Pastor Greg

2011-12-16T06:38:00.001-06:00

Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain. ~Author Unknown

2011-11-01T06:10:00.000-05:00

This letter was written by the former President of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln, to the Headmaster of the school in which his son was studying.

To,
The Headmaster

He will have to learn, I know,
That all men are not just,
All men are not true,
But teach him also,
That for every scoundrel there is a hero,
For every selfish politician,
There is a dedicated leader!

Teach him that for every enemy there is a friend,
It will take time I know but teach him if you can,
That a dollar earned is of far more value than five found!

Teach him to learn to lose and also to enjoy winning
Steer him away from envy, if you can
And teach him the secret of quiet laughter
Let him learn early, that the bullies are the easiest to lick!

Teach him if you can the wonder of books
But also give him time to ponder over the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,
Bees in the sun and flowers on the green hillside
In school teach him it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat!

Teach him to have faith in his own ideas,
Even if everyone tells him they are wrong
Teach him to be gentle with gentle people
And tough with the tough!

Try to give my son the strength, not to follow the crowd
When everyone is getting into the bandwagon!

Teach him to listen to all men,
But teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen of truth,
And take away the good that comes through!

Teach him if you can how to laugh when he is sad
Teach him there is no shame in tears!

Teach him to scoff at cynics,
And to beware of too much sweetness!

Teach him to sell his brawn and brain to the highest of bidders,
But never to put a price tag on his heart and soul!

Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob
And to stand and fight if he thinks he is right!

Treat him gently, but do not cuddle him,
Because only the test of fire makes fine steel!

Let him have the courage to be impatient,
Let him have the patience to be brave!

Teach him always to have sublime faith in himself,
Because then he will always have sublime faith in mankind
This is big order but see what you can do
He is such a fine little fellow, my son!

Yours sincerely,
Abraham Lincoln

2011-10-31T20:54:00.002-05:00

"If I take the wings of the morning
and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me fast."

- Psalm 139:9-10

A old post that fits today.......

2011-03-30T22:04:00.000-05:00

Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshiping what's right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away.
Chase the Lion

Wisdom from a child

2011-01-27T20:02:00.003-06:00

I asked my five year old niece, "What is a bridge"? She thought for a long time and then she said, "A bridge is when the ground falls out under you, and you build something to connect the cracks"

Leo F Buscaglia.

Your Dream

2011-01-07T06:13:00.000-06:00

"There were two warring tribes in the Andes, one that lived in the lowlands and the other high in the mountains. The mountain people invaded the lowlanders one day, and as part of their plundering of the people, they kidnapped a baby of one of the lowlander families and took the infant with them back up into the mountains.

"The lowlanders didn't know how to climb the mountain. They didn't know any of the trails that the mountain people used, and they didn't know where to find the mountain people or how to track them in the steep terrain.

"Even so, they sent out their best party of fighting men to climb the mountain and bring the baby home.

"The men tried first one method of climbing and then another. They tried one trail and then another. After several days of effort, however, they had climbed only a couple of hundred feet. Feeling hopeless and helpless, the lowlander men decided that the cause was lost, and they prepared to return to their village below.

"As they were packing their gear for the descent, they saw the baby's mother walking toward them. They realized that she was coming down the mountain that they hadn't figured out how to climb.

"And then they saw that she had the baby strapped to her back. How could that be?

"One man greeted her and said, 'We couldn't climb this mountain. How did you do this when we, the strongest and most able men in the village, couldn't do it?'

"She shrugged her shoulders and said, 'It wasn't your baby.'"

In the eyes of others, you dream may appear to be an impossible one, but it is not their dream. Protect your dream just as the lowlands mother protected her child and you will be successful.

2010-11-26T11:43:00.002-06:00

This Sunday officially starts the season of Advent. It is one of my most favorite traditions. It is not something that I grew up celebrating, but one that since being introduced to, I love.

Advent is about slowing down, preparing the way, remembering what this season is all about. As a man who will soon celebrate the last birthday of his forties, I am learning a little more about taking in as much as you can, while you can

I love the lines from the movie City Slickers as quoted in the book The Body by Charles W. Colson

"Value this time in your life, kids, because this is the time in your life when you still have your choices. It goes by fast.

When you’re a teenager, you think you can do anything (and you do.) Your twenties are a blur. In your thirties you raise your family, you make a little money, and you think to yourself, "What happened to my twenties?"

In your forties, you grow a little pot belly, and you grow another chin. The music starts to get too loud, and one of your old girlfriends from high school becomes a grandmother. In your fifties, you have a minor surgery – you’ll call it a procedure, but it’s a surgery. In your sixties, you’ll have a major surgery, the music is still loud, but it doesn’t matter because you can’t hear it anyway.

In your seventies, you and the wife retire to Fort Lauderdale. You start eating dinner at 2:00 in the afternoon, you have lunch around 10:00, breakfast the night before, spend most of your time wandering around malls looking for the ultimate frozen yogurt and muttering, "How come the kids don’t call? How come the kids don’t call?" In your eighties, you’ll have a major stroke, and you end up babbling with some Jamaican nurse who your wife can’t stand, but whom you call mama. Any questions?”

Ok, so hopefully I don’t end up like that, but I am not taking any chances ;-)
May you have a blessed Advent Season

Poem Leo Buscaglia - Only you can Make the difference

2010-11-22T07:44:00.001-06:00

Leo Buscaglia is an author that I have followed for a long time. One of his quotes is:

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

-Leo Buscaglia

I have always loved his writing, but even more his speaking. he is a bit eccentric, with one central message LOVE. I found this old piece that is a great snap shop of his work. During these holidays may we take his message to heart.

2010-11-14T21:50:00.000-06:00

Don't be afraid to go where you've never gone and do what you've never done, because both are necessary to have what you've never had and be who you've never been.

2010-10-13T21:59:00.001-05:00

"I cannot always control what goes on outside. But I can always control what goes on inside." Wayne Dyer

Where does the time go.....

2010-10-12T22:31:00.005-05:00

I came back to see it has been along time time since I last visited. I have no guilt about that, life does that from time to time. I have been busy with college, church family and life but all is well. I ran across a saying tonight that spoke to me about life and the dreams we dream, it reads:

“Disturb us, Lord, when
We are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.”
Sir Francis Drake

Dear God, help me dream big and not be afraid to leave the dock.

2009-08-31T22:56:00.001-05:00

"Whenever I want to think hard, I need a river to help me lighten the load."

Sun Rise

2009-08-25T15:50:00.002-05:00

This morning’s sunrise was one of the most spectacular that I have seen in a while. It was not bright like many are, but instead presented like a painting it was just amazing.

10 new members !

2009-08-25T15:47:00.001-05:00

WOW,

This is the best description I can think of talking about Sunday.

10 people came forward to join the church. It was overwhelming to say the least.

After service we talked about the building off Counts Massie, the spirit was one of progression, unity and boldness. There was a unanimous decision to seek a lease and move the church at North Little Rock. I have since spoken with some of the members who were not there, so far I have not had anyone against the move.

I am so grateful to be a part of this period of time at the church.

;-)

2009-06-16T21:27:00.000-05:00

“During prosperity you are annoyed because the dog and cat won’t eat the expensive canned food you buy for them; In a recession you are delighted that the dog and cat won’t eat the expensive food; and in a depression you begin to look thoughtfully at the dog and cat.” - unknown

A great story from, "the caffeinated priest"

2009-06-15T13:40:00.001-05:00

facing fears

I stood, in blue gym shorts and the pale t-shirt, featuring the Clarke Middle School owl, on the grassy field that was, in 1982, the spot for gym class volleyball. Mrs. Cook had imparted all that she could to us--the way to hold your fist when serving the ball, how to bump, how to set, how to keep score. Now all that was left was actually playing. There were enough girls lining the court that it was a fairly safe bet that I wouldn't have to actually hit the ball, that if it came towards me, I could duck out of the way and let the more athletically inclined girls do the heavy hitting.

