If I told you a lie but it sounded so good you believed it and repeated it for years and years, even though it could destroy the careers of many a good man and prevent the careers of countless others, why would you continue to believe that lie after being presented with the truth? Well, it seems many people do that very thing.
It's such a simple little lie. I Timothy 3: 2 sates "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach.
No, the whole verse isn't a lie and the verse means what it says and says what it means. The lie comes in the interpretation thereof, i.e., "the husband of one wife". The hurt comes when a preacher is fired from his job because his wife dies, or a man is denied a pastorialship because he once was married or he had remarried. "Oh, the bible says a man can only be married once" people claim. Some even interpret the verse to mean that a man must be married in order to be a preacher.
I know of a man that started a bible study in his home and soon had to move to a building. The building had to be enlarged 5 times and even at it's largest people were standing outside looking in the windows to hear this man preach. yet, after twenty years of preaching, when the man's wife died, the deacons came to him and asked for his resignation. Oh my, the devil sure is a sly one, isn't he.
Please, please, read the verse. It plainly says the husband of one wife. The verse says absolutely nothing about marriages. It does not say a man can only be married once, it says must be the husband of one wife. It does not say a man must be married, it says the husband of one wife. Please do not substitute the word marriage for one wife. They may seem the same but there is a vast difference.
Everyone has said something sometime that was exactly what they wanted to say yet the hearer of the r words took it the wrong way. One has to be careful to fully understand why the speaker uttered the words that he did. If we could go back to the time that Paul penned those words "the husband of one wife" and ask him exactly what he meant he would quickly tell you the truth, making it clear so as to there being no misunderstanding.
In the days that Paul wrote this letter to Timothy polygamy was a common practice in Israel. it was legal for women as it was for men. For a woman who had two husbands, if one husband objected to the other, the woman had to divorce both men and was forbidden to have a relationship with either ever again. If a man had two wives and one objected then the man did not have to divorce either one of them but even if he divorced one she was forbidden to remarry. Polygamy, even though legal, was not socially acceptable like it is among certain segments of the Mormon Church.
Paul was only cautioning Timothy to not ordain a man who had multiple wives. His statement had nothing to do with marriages but the number of women a man could be married too at the same time.
If people could understand that then many a good man who has been cast aside would still be proclaiming the gospel and leading churches. Many a young man who has not married would be allowed to follow God and preach God's word.
But alas, some will reject the truth and still insist that the verse says that a man cannot be divorced or cannot have a wife that died and cannot be single and stand in the pulpit, even though the verse never mentions marriages at all.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Gospel Singing
Feb 8, 2015 will see the return of "Mountain Joy" to Randleman for their annual appearance. They will be at One Way Baptist Church on Sunset on Sunday, Feb 8, 2015 and their appearance begins at 10:45 am. We have double the seating as we did last year but one should be sure to get there early. Admission is free. Lucky you.
Sunset is either a street or a Road, depending on whether one turns from Main Street or from Stout street in case you are wondering why I didn't included it in the address.
Sunset is either a street or a Road, depending on whether one turns from Main Street or from Stout street in case you are wondering why I didn't included it in the address.
Crumley-Roberts ad
The lady said her husband had no memory of an accident he was in yet he says the first think he thought of when he awoke in the hospital was hiring Crumley-Roberts. Exactly why would he do that. I would think his first thoughts would be on why am I in the hospital, how long am I going to be here, and exactly what happened to me.
I think the ad is stupid and is a good reason not to hire Crumley-Roberts for anything. They have demonstrated a tendency for faulty reasoning and I want a better law firm than that.
I think the ad is stupid and is a good reason not to hire Crumley-Roberts for anything. They have demonstrated a tendency for faulty reasoning and I want a better law firm than that.
1st Cold
Sunday night a familiar feeling was present in my chest one that foretold of an impending cold. I seldom get sick. I think it was 1978 that I missed my first and only day of work because of illness. I took my first job at 11 and retired when I was 64 so I figure that's pretty good; one day in 53 years. I did have a serious bout with the flu when I was an eight grader which resulted in the only time I was ever absent from school. Once, in 1983, I had another bout of flu but I was on vacation when I got sick.
It may seems like a charmed life but in 1970 I had appendicitis and in 2012 my blood sugar spiked to an avg. daily reading of well over 400 and a A1C of 14. Insulin quickly brought that under control. In todays world neither one of these illnesses are considered life threating but had I been born in the early 1900's an appendectomy would have been considered major surgery and a few years before that would have most certainly been fatal. It hasn't been that long since an A1C of 14 would have been deadly too.
I think of it often; how I could have been dead at twenty one. I suppose it's no big deal considering all my other close calls with death. One, like the time I hit a bridge column at 92 miles an hour or the time a drunk slammed into me head on. Then there is the time I was robbed by 4 guys at knife point and once where an ex-friend of mine pulled the trigger on a 357 magnum aimed at me. She was only 3 or 4 feet away and she missed all three times.
I may have been luck and it may have been divine intervention. And these incidents I've described have not been the only times my life has been in danger. Twice people have set out to kill me. Once, in Texas a young man mistook me for someone he hated and relished his opportunity to kill. Another time a man Burlington a man brandished a gun threatening to kill me because I didn't get the door to my store unlock fast enough to suit him.
Considering what I have survived, a little cold is nothing to worry about. I just start popping Zi-cam and sucking on cough drops and usually in a few days I'm fit as a fiddle. Obviously I would rather not get a cold but even I can't be that fortunate.
It may seems like a charmed life but in 1970 I had appendicitis and in 2012 my blood sugar spiked to an avg. daily reading of well over 400 and a A1C of 14. Insulin quickly brought that under control. In todays world neither one of these illnesses are considered life threating but had I been born in the early 1900's an appendectomy would have been considered major surgery and a few years before that would have most certainly been fatal. It hasn't been that long since an A1C of 14 would have been deadly too.
I think of it often; how I could have been dead at twenty one. I suppose it's no big deal considering all my other close calls with death. One, like the time I hit a bridge column at 92 miles an hour or the time a drunk slammed into me head on. Then there is the time I was robbed by 4 guys at knife point and once where an ex-friend of mine pulled the trigger on a 357 magnum aimed at me. She was only 3 or 4 feet away and she missed all three times.
I may have been luck and it may have been divine intervention. And these incidents I've described have not been the only times my life has been in danger. Twice people have set out to kill me. Once, in Texas a young man mistook me for someone he hated and relished his opportunity to kill. Another time a man Burlington a man brandished a gun threatening to kill me because I didn't get the door to my store unlock fast enough to suit him.
Considering what I have survived, a little cold is nothing to worry about. I just start popping Zi-cam and sucking on cough drops and usually in a few days I'm fit as a fiddle. Obviously I would rather not get a cold but even I can't be that fortunate.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
What to do in retirement: to RV or not to RV
When I was in the military I met a guy named David S. We became friends mainly because we were both defiant people and both of us married girls from the Philippines. My wife and I never talked about him without mentioning his wife nor would we talk about her without mentioning him. It was as if each had the same name, David and Ramy. They seemed so happy. That's why it came as a huge shock to learn of their divorce.
