The Friday Wrap-Up...

Spring Break is nearing a close, and it's obvious in BlogWorld. I can imagine we will have lots to say in our blogs next week... can't wait. Enjoy your weekend! Here it is, the week that was, in no particular order...

Jeff gives us a great read on 'Creating Community'.

Life's a gamble...read about it at Robert's.

Jason's been on a tear...he has 3 great posts...you can read them here ..... here ..... and here.

There's a new blog in town...drop by and say hello to Ryan.

See ya next week...

Truth...

Truth…is a four-letter word…

I am not an educated person. Never have been…never will be…nor will I profess to be. Even though I graduated with top honors at my high school, spent some six years toddling about on a college campus chasing a double major and currently take off-campus seminary classes, I’m constantly reminded, daily, that I am drastically un-educated. However, the life that I’ve accepted…the life I’ve been called to, is a breeding ground for knowledge…and wisdom. One thing I have learned, is, that the absorption of knowledge and wisdom is a choice we each will make. As for me, just call me a sponge.

One thing that I am becoming increasingly concerned about, is truth. Ask a hundred people the question, “What is truth?”, and you could receive up to a hundred different answers. And to each person, their answer is the correct answer.

The concept of truth, is changing. The application of truth is disappearing. As I observe my world around me, it’s becoming distinctively clear that the definition of truth is changing daily. We seem to define truth as it best fits our needs. What once was a world…a society where black and white defined our every move, now has become redecorated with shades of grey…and the boldness of black and white are quickly fading into oblivion.

Politicians, today, are prime examples of this. The political ‘houses’ they are building, are nothing more than a snap-shot of suburbia where all the houses are constructed using the same masterplan with bland shades of grey used for every sheet of wallpaper and trim, down to the lack-luster granite of the counter-tops. But the exteriors are another story….boldly fashioned with vibrant colors, sure to excite our mind’s eyes. What’s on the outside, isn’t always…I’ll let you finish the sentence.

There’s another neighborhood being built however, just across life’s interstate that has the potential of being the homestead of many strangers who are longing to relocate. Home sites have been cleared and foundations poured that appear to be the strongest around. Highway billboards and websites point to the excitement as these new homes are being built at a rapid pace. A Master Carpenter has been selected…the blueprints have been approved…and Phase I is nearing completion. The new subdivision is filled with pulsating colors and children’s voices echo throughout the streets. But secretly meeting in one of the unfinished homes is a group of laborers who are planning a coo against the Master Carpenter. “He doesn’t know what’s best for us,” they say, “We know how to do things better…and cheaper.” And look, the new homes have added a new dimension, they've added steeples.

So for the most part, the Master Carpenter has been asked to leave and a new hierarchy of leadership has taken over. With tears in his eyes, He walks away heart broken, knowing what His plans were for the neighborhood will no longer see reality…unless something changes.

The new leadership starts out strong, trying to maintain the status quo...with one huge exception. Now, the new occupants are allowed to choose the paint scheme for their new homes. Normally, that wouldn’t be a problem. But after a great deal of inspection, the new homes have taken on an eerie resemblance of another neighborhood just a few exits away. Now it's become hard to tell one neighborhood from the other.

The Master Carpenter stands in the distance…longing…yearning, while the occupants are busy making painstaking trips back and forth to the paint store where they are overstocked in multiple shades of grey.

Truth is a four letter word...I'll let you fill in the blanks...and it's not found in a paint store.

The Friday Wrap-Up...

The pollen is falling and Spring Break is here. I'm sure that each of us have a great week planned. We're off to Ohio on Saturday morning, returning on Tuesday night. DP will reopen on Wednesday morning @ 7:00am. Enjoy reading, the blogs have been busy all week. Here it is, the week that was, in no particular order...

Amanda's 21 years of wisdom.

Dean thinks he's a car...wait, so does James.

The Germans had nothing to do with it...just ask Jason.

Jeff is still monkeying around with his twitter...too funny! Pic of the Week!

Take a look at Mark's big board.

T.J. has narrowed it down to 5 American Idols.

Can you say "FIRE" or "CATFIGHT"! Check it out, only on ML!

And I'd like to invite you to put a little color back into your life.

Have a great week...

The Friday Wrap-up...

Great week...great week...great week. And only one week left till MHS & DCHS have their Spring Breaks...hang on! Super week in Blogsville, have a fun time reading. Here it is, the week that was, in no particular order...

Kristy and her bunch look like bumps on a log. Cute post!

Check out the quiet at Brandi's.

Jonathan's take on 'a time to leave'. A must read.

T.J.'s take on creation. A close runner-up to Blog of the Week. Cool Avatar, by the way!

DPDL makes MonticelloLive.

Jeff has two posts that are worthy of the wrap-up:
1.) He's a freak...duh!

2.) He's figured out that he has a Twitter...and he likes to play with , er I mean update it.

But to my surprise, this morning I read an incredible post that spoke so very BOLDLY to me. An absolute MUST READ by Amanda...and hands-down winner for Blog of the Week! Just Boil Me Over! Great job Amanda!

That's it for now...have a great week.

The Friday Wrap-Up...

There were 3 great posts this past week that I just couldn't choose from...so here's to my choice...a 3-way tie for Blog of the Week...




T.J.'s incredible post on Salvation by Osmosis.

Jeff's take on when it's time to leave your church.

Mark got a letter from Jesus.

Have a great week...

Storms...

