching?

Keep looking up!!

I love to play this game from time to time with people your either getting to know of just love to hear the responses.

If you only could have one food to eat the rest of your life, what would it be?

If you could only do one more thing before you die what would it be?

If you could only listen to one song the rest of your life, what would it be?

If you could only watch one movie the rest of your life, what would it be?

I am glad we have options and choices in life!!!

What is the one food that is your pig out food? By definition, that is the food the moment you begin eating you know 2 things, your going to eat it faster than you should and you are going to eat too much!

What is the one thing that gets your anger fired up quickly?

Did you get all the answers quick?

Love to hear them!! Hope your team wins and the band plays your fight song often!

Peace!

The much longed for weekend is now here! I plan to serve in a FWB chamber event today and I might watch a little football. You think? I have some kids visiting so I will throw in some family time minus Cadence.

I hope your weekend is great. I hope your teams win. I hope your family time is great and I hope you find time to worship in Church! Be Blessed.

Numbers 6:24-26 (NLT)
'May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
[25] May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
[26] May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.'

For the next few blogs I want to put the ball in your court! It has come to me that many of you read the blogs but you need a platform to grow.

I have discovered in blogging that “expression” is a great way to grow and develop thoughts and communicate what you feel.

I will throw out random quotes for the next few blogs and I want you to take a few minutes out of your day and give me your thoughts!!!!

Now, on my site you must register to comment…UUUGGGHHH!! I know a “senseless” request right? Its ok many people have survived registering for on line coupons, travel sites, sports site and etc… register and sound off on these next few days of quotes.

Quote of the day(Thursday 8/14/08)

Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory.
William Barclay

Give us your thought, a scripture, another quote for this thought??

Peace and Love…