I suppose the divorce had a big influence on Dave and my relationship as we never saw each other but once after they separated and last touch after their divorce was final. That is why it was a big shocker when about eight years ago I heard from Dave and he had not only remarried but had already retired. He was just in his fifties and he had married an attractive blonde. Dave and his new wife, Chris, were living it up visiting beaches up and down the eastern seaboard and even a few in other countries. After a few years of that the to of them purchased an RV and began living this way during the spring, summer and fall, only returning home in the dead of winter. This year they have ventured out and are RVing full time. We keep in touch via Facebook and are regularly updated with pictures of campsites, menus of places they eat and stories of people they have meet. Seems like the perfect carefree life.
I suppose, for them, it is. Dave and Chris had spent their lives living in one city and working for the same manufacturer raising their respective families in a seemingly humdrum world. I spent my life working at various jobs and lived in different places. Dave;s life was stable and mine was in constant turmoil. When he retired he was ready for some adventure. When I retired I was ready for some stability.
I remarried after my wife passed away and we settled in a small town, purchased a modest home and have dedicated our lives to serving God at a small local church. I give aid to my Mom and did so to my wife's mother when she was still living. I spend many hours working at the church. I believe there is more yard work to be done in the winter what with clearing some land. That's about to come to an end which is okay with me. I think it about time I switch gears and concentrate on something beside the physical. I do as I also teach and write for the newspaper.
I love my stability and the fact I can have friends and belong to things and feel like my life has a purpose. While Rving seems glamorous and I do feel a ting of jealousy now and then, especially over the pictures of my friends sitting around a campfire with good food and new friends. Then i noticed someone wearing a light jacket and think it must be a little cool and I see the Tiki torch
and think of the bugs and mosquitoes and then I realize that soon my friends must clean up, pack up and move on, spending countless hours on the move to a new campsite. Maybe the next one will not be so nice.
There is just as much work involved in maintaining an RV lifestyle as there is in maintaining a 'home. I can do a lot more to entertain myself than I do. I can fish more and take more day trips. It's nice to have a choice of how to spend ones day. My uncle compromised. He worked for his church as a Deacon just as I do, had his home, wife, family and garden, and yet he had his RV and spend many an hour in the mountains or by a lake doing what he loved best: sharing time with his wife and fishing. One can have it all I suppose.
One doesn't have to choose to RV or not. There are many more choices out there than that. The point is that in retirement one can spent time doing what one loves to do. it is said one gets out of life what one puts into it and that is never more true than in retirement.
I suppose the divorce had a big influence on Dave and my relationship as we never saw each other but once after they separated and last touch after their divorce was final. That is why it was a big shocker when about eight years ago I heard from Dave and he had not only remarried but had already retired. He was just in his fifties and he had married an attractive blonde. Dave and his new wife, Chris, were living it up visiting beaches up and down the eastern seaboard and even a few in other countries. After a few years of that the to of them purchased an RV and began living this way during the spring, summer and fall, only returning home in the dead of winter. This year they have ventured out and are RVing full time. We keep in touch via Facebook and are regularly updated with pictures of campsites, menus of places they eat and stories of people they have meet. Seems like the perfect carefree life.
I suppose, for them, it is. Dave and Chris had spent their lives living in one city and working for the same manufacturer raising their respective families in a seemingly humdrum world. I spent my life working at various jobs and lived in different places. Dave;s life was stable and mine was in constant turmoil. When he retired he was ready for some adventure. When I retired I was ready for some stability.
I remarried after my wife passed away and we settled in a small town, purchased a modest home and have dedicated our lives to serving God at a small local church. I give aid to my Mom and did so to my wife's mother when she was still living. I spend many hours working at the church. I believe there is more yard work to be done in the winter what with clearing some land. That's about to come to an end which is okay with me. I think it about time I switch gears and concentrate on something beside the physical. I do as I also teach and write for the newspaper.
I love my stability and the fact I can have friends and belong to things and feel like my life has a purpose. While Rving seems glamorous and I do feel a ting of jealousy now and then, especially over the pictures of my friends sitting around a campfire with good food and new friends. Then i noticed someone wearing a light jacket and think it must be a little cool and I see the Tiki torch
and think of the bugs and mosquitoes and then I realize that soon my friends must clean up, pack up and move on, spending countless hours on the move to a new campsite. Maybe the next one will not be so nice.
There is just as much work involved in maintaining an RV lifestyle as there is in maintaining a 'home. I can do a lot more to entertain myself than I do. I can fish more and take more day trips. It's nice to have a choice of how to spend ones day. My uncle compromised. He worked for his church as a Deacon just as I do, had his home, wife, family and garden, and yet he had his RV and spend many an hour in the mountains or by a lake doing what he loved best: sharing time with his wife and fishing. One can have it all I suppose.
One doesn't have to choose to RV or not. There are many more choices out there than that. The point is that in retirement one can spent time doing what one loves to do. it is said one gets out of life what one puts into it and that is never more true than in retirement.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Keeping up Appearances
I'm really not interested in keeping up appearances: that phrase just seemed like a nice line for a title.
Sometimes life can seem difficult and discouraging and it feels like one is just going through the motions or, as the title suggest, just keeping up the appearance of being interested in what is happening outside one's little world.
As far as myself, most things are fine but it does get somewhat frustrating when it seems all my efforts are for nothing. No, I'm not talking about my marriage as it really couldn't be better. Things are fine around the house. My neighbor purchased the property beside me and had it surveyed so for the first time I know exactly where my boundaries are and I am pleased with that. I've been spending some time working in the yard getting my lawn ready for the sowing of seed this spring. It has been a hard struggle getting this rocky red clay in such a shape to grow something besides weeds. Everything is fine at church; the services are great, and we have finally got a visitation program that is working. No, my frustrations lie elsewhere.
It is the hard hearts of the community and the lack of honesty on people's part. If I invite you to church and you would rather not go I would much rather you tell me so than to lie to me. I will appreciate your honestly much more than I will your lie.
Sometimes life can seem difficult and discouraging and it feels like one is just going through the motions or, as the title suggest, just keeping up the appearance of being interested in what is happening outside one's little world.
As far as myself, most things are fine but it does get somewhat frustrating when it seems all my efforts are for nothing. No, I'm not talking about my marriage as it really couldn't be better. Things are fine around the house. My neighbor purchased the property beside me and had it surveyed so for the first time I know exactly where my boundaries are and I am pleased with that. I've been spending some time working in the yard getting my lawn ready for the sowing of seed this spring. It has been a hard struggle getting this rocky red clay in such a shape to grow something besides weeds. Everything is fine at church; the services are great, and we have finally got a visitation program that is working. No, my frustrations lie elsewhere.
It is the hard hearts of the community and the lack of honesty on people's part. If I invite you to church and you would rather not go I would much rather you tell me so than to lie to me. I will appreciate your honestly much more than I will your lie.
Friday, January 16, 2015
Malarkey admits malarky
Tyndale House, publishers of the book "A boy who came from heaven" has finally pulled the book from publication. The co-author Alex Malarkey, has admitted that he never went to heaven.