If we could only have the view from above the clouds…

The temperature had fallen more than 20 degrees since the storm had come through. Electricity had been knocked out for several hours and as evening set in, our world had grown very dark…and was growing cold. Little did I know the storms that had passed a few hours before had almost destroyed a neighboring town. Destruction was everywhere…just a few miles away…

As I stood outside, staring into the darkness that had consumed my neighborhood, the silence was deafening. Houses…homes where children play and run about, now had vanished. Even the creatures that prowled through the night were silent. But something…something kept calling me to stay outside in the darkness…stay…

The wind, still blowing from the storms, was finally beginning to remove the clouds overhead. Those clouds, what were once like cotton pillows, now were stained with dirt and debris from the devastation below. Flashes of light was now piercing through the darkness and exposing the wonder of the heavens above. The moon had never seemed so bright in all my life. But it was in those instances where I could actually see above the clouds…where the moon and stars illuminated my deep dark world…that shadows began to emerge…homes that once were lost, now started appearing slowing out of the darkness. It was there that I saw the calmness, the peace that remained intact even though my view was restricted…restricted to the under-side of the storm. Though all the while, from my vantage point, that terror loomed in the skies, peace was always there in front of me…calling out to me…just above the storm.

It wasn’t all that long ago, when a group of men set out on a journey…a journey that took them out to sea. And in the midst of that journey, a mighty storm arose. Panic and fear set in…desperation screamed from their very souls. As the winds howled and the waves crashed, those men knew their vessel wasn’t designed for such a powerful storm. It was only a matter of time…
Far too many times, I find myself a passenger on that same boat. Everywhere I turn, waves are crashing in around me. And far too many times, I feel the strains of life with every fiber of my being…reaching for life preservers only to have them wash out to sea. Just like those men, holding on to dear life, I find myself cowering down in the back of the boat, pleading for help. And in my desperation, He hears me…He heard them. As my Master makes his way toward the bow of the boat, staring face-to-face with eminent destruction, He stands firm…strong…believing… asking me to join Him…to look at things from a different perspective. I try to make my way forward, grasping for His open arms, but I’m struggling. And He knows it.

But in an instant, He beckons the wind and the waves and the storms vanish and peace becomes still. And in that same moment, I hear Him calling out to me…to look beyond my fears…to realize that storms are only temporary…to see that the light has now penetrated the darkness…to see the view from above the clouds…

The Friday Wrap-Up...

Lots of great stuff to read out there in blog world. Seems like everybody has had something to say the past few days! Great reads everywhere...thanks for making my week better. In the meantime, Dad's Place is a drop-off site for toys and baby stuff for our neighbors in Dumas. Get it to us, Journey Church will get it to them.
Here it is, the week that was, in no particular order...

Mark has found his big brother.

Nominations are screaming in for the Angelina Awards! Get your nominations in now!

He said he tried to say 'No'...but the temptation was too great...Jeff gave in and became a prostitute last week! A Must Read! A tie for Blog of the Week.

A great blog that is being read a lot locally is MMI...put it in you bloglines!

Brandy has it relentless.

T.J. Files looks at passion or passiveness.

Dean takes an inside look at a Playboy Bunny.

Brandi is back!

Twenty For The Future head to D.C.

Check out the latest TiVo & Movie reviews at TiVo Junkie.

T.J. Scott is choosing to lose church attenders. Tied for Blog of the Week.

Meet my new buddy, Jason...he's Melancholy in Monticello.

And what ever you do, the firestorm that's currently taking place at ML is still going! Don't Miss It!

Have an incredible week, see ya next Friday!

Drop-Off Site For Small Toys...

Dad's Place is now a DROP-OFF site for children's toys and baby items that will be delivered to the Dumas area. We are looking for items like:
small stuffed animals
coloring books
colors
side-walk chalk
cards
jump ropes
small cars
barbie dolls
colored pencils
paper
balls
baby food
baby wipes
diapers
and anything else along these lines

Any items such as these will be greatly appreciated. And THANKS to Journey Church for taking these items to the children for us.

The Wrap-Up Is Coming...

The Wrap-Up is on it's way, but there are still great posts and comments still 'flying' in! So in the meantime, here are a couple of things I'd love for you to check out:


My buddy, James Martin has started a new blog...'Life Of A TiVo Junkie'. Be sure and stop over and enjoy his reviews of TV Shows and Movies. And don't forget to comment on your thoughts on those same shows! Go ahead and link him up on your blog sites!

Angela has released her Angelina Award Nomination Catagories. Drop by and make your nominations NOW. Great Job Angela!

And what ever you do, don't miss the firestorm that currently taking place at ML...34 comments and counting!

The Saturday Wrap-Up...

OK...here we go...the week that was, in no particular order...

Mark is off...

Jeff is looking for haters...count me in. A definite MUST READ!

Brandy discusses love languages.

T.J. Files plays with automatic doors...a must read.

Kevin found his paradise by the dashboard lights.

T.J. gets sappy over Melissa. Yea, yea I know...it was Valentine's Day!

Check out the proposal for W.C. Whaley over at MonticelloLive. And also, listen to the podcast of this week's city council meeting.

And here's a first...Angela has nominated this for blog of the week. I agree! By the way, stay tuned for the First Annual Angelina Awards.

Have a great week...see ya next Friday!

The Wrap-Up...

My usual Friday Wrap-Up is running a little late. Sorry about that. I hope to have it finished by tomorrow. Until then...

The Friday Wrap-Up...

Friday is here and none too soon! Our week at DP has been insane! It was our pleasure to host the UAM Signing Party for our new football recruits this past Wednesday evening. Thanks to Coach Matthews and his staff for allowing us an opportunity to serve our University. Today brings a 'crispness' in the air and, an anticipation for R & R from the weekend. This week's blogs will be certainly entertaining. Don't miss either of them! Here it is, the week that was, in no certain order...

Jeff & Caro bring us their Disney Diaries. (Make sure you read each day's entrys.)

Dean and Prince...all I can say is, Let's Go Crazy.

Blog of the Week..."On Stupidity And The Such..." An absolute MUST READ!

As only Mark can, his encounter with...well, you'll just have to read it for yourself! Another absolute MUST READ!

Have a Great Week...see ya next Friday...

Another Perspective On Stupidity...