Dodging the ball, steering clear of it's fast descent into my personal space, was a skill I developed. And while I could usually serve the ball and even get it over the net on occasion, volleyball, like so many other sports in my life, stood as an icon of fear. Because unlike mini-golf, where failure to hit the ball where it belongs only impacts me, team sports such as volleyball, impact other people--people who have hopes and expectations that revolve around the concept of my being able to return a serve or get a ball over the net. And perhaps even worse, is that in volleyball, once the opposing team discovers that I suck, I become a target. Hit the ball to the pudgy one in pigtales--she can't hit it back they say. And suddenly ball, after ball, after ball comes flying over the net, right into my little corner of the world, while I stand, helplessly ducking.

You'd think I'd have remembered all this when I said yes. You'd think it would've stopped me. But when two of my favorite boys on the planet suggested that I join their beach volleyball team, I said yes before the floodgate of memories had the chance to surface. I paid for my team insurance and Ms. Cook's class never crossed my mind. I loaded up on tacos at our team fiesta before the start of the season and only noticed how great the team shirts were. No, memories of the 6th grade volleyball experience were buried deep in my unconscious...until yesterday.

Yesterday, I donned a new uniform--black sweats and a red t-shirt with a new logo: the Deviled Eggs. And I took my bare feet down to the beach and in the Chicago cold of May found myself playing volleyball. And I missed a lot of balls. And the boys on one team--they did target me. But this time it was different. Because my teammates cheered when I hit the ball, even when it went flying off the court. And because I served 5 serves that they couldn't return. And earned us a total of 6 points. Take that Clarke Middle School!

In the end, the Deviled Eggs won all 4 games we played. (Take that boys who targeted me!) And it was great fun. And I was still scared. But I did it. And next Friday I'll do it again. And step by step, volley by volley, those old voices, those old fears, grow quieter and move farther and farther away. Step by step, volley by volley, I find I'm less inclined to duck.

What is a need ???

2009-04-11T08:30:00.003-05:00

I ran across a story from a Pastor in Ohio. People are funny......

A gentlemen stopped by the church needing help to make the brakes on his car safe. This played off of my mechanical interest, so I took a short and horrifying trip around the parking lot and decided for the good of the community that I would help this guy out. After $20 worth of brake pads and an hour of work, or maybe it was on the trip to the auto parts store that this guy asked me, "Can you help me with some money?" "For what?" I replied. "My landlord has cut my cable off, and I need $15. " (Apparently the landlord was splicing cable for his tenants) At this point in my life, I was making good money for a young pastor, and Jill was working as a nurse - we were not broke. WE DIDN'T HAVE CABLE - somewhat as a lifestyle choice, but mostly as a cost-saver. After telling him that our church tries to help with NEEDS- food, water, safety issues, etc - he tried to make the argument for cable TV being a neccesity. This continued even after I let him know that I wasn't currently enjoying cable tv. I think I probably laughed. I didn't change his mind - cable tv was on par with food/water. I'm sure I laughed.

Pastor Shot and Killed in the Pulpit

2009-03-09T20:12:00.002-05:00

Don Brock has a very informative Blog that I follow. For quite sometime he has written about church security. I wanted to share his blog on the most recent church shooting.

Church security has been addressed many times on this Blog. It is a growing concern regardless of the size of your church. For years, we have offered free security training materials upon request (DGBrock@aol.com), and church consulting services to teach or train onsite. After many incidences in America over the past five years, tragedy has struck again.

Yesterday a gunman walked down the aisle of an Illinois church during a Sunday service and killed the pastor, then stabbed himself and slashed two other people as congregants wrestled him to the ground, authorities said.

The local newspaper reported late Sunday a source close to the case confirmed the gunman as Terry Joe Sedlacek, 27, who developed mental illness after Lyme disease attacked his brain.

rest of article

Paul Harvey, Broadcaster for Six Decades, Dies at 90

2009-02-28T22:12:00.001-06:00

Paul Harvey, a familiar radio voice for six decades who used long pauses to punctuate his delivery of news and observations, died today in Phoenix. He was 90.

Harvey’s death was announced in a statement by ABC Radio Networks where his “News and Comment” was a fixture aired from coast to coast since 1951. He had impressed network executives with high ratings in Chicago, where he’d been a newscaster at ABC affiliate WENR-AM since 1944.

Harvey died in a Phoenix area hospital with his family by his side, said Louis Adams, a spokesman for ABC Radio Networks. The broadcaster lived in Chicago during the summer and moved his production to Arizona in the winter months.

“My father and mother created from thin air what one day became radio and television news,” son Paul Harvey Jr. said in a statement on his father’s Web site. “So in the past year, an industry has lost its godparents and today millions have lost a friend.”

Harvey’s wife, Angel, who produced his shows, died in May.

Rising at 3:30 a.m., Harvey would arrive early at his office and studio to check overnight wire-service stories. A staff of six helped cull small-town newspapers and readers’ suggestions for more material for “News and Comment” segments that aired six days a week.

Harvey’s plain language and distinctive pauses were highly effective. He also managed to convey a sense of fresh wonder.

“Let me say I can’t wait to get up every morning and watch the passing parade and call out to anybody who might be interested in the things that interest me,” he told the Chicago Tribune.

‘Trusted Friend’

At age 82, Harvey was still so productive that ABC Radio signed him to a 10-year contract valued at $100 million in November 2000. More than 1,200 radio stations and 400 Armed Forces Network stations aired his broadcasts, according to ABC.

“As he delivered the news each day with his own unique style and commentary, his voice became a trusted friend in American households,” Jim Robinson, president of ABC Radio Networks, said in the statement. “His career in radio spanned more than seven decades, during which time countless millions of listeners were both informed and entertained by his ‘News & Comment’ and ‘Rest of the Story’ features.”

Popular With Advertisers

His conservative views and sincerity made him popular with advertisers. Highly selective, Harvey required one-year commitments from program sponsors and only promoted products he and his wife used. He wrote the ad copy and read it with conviction. Bankers Life & Casualty was a sponsor for 30 years; Bose Corp. was another favorite.

Paul Harvey Aurandt was born September 4, 1918, to Harry Harrison and Anna Dagmar (Christensen) Aurandt in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His father, a police officer, was killed when Harvey was three.

Harvey’s career was launched in 1933 when a speech teacher at Tulsa’s Central High School recognized his potential. She escorted the 14-year-old to local station KVOO-AM and told the station manager “This boy needs to be in radio,” the Tulsa World recounted in a 1997 article.

Harvey worked as an announcer, then as program director at KVOO-AM, according to the biography on his Web site.

He spent three years as a station manager in Salina, Kansas, followed by a stint as a newscaster in Oklahoma City. He then landed at WXOK-AM in St. Louis, working as a reporter and director of special events. In 1939, he met his future wife at the station.

‘Angel’s’ Advice

After marriage, Harvey worked as a reporter in Hawaii and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps after Pearl Harbor. Discharged in 1944, he moved to Chicago at his wife’s urging.

“Since the first day of our marriage, we’ve worked side by side,” Harvey told the Chicago Tribune in 2002. Indeed, in 1997 his wife was the first producer inducted in the Hall of Fame of the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago.