The book should never have been published as anything but fiction to begin with. Only three men in the history of the world have ever returned to earth from heaven and those were Jesus, Elijah, and Moses. The returning of Moses and Elijah is recorded in the book of Matthew in the 17th chapter.
There are many people out there that reject the bible as the inspired word of God and in fact there are many who reject God and even some that reject the idea of God. They think that believers live in a fantasy world and yet they are ready to accept evolution and the big bang theory. Talk about a leap of faith.
Let's start with the scientific law that nothing can be created from nothing. Now scientist acknowledge it is a fact if nothing ever existed then nothing ever could. Yet these same men would have you believe that everything is existence came into being is a fraction of a second due to some impossible to exist gravitational force. But then they backtrack and claim all life evolved from a single cell creature. Now as I understand the theory of evolution, evolving comes about by a creature adapting, or changing to better survive in its environment.
Now if every living creature was a single cell animal and it could reproduce itself then it would have had no enemies and would never be turned down for sex then why did it need to evolve? And if it evolved then why are there still single cell animals? if man evolved from an ape, then why can't man swing from trees and why isn't he born covered in fur and with a long tail? Apes are stronger and more athletic than humans and are born protected against the elements. man was born with a brain instead so he could gather wood and eventually discover alternate fuel sources to heat the structures he had to build because he was born without fur. Seems a step backwards to me.
Yes, I'm a Christian. I can understand why non-believers feel they are correct in rejecting God. They can't see Him, feel Him, or notice any evidence of His existence. Creation once pointed to the existence of God but now man believes creation is now evidence that God does not exist. How sad.
One thing I do know from experience is that if one is a believer then God will interact with you and the more he interacts with you the stronger your faith becomes and the stronger ones faith the better the relationship.
In any case, any reputable publisher should have known that anything contrary to God is not of god and therefore is not true. Maybe the book should have been published but published as fiction only.
The book should never have been published as anything but fiction to begin with. Only three men in the history of the world have ever returned to earth from heaven and those were Jesus, Elijah, and Moses. The returning of Moses and Elijah is recorded in the book of Matthew in the 17th chapter.
There are many people out there that reject the bible as the inspired word of God and in fact there are many who reject God and even some that reject the idea of God. They think that believers live in a fantasy world and yet they are ready to accept evolution and the big bang theory. Talk about a leap of faith.
Let's start with the scientific law that nothing can be created from nothing. Now scientist acknowledge it is a fact if nothing ever existed then nothing ever could. Yet these same men would have you believe that everything is existence came into being is a fraction of a second due to some impossible to exist gravitational force. But then they backtrack and claim all life evolved from a single cell creature. Now as I understand the theory of evolution, evolving comes about by a creature adapting, or changing to better survive in its environment.
Now if every living creature was a single cell animal and it could reproduce itself then it would have had no enemies and would never be turned down for sex then why did it need to evolve? And if it evolved then why are there still single cell animals? if man evolved from an ape, then why can't man swing from trees and why isn't he born covered in fur and with a long tail? Apes are stronger and more athletic than humans and are born protected against the elements. man was born with a brain instead so he could gather wood and eventually discover alternate fuel sources to heat the structures he had to build because he was born without fur. Seems a step backwards to me.
Yes, I'm a Christian. I can understand why non-believers feel they are correct in rejecting God. They can't see Him, feel Him, or notice any evidence of His existence. Creation once pointed to the existence of God but now man believes creation is now evidence that God does not exist. How sad.
One thing I do know from experience is that if one is a believer then God will interact with you and the more he interacts with you the stronger your faith becomes and the stronger ones faith the better the relationship.
In any case, any reputable publisher should have known that anything contrary to God is not of god and therefore is not true. Maybe the book should have been published but published as fiction only.
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Read This and Die
No,not you, me. Over the years I've read about publishers and writers and artists who have been threatened with death for commenting on Islam and/or publishing/drawing a picture of Mohammed. I've always wondered how Muslims know if a published image is Mohammed if images of him are not allowed. I guess if the artist says it's Mohammed, the Muslims can then get upset.
This reminds me of the Muslim woman who said it makes her so mad when westerners say Muslims are not a peaceful people she just wants to slap them. Yup, nothings shows that you are a peaceful person more than an angry slap. You go girl.
Three people dressed up like Ninja Muslims and attacked a newspaper in France, killing 12 people because someone there published a picture of Mohammed. That seems about right since Mohammed was a war mongering pedophile who got a bunch of losers to swallow his propaganda because what he taught was as close to the truth as he could get it and still be a total lie. It was good as long as it wasn't Jewish.
Islamists act like a bunch of immature brats who want to hurt people who disagree with them. Seems silly but they believe it's okay to be a terrorist as long as it's in the name of peace.
This reminds me of the Muslim woman who said it makes her so mad when westerners say Muslims are not a peaceful people she just wants to slap them. Yup, nothings shows that you are a peaceful person more than an angry slap. You go girl.
Three people dressed up like Ninja Muslims and attacked a newspaper in France, killing 12 people because someone there published a picture of Mohammed. That seems about right since Mohammed was a war mongering pedophile who got a bunch of losers to swallow his propaganda because what he taught was as close to the truth as he could get it and still be a total lie. It was good as long as it wasn't Jewish.
Islamists act like a bunch of immature brats who want to hurt people who disagree with them. Seems silly but they believe it's okay to be a terrorist as long as it's in the name of peace.
Thursday, January 08, 2015
Did they hear the same thing I did?
Did they hear the same thing I did? Last Sunday night our pastor delivered a message on the sincere milk of the word and Paul's desire that Christians mature to he could teach them deeper things. The basic tenants of Christianity are simple. Because of our inherit sin nature we are separated from God. We all must die a physical death just as we all were born with a physical body. When this body dies we will receive an eternal body and either be reunited with God or eternally separated from Him. Spiritual death is the consequence of sin but we do not have to suffer that death also. Christ died upon the cross as a substitute for us so that we may be reunited with God.
That experience is called the second birth and all our sins are forgiven. We then become sons of God and are expected to live a life pleasing to Christ and God the Father and to yield our decisions to the Spirit of God that indwells us.
The problem is we still live in this sinful wicked world in our body of flesh and have to deal with our shortcomings and the wiles of Satan. We can withstand his temptations and live a life as sweet and holy as that lived by Christ but only if we grow up, or mature. We need to pray constantly, yield or thoughts and decisions to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, study God's word and apply it's teachings to our life.
No one is born a mature Christian. Christianity is not a set of rules to follow or rituals to preform nor is it setting ourselves above the rest of the world as somehow better than others. That is a deception of Satan. Just as physically we start out as helpless babies we do the same as new Christians. We have to develop spiritually and the relationship between us and God had to be nurtured.
Just as some humans always seem to make bad decisions, have a hot temper, and have not been able to develop relationships with others, some Christians never seem to mature. Christ teaches us how to handle conflict with each other, how to deal with our enemies, and how to have a mature relationship with him. Yet some people just never seems to get beyond being a child.
Often times our pastor will allow congregants to sing before the service but not always. Sunday night was one of those rare nights that we went straight into the preaching and apparently one lady was wanting to sing. "Well", she said, "if the preacher won't let me sing I'll just quit the choir."