As only Mark could, you MUST READ his encounter from this past Monday night. Great Job Mark!

On Stupidity And The Such...

Every now and then, there is just cause for us to crawl up on our 'soapbox' and simply yell and scream about something that we believe in, or when something is blatantly wrong. Mark this down, I am officially on a soapbox!

Let me preface this post by saying this, I understand (to a certain degree) ignorance. And because of that, I can usually file away any thing or any conversation where ignorance is involved. Take for example the fact that I know absolutely nothing about Apple computers. What little I do claim to know, I don't like. That's my personal preference. However if I were to get into a deep 'theological' conversation concerning Apple computers, my input into that conversation would be pure ignorance! And the person that I was having that conversation with, would see my lack of knowledge immediately, call it ignorance, and wouldn't put any stock into my thoughts. Probably would make fun of me so-called lack of knowledge. And justifiably so. Wikipedia even agrees with me! So you see, I understand.

However, I have ZERO TOLERANCE for stupidity...on any level. Whether its in a conversation or in action, ZERO TOLERANCE! Wikipedia goes on to say that, 'The term (stupidity) can thus also refer to poor use of judgement...' Yep, I believe that also!

Last night, I encountered a massive case of stupidity that was laced with complete ignorance. Absolutely unbelievable! On Monday nights, DP is thumpin'! Take into consideration the fact that people are going back to routine after the weekend and need to get caffeinated for work and school, combined with the fact that DP has our Doubles Dart League that is played on Monday nights, and you get a VERY busy place with a lot of traffic! So in reality, I guess that jealousy and/or enviousness is the real root to this grandiose case of stupidity. Last night, our wonderful neighbors...the fine upstanding citizens they are...from the 'diner next door'...were so slow with customers, they decided to literally stand on their parking lot and refused to allow anyone that was not going into their diner, a place to park. Many of our customers...our friends, were harassed, treated rudely, and were forced to come face-to-face with a card-carrying, class A, stark-raving idiot! It's extremely obvious to me that if their diner was busy, they wouldn't have the time to stand outside and run off other businesses' traffic. There's no wonder that their parking lot stays empty, and all the customers from other businesses in the neighborhood use their empty parking spaces. With this attitude, they can probably rent their parking lot as a roller-skating rink because they're certainly not inviting others to come in. When I attempted to confront the owner (actually lessee would be the correct term), I was greeted with the same harshness as our friends from an individual who simply refused to listen to reason and hear the truth. I honestly haven't seen anything like this in a long time!


So to our friends, I greatly apologize for what you had to put up with last night. And unfortunately, we will probably see this again in the near future. Just know, that you and your families are greatly appreciated from us at DP, and I'm truly sorry for their stupidity and ignorance.

I certainly don't have the right to tell anyone where or where not to dine. But I can tell you this, if you do choose to eat at our 'diner next door', there has to be a sign on their door that warns you that you are now entering a 'stupidity containment area.'

The Friday Wrap-Up...

It's Friday again, and we have obviously dodged the 'weather bullet'! The flu is still taking it's toll in town, but I do believe we're on the mend. Several things in the blog world from the past two weeks, so here it goes...the week(s) that was, in no particular order...

Angela auditions for American Idol with a Neil Diamond classic.

You can find a couple of Super Bowl predictions here and here.

Speaking of the Super Bowl, the first flag of the biggest game of the year was thrown days before the game!

Finally, a local church is looking for the biggest loser.

T.J.'s smoking.

Brandy has a convict living at home. The charge against the perp: Painting the toilet with fingernail polish! Too Funny!!

Kevin remembers.

I went down to the creek bed.

Jeff is going to "Big Ear" World! With daily posts all next week! He also gave us a couple of great posts over the past few days. One on 'Experience vs Obedience' and an eye-opener on 'What Young Adults Want' which is my choice for blog of the week!

Lot's of things going on over at DPN.

That's it for now, see ya next week...

Stones...

It's all about a stone...

One of the greatest misconceptions in American enterprise is that "If you own your own company or business, you must be wealthy." Granted, for some, that may be true...but by and large this is a huge misnomer. Sounds good in theory...looks good on paper...but not in reality. If the truth be told, entrepreneurs who own their own businesses have struggles, daily, of epic proportions, that are rarely seen.

I know. I am one. And I am not alone.

And it's not so much about the financial aspect of the business...it's everything that comprises the total package. There are so many days that Murphy's Law is in full control. I've come to the conclusion that when you least expect it, something...usually the weirdest things...will go wrong. Small or large, problems...challenges exist...standing proud...taunting... They're just there...it's going to happen!

Just as it is in business, so it is in our everyday lives. As each day dawns anew, the problems lurk in the shadows...waiting...watching...gloating... Ever been to the point where problems seem too overwhelming? As though each step you take in any given direction guides you through a labyrinth where Pandora's Box is your great reward and it's already open and waiting on you as you cross the finish line?

Been there...am there...stay there...

And after a while, the load gets heavy...and heavier...and heavier. Almost unbearable. It seems as though the farther I sink, the larger the problems appear. But each time, I'm reminded of a young boy, who was faced with a monumental situation. His reaction altered a nation and opened the eyes of a king. That's the kind of approach I'm looking for. The young boy threw caution to the wind, and with reckless abandon ran to stand face to face with the biggest obstacle he could ever imagine. But along the way, he made a brief stop...a decision that would bewilder the strongest critic...a stop by a creek bed to pick up five simple stones. Stones that had been placed there at the dawn of creation for that specific place in time...waiting...

Were the stones magical, no. Was the number five a lucky number, for some maybe, but not for him. It was the purpose behind the stones that made the difference. A purpose, an attitude that I seek to garnish. An attitude that when applied, conquers the largest problems man will ever know.

"Father, I seek to stand in Your strength...in Your vision. And when I often stop to gather stones, help me focus on The Rock...amen."