According to the Chicago Tribune, his wife changed Harvey’s conservative views on the Equal Rights Amendment and the Vietnam War, leading up to his broadcast of May 1, 1970, when he addressed President Richard Nixon, saying, “I love you, Mr. President. But you’re wrong.”

Will you be Johnny today?

2009-02-22T21:14:00.003-06:00

I came across this vidoe clip of a story that I had heard a while back. Little things do make a difference.
http://www.stservicemovie.com/

2009-02-01T08:08:00.001-06:00

Look to this day for it is life,
For yesterday is already a dream,
And tomorrow is only a vision,
But today, well lived, makes every yesterday
A dream of happiness and ever tomorrow,a vision of hope. -- Kalidasa

Facebook

2009-01-26T19:37:00.004-06:00

OK, I admit, I have been busy, and what PC time I had I have been on facebook. I am amazed at all of the folks from my past that I have found. As with anything like this, you have to be careful. Here are a few news stories about the new fad:

A British man convicted of killing his wife after she changed her Facebook relationship status to “single” was sentenced to life in prison today, the Independent reports. Richardson, 41, flew into a “frenzied and brutal attack,” brutally stabbing his estranged spouse to death at her parents’ home and then attempting to take his own life

Websites streaming video of the inauguration reported record activity today, while a partnership between Facebook and CNN enabled thousands of people a minute to comment on the proceedings, Crain's reports. By late afternoon, CNN reported 21.3 million live video streams, while MSNBC had 9 million live streams and 5 million on-demand streams

Barack Obama is poised to be, by far, the most wired president ever, reports CNN. With more than a million MySpace friends, 3.7 million Facebook pals

Israel has strived mightily to win the information war around Gaza, launching its own YouTube channel and blogging program, keeping the international press off the battlefield and attacking Hamas websites. But they can’t control the wilds of Facebook, which has become a powerful way for the Arab world to protest the Israeli actions and raise money,

Burger King has launched a new Facebook application called “Whopper Sacrifice,” rewarding users who cull 10 people from their friends list with a free burger, Adweek reports.

With the help of the ACLU, a Florida high school grad is suing a former principal for violating her constitutional rights in suspending her for “cyber-bullying” a teacher, the Miami Herald reports. Katherine Evans created a Facebook page railing against her “worst teacher,” and asked classmates to contribute “feelings of hatred.” None did, and Evans took down the post, but she was still suspended

I think living openly, changing your status every few minutes has ups and downs, the ups you are living in front of people, that in itself should make you careful.
The downs- How do you know what is too much information.

Communicate, but be careful, I will be...

Old Friends

2009-01-10T20:01:00.003-06:00

Facebook has become a great way to hook up with old friends. I have been amazed at who I have found, case in point David and Rita Baroni. David and Rita both have written books, check out their site. Keep up the great work you two!

http://www.davidbaroni.com/

From my other life

2009-01-02T13:22:00.003-06:00

Lamar Pickens, MEMS patient suffered 3 gun shot wounds to his body after a man asked to use the phone in his business then turned and shot him. Mr. Pickens owns Lamar’s Auto Air and is very happy to be alive today. He attributes his life to Medics Jalana Braqnham and Allen Lawrence, but knows for certain that he was ultimately in God’s hands. Interesting, Mr. Pickens said, “the shooter pointed that gun at my head and I told him In the name of Jesus, don’t kill me…..” Strangely, the gun misfired and he only suffered powder burns to his face and “3-days of sulfur” in his mustache! He did take one bullet to the abdomen, one to his Left femur and one to his Right femur.

His book is called “Psalm 91:1”. He wants to name Jalana and Allen specifically in his book. Also, present on scene was Terry Henson (my old partner), who he said scooped him up and carried him to the ambulance by herself!!!

I thought this was an interesting note. He is in the process of getting his book published.

2008-12-30T21:18:00.001-06:00

Sherry Jo , I did not know you were here? I am gald to catch up to you.
Greg

Sherry's blog

Some of my favorite New Years quotes

2008-12-30T20:54:00.001-06:00

Hamilton Wright Mabie
New Year's eve is like every other night; there is no pause in the march of the universe, no breathless moment of silence among created things that the passage of another twelve months may be noted; and yet no man has quite the same thoughts this evening that come with the coming of darkness on other nights.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Look not mournfully into the past. It comes not back again. Wisely improve the present. It is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future, without fear, and with a manly heart.

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.
Bill Vaughn

What it is all about ;-)

2008-12-17T07:43:00.000-06:00

You got to love Charlie Brown.

Creativity

2008-12-12T22:52:00.000-06:00

“To create is to potentially embarrass oneself in front of others. It is about the courage to be oneself and to be seen as oneself. Putting ink to a page, or pressing one’s fingers against clay, or typing a line of computer code, or blowing glass and realizing mistake. Or success. With everyone watching. But most importantly, you.

So it dawned upon me how important it is to be creative. Because it means you have within you infinite capacity to experiment. You are unafraid to go somewhere new because you are creating a new thought process about your own creativity. You know that if you stop and no longer challenge yourself, you cease to be creative. You become still, silent, and the bow no longer connect with the strings and music is not made. And you do not exist. You show you do not have the courage to exist.

Creativity is courage. The world needs more fearless people that can influence all disciplines to challenge their very existence. Creativity is reflection aimed not at yourself, but at the world around you.”

- John Maeda

Hear About Deb ;-)

2008-12-12T22:36:00.002-06:00

2008-12-11T21:33:00.000-06:00

“Life is too short to spend your precious time trying to convince a person who wants to live in gloom and doom otherwise. Give lifting that person your best shot, but don’t hang around long enough for his or her bad attitude to pull you down. Instead surround yourself with optimistic people.” Zig Ziglar

Going Price To Kill a Pastor: $250

2008-12-06T11:48:00.000-06:00

Hindu extremist groups are offering money, food and alcohol to anyone who murders Christians and destroys their homes.

The violence is nothing new in Orissa, India, where India's Communist Party estimates that more than 500 Christians have been killed by Hindu mobs in Orissa since late August, 12 times more than official government claims of only 40 homicides.

But now the stakes are even higher - and pastors have a bounty on their heads.

Faiz Rahman, chairman of Good News India, said Hindu militants are targeting Christian leaders, the Christian Post reported.

"The going price to kill a pastor is $250," he said.

[Source: WorldNetDaily]& Don Brock

May our direction always be clear...

2008-12-01T18:59:00.001-06:00

Rev. George M. Docherty dies

2008-11-30T15:37:00.001-06:00

Associated Press
ALEXANDRIA, Pa. - The Rev. George M. Docherty, 97, whose sermon before President Dwight Eisenhower helped push Congress to insert the words under God into the Pledge of Allegiance, has died.

Mr. Docherty died on Thanksgiving at his home in central Pennsylvania after a lengthy illness, according to his wife. Sue Docherty said her husband of 36 years had been in failing health for about three years.

"George said he was going to live to be a hundred and he was determined," she said in a telephone interview yesterday. "It's amazing that he was with us this long."

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Mr. Docherty moved to the United States in 1950 to become pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington. He was unfamiliar with the pledge until he heard it recited by his 7-year-old son, Garth.

". . .he recited it, 'one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,' " Mr. Docherty recalled in an interview with the Associated Press in 2004. "I came from Scotland, where we said 'God save our gracious queen,' 'God save our gracious king.' Here was the Pledge of Allegiance, and God wasn't in it at all."