If that wasn't bad enough another member heard what she said. I don't know if she spoke to him or was just overheard by him but he just couldn't wait to get to the preacher to tell him what she had said.
So what we have heard is a lady acting negatively to an event and another person gossiping about it. To be honest the lady can't sing a lick but that isn't the point. She does what she does because it is a way to praise and honor God. She also knows many kids songs and loves to work with the juveniles by teaching them these little choruses. Even so, it is immature to get upset because "I" didn't get to do what "I" wanted to do.
The man who heard her sentiment should have prayed for the lady asking God to help her with her understanding. If he was to say anything to anyone he should have spoken to her and corrected her attitude. That's why I wonder if they heard the same sermon as I did.
Monday, January 05, 2015
Jodi Aries testimony postponed
It was announced today that lawyers wanted to interview witnesses so the sentencing phase of convicted murder Jodi Aries has been postponed once again. I suppose she has drawn so much exposure on TV and other new media because she is rather attractive. Once doesn't normally expected an attractive women to kill a boyfriend.
When I was a working stiff I was employed by a national chain in Burlington, NC and I was sent an employee of a yet to be opened store to train. She was what one might describe as drop-dead gorgeous. Another employee kept telling me she looked familiar but he couldn't remember where he knew her from. After a couple of weeks he remembered. He had not meet her but remembered that her picture was in the newspaper. She had been arrested and charged with the murder of her husband. As usual in such cases she had a boyfriend and it seemed much easier just to shoot her husband in the back of the head than to go through a divorce. But such wasn't the case with Jodi Aries.
I don't think this guy and her were together anymore and I don't recall if they were ever live in lovers but in any case there really doesn't seem Miss Aries had anything to gain from his death. What was most shocking for me wasn't that pretty women kill because I know they do or that she killed for no apparent reason because they do that too. No, the most shocking thing was her preposterous lies. I think she thought they sounded so good that she had to be believed, especially since she was so pretty. If you thought that women would was acquitted in the death of her little daughter was a lousy liar, and she was, you would be correct but she was a sweet innocent compared to the whoppers Jodi Aries has come up with. It is unconceivable that anyone could tell such stories as she has and really expect to be believed.
Maybe she didn't. Maybe she just wanted to cast down on her guilt. Now that she has been convicted the decision has to be made between life or death. She is claiming that "she has so much to offer" because she is so smart that she could really help the other prisoners build a life for themselves when they are released. I'm not saying she should be given the death penalty but if she is given life instead I sure hope it isn't because anyone really believes she wants to help others build a productive life. No, the only thing she is trying to do is save her own neck. I can't blame her for that except being a liar got her in the predicament she's in now and more lies shouldn't get her out.
When I was a working stiff I was employed by a national chain in Burlington, NC and I was sent an employee of a yet to be opened store to train. She was what one might describe as drop-dead gorgeous. Another employee kept telling me she looked familiar but he couldn't remember where he knew her from. After a couple of weeks he remembered. He had not meet her but remembered that her picture was in the newspaper. She had been arrested and charged with the murder of her husband. As usual in such cases she had a boyfriend and it seemed much easier just to shoot her husband in the back of the head than to go through a divorce. But such wasn't the case with Jodi Aries.
I don't think this guy and her were together anymore and I don't recall if they were ever live in lovers but in any case there really doesn't seem Miss Aries had anything to gain from his death. What was most shocking for me wasn't that pretty women kill because I know they do or that she killed for no apparent reason because they do that too. No, the most shocking thing was her preposterous lies. I think she thought they sounded so good that she had to be believed, especially since she was so pretty. If you thought that women would was acquitted in the death of her little daughter was a lousy liar, and she was, you would be correct but she was a sweet innocent compared to the whoppers Jodi Aries has come up with. It is unconceivable that anyone could tell such stories as she has and really expect to be believed.
Maybe she didn't. Maybe she just wanted to cast down on her guilt. Now that she has been convicted the decision has to be made between life or death. She is claiming that "she has so much to offer" because she is so smart that she could really help the other prisoners build a life for themselves when they are released. I'm not saying she should be given the death penalty but if she is given life instead I sure hope it isn't because anyone really believes she wants to help others build a productive life. No, the only thing she is trying to do is save her own neck. I can't blame her for that except being a liar got her in the predicament she's in now and more lies shouldn't get her out.
Friday, January 02, 2015
Think of the bible as a well.
Think of the bible as a well. Some people feel they have done well by reading some scripture and others think they have done well also when they learn some scripture but the bible is only the well. The words therein is the water which quenches our thirst.
Monday, December 29, 2014
Watchnight Service
While many spend will spend the last day of the year at a New Year's Eve party awaiting the coming of the New Year, I will be at a watchnight service with my Christian brotherns and sisters awaiting the return of Christ. Do I believe he will come at midnight? The odds are stacked against it but as each day goes by we are one day closer to His coming to get his church. The watchnight service is just a way to remind ourselves the importance of waiting and watching for His promised return.
There will be a guest preacher, Time Pope, our pastor, Charles Garrett, and several other preachers there would will deliver messages.
I wish all of you could be there.
There will be a guest preacher, Time Pope, our pastor, Charles Garrett, and several other preachers there would will deliver messages.
I wish all of you could be there.
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Thursday, December 25, 2014
You are built for jail
I don't know exactly what that means except it has to do with race relations and black men going to jail because they are black. From what I have experienced over my lifetime is that our parents didn't teach us to be prejudice. That is something we are born unto as a survival instinct. We have to be taught not to judge people except by who they really are. At school we call it bullying because you pick on the kid that is different. No ones parents taught them to pick on the fat kid, or the skinny kid, or the tall child, or the ugly child, or the child that is different from you. We have all done this at least once in our lives even if we want to deny it. Sometimes bullying goes to far and we have to step up to make things right.
I remember the first time I took a school bus to a city school. I was just starting the 10th grade and with the exception of a lady that was hired to take care of my brothers and I for a couple of weeks when I was thirteen I had never seen a black person. I do remember the lady and I was fascinated by her. Not because she was black but because she was beautiful and told such sad stories.
Anyway, on my first day we passed the black neighborhood and there were several black children walking on the sidewalk and another kid yelled "hey chocolate drop". I asked him why he did that and he said because they were white on the inside and black on the outside, just like the candy chocolate drop. Well the next day I yelled out the window too but a couple of the children looked up at our school bus and I saw the look of hurt in their eyes. That made me feel really bad and I thought about those stories Geneva told me and I understood.
I went away to college and when I came back I went to the Community Center hoping to see some of my friends only to discover it was now a private club. A young kid was sitting on the wall along the walkway and looked so sad and I asked him what was wrong. He said he had hoped to join the community center but all the memberships had been sold.
I went up to the people checking membership passes and asked if it was okay if I just went in for a minute or two to see if any of my friends were there. They told me no but I could buy a membership and go in for as long as I liked. I remarked that I thought they didn't have any left. At lest, I said, that's what I was just told. Oh, you mean that young kid over there. Yea, we sale memberships to keep his kind out. I said, oh, okay and purchased a year membership. I then walked back to the kid and handed him my membership card and told him he was now a member.