So tomorrow morning, I'll set the alarm clock a little earlier...drink an extra pot of coffee...time to make my way back toward the creek bed...

The Sickly Friday Wrap-Up...

Friday has arrived much more quickly than I would have expected it to. I'm sure there are plenty of great posts from this past week, however, due to the wonderful flu, I haven't had that much of an opportunity to spend as much time reading as I normally do. A thousand apologies... Next Friday, my plans are to include both weeks worth of posts in the wrap-up. In the mean-time, these are a few places that I frequent on a regular basis. I'm sure you will enjoy them as much as I do. Here are a few of my blog buddies, in no particular order...

Dean

Jeff

T.J.

Mark

Angela

Amanda

Brandy

Have an incredible week...see you next Friday...

The Friday Wrap-Up On Saturday...

As you can tell, I'm running behind, sorry I didn't get this posted until Saturday! What a wild and wacky week. From the weather to the blog posts, such strange events. Hope you have a great weekend...here it is, the week that was, in no particular order...


Brandy lost her mind.

Jeff started something when he was using four-letter words.

Then Dean used the "D" word. Hands down, blog of the week...(look for a continuation this coming week)

And not to be left out, T.J. used the "F" word.

But really the craziest things started popping up on MonticelloLive. It's very evident that our new mayor-elect has no clue what Robert's Rules Of Order are. Don't believe me, just listen to the podcast of the City Council meeting...but be ready for approximately the first 20 minutes of this wonderful meeting to be pure chaos...unbelievable! Then, our new mayor-elect wants to abolish the Parks & Recreation Commission (Hmmmmm....seems like he doesn't like where baseball is played! Thanks Steve Hartness for a job well done!) And then asks for his ability to approve up to $20,000 in city expenditures without engaging in a competitive bidding process to be approved by the Council. The previous limit was $10,000. Did you get that? Freedom to spend, now, up to $20,000 in city expenditures WITHOUT getting ANY competitive bidding! The council also approved that initiative, by a vote of 6-1, with Tim Chase voting against. I'll be curious, and I know you will also, to see exactly WHO gets those contracts...hummmmm. (Do I smell a "good 'ol boy" system?) Thanks Tim...

That's it...see ya next Friday...

The Friday Wrap-Up...

Today brings a welcomed relief as the weekend approaches as we seek to get back in routine after the holidays. It's obvious many of us are glad to be back in that routine. Several good posts are out there, but these are the ones that caught my attention. Here it is, the week that was, in no particular order...

Dean has stepped in something toxic.

There's some pretty interesting stuff coming from the CDC over at MonticelloLive.

Brandy has found the diet of year. Guaranteed to work! Go Brandy!

Mark asks us to consider 'the face of the other'. Great post Mark!

I hate professional photographers! Their ability to actually create an image on paper that most of us only can dream about is unreal! And Carolyn is at the top of my hate list. Take this pic for example...outstanding job! No questions asked...pic of the week. :)

Angela has new diggs ..... be sure to take your shoes off when you visit. And don't miss her discussion over 'hot or cold'.

I took us out to the deep dark woods.

Blog of the week would have to be Jeff's golden experience at Chicken Express! A must read!

Alright, that's it for this week...see ya next Friday!

Call Of The Wild...

The call of the wild, is a haunting sound...

Growing up as a little boy, my Dad was only home on the weekends. He was Sales Manager for an aluminum company that required extensive travel throughout the week. Because of that, I never really learned the 'art' of hunting. Most young boys were always in the woods with their fathers at such an early age, that it seemed as though for them, hunting grew from a sport to a way of life.

I never did grasp the concept of killing animals for sport. I do realize that need sometimes does exist, and many enjoy the sport...but for me, the challenge was the ability to take a small lead object...calculate the wind...the distance...the circumstances...and maneuver it to a specific location that was pre-determined prior to squeezing the trigger. While other boys were aiming at rabbits, squirrels, deer and the like, I was shooting soda caps at 50 yards.

Throughout each year, as the father/son combinations made their migratory jaunt into the vastness of the deep dark woods, I was always left behind...searching...longing...listening...

As each hunting season neared, there was always an excitement in the air...an excitement that was almost undescribable...an excitement that could only be understood by those who have or would accompany them in the journey. The lessons that had been learned from previous outings were about to be put to the test once again. And each time, this calling would force them to venture to, many times, places unknown, with the only means of survival being the skills that had been learned from others...those that had gone into the wilderness, before. And just like always, each journey would require a new set of skills...skills that had yet to be learned...skills needed for survival...skills that would forevermore be forged in the forefront of the mind.

The call of the wild, is a haunting sound...

The call of God, strongly mirrors the call of the wild. Many see and feel the excitment...only few understand. Our skills are learned by the hours we spend in preparation for the 'hunt'. We read...we study...we listen...gathering as much knowledge and wisdom as possible so that when we hear that haunting sound, we grab our gear and mount up. We prepare throughout the years for the opportunity to put our 'learned' skills to the test...the test in the 'deep dark woods'. And like the seasoned hunter, we continually acquire new skills...skills needed for survival...skills that would forevermore be forged in the forefront of our mind.

The seasons are changing...my gear is packed...my weapon is sharp.

The call of the wild, is a...Shhhhhhh...I think I hear something...

The Year End Wrap-Up...

In August of last year, I entered into a new world...a world of the unknown...the world of blogging. Sometimes mysterious, sometimes hilarious, sometimes controversial, yet always exciting. Being the 'aggressive reader' and the 'writer-want-to-be' that I am, I was aways intrigued by the concept of blogging, yet would always find some excuse not to enter this 'new world'. It was by the constant 'encouragement' (borderline nagging) from many friends, that I've entered into this never-ending, always challenging blog world. A decision I'm very glad I made.