Mr. Docherty then wrote a sermon saying that the Pledge of Allegiance should acknowledge God. There was little effect after he first delivered the sermon to a group of clergy visiting Washington in 1952; a 1953 bill went nowhere. But two years later, after learning that Eisenhower would be in the congregation, Mr. Docherty decided to deliver it again, hoping it would inspire the president.

From the pulpit that morning, he said the pledge was missing "the characteristic and definitive factor in the American way of life. Indeed, apart from the mention of the phrase 'the United States of America,' it could be the pledge of any republic. In fact, I could hear little Muscovites repeat a similar pledge to their hammer-and-sickle flag in Moscow with equal solemnity."

The next day, Rep. Charles G. Oakman, (R., Mich.) introduced a bill to add the phrase under God to the pledge; a companion bill was then introduced in the Senate. Eisenhower signed the new law on Flag Day.

Please be careful out there ;-)

2008-11-30T08:21:00.000-06:00

Holidays are never perfect

2008-11-27T07:25:00.005-06:00

Go ahead and get that thought in your head now, holidays will be what they are, don’t try to make them more than that. Many times we have grand visions about the perfect time, everyone getting along, kids like angels and our football team always winning. Our table like set like a Hallmark commercial, the Thanksgiving prayer brings tears to everyones eyes etc…etc…ect…. Probably it is more like, loud, burnt, spilt, laughing, crying… It is whatever your particular group is. We may not always realize it, but we are all from perfectly normal families.

Do yourself a favor this season, just relax, be in the moment, look around at the wonderful, mixed up, funny, frustrating group we call family and friends and remember, perfect is what we make it. And yes, your family and friends are probably thinking the same about you ;-)

Thanksgiving Meal

2008-11-26T13:45:00.004-06:00

We had a great time Sunday night as the English and Spanish speaking congregations joined together for fellowship. (Which is the same in any language) I enjoyed getting to meet some new friends.

Link to More Pictures

Babette

2008-11-25T22:29:00.003-06:00

Bailey had her last preformance of Raggedy Ann and Andy Saturday. As you can tell, she was the french doll Babette. Bailey is quite the actress, I am going to miss the plays after she graduates.

Alice Update

2008-11-20T20:47:00.002-06:00

A couple of before and after pictures of the Alice's motor. She is getting back to her old pretty self.

Russian church 'taken by thieves'

2008-11-20T18:49:00.001-06:00

A 200-year-old church building has disappeared from a village in central Russia, officials from the Russian Orthodox Church say.

The building had stood near the village of Komarovo since 1809.

It was intact in July but some time in early October thieves made off with it brick by brick, they said.

Local prosecutors had been informed and an investigation was under way, a spokesman for the local Russian Orthodox Church said.

The disappearance of the Church of the Resurrection, some 300 km (186 miles) north-east of Moscow, was not immediately noticed.

It was in an out-of-the-way area and was not being used, although Church officials were considering resuming services there.

Now all that remained of the two-storey building - a school before it was turned over to the Church - were its foundations and some sections of wall, the Church said.

Thieves often target churches in rural Russia. Religious icons can be sold and church structures sold off for building materials.

2008-11-17T20:34:00.004-06:00

Braveheart has got to be one of my most favorite movies, and this clip one of its finest. Faced with overwhelming odds the army would give up, but William Wallace helps them understand what is really at stake.
I wonder sometime if we really understand what is really at stake in our lives? Would we stand when it would be much easier to cave in and run?
Dear God, give us the strength to face tough days.......

Living By Faith

2008-11-16T19:47:00.003-06:00

We sang this song today for Sister Maxine. Have you ever really read the words? I have thought about them today, they really put a lot of things in perspective dont they.

1. I care not today what the morrow may bring,
If shadow or sunshine or rain,
The Lord I know ruleth o’er everything,
And all of my worries are vain.

Refrain:
Living by faith in Jesus above,
Trusting, confiding in His great love;
From all harm safe in His sheltering arm,
I’m living by faith and feel no alarm.

2. Though tempests may blow and the storm clouds arise,
Obscuring the brightness of life,
I’m never alarmed at the overcast skies—
The Master looks on at the strife.

3. I know that He safely will carry me through,
No matter what evils betide;
Why should I then care though the tempest may blow,
If Jesus walks close to my side.

4. Our Lord will return for His loved ones some day,
Our troubles will then all be o’er;
The Master so gently will lead us away,
Beyond that blest heavenly shore.

2008-11-14T11:47:00.000-06:00

Thank you Veterans!

2008-11-10T21:07:00.002-06:00

Tuesday November 11 is Veterans Day. A day that is set aside to honor those who have or are serving in the armed forces. Thank you for the blanket of freedom that we sleep under tonight!

Billy Graham at 90

2008-11-09T20:36:00.002-06:00

How are you doing as you approach your 90th birthday?

I don't have the energy I once had. And I do have some physical problems that the doctors have to watch. Someone said to me recently that the most exciting part of his day was waking up and discovering what was hurting today that didn't hurt yesterday! Sometimes I can relate to that. But seriously, I'm thankful for each day, and I'm thankful for the measure of health I do have. Every day is a gift from God, no matter how old we are.

And I've discovered that just because we'll inevitably grow weaker physically as we get older, it doesn't mean we must grow weaker spiritually. In fact, we ought to be growing stronger spiritually, because our eyes ought to be on eternity and Heaven—on the things that really matter.

Read the remaining article

;-)

2008-11-09T20:22:00.000-06:00

You're born. You suffer. You die. Fortunately, there's a loophole.
Billy Graham

Meet Alice

2008-11-08T09:14:00.003-06:00

(Thats Jim in the Picture, Alice is the car)

I am a car nut, I would have a warehouse full of them if I could. A 1970 Chevelle and a 60's Impala have always been on my wish list of cars to have. Jim is a friend of mine that I have known for years. His grandmother (Alice) bought this car new in 1967. She played the piano at church. and really did drive it mostly to get groceries and church on Sunday. It has never left the county. It has 43600 actual miles on it. When Alice passed away, Jim’s father started tinkering with it. When he discovered he had cancer this became his project car, it has a couple of dents, so he started sanding on it. He did not make it far before he passed away. The car sat in the same garage untouched for the last 8 years. Jim called one day and asked if I was still interested in the Impala, what kind of question is that. He and I struggled over the value of the car, me thinking it was worth more, and him thinking less, both trying hard to not damage a friendship. At last the price was settled and after fresh fuel, a little TLC, Alice came back to life, and I drove her home. I don’t know what it is about these old rides, nostalgia or what, but I do love them. I have a little work to get her back to show room, I will keep you posted.

A Blog

2008-11-08T08:48:00.002-06:00

So there I was trying to find some catchy way to get back into the habit of blogging, when I came across a story about a football coach:

I heard a true story about a football player who graduated from collage. He wasn’t that great a player but he was a great strategizer with a quick mind. The head coach came to him one day and said, “Will you let me teach you to be my assistant coach?” He said, “Yes sir, what do you want me to do?” The head coach said, “I want you to be a scout for us and help me build a strong and competitive team again.”

So the new assistant coach said, “What kind of player do you want me to find?” The coach said, “There’s the kind of guy that when you knock him down he just stays down.” The assistant said, “Well we sure don’t want that kind of player!” Then the head coach said, “No way, but there’s the guy that when you knock him down twice – and he stays down.”

The assistance said, “We sure don’t want that kind of player!” The head coach said, “No way! There’s also the kind of guy that when you knock him down he gets up, and he gets knocked down and gets up and gets knocked down and he gets up again and again!” The assistant responded, “That’s the guy we need!” To that the head coach taught his new assistant a valuable lesson, he said, “No! What we need is for you to find the guy who keeps knocking everyone down!”