I don't know what ever happened to him but I know what happened to me.
To be perfectly honest, I'm like most folks and I am cautions around people different that I am. I don't like rap music nor any music that anyone plays too loud. I will ask you to turn it down. I don't like saggy pants, body jewelry, tattoos, foul language, people who use illegal drugs, liars, thieves,
people who pretend to be something they are not and snobby folks. I like people who are clean, nicely dressed, and genuine.
You can be anyone you choose to be. It's none of my business but it is my business who I let into my world and who I choose to let in. A lot of folks don't like me because I'm conservative and I'm not charming. I'm not ugly but I'm not pretty either. I'm just about as average as a man can get in most aspects of my life. I prefer you go live your life and let me live mine.
Of course being white it is easier to sum up another white person. I don't judge whether they are a good person or not but only if I would consider letting them be part of my world. There is no circumstance under which I would deny any one respect even if I determine you are not they type of person I want to be friends with. yea, you are right. There are plenty of people with tattoos who were saggy britches and body jewelry who are perfectly nice, descent people who are as honest as the day is long. Never said there wasn't. I can't be friends with everyone. Neither can you.
I don't like someone just because they are white anymore than I would dislike someone because they aren't. that would not only make me a racist but I would also be a bully.
I remember the first time I took a school bus to a city school. I was just starting the 10th grade and with the exception of a lady that was hired to take care of my brothers and I for a couple of weeks when I was thirteen I had never seen a black person. I do remember the lady and I was fascinated by her. Not because she was black but because she was beautiful and told such sad stories.
Anyway, on my first day we passed the black neighborhood and there were several black children walking on the sidewalk and another kid yelled "hey chocolate drop". I asked him why he did that and he said because they were white on the inside and black on the outside, just like the candy chocolate drop. Well the next day I yelled out the window too but a couple of the children looked up at our school bus and I saw the look of hurt in their eyes. That made me feel really bad and I thought about those stories Geneva told me and I understood.
I went away to college and when I came back I went to the Community Center hoping to see some of my friends only to discover it was now a private club. A young kid was sitting on the wall along the walkway and looked so sad and I asked him what was wrong. He said he had hoped to join the community center but all the memberships had been sold.
I went up to the people checking membership passes and asked if it was okay if I just went in for a minute or two to see if any of my friends were there. They told me no but I could buy a membership and go in for as long as I liked. I remarked that I thought they didn't have any left. At lest, I said, that's what I was just told. Oh, you mean that young kid over there. Yea, we sale memberships to keep his kind out. I said, oh, okay and purchased a year membership. I then walked back to the kid and handed him my membership card and told him he was now a member.
I don't know what ever happened to him but I know what happened to me.
To be perfectly honest, I'm like most folks and I am cautions around people different that I am. I don't like rap music nor any music that anyone plays too loud. I will ask you to turn it down. I don't like saggy pants, body jewelry, tattoos, foul language, people who use illegal drugs, liars, thieves,
people who pretend to be something they are not and snobby folks. I like people who are clean, nicely dressed, and genuine.
You can be anyone you choose to be. It's none of my business but it is my business who I let into my world and who I choose to let in. A lot of folks don't like me because I'm conservative and I'm not charming. I'm not ugly but I'm not pretty either. I'm just about as average as a man can get in most aspects of my life. I prefer you go live your life and let me live mine.
Of course being white it is easier to sum up another white person. I don't judge whether they are a good person or not but only if I would consider letting them be part of my world. There is no circumstance under which I would deny any one respect even if I determine you are not they type of person I want to be friends with. yea, you are right. There are plenty of people with tattoos who were saggy britches and body jewelry who are perfectly nice, descent people who are as honest as the day is long. Never said there wasn't. I can't be friends with everyone. Neither can you.
I don't like someone just because they are white anymore than I would dislike someone because they aren't. that would not only make me a racist but I would also be a bully.
I wished my brothers a merry Christmas
My older brother had no idea where is mother is. My younger brother actually called my nephews wife and asked her advice about what to do with Mom but never spoke to me about it and I had been her care giver for the past sixteen years and her son. Oh, he didn't wish me a merry Christmas either.
I know mom has a point when she justifies the youngest for taking her home after he promised to care for her. She says it isn't any fault of his because the bible says a man must leave his parents and cleave to his wife. That may be true but it doesn't excuse a man from making poor decisions, reneging on promises, ignoring his brother, and acting like a first class jerk.
First of all he should not have left the care od his mother to his wife. Secondly, he should have been aware of his wife's growing resentment of having to take care of his mother and taken steps to ease her burden. Third, when it became obvious that things were no going to work out he should have been more forth coming with information about the arrangements to bring her home so a plan of action could have been put into place for her care. Instead he just dumped her off at her house with no telephone, and no groceries and no one knowing exactly when he was bring her and hat he planned on doing or not doing.
He (or his wife, I don't know but the e-mail was issued in his name) it simple read 'Do you know Mom's telephone number?"
Really? No, how is Mom doing. Did she receive comfort from her hurt feelings and broken heart? Was anyone able to come by and bring her some food? No hoping she didn't fall and hurt herself with no way to call paramedics for help. Did she have any money to pay for anything she might need before family and friends could arrive to care for her since her youngest spend all her money and had control of all her accounts?
I figured if Mom wanted to talk to him or her eldest she could call them. But if she didn't it wasn't up to me to allow them to contact her. it was their need of privacy they threw her out to begin with so I wasn't going to be party to them invading hers.
Mom told me not to be mad at him for what his wife did. I told Mom I wasn't mad at him but I did have enough sense not to allow him to continue to play his hurtful games with us. No, I actually wished both my brothers a merry Christmas.
I know mom has a point when she justifies the youngest for taking her home after he promised to care for her. She says it isn't any fault of his because the bible says a man must leave his parents and cleave to his wife. That may be true but it doesn't excuse a man from making poor decisions, reneging on promises, ignoring his brother, and acting like a first class jerk.
First of all he should not have left the care od his mother to his wife. Secondly, he should have been aware of his wife's growing resentment of having to take care of his mother and taken steps to ease her burden. Third, when it became obvious that things were no going to work out he should have been more forth coming with information about the arrangements to bring her home so a plan of action could have been put into place for her care. Instead he just dumped her off at her house with no telephone, and no groceries and no one knowing exactly when he was bring her and hat he planned on doing or not doing.
He (or his wife, I don't know but the e-mail was issued in his name) it simple read 'Do you know Mom's telephone number?"
Really? No, how is Mom doing. Did she receive comfort from her hurt feelings and broken heart? Was anyone able to come by and bring her some food? No hoping she didn't fall and hurt herself with no way to call paramedics for help. Did she have any money to pay for anything she might need before family and friends could arrive to care for her since her youngest spend all her money and had control of all her accounts?
I figured if Mom wanted to talk to him or her eldest she could call them. But if she didn't it wasn't up to me to allow them to contact her. it was their need of privacy they threw her out to begin with so I wasn't going to be party to them invading hers.