Blogs are as different as each one's personality. And I find it increasingly amazing that we can most-times always be our true selves in this land of blog.

There are several each day that I would consider a 'daily click'. And my day just doesn't seem complete if I haven't taken the time to read my blog list. I'm sure most of you feel the same way.

I've taken the past week to look through the archives of my 'daily clicks' to find the posts that really, really stood out, or spoke to me. It's those posts that poked or prodded me in new and unique ways. Some posts were educational for me. Some were gut wrenching. But each made a lasting impression on me, and it's that impression that I want to share with you.

As I've already said, I read many each day...but these...well, just read for yourself.

Here is it, the year that was (or at least since August), in no particular order...

Dean's opening post when he first began his road trip was one of those hidden nuggets. But it was his post on 'Warrenism' that still has comments coming in. And I must say, Dean's bloghead is just killer.

Angela's story of a makeover with her daughter Val was too cute. However, her video tribute to the late Steve Irwin gets her video of the year. By the way, Angela just posted one that's sure to make the weekly wrap-up.

Kevin's toothache is a distinct keeper.

DavicusPrime's inward scope on depravity cuts to the bone.

Mark consistently brings everything he's cooked up to the table. There were so many of his posts that I truly enjoyed, but there were a couple that rose above the others. One of his latest entries in December was a true look into the horrors of high school (and the pics, oh my!). His post on the problems of a private prayer language in October was great. But it was in August, when Mark posted a small entry on racism that truly spoke volumes to me. Mark consistently quenches my thirst for reading. It's always a pleasure!

Melissa's crooked post in October was priceless, not to mention that pic!

Jeff, Jeff, Jeff. The blog over at journeyguy's is without a doubt the busiest. Sometimes 3 or more posts per day. But in the midst of all that blog fodder, Jeff always serves up a dandy. Instead of giving you one or two certain posts, I would like to encourage you to check out his entire blog. You'll be glad you did.

I wait with anticipation each time I click on Brandy's blog. I never know what to expect. But one thing I do know when I go there, her posts are bathed in honesty, innocence and reality. Two of her posts I still think of often. It was the one on worship from September 4th and her post on money & offerings from October 29th. Make sure you read them both.

T.J.'s blog probably has the widest range of topics. Expect anything over there. But it was his personal explanation on Holy Spirit Baptism, Tongues, and Etc. that cleared up several mysteries to me. Get inside T.J.'s head. By the way, his take on 'Walk on the Water' wasn't half bad either.

I really chose to 'espresso myself' back in October when I gave you a three part entry on the beginnings of Dad's Place. Part 3 is still one of the most 'commented on' posts that I've seen. Here it is, in it's entirety, "Looking At The Future Through My Rear View Mirror" Part #1 ..... Part #2 ..... Part #3.

The birth of MonticelloLive was one of the most exciting events of the year for our community. And it still is providing a breeding ground for conversation and controversy concerning topics that effect us each and every day. Two of the stories on ML stirred up this town like I've never seen it before. The post on the proposed $6m Community Center and the proposed tax increase for the hospital expansion, was incredible. Great Job ML. But it was a simple story about a simple man that I must say is my blog of the year. Once you read it, I know you'll agree with me. Here it is ..... One Monticello Life: Mr. Carpenter.

2007 is now here. What does that mean for me...what does that mean for you? I guess we'll just have to wait...and read.

Special Wrap-Up...

There will be a special 'Year End' Wrap-Up coming early next week! Stay tuned! Have a safe and exciting New Year's!

Twelfth Day of Christmas...

Merry Christmas from Dad's Place!

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Twelve Java Mudslides...

Eleven Caramel Lattes...

Ten Cappuccinos...

Nine Blueberry Bagels...

Eight Dad's Place T-Shirts...

Seven Strawberry Milk Shakes...

Six Frappuccinos...

Five Shots of Swamp.

Four Chai Lattes...

Three Ham & Cheese...

Two pounds of beans...

And a large cup of Dad's Place coffee.

The Friday Christmas Un-Wrap...

Whether we want it or not, Christmas is upon us. School is out...the kids are home...food to prepare...and presents to buy. But in our hussle-bussle week, there are a couple of great reads this past week. Hope you enjoy! Here's Christmas week, in no particular order...

Angela has brown blobs.

Brandy had a case of 'pray & stray'.

Mark has a MUST READ on Cultural Stupidity - KGTDFJ. And just before I clicked publish, Mark gives us a well-expeced Part #2. Great Job Mark!

DPDL.

Hot Topic of the Week is over at MonticelloLive. And congrats to ML for being inducted into the 9rules blog community.

'Jeff and his runaway' are a runaway for Blog of the Week!

Oh, and I can't forget the story of the lost keys!

Kevin took us on a stroll down memory lane.

Wouldn't it be great if some of our church members would be as much on fire as our church vans?

Ever saw a child that didn't want his picture taken? Check out my Pic of the Week over at Carolyn's.

I pray that each of you have an incredible Christmas. May all your dreams come true! From our cup to yours...

Merry Christmas!

Jim, Denise and Tabitha

The Big Wheel Truck Stop...

In September 1960, I woke up one morning with six hungry babies and just 75 cents in my pocket. Their father was gone. The boys ranged from three months to seven years...their sister was two. Their Dad had never been much more than a presence they feared. Whenever they heard his tires crunch on the gravel driveway, they would scramble to hide under their beds. He did manage to leave $15 a week to buy groceries.

Now that he had decided to leave, there would be no more beatings, but no food either.

If there was a welfare system in effect in southern Indiana at that time, I certainly knew nothing about it. I scrubbed the kids until they looked brand new and then put on my best homemade dress, loaded them into the rusty old 51 Chevy and drove off to find a job. The seven of us went to every factory, store and restaurant in our small town.

No luck.

The kids stayed crammed into the car and tried to be quiet while I tried to convince whomever would listen that I was willing to learn or do anything. I had to have a job.