Yep, I like they way that coach thinks .....

I feel the same way about my Blog lately ;-)

2008-10-05T20:32:00.000-05:00

2008-09-30T19:42:00.000-05:00

Hurricane Gustuv

2008-09-02T21:04:00.002-05:00

Little Rock is a part of the NDMS Nation Disaster Medical System. What this means is that whenever a city meets with a disaster such as a hurricane, and evacuation from area hospitals is needed, this program springs into action. Each participating hospital in the destination city sends in a bed count for specific types of patients they can receive the goal then becomes to match the number of patients sent to the number of patients able to be received. Little Rock has been a part of this system for many years, but I think we had all believed that it would never be tested. Tested it was for hurricane Katrina. We learned a lot of lessons that year.

Saturday we had the opportunity to test our skills and lessons once again.
We started off Saturday at 10AM at MEMS getting ready to receive patients that we were told would arrive at noon. The first plane did not come till late that evening which meant a lot of tiring waiting @ 12 hours at first. The logistical preparation for the evacuation was in credible. A total of 30 ambulances were gather at one time, not to mention support staff for treatment, carrying stretchers, food, etc…When the planes finally started coming it got busy, real busy.
The preliminary totals are.
13 aircraft were received (a mix of C-130 and C-17)
233 patients were off loaded, triaged, treated and transported to local hospitals

There at the end of the event we had three C-130 and two C-17 on the ground at the same time. One of the planes was from Canada that had been called in to serve the evacuation.

The leader for the Nation Disaster Medical System said in his report:
This was a massive operation. Probably larger than anything seen during Katrina/Rita and certainly the largest reception activity ever completed over such a short time.

There are not many times when my work at MEMS conflicts with my job as Pastor. One of the understanding Deacons said, “I see your work/ministry at MEMS as an extension of this local church” I sincerely appreciate that kind of support. Thank you to this congregation for freeing me to stay till the job was done late Sunday night.

Small People......

2008-08-12T20:53:00.001-05:00

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great" -- Mark Twain

;-)

2008-08-11T21:06:00.000-05:00

"If everything's under control, you're going too slow." - Mario Andretti

A Thought......

2008-08-10T19:56:00.001-05:00

"Do not wait; the time will never be "just right." Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along." -Napoleon Hill

Gideons visit today

2008-08-10T18:02:00.002-05:00

For more than 15 years the NLR Church has partnered with the Gideons each year to buy Bibles. Today was their visit.

Gideons bolster efforts in 3rd largest mission field—the U.S.A.

It is hard to believe, but sadly true: the United States of America has become the third largest mission field in our world today. Estimates of unsaved people in the U.S.A. range from 54% to 70%. In response to this startling revelation, Gideons plan to distribute 12 million copies of God’s Word in the U.S.A. alone during their 2008-09 fiscal year.

Perhaps the most sobering way to visualize the spiritual decline in America today is to take a walk down any U.S.A. neighborhood street. It is very likely that two out of three of the people you encounter are lost. They do not know Jesus as their Savior.

What impact can The Gideons make through the distribution of 12 million Scriptures in the U.S.A.? Perhaps there is a more appropriate question…What can God accomplish through 12 million Gideon-placed Scriptures? The Lord tells us that His Word “shall not return unto me void” (Isaiah 55:11).

According to Barna research, less than one out of ten people, who makes a decision to follow Jesus, does so in the context of a church setting. Most will enter into a relationship with Jesus by seeing His life and Kingdom lived out in the lives of others. That’s what Gideons do; they live a Christ-like life, sharing His Word and witnessing to those they meet. And God constantly multiplies these efforts as is apparent through the regular flow of testimonies received at The Gideons International headquarters. (Click on the “Changed Lives” section of this Website to see and hear recent testimonies.) Rest of story

Life Dreams?

2008-07-15T22:11:00.005-05:00

I have been reading one Pastors life goals, the list included things such as:

Go to a Superbowl
Go to a Packers game at Lambeau Field
Ride a Mule into the Grand Canyon
Take a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon
Raft a Class V River
Go Cave Tubing in South America
Go Hang Gliding
Do a personal retreat at a monastery
Spend a night in a tree house hotel
Spend a night on a house boat
Go cliff jumping
Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride
Celebrate 50th Wedding Anniversary
Live to meet my Great Grandchildren
Celebrate an Anniversary in Italy
Celebrate an Anniversary in the Caribbean

I found his list quite challenging. What does it take to dream like that, to be willing to take the risk to dream and chase these kinds of experiences? Consider;

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.” – T.S. Eliot

“If no one ever took risks, Michaelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor.” – Neil Simon

“It’s nice to at least once a year have a near-death experience.” – Mark Allen

“That which does not destroy me makes me stronger.” – Neitzche

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” – Robert Kennedy

“To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. To not dare is to lose oneself.” – Soren Kierkegaard

What are your life dreams and goals, what is holding you back?

2008-07-15T22:05:00.000-05:00

"When I was young I was sure of everything; in a few years, having been mistaken a thousand times, I was not half so sure of most things as I was before; at present, I am hardly sure of anything but what God has revealed to me." -- attributed to John Wesley

Jason

2008-07-08T23:27:00.003-05:00

Many of you may remember Jason Whittington. He attended NLR for a while before moving to New York. A couple of weeks ago he was in town and stopped by to visit for a while. I had the opportunity to have him in our home and do some much needed catching up. He installs high-end audio video in commercial and some residential buildings by day, and is breaking into the voice over business by afternoon and night. Keep a watch out for him; we will be able to say we knew him when...

http://jasonkayne.voices.com/

Hoppers on line

2008-07-08T22:15:00.002-05:00

Some of you may remember the Hopper family, I just got the link to their web page.

http://www.shoutlife.com/crownministry

Big Bream!

2008-06-22T05:59:00.004-05:00

(Marks)

I think I have a new favorite kind of fishing. These fought a lot harder than the bream at the river ;-)

Just thinkin

2008-06-20T15:09:00.003-05:00

I think I said in my e-mail to the folks at work, I am in desperate need of some downtime with a book, and thus began our trip to West Palm Beach Florida.

On the way we stopped at the family reunion in Tennessee. I always enjoy getting to spend time with that part of my family. As with any family it amazes me that we can turn out so different. I like that about us, different perspectives, views, beliefs, I find it refreshing, I believe it adds depth to the whole group.

As we left I went to say bye to Grand-pa, I was not prepared for what happened next, the conversation was so open I could not help myself from asking some questions that I wanted to hear his thoughts on, like, "How do you want to be remembered" his answer, "as an honest man" One thing he said that stuck me odd, "I now count my life in hours, days or months, I have no future..." That thought has stuck with me, No future.....
I did not know how to respond to that. Is it true that we reach a place of no future?
I think it is natural to react to those words, I began to think, what about Heaven? Seeing Grandma? But I think I understood what he was saying, he has reached the place that he can see the end of life.

As the father of this tribe he can only go so far, as a father you built and launched this ship and there comes a time when it sails without you, yet never without your influence. It is true of grandpa and it is true of us all. This family moves and lives on, our future gets brighter with each new birth. Each generation bears a responsibility to make sure that the one behind is grounded, better equipped, better prepared, and better educated with better tools.

I don’t know if grandpa can really see the impact of his life, for that matter I don’t know if any of can really see the impact of our own lives. I believe we all have a fear that somehow we missed it. That seems to be the greatest secret of life there is, we chase what we already have. We are looking for something we already possess; yet never relax enough to see it much less believe it about our life. For all the things we mess up and miss there are some things we get right.

