Stamped by War and Freedom

A large group of friends paid respect to Andrew V. today at his burial service. Born in Hungary, he suffered much as a youth during the war, came to America and served with distinction in the Korean conflict.

With citizenship came education and opportunity. The chemical treatment of leather, of all odd things, brought him money, leadership, his own product and company and a life of financial success, travel, family, and fulfilment in two good marriages.

We played Strauss "The Blue Danube Waltz" during an interval.He loved classical music and spent time in Austria during his service. I am drawn into a man's life and love and passion at the end, when shock and loss fill the hearts of those left behind.

My words, spoken so many times, represent hope of the unknown beyond the grave. It always drains me to play this role,spiritually and emotionally, but I do it, and I experience my own revival of hope.

An Old New Friend

Randy T and I have participated on an Irish Whistle and Praise Music Blog group for a number of years and met face to face today for the first time. I gave him some Irish whistles to add to those given by other members which will be used as gifts to Christian leaders in Malawi, Africa where he will head with a group to do pastor/leader training for two weeks.

His church, where he serves as counseling pastor, has been growing at a 30% rate for years and recently added over 1000 new members. They made a change from an attractional model to a missional model and God is doing some great things there.

A late convert to Gospel Music

I came of age with contemporary Christian Music artists like Wayne Watson and Amy Grant, and it was much later that I was introduced to the vast crew of singers touring with the Gaithers. I must tell you that the quality of music and artistry at a Gaither concert matches anyone, anywhere for skill, talent and presentation. These people present such different styles.

My sweet friend Elsa who is now with the Lord dragged me around a Coliseum floor till she could get a hug from Jessy Dixon, who died yesterday. One thing I do know, the Gaithers will honor him by making his many performances available to his fans.

I was amazed to see how broadly he performed and his crossover work with Earth, Wind and Fire and Paul Simon.

Movie Night

Our Texas Sage is blooming, as it does several times a year, never watered, fast growing and can be shaped by trimming. We love them.

We watched "The Journey of Natty Gann" a Disney feature from 1985 set during the depression as a little girl hits the road to find her father. It was an honest picture of both good and bad people she encountered during her dangerous trip over rail, road and whatever vehicle she could hid in with her pet wolf. I enjoyed seeing it again.

Our nine foot screen and Phillips Sound System make it real enjoyable for a room the size of our Bible Study room.

I am reminded of earlier generations of Christian who were warned of the evil influence of movies. I grant that one needs to be selective, but their are so many great stories in the cinema that my life has been blessed and benefited by Movies of all types.

Never ready to say Goodbye

I met with a widow today to plan her husbands memorial, she has now buried two husbands. She believed her husband would live many more years because he was in perfect health, very active, and took no medicines for ailments. Until cancer.

I am always reminded that lovers are never ready to be parted, and sharing the fresh grief tears at my own heart every time I see it.

Locked Out

My WWAM decided to not work yesterday, kept getting a message telling me my Simm was. not inserted. What is a Simm?

The PGA Tour season is finished with total post Tiger equity,25 different winners in the 30 tournaments and a good but not outstanding golfer walking away with 11 million dollars for winning the last tournament. Now that's a paycheck!!!

I have been fortunate to live through many cycles of great golfers, I watched the prime Nicklaus years shift to the Watson Years, and slowing evolve to the Tiger years which have spawned a new breed of strong, long knockers. Fun to follow.

My own golf game is becoming a biblical truth, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. I cannot seem to make my body swing the way I know I can swing, and it becomes pretty frustrating at times.....not enough to quit trying though.

On the health front I have really had such great blood sugar control with my current diet and exercise program. Sometimes the meds get to strong and send me into the low sugar zone, may have to begin adjusting. Life is good.

Fall is our Spring, sort of?

Dear Vernal Equinox, thanks for sending us a 108 degree first day of fall! We hope you can do better real soon because it has been hot as 7734 around here. For those readers not living in the desert, our fall is like having two springs a year. People come out of hiding in their AC houses.

I took some pictures today around the Rec Center. Literally thousands of people playing and watching Pee Wee football, working out on outdoor sports, you name it, its really popping around this place on Saturday.

Works well with my message on life, real life, life from God, Zoe life. Our world, our bodies, our memories, our experiences are all tied up with God's desire to know and enjoy us forever. To our age enduring benefit.