Still no luck.

The last place we went to, just a few miles out of town, was an old Root Beer Barrel drive-in that had been converted to a truck stop. It was called the Big Wheel. An old lady named Granny owned the place and she peeked out of the window from time to time at all those kids. She needed someone on the graveyard shift, 11 at night until seven in the morning. She paid 65 cents an hour, and I could start that night. I raced home and called the teenager down the street that baby-sat for people. I bargained with her to come and sleep on my sofa for a dollar a night. She could arrive with her pajamas on and the kids would already be asleep. This seemed like a good arrangement to her, so we made a deal.

That night when the little ones and I knelt to say our prayers, we all thanked God for finding Mommy a job. And so I started at the Big Wheel.

When I got home in the mornings I woke the baby-sitter up and sent her home with one dollar of my tip money-- fully half of what I averaged every night. As the weeks went by, heating bills added a strain to my meager wage. The tires on the old Chevy had the consistency of penny balloons and began to leak. I had to fill them with air on the way to work and again every morning before I could go home.

One bleak fall morning, I dragged myself to the car to go home and found four tires in the back seat. New tires! There was no note, no nothing, just those beautiful brand new tires. Had angels taken up residence in Indiana, I wondered.

I made a deal with the local service station. In exchange for his mounting the new tires, I would clean up his office. I remember it took me a lot longer to scrub his floor than it did for him to do the tires. I was now working six nights instead of five and it still wasn't enough. Christmas was coming and I knew there would be no money for toys for the kids. I found a can of red paint and started repairing and painting some old toys. Then, hid them in the basement so there would be something for Santa to deliver on Christmas morning. Clothes were a worry too. I was sewing patches on top of patches on the boys pants and soon they would be too far gone to repair.

On Christmas Eve the usual customers were drinking coffee in the Big Wheel. There were the truckers, Les, Frank, and Jim, and a state trooper named Joe. A few musicians were hanging around after a gig at the Legion and were dropping nickels in the pinball machine. The regulars all just sat around and talked through the wee hours of the morning and then left to get home before the sun came up.

When it was time for me to go home at seven o'clock on Christmas morning, to my amazement, my old battered Chevy was filled full to the top with boxes of all shapes and sizes. I quickly opened the driver's side door, crawled inside and knelled in the front facing the back seat. Reaching back, I pulled off the lid of the top box. Inside was whole case of little blue jeans, sizes 2-10! I looked inside another box: It was full of shirts to go with the jeans. Then I peeked inside some of the other boxes. There was candy and nuts and bananas and bags of groceries. There was an enormous ham for baking, and canned vegetables and potatoes. There was pudding and Jell-O and cookies, pie filling and flour. There was whole bag of laundry supplies and cleaning items. And there were five toy trucks and one beautiful little doll.

As I drove back through empty streets as the sun slowly rose on the most amazing Christmas Day of my life, I was sobbing with gratitude. And I will never forget the joy on the faces of my little ones that precious morning.

Yes, there were angels in Indiana that long-ago December. And they all hung out at the Big Wheel Truck Stop....

And The Winners Are...

Here are the top scores in Dad's Place' Quiz. Thanks to ALL who joined in on the fun. A NEW CONTEST will begin on December 12th. Don't miss it!



3rd Place...Your prize is one scoop of Ice Cream.

Angela
Rick Rudolph



2nd Place...Your prize is a Small Coffee of Choice.



Melissa
Amanda K.



FIRST PLACE...Your prize is a LARGE Coffee of Choice.



Tammie S.
Sharon

Choosing A Cup...

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned to complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor came in with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups...porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite...telling them to help themselves to the coffee.

When all the students had a cup in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice-looking expensive cups were taken, leaving the plain and cheap ones. While it is but normal for you to want the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee in most cases. It is just more expensive; in some cases it even hides what we drink."

"What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups...and then began eyeing each others' cups."

"Consider this: Life is the coffee. The jobs, money, and position in society are the cups. they are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us."

God brews the coffee, not the cups...enjoy your coffee.

"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11

(...copied)

A Coming Day...

You are in your car driving home. Thoughts wander to the game you want to see or meal you want to eat, when suddenly a sound unlike any you've ever heard fills the air. The sound is high above you.

A trumpet?

A choir?

A choir of trumpets?

You don't know, but you want to know.

So you pull over, get out of your car, and look up. As you do, you see you aren't the only curious one. The roadside has become a parking lot. Car doors are open, and people are staring at the sky. Shoppers are racing out of the grocery store. The Little League baseball game across the street has come to a halt. Players and parents are searching the clouds. And what they see, and what you see, has never before been seen.

As if the sky were a curtain, the drapes of the atmosphere part. A brilliant light spills onto the earth. There are no shadows. None. From whence came the light begins to tumble a river of color spiking crystals of every hue ever seen and a million more never seen. Riding on the flow is an endless fleet of angels. They pass through the curtains one myriad at a time, until they occupy every square inch of the sky.

North.

South.

East.

West.

Thousands of silvery wings rise and fall in unison, and over the sound of the trumpets, you can hear the cherubim and seraphim chanting, Holy, Holy, Holy. The final flank of angels is followed by twenty-four silver-bearded elders and a multitude of souls who join the angels in worship.

Presently the movement stops and the trumpets are silent, leaving only the triumphant triplet: Holy, Holy, Holy. Between each word is a pause. With each word, a profound reverence. You hear your voice join in the chorus. You don't know why you say the words, but you know you must.

Suddenly, the heavens are quiet. All is quiet. The angels turn, you turn, the entire world turns ...and...there He is...Jesus.

Through waves of light you see the silhouetted figure of Christ the King. He is atop a great stallion, and the stallion is atop a billowing cloud. He opens his mouth, and you are surrounded by his declaration : I am the Alpha and the Omega. The angels bow their heads. The elders remove their crowns. And before you is a Figure so consuming that you know, instantly you know: Nothing else matters.