Mom told me not to be mad at him for what his wife did. I told Mom I wasn't mad at him but I did have enough sense not to allow him to continue to play his hurtful games with us. No, I actually wished both my brothers a merry Christmas.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Surviving retirement
Yeah, I'm one of those who rely on Social Security for the majority of my income and my house isn't paid for. No, I don't work. But so far retirement has been a pleasure even though I can't take those extended vacations. Sometimes I feel envious of my friend Dave and his wife Chris. They have traveled up and down the east coast for 10 years now living in their RV and making friends and seeing many places. But to be honest I'm satisfied with my life.
Boredom is not a problem by any means and so far each year has been different. Actually my house payment is cheaper than the little duplex I was renting a few years back so making the payments isn't a serious burden. The first few years after I purchased my house I busied myself in landscaping and gardening and the last four years I have worked at the church clearing land, mowing and doing what needed to be done around the church. For two years I took care of Mom, doing her lawn, repairing her house and doing her shopping as well as helping take my mother-in-law to her doctor appointments. For sure those activities kept me busy.
Well my wife's mom passed away earlier this year and there isn't much landscaping to be done here anymore: it's just a matter of maintaining. There is still plenty to do around the church and my mom needs a little more care now than she had. My wife and I are both veterans so we get good care through the VA.
So far I am doing what I want to do and even though I am one of those living near poverty I still give about 15% of my income away (sometimes a little more and sometimes a little less). I can say that I am happy, healthy, and satisfied with how my life is going.
Boredom is not a problem by any means and so far each year has been different. Actually my house payment is cheaper than the little duplex I was renting a few years back so making the payments isn't a serious burden. The first few years after I purchased my house I busied myself in landscaping and gardening and the last four years I have worked at the church clearing land, mowing and doing what needed to be done around the church. For two years I took care of Mom, doing her lawn, repairing her house and doing her shopping as well as helping take my mother-in-law to her doctor appointments. For sure those activities kept me busy.
Well my wife's mom passed away earlier this year and there isn't much landscaping to be done here anymore: it's just a matter of maintaining. There is still plenty to do around the church and my mom needs a little more care now than she had. My wife and I are both veterans so we get good care through the VA.
So far I am doing what I want to do and even though I am one of those living near poverty I still give about 15% of my income away (sometimes a little more and sometimes a little less). I can say that I am happy, healthy, and satisfied with how my life is going.
Pennsylvania police find head on rural road, seeking body to match
Her mother always said she'd lose her head if it was tied on. I guess the knot came lose.
Monday, December 22, 2014
It's time to stop
I know police are not popular today and seemed to be actually hated by many people. I realize that there are some policemen out there that tarnish the badge and act as if they are above the law.
Often times we break the law and when we get caught we get mad at the police officer who caught us. Most often our dealings with the police are not beneficial to us as seldom do they have reason to deal with honest people. And yes, they make mistakes and sometimes people die because of those mistakes. Some times it's the bad guy that is killed but some times it's an innocent person who suffers.
There is no amount of reasoning that can make a bad cop behave correctly just as there is no reasoning with bad people to obey the law and act nice. But because one officer acted in a way we think was wrong has seemed to motivate people to boldly attack and kill police officers with no justification. if those that hate officers would really stop and think what life would be like without them then they wouldn't like the new reality. I firmly believe that if ever person was law abiding and there were no speeders or thieves or burglars, or murderers, or arsonists, or crooks, or insider traders nor any other kind of mischief maker we would still need a police force.
Why I believe this is simple. There will always be situations occur when we need someone of authority to take control of it. Sometimes there will be large gatherings of people and there is a need of someone to take control to come to the aid of a person suddenly stricken with an illness. A traffic light quit working and no one knows who should proceed. A sporting event is over and everyone is leaving in their vehicles at the same time. A sudden storm comes up and people don't know where to go for aid, cover, or shelter.
If we all did what we were supposed to do then there would be no police to misbehave. I think it is time we stop hating all police because when all is said and done they are more necessary than we really care to admit.
Often times we break the law and when we get caught we get mad at the police officer who caught us. Most often our dealings with the police are not beneficial to us as seldom do they have reason to deal with honest people. And yes, they make mistakes and sometimes people die because of those mistakes. Some times it's the bad guy that is killed but some times it's an innocent person who suffers.
There is no amount of reasoning that can make a bad cop behave correctly just as there is no reasoning with bad people to obey the law and act nice. But because one officer acted in a way we think was wrong has seemed to motivate people to boldly attack and kill police officers with no justification. if those that hate officers would really stop and think what life would be like without them then they wouldn't like the new reality. I firmly believe that if ever person was law abiding and there were no speeders or thieves or burglars, or murderers, or arsonists, or crooks, or insider traders nor any other kind of mischief maker we would still need a police force.
Why I believe this is simple. There will always be situations occur when we need someone of authority to take control of it. Sometimes there will be large gatherings of people and there is a need of someone to take control to come to the aid of a person suddenly stricken with an illness. A traffic light quit working and no one knows who should proceed. A sporting event is over and everyone is leaving in their vehicles at the same time. A sudden storm comes up and people don't know where to go for aid, cover, or shelter.
If we all did what we were supposed to do then there would be no police to misbehave. I think it is time we stop hating all police because when all is said and done they are more necessary than we really care to admit.
Elderly Abuse
Mom has been back at home for 12 days now. For those that haven't read my previous posts the story to date is this: Mom is 89, legally blind, and almost deaf and she has bladder control issues. It became obvious back in October that she wasn't capable of taking care of herself so I notified by two brothers. My older brother has financial power of attorney and my younger brother has financial and medical. I just take care of her as best as I can from 110 miles away. I call almost everyday and go take care of her at least once a month. I buy her groceries, do her yard work, and do maintenance on her home and run errands for her. My older brother has her two or three times a year and my younger brother calls her weekly but only chats for a few minutes. I talk to her as long as she needs me too.
Its been sixteen years since dad died and about four years since the state took Mom's driving privileges away. Her only living brother passed away a few months ago. Mom and Junior were close and his death was very hard on Mom.
Anyway my younger brother, the spoiled rich kid, swooped in to save the day. He wanted the three sons to split the cost of an assistant living facility but my share would have been from $100.00 to $300.00 more per month than I make and my older brother didn't want to help at all. Without any discussion my younger brother made the decision to move Mom to Ga. to live with him so he came, packed a few items for her and took her away.
His daily routine was to say hello in the morning and kiss her good night each evening and on occasion invite her to sup with the family but the majority of her time was spent in her room by herself. My brother and his wife each had their cellphones and shared the landline with Mom. The wife became Mom's caregiver which my brother took over all the others parts of her life. His wife controlled what and when she ate. The one thing she could not control was the number of friends Mom had and the fact they called her almost everyday.
As each day went by each phone call seemed to make my brother's wife madder and madder until one day she could take it no more. She called her husband on the phone and told him to take the old lady back to Hickory so he left work immediately, packed her up and took her home. I received an e-mail stating that other arrangements had to be made for her care but no information on when she would arrive or what was to be done for her when he got her home. He did cut the water back on for her and left her with a box of cereal and some milk. He has yet to inquire about her well being and my older brother has shown no interest in her welfare either.