Today I read the following;
“Most of us lead far more meaningful lives that we know. Often finding meaning is not about doing things differently; it is about seeing unfamiliar things in new ways. When we find new eyes, the unsuspected blessing in work we have done for many years may take us completely by surprise. We can see life in many ways; with the eye, with the mind, with the intuition. But perhaps it is only by those who speak the language of meaning, who have remembered how to see with the heart, that life is ever deeply known or served”

I took a cue from a recent teacher and chose to ask myself three questions at the end of the day.
What surprised me today?
What moved or touched me today?
What inspired me today?

By choosing to be fully awake may you see today what you already have.
GT

2008-06-02T21:55:00.003-05:00

Sunday June 1 2008 The NLR Church began a partnership with the Spanish ministry of Hector Zetino and the New Hope Church. Pastor Hector is a native of Guatemala and now ministers as a missionary in Arkansas. The New Hope Church began meeting Sunday night. I will pass on more as this relationship develops. They have plans for English, Spanish and computer classes. Welcome to North Little Rock!

A smaller church?

2008-06-02T21:52:00.002-05:00

While everyone wants a church of size, the question is what is the ideal size. I enjoyed one mans thoughts....

I've always been a big fan of small churches. That's partly because I don't fully understand how megachurches "do" real church, and partly because I prefer the rawness, freedom and community that comes from a smaller worship gathering.

Is it awkward at times? You bet. A little clumsy and unpolished? Sometimes. Yet those elements, to me, are exactly why small churches are such a treasure. I love that there doesn't have to be soft music playing behind every prayer, altar call or offering. I love that you can get to know — really know — the people sitting next to you, and that building real relationships isn't an option when it's impossible to hide among the crowds. (What crowds?!)

And maybe more than anything, I love that small churches allow everyone to be a key, active part of the body. No sideline-sitters (or at least not for long), all players. Because in small churches, everyone brings something of value.

[Marcus Yoars]

Memorial Day

2008-05-25T09:08:00.002-05:00

(Children saluting a fallen soldier's funeral procession)

The words to "Taps" are:
Day Is Done,
Gone the Sun,
From the Earth,
From the Hill,
From the Sky,
All Is Well,
Safely Rest,
God Is Nigh

When Taps is played at dusk, it has a completely different meaning than when Taps is played during the day. No soldier really wants to hear it played during daylight. For when the bugle plays Taps in the daylight...that means a soldier has fallen...There is a belief among some that Taps is the clarion call to open the gates of heaven for the fallen warrior and letting them know to "Safely Rest"...

Memorial day is about remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Many say it is disrespectful the way we celebrate, with our grilling, boating, playing with our children… Disrespectful? I believe that we should take time to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and the families they left behind as we enjoy the freedom they paid so dearly for. Enjoying your freedom and understanding it's value is the best way to honor their sacrifices. I believe that's the way they'd want us to spend Memorial Day. What better assurance to them they did not die in vain?

Women Thought Dead Is Alive After All

2008-05-24T07:31:00.001-05:00

You have got to check out this story...

Death came for Val Thomas at 1:30 a.m. in the morning Saturday, when her heart stopped at home. Paramedics managed to revive her, but she didn't look right. As paramedics rushed Val to Thomas Memorial, family members scrambled into action, beginning to pray and ask God for a miracle.

Video and rest of story

Dottie Rambo, Singer and Songwriter, Dies at 74

2008-05-17T06:52:00.003-05:00

Dottie Rambo, a singer and prolific songwriter who was one of the most successful women to write songs in gospel music, died early Sunday when her tour bus ran off a highway near Mount Vernon, Mo. She was 74 and lived in Nashville.

More of the story

An interesting thought

2008-05-08T13:31:00.001-05:00

This was sent to me today, I had to share it. It sure made me think....

Do you have any idea how many princesses have gone unrecognized by their prince, because of logic? Or, how many princes have gone unrecognized by their princess, because of pride?

How many dreams were dashed when the handmaiden answered the door? Or when the gatehouse was mistaken for the mansion? Or when the calm before the storm of abundance and good fortune was viewed as a sign to retreat?

It's never too late to see what one's missed, remain focused on the dream instead of the "hows," and move with unwavering faith.

Closing The Door on Negativity

2008-05-06T20:32:00.001-05:00

Do your negatives always seem to counteract your positives? Try hooking up jumper cables to the wrong positive/negative terminals (actually, don't try it--just trust me!). The result is not good.
In order to close the door on negativity and walk through the door of positive living, we must "hook up" to the right influences, relationships, and attitudes:
· Eliminate negative influences such as your environment, what you listen to or what you watch.
· Hang out with Joshua and Caleb types: "no fear/we can do it" type of people. Eliminate relationships that drain you dry. Minimize time spent in neutral relationships. Maximize relationships that replenish, encourage, and stretch you.
· Change your attitude by hooking up to God's word and being in His presence.

Ok, Ok.....I am back again

2008-05-05T19:16:00.002-05:00

When you take on a BLOG you take on certain responsibilities, like regular posting. But the day comes and the day goes and somewhere in the middle life happens. It seems to never be any one thing, they just add up a little at a time and “suddenly” you are dragging or lagging behind. I appreciate those who have contacted me and ask, “where you at” I am here and getting back on track. The water is coming back down, and who knows we may get to boat this year.

I haven’t written about it on the Blog, but we have been working for the past few weeks on getting a new church building. We had found a warehouse style building in a great location, but after a lot of work and going through all the city rules and regs, we discovered the cost to renovate would be too great.

At the same time this was going on, we had two new start up churches wanting to rent our present building. We are talking to one of the groups about sharing our current facilities on off days from our services.
I don’t know were we will end up, but do feel that a move must and will happen. Will keep you posted…..

Stress Awareness Month

2008-04-22T21:13:00.002-05:00

Did you know that? Focus on the family said:

The Health Resource Network, a non-profit health education organization, has designated April as Stress Awareness Month for the 16th consecutive year. Health care professionals, health promotion experts and caregivers across the country will join forces to raise public awareness about the cause and cures for our modern stress epidemic.

For this reason Community Chaplains of America, which provides care for individuals during difficult and stressful situations, have offered 10 simple suggestions on how to provide care and essentially reduce stress, according to christianpost.com.

·Provide a listening ear. Often, those who are going through stressful times simply need someone to talk to. Make an extra phone call or meet a friend for coffee and offer the opportunity for them to talk.

·Send an encouraging note. Words are powerful. In the age of emails and text messages, handwritten notes show that you took time and effort to show you care.

·Say "thank you." Offer your gratitude for people. Thank a coworker for his or her hard work or a waiter for serving you dinner. Everyone wants to feel appreciated.

·Laugh with someone. A good hearty laugh can relax you both and mentally lighten your load. Tell a joke or rent a funny movie with a friend.

·Perform a random act of kindness. Surprise someone with the unexpected. It can be as simple as paying for a friend's coffee or offering to watch the kids so a mom or dad can have that extra time to relax.

* Help someone organize. When the places and things around us are in order, we feel a little more put together. Take time to help a friend clean out a closet or scrub the bathtub.

·Take a walk. Exercise releases endorphins and makes us feel better all around. Walk around the mall with a coworker on your lunch break or meet a friend at a park after work and enjoy the fresh air.

·Share a smile. This contagious act can easily brighten someone's day. Smile to a passing stranger; it may make a big difference in his or her day.

·Get away. Get away from the everyday circumstances that may be causing stress. Plan a weekend getaway or a day trip with a friend.