Forget stock markets and school reports. Sales meetings and football games. Nothing is newsworthy..

All that mattered, matters no more....for Christ has come. . .

'When Christ Comes" by Max Lucado

Thanks Denise for sharing this with me...

Give Thanks, the finale...

Throughout our lives, many people and events will come and go. And as the years pass, most of them will become a faint memory. However, there are those that happen along our path that somehow, someway influence or affect us in a way that cannot be forgotten. It is these people or events that have silently shaped our spiritual paths. I like to refer to these as spiritual mile markers. I would like to encourage you to focus on the people whom you would consider to fit in that category. I hope to address the 'events' category in another post. During this Thanksgiving season, I've asked you to consider the 5 people/things that you are most thankful for, and also the 5 individuals that you have able to begin or strengthen your relationship with. Today, in the finale of this series, I ask you to list 5 of the individuals that you consider to be spiritual mile markers in your life, and say a special prayer for these.

Here are mine...

1.) Mrs. Vivian Burton. My very first Sunday School teacher. In her class, Jesus became more that just a Bible Story Character.

2.) My grandmother, Rose Wheeler. It was through her life that I truly saw Jesus in the flesh.

3.) Harold Heathcott. My high school business teacher. Maybe not the most spiritual man I've ever met. But certainly the one who pushed me and challenged me to be more than I could ever dream of in every aspect of my life. My absolute favorite teacher. The only teacher that really believed in me.

4.) One of my first buddies in the ministry, Jim Webb. The one who opened a brand new door of worship for me. The one who helped me realize that true worship was the autobahn that ended at the throne of God. A pastor who was years before his time.

5.) My father, Jim Whaley, Sr. Without a doubt, the most gifted man and gifted speaker I've ever known. He was the epitome of when Jesus told Peter that "it was on this rock, that I will build by church." The one who personally led me to Christ...baptized me...and taught me the reality of soul winning. (Definitely another post in the making.) One of the true beginning revolutionaries.

And I close with the words of one of Ray Boltz's most memorable songs...

Thank You

I dreamed I went to heaven
And you were there with me
We walked upon the streets of gold
Beside the crystal sea
We heard the angels singing
Then someone called your name
You turned and saw this young man
And he was smiling as he came
And he said friend you may not know me now
And then he said but wait
You used to teach my Sunday School
When I was only eight
And every week you would say a prayer
Before the class would start
And one day when you said that prayer
I asked Jesus in my heart

Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave

Then another man stood before you
And said remember the time
A missionary came to your church
And his pictures made you cry
You didn’t have much money
But you gave it anyway
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that’s why I’m here today

Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed

Thank you for giving to the Lord

I am so glad you gave

One by one they came
Far as the eyes could see
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity
Little things that you had done
Sacrifices made
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven now proclaimed
And I know that up in heaven
You’re not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord
He said, my child look around you
For great is your reward

Thank you for giving to the Lord

I am a life that was changed

Thank you for giving to the Lord

I am so glad you gave...

I am so glad you gave

Give Thanks Part #2...

Yesterday's post was great, thank you so much for sharing. Today, I would like to do something a little different. Today, I would like for you to focus on 5 people that, over the past year, God has allowed you to begin a relationship with, OR have greatly grown your relationship with. I would pray that our greatest growth in relationships has been with our immediate families. So I want to make to focus of this post those that are NOT immediate family members. List their first names only, then spend a few extra moments thanking God for each of them.

Here is my list...

1.) James
2.) Ron
3.) T.J.
4.) Danny
5.) Dean


"Thank you Father for these 5. Thank you for allowing our paths to cross, if only for a moment. Help them to see You in me...Amen."

Give Thanks Part #1...

This week, as we attempt to somehow, slow down and enjoy an extra day off and ton's of food, I would like to encourage you to join me in focusing on a few specific things that we are thankful for. For most, we've all had a good year and the Lord has blessed us immensely. But for others, the holiday season is the pinnacle of sadness and loneliness. Let us not get so caught up to overlook those that are less fortunate than us. Scripture teaches us to 'be sober, be vigilant'...be alert, watchful for any and everything that satan would use against us. I encourage us to be just as aggressive in being watchful for those that need 'a hand up'...'an extra hug'...'hope'...'a listening ear'...'a smile'...'love'.

Today, I would like for you to list THE top 5 things that you are thankful for...then spend an extra moment in prayer giving a special thanks for those 5. Here are my top 5...

1.) My relationship with Jesus.

2.) My wife, Denise.

3.) My daughter, Tabitha.

4.) Unique ways and the freedom to minister.

5.) Learning to live and focus on one day at a time.

I look forward to seeing your list, and to join you in 'giving thanks'. Have an incredible day...and join me tomorrow for Part #2.

"Give Thanks"

Give thanks with a grateful heart

Give thanks unto the Holy One

Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, 'I am strong'

Let the poor say, 'I am rich

Because of what the Lord has done for us'

Give thanks

(Lyrics by Don Moen)

"Wow"...

It still amazes me how God uses the most unique ways to speak...

There I was this morning, fixing drinks like a madman, and in walks one of my regular college students. Nothing was out of the ordinary...he grabbed a chair to wait till I could fix his order. We were having a great conversation...nothing of any real importance...just small talk...but it was an answer to one of my questions that froze me in my tracks.

"How's the world treating ______ (and I called him by name) today?"

Now I'm expecting something like:

"Pretty fair."

"Just got out of a test."

"Headed to Wal-Mart and I need some caffeine."

Or maybe even a "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

Not this time.

This young man, with a smile on his face and without any hesitation replied, "Better than I deserve."

Oh my goodness! I was so not prepared for that. The look of shock must have been so great on my face that the young man repeated himself thinking that I didn't hear him the first time. Oh...my...goodness! I had to immediately do a little soul-searching myself.

"Father, thank you for that still, small voice...and eye-opening experiences...amen"

How about you..."How's the world treating you today?"...Think about it...

Pay It Forward...

For some time, I've been in the pondering and processing stage of a new post that, hopefully, will force you to take real hard look at the topic of evangelism. Without 'letting the cat out of the bag', evangelism, at it's core, is rooted in mathematics, and it all begins with the number 1. Having said that, there was something that took place this morning at Dad's Place (DP) that must be shared. And it all began with the number 1...

"Pay It Forward" is a made-for-TV movie that came out in 2000, and I believe that it should be a staple in every Christian's arsenal. An absolute amazing movie, from such an innocent viewpoint. Here is a plot summary of the movie...

"Young Trevor McKinney, troubled by his mother's alcoholism and fears of his abusive but absent father, is caught up by an intriguing assignment from his new social studies teacher, Mr. Simonet. The assignment: think of something to change the world and put it into action. Trevor conjures the notion of paying a favor not back, but forward--repaying good deeds not with payback, but with new good deeds done to three new people. Trevor's efforts to make good on his idea bring a revolution not only in the lives of himself, his mother and his physically and emotionally scarred teacher, but in those of an ever-widening circle of people completely unknown to him."

Not a 'payback', but a 'pay forward'.

Could be described as mercy in action. And in the instance that occurred this morning, a 'Good Samaritan' action.

Things were hopping a little faster than normal this morning at DP. When the dust was beginning to clear, someone had came in and had make their way up to the counter and wanted to do something that had never been done at DP before. This person said, (and I'll paraphrase) "I've been really blessed lately, and I just want to do something different for others. Take this (and this person hands me a certain amount of money) and let it pay for other people's coffees till the money runs out."

In my astonishment, I vaguely remember asking, "Are you sure?"..."Oh, yeah...spend it all." was the reply.

'Unreal'...was all I could think.

And this person requested to remain anonymous.

An incredible humbling experience for me this morning.

But my biggest blessings came as I looked at each customer when I gave them their coffee, and told them that a 'Good Samaritan' wanted to buy their drinks this morning, and to take care of them...no questions asked. The look on the faces staring back at me was priceless. To most, it was that 'wow' moment. Quite possibly the first 'wow' moment they had experienced in a while. It's so amazing to me to watch 'Jesus in action in a secular world'.

I would really love to know how the rest of the day went for those who received their gift this morning. Some, I'm sure will probably think, "Hey, I deserve this", while others may have forgot about it as soon as they were back in their cars. But I have this feeling that most will reflect back on the morning with that 'hmmmmmmm factor'.

To the person who opened their heart, you opened mine a little bit wider...'Thank you'...and may God Bless you richly because of this small token.

To myself and all others, I encourage you to also show Jesus to a secular world...pay it forward...to those that you 'don't' know...just because...

It really is contagious...

Forgiveness...

One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods. As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not right. He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job.

His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him.

He remembered family that had passed on. His mind turned to the illness he had that no one could cure. His very soul was filled with anger, resentment and frustration.

Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the One he knew would always be there. And with tears in his eyes, he prayed:
"Lord- You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have told me to do many things for You, and I happily obeyed. Today, You have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot. I don't know how. It is not fair Lord. I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against me and I shouldn't have to forgive. As perfect as Your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how to forgive. My anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not hear You, but I pray that You teach me to do this one thing I cannot do - Teach me To Forgive."

As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt.

He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large spike through them.

He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak.

"Have you ever told a lie?" He asked?
The man answered - "yes, Lord."

"Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?"
The man answered - " yes. Lord." And the man sobbed more and more.

"Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours?" Jesus asked?
And the man answered - "yes, Lord."

"Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain? "
The man, crying now, answered - "yes, Lord."

As Jesus asked many more times, "Have you ever"?
The man's crying became uncontrollable, for he could only answer - "yes,
Lord."

Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder. He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before. Jesus said, "I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you." It may be hard to see how you're going to get through something, but when you look back in life, you realize how true this statement is.

Read the following first line slowly and let it sink in.

If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it.

"Lord I love You and I need You, come into my heart, today. For without You I can do nothing...Amen"

Church Football Terms...

I'm sure many of you have seen these before, however, I felt they are worthy of the blogosphere. Enjoy...

Quarterback Sneak - Church members quietly leaving during the invitation.

Draw Play - What many children do with the bulletin during worship.

Half-time - The period between Sunday School and worship when many choose to leave.

Bench warmer - Those who do not sing, pray, work, or apparently do anything but sit.

Backfield-in-Motion - Making a trip to the back (restroom or water fountain)during the service.

Staying in the Pocket - What happens to a lot of money that should be given to the Lord's work.

Two-minute Warning - The point at which you realize the sermon is almost over and begin to gather up your children and belongings.

Instant Replay - The preacher loses his notes and falls back on last week's illustrations.

Sudden Death - What happens to the attention span of the congregation if the preacher goes "overtime."

Trap - You're called on to pray and are asleep.

End Run - Getting out of church quick, without speaking to any guest or fellow member.

Flex Defense - The ability to allow absolutely nothing said during the sermon to affect your life.

Halfback Option - The decision of 50% of the congregation not to return for the evening service.

Blitz - The rush for the restaurants following the closing prayer.

Spilled Paint...

The day God spilled paint...

The east side of the Carrizo plain, in the Temblor Range , about 50 miles due west of Bakersfield , California .

Biblical Coffee...

A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning. The wife said, "You should do it, because you get up first, and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee."
The husband said, " You are in charge of cooking around here and you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee."
Wife replies, "No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible that the man should do the coffee." Husband replies, "I can't believe that, show me."
So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says.........."HEBREWS"