I did receive an e-mail yesterday asking if I knew her new phone number. There was no inquiry as to how she was doing, no sympathy for her plight, nor concern about her whatsoever. I did respond to the email informing them that I do not give out phone numbers belonging to other people. I don't care if she is his mother, it should be her choice to talk with them or not. She can call him if she wishes and give him her number. She is deeply hurt by all that happened so how she handles things should be entirely up to her.
My older brother is now a widower, makes $35.00 an hour and works 60 hours per week and lives in a two thousand square foot house. He also draws social security. My younger brother makes more money than I ever dared dream of making and could have made better decisions regarding her care. I live on social security and have a disabled wife and a house that is probably smaller than my younger brothers living room but I would take her in if necessary. It would be extremely hard on my wife with all her physical disabilities as well as the lingering effects of her brain aneurysm.
I am not as upset with my sister-in-law even though she is the one who kicked Mom out of her house. My brother should never have stuck Moms care on her. Mom didn't need to be held prisoner in a rich mans bedroom either. What I had wanted to do was buy a place or rent a small apartment for Mom close enough to where I live so she could maintain her lifestyle yet close enough so I could give her daily care. When I first proposed this to her my two brothers complained that I was just trying to manipulate Mom so I could get her to live me all her assets. Even if that were true, which it wasn't, their involvement in Moms life would remain the same. One could call her every three or four months and the other could continue making his five minute weekly call. Both brother claim they have no interest in anything she owns anyway.
The only thing I care about is that my Mom is taken care of. I have been there for her for sixteen years now and her will still divides things equally so I just don't believe if she lived closer to me it would make any difference in whom gets what. If Mom ever changes her will it would be because of what they did or didn't do and would have nothing to do with me. Frankly I hope she leaves the will as it is so maybe after Mom is gone then my two brothers can live their life happy Mom is gone and they don't have to ever see me again.
I know you are probably wondering why my brothers don't like me. it's quite simple. My older brothers first wife had five children while married to him and he was the father of the first one only. he propositioned me one night and I turned her down so she got mad and told him I was the one who got her pregnant. Any reasonable man could figure out that I wasn't even in this country when she conceived and it didn't matter anyway as I have medical proof that I am unable to father children.
My younger brother is a jerk and has always been a jerk. When I was in the ninth grade members of the 7-8 grade basketball team came to me and said that my brother was a jerk and they wanted to kick his butt but out of respect for me they didn't. I told them not to let that stop them. Yea, I told my little brother but not for his safety but to protect my friends from getting into trouble because my brother was a jerk.
While he was a college professor I met one of his students and she admitted she disliked him
intensely. His first act as the new head of accounting at a big international company was to fire ever accountant that was under him because "they didn't know hat they were doing." Really? Everyone in the marching band was out of step but him. Amazing.
He was an officer stationed in South Carolina and lived with his wife and was able to continue school and obtain his masters degree .while I pulled two tours of duty in Vietnam and 36 straight months of overseas duty with out a single day of leave yet he claimed I had the easier duty because enlisted me got to decide if they wanted to follow his orders or not. He once told my father that the church he was pastor of was not good enough for him to attend. Once he sat on Moms couch with his feet extended straight in front of him so that when Mom was unloading the car she had to step over his feet to get by. he neither offered to help her nor to move his feet out of her way.
Once, as a Christmas present he gave me nothing while giving my wife and I a small display case about 5 inches high that had been reduced from $12.50 down to a buck seventy five. The jerkiest thing he ever did was at Thanksgiving. I had an idea that my parents myself and my two brothers would take turns hosting Thanksgiving. I had it the first year and he the second. Instead of just family he invited co-workers and friends and he sat with them in the main dining room. He sat my parents and my older brother in another room at a picnic table, and the children sat at a third table in what I suppose of the living room or family room. My wife and I were seated my ourselves in a hallway. Maybe he was offended because my wife was Oriental but that is no excuse to relegating my parents to a second rate table away from his friends and co-workers.
he always tried to blame me for us not being close. When Mom's sister was alive my brother would drive her from Hickory to Burlington to see her. On their way back home in would stop in Greensboro around two pm and call my house to see if they could stop by for a visit. Seriously? Almost everyone with a job is at work at 2 in the afternoon. Even if one worked second shift one could hardly accept company that was as yet 45 minutes away from your home. But he would always claim "I really wanted to see him." Well gosh, if you really wanted to see me why didn't you call the day before and see when it would be convenient or better yet a week or so in advance so maybe I could take a day off from work?
That's what he did when he would come to Hickory on his biyearly visit when he wanted to get together with my other brother to play golf. Me? He had Mom call me at 7am and asked me if I wanted to join my brothers for breakfast. Off course I live two hours away and they had already left home for the restaurant which they had forgotten to tell mom which one they were going to. But he could always claim he really wanted to see me.
Yeah, he's a jerk. Maybe I should have let the basketball team beat him up. I couldn't then and I couldn't do that now. But it is sweet to think aout.
Its been sixteen years since dad died and about four years since the state took Mom's driving privileges away. Her only living brother passed away a few months ago. Mom and Junior were close and his death was very hard on Mom.
Anyway my younger brother, the spoiled rich kid, swooped in to save the day. He wanted the three sons to split the cost of an assistant living facility but my share would have been from $100.00 to $300.00 more per month than I make and my older brother didn't want to help at all. Without any discussion my younger brother made the decision to move Mom to Ga. to live with him so he came, packed a few items for her and took her away.
His daily routine was to say hello in the morning and kiss her good night each evening and on occasion invite her to sup with the family but the majority of her time was spent in her room by herself. My brother and his wife each had their cellphones and shared the landline with Mom. The wife became Mom's caregiver which my brother took over all the others parts of her life. His wife controlled what and when she ate. The one thing she could not control was the number of friends Mom had and the fact they called her almost everyday.
As each day went by each phone call seemed to make my brother's wife madder and madder until one day she could take it no more. She called her husband on the phone and told him to take the old lady back to Hickory so he left work immediately, packed her up and took her home. I received an e-mail stating that other arrangements had to be made for her care but no information on when she would arrive or what was to be done for her when he got her home. He did cut the water back on for her and left her with a box of cereal and some milk. He has yet to inquire about her well being and my older brother has shown no interest in her welfare either.
I did receive an e-mail yesterday asking if I knew her new phone number. There was no inquiry as to how she was doing, no sympathy for her plight, nor concern about her whatsoever. I did respond to the email informing them that I do not give out phone numbers belonging to other people. I don't care if she is his mother, it should be her choice to talk with them or not. She can call him if she wishes and give him her number. She is deeply hurt by all that happened so how she handles things should be entirely up to her.
My older brother is now a widower, makes $35.00 an hour and works 60 hours per week and lives in a two thousand square foot house. He also draws social security. My younger brother makes more money than I ever dared dream of making and could have made better decisions regarding her care. I live on social security and have a disabled wife and a house that is probably smaller than my younger brothers living room but I would take her in if necessary. It would be extremely hard on my wife with all her physical disabilities as well as the lingering effects of her brain aneurysm.