·Pray. Say a quick prayer for your friend and put his or her stress in the hands of the Ultimate Provider and Healer.

Did you think we floated off?

2008-04-22T21:02:00.004-05:00

Nope, we made it through the flood, and it wasn't to bad this time. We believe that the annual Memorial day flotilla will probably not happen this year, just too much rain. Oh well, maybe July 4th...I do have faith ;-)

Picture of Big Dam Bridge Raft up 2007

Water coming down? Maybe...

2008-04-12T14:08:00.002-05:00

We should be seeing the water go down over the next day or so. Parking lot flooded, but still able to drive a pick up to the ramp. You got to love it ;-)

How high is the water?

2008-04-10T20:54:00.005-05:00

I know that this picture means nothing to you, so let me tell you what this means to me. We are in for a ride over the next few days. We expect the river to rise over the next 24-36 hours to over the point it was a few weeks ago. We moved the cars tonight from the parking lot, (just in case) and expect to be taking boats to the cars by tomorrow night. They are predicting almost 400 thousand cubic feet per second by Saturday. In comparison we would normally be around 50,000 or less for this time of year. Oh well, the adventure of river living, will keep you posted.
And the week continues ;-)

Opening day 08

2008-04-07T21:49:00.004-05:00

Have you ever noticed, the NLR Church seems to be a baseball church (by the way a game I never played ;-) Any rate today was quite a day. Mona was honored at the opening ceremony with a plaque, season named in her honor and to top it off the Mayor proclaimed today Mona Lawson day in North Little Rock. Mona wants to know how to turn it into a national holiday, Mona I don't have a clue, but keep up the work and just maybe, just maybe... Check out web pictures, and you will find a lot more of the NLR crew.
Repaired Link

April 6 thought

2008-04-06T07:59:00.000-05:00

You may have heard of Mark Burnett. He is the creator of the shows “Survivor” and “Apprentice.” He recently wrote a book titled “Jump In!” In this book he outlines his philosophy of business. He says: “Nothing will ever be …perfect, and nothing can be totally planned. The best you can hope for is to be about half certain of your plan and know that you and the team you’ve assembled are willing to work hard enough to overcome the inevitable problems as they arrive. And arrive they will. The only thing you can be certain of is that the problems you have not thought of will eventually crop up—and always at the worst times.”

The week that won't quit...

2008-04-04T21:03:00.008-05:00

Monday On the way to work I responded to an unconscious child to back up an ambulance. I arrived to find my medic hooking up a monitor and saying, “Greg this kid is gone” sure enough the child was beyond resuscitation efforts. I told the mom, “I’m sorry” and held her as she cried, I took physical punches from the grandmother who thought I had not done enough.

Tuesday- No big deal, but annual renewal time on insurance for all the ambulances as well as a meeting with the fire marshal to try to persuade him to allow the church to occupy a new location.

Wednesday- Scaffolding falls from the I/430 bridge taking three workers with it. We finally devised a plan to recover the bodies of the workers and low and behold it works, however we only recover one body. I am on the barge taking it back home to the Yacht Club, when we round a corner and hit heavy flow in the river (after all we are flooding) the barge starts taking on water and sinking and we cant make any head way. We call the Club for a pump and after some work finally pump it out and make it home after about 10 hours.
Thank you to Robert our youth Pastor who handled the Wednesday night study while I finished up the recovery.

Link to story
__________________________________________________________________________________
Thursday- Tornadoes hit our area. We coordinate search and recovery for four cities. I finally get to bed at 4AM. Hoping that Friday breaks the streak.

____________________________________________________________________________________
Friday- All is well till the afternoon I hear that unit 422 was just hit by a city bus. Both crew members and three passengers go to the hospital. (all not critical)

____________________________________________________________________________________

Saturday we will meet to discuss the river rescue/recovery called a “hot wash” this is a normal procedure. I am just hoping that this streaks finally ends.

What a week I thank God that they are not all like this.

A new Blogger

2008-04-01T21:17:00.004-05:00

Lacinda is a member of NLR and now a Blogger. Welcome Lacinda!

Check her out!
http://lacindapage.blogspot.com/

I dont think you have to be a blogger to be a part of this group, but it helps:-)

Three more to the Youth Group

2008-04-01T21:03:00.003-05:00

Sunday Taylor, Chandler and Justin all officially became a part of the Youth Group. Debbie had a special program complete with a video look back of them growing up. Guys we are proud of you!!

Youth Sunday

2008-04-01T20:59:00.002-05:00

Sunday was youth Sunday. I think this was one of the best yet. Way to go Team 180!!

Easter 2008

2008-03-25T00:02:00.005-05:00

Great Easter service, I always enjoy when we get together!
Link to Easter pictures

I dont know what I was thinking

2008-03-24T22:53:00.008-05:00

Don't ask how I got there, but did you know that this kind of whirlpool in the river can spin an 18' Sea Ray in a circle with ease? I didn't, but do now ;-)

Flooding in Arkansas

2008-03-22T21:49:00.008-05:00

Maybe you have heard that Arkansas has had a bit of a flood. Living on a boat is great the water did not get in our house, but we did float up over 6 feet. The first picture is of our "taxi" to get to work Friday AM. We woke to the parking lot in knee deep water(we had already moved the cars to a hill) the Harbor Master took us to the cars via party barge at over 300,000 cubic feet per second, a little over 6 miles per hour current.
The second picture is from our dock looking at the parking lot. We have not lost electricity or water, and have not been afraid. The water is moving so fast it sounds like rain at night if you leave the door open. It has been an experience for us all, probably one of those reasons we moved to the water in the first place:-)

2008-03-20T00:25:00.000-05:00

You got to be kidding!

2008-03-17T21:04:00.005-05:00

Can you believe these actual cosmetic products recently pulled from the shelves in Singapore. Seems many are trying to use Jesus as a good luck charm. This may be absurd, but I wonder what areas we are doing the same thing in, but maybe not as obvious.

Larry Norman

2008-03-08T10:13:00.001-06:00

I ran across a great old video of his song, "Why should the devil have all the good music"

Dont forget the time change

2008-03-06T20:53:00.001-06:00

Did you know that the official spelling is Daylight Saving Time, not Daylight SavingS Time.Nevertheless, many people feel the word savings (with an 's') flows more mellifluously off the tongue. Daylight Savings Time is also in common usage, and can be found in dictionaries. For more on this insightful time study see the links below ;-)

http://webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/b.html

daylight

To be grateful

2008-03-03T21:34:00.003-06:00

“To be grateful is to recognize the love of God”
– Thomas Merton

During an October 2004 interview with Robert Emmons, Ph.D. and author of The Psychology of Gratitude (Oxford University Press, 2004), Emmons recounts his ideas about people like Mother Teresa and others who ‘gave themselves away’ as those having the quality of gratitude.

“They don’t seem to fit the usual conception of gratitude where you see a benefit and then you’re grateful. They felt grateful for the opportunity to help, as opposed to receiving help. They knew there was some benefit for them in developing compassion… the ability to be helpful…created in them a sense of gratitude, a sense of purpose, that they wouldn’t otherwise have had.”

Funeral for Larry Norman today

2008-03-01T07:05:00.002-06:00

LARRY NORMAN, a solid rock in the history of Christian music, passed away February 24 at age 60, in Salem, Oregon. He had been battling heart problems for several years.

Norman, who virtually invented 'Christian rock,' released more than 60 albums and was frequently cited as an inspiration by other musicians. His most influential work was 'The Trilogy,' consisting of Only Visiting this Planet, So Long Ago the Garden and In Another Land, all released between 1972 and 1976. Some of his more important songs were 'Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music,' 'I Wish We'd All Been Ready,' 'I'm the Six O'clock News' and 'The Rock that Doesn't Roll.'

According to Assist News, Norman was for several years "a permanent fixture on Hollywood Boulevard -- where, despite being a star with Capitol Records, he would spend his days and nights sharing one-on-one with the lost youth of Hollywood, about the love of Jesus Christ."

Assist also noted that Norman was "credited with inventing the 'One Way to Jesus' finger-pointing sign."

In a statement announcing his death, his brother Charles said: "We spent this past week laughing, singing and praying with him; and all the while, he had us taking notes on new song ideas and instructions on how to continue his ministry and art. Several of his friends got to come and visit with him in the last couple of weeks, and were a great source of help and friendship to Larry."

Just prior to his death, Norman dictated a message which read in part: "I feel like a prize in a box of crackerjacks, with God's hand reaching down to pick me up. I have been under medical care for months. My wounds are getting bigger. I have trouble breathing. I am ready to fly home . . . My plan is to be buried in a simple pine box with some flowers inside."
link to larry norman message board

2/19 ;-)

2008-02-19T10:41:00.000-06:00

After the christening of his baby brother in church,
Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car.
His father asked him three times what was wrong.
Finally, the boy replied,
"That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home,
and I wanted to stay with you guys."

2/18 Thought

2008-02-18T22:09:00.001-06:00

A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.

C S Lewis

It Snowed 29 years ago February 17th

2008-02-16T09:19:00.004-06:00

A reprint from last year a way for me to remember that I am a very blessed man, blessed indeed….

You may ask how I remember that.
It was on that day in February that a couple of kids that many said would not make it, said their vows. Married by a minister who we did not know, in a church that we did not attend with no rehearsal prior to the evening. The day started out with some snow flurries and turned to several inches of snow by the evening. As my best man and I made our way to the Church in my 1965 Chevy truck, we topped a hill and looked down to see several cars in a tangled mess. I was unable to stop, so I did the best thing I could do and steered into a yard coming to rest in a ditch against a line of hedges. Due to the roads, we were already running dangerously close to being late. I got out of the truck in my baby blue tux (quite stylish at the time) and slid down the hill, where I explained to the group of angry, frustrated drivers that I was late for my own wedding. To my surprise they crawled back up the hill to my truck with me where they and my best man (also dressed in an equally stylish baby blue tux) pushed the truck back on to the street and around the wrecks.
I learned later that back at the church my future father-in-law was saying, "I told you he wouldn't come, I told you he was a bum."
I did finally make it, a little muddy, a little cold, a little frustrated and scared to death.
I look back today and can say the same thing about the last 29 years.
We both made it to the church that day; and due to the same determination we have made it these years. We have gotten stuck, sometimes others didn't believe in us, it has taken a lot of help from family, friends and strangers to get us out of ditches that I put us in. But today we are here, but not at our destination. Just like that day not so long ago, we are not finished yet, we are only beginning another phase of this wonderful journey.

Happy Anniversary Deb.

Greg

Some poetry help for Valentines

2008-02-14T12:12:00.002-06:00

I searched and found some of the best poems and sayings I could for this special day. I am thinking about getting into the greeting card business

I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon. ~Author Unknown

You have to walk carefully in the beginning of love; the running across fields into your lover's arms can only come later when you're sure they won't laugh if you trip. ~Jonathan Carroll, "Outside the Dog Museum"

We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love. ~Author Unknown

True love comes quietly, without banners or flashing lights. If you hear bells, get your ears checked. ~Erich Segal

Maybe the best is:
A baby is born with a need to be loved - and never outgrows it. ~Frank A. Clark

OK maybe I should not go in to the greeting card business..

Elizabeth's Party

2008-02-12T21:12:00.003-06:00

Many know that Mona was admitted to the hospital over two weeks ago with pneumonia and has been on a ventilator now for 14 days. Last week her daughter Elizabeth had her birthday. We did what Mona would have done for us, instead of the normal study, and youth program on Wednesday, we stopped and had a party. It was not to forget about Mona, but to honor her by giving her family what she would have given if she could. Today she had lung surgery; she is stable but has a long road ahead.

Elizabeth ask me to pose with her, here we are together.

Her Party Pictures

2/10 Thought

2008-02-10T20:12:00.000-06:00

I came across a powerful writing about prayer, it is a bit messy, but so is life.....

How shall I pray? Are tears prayers Lord? Are screams prayers, or groans, or sighs, or curses? Can trembling hands be lifted to you, or clenched fists, or cold sweat that trickles down my back, or the cramps that knot my stomach? Will you accept my prayers Lord. my real prayers, rooted in the muck and mud and rocks of my life, and not just the pretty, cut-flower, gracefully arranged bouquet of words? Will you accept me Lord as I really am. Messed up mixture of glory and grime?
Ted Loder from Guerillas of grace

2/7 thought

2008-02-07T22:42:00.001-06:00

If you have courage, you will influence people based on your convictions. If you lack courage, you will influence people based on your comfort zones. Courage will take you anywhere you believe God is leading you. Without courage, you will go where you are comfortable. [Wayne Schmidt ]

Blog Anniversary!

2008-02-02T10:51:00.000-06:00

February 1 2007 I posted my first Blog, now 280 posts later I celebrate 1 year. As I scan back over some of the posts I find a lot has happened in a year. Good and bad days, stories, dumb jokes, quotes and videos. I was thrilled as many of you joined this e-community and began sharing your journey.

As I look to the future I am reminded of the words of Abraham Lincoln, the best thing about the future is that it only comes one day at a time. I guess that is where a Blog helps, it causes you to take each day and find something in it to share or save. I don’t know what the future holds, but I plan on being here watching, and writing about it whether good or bad.

As said in a tale of two cities, "it was the best of times and the worst of times", I think Art Buchwald said it better; "Whether it's the best of times or the worst of times, it's the only time we've got" ;-)

May you live all your life
Greg

Congratulations Tom

2008-01-31T22:36:00.000-06:00

Small picture of a big deal. Congratulations Tom on your first 1/2 marathon. Since Tom started on his running journey he has lost weight, got in shape, avoided wearing a Speedo (you have to ask him) ran a few 5Ks and now this. Tom, you making me look bad brother, I know what you mean when you say I am your “BIG” Brother...so...I have started my own journey each morning at 06:00, I do my running (indoors with a bunch of old guys at the Y) did you know it is still dark? Don’t know if I can ever beat ya, but I will be chasing.
Run forest run...;-)

COGOP "Face Book"

2008-01-31T21:27:00.000-06:00

The Church has just launched its version of a "my space" or "face Book" for the Church of God of Prophecy. Neat stuff, as we use Blogs, e-mail and my-space to communicate and get to know each other, "community space" allows us to connect with a whole other side of our church family.

The link is: http://www.mycogop.com

Sad ending

2008-01-28T20:22:00.000-06:00

Tonight our own Charity Baroni was voted off the show dance War. Oh well I didn't like that show anyway......

Happy Birthday Robert!

2008-01-27T19:11:00.000-06:00

We had the joy of celebrating Youth Minister Robert House birthday today. It is a privilege to have him here at NLR. Robert You Tha Man!

"Offical Members"

2008-01-27T19:07:00.000-06:00

We had the privilege of finally making the transfer of membership official for 6 of those who attend North Little Rock (Rosa not pictured) Although they are already a part of this local family, we are glad to finally have their papers :-) Welcome!