I am not as upset with my sister-in-law even though she is the one who kicked Mom out of her house. My brother should never have stuck Moms care on her. Mom didn't need to be held prisoner in a rich mans bedroom either. What I had wanted to do was buy a place or rent a small apartment for Mom close enough to where I live so she could maintain her lifestyle yet close enough so I could give her daily care. When I first proposed this to her my two brothers complained that I was just trying to manipulate Mom so I could get her to live me all her assets. Even if that were true, which it wasn't, their involvement in Moms life would remain the same. One could call her every three or four months and the other could continue making his five minute weekly call. Both brother claim they have no interest in anything she owns anyway.
The only thing I care about is that my Mom is taken care of. I have been there for her for sixteen years now and her will still divides things equally so I just don't believe if she lived closer to me it would make any difference in whom gets what. If Mom ever changes her will it would be because of what they did or didn't do and would have nothing to do with me. Frankly I hope she leaves the will as it is so maybe after Mom is gone then my two brothers can live their life happy Mom is gone and they don't have to ever see me again.
I know you are probably wondering why my brothers don't like me. it's quite simple. My older brothers first wife had five children while married to him and he was the father of the first one only. he propositioned me one night and I turned her down so she got mad and told him I was the one who got her pregnant. Any reasonable man could figure out that I wasn't even in this country when she conceived and it didn't matter anyway as I have medical proof that I am unable to father children.
My younger brother is a jerk and has always been a jerk. When I was in the ninth grade members of the 7-8 grade basketball team came to me and said that my brother was a jerk and they wanted to kick his butt but out of respect for me they didn't. I told them not to let that stop them. Yea, I told my little brother but not for his safety but to protect my friends from getting into trouble because my brother was a jerk.
While he was a college professor I met one of his students and she admitted she disliked him
intensely. His first act as the new head of accounting at a big international company was to fire ever accountant that was under him because "they didn't know hat they were doing." Really? Everyone in the marching band was out of step but him. Amazing.
He was an officer stationed in South Carolina and lived with his wife and was able to continue school and obtain his masters degree .while I pulled two tours of duty in Vietnam and 36 straight months of overseas duty with out a single day of leave yet he claimed I had the easier duty because enlisted me got to decide if they wanted to follow his orders or not. He once told my father that the church he was pastor of was not good enough for him to attend. Once he sat on Moms couch with his feet extended straight in front of him so that when Mom was unloading the car she had to step over his feet to get by. he neither offered to help her nor to move his feet out of her way.
Once, as a Christmas present he gave me nothing while giving my wife and I a small display case about 5 inches high that had been reduced from $12.50 down to a buck seventy five. The jerkiest thing he ever did was at Thanksgiving. I had an idea that my parents myself and my two brothers would take turns hosting Thanksgiving. I had it the first year and he the second. Instead of just family he invited co-workers and friends and he sat with them in the main dining room. He sat my parents and my older brother in another room at a picnic table, and the children sat at a third table in what I suppose of the living room or family room. My wife and I were seated my ourselves in a hallway. Maybe he was offended because my wife was Oriental but that is no excuse to relegating my parents to a second rate table away from his friends and co-workers.
he always tried to blame me for us not being close. When Mom's sister was alive my brother would drive her from Hickory to Burlington to see her. On their way back home in would stop in Greensboro around two pm and call my house to see if they could stop by for a visit. Seriously? Almost everyone with a job is at work at 2 in the afternoon. Even if one worked second shift one could hardly accept company that was as yet 45 minutes away from your home. But he would always claim "I really wanted to see him." Well gosh, if you really wanted to see me why didn't you call the day before and see when it would be convenient or better yet a week or so in advance so maybe I could take a day off from work?
That's what he did when he would come to Hickory on his biyearly visit when he wanted to get together with my other brother to play golf. Me? He had Mom call me at 7am and asked me if I wanted to join my brothers for breakfast. Off course I live two hours away and they had already left home for the restaurant which they had forgotten to tell mom which one they were going to. But he could always claim he really wanted to see me.
Yeah, he's a jerk. Maybe I should have let the basketball team beat him up. I couldn't then and I couldn't do that now. But it is sweet to think aout.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Surprise Party was a real surprise
I really didn't think I could pull it off. After all having a surprise birthday party at the church for the pastor is no small feat because the more people that know the less chance one has to succeed. I was fearful that someone would give it away at the last minute and that almost happened. One of the little girls walked into the sanctuary carrying her present for the pastor but fortunately she was redirected to the fellowship hall without the preacher being the wiser.
I think the party came at the right moment because the preacher seemed a little down tonight and it was just the thing to cheer him up. He was turning 60 and maybe that number was a little depressing. As soon as the service was over I went to our out building and retrieved the wheel chair I had decorated with balloons while everyone else was whisked away into the fellowship hall. I stepped back into the church and told the preacher I needed to see him outside. He got a big kick out of the wheelchair and put on a little show for us. I then asked hi to step into the fellowship hall which had been magically transformed. There were two birthday cakes, one saying Happy and the other saying birthday. I explained it took tow cakes because old peoples vision fades and we had to write real big so he could see.
We then gave him his presents, all gag gifts. he received everdent, fixident, a denture brush, back ache pills, and other gifts related to growing old. He received two pair of shorts, one red with white trim and the other green with bells on them. Someone gave him a pocket watch which I explained by saying 'That's another timepiece the preacher can ignore ". We then sang Happy birthday "really loud" to compensate for the reduced hearing people experience as they age. I let the preacher cut his piece of cake then I sliced and served the rest of it.
It was a grand evening and the preacher was really surprised and it did cheer him up so.
I then cleaned up and helped take all the presents to the preacher vehicle, including the balloons and put away the wheelchair before locking up the church for the evening.
It was a special evening, not just the surprise birthday party but the service itself. I have never been to a church where the members loved each other the way One Way Baptist does. I believe we exhibit the kind of love for each other that would be pleasing to God.
I think the party came at the right moment because the preacher seemed a little down tonight and it was just the thing to cheer him up. He was turning 60 and maybe that number was a little depressing. As soon as the service was over I went to our out building and retrieved the wheel chair I had decorated with balloons while everyone else was whisked away into the fellowship hall. I stepped back into the church and told the preacher I needed to see him outside. He got a big kick out of the wheelchair and put on a little show for us. I then asked hi to step into the fellowship hall which had been magically transformed. There were two birthday cakes, one saying Happy and the other saying birthday. I explained it took tow cakes because old peoples vision fades and we had to write real big so he could see.
We then gave him his presents, all gag gifts. he received everdent, fixident, a denture brush, back ache pills, and other gifts related to growing old. He received two pair of shorts, one red with white trim and the other green with bells on them. Someone gave him a pocket watch which I explained by saying 'That's another timepiece the preacher can ignore ". We then sang Happy birthday "really loud" to compensate for the reduced hearing people experience as they age. I let the preacher cut his piece of cake then I sliced and served the rest of it.
It was a grand evening and the preacher was really surprised and it did cheer him up so.
I then cleaned up and helped take all the presents to the preacher vehicle, including the balloons and put away the wheelchair before locking up the church for the evening.
It was a special evening, not just the surprise birthday party but the service itself. I have never been to a church where the members loved each other the way One Way Baptist does. I believe we exhibit the kind of love for each other that would be pleasing to